Archived Blog Posts
Preserve your hardwood floors: Expert tips from SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth for water damage defense
8/22/2023 (Permalink)
Hardwood flooring is often one of the most vulnerable components when water damage wreaks havoc on Saginaw homes. As a trusted name in water damage restoration and flood restoration services, SERVPRO® of Northeast Ft. - Haltom City is committed to ensuring homeowners are equipped with the knowledge to protect their valuable hardwood floors in the face of water-related emergencies.
Swift response is key
A swift response is key when facing water damage emergencies. The first hours following an incident are critical in preventing further destruction. Acting promptly to implement water removal by professionals and initiate the drying process can significantly reduce the extent of damage and associated costs. By addressing the issue swiftly, homeowners can protect their property and valuable belongings, such as hardwood floors, from long-term harm. Trusting professionals like SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City ensures a rapid and effective response, minimizing the impact of water-related disasters.
Elevate and remove furnishings
When dealing with water damage, elevating and removing furnishings is a preventative move that can significantly affect the outcome. Homeowners can avoid moisture from being trapped and absorbed by their things by elevating furniture off the ground and shifting objects from impacted areas. This easy but important procedure protects hardwood floors, carpets, and furniture. Homeowners can help the drying process by making room for adequate airflow, lowering the chance of mold growth and structural damage. Working with water damage restoration pros, elevating and removing items lays the groundwork for a quick recovery.
Proper air circulation
Proper air circulation plays a vital role in mitigating the effects of water damage. When water infiltrates a space, ensuring adequate airflow helps expedite the drying process. Opening windows, utilizing fans, and employing dehumidifiers promote the evaporation of moisture, preventing it from seeping into porous materials like hardwood floors. However, it's important to strike a balance – while air circulation is beneficial, direct exposure to excessive sunlight should be avoided, as rapid temperature changes could lead to warping or cracking. Homeowners enhance their chances of successful water damage restoration by maintaining a controlled environment and promoting proper air circulation.
Avoid abrasive cleaning
When dealing with water-damaged surfaces, it is critical to avoid abrasive cleaning procedures. Hardwood floors, in particular, necessitate meticulous care to avoid further damage. Scrubbing or applying aggressive chemicals can harm the wood fibers and remove finishes, increasing the impact of water damage. Instead, rely on SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City’s professional guidance and techniques that preserve the integrity of the material.
Consult water damage restoration professionals
Consulting with water damage restoration experts is a prudent first step toward effective recovery. Trained professionals, such as those at SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City, have the experience and tools to analyze the damage's extent precisely. Their expertise enables them to adopt focused restoration measures such as specific drying procedures and moisture extraction. Entrusting the restoration procedure to professionals assures complete recovery and gives homeowners peace of mind during a challenging time.
Preventative measures for the future
SERVPRO of Haltom City goes beyond restoration, offering guidance on preventive measures. Applying a quality sealant to hardwood floors can act as a barrier against future water damage, helping homeowners safeguard their investments.
Whether it's a burst pipe, a sudden flood, or any water-related mishap, SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City is the trusted water damage partner Saginaw residents can rely on for swift and effective water damage restoration and flood restoration services. Their commitment to preserving and restoring hardwood floors underscores their dedication to helping homeowners navigate the challenges of water emergencies.
About SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City is a locally owned and operated franchise specializing in water damage restoration, fire damage restoration, mold remediation, and other related services. With a team of highly trained professionals and state-of-the-art equipment, SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City is dedicated to helping homeowners and businesses recover from disasters and emergencies of all sizes. Please contact them at (817) 741-5737 for more information about their flood restoration services.
Preventing water damage: SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth's advanced measures to combat humidity in Keller homes
7/21/2023 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: Discover how SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth combats humidity and prevents water damage in Keller homes through moisture assessments, swift extraction and drying, and thorough monitoring. Trust their expertise for effective water damage restoration services.
SERVPRO® of Northeast Ft. Worth, a leading provider of water damage restoration and flood restoration services, is pleased to announce their advanced measures, techniques, and procedures designed to combat humidity, a common cause of water damage in Keller homes. By implementing these proactive strategies, SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth aims to protect homes from the devastating effects of excess moisture and ensure the community's long-term well-being.
Comprehensive moisture assessments
These assessments involve a meticulous examination of moisture levels within the property. Highly trained technicians from SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth utilize state-of-the-art moisture detection equipment to identify hidden sources of moisture. By conducting thorough assessments, potential trouble spots can be identified early on, allowing for immediate action to be taken. This proactive approach helps prevent long-term water damage and the associated risks of mold and structural deterioration. Through these assessments, SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth ensures that moisture-related problems are identified and resolved, providing homeowners with peace of mind and a healthier living environment.
Swift water extraction and drying
When water damage occurs, their rapid response team immediately springs into action to extract standing water from the affected areas. By utilizing powerful pumps and advanced water extraction equipment, they swiftly remove water, preventing further damage and reducing the risk of mold growth. Once the water has been extracted, SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth employs high-capacity dehumidifiers and air movers to accelerate the drying process. These specialized tools effectively circulate air, remove excess moisture, and restore optimal humidity levels, ensuring a thorough and efficient drying process. Swift water extraction and drying significantly minimize the overall damage to the property and reduce the restoration time, allowing homeowners to return to a safe and dry environment as quickly as possible.
Targeted air circulation and dehumidification
Optimization of airflow and reduced moisture levels within the affected areas are because of setting up high-grade air movers and dehumidifiers. The powerful air movers facilitate the evaporation of moisture, while the dehumidifiers extract the moisture from the air, effectively lowering humidity levels. SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth's skilled technicians carefully assess each property's layout and conditions to determine the optimal placement of air movers and dehumidifiers. This customized approach ensures that the entire affected area receives proper air circulation and dehumidification, resulting in faster and more efficient drying. Through targeted air circulation and dehumidification, SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth helps restore the affected spaces to their pre-damage condition and prevents long-term moisture-related issues.
Structural dehumidification
Structural dehumidification targets moisture within the property’s structural components and helps prevent long-term damage, including warping, rot, and the growth of mold and mildew. Highly trained technicians from SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth assess the extent of moisture infiltration and strategically place dehumidifiers to expedite the drying process. These dehumidifiers work to extract excess moisture from the air and materials, promoting a faster and more thorough restoration. By thoroughly addressing moisture within the structural elements, SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth ensures the integrity and safety of the property, minimizing the risk of future complications.
Thorough moisture monitoring
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth's skilled technicians conduct regular moisture inspections using advanced moisture meters and thermal imaging cameras. This meticulous approach allows them to detect hidden moisture pockets and areas affected by water damage. By promptly identifying and addressing these moisture sources, SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth can prevent further damage and mitigate the risk of mold growth. Thorough moisture monitoring ensures the drying process is complete and all moisture has been effectively removed from the property. This comprehensive approach guarantees that the property is restored to a dry and safe condition, providing homeowners with peace of mind and minimizing the potential for long-term moisture-related issues.
About SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth is a locally owned and operated franchise providing professional water damage restoration, flood restoration, and other property damage restoration services in Keller, USA. With a team of highly trained technicians and advanced equipment, SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth is dedicated to helping homeowners and businesses recover from water-related emergencies and restore their properties efficiently. Visit their official page to learn more about their water damage restoration services.
Revolutionizing water cleanup: SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth sets a sustainable standard for Saginaw homes
7/21/2023 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: Learn how SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth in Haltom City revolutionizes water cleanup in Saginaw homes with sustainable and eco-friendly practices. Utilizing green cleaning products, they set a new environmentally conscious restoration standard. Discover their innovative approach that prioritizes effectiveness and preserving the planet for future generations.
SERVPRO® of Northeast Ft. Worth in Haltom City, a leading provider of water damage restoration and water cleanup services, is proud to announce its sustainable and eco-friendly practices revolutionizing the industry in Saginaw. With a solid commitment to environmental stewardship and cutting-edge techniques, they set a new eco-conscious water damage restoration standard.
Utilizing green cleaning products
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth Haltom City is dedicated to utilizing green cleaning products during water cleanup in Saginaw homes. These environmentally friendly solutions offer a safe and effective alternative to traditional cleaning products. By prioritizing green cleaning, they minimize harm to the ecosystem and prioritize the health and well-being of homeowners.
Green cleaning products are non-toxic and biodegradable, ensuring no harmful chemicals or pollutants are introduced into Saginaw's air or water systems. This reduces the risk of respiratory issues, allergic reactions, and long-term health problems for both residents and restoration professionals.
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth, Haltom City, ensures that their green cleaning products meet industry standards and provide a thorough and efficient cleanup. These eco-friendly solutions effectively remove contaminants, restore cleanliness, and restore Saginaw homes to their pre-damage condition.
With a commitment to sustainability, SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth, Haltom City, continuously seeks out the latest advancements in green cleaning products. By staying up-to-date with environmentally conscious solutions, they ensure that Saginaw homeowners receive the best and safest options available in the industry.
Advanced water extraction equipment
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth, Haltom City, relies on advanced water extraction equipment to effectively tackle water damage in Saginaw homes. This cutting-edge equipment enables them to swiftly and efficiently remove water from various surfaces, mitigating further damage and expediting restoration.
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The team utilizes powerful pumps and high-capacity wet-dry vacuums specifically designed for water extraction. These advanced tools can extract large volumes of water from carpets, flooring, and furniture, leaving no room for lingering moisture that could lead to secondary damage or mold growth.
Not only are these advanced water extraction tools highly efficient, but they also prioritize energy conservation. By maximizing extraction capabilities while minimizing energy consumption, SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City reduces the overall environmental impact of the restoration process.
Drying techniques with energy-efficient equipment
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth, Haltom City, employs energy-efficient equipment for drying techniques during water damage restoration in Saginaw homes. Their strategically-placed industrial-grade air movers and dehumidifiers promote proper airflow and expedite drying.
By utilizing energy-efficient devices, they maximize drying efficiency while minimizing energy consumption. This approach helps prevent further damage and contributes to a more sustainable and eco-friendly restoration process. SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City's commitment to energy-efficient drying ensures thorough drying with minimal environmental impact for Saginaw homeowners.
Salvaging and restoration: Preserving the essence of Saginaw homes
Skilled restoration professionals assess the damage and identify salvageable items. They strive to restore furniture, fixtures, and personal belongings to pre-damage condition. SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth, Haltom City, reduces waste and minimizes the need for costly replacements. This approach benefits the environment and helps homeowners retain sentimental and valuable items.
With extensive knowledge in restoration techniques, SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City ensures that each salvaged item undergoes meticulous cleaning, repair, and restoration processes.
By prioritizing salvaging and restoration, SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City not only restores Saginaw homes to their former glory but also embraces the value of preserving the past while building a more sustainable future.
About SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth, Haltom City
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth, Haltom City, is a locally owned and operated franchise specializing in water damage restoration, fire damage restoration, mold remediation, and other related services. With a team of highly trained professionals and a commitment to customer satisfaction, they serve homeowners and businesses in Saginaw and the surrounding areas. Focusing on sustainability and eco-friendly practices, they strive to provide efficient and effective restoration while preserving the environment for future generations. Please visit their official website or call (817) 741-5737 for more information about SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City and their sustainable water damage restoration practices.
Confronting water damage: Battling excess humidity and rampaging floods in Keller homes
7/21/2023 (Permalink)
Welcome to the SERVPRO® of Northeast Ft. Worth blog, your go-to resource for tackling water damage challenges in Keller homes. In this article, we'll dive deep into the two formidable foes that wreak havoc on properties: excess humidity and devastating floods.
We will explore the immediate and long-term consequences these water-related disasters can inflict on your cherished Keller home. From the stealthy dangers of excess humidity to the relentless force of flooding, we'll shed light on the impact they leave in their wake. Equipped with practical mitigation tips, you'll gain the knowledge to take swift action and protect your home from their relentless attack. Moreover, we'll unveil the unparalleled expertise of SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth as we reveal the cutting-edge techniques and strategies we employ in water damage restoration and the art of rebuilding.
Are you ready to fortify your Keller home against the threats of water damage? Let's embark on this enlightening journey together.
The hidden culprit: Excess humidity unleashes water damage in Keller homes
Understanding the impact of excess humidity: Unveiling the silent water damage culprit
Excess humidity may seem harmless, but it can silently wreak havoc on your Keller home. Understanding its impact is crucial in safeguarding your property against water damage. Excess humidity refers to an elevated moisture level in the air, which can arise from various sources such as cooking, showering, or poor ventilation.
Excess humidity infiltrates your home, seeping into walls, floors, and furniture. Over time, this excessive moisture can lead to a host of problems. Structural materials, such as drywall and wooden elements, may absorb the moisture, causing warping, swelling, and compromising their structural integrity. In addition, prolonged exposure to high humidity creates a breeding ground for mold and mildew, which damages surfaces and poses significant health risks to you and your family.
Moreover, excess humidity can impact the overall comfort of your home. It can make the air feel sticky, promote the growth of unpleasant odors, and even increase your HVAC system's workload. By understanding the impact of excess humidity, you become better equipped to identify warning signs and take preventive measures to protect your Keller home from water damage.
Immediate consequences of excess humidity: Unveiling the visible effects
Excess humidity in your Keller home can lead to a range of immediate consequences that demand your attention. As moisture levels rise, you may notice visible signs of water damage that require prompt action.
One of the most apparent consequences is the development of condensation on windows, mirrors, and other surfaces. This foggy or damp film not only obstructs your view but also serves as evidence of elevated humidity levels. Additionally, excess humidity can lead to the formation of water stains on ceilings, walls, or floors, indicating the presence of hidden moisture intrusion.
Another immediate consequence of excess humidity is the proliferation of musty odors that permeate your living space. These unpleasant smells often stem from mold and mildew growth, which thrive in damp environments. If you detect a musty odor, it is crucial to address the underlying humidity issue promptly to prevent further damage and potential health hazards.
Moreover, excessive moisture in the air can make your living space feel sticky and uncomfortable. You may experience a persistent feeling of dampness, which can affect your overall well-being and diminish the comfort of your home. High humidity levels can also exacerbate respiratory issues and allergies, as airborne allergens like dust mites and mold spores thrive in such conditions.
Long-term effects of excess humidity: Unveiling the hidden damage
While the immediate consequences of excess humidity are concerning, the long-term effects can be even more damaging to your Keller home. Ignoring or neglecting high humidity levels can lead to severe and costly repercussions over time. One of the primary long-term effects of excess humidity is the deterioration of structural materials. Moisture seeping into walls, ceilings, and floors can weaken their integrity, causing them to warp, crack, or even rot. This can result in extensive repairs or replacement, compromising the stability and value of your home.
Furthermore, persistent high humidity provides an ideal breeding ground for mold and mildew. These fungal growths thrive in moist environments, spreading rapidly and releasing spores into the air. Not only can mold and mildew damage surfaces, leading to stains and discoloration, but they can also pose significant health risks to you and your family. Prolonged exposure to mold spores can trigger allergies, respiratory issues, and other adverse health effects.
In addition to structural damage and health hazards, excess humidity can impact the overall indoor air quality of your home. The presence of excess moisture can create an environment where dust mites and other allergens thrive, exacerbating allergy symptoms and respiratory discomfort for occupants.
Long-term exposure to high humidity levels can also strain your HVAC system. The constant battle to remove excess moisture from the air places additional stress on your cooling and dehumidifying equipment, potentially leading to increased energy consumption and higher utility costs.
Mitigation tips: Combating excess humidity - Regain control over your Keller home
Combating excess humidity in your Keller home is essential to prevent long-term water damage and maintain a healthy living environment. By implementing the following mitigation tips, you can regain control and protect your property:
Ensure proper ventilation
Proper ventilation is crucial in reducing excess humidity. Use exhaust fans in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms to expel moisture-laden air outside. Open windows and doors when weather permits to improve air circulation and allow moisture to escape.
Use dehumidifiers
Invest in high-quality dehumidifiers to effectively control indoor humidity levels. Place them strategically in areas prone to moisture accumulation, such as basements, crawlspaces, and bathrooms. Regularly empty and clean the dehumidifier to maintain its efficiency.
Fix leaks and seal cracks
Inspect your home for any plumbing leaks, roof leaks, or foundation cracks. Address these issues promptly to prevent moisture infiltration and the subsequent increase in humidity levels. Repairing leaks and sealing cracks will help maintain a dry environment.
Monitor indoor humidity
Use a hygrometer to monitor indoor humidity levels. The ideal range is generally between 30% and 50%. If the humidity exceeds this range, take immediate action to reduce moisture levels using dehumidifiers or other ventilation methods.
Properly dry wet areas
Act quickly when dealing with spills, leaks, or water damage. Thoroughly dry affected areas within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold and mildew growth. Use fans, dehumidifiers, and towels to dry damp surfaces thoroughly.
Floods: Unleashing water damage in Keller homes
The devastation caused by floods
Floods have the power to unleash a wave of devastation on Keller homes, leaving behind a trail of destruction and chaos. When the forces of nature converge, the immediate impact can be overwhelming, and the long-term consequences can be profound.
One of the most apparent and immediate consequences of a flood is the extensive damage to the structure of your home. The force and volume of water can penetrate walls, seep into foundations, and compromise the integrity of the entire building. Foundations may crack, weaken, or even shift, posing significant safety risks.
Floodwaters are often accompanied by contaminated debris, sewage, and harmful substances, making them a breeding ground for bacteria and pathogens. This contamination poses serious health risks to you and your loved ones. Exposure to these hazardous elements can lead to waterborne illnesses, respiratory problems, and other adverse health effects.
Floods can also result in the loss of personal belongings and cherished possessions. Furniture, electronics, sentimental items, and important documents may be irreparably damaged, leading to emotional distress and financial strain.
Immediate impact of flooding: The onslaught of destruction
When a flood strikes your Keller home, the immediate impact is swift and overwhelming. The force of rushing water can cause significant damage, leaving you to grapple with the immediate aftermath. Understanding the immediate consequences is essential in responding effectively to mitigate further harm.
One of the most apparent immediate impacts of flooding is extensive water infiltration. Floodwaters seep into every corner, saturating walls, floors, furniture, and belongings. This water intrusion can lead to structural damage, compromising the stability of your home and rendering it uninhabitable.
Electrical systems are particularly vulnerable during flooding, posing a severe safety hazard. The presence of water can cause short circuits, electrical shocks, and even fires. As a result, it is essential to exercise extreme caution and avoid contact with electrical components in flood-affected areas.
Additionally, floods bring along a host of contaminants, including sewage, chemicals, and debris. This contamination poses significant health risks. Exposure to these hazardous substances can lead to infections, skin irritations, respiratory issues, and other adverse health effects.
It also extends to the loss of personal belongings and sentimental items. Furniture, appliances, cherished mementos, and important documents can be irreversibly damaged or destroyed, leading to emotional distress and financial strain.
In the immediate aftermath of a flood, it is crucial to prioritize personal safety and take swift action to mitigate further damage. If necessary, evacuation to a safe location and seeking professional assistance from SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth should be top priorities. Their expertise and specialized equipment will aid in water extraction, drying, and removing hazardous contaminants, ensuring a thorough restoration process.
Long-term consequences of flooding: Lingering effects and ongoing challenges
While the immediate impact of flooding is overwhelming, the long-term consequences can be equally devastating for Keller homes. Even after the floodwaters recede, the aftermath of a flood poses significant challenges and lasting effects that can affect your property for years to come.
One of the primary long-term consequences of flooding is the structural damage it leaves behind. The force of the water can weaken foundations, compromise the integrity of walls and floors, and cause significant erosion. Over time, these issues can lead to costly repairs, reduced property value, and even render the home uninhabitable.
Persistent moisture from flooding creates an ideal breeding ground for mold and mildew. These fungal growths can increase within 24 to 48 hours, infesting walls, ceilings, and other surfaces. Not only can mold and mildew cause further damage to the structure, but they also pose significant health risks to occupants, triggering allergies, respiratory problems, and other health complications.
Floodwater often carries contaminants such as sewage, chemicals, and bacteria. These hazardous substances can seep into porous materials, making thorough decontamination crucial. If not addressed promptly and properly, the lingering contaminants can pose long-term health hazards and negatively impact the indoor air quality of your home.
The emotional toll of a flood can also be long-lasting. The loss of personal belongings, sentimental items, and cherished memories can be devastating. The process of rebuilding and recovering from a flood can be emotionally draining, requiring time, patience, and support.
Furthermore, the financial burden of long-term consequences cannot be overlooked. Repairing structural damage, addressing mold growth, and implementing preventive measures against future flooding can incur significant expenses.
Mitigation tips: Taking swift action - Regaining control after a flood
When faced with the aftermath of a flood, taking swift action is crucial to minimize further damage and restore your Keller home. By following these essential mitigation tips, you can regain control and begin the journey towards recovery:
Ensure safety first
Prioritize your safety and the safety of your family. If returning to your home after a flood, be cautious of potential hazards such as structural damage, electrical hazards, and contaminated water. If necessary, wait for professional guidance before reentering your property.
Document the damage
Take thorough photographs or videos of the flood damage inside and outside your home for insurance purposes. This visual evidence will support your claims during the claims process.
Contact your insurance provider
Notify your insurance provider about the flood damage as soon as possible. They will guide you through the claims process and provide essential information on coverage and necessary documentation.
Remove standing water
If it is safe to do so, remove standing water from your home as quickly as possible. Use pumps, wet-dry vacuums, or professional water extraction services to efficiently extract the water. Time is of the essence to prevent further damage and the growth of mold and mildew.
Dry and dehumidify
Thoroughly dry the affected areas and reduce humidity levels using dehumidifiers, fans, and natural ventilation. Open windows and doors to facilitate air circulation. Dispose of any irreparably damaged porous materials that may retain moisture and promote mold growth.
Clean and disinfect
Thoroughly clean and disinfect all surfaces that come into contact with floodwater. Use appropriate disinfectants to kill bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants. Wear protective gear, such as gloves and masks, during cleaning.
Seek professional restoration services
Engage the services of a professional restoration company, such as SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth, to assist with the comprehensive restoration process. Their expertise, specialized equipment, and experience will ensure thorough water extraction, structural drying, mold remediation, and restoration.
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth's water cleanup and rebuilding strategies
Comprehensive water cleanup techniques
After a flood, comprehensive water cleanup techniques are essential to restore order and ensure your Keller home's safe and efficient recovery. . Employing these techniques helps mitigate further damage and sets the foundation for successful restoration. Let's explore some key aspects of comprehensive water cleanup:
Water extraction
Effective water extraction is paramount in removing standing water from your property. Professional-grade pumps, wet-dry vacuums, and specialized extraction equipment are employed to swiftly and efficiently remove water from affected areas. By extracting water promptly, you minimize the risk of structural damage and prevent the proliferation of mold and mildew.
Debris removal
Flooding often brings along debris, mud, and other contaminants into your home. Thorough debris removal is vital to create a clean and safe environment for the restoration process. Professional restoration teams will carefully and systematically remove debris, ensuring no residue is left behind.
Sanitization and disinfection
Comprehensive water cleanup involves thorough sanitization and disinfection of affected surfaces and items. Powerful antimicrobial solutions and disinfectants are utilized to eliminate bacteria, viruses, and pathogens that may be present in floodwater. This step ensures a hygienic and safe environment for the restoration process and future habitation.
Drying and dehumidification
Proper drying and dehumidification are critical to prevent further damage and inhibit mold growth. Industrial-grade air movers, dehumidifiers, and moisture detection equipment are employed to efficiently dry the affected areas, including walls, floors, and structural components. This process helps restore the proper moisture balance and prevents secondary damage.
Mold remediation
Floodwaters create favorable conditions for mold growth, posing a significant health risk. Comprehensive water cleanup includes mold remediation, which involves identifying and removing any visible mold growth and addressing hidden mold sources. Professional restoration teams utilize advanced techniques, such as HEPA filtration and specialized cleaning agents, to ensure thorough mold removal.
By employing these comprehensive water cleanup techniques, restoration professionals like SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth can effectively restore your home to its pre-flood condition. Their expertise, specialized equipment, and adherence to industry best practices ensure a meticulous cleanup process, setting the stage for successful restoration and rebuilding.
Swift water extraction and drying process: Restoring dryness and stability
Swift water extraction and a meticulous drying process are critical components of effective water damage restoration. When facing the aftermath of a flood or significant water damage event in your Keller home, prompt water removal and thorough drying are essential. Let's explore the critical elements of this crucial process:
Rapid water extraction
Time is of the essence when it comes to water extraction. Restoration professionals employ powerful pumps, high-capacity wet-dry vacuums, and specialized extraction equipment to remove standing water from your property swiftly. This step is crucial in minimizing further damage and preventing the onset of mold growth.
Moisture detection
After water extraction, restoration experts employ advanced moisture detection tools, such as thermal imaging cameras and moisture meters, to identify hidden pockets of moisture. These areas can include wall cavities, under flooring, and other hard-to-reach spaces. By identifying these moisture sources, restoration teams can effectively target the drying process and prevent potential issues down the line.
Thorough structural drying
Once the water is extracted, the drying process commences. Restoration professionals strategically place industrial-grade air movers and dehumidifiers throughout the affected areas. Air movers facilitate moisture evaporation from surfaces, while dehumidifiers remove excess moisture from the air, reducing humidity levels. This combination accelerates drying and ensures thorough moisture removal from structural components and building materials.
Monitoring and adjusting
Throughout the drying process, restoration teams monitor humidity levels, moisture content, and temperature using specialized equipment. This allows them to track progress, make necessary adjustments to the drying setup, and ensure that all affected areas are adequately dried. Technicians may reposition equipment as needed to optimize airflow and promote efficient drying.
Documenting progress
Restoration professionals maintain meticulous documentation of the water extraction and drying process. This includes capturing initial moisture readings, tracking the progress of drying over time, and documenting any adjustments made to the equipment setup. These records provide valuable information for insurance claims and serve as proof of the thoroughness of the restoration process.
By employing a swift water extraction and drying process, restoration professionals like SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth can effectively restore your home to a dry and stable condition. Their expertise, experience, and advanced equipment ensure efficient moisture removal, preventing further damage, mold growth, and long-term issues.
Advanced moisture monitoring and detection: Uncovering hidden moisture and ensuring complete restoration
In the process of water damage restoration, advanced moisture monitoring and detection techniques play a vital role in ensuring thorough restoration and preventing future issues. Restoration professionals employ cutting-edge tools and methods to uncover hidden moisture, track drying progress, and verify the success of restoration efforts. Let's delve into the key aspects of advanced moisture monitoring and detection:
Thermal imaging cameras
Restoration experts utilize thermal imaging cameras to identify hidden pockets of moisture within walls, ceilings, and other structural components. These cameras detect variations in surface temperature, allowing technicians to pinpoint areas where moisture may be trapped. By identifying these moisture sources, targeted drying measures can be implemented to ensure comprehensive restoration.
Moisture meters
Moisture meters are essential tools in moisture monitoring. These devices measure the moisture content of various materials, including wood, drywall, and flooring. Restoration professionals use moisture meters to assess the moisture levels in affected areas and track the progress of drying over time. This data helps determine the effectiveness of drying techniques and ensures that moisture is fully eliminated.
Hygrometers
Hygrometers are instruments used to measure relative humidity in the air. Restoration teams utilize hygrometers to monitor and maintain optimal humidity levels during the drying process. By controlling humidity, they can prevent excess moisture and inhibit the growth of mold and mildew.
Moisture mapping
Restoration professionals create moisture maps to visualize the extent of water damage and track the areas that require focused attention. These maps help guide the placement of drying equipment and ensure that all affected areas receive adequate drying. By following the moisture map, technicians can systematically address moisture pockets and ensure a comprehensive restoration process.
Ongoing monitoring and adjustments
Restoration teams continuously monitor moisture levels, temperature, and humidity throughout the drying process. Regular assessments allow them to make necessary adjustments to the drying setup, reposition equipment as needed, and ensure that all affected areas are thoroughly dried. This iterative monitoring ensures that no hidden moisture remains and mitigates the risk of secondary damage.
By employing advanced moisture monitoring and detection techniques, restoration professionals such as SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth can identify hidden moisture, ensure thorough drying, and provide a complete restoration of your Keller home. Their expertise and utilization of cutting-edge tools enable them to deliver a meticulous and effective restoration process.
Structural dehumidification for long-term protection: Safeguarding your Keller home
Structural dehumidification is a crucial step in water damage restoration that provides long-term protection for your Keller home. By effectively reducing humidity levels and preventing excessive moisture, this process ensures structural components' stability and helps deter mold and mildew growth. Let's delve into the critical aspects of structural dehumidification:
Controlling humidity
Excessive humidity can lead to ongoing moisture-related issues, compromising the integrity of structural components. Through the use of powerful commercial-grade dehumidifiers, restoration professionals actively control and maintain optimal humidity levels in the affected areas. These specialized dehumidifiers extract excess moisture from the air, preventing condensation and inhibiting the growth of mold and mildew.
Targeting hard-to-reach areas
Structural dehumidification goes beyond surface drying. Restoration experts strategically place dehumidifiers in crawl spaces, wall cavities, and other hard-to-reach areas to ensure thorough moisture removal. This targeted approach eliminates hidden pockets of moisture that could otherwise lead to long-term damage or mold growth.
Promoting air circulation
Adequate air circulation is essential for effective dehumidification. Restoration professionals utilize air movers and fans to promote proper airflow throughout the affected areas. This promotes faster drying and helps dehumidifiers extract moisture efficiently.
Drying structural materials
Structural dehumidification targets not only the air but also the moisture within the structural materials. Moisture can become trapped within walls, floors, and other components, posing long-term risks. By combining dehumidification with proper ventilation, restoration teams facilitate the drying of structural materials, minimizing the potential for rot, warping, or deterioration.
Preventing mold and mildew growth
Excessive moisture provides an ideal environment for mold and mildew to thrive. Through comprehensive structural dehumidification, restoration professionals effectively reduce humidity levels, making it challenging for mold spores to germinate and grow. This proactive approach helps prevent mold and mildew infestations, safeguarding the health and integrity of your Keller home.
By incorporating structural dehumidification into the restoration process, SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth ensures long-term protection for your home. Their expertise in using advanced dehumidification equipment, combined with their understanding of building structures, guarantees thorough moisture removal and a dry, stable environment.
Rebuilding your Keller home: Restoring beauty and functionality
After experiencing water damage, the process of rebuilding your Keller home is essential to restore its beauty, functionality, and structural integrity. Professional restoration teams, like SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth, are equipped with the expertise and resources to efficiently carry out the rebuilding process. Let's explore the key aspects of rebuilding your Keller home:
Structural assessment
Before rebuilding begins, a thorough structural assessment is conducted to evaluate the extent of the damage. Experienced professionals inspect the foundation, walls, floors, and other structural components to identify areas that require repair or replacement. This assessment ensures a solid foundation for the rebuilding process.
Repair and replacement
Damaged materials and components, such as drywall, flooring, and cabinetry, are repaired or replaced as necessary. Skilled craftsmen work diligently to restore these elements to their pre-damage condition, ensuring aesthetics and functionality.
Plumbing and electrical systems
Water damage can impact plumbing and electrical systems within your home. These systems are inspected, repaired, and brought up to code as needed during the rebuilding process. This ensures essential utilities' safe and efficient operation in your Keller home.
Interior finishes and design
Rebuilding provides an opportunity to update and enhance your home's interior finishes. Restoration professionals work closely with you to select materials, colors, and design elements that align with your preferences. This includes flooring, paint, trim, and other interior finishes, allowing you to customize your Keller home to your desired aesthetic.
Restoring exterior elements
The rebuilding process also encompasses the restoration of exterior elements such as siding, roofing, and landscaping. Skilled contractors work diligently to repair or replace damaged exterior components, ensuring your Keller home is visually appealing, weather-resistant, and functional.
Quality assurance
Throughout the rebuilding process, restoration professionals conduct rigorous quality assurance checks. This ensures that all work meets industry standards and your satisfaction. Thorough inspections are conducted to address any remaining issues, ensuring that the rebuilt areas of your home meet the highest standards of craftsmanship.
The rebuilding services, executed by professionals like SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth, restore your Keller home's beauty and functionality and provide peace of mind. By entrusting the task to experienced restoration teams, you can rest assured that your home is in capable hands.
About SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth is a trusted and leading provider of water damage restoration services in Keller, Texas. With a commitment to excellence and a focus on customer satisfaction, we have been serving the community for several years. Our team of highly trained and experienced professionals is dedicated to restoring homes and businesses to their pre-damage condition.
At SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth, we understand the devastating impact that water damage can have on your property. Whether it's caused by excess humidity, flooding, or other water-related incidents, we have the knowledge, skills, and state-of-the-art equipment to handle any water damage restoration project.
Our comprehensive services include water extraction, drying, dehumidification, mold remediation, and complete restoration. We take a systematic and thorough approach to ensure that every step of the restoration process is executed with precision and efficiency.
We prioritize customer satisfaction and aim to minimize the disruption caused by water damage. Our team works closely with insurance companies to streamline the claims process and provide you with peace of mind during this challenging time. Contact us now to learn more about our water damage restoration services.
SERVPRO of Keller: Expert Plumbing Services for Swift Water Damage Restoration
7/7/2023 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Keller is your go-to source for comprehensive plumbing services in water damage restoration. Their skilled technicians ensure swift and practical solutions to mitigate water damage. Discover how their expertise can help restore your property quickly.
Keller, TX- SERVPRO of Keller is pleased to announce its exceptional plumbing services for water damage restoration. With a reputation for excellence and a team of skilled technicians, they are the go-to experts when addressing plumbing-related issues post-water damage. Their prompt and reliable solutions help property owners recover quickly and efficiently, minimizing the impact of water damage on their homes or businesses.
Water damage can wreak havoc on properties, causing structural damage and other costly issues. Understanding the urgency and complexity of water damage restoration, SERVPRO of Keller brings together its plumbing expertise, state-of-the-art equipment, and industry-leading practices to deliver outstanding results.
Rapid Response and Emergency Plumbing Services
SERVPRO of Keller understands that emergencies can happen anytime, so their emergency plumbing services are available 24/7. Whether it's a burst pipe, a malfunctioning water heater, or a sewage backup, their experienced team responds swiftly to assess the situation and implement immediate solutions.
SERVPRO of Keller's trained professionals also conducts thorough inspections to identify any underlying issues that may have contributed to the plumbing emergency. Addressing these root causes help prevent future incidents, ensuring the long-term integrity of plumbing systems.
Expert Water Extraction and Drying Techniques
One of the primary techniques SERVPRO of Keller employs is truck-mounted water extraction. This method involves using powerful extraction units mounted on trucks to remove large volumes of water from affected areas efficiently. These high-capacity machines ensure speedy water extraction, reducing drying time and minimizing the risk of secondary damage.
SERVPRO of Keller also utilizes specialized equipment such as submersible pumps, wet vacuums, and industrial-grade dehumidifiers to extract water from hard-to-reach areas and accelerate the drying process. Their team meticulously assesses the extent of water damage, strategically placing drying equipment to restore moisture levels in the affected spaces effectively.
Comprehensive Plumbing Repairs
SERVPRO of Keller employs highly skilled plumbing professionals who thoroughly inspect plumbing systems. They meticulously examine every aspect, including pipes, fixtures, drains, and water supply lines, to detect any signs of leaks, corrosion, or other vulnerabilities.
In addition to their meticulous inspections, SERVPRO of Keller provides expert plumbing repairs to address any issues uncovered during the inspection process. Whether it's fixing leaking pipes, replacing damaged fixtures, or repairing faulty valves, their skilled plumbers have the knowledge and tools to promptly and effectively resolve plumbing problems.
Advanced Equipment for Effective Restoration
SERVPRO of Keller understands this urgency and employs high-performance equipment to expedite drying and restoration. They develop targeted drying plans and help prevent potential mold growth and structural issues.
SERVPRO of Keller also utilizes advanced air movers and dehumidifiers to promote rapid and thorough drying. These specialized machines create optimal airflow and humidity control, accelerating moisture evaporation from walls, floors, and other surfaces.
Professional Guidance and Support Throughout the Restoration Process
SERVPRO of Keller understands that dealing with water damage can be a stressful and overwhelming experience. The knowledgeable and experienced team at SERVPRO of Keller is dedicated to helping clients navigate the challenges of water damage restoration and ensuring a smooth and successful rehabilitation.
From the initial assessment to developing a customized restoration plan, SERVPRO of Keller's experts guides clients every step of the way. They conduct thorough inspections, assessing the extent of the water damage and identifying any potential hazards or vulnerabilities. They inform and involve clients by explaining procedures, timelines, and expected outcomes.
About SERVPRO of KellerSERVPRO of Keller is a leading provider of professional plumbing services and water damage restoration solutions. Their expertise in water extraction, drying techniques, and advanced equipment and technology ensure effective restoration. They offer professional guidance and support throughout the restoration, providing a smooth and successful experience. Contact them now to avail their exceptional services.
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City: Pioneers eco-friendly water removal for sustainable restoration
7/7/2023 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: Discover how SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City sets a new standard in water removal by adopting eco-friendly techniques. From energy-efficient equipment to green cleaning agents and reduced waste practices, they prioritize environmental responsibility without compromising on exceptional restoration services. Join the sustainable restoration revolution today.
Haltom City, Texas - With the increasing awareness of environmental issues and the urgent need for sustainable solutions, SERVPRO® of Northeast Ft. Worth Haltom City recognizes the crucial role of minimizing ecological footprint. Through their dedication to environmental responsibility, SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City prioritizes sustainability without compromising efficiency or quality. By incorporating innovative technologies and best practices, they ensure that water removal is conducted with the utmost care for the environment.
Harnessing the power of advanced water extraction equipment
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City prioritizes environmentally friendly products that are safe and effective in restoring water-damaged areas. These green cleaning agents may include plant-based solutions, biodegradable detergents, and eco-friendly disinfectants, carefully selected to minimize their environmental impact while ensuring thorough and effective cleaning. By embracing these green cleaning agents, SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City achieves its goal of providing sustainable restoration services without compromising quality.
Innovating with low-impact drying methods
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City employs high-speed air movers, which circulate air at a rapid pace, accelerating the drying process while minimizing energy consumption. Additionally, they use dehumidifiers with energy-saving features, such as intelligent humidity sensors and programmable settings, to optimize drying efficiency and reduce overall energy usage.
Embracing green cleaning agents for restoration
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City prioritizes environmentally friendly products that are safe, non-toxic, and effective in restoring water-damaged areas. These green cleaning agents include plant-based solutions derived from renewable resources, biodegradable detergents that break down harmlessly in the environment, and eco-friendly disinfectants that eliminate contaminants without posing risks to human health or ecosystems. By employing these methods, SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City ensures that the earth becomes greener.
Salvaging and restoring materials for reduced waste
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City employs specific techniques for salvaging and restoring materials, ensuring reduced waste during the water removal and restoration process. They utilize advanced drying methods and equipment to extract water and moisture from affected materials, such as furniture, carpets, and documents, in order to salvage them whenever possible. By implementing specialized cleaning and disinfection techniques, they restore water-damaged materials to their preloss condition, thus allowing clients to retain cherished items and belongings.
Collaboration with local environmental initiatives
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City actively participates in local environmental initiatives as part of its commitment to sustainability. They collaborate with local eco-friendly organizations to promote and support sustainable practices in the community. By partnering with these organizations, they contribute to environmental education programs, workshops, and awareness campaigns, spreading the message of environmental responsibility and the importance of preserving the planet. They also seek opportunities to engage in community clean-up events and environmentally focused projects, demonstrating their dedication to making a positive impact beyond their restoration services.
About SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City is a locally owned and operated franchise offering comprehensive water removal, fire damage restoration, and mold remediation services. With a commitment to customer satisfaction and the environment, they have established themselves as a trusted name in the industry. Their certified technicians provide 24/7 emergency response and utilize advanced techniques and equipment to deliver efficient and reliable restoration services.
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City's commitment to environmental responsibility extends beyond its services. The company regularly invests in advanced training programs to equip its technicians with the knowledge and skills necessary to adopt eco-friendly practices. By staying at the forefront of the industry, SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City continues to provide innovative solutions without compromising the environment.
With their unwavering commitment to environmental responsibility, SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City sets a new standard in the water removal industry. Their integration of eco-friendly practices into their operations not only reflects their dedication to the planet but also ensures that clients receive top-quality service that aligns with their values. Contact them at (817) 741-5737 to avail SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City’s “clean green” water removal services in Saginaw, TX, and nearby areas.
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City urges homeowners to help prevent basement water damage
6/8/2023 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City recommends scheduling annual professional inspections for early detection of potential issues in the basement. Homeowners can take preventative measures, such as installing a sump pump and backup generator, ensuring proper drainage and grading, repairing and sealing cracks, maintaining and replacing old pipes and appliances, and regularly cleaning gutters and downspouts.
Basement water damage occurs when water finds its way into the basement of a home or building because of heavy rains, flooding, storm runoff, poor drainage, leaks, or a combination of these factors. It can cause extensive damage to a home’s foundation, walls, and cellar, leading to costly repairs. That’s why SERVPRO® of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City encourages homeowners to learn about the common causes of basement water damage and develop a plan to tackle it.
Basements are the most vulnerable part of any home or building. Knowing the common causes of basement water damage and taking proactive steps to mitigate it is essential for protecting homes and businesses from costly repairs and structural damage.
Common causes of basement water damage
Heavy rains, floods, and storms can cause basement water damage by overwhelming the existing infrastructure or penetrating through porous walls and drainage systems. Poor drainage and grading can cause runoff water to pool around the foundation of a home, leading to significant structural damage over time. Additionally, cracks in the foundation and walls, leaking pipes and appliances, and clogged gutters and downspouts can all contribute to basement water damage. Even without heavy rains, homes and buildings are susceptible to water damage.
How to prevent basement water damage
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City recommends taking the following measures to help prevent basement water damage.
First, installing a well-maintained sump pump and a backup generator provides the best protection against flooding and other water-related disasters. Homeowners should also ensure proper drainage and grading around the foundation to minimize the risk of flooding. Furthermore, all cracks in the foundation and walls should be repaired and sealed as soon as possible.
Regular maintenance and replacement of plumbing and appliances are also recommended for preventing basement water damage, as leaking pipes and appliances can cause extensive water damage over time. Finally, homeowners should regularly clean their gutters and downspouts to ensure they’re functioning properly and not clogging.
Importance of regular maintenance
Regular maintenance is one of the most effective ways to prevent basement water damage. It allows for early detection of potential problems and prevents costly repairs before they get out of hand. SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City recommends scheduling annual professional inspections to ensure the health and integrity of your home or building.
Water damage restoration services in Saginaw, TX
In conclusion, basement water damage seriously threatens the structure and foundation of homes and buildings. To prevent costly repairs in the future, homeowners should familiarize themselves with the common causes of basement water damage and take proactive steps to mitigate it. Additionally, SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City recommends scheduling regular professional inspections to allow for the early detection of any potential issues. Remember: preventing damage is far easier and more affordable than repairing it. If water damage occurs despite all precautions, SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City can come to the rescue with their exceptional water damage restoration services.
For water damage restoration in Saginaw, TX, homeowners can call the professionals at SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City at (817) 741-5737. To learn more, visit their website at https://www.SERVPROnortheastftworth.com. They can be reached by email at office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com.
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Keller provides water damage restoration services to property owners.
6/8/2023 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Keller emphasizes the benefits of hiring professional water damage restoration services, such as their quick response time, specialized equipment, and expertise. They encourage homeowners to take action and hire a professional water damage restoration service if they are experiencing signs of water damage in their homes.
Water damage caused by a leaking refrigerator can be a significant problem. Not addressing the issue immediately can lead to extensive damage to your property. That’s why it’s important to call professionals like SERVPRO® of Northeast Fort Worth - Keller for professional water damage restoration services. Their specialized equipment and expertise can help minimize the damage and restore your home to its preloss condition quickly and efficiently.
Causes of refrigerator water damage
There are numerous causes of refrigerator water damage. Common causes include a leaking water supply line, a clogged drain line, or a leaking door gasket. Neglecting to repair or replace these components can lead to significant water damage in your kitchen.
Signs of refrigerator water damage
It’s important to be aware of the signs of refrigerator water damage so you can address the issue immediately. Warning signs include water stains on walls or floors, musty odors, or mold growth. If you notice any of these signs, it’s essential to call a professional water damage restoration service as soon as possible.
Benefits of refrigerator water damage restoration
Timely refrigerator water damage restoration can help protect other kitchen appliances from damage due to leaking water. Professional water damage restoration services can help identify the source of the leak, quickly assess the issue, and execute a plan of action. These services can also help prevent water from spreading to other areas and can take immediate steps to prevent further damage to other kitchen appliances.
Swift refrigerator water damage restoration services can help preserve the kitchen cabinets and floor, as well as the structural integrity of the home. These services can also help dry out the area and take measures to prevent further damage, such as mold and mildew.
Water damage restoration services from SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Keller offers comprehensive water damage restoration services. The water damage restoration process typically includes an inspection of the affected area, water extraction, and dehumidification. With their specialized equipment and expertise, they can help minimize the damage caused by refrigerator water damage and restore your property to its preloss condition. SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth attempts restoration and repair rather than replacement because it is often more cost-effective and usually causes less disruption to the customer.
Benefits of hiring professional water damage restoration services
Hiring professional water damage restoration services has numerous benefits. Professional services have access to specialized equipment and expertise, allowing them to address water damage quickly and effectively. They can minimize the amount of damage caused by the water, saving you time and money. Professional water damage restoration services also have fast response times, essential when dealing with water damage.
Water damage caused by a leaking refrigerator can be a serious issue. SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Keller offers professional water damage restoration services to address the issue quickly and effectively. With their specialized equipment and expertise, they can help minimize the damage and restore your property to its preloss condition. If you experience any signs of water damage in your home in Keller, TX, it’s crucial to take action and call a professional water damage restoration service immediately. They can be reached by email at office@SERVPROnefw.com or by phone at (817) 741-5737.
SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth offers eco-friendly techniques for water damage restoration in Keller, TX
5/11/2023 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth combines ecological, biodegradable materials with cutting-edge technology and equipment to detect moisture and remove it from afflicted areas. Their team is passionate about delivering top-quality service and is focused on giving their customers only the best results.
Keller, TX: The professionals at SERVPRO® of Northeast Fort Worth in Keller, TX, are thrilled to offer environmentally-friendly means of restoring water damage. As an elite provider in water damage restoration in Keller and nearby regions, their experienced professionals consistently attempt to provide high-quality service utilizing top-notch technology that is both quick and effective.
Eco-friendly techniques
SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth offers a variety of eco-friendly techniques for water damage restoration. These techniques are designed to reduce the environmental impact of water damage restoration and ensure the safety of the environment. The techniques include the use of natural, biodegradable materials to reduce pollutants. These materials are environmentally safe and are much more efficient than traditional water damage restoration techniques.
Advanced technology
SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth allocates its resources to acquiring and maintaining state-of-the-art technology and equipment to expedite the process of your home's restoration while reducing expenses. Their advanced tools aid them in identifying covert moisture and speedily removing stagnant water with proficiency. Furthermore, they use high-quality cleaning, disinfecting, and freshening solutions to sterilize and eliminate any threats present in the water-damaged area, prioritizing your security and convenience.
Repairs and minor building services
SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth is committed to providing high-quality services, such as drywall removal and installation, hardwood floor repair, tile floor repair, painting, and carpet repair and installation, to bring homes back to their pre-water damage condition. Through the utilization of cutting-edge techniques and green solutions, SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth works diligently to minimize the environmental impact associated with water damage restoration while maintaining a high standard of safety. By deploying the latest technologies, they are devoted to providing their customers with the best results achievable.
Reconstruction and building services
SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth can ensure a seamless restoration experience by mitigating initial water damage and repairing the damaged areas. Their expert team is devoted to offering first-rate services, including drywall removal and installation, hardwood floor repair, tile floor repair, painting, and carpet repair and installation.
Emergency building services
SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth is experienced in providing emergency building services for homes and businesses that have been damaged by storms or water. Their team of experienced professionals can provide temporary protective measures, such as board-up, roof tarp, temporary fencing, move-out/pack-out, and temporary warehouse space. All of these services are designed to reduce the environmental impact of water damage restoration and ensure the safety of the environment.
Customer satisfaction
SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth is committed to providing the highest level of customer satisfaction possible. Their team of technicians is highly skilled and knowledgeable in all aspects of water damage restoration. They are passionate about providing the best service possible and are dedicated to providing their customers with the best possible results.
About SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth - Keller
SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth is a leader in water damage restoration in Keller and the surrounding areas. Their team of experienced professionals is dedicated to providing the best quality service and the most efficient and effective water damage restoration solutions. They use the latest technology and eco-friendly techniques to ensure the best possible results.
SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth's staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. They have undergone rigorous training at SERVPRO's Corporate Training Facility and have obtained regular IICRC industry certifications. Their training includes IICRC Training, Employee Certification Training, Initial Franchise Training, e-Learnings, and Continuing Education Classes.
For more information about SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth and their water damage restoration services, please visit their website at https://www.SERVPROnortheastftworth.com or call (817) 741-5737. Their office is located at 5751 Kroger Dr Ste 203, Fort Worth, Texas 76248.
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City Provides Effective Water Removal Services
5/11/2023 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO® of Northeast Fort. Worth - Haltom City has the tools necessary to handle any water removal challenges, offers thorough updates on the job's status, and offers simple guidelines for avoiding further water damage.
Haltom City, TX – In an effort to keep Haltom City residents safe and their homes and businesses in top condition, SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City is proud to offer advanced water removal services. The group of experts and specialists is on call twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, to deliver high-quality service and guarantee efficiency and safety in any water removal difficulty.
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City is proud to be certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and the Restoration Industry Association (RIA). This certification allows the team to provide superior service and safety regarding water removal.
Protecting your health and property with water removal
Neglecting to take swift action to fix water damage can cause serious health problems as well as major harm to property. This is why SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City is dedicated to offering top-notch water removal services that are fast, efficient, and effective.
The team also takes the necessary steps to ensure the affected area is safe and secure. This includes assessing the risk of mold and mildew and taking the appropriate steps to protect the health of the occupants.
Safeguarding your home with professional water removal
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City proudly offers professional water removal services. They are well-versed in the latest technologies and techniques to ensure that water is removed quickly and safely. They also understand the importance of protecting your home and property from further damage.
The team is well-equipped to address any water removal challenge. From flooded basements to leaking roofs, they can provide comprehensive water removal solutions tailored to each customer's individual needs.
Water removal equipment
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City has the latest water removal equipment to ensure fast and efficient service. This includes state-of-the-art pumps, vacuums, and dehumidifiers to quickly and safely remove water from flooded basements, leaky roofs, and other sources of water damage. The team also uses moisture meters, infrared cameras, and other advanced technology to identify hidden sources of water and assess the risk of mold and mildew. With their specialized equipment and expertise, SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City can provide the best possible service for their customers.
Keeping you informed every step of the way
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City is committed to keeping customers informed every step of the way. They provide detailed reports on the job's progress and any potential risks associated with the water removal process.
The team also provides clear and concise instructions on preventing future water damage. They can advise how best to protect your home or business from future water-related problems.
Contact SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Haltom City is committed to providing fast and effective water removal services. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact them at (817) 741-5737 or visit their website at https://www.SERVPROnortheastftworth.com/.
Why is professional water removal reliable?
4/12/2023 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: You can rely on SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth for water removal in Haltom City. They have highly-trained, IICRC-certified technicians and the latest equipment to ensure efficient water removal.
As a homeowner, one of the worst nightmares is water damage. Whether it's a burst pipe, flooded basement, or natural disaster, water can quickly destroy your property and create costly repairs. Quick action can save your home from further damage, which is where professional water removal equipment comes in. With the right equipment and expertise, you can quickly dry up your home and prevent severe water damage. For homeowners in the Haltom City area, SERVPRO® of Northeast Ft. Worth is a trusted and experienced water damage restoration company. In this article, they explain how professional water removal equipment can save your home and why it's important to work with a company like SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth.
What is water removal?
Water removal is the process of removing standing water from a home or property. The process can involve using pumps, vacuums, and other specialized equipment to extract water from floors, carpets, walls, and other surfaces. Water removal aims to quickly and effectively remove as much water as possible to prevent further damage and prepare the space for drying and restoration.
Why is professional water removal equipment important?
Without the proper equipment and training, it's easy to miss hidden pockets of water or damaged delicate surfaces. A professional water removal company like SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth has the experience, training, and specialized equipment for quick and effective water removal in Haltom City, which reduces the risk of further water damage.
Some of the equipment that SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth may use during water removal include:
- Pumps: High-powered pumps can quickly extract large amounts of water from floors and other surfaces, making them essential for effective water removal.
- Vacuums: Wet/dry vacuums can be used to remove water from carpets, upholstery, and other surfaces, making them an important tool for more detailed water removal.
- Air movers: These powerful fans can circulate air and dry out damp surfaces, helping prevent mold and mildew growth.
- Dehumidifiers: These machines can remove excess moisture from the air, helping to speed up the drying process and prevent further damage.
- Moisture meters: These devices measure the moisture levels in different areas of your home, helping to ensure that all areas have been properly dried and prepared for restoration.
What are the benefits of working with a professional water removal company?
There are several benefits to working with a professional water removal company like SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth:
- Faster response time: When you work with a professional water removal company, you can expect a faster response time. Mold growth can happen within 24 to 48 hours of exposure to moisture. A prompt response is critical in reducing the risk of further damage and reducing the overall cost of restoration.
- Expertise and experience: Professional water removal companies have the training and expertise to quickly and effectively remove water from your home and restore it to its pre-damage condition.
- Specialized equipment: Professional water damage restoration companies have access to specialized equipment and the latest technology that can help to quickly and effectively remove water from your home and prevent further damage.
- Comprehensive services: A professional water removal company like SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth can offer a range of services, including water removal, drying, restoration, and mold remediation
- Insurance assistance: Navigating insurance claims when there has been water damage is stressful. A professional water removal company like SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth can help you navigate this process and act as your advocate while dealing with your insurance company.
- Peace of mind: When you work with a reputed water removal company, you can have peace of mind knowing that your home is in good hands. You can focus on taking care of yourself and your family. SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth is a locally owned company with national resources that can handle disasters of any size.
With the right equipment and expertise, water damage can be effectively managed. SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth is one of the #1 water damage restoration companies in Haltom City, Northeast Ft. Worth. They have highly-trained water damage restoration technicians who are IICRC-certified.
In case of any type of water damage in Haltom City, trucks from SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth stocked with equipment to remove water and dry out the structure can arrive quickly. Their crews operate efficiently to restore businesses or homes to a preloss condition as swiftly as possible. For speedy water removal in Carter Riverside, Haltom City, call SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth at (817) 741-5737.
Water Damage Restoration of Drywall
4/11/2023 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: In this article, SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Keller explains water damage restoration of affected drywall in homes.
Water damage is a common problem in homes, especially during natural disasters or when there are plumbing issues. Drywall is one of the most common materials that get damaged by water. The good news is that it can be repaired, depending on the extent of the damage. In this blog, we will dive into whether water-damaged drywall can be repaired and what steps you can take to ensure a successful repair.
Water damage in drywall can be a big problem for homeowners, and it's vital to know how to identify and repair it. Leaks and moisture can cause significant damage to the walls, and it's crucial to act quickly to prevent further damage. SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Keller explains what to do when water damage affects drywall.
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Keller is a premiere fire and water cleanup and restoration company. This business is locally owned and operated, providing emergency services 24/7. As a leader in the restoration industry, their water damage restoration services in Keller are the most trusted.
Causes of Water Damage in Drywall
Water damage in drywall can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Leaks from pipes or roofs
- Humidity
- Condensation from air conditioners
- Flooding
- Inadequate ventilation
It's important to identify the source of the water damage to prevent future issues. Moisture can infiltrate drywall and create an environment conducive to mold growth, leading to health issues for building occupants. Water damage can compromise the drywall's structural integrity and impact a space's overall aesthetics.
Signs of Water Damage To Drywall
- Discoloration: Water damage can cause the paint or wallpaper on the drywall to become discolored, often with brown or yellowish stains.
- Bubbling or blistering: Water damage can cause the drywall to bubble or blister, creating a rough or uneven surface.
- Peeling or cracking: When water seeps into the drywall, it can cause the surface to peel or crack, especially around the edges.
- Sagging or warping: If the drywall is exposed to water for an extended time, it may start to sag or warp, which can be a sign of serious damage.
- Musty odor: Water damage can also create a musty smell, especially if the water has been present for some time and has started to develop mold or mildew.
- Dripping sounds as if from within the walls.
Identifying leaks and moisture is critical in preventing further damage to your building and effectively repairing water-damaged drywall.
Water damage restoration of drywall
The following are the general steps that may be taken for water damage restoration of drywall:
- Inspection: A professional water damage restoration company like SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Keller will first inspect the extent of the water damage and determine the best course of action for complete restoration.
- Water removal: Any standing water will be removed using specialized equipment such as powerful pumps and vacuums to prevent secondary water damage and mold growth.
- Drying and dehumidification: The affected area will be dried thoroughly using air movers and dehumidifiers. This limits the risk of further damage and mold growth.
- Removal of drywall: Any irreversibly damaged or moldy drywall will be removed and disposed of properly to minimize the risk of spreading contaminants.
- Cleaning: The remaining surfaces and restorable items and structures will be cleaned and disinfected using specialized equipment and cleaning solutions. The professionals at SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Keller are trained to provide sanitizing treatments and deodorize affected property.
- Restoration: Once the area is dry and clean, the damaged drywall will be replaced and painted to match the surrounding areas. The restoration process aims to restore a home or business to a preloss condition.
- Prevention: To prevent future water damage, the restoration company may recommend measures such as installing a sump pump or sealing any cracks or leaks in the foundation or walls.
DIY vs. Professional Drywall Repair: Pros and Cons.
DIY enthusiasts can attempt to repair water-damaged drywall. You'll need a utility knife, a drywall saw, sandpaper, and a putty knife. You have to cut out the damaged drywall and clean the area thoroughly before applying a new layer of joint compound and sanding it down to be flush with the surrounding drywall. Some techniques that could prove useful include using fans or dehumidifiers to speed up the drying process and also applying a mold and mildew-resistant primer after the repair is complete.
While tackling drywall repair as a DIY project may seem more cost-effective, certain repairs require specialized tools and techniques only a professional may possess. Additionally, poor repairs done by inexperienced individuals may result in sub-par quality and need further repairs. Professionals have the necessary knowledge and experience to provide high-quality, long-lasting repairs.
DIY can be challenging. It is also not as efficient and reliable as water damage repair by experienced professionals.
Tips for Preventing Water Damage in Drywall
- Fix leaks promptly
- Seal cracks and gaps
- Inspect and maintain appliances
- Install a sump pump
- Check gutters and downspouts
- Monitor humidity levels and use a dehumidifier to maintain a healthy level of humidity
- Insulate pipes
Why Choose SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Keller
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Keller is the #1 choice for water damage restoration in Keller, Texas. They always do what is right by the customer and, as part of a nationwide network of 1,700 franchises, can respond quickly to any size disaster with more resources. If you are looking for an experienced and reliable water damage restoration company in Keller, contact SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth - Keller at (817) 741-5737.
Water damage restoration for leaks and water damage in the attics of Richland Hills, TX, Homes
3/29/2023 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth is sharing a five-step guide for preventing water damage in the attic.
SERVPRO® of Northeast Fort Worth strives to provide customers with the water damage restoration services they need when disaster strikes. Keeping the attic dry and free of mold, mildew, and wood rot requires intentionality and effort on the part of the homeowner. Regular maintenance will keep the attic in good shape, and frequent inspections will reveal any water leaks or excess moisture.
The leading cause of water damage in the attic is a roof leak. Any water intrusion in the attic will result in water damage. An attic inspection should identify roof issues that could introduce water and moisture into the environment. The inspection tips below can help homeowners prevent a water damage disaster in the attics of Watauga, TX, homes.
1. Maintain the roof to keep it in top shape
Proper roof maintenance begins with a thorough inspection. Because the roof is difficult to inspect from the ground, areas of the roof that can be observed from the ground require the skill of a trained eye for a proper inspection. A close inspection can only be conducted by putting boots on the roof. However, in recent years, drone technology has made it possible to make an accurate assessment from the air. Whatever course of action is chosen, remember to stay safe. Secure the services of a roofing contractor to inspect the roof annually. Many roofing contractors will conduct a free inspection to obtain future business and clients.
Repair any damage as quickly as possible. Damaged flashing, missing shingles, sagging or warped sheathing, and dry rot around the eaves and gutters need immediate attention. Often, a reputable roofing contractor will identify issues and recommend solutions.
2. Make sure the attic receives proper ventilation
Poor ventilation can allow humidity levels in the attic to rise dramatically. Excess moisture and heat are two significant factors that encourage mold growth in the attic. Robust ventilation prevents warm, moist air from becoming trapped in the attic. The failure to keep the air in the attic moving can result in serious mold issues.
3. Make sure appliances are ventilating properly
Check to ensure that all vented appliances are correctly installed and are being vented through the roof to the outside. Venting only to the attic can cause odors, increase moisture levels, lead to mold infestation, and possibly cause a fire damage disaster. The rise in moisture levels and the smell of food will attract a host of pests who will crawl, claw, and gnaw until they discover the location of the moisture and the delicious food odors. A hungry squirrel can rapidly chew its way into an attic, and birds, rats, mice, chipmunks, skunks, and snakes will soon follow. The initial entry point could also allow for water intrusion and serious water damage.
4. Avoid water damage by thoroughly insulating the attic
Attic insulation helps maintain even temperatures in the attic and the home. A properly insulated attic can reduce power bills while reducing the potential for water damage in the attic. Wear long pants, a long shirt, a hat, and eye protection while inspecting the attic insulation. Feel the insulation. It should be dry, thick, and soft to the touch. Do not touch or rub the eyes, mouth, or face until proper cleanup has occurred. Tiny strands of fiberglass insulation can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. Contact with the skin can cause rashes. Thin, flat attic insulation may signal the presence of excessive moisture levels in the attic.
5. Keep trees trimmed and gutters clean
Trees are a beloved element of a beautiful landscape, and a beautiful treescape adds significant value to any home. However, one tree toppled by straight-line winds can demolish a house, and a large limb can puncture the roof, allowing hundreds of gallons of water to cascade into the attic and cause havoc in the home.
A healthy, well-pruned treescape will reduce limb shed. Trim limbs away from the roof, and consider removing any trees that are dangerously close to the home. Schedule an annual treescape inspection with a certified arborist once a full leaf shed has occurred in late fall. Have the tree care professional remove any damaged or diseased limbs.
Tree care and gutter care go hand in hand. If leaf-bearing trees are present in the landscape, the property owner should inspect and clean the gutters at least twice a year. Pine trees shed their needles. After a severe storm, matted pine needles and pinecones can clog gutters. The water can backflow into the attic and make its way into the home, damaging ceilings, walls, structural timbers, baseboards, and flooring.
How to deal with water damage in the attic
When a water leak causes water damage in the attic, call on the professionals at SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth. A crew of IICRC-certified technicians arrives at the damaged property in about an hour to begin the cleanup and restoration process. The customer will receive a detailed, well-documented estimate with images and video. SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth will handle the claims process from beginning to end.
To learn more about water damage restoration in Watauga, TX, call SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth, TX, at (817) 741-5737. The office can also be contacted by email at office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com.
Navigating fire and water damage caused by efforts to extinguish a toaster fire
3/29/2023 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth explains best practices for toaster use. If a toaster does cause a fire, the professionals at SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth can help the homeowner or business clean up and restore the fire damage.
SERVPRO® of Northeast Fort Worth delivers water removal and water damage restoration services when a fire damages a home or business. In many cases, a fire damage disaster involves a significant water damage disaster from efforts to extinguish the flames. A heat-producing appliance such as a stove, grill, air fryer, waffle iron, or toaster has an elevated fire risk.
Ten toaster safety tips
These tips will improve the use and safety of the toaster, and minimize the risks of a toaster fire.
- Inspect the toaster before use. Look inside the slots for items that may have been inadvertently left in the toaster.
- Always stay with a toaster while it is in use. Once unplugged, allow at least sixty seconds for the appliance to cool. The leading cause of house fires is an unattended dish (including toast, pastries, or waffles) cooking in a stove, oven, toaster, or other heat-producing appliance (air fryer, deep fryer, toaster oven, grill, waffle iron, etc.)
- Clean the toaster frequently. When the unit has cooled and unplugged, dump the crumbs and any residue in the toaster. Wipe the surfaces of the toaster with a soft cloth and a safe, gentle cleaner.
- Keep combustibles (paper, plastic, rags) and flammable liquids (alcohol, aerosol cleaners, solvents) away from the toaster, even when the appliance is not in use.
- Keep a clear space around the toaster.
- Unplug a toaster when it is not in use. The appliance can be accidentally engaged, or a malfunction can occur that causes the element to heat up and possibly cause a fire.
- Avoid using more than one heat-producing appliance at a time on the same outlet or circuit. An example would be plugging an air fryer and a toaster into the same outlet.
- Always use the toaster on a flat, flame-resistant, dry surface. Never put a cloth or paper towel under a toaster to catch stray crumbs.
- Never stick a metal knife, fork, spoon, or tongs inside the toaster slots, even if the toaster is disengaged or unplugged. The results could be shocking. Also, the element could be damaged by the sharp metal implement. A plastic utensil can melt if the unit is hot.
- Do not submerge a toaster in water or spray water on or inside the appliance.
What to do if a toaster catches fire
Any heat-producing kitchen appliance comes with some fire risk from misuse or malfunction. Fast action is required when a fire breaks out in the home since flames can spiral out of control within two minutes. Here are some steps to follow if the appliance does catch fire.
- Shut off the electrical flow to the toaster. If possible, unplug the toaster. If the fire prevents getting close to the appliance, make initial attempts to extinguish the flames as described below. Eliminating the flow of electricity to the device reduces the potential for electrical shock while the homeowner is trying to extinguish the fire.
- Have someone in the home or business call 911 to dispatch fire responders to the scene. If no one is available, dial 911 and put the device on speakerphone. Talk to the emergency dispatcher while working to extinguish the blaze.
- Extinguish the flames. Use a fire extinguisher if possible. Smother the flames with a large, wet towel if an extinguisher is not available. Avoid dousing the burning appliance with water.
- If the flames get out of control, evacuate the home or building.
- If the fire was limited to the toaster, purchase a new one. Do not attempt to use the damaged toaster. Electrical shock or another fire could result. Cut the cord off to prevent anyone from using the appliance.
How to deal with fire damage and water damage in the aftermath of a toaster fire
When a fire damage and water damage disaster happens, call the property damage cleanup and restoration professionals at SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth. IICRC-certified technicians arrive on the scene in about an hour. The team utilizes powerful water removal and extraction equipment, heavy-duty dehumidifiers, and rapid-spin fans in the water damage cleanup process. Advanced cleaning techniques and EPA-approved products disinfect, sanitize, and deodorize the home or business. Available 24/7, 365 days a year, including holidays, SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth can handle the insurance claims process from beginning to end.
For more information about Keller, TX, water removal services, contact SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth, TX, at (817) 741-5737 or email office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com.
Six common causes of water damage often mistaken for a roof leak
3/29/2023 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: When water damage appears on the ceiling or in the attic, the homeowner might assume that the cause is a roof leak. However, the water intrusion could originate from a different source.
SERVPRO® of Northeast Fort Worth provides flood restoration services when storm damage or water damage occurs. Powerful pumps, wet-dry vacuums, heavy-duty dehumidifiers, and rapid spin fans quickly remove water and excess moisture. Advanced moisture-detecting technology ensures the efforts are successful. Advanced cleaning techniques and EPA-approved products are used to clean, disinfect, sanitize, and deodorize the flood-damaged home or business.
A green, brown, or black stain on a sagging, water-logged ceiling may not be a roof leak. Other water sources in the attic or above the ceiling may be the culprit. The diagnosis of the source of the water may be challenging, especially since water can travel a long distance over support timbers, an attic floor, and through the ceiling. Below are six common water damage sources that are often mistaken for a leaking roof.
1. Condensation in the attic
Proper insulation and adequate ventilation are essential for the overall health of the attic. Inadequate insulation and insufficient ventilation allow moisture to accumulate and become trapped in the attic. The moisture will eventually condense, moistening structural timbers, flooring, boxes, clothing, furniture, documents, and other valuables in the attic. An accurate assessment of the situation will require the services of a competent professional. Be sure to operate bathroom and kitchen fans when bathing or cooking to reduce moisture in the home. Make sure all ventilation fans distribute 100% of the moist air to the house’s exterior.
2. HVAC condensation pan
Some homes have part of the HVAC system located in the attic. The evaporator has a condensate pan to catch condensation and exhaust the water to the home's exterior through the condensate pan drain. Over time, the condensate pan may crack and begin to leak. Older condensate pans are made of metal and can develop leaks due to rust, while plastic pans can develop cracks. Sludge and slime can build up and block the drain or clog the pipe evacuating the pan outside the home. Occasionally, a mouse, lizard, or snake could crawl up the drain and clog the system.
An HVAC condensate pan leak can reveal itself in many ways, including the following:
- Brown, green, tan, or black stains appear on the ceiling below the inside unit.
- The ceiling warps, sags, or eventually collapses.
- Affected baseboards swell.
- Paint bubbles and peels.
- Wallpaper separates from the wall.
- A moldy, musty smell is present in the attic and the rest of the home.
On a hot, humid summer day in Blue Mound, TX, an HVAC system can generate about 20 gallons of water. That amount of water in the attic and dispersing through the house can cause serious water damage, especially if no one is home to notice the overflow. To help prevent issues, the homeowner should have a reputable, licensed HVAC professional inspect the entire HVAC system annually to identify any potential or existing issues and make necessary repairs.
3. Leaking water pipes
Plumbing pipes in a two-story home or the attic may develop slow pinhole leaks or collect condensation. The small leaks may mimic a roof leak. Stains on the ceiling, swelling baseboards, and crown molding only indicate a leak but not the source of the leak. A plumber or roofing contractor can inspect the attic and locate the leak source.
4. Loose or damaged siding
Heavy rains accompanied by high winds can penetrate behind the siding. Gaps around windows, punctures and cracks in the siding can allow water to get behind the siding and cause water damage. Mold, mildew, wood rot, and insect infestations can result. The leaks might appear to originate in the roof, but the entry points are related to the siding. Gaps, missing caulk, cracks, and punctures must be identified and repaired. Any mold and rot issues need to be mitigated or repaired.
5. Clogged gutters
Clogged gutters can be the source of water damage around the foundation, behind siding, around windows, and in the attic. When these structures are blocked, the structural integrity of the foundation could be compromised, and the basement could flood. Visually inspect the gutters several times a year. If the tree canopy encroaches on the roof space, check the gutters after every heavy thunderstorm to avoid water damage to the home.
6. A second-floor window
If a house has a second story or a bonus room over the garage, some homeowners will open a window to allow heat to escape the upper part of the home. However, rainwater can blow in and cause wood to rot around the window and beneath the seal, extending to the floor. Hardwood floors, carpeting, and the substrate, can also sustain water damage. Even if the window is kept closed, a pane could be broken or cracked, allowing for a water intrusion during rainy weather. Avoid opening windows to ventilate the second-story or bonus room above the garage, and immediately repair any broken panes or damage around the windows.
In case of water and flood damage, contact the team at SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth for immediate results. An IICRC-certified team of property damage restoration professionals can be on the scene in about an hour, 24/7, 365 days a year, including holidays.
For more information about flood damage restoration, contact the SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth at (817) 741-5737. The office can also be reached by emailing office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com.
Five Factors That Contribute to Fire Damage and Water Damage Caused by a Dishwasher
2/14/2023 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth provides homeowners with the fire and water damage restoration services they need when the dishwasher causes a fire.
Locally owned and operated, SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth provides fire damage and water damage restoration services for Saginaw, TX, homes hit by a property damage disaster caused by fire or water damage from a dishwasher.
The dishwasher is one of the most appreciated home appliances of all time. No more sweating over a steamy sink of hot water scrubbing a mountain of dirty dishes, pots, and pans. Recent innovations in dishwasher technology have made the appliance more energy efficient, remarkably quiet, and less wasteful of water. In fact, the dishwasher uses much less water than manual dishwashing and rinsing in the sink. Standard-sized Energy Star dishwashers manufactured since 1994 use about four gallons of water per load, while sink washing uses about four gallons of water every two minutes.
However, the dishwasher is a non-cooking appliance that poses a serious fire hazard for the home. The dishwasher can cause a fire when improperly used or when the unit malfunctions. Much like ovens, dishwashers are manufactured with electrical wiring, electronic boards, and a heating coil, and the combination of water and electricity helps to explain the risk factors arising from the operation of a dishwasher in the home. Below are some top reasons why a dishwasher could cause a fire.
1. Manufacturing design and construction flaws involving wiring
Many fire incidents involving dishwashers happen due to design or manufacturing errors. The dishwasher operates in a water-intensive environment. A leak at a gasket or a crack in the bottom of the unit can short-circuit the electrical connections, resulting in a fire. Leaks in this area of the device factor prominently among the main causes of a dishwasher-related fire. A major manufacturer of dishwashers in the US recalled 2.5 million units for faulty wiring in 2007. Another issue arose when tens of thousands of units failed to shut down the heating coil, resulting in many fires.
2. A damaged or worn electrical cord
Most residential dishwashers operate on 240 volts, much the same as the stove. That amount of electricity near that much water can potentially be extremely dangerous. Over time, the electrical cord can become worn, cracked, or frayed. Also, rats and mice could chew the plastic insulation on the exterior of the cord. Once the waterproof binding is compromised, the risk of fire greatly increases. The condition of the cord can lead to electrocution. If the frayed cord generates sparks, flammable materials in the area can easily ignite.
The frayed or damaged cord requires immediate attention from a licensed electrician. Working with high voltage is not safe for the DIY novice and should be left to the professionals.
3. Lack of maintenance
Regularly scheduled maintenance is the key to safety, peak performance, and the appliance's longevity.
- Clean the filter monthly with baking soda and vinegar or a commercial cleaner to remove grease and bits of food from inside the filter. The grease and food particles can ignite during the drying cycle.
- Keep a vigilant eye out for leaks. Have all leaks inspected and repaired as quickly as possible. Avoid using the appliance until repairs have been completed. When water and “hot” wiring combine, the result can be an electrical fire.
- A thorough inspection every year ensures the appliance is working safely and efficiently.
4. Improper use of the appliance
A dishwasher is a sturdy appliance that can last many years if well-maintained and properly operated. One of the chief ways a dishwasher is improperly used is by overloading the unit. An overloaded dishwasher will not adequately clean the load. The temptation is to immediately run another cycle. Back-to-back runs can damage the heating element, which needs time between cycles to rest and cool. If the element cannot be replaced, the appliance must be replaced.
Do not run the electrical cord under the carpeting. The foot traffic can damage the cord over time, exposing wiring which can arc and ignite a fire in the carpeting or rug. An extension cord should not be used except when necessary. Remember, the dishwasher runs on 240 volts, so the cord coming from the dishwasher should match the electrical load of the dishwasher.
5. Leaving a dishwasher unattended while in operation
An unattended operational dishwasher is a fire damage or water damage disaster waiting to happen. Avoid going to sleep or leaving home while the appliance is in action. If the unit springs a leak, water sensors may not be activated to shut off the flow of water. Seven or more gallons of water a minute can flow out of a burst supply line or a leaking dishwasher. Baseboards can swell beyond recognition and need replacing. Large portions of flooring substrate may warp, buckle, and collapse. The finished room in the basement under the kitchen could suffer extensive water damage, including collapsed ceiling tiles, damaged electrical devices, ruined carpeting, and a terrible mold infestation.
Keep small children away from the dishwasher. The temptation is too great to explore, research, and experiment, but an experiment with the dishwasher could burn the home to the ground.
When faced with fire damage, smoke damage, or water damage disaster, turn to the professionals at SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth for cleanup and restoration services. Available 24/7, 365 days a year, including holidays, the crew provides a rapid response in about an hour and a quick cleanup and restoration process to get life back to normal as soon as possible.
To learn more about Fort Worth, TX, water damage restoration, email SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth at office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com or call (817) 741-5737.
11 Signs of a Roof Leak or Other Water Intrusion Issues
2/14/2023 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO® of Northeast Fort Worth urges homeowners to look for key indicators of a roof leak and to clean up and restore areas damaged by water intrusion quickly.
The team at SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth provides water removal, cleanup, and restoration for homes and businesses that have suffered fire damage, smoke damage, or water damage. A common cause of water damage in the house is a roof leak. Roof leaks may be hard to spot because the leak is minimal, temporary, covered up, or resolved by cleaning the gutters or replacing shingles without ever noticing the roof was leaking water into the attic. The first step in solving a roof leak is to identify the source of the leak. Knowing what to look for can help North Richland Hills, TX, homeowners or property managers spot a roof leak in its infancy while damage is minimal. Listed below are eleven signs indicating a roof may be leaking.
1. Visible roof damage
High winds, heavy rainfall, extended periods of rain, and hail put a roof to the test. After any of these weather events, the homeowner should conduct a ground-level visual inspection of the roof. Cracked, curled, or missing shingles should raise concerns that the roof may compromise its ability to keep out water and moisture. Exposed underlayment and decking need immediate attention. Schedule a roofing contractor to assess the damage and provide an estimate of repairs. Emergency tarping must be installed until the damaged area can be repaired. Emergency tarping is usually an effective way to prevent leaks until the damage is fixed, but the homeowner still needs to keep an eye on the condition of the tarping. Strong winds can dislodge the tarping, allowing water to leak into the attic.
2. Water intrusion and excess moisture in the attic
Puddles of water on the floor decking in the attic, water stains on support timbers, and moisture on items stored in the attic are strong indicators of a roof leak. Do boxes feel moist? Is there a musty smell in the attic? Can the sound of dripping water be heard in the attic when it is not raining, and there is no dew on the roof? An affirmative answer to any of these questions may indicate a roof leak.
3. Sagging ceiling
If a sagging ceiling feels wet to the touch, the culprit may be a roof leak. If possible, inspect the attic area above the sagging ceiling for signs of a roof leak. The attic decking may be wet or moist if there is a leak.
4. Water leaks around light fixtures, ceiling fans, and vents
Water from a roof leak will exit the ceiling through holes cut for light fixtures, ceiling fans, and exhaust vents. Stains around the bathroom exhaust fan are a sure sign of a water intrusion through the roof vent for the fan.
5. Brown, green, or black stains on the ceiling and the walls
Water will leave its mark inside the home. These stains send a message that the roof may be leaking. If the stains are wet, the leak may be active and need attention. Delays in dealing with the leak affect the insurance company’s willingness to pay to have the damage repaired.
6. Warped or swollen crown molding
Crown molding and baseboards enhance the aesthetic appeal of a room. Extended exposure to moisture and water from a roof leak will cause crown molding to swell or warp.
7. Peeling paint and wallpaper
Paint will eventually bubble and peel when sheet rock and drywall become wet or moist. The wallpaper will bubble and separate from the wall to which it is glued.
8. Unexplained water or moist spots on the floor, carpeting, or area rugs
Unexplained moisture inside the home is a key indicator of a roof leak. Look for water on furniture such as tables, sofas, and chairs. Look for signs of a leak directly above the water spot. Gently touch the ceiling to check for moisture.
9. Animals in the attic
The presence of rats, mice, squirrels, chipmunks, birds, skunks, and snakes living in the attic could be due to a roof leak. A constant water source attracts occasional visitors and permanent residents, and the abundance of water makes the attic attractive to animals.
10. An insect explosion in the home
A noticeable increase in roaches, water bugs, gnats, silverfish, bees, and ants can be explained by a roof leak. The insects love moisture, especially in a hot Texas attic.
11. Damaged chimney flashing
If a visual inspection of the chimney reveals damaged or missing flashing, the roof might be leaking. A chimney is a common source of roof leaks. Damaged flashing and aging, degraded caulk can allow water to leak into the attic. A shift in the home’s foundation can cause the chimney to separate from the roof. The result can be a roof leak. Repairs may not resolve the issue. A chimney can act like a wick that deposits water into the attic. The problem can be solved by coating the exposed brick and mortar with a special waterproofing sealant.
Water damage from a single roof leak can cause extensive damage inside the home. If water damage is discovered, trust SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth for cleanup and restoration. Crews can be on the scene in about an hour, and the rapid response gets life back to normal as soon as possible.
Contact SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth to learn more about Fort Worth, TX, water removal services. The team can be reached by phone at (817) 741-5737 or by email at office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com.
A Ten-Year Review: Unforgettable Weather and Storm Damage Occurrences in the Local Area
2/14/2023 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO® of Northeast Fort Worth reviews extreme weather conditions in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area over a ten-year period from 2010 to 2020.
SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth is available 24/7, 365 days a year, including on those days when the weather has caused a significant storm and flood damage requiring flood restoration services. North Texas experiences a wide range of weather during the year. The normally calm winds, sunny North Texas sky, moderate temperatures, and average precipitation are occasionally interrupted by roaring tornadoes, oppressive 100-degree heat, violent thunderstorms, long periods of drought, and a rare blast of frigid temperatures and snow. Neighborhoods like Scenic Bluff, Fort Worth, TX, are no strangers to periods of wild weather. Below is a survey of eight disruptive and destructive weather events between 2010 and 2020.
#1. February 11-12, 2010: A foot of snow in 24 hours
Abundant moisture from a low-pressure system over North Texas and temperatures that barely crawled above freezing resulted in over a foot of snow in less than a 24-hour period in North Dallas.
#2. February 3-4, 2011: Another major snowstorm hits North Texas
Nearly a year later to the day, another blizzard blanketed the metro area, this time with five inches of snow. School closures, flight cancellations, and a near miss of Super Bowl XLV. A sheet of sleet laid down just before the snow made for treacherous conditions, as whatever snow melted during the daytime refroze in the evening.
#3. Summer 2011: The longest heat streak
This heat streak was just 3 days shy of Ken Jennings’ 74-day winning streak on Jeopardy. North Texas did not receive any cash prizes for the streak, but the utility companies enjoyed a hefty payday. For 71 sweltering days, the temperature climbed above 100 degrees or higher, over three times higher than the usual average. During that time, fifty-five days saw nighttime temperatures stay above 80 degrees.
#4. 2015: The wettest year on record
In 2015, Dallas-Fort Worth flirted with becoming a tropical paradise with 62.61 inches of rain, nearly double the average annual rainfall. May alone recorded almost 17 inches of rain.
#5. December 26, 2015: Turbulent tornadoes tear through North Texas
A tornado is no respecter of seasons and can strike any day of the year if conditions are right. Five days into winter and just one day after Christmas, a dozen twisters ripped a path of destruction through North Texas. The strongest tornado, an EF-4 with 180mph winds, mowed through Garland, Rowlett, and Sunnyvale. Thirteen people lost their lives. Two thousand homes were destroyed.
#6. Fall 2018: The wettest fall on record
Between September and November, Dallas-Fort Worth recorded 29.21 inches of rain, just 7 inches shy of the annual average rainfall. On September 21 and September 22, 8.11 inches of rain fell on the area, the third-most ever in a 24-hour period.
#7. June 9, 2019: Windstorm blows through Dallas
On June 9, a line of thunderstorms generated damaging winds in excess of 70 mph. Hundreds of large trees were toppled, leaving more than 200,000 people without power.
#8. October 20, 2019: An EF-3 tornado blasts Dallas
Eleven tornadoes cut a deadly and destructive swathe through the region that October evening. An EF-3 twister bulldozed a 15-mile path of damage from northwest Dallas to Richardson. Though hundreds of homes were damaged, no lives were lost.
Severe weather events have continued into the 2020s, with the coldest day recorded in 72 years: February 16, 2021. On this day, the thermometer dropped to -2 degrees Fahrenheit and hovered at record-cold temperatures for several days. Thousands of homes suffered water damage from frozen pipes. The power grid collapsed, leaving hundreds of thousands of Texans without electricity. Tragically, many people lost their lives in the brutal cold snap.
What to do when weather-related property damage occurs
Preparation is the key to weathering bad weather. Prepare in advance by putting together an emergency response. A disaster-ready plan ensures that when the power grid collapses, shingles fly off, a tree makes an unexpected entrance through the roof, or flood waters snake their way into the home; everyone knows what to do and who to call for help.
The plan should include the following:
- Supplies: LED flashlights, batteries, weather radios (2), food, water, toiletries, hygiene products, first-aid kits, walkie-talkies, emergency mylar blankets, rain gear, hats, work gloves, zip ties, heavy-duty garbage bags, nitrile gloves, etc.
- Evacuation and meet-up instructions
- Contact information for family members, friends, and neighbors
- Contact information for service providers (HVAC, plumbing, tree service, roofing contractor, electrician, and property damage cleanup and restoration company)
The team at SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth urges homeowners and businesses to pre-qualify dedicated service providers so that when disaster strikes, the response involves only one call to a vetted, trusted plumber, contractor, or restoration company.
The pre-qualification process is vitally important when needing services for storm damage, flood damage, fire damage, smoke damage, or water damage disaster. Rapid response and quick cleanup process are crucial to prevent advanced secondary damage to the disaster scene. Mold can begin in as little as twenty-four to forty-eight hours. Carpeting is typically unsalvageable after one to two days. If carpets and rugs are not immediately dried, cleaned, and disinfected, replacement may be the only option. When vetting a property damage restoration company, look for the following features:
- Locally owned and operated with many years of experience
- Available 24/7, 365 days a year, including holidays
- Rapid response (about an hour) and quick cleanup
- Latest equipment, cutting-edge moisture-detecting technology, advanced cleaning techniques, and EPA-approved cleaning, disinfecting, and deodorizing products
- Competency in fire, smoke, water, mold mitigation, biohazard, crime scene, and suicide cleanup and restoration
- IICRC-certified technicians
- Able to scale to meet the challenges of any size of disaster
- Handles insurance claim process from beginning to end
Being prepared cuts down on headaches, hassles, and recovery time. Life can return to normal.
For more information about storm and flood restoration services, contact SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth, TX, at (817) 741-5737 or email office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com.
Seven tips to mitigate a water damage or fire damage disaster this winter
1/18/2023 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO® of Northeast Fort Worth offers tips on mitigating a water damage or fire damage disaster during the winter months.
The fire and water damage restoration team at SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth understands how a major property damage disaster in the winter months presents many challenges. Less sunlight, frigid temperatures, icy precipitation, frozen pipes, treacherous roads, school and business closures, power grid failures, and supply chain interruptions complicate cleanup, restoration, and recovery. The best course of action is to follow prevention strategies that serve to avoid a catastrophe in the first place.
Below are some practical tips to help the residents of Arlington Heights, Fort Worth, TX, tackle water and fire damage this winter.
Tip: Strive to maintain a healthy HVAC system. Consistent distribution of heat throughout the home will prevent pipes from freezing. Walls, ceilings, and floors may begin to crack and separate if rooms are not kept at a reasonable temperature.
Tip: Ensure that all windows and doors that grant access to the outdoors are shut and tightly locked when not in use. The goal is to prevent moisture from entering the home. Excessive moisture can cause sheetrock to warp and buckle, and a mold infestation can result if moisture is not kept out of the house.
Tip: Reduce the thermostat by five degrees Fahrenheit. The lower temperature will help prevent moisture buildup in the home.
Tip: Allow faucets to emit a slow trickle or fast drip to prevent pipes from freezing when frigid temperatures are in the forecast. A burst pipe can spew 7 to 10 gallons of water per minute, while a fast-dripping faucet only allows a few gallons of water per hour to escape down the drain.
Tip: Identify and seal air leaks with caulk, weatherstripping, or spray foam sealant. Gaps around doors and windows and cracks in walls are some of the main culprits that allow cold air into a home.
Tip: Make sure the HVAC ductwork is sealed. Keep ductwork clean, and the filter changed on the HVAC system.
Tip: Have professional and certified chimney sweep services inspect and clean all parts of the chimney. Make any necessary repairs.
Pre-qualify a restoration company before disaster strikes
Pre-qualifying SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth as a dedicated property damage cleanup and restoration team will not prevent a winter water damage disaster. However, it will make dealing with a property damage disaster hassle-free, stress-free, simple, quick, and easy. Listed below are seven reasons why pre-qualifying SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth is so important.
- When disaster strikes, one phone call gets results. A cleanup and restoration team arrives on the scene in about an hour.
- There is no confusion regarding basic information about the home or business when the crew arrives to begin the cleanup and restoration. Technicians have access to a basic layout of the house, entrances, the water main shutoff valve, and any electrical panels, as well as contact information for the owner or property manager. The pre-qualification process for businesses, professional office buildings, manufacturing units, retail shops, and medical and dental practices facilitates a rapid response, a quick assessment, and a quick cleanup and restoration project. This proactive strategy can determine the trajectory of a business’s future when a property damage disaster has temporarily interrupted normal business operations, the flow of goods and services, and the revenue cycle, which are the lifeblood of the business.
- The customer is confident that the team members are trained, experienced, and IICRC-certified.
- Technicians have access to industry-leading equipment, cutting-edge technologies, advanced cleaning techniques, and EPA-approved cleaning products that are safe for humans and pets.
- There are no surprises once the work begins. Technicians take every safety precaution for themselves and the occupants in the home. The SERVPRO team treats the belongings of their clients with great care.
- A detailed estimate with images and video is presented to each client. This estimate is the basis for the work to be done and for the initial contact with the insurance company. SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth can handle the insurance claims process from end to end. The project progress and payment schedule run smoothly. The SERVPRO staff provides the insurance company with the documents required at the end of the job, validating that the project has been completed as contracted.
- Finally, the pre-qualification process gives the customer time to vet the damage restoration company. References can be checked, and social media reviews can be considered. After the stress and turmoil of a fire and water damage disaster, the call to SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth can bring calm, comfort, and confidence to the homeowner in distress.
For more information about water damage restoration in Fort Worth, TX, call SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth at (817) 741-5737. The office can also be contacted by email at office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com.
How adding a water heater expansion tank can help homeowners mitigate leaks and water damage
1/18/2023 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO® of Northeast Fort Worth is committed to helping homeowners mitigate a water damage disaster. One way to lower the home's water damage risk is installing an expansion tank to relieve excess water in the plumbing system.
The team at SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth provides water removal, water damage cleanup, and water damage restoration services if the excessive water pressure in the home causes a catastrophic failure of the home’s plumbing system, including the water heater and other water-using appliances. To help keep the house dry and safe, the SERVPRO team explains how an expansion tank can aid in preventing water heater leaks and water damage in River Trails, Fort Worth, TX, homes.
When the water heater functions correctly, the homeowner enjoys a stream of hot water from the faucet or showerhead. When water heats up, it gets hot, undergoes thermal expansion, and increases in volume, consequently taking up more space. Hot water can cause a buildup of pressure in the hot water system, and this thermal expansion can lead to serious problems. However, water also expands when it freezes! There are ways to solve these problems and prevent pipes from leaking or bursting. A certified plumber can install an expansion tank to protect the home, plumbing, and appliances from thermal expansion.
How can a closed plumbing system lead to trouble?
Increasingly, homes have a device installed on the supply line to prevent the backflow of contaminated household water into the public water system. This backflow preventer, check valve, or pressure-reducing valve is often installed at the water meter. When correctly installed, the device preserves the purity and safety of a community’s drinking water supply.
The power of water pressure
High water pressure is common in a municipal water system. The water system must service tall buildings while providing an adequate water flow through fire hydrants. The elevated water pressure can cause leaks and sometimes a pipe burst. The solution is simple and inexpensive. A pressure-reducing valve can keep the system safe and the home or crawl space dry. The pressure-reducing valve transforms the plumbing into a closed system, and thermal expansion puts the entire system at risk of catastrophic failure. If left alone, the plumbing system becomes a vulnerability that must not be ignored.
Expansion tanks explained
Most people with a well know what an expansion tank is and does. An expansion tank for a hot water system protects not only the water heater but also the washer, dishwasher, and plumbing system. Installing a pressure regulator reduces water pressures to a safe level, but it does not resolve potential risks arising from thermal expansion. The only solution is the installation of an expansion tank.
The expansion tank takes care of the expansion in the plumbing system. The thermal expansion causes an increased volume of hot water, and the water heater can only hold so much. When the water in the heater expands, the excess water enters the expansion tank. The high pressure in the water heater is relieved, preventing a catastrophic failure and keeping the home or business safe from a water damage disaster.
How to detect a water pressure problem
The homeowner can test the water pressure in the home plumbing system by purchasing an inexpensive water pressure gauge at many hardware or big box home supply stores. The gauge screws on an outdoor faucet. The gauge will register the water pressure when the tap is turned on. A pressure reading above 80 psi may indicate a problem with the pressure-reducing valve. Contact a certified plumber to inspect the system and make recommendations to resolve any issues. If needed, the plumber can replace the pressure-reducing valve and adjust it to accommodate the homeowner's needs.
When to install a water expansion tank
A functioning pressure regulator heightens the need to install an expansion tank to protect the home’s plumbing system and water-using appliances from the damaging effects of thermal expansion. Keeping the water pressure within safe limits can extend the water heater's life. The size of the expansion tank is determined by the plumbing system's water pressure and the water heater's capacity. A plumbing professional can make recommendations and provide competent installation of the unit.
The installation of backflow preventers effectively protects public water systems from contamination. However, backflow preventers have increased the risk of damage to the home’s plumbing system and water heater. In response to this elevated risk hazard, some water heater manufacturers require that a water expansion tank be installed along with the new water heater. Failure to take this step may void the manufacturer’s water heater warranty.
How to handle a water damage disaster
If the plumbing system and water heater suffer a catastrophic failure resulting in a major water damage disaster, contact the SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth professionals to remove the water, repair any damage to the structure, and restore any salvageable contents in the home. The team at SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth provides a rapid response and quick cleanup 24/7, 365 days a year, including holidays.
For more information about Fort Worth, TX, water removal, email SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth at office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com or call (817) 741-5737.
How to recognize the conditions indicating that flash flooding and flood damage are imminent
1/18/2023 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO® of Northeast Fort Worth urges homeowners and businesses to watch out for the red flags pointing to flash flooding and water damage.
With over fifteen years of experience providing fire, water, and flood restoration services, the team at SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth takes severe weather and flash flooding risks seriously. FEMA highlights the dangers of flash flooding: “Flash floods can sweep away cars, tear out trees, and destroy buildings and bridges. As little as six inches of moving water can knock a person down. Two feet of moving water can sweep a vehicle away. Often there’s no warning that these sudden and deadly floods are coming. Most flood fatalities in the U.S. happen in flash floods.”
Severe weather occasionally disrupts the usually calm ebb and flow of life. Thunderstorms, a common example of severe weather, include several weather-related risk hazards. Intense thunderstorm activity can cause flash flooding when rivers and creeks overflow their banks. A stalled thunderstorm overwhelms a storm drainage system causing a micro-flood in a neighborhood. High winds associated with thunderstorms topple trees, damage roofs, and cause secondary damage from airborne debris. Tornadoes damage or destroy buildings and vehicles caught in their destructive path.
Texas is the nation’s leader in hail damage events. Texas insurance companies pay hundreds of millions of dollars in claims to cover the tens of thousands of vehicles damaged yearly by hail. Lightning strikes damage homes, ignite wildfires, cause power outages, and inflict personal injury.
Of all these risk hazards — flooding, lightning and lightning-induced wildfires, high winds, tornadoes, and hail — flash floods are the deadliest storm-related weather hazard in the United States. With this fact in mind, survival depends upon knowing the following:
- what a flash flood is
- what are the red flags indicating imminent flash flooding and water damage
- how to prepare for a flash flood
- how to handle the aftermath of a flood damage disaster
What is a flash flood?
A flash flood occurs very rapidly. Minimal time is available to warn the affected areas. Flash floods have been observed to occur in less than 60 seconds. Dry river beds and small streams are the breeding ground for flash floods. A small neighborhood with a storm drainage system incapable of handling many inches of rain over a short period is at significant risk of experiencing a flash flood. Flooding under these circumstances most likely is not covered by FEMA. A typical flood may result from intense rainfall hundreds of miles or more upstream. The floodwaters may take weeks to reach the areas that actually see the worst flooding.
Remember, pedestrians can be swept off their feet by as little as six inches of flowing water. Flowing floodwaters two or more feet deep can carry away most cars. Do not be deceived by water on the move!
Red flags indicating a flood may be imminent
The accurate prediction of the time and size of a flash flood is challenging because so many variables are involved. The solution is vigilance. Learn and recognize the conditions that point to an impending flash flood.
- Flash floods usually occur within six hours of heavy and prolonged rainfall. When severe weather threatens, maintain a heightened awareness. Implement actions outlined in the family or business emergency readiness plan. Stay alert, but stay calm.
- Pay attention to news reports of flooding rivers and creeks, dam breaks, or lake flooding. Determine if the flood waters will invade the floodplain around the home.
- Take note of slow-moving storm cells that repeatedly drench the same area with heavy rainfall.
- Be aware of reports of a hurricane or tropical storm moving through the area.
- Standing water may indicate the ground is saturated. Farmland and forests absorb much more water than the roadways and parking lots of the cities and suburbs around northeast Fort Worth. The homeowner needs to know the lay of the land to identify any flood risks arising from terrain issues.
- Pay special attention to announcements of a flood watch or flood warning from the National Weather Service. A “watch” alerts the local community that conditions are favorable for a flood. A “warning” is issued when floods are imminent or are already in progress.
How flash floods are predicted
The key to accurately predicting a flash flood risk is to identify a storm’s “bullseye,” which is where the rainfall is most intense. Forecasters must know the following:
- The amount of actual and anticipated rainfall
- The rate of rainfall per a set period of time, e.g., inches per hour)
- The saturation point of the soil
- The course the water will take once it begins to flow
Through modern satellite and radar technology, forecasters can glean much of this information in real-time and make predictions about the weather that give the people in the affected areas the time they need to take the appropriate measures to save lives.
The flood damage response
When a flash flood devastates a home and its contents, the best solution is to contact the professionals at SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth. Crews are available 24/7, 365 days a year, including holidays. A team of IICRC-certified technicians arrives on the scene in about an hour or so with industry-leading equipment, advanced moisture-detecting technology, advanced cleaning techniques, and EPA-approved cleaning products.
Contact SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth to learn more about flood restoration services in Meadowbrook, Fort Worth, TX. The office can be reached by phone at (817) 741-5737 or by email at office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com.
Helping Colleges and Universities mitigate fire damage during the winter holidays
12/12/2022 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO® of Northeast Fort Worth highlights practical steps a college or university can follow to mitigate fire damage during the winter vacation. These simple fire safety tips can identify and mitigate fire hazards in on-campus dorm rooms.
SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth understands the seasonal hazards and restoration services that may be needed during the winter months. The team provides property damage cleanup and restoration to more than homes and businesses. Technicians also serve colleges and universities that have suffered fire damage, smoke damage, water damage, or storm damage. SERVPRO also provides biohazard, crime scene, and suicide cleanup and restoration.
The summer vacation begins with students removing everything from their rooms. However, during the holiday vacation, students depart for home while leaving everything in their rooms. The presence of personal belongings in thousands of dorm rooms at a college or university dramatically escalates the risk of fire. A percentage of the unoccupied rooms are a high fire hazard risk. Students are provided with a detailed list of strict instructions before closing and locking the door to the dormitory room. The fog of all-nighters for final exams, the excitement of seeing friends and family, and the rush to start the journey home for the holidays contribute to some students inevitably failing to carefully follow the proper fire safety prevention steps before leaving campus.
According to the fire inspection and safety professionals at Fire & Life Safety America, important lessons can be learned from the past. “Just look at the past. There have been too many blazes that have affected schools before. For instance, the Providence College fire of 1977 that began because of a lamp directed at a manger scene as part of Christmas decorations. Almost 20 people were either killed or injured in that fire. Or more recently, the Seton Hall University fire in January of 2000. Three students were killed, and 58 students were injured when the fire began in a lounge and quickly spread. Even today, there are approximately 4,000 fires on college campuses every year, causing roughly $26 million in property loss.”
Many positive steps can be taken to prevent fires and fire damage in college and university dormitories when classes are not in session, and students are away from campus for weeks. Include these tips when conducting fire inspections during the holiday break.
Inspect and test smoke alarms
A smoke alarm is the first line of defense in discovering, extinguishing, and surviving a fire. This early warning system alerts students and staff to fire danger. The alert gives students and personnel time to investigate the situation and possibly extinguish the fire. If the circumstance warrants, the building fire alarm is activated, and occupants in the building safely and quickly evacuate the facility according to the evacuation plan. In most cases, activation of the building’s fire alarm system also automatically notifies first responders from the fire department, who are on the scene within minutes.
Inspecting dorm room smoke alarms is simple, quick, and ultimately saves lives. Smoke alarms are essential to any fire prevention and survival strategy, and testing and maintenance of these alarms are the top priority.
While most colleges and universities are smoke-free environments, this classification does not always guarantee student compliance. Unfortunately, some students circumvent the rules and disable the room’s smoke alarm. The vacation inspection identifies disabled alarms, which can be re-activated, repaired, or replaced before students return.
Inspect the sprinkler system and individual sprinklers
Dorm life can be rowdy and rambunctious at times, and sprinklers can become damaged. Efforts to decorate a dorm room can compromise sprinkler performance if the fixtures have been tampered with. Paint, string, streamers, garland, mistletoe, and other items may inadvertently impair sprinkler function. A quick but close inspection of each head can identify damage or impairment from decorations.
Inspect holiday decorations in rooms and activity spaces
Combustibles should be located at a safe distance from heat sources, including holiday decorations. Christmas lights and other decorative lighting should be turned off and unplugged, including battery-powered lights. The heat from lights can be an ignition source for nearby combustibles.
Unplug every outlet
As a general rule, all electrical appliances or devices should be unplugged, and power strips should also be unplugged. All electrical outlets should be empty. The power may be shut off in dormitories and buildings with zero occupancies during the holidays. When the power is restored, devices or appliances, if plugged in, may overload and cause a fire.
Look for overloaded extension cords and power strips. Address the issue when students return from vacation. Some schools do not permit the use of hot plates, electric grills, toasters, air fryers, or other cooking appliances in dorm rooms. If institutional policy bans these appliances, they should be confiscated and removed from the room.
Pre-qualify SERVPRO of Carrollton as the dedicated property damage cleanup and restoration provider
With just one call, the campus staff can have SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth arrive onsite in about an hour. The team responds 24/7, 365 days a year, including holidays when the campus is virtually deserted. If the disaster involves multiple rooms, several floors, or the entire building, SERVPRO can scale to tackle any size disaster. The latest equipment, cutting-edge technology, advanced cleaning techniques, and EPA-approved disinfecting, sanitizing, and deodorizing products enable technicians to quickly clean up and restore any size or type of damage disaster.
By following these simple tips and implementing these guidelines, a college or university can avoid the primary causes of fire and fire damage in dorm rooms during the holiday vacation. To learn more about seasonal fire damage restoration services in Arlington Heights, Fort Worth, TX 76107, contact SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth at (817) 741-5737 or email office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com.
How to stay safe from common causes of fire damage during the holidays season
12/12/2022 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO® of Northeast Fort Worth wants every family to have a joyful holiday season. The damage restoration company is sharing home fire safety tips to help keep the holidays free from a fire damage disaster.
The fire and water damage restoration professionals at SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth want everyone to enjoy the upcoming holidays with their family and friends safely. During the holidays, the risk of home fires increases. Below are some very important home fire safety tips to ensure safe, fire-free, happy holidays!
By following these basic fire prevention tips, homeowners can significantly reduce the risk of fire hazards during the holidays.
Tips to avoid Christmas tree fires
A live Christmas tree fills the home with a fresh, clean pine fragrance that lets everyone know the holidays have arrived. A live tree can be a safe, memorable feature of the holiday season if the homeowner carefully follows special precautions. If a live Christmas tree ignites, the flames can quickly spread, filling the home with smoke, soot, and harmful gases.
Fire prevention begins with picking a freshly cut tree
Begin by selecting a fresh tree. Look for a tree with green needles. The needles should be difficult to pull back from the branches. Needles on a fresh tree will not easily break, indicating there is still moisture in the tree. Inspect the tree trunk. Flowing sap should make it sticky to the touch. Test the freshness of the tree by bumping the trunk on the ground. If the tree drops a shower of needles, it has dried out and is a serious fire hazard. Continue to sort through the available trees until a fresh tree is identified.
Practice proper tree care
Position the tree at a safe distance from heat sources such as the fireplace, heat vent, gas, or electric heater. The heat and low humidity can quickly dry out the moisture in the tree, and dry trees can ignite very quickly when exposed to sparks, heat, or flames. Keep smokers and ashtrays away from the Christmas tree.
There are two extremes to avoid when displaying a live tree. Avoid putting the tree up too early. Two weeks is a safe window in which to enjoy a live tree. Faithfully fill the water reservoir on the tree stand. Live trees, even though they have been cut, will still uptake water through the trunk as long as the reservoir is filled.
Exercise proper care when disposing of the Christmas tree
Disposing of the tree by burning the needles and branches in the fireplace or wood-burning stove is not advised. When the tree displays signs that it has dried out, immediately discard it by taking it to a recycling center. Some communities will remove trees placed by the curbside. Know what the regulations are for the municipality to avoid a fine for littering.
Bonus tip: If this year’s tree selection is an artificial tree, make sure the item is non-flammable or, at the very least, flame retardant.
Tips to prevent a fire from holiday lights
Proper maintenance can keep holiday lights bright and fire-safe. Begin each holiday season by closely inspecting each string of lights. Look for the following issues:
- brittle, cracking, or unpliable plastic insulation
- frayed wiring
- cracked, crushed, or otherwise damaged male or female plugs
- exposed or bare spots on the cords
- cracked or broken light sockets
- excessive kinking or severe crimps that might signal damaged wiring or a possible short
If the lights are not UL-approved, do not use them.
Avoid overloading electrical outlets or power strips
Three is the maximum number of light strings that should be linked together unless otherwise stated in the product specifications. When stringing lights, the last step is to connect the lights either directly or by an extension cord to the outlet. Working with live lights increases the risk of shock, especially if precipitation is falling or the ground is wet. Every few days, give the lights a visual inspection and touch test. The outlet, plug, and wiring should not be warm to the touch; warmth may indicate a circuit overload or damaged wiring.
Practice extreme caution when displaying seasonal decorations
Non-Flammable or flame-retardant decorations are far safer than combustible decorations. Position the decorations at least three to six feet (or more) away from heat sources. Never leave decorations unattended if they are anywhere close to a heat source.
Bonus tip: Avoid burning wrapping paper in the fireplace or wood stove. The large flames, high heat, and excessive ember and spark production can cause a chimney fire.
Be careful with candles
Avoid the use of lighted candles. Place candles in a safe, stable location, away from combustible materials, especially Christmas trees. Extinguish all lit candles when leaving home.
Fire detection and suppression
Install smoke alarms with fresh batteries on all levels of the home. Test existing devices every month and change the batteries every July 4th to ensure batteries are fresh at Christmas when the fire risk is elevated. Review and practice the fire escape plan. Place a fully charged fire extinguisher in the kitchen, by the fireplace or wood stove, and strategically on every level of the home. Accessibility is the key to survival.
Pre-qualify with SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth before the holiday season arrives. If a fire damage disaster strikes, one call has a crew on the scene in about an hour, 24/7, 365 days a year, including on holidays and Christmas.
For more information about residential fire and water damage restoration, call SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth at (817) 741-5737 or email office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com.
How a municipal sewage backup and overflow can impact residents in a community
12/12/2022 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO® of Northeast Fort Worth examines local sewage backup and overflow issues and how they can cause sewage backups in the home.
At SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth, the team of IICRC-certified water damage restoration technicians is trained and experienced in cleaning up property damage disasters, including a sewage backup. The homeowner need not stress over the disruption in the home or the danger of contamination and disease from the spillage. The SERVPRO professionals have the equipment, cleaning techniques, and EPA-approved disinfecting, sanitizing, and deodorizing products to make the disaster area clean and safe.
Local sewage overflow issues: In the streets, in the waterways, and the home
Municipal sewage overflows present a serious challenge to residents in the metro Dallas/Fort Worth region of North Texas. According to a local news outlet, “In 2018, more than 119 million gallons of sewage overflowed onto the streets and lakes of Dallas-Fort Worth. That’s 119,090,756 gallons, to be exact, over more than 1,700 overflow incidents. Let’s break down those numbers a little bit further: 14 million. That’s the number of gallons of sewage that overflowed in the largest single incident last year (2018), which happened in Garland on Oct. 16 and flowed into Lake Ray Hubbard. It was also the single largest sewage overflow in the state last year. 112.8 million: Roughly the difference between the amount of overflow sewage in North Texas last year and the amount of overflow sewage in the Houston area. In fact, North Texas had five times the amount of sewage overflow than all other 15 regions in the state, combined.”
The following lakes and waterways in DFW experienced the most sewage overflow:
- Lake Ray Hubbard (14,002,405 gallons)
- Trinity River (10,217,500 gallons)
- Red Oak Creek (7,677,000 gallons)
- Sycamore Creek (7,237,800)
- Mauk Branch Creek (7,119,765 gallons)
The following North Texas locations experienced the most gallons of sewage overflow:
- Trinity River Authority Central Region Wastewater System (25,008,050)
- Fort Worth’s Village Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant (19,685,106)
- Garland’s Rowlett Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant (14,012,115)
- Duncanville (13,559,310)
- Red Oak Creek (8,629,743)
- Plano (5,031,041)
The top five places on the above list were also the top five places with the most overflow in the entire state. Sewage overflow is a pressing issue with the aging and overtaxed wastewater treatment systems.
How a sewage overflow occurs
Below is an outline of how a sewage overflow happens.
#1: A toilet is flushed. The water and waste flow through underground sewer lines to a wastewater treatment plant.
#2: Waste, pathogens, and toxins are removed from the water at the waste treatment plant.
#3: The clean water is pumped into the public water system to be used for drinking water, bathing, washing dishes and clothes, and cooking.
#4: With age and usage, underground sewage lines develop cracks.
#5: Frequent and heavy downpours saturate the ground. The water seeps into the sewer lines through the cracks, filling the sewer lines to capacity.
#6: The rainwater and raw sewage in the sewer lines back up until they spew out of manholes.
The stress and anxiety of a sewage backup in the home
When the primary sewage system is filled to capacity due to excessive rainwater seeping through cracks in the sewer lines, homeowners should anticipate sewage backups and overflows in the home if the residence is connected to the public sewer system. The system simply cannot receive any more sewage, but the sewage must go somewhere. Look for sewage backups in tubs, showers, and floor drains in the laundry room and bathroom.
Avoid flushing any toilets. If the main sewer system is filled and spewing raw sewage into the streets, a flushed toilet can overflow, spilling raw sewage onto the bathroom floor. If the toilet is on the upper story of a home, the spillage can damage walls, ceilings, and any light fixtures hanging from the ceiling. The upstairs bathroom and the downstairs dining room can become a sewage backup and overflow disaster scene. The issue is not resolved by mopping up the liquid and any solids associated with the spill. Raw sewage is now hidden behind walls, trapped in the ceiling, dripping from light fixtures, puddling on the dining room table under the fixture, and soiling the carpet, rug, or flooring in the dining room.
The dynamics and dangers of a sewage backup in the home
A sewage backup is seldom anticipated and is often an unexpected messy surprise that disrupts the entire house. The stress of having the mess cleaned up and the home restored can be overwhelming. Before a sewage backup occurs, prequalify with SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth. Available 24/7, 365 days a year, including holidays, one phone call will have a team of property damage cleanup and restoration specialists arriving at the client’s home in about an hour. The rapid response and quick cleanup process are especially important in the event of a sewage backup and overflow and water damage.
Contact SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth to learn more about the company’s water damage restoration services. The office can be reached by calling (817) 741-5737 or emailing office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com.
Can Pruning Trees Prevent Storm Damage from Fallen Trees?
11/8/2022 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth lists tips for pruning trees to prevent damage to the home when severe weather hits.
SERVPRO® of Northeast Fort Worth is sharing five tips for pruning a tree to promote strong branches and reduce the potential for storm damage from broken limbs. Trees add real value to a home. A well-planned and well-pruned treescape creates a beautiful setting for the home, and the trees produce shade from the hot summer sun. According to HGTV, “Several recent nationwide surveys show that mature trees in a well-landscaped yard can increase the value of a house by 7 percent to 19 percent.”
Unfortunately, trees can also create serious risk hazards for the homeowner and for neighbors if the trees are not well managed. Occasionally, severe weather in the form of thunderstorms, hail, heavy rain, floods, and high winds roll through an area. Some trees survive the intense weather with negligible damage. A few small limbs fall on the roof and the ground, causing no damage to the home. Other trees suffer serious damage, including the loss of large limbs or significant sections of their branching structure. Damage may be catastrophic, with trees splitting in two or shearing off at the trunk. The services of qualified tree professionals are required to reshape the tree or remove it.
A tree weakened by disease is a risk to the property owner and to neighbors. An unpredictable limb shed makes the tree dangerous. The best and safest solution may be to remove the tree before the dynamics of severe weather cause the tree to drop large limbs or topple over. Preventive measures are available to homeowners to help trees withstand the forces of extreme weather and avoid storm damage.
Tip #1. Prune limbs to create strong branch angles.
Deciduous trees such as oaks and maples may have branches that are too close together. The narrow angles between these limbs and branches create a weak point in the limb structure of the tree. Both the trunk and the crown can exhibit this situation. When two branches grow this close to each other, neither branch can add enough wood to make the limbs strong and resilient to storm damage. The limbs create a weak joint that can easily succumb to the stress of high winds. The solution is simple. If the branches are accessible and the tree is young, the homeowner can remove one of the two branches. The best branch strength is achieved when branch angles are at 10 o’clock or 2 o’clock.
Tip #2. Prune to promote strong branch and trunk strength.
A tree needs balance. When balance and weight distribution are at odds, a tree can suffer limb and trunk damage. Moderate aggravation from storm conditions is all that is needed to send a tree crashing into a home. Branches on the side of the tree should be no more than 1/2 to 3/4 of the trunk width. Larger branches cannot be supported by the trunk and become a serious risk hazard when exposed to strong winds, ice, or snow.
Tip #3. Prune for stability.
Wind, ice, snow, sleet, or previous loss of a prominent limb can cause a situation where the center of gravity is not directly over the trunk. The tree responds under the slightest amount of wind pressure or extra weight with limb breaks, a broken trunk, or a toppled tree, including the roots. The selective removal of branches on the leaning side of the tree can realign the center of gravity and stabilize the tree. The tree is beautiful and safe for years to come.
Tip #4. Remove problem branches, suckers, water sprouts, and temporary branches.
When branches rub together, the friction causes wounds and decay that can lead to disease. The solution is to remove one of the branches. Water sprouts and suckers grow at the base of the trunk or inside the crown, and these branches do not add to the beauty of the tree but only serve to drain resources. For best results, remove these useless branches as soon as possible.
Temporary branches do not grow very high on a tree, and they serve to protect the tree from the sun. After year three or four, remove the temporary branches. Leaves are vital for survival, so when pruning, do not prune more than one-third of the leafy crown of the tree.
Tip #5. Do not prune branches to stubs.
New branches will emerge from the edges of the stub, and because these branches cannot unite firmly with the stubbed branch, the new branches will likely sustain damage in the future. Remove a branch where it connects to the main branch or to the trunk. Never leave a stub.
For more information about storm damage restoration and flood restoration services, contact SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth by phone at (817) 741-5737. The damage restoration company can be reached by email at office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com.
Tips for Operating a Pellet Stove Safely and Avoiding a Fire Damage Disaster
11/8/2022 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth highlights tips on how to safely operate a pellet stove and minimize the potential for fire damage.
Since home heating appliances are a common cause of home structure fires and fire damage in the United States, homeowners who rely upon a pellet stove for home heating should observe the proper precautions to protect against fire damage. Home heating equipment accounts for approximately 50,000 home structure fires and nearly $1 billion in property damage each year. After a fire, water damage restoration services may be needed as well. However, if the homeowner abides by fire safety practices when operating the pellet stove, the fire risk can be reduced.
1. Use top-quality pellets
A reliable source of high-quality pellets can be challenging to find for the pellet stove owner. A lack of regulation and standardization in quality control leaves the consumer at the mercy of the pellet manufacturer. Investigation into the various options can prove fruitless and, at times, frustrating.
One solution often recommended is to use pellets from a secondary pellet manufacturer. A secondary pellet manufacturer produces pellets as a byproduct of the primary business. An example would be lumber, furniture, or flooring business. The benefit of using pellets from these businesses is that the sawdust typically comes from better-quality wood that has been kiln-dried. Primary pellet manufacturers will use sawdust from a variety of wood sources, but the pellets will be inconsistent in quality.
All pellets need attention to preserve their quality. These quality control tips will keep stove pellets in excellent condition and ready for use.
- Store pellets in a dry location such as a basement, shed, or garage.
- The storage bin should be away from the elements.
- If the only alternative is to store the pellets outside, keep them off the ground. Put a moisture barrier (a piece of plastic) between the pellets and the ground. Cover the pellets with a heavy-duty tarp or thick mil plastic to protect against rain, snow, and ice.
Pellets that are low quality or laden with moisture are difficult to ignite, and slow ignition can cause the burn pot to become overloaded. The excessive amount of slowly burning pellets can suddenly ignite, causing a small explosion inside the stove. Great care should be taken when it appears that such a scenario might develop when lighting the pellets.
2. Practice regular stove maintenance to keep the stove clean and safe
Homeowners need to be aware of the importance of keeping the pellet stove clean. Poor maintenance is a leading cause of pellet stove fires. Fly ash, a very fine ash residue, can collect in the flue and ash traps. At high temperatures, ash will melt. When temperatures drop below the melting point, the ash solidifies. The hard residue buildup can cause a blockage, and ash buildup can clog the air intake holes. These blockages can cause the pellet stove to malfunction, resulting in a fire inside the body of the stove. This potentially dangerous fire can spread to the hopper holding the pellets.
Regular maintenance should include the following tasks:
- Inspect the burn pot for buildup.
- Empty the ash pans as needed.
- Examine the flue for any accumulation of fly ash and creosote.
- Clean air filters as needed.
- Vacuum any sawdust from the hopper.
3. Have an emergency battery backup system in case the power goes off
When the power goes off, the stove fire continues to burn, but the blower fans are silent. This situation can allow smoke to get into the room, coating everything with a layer of sticky, smelly soot. A battery backup system will keep the stove operational and the home soot-free during a power outage.
4. Hire a professional to inspect the pellet stove
Many insurance companies require periodic pellet stove inspections. Creosote buildup is much less in this type of stove. However, it still needs regular attention to prevent a pellet stove chimney fire.
5. Keep combustible items away from the pellet stove
The second most common cause of pellet stove fires is the combustion of flammable materials placed too close to the stove. Know the minimum clearance recommended by the manufacturer. Wood framing inside walls should be a safe distance from the flue vent. Sometimes, the wood framing can ignite inside the walls. Some cautious homeowners take the extra step of fitting a spark guard at the end of venting. This safety feature prevents sparks from igniting nearby combustibles.
For more information about fire and water damage restoration for homes in Keller, TX, and surrounding areas, contact SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth by calling (817) 741-5737. The damage restoration company can also be reached by email at office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com.
Helping Keller, TX, Hotels Overcome the Effects of a Water Damage Disaster
11/8/2022 (Permalink)
Blog Headline: SERVPRO® of Northeast Fort Worth provides commercial water damage restoration services to hotels that have experienced water damage.
Dealing with a water damage disaster on a residential scale is challenging for the property owner, but when water damage occurs at a hotel, the challenges multiply exponentially. Each room in a hotel is like a small, self-contained residence with occupants moving in and out as rooms are rented to different people.
Statistics show the average number of rooms in different types of US hotel chains for the year 2020:
- Luxury hotels: 316 rooms
- Upper upscale: 313 rooms
- Upscale: 143 rooms
- Upper midscale: 97 rooms
- Midscale: 79 rooms
- Economy: 75 rooms
With anywhere from 75 to 300 rooms, hotels must manage plumbing concerns for at least as many sinks, toilets, and showers. Inevitably, plumbing problems, water damage, and toilet backups will arise. The key factors for a successful response to water damage at a hotel are having a solid plan of action and knowing whom to call for rapid, qualified damage restoration services.
How does water damage hurt business at hotels?
A water damage disaster can adversely impact a hotel’s operations and bottom line in several ways, including the following:
- negative customer perception
- time lost while repairs are made
- lack of available rooms leading to forfeited profits
- potential structural issues in the future
Plumbing problems that plague hotels
Leaks
Whether caused by loose connections, cracked plumbing, or excessive water pressure, leaks can cut into profits and lead to costly water damage. Inspecting every hotel room for leakage is not an efficient solution, but hotel managers have other options available to check for leaks. According to plumbing professionals, “...you can determine if your pipes are leaking by shutting off your main water valve and taking note of the current reading. Check the reading after about two hours — if it’s increased, you have a leak and need to call for service repairs.”
Burst pipes
Burst pipes can result from rust accumulation, water expansion during freezing temperatures, water pressure fluctuations, and age. A burst pipe can cause massive water loss, potentially leading to mold damage or structural damage. Professional water damage cleanup and restoration services will be essential to remediate the situation and prevent it from expanding in scope.
Pipe blockages
Blockages are the bane of hotels. Hair buildup is a common culprit, but soap, hygiene products, and toothpaste can also contribute to a pipe clog.
Periodic maintenance can help keep pipes operating at peak efficiency. Commercial hydro jetting services eliminate blockages in the plumbing system, and a baseline recommendation is to schedule these services on a quarterly basis. However, individual hotels may need hydro jetting more or less frequently, depending on the size of the hotel.
Toilet overflows
Not all hotel patrons practice proper restroom etiquette, and they sometimes flush items other than toilet paper down the drain. Toilet paper is water-soluble and is the only thing that should be used in the toilet. Other paper products can clog the plumbing and cause the toilet to overflow.
A toilet overflow involves black water, which refers to water that contains biological contaminants such as fecal matter. The presence of black water in a water damage disaster introduces a myriad of complexities into the cleanup process, and the situation should not be handled by a hotel employee. Instead, call in a team of commercial water damage restoration specialists who are equipped with the proper safety protocols, personal protective gear (PPG), and damage remediation technology.
Low water pressure
While low water pressure is not necessarily as damaging as the other problems mentioned above, it can be inconvenient to hotel guests and could be an indicator of future plumbing issues. A low water pressure issue may be as simple as a failure to completely turn on a water valve. On the other hand, the pressure decrease could be the result of a blocked pipe, a leak, or mineral deposits from hard water.
When water damage occurs at a hotel, SERVPRO® of Northeast Fort Worth mobilizes a team of property damage cleanup and restoration specialists from the moment the office receives the call for emergency service. A hotel is a unique environment and requires the expertise and experience of a restoration company that is skilled in providing commercial services on a large scale. SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth is a full-service cleanup and restoration company, and no job is too large for technicians to tackle.
Contact SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth for more information about water damage restoration for commercial clients in Haltom City, TX. The office can be reached by emailing office@SERVPROnortheastftworth or by calling (817) 741-5737.
The Importance of Having a Home Fire Plan in Preparation for a Potential Fire Damage Disaster
10/17/2022 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth explains how a home fire plan can save lives when put in place in Haltom City, TX, homes.
SERVPRO® of Northeast Fort Worth provides fire damage, smoke damage, and water damage cleanup and restoration services for Haltom City, TX, homes that have suffered a fire. No homeowner wants to go through the fear, chaos, and trauma of a house fire. But unfortunately, a house fire usually strikes at the least expected and most inopportune time.
If a fire breaks out, seconds can save lives. The following tips can help in the creation of a home fire plan and fire prevention strategy. The key to survival is anticipating a fire event and then planning, preparing, and practicing an evacuation plan and fire prevention strategies.
Tip #1: Plan for everyone, both residents and potential guests.
Inventory the needs of everyone in the home, from young to old and able-bodied to handicapped. Some children sleep through loud sounds, such as a thunderstorm or a smoke detector. Assign an older sibling to help the younger. Have a backup when the assigned companion is away.
Tip #2: Identify two ways to escape.
Start in each room. Locate at least two avenues of escape, including a window and a door. Check to ensure escape routes are easily accessible for everyone who might find themselves in the room at the time of a fire. Make sure security bars on windows or doors have emergency release devices.
Tip #3: Make the creation of a home fire plan a teaching moment for children.
When children are involved in the planning, they will be more enthusiastic when the time comes to practice and less fearful of executing the plan in an actual fire incident. If the task is age-appropriate, involve the children in drawing and coloring a map of the home. Each child can mark two escape routes and the locations of smoke detectors on their own individualized map. The maps can be framed, hung on the wall, and admired. An unmarked map can serve as a test and as a review.
Tip #4: Designate an emergency meet-up location.
Assign a meeting place outside the home: the mailbox, a decorative bench in the front yard, or a trusted neighbor’s house. As tempting as the backyard playground or sandbox is, the meet-up needs to be in the front yard so first responders can easily spot residents upon arrival. Drill into children younger and older: No one goes back into the house after leaving.
Tip #5: Put smoke detectors to the test.
Double-check to make sure smoke detectors are in the best locations in the home and that batteries are always new and working. January 1 and July 4 are popular holidays to also designate as battery replacement days. By associating some of the mundane tasks with celebrations, children will more readily participate in the replacement activity and then continue it as a tradition with their own future children.
A smoke detector should be installed in the following locations:
- in every sleeping room
- outside every sleeping room
- on every level of the home
- in the kitchen area and laundry room
Tip #6: Make a scene with the street number.
Emergency responders have access to GPS, but making the street number easily visible on the road, on the mailbox, and on the front door can only help. However, the Home Owners Association may have some restrictions or limitations.
Tip #7: Be a quick responder.
Three powerful words explain the priorities of the evacuation plan: serve, safe, swift. The assigned person mentioned above serves the purpose of helping a sibling escape safely and swiftly along with themselves.
Tip #8: Have a backup plan: shelter in place.
If evacuation is impossible due to smoke, fire, or structural damage, then shelter in place. Close all doors. Stuff a damp towel under the door. If at all possible, escape through an exterior-facing window. The family fire plan should include rope ladders for second-floor rooms. Have a powerful flashlight in every room so that occupants trapped in the room can signal emergency personnel of their whereabouts.
Tip #9: Call 911.
In the chaos and mayhem surrounding a home fire, the early notification of the fire department through 911 can be overlooked. Precious minutes can slip by as everyone evacuates the burning home. Sometimes everybody thinks someone else has called 911. The simple solution is to assign everyone the task of making sure someone has called 911.
Share the plan with everyone, especially during holidays and on weekends when many people have guests. When small children are in the home, review and practice some or all of the plan on a monthly basis. As the children grow and mature, the schedule can shift to quarterly discussions and drills. Practice saves lives.
SERVPRO® of Northeast Fort Worth is dedicated to providing dependable fire damage cleanup and other cleaning and restoration services. The SERVPRO professionals are available 24/7, 365 days a year, including holidays. Pre-qualify with SERVPRO before a property damage disaster takes place.
For more information about Haltom City, TX, fire damage restoration services, contact SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth, TX, at (817) 741-5737 or office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com.
Nine Strategies for Avoiding a Mold Infestation and Mold Remediation at Keller, TX, Businesses
10/17/2022 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth outlines nine tips for preventing mold infestations at businesses.
SERVPRO® of Northeast Fort Worth offers a mold prevention guide for commercial facilities seeking to avoid mold infestation and mold remediation. Mold in a retail space, restaurant, professional office, service center, or other workspace affects employees, patrons, and patients. Ultimately, business operations, customer experience, revenue, and profitability suffer if the mold problem is not quickly resolved.
The mold prevention guide outlined below targets mold growth in a retail space, office building, manufacturing plant, or other commercial facilities.
#1. Repair plumbing leaks immediately.
These leaks may occur in the following locations: faucets, inline valves, supply line connections, drains, toilets, and fire sprinkler heads. Leaks in the building envelope include leaks around windows, doors, roof penetrations for vents, skylights, waste removal, and ingress/egress hatches. Roof punctures from broken tree limbs, hail, or collapsed supports or equipment should be repaired with no delay except for danger from severe weather.
#2. Pay attention to new developments such as condensation and wet spots.
By the time condensation and moisture are visible on ceiling tiles, walls, or the floor, the problem is well advanced. Remove standing water and dry the area with a fan or dehumidifier within 24 hours. If the water damage cleanup is extensive, high-capacity wet-dry vacuums, rapid-spin fans, and heavy-duty dehumidifiers will be needed to remove the excess water and dry out the moisture-laden environment. Without adequate equipment, special techniques, and moisture-detecting technology to verify the moisture is below acceptable levels, a mold issue of mammoth proportions could result. A bucket and mop are sufficient to remove small amounts of water from the floor’s surface, but water that has seeped under the flooring must also be removed. The removal of water and moisture from carpeting is beyond the scope of most janitorial services. If carpeting, including padding, is insufficiently dried, sanitized, and disinfected, mold will gain a significant foothold in as little as 24 to 48 hours. The stale, moldy smell can potentially make the facility unsuitable for business operations.
#3. Take steps to prevent condensation.
- Increase surface temperatures on walls, ceilings, floors, desks, and equipment.
- Reduce moisture levels (humidity) in the air with a dehumidifier.
- Repair any leaks to directly reduce humidity in the facility. Increase airflow if the outside air is cold and dry.
- Install new or additional insulation to reduce condensation on cold surfaces. Under floors, in the attic, and on pipes are good starting points. A storm window installed on the inside is very efficient.
- Maintain indoor humidity at or below 50 percent relative humidity.
#4. Keep the HVAC system in top operating condition all year round.
- Follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedules.
- Make sure the HVAC drip pans are free of dirt and grime and are properly evacuating the water. Check the external pipe for damage or blockages.
- Routinely replace HVAC filters and ensure the filters are seated properly.
#5. Provide exterior venting for moisture-producing equipment.
Dryers and other moisture-generating appliances should be vented outside and not into the attic or crawl space. Schedule inspection and maintenance to keep the exhaust tubing clean and unobstructed.
#6. Identify, assess, and resolve foundation and crawl space moisture issues.
The ground should slope away from the foundation at one inch per foot for at least six to ten feet. This degree of grade should be able to accommodate a severe downpour, directing the water sufficiently far enough away from the foundation to prevent seepage into a crawl space or service basement. Downspouts should extend several feet beyond the foundation and evacuate into an area that allows the water to drain freely. In extreme conditions, ponding may occur if drainage avenues (conduits, drain fields, dry creek beds) are overwhelmed.
Install a sump pump system in the basement or crawl space to remove excess water. Take more aggressive measures if this action fails to resolve the problem. Seek professional advice early in the process. Install a moisture barrier in the crawl space. Efforts to reduce humidity in the facility using a dehumidifier or increased ventilation may not prove successful if the moisture problem is not stopped at the source.
#7. Take steps to promote groundwater drainage away from the perimeter of the building.
An onsite consult with a competent certified landscape architect skilled and experienced in grading issues can prove invaluable, saving a business the cost of the consult a hundred times over by avoiding unnecessary grading expenses. Take simple steps such as clearing vegetation away from the foundation, rain gutters, and drain fields. Exposure to sunlight and wind will help a building’s exterior dry out after precipitation.
#8. Include a vapor barrier between the floor covering and a concrete floor.
When installing new carpet or other floor covering over concrete, install a vapor barrier (plastic sheeting) between the concrete and the flooring product. Carpet and padding will wick moisture from the concrete, and mold can thrive in moist carpeting and under laminate flooring.
#9. Avoid installing carpet in areas or around appliances with a high probability of water release.
Examples include:
- drinking fountains
- breakrooms, especially if the locations have a sink, refrigerator, ice machine, or dishwasher
- service sinks
- laundry rooms
- bathrooms
- concrete floors with perpetual leaks or frequent condensation
When a property damage disaster such as a roof leak, burst pipe, or fire sprinkler malfunction occurs, take action to repair the leak, clean up the water, and restore any damage to the structure. A delay of a day or two can result in a major mold infestation and other advanced secondary damage. The damage restoration and cleaning specialists at SERVPRO® of Northeast Fort Worth provide a rapid response so that the disruption to business operations is minimal.
For more information about Keller, TX, mold removal, contact SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth, TX, at (817) 741-5737 or email office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com.
How Excessive Water Pressure Can Lead to the Need for Water Damage Restoration Services
10/17/2022 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth highlights how excessive water pressure can cause water leaks leading to a water damage disaster.
The team at SERVPRO® of Northeast Fort Worth urges homeowners to be aware of the potential for water damage around the home. Water leaks are an ongoing concern for Keller, TX, homeowners. If left unchecked and allowed to persist, a tiny water leak can cause a huge mess, including unsanitary conditions like wet carpeting, wood rot, mildew, and mold. A large-scale water release from a burst supply line to the washer, dishwasher, or ice maker can flood a home with thousands of gallons of water in a few hours or over the weekend if the water intrusion is not discovered and the water flow is stopped.
The first step is to stop the intrusion at the point of the leak. The homeowner may be able to handle the matter by shutting off an inline water valve. If needed, the homeowner can turn off the flow at the water main by the road. As soon as the influx of water is remedied, the cleanup and restoration can begin.
Before resuming the water flow, the cause of the leak must be accurately diagnosed and resolved. If an inline shutoff valve allows the leak point to be isolated, life in the home can continue until the leak is repaired either by the homeowner or a plumber. A leaking connection must be repaired or replaced as soon as possible. A burst water supply line to the washing machine must be replaced. A good rule of thumb is to replace both supply lines.
Excessive water pressure: A potential cause of water leaks and water damage
Excessive water pressure can stress water pipes, couplings, joints, and connections. Over time, the pressure variations can lead to a slow leak or, worse, a sudden catastrophic failure in the water line. If the failure is in the attic or ceiling, behind a wall, or in the crawl space, the flooding and damage can be extensive. By staying alert to the causes and symptoms of excessive water pressure, the homeowner can prevent a water damage disaster.
Causes of excessive water pressure
Building codes and common-sense strategies have done much to prevent or avoid fluctuations of the water pressure in water lines feeding into the home. When purchasing a new home, the home inspection usually involves inspecting for water leaks and water damage and assessing water pressure. Before buying a home, have the plumbing system thoroughly inspected by a licensed, reputable plumber.
1. Improper installation and setting of the pressure regulator
Sometimes the problem begins with the installation of an inline pressure regulator between the main valve at the road and the home. In a municipality, water pressure at the main may be 80 PSI or significantly higher. To reduce the pressure from the street, a pressure regulator valve (PRV) is installed at some point in the water service line, usually where the line enters the home. Make sure a licensed professional is responsible for the installation and final quality check of the system after the installation. The desired water pressure from the PRV to the home is between 40PSI and 60PSI. Somewhere in the middle is desirable.
2. Pressure regulator malfunction
Some pressure regulators malfunction right out of the box due to manufacturing issues. The importance of a post-installation pressure check cannot be overemphasized. If a rise in the water pressure in the home is noted, the PRV may have experienced a malfunction. Do not delay in scheduling a licensed plumber to inspect and, if needed, repair any problems.
3. Pressure variations originating with the utility company’s equipment
The PRV should provide protection when there are problems originating with the water company and its equipment. Are neighbors complaining about the water pressure problem? Are there reports of issues in the media? Take note and, if needed, take action to avoid a water damage disaster.
Signs of excessive water pressure
Quick recognition of and response to the signs of fluctuations in the water pressure can help prevent a catastrophic water damage disaster that requires the services of a water damage restoration company.
1. Wide fluctuations in the water pressure at the faucet
If water spits and coughs out of the faucet at unusually high rates, there may be a pressure issue. As soon as this issue is noticed, check the system with a pressure gauge or call a plumber.
2. Leaks around faucet handles
Excessive water pressure can cause faucets to leak around the handles. If the faucets are new or the washers have recently been replaced, water pressure may be the cause of the leak at the faucet handles.
3. Leaks at joints and connections under sinks
If suspicions are aroused that water pressure issues could be causing leaks, expand the inspection to include joints and connections under sinks in the kitchen, laundry room, and all bathroom sinks. Check connections at the toilets as well.
The best time to reach out to SERVPRO® of Northeast Fort Worth is before any type of property damage disaster occurs, including a water damage disaster caused by excessive water pressure. By pre-qualifying with SERVPRO, the homeowner only has to make one phone call to have a property damage cleanup and restoration team on the scene in about an hour.
For more information about SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth’s water damage restoration services, contact the office at (817) 741-5737 or email office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com.
Tips to Help Educators Handle Property Damage at Schools and Educational Facilities
9/5/2022 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth offers tips to help schools and educational facilities deal with a property damage disaster.
SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth rapidly provides cleanup and damage restoration services to schools suffering a property damage disaster. The SERVPRO team understands that the impact of property damage not only interrupts the educational process, but it also disrupts the fabric of a community.
Educational activities touch every area of life. From the youngest students in K-4 elementary to local technical colleges and the largest universities, education is a part of life. Thirty-five colleges are located within fifty miles of Keller, TX, with a total enrollment of almost 430,00 students. Extended interruptions of the daily school schedule send shockwaves throughout the community, affecting thousands of people and businesses. A fire damage, smoke damage, water damage, or storm damage disaster can bring life to a halt. If the water damage disaster is extensive but not severe enough to halt classes, a mold infestation can shut down the educational facility until the hazard is remediated. Every day the institution is empty, the hardship on families and the community increases. A rapid response and a quick cleanup and restoration are top priorities if educational activity is to return to normal.
A water damage disaster can flood tens of thousands of square feet of classroom and activity space if the leak goes undetected over a weekend or vacation period. A burst water pipe or fire sprinkler malfunction on an upper floor can flood the entire complex. A massive response is needed to address the scale of the disaster. Principals, facility managers, and custodial staff charged with the care of the facility should consider SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth as a dedicated service provider in case of a property damage disaster in Park Glen, TX, or surrounding areas. Because SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth is a member of a large franchise family, the SERVPRO response can not only be rapid, but it can also be massive to meet the challenge of an extensive fire damage, smoke damage, and water damage disaster. Dozens of crews can respond within hours, with the first crews arriving in about an hour to begin the cleanup and restoration.
When school officials pre-qualify SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth as the dedicated provider, a disaster response plan can be formulated to deal with any size and type of disaster. A team of property damage restoration specialists arrives on the scene, poised to take action. For large-scale disasters, a central command and control center can be set up to direct the efforts. A detailed and well-documented estimate is created that will prove useful for the insurance claims process. SERVPRO leads the way when it comes to large-scale deployments to clean up and restore large-scale disasters.
What to Be on the Alert for Following Fire, Smoke, and Water Damage in a School
A water damage disaster involves more than wet floors or sagging ceilings. Water finds its way between walls, under flooring, and into HVAC ducts and crawl spaces. In a fire damage disaster, smoke and soot contamination remains well after the flames are put out. Water damage restoration involves so much more than a few hours of filling and emptying a wet-dry vacuum until the visible water is removed. Likewise, a fire damage cleanup and restoration effort requires more than the removal of smoke with fans. School officials and property maintenance staff need to be aware of the following issues when dealing with a property damage disaster.
#1. Pay attention to persistent unpleasant odors.
A water intrusion creates a scenario where stagnant moisture and mold can become an issue in about a day or two. Pathogens in the carpet multiply exponentially in the presence of excess moisture, leaving behind a musty, mildewy smell. Smoke and soot leave behind a different set of odors depending on the different items and materials that were burned. These odors can be difficult to eliminate entirely.
#2. Look for damage to instructional materials and equipment.
Textbooks, electronics, and other educational materials are at risk when exposed to water, fire, smoke, and soot. If immediate attention is not given to these damaged items, they may not be salvageable.
#3. Inspect classrooms and activity areas for damaged furniture.
Heat, smoke, and contaminated water from a fire can render plastic, wood, and cloth furniture useless or unsafe. The key to salvaging rather than replacing furniture is quick action with state-of-the-art equipment, cleaning techniques, and deodorizing and sanitizing solutions.
#4. Contaminated food and water must be discarded.
When external floodwater enters an educational facility, the cleanup and restoration stakes are high. Floodwater is heavily contaminated, often with E. coli and other harmful pathogens. If floodwaters have affected water foundations, food stores, and the cafeteria, the problem is serious and requires skill, knowledge, and the right equipment and cleaning products to make the learning environment clean, safe, and odor-free.
#5. Watch and smell for a mold infestation.
A mold infestation can erupt in 24 to 48 hours. A musty mildew smell and black, green, or brown stains indicate mold growth. Physical contact with and inhalation of mold spores is to be avoided. A professional cleanup and restoration company with experience dealing with mold will anticipate the likelihood of a mold problem and address it immediately.
#6. Be aware of fire and electrical risk hazards.
A water intrusion from a roof leak is inevitable where educational facilities have tens of thousands of square feet of roof space. A roof leak creates slip-and-fall risks and can also lead to electrical hazards. Only authorized personnel should enter areas affected by the water intrusion or flash flooding.
How to Prepare for a Fire, Smoke, or Water Damage Disaster
The best course of action is to pre-qualify a reputable, locally owned, bonded, and insured property damage cleanup and restoration company, before disaster strikes. Unnecessary delays allow the damage to spread, increasing the scope and expense of the project. A rapid response, quick cleanup and restoration, and the capacity to scale to address the disaster are crucial.
For more information about the property damage restoration company, contact SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth, TX, by emailing office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com. The office can also be reached by calling (817) 741-5737.
Why Dish Soap in the Dishwasher Is a Recipe for a Water Damage Disaster in the Kitchen
9/5/2022 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth highlights the consequences of using dish soap in the dishwasher. The team also offers water damage restoration services to clean up the water damage disaster that results.
SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth explores the consequences of using standard dish soap in a dishwasher and offers tips on what to do if a water damage disaster occurs when dish soap finds its way into the dishwasher. On occasion, the dishes in the dishwasher need to be washed, but the supply of dishwasher detergent or soap tabs is depleted. With the best of intentions, the homeowner, in desperation, loads the soap compartment with standard dishwashing soap, closes the door to the dishwasher, and starts the cycle. However, the water damage consequences of using standard dish soap can be disastrous.
The experts at House Digest report: “The most important reason why you should never substitute dish soap for dishwasher detergent is that the amount of suds dish soap generates is far greater than that of a dishwasher detergent. In fact, a dishwasher detergent hardly produces any suds at all.”
What to Do If Dish Soap Finds Its Way into the Dishwasher
Not all dish soap disasters are intentional. After a long day of entertaining in the kitchen, it is all too easy to grab the bottle of dish soap without thinking and squirt a generous stream into the soap holder in the dishwasher, close and lock the door, turn the unit on, and head to the recliner, sofa, or backyard hammock to relax. If the appliance has been operating for only a couple of minutes when the mistake is realized, there are measures the homeowner can take to avoid a sudsy disaster. Below are some helpful steps to correct the problem and avoid the impending disaster.
Step #1: Turn off the appliance to halt the production of suds and stop the overflow. This action should prompt the unit to drain off any water and suds at the bottom of the appliance. If necessary, adjust the settings to complete this task.
Step #2: Mop up any overflow and place towels around the base of the appliance. Keep several towels in reserve to deal with the sudsy mess in the unit.
Step #3: Once the unit has pumped out the water and suds and has shut down, remove the dishes, glasses, utensils, and other items from the unit.
Step #4: Remove any trace of leftover dish soap inside the appliance. Use towels to absorb water and wipe suds from within the machine. Rinse the inside of the unit with tap water using a cup or the sink sprayer if the hose is long enough. Rinse, wipe, and repeat until suds and residue are eliminated.
Step #5: Run a rinse cycle to ensure all dish soap residue is eliminated.
Step #6: Rinse the items removed from the dishwasher to eliminate any residual, high suds dish soap. Reload the dishwasher and wash the dishes using a low-suds dishwasher detergent. Wait and watch for a few minutes to ensure that no problems arise.
Step #7: Relax in the recliner and breathe a sigh of relief!
How to Respond to a Dishwasher Water Damage Disaster
What if the dish soap misstep causes a water damage mishap? If caught in the early stages, much of the water and suds can be mopped up with towels. A fan or two can complete the drying process. Residual water and moisture may be trapped under the dishwasher. If access to the floor under the dishwasher is available, wipe up the area with dry cloths and position a fan to circulate air under the unit. The excess water may have spread to any cabinet space to the sides of the dishwasher. These areas will need immediate attention to prevent damage to the baseboards, cabinets, or flooring.
If the spill is unmanageable for the homeowner, a call to SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth can take care of the situation. A crew can be on the job in about an hour to begin the water removal and drying process. Highly-trained technicians equipped with the right equipment, advanced cleaning techniques, and EPA-approved cleaning and deodorizing products can take care of the water damage disaster with minimal disruption and limited inconvenience. The SERVPRO team can also handle the insurance claims process from end to end.
For more information about Haltom City, TX, water damage restoration, contact the SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth office at (817) 741-5737 or email office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com
Storm Damage Cleanup for Property Damage Caused by Late Summer Storms
9/5/2022 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth provides damage restoration services for storm damage stemming from late summer tornadoes, derechos, hurricanes, and flash flooding.
SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth is dedicated to assisting homeowners and businesses recover from storm damage in Keller, TX. A knowledge of the types of late summer storms that can cause storm damage in Keller, TX, can help residents be prepared and know what kinds of damage to look for after the severe weather.
Types of Late Summer Storms
Residents of Keller, TX, and Northeast Fort Worth can experience severe weather in late summer. Weather experts describe the severe weather risk hazard: “Tornado risk persists in late summer, especially in parts of the northern tier. Derechos can still result in widespread destruction. The Southwest monsoon lasts through September and brings several hazards. Flash flooding concerns remain high through late summer. The peak of hurricane season occurs in late summer. Severe weather, including tornadoes, derechos, and flash flooding, can result in dangerous conditions through late summer in parts of the United States.”
Below is a closer look at several types of severe weather that can cause property damage in the Northeast Fort Worth area.
Tornadoes
Thankfully, by late summer, the frequency of tornadoes in North Texas is on the decline, though a real and present danger still exists any time tornadic weather is in the forecast. The presence of a hurricane barreling through the region may cause an uptick in the frequency of tornadoes during the months of August and September.
Derechos
The Spanish word “derecho” means “direct” or “straight ahead.” The term was adopted to make a distinction between the damage caused by straight-line winds and the damage produced by the rotational winds of tornadoes. A derecho is a large cluster of severe thunderstorms with straight-line winds. Windspeeds must be at least 58 miles per hour for a storm pattern to be considered a derecho; some derecho windspeeds have been clocked at 130 miles per hour. The damage path of a derecho can be tens of miles wide and hundreds of miles long.
Flash Floods
In the United States, flash flooding reaches its peak in late spring and continues through summer. Warm, moist air east of the Rockies, combined with the Southwest monsoon effect and the occurrence of hurricanes and tropical storms, creates a convergence that increases moisture levels and heightens the risk of flash flooding. Flash flooding can be experienced within minutes of heavy rainfall. On average, more fatalities occur from flash floods than from hurricanes and tornadoes. Most flash flooding deaths occur while the victim is driving.
Hurricanes and Tropical Storms
June through November are the official dates of the Atlantic hurricane season, but the peak of the season occurs in late summer. These turbulent, dynamic storm systems produce heavy rains resulting in flooding and can also generate tornadoes. In 2004, Hurricane Ivan spawned the most tornadoes on record, 120 over nine states, and in 1967, Hurricane Beulah left 115 known tornadoes in its wake.
Property Damage from Severe Weather
A knowledge of the features of late summer severe weather can help homeowners and businesses know what types of storm damage to be on the lookout for when severe weather strikes.
The straight-line winds associated with a derecho, though slower than a typical tornado, are concentrated and sustained. Look for serious roof damage. Shingles, underlayment, and sheathing can be ripped off from the roof. Siding can be peeled from a house, and standard glass windows may be shattered. The high-velocity winds can drive rain at angles approaching vertically, resulting in unique roof leaks at eaves, exhaust vents, and ridge vents.
High winds from derechos and tornadoes can topple trees. The rotational dynamics of a tornado can wrestle a tree into the air and drop it on a roof. The heavy downpours associated with a tropical storm or hurricane can saturate the soil to the point that a moderate wind gust can uproot a tree.
A hurricane or tropical storm can dump a dozen or more inches of water on a city like Keller, TX, whose average annual rainfall is 39 inches. This much rain overwhelms gutters, floods crawl spaces and turns neighborhoods and parking lots into lakes. Water, silt, and sludge can ruin carpets, upholstery, furniture, electronics, appliances, and drywall.
What to Do When Disaster Strikes
When storm damage wrecks a home or business, call SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth as soon as possible. Crews are available 24/7, 365 days a year, including holidays. Every lost minute allows for advanced secondary damage. Warped flooring, swollen baseboards, collapsed ceilings, and mold can significantly increase the time and money needed to clean up and restore a storm damage disaster. The SERVPRO team has the equipment and training to quickly remove bulk water and dry out a structure so cleanup and restoration can move forward.
Homeowners, property managers, and businesses should pre-qualify a dedicated property damage restoration company so that should a disaster occur, only one call needs to be made once first responders have been alerted. SERVPRO crews arrive in about an hour to inspect and assess the damage. Cleanup and restoration begin immediately.
For more information about storm damage restoration in Carter Riverside, TX, contact SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth, TX, at (817) 741-5737 or email office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com
The Importance of Understanding and Following Hurricane Evacuation Orders in the Event of Severe Weather
8/8/2022 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth shares information to help local residents communicate the importance of evacuation to family and friends who live in the path of an oncoming hurricane.
The storm damage cleanup and restoration professionals at SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth stress the importance of understanding and following evacuation orders when hurricane landfall is imminent. Although Fort Worth is not a coastal city, Northeast Fort Worth residents may have family members or friends who live on or near the coast of Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida and who are in the path of an approaching hurricane. An estimated 7 million people live in the Gulf Coast region of Texas and will need to evacuate their homes to stay safe during the severe weather.
Information gathered after Hurricane Katrina illustrates how many people can be affected by a major hurricane. “The storm displaced more than a million people in the Gulf Coast region. Many people returned home within days, but up to 600,000 households were still displaced a month later. At their peak, hurricane evacuee shelters housed 273,000 people and, later, FEMA trailers housed at least 114,000 households. The population of New Orleans fell from 484,674 before Katrina (April 2000) to an estimated 230,172 after Katrina (July 2006) — a decrease of 254,502 people and a loss of over half of the city’s population.”
Although Texas avoided any direct impact from Katrina, an estimated 220,000 people from Louisiana sought refuge in Texas. Fort Worth is not a coastal city, but residents may have family members or friends who live on the coast, are in the path of the hurricane, and will need to evacuate. When opening one’s house to evacuating friends and family, extra stress may be put on the plumbing system, placing the home at risk of flooding unrelated to the hurricane.
The tips listed below will help homeowners prepare for additional guests and avoid water damage and potential sewage backups.
Tip: Repair any leaky faucets and dripping drains.
Tip: Inspect toilets for leaks. Replace any parts that are showing signs of wear. Rusty chains and hard flapper valves are quick fixes that can save many, many gallons of water.
Tip: Install water-saver shower heads. Unclog slow-moving shower drains, and inspect the caulking and seal around the drain. Replace worn seals. Remove old caulking and replace it with a fresh bead. Repair any broken shower or bath tiles. The caulking around the tub may need some attention, as well.
Tip: If there is even a hint of a leak in an upstairs tub, shower, toilet, or sink, repair it before the guests arrive.
Tip: Be on the lookout for any signs of a leak. Look for water stains, bubbling or peeling paint, and warping in sheetrock and drywall. Listen for dripping, the sound of water continuously running, and gurgling noises in drains. Sniff the air for musty, moldy, mildewy smells. A faint smell of raw sewage inside the home could indicate a leaky sewer pipe in the crawl space.
Tip: Consider pumping the septic tank BEFORE guests arrive to pre-empt any messy situations, especially if it has not been pumped out in four years and usage has been heavy. Prices can vary widely depending on the size of the tank and the service provider. Make several calls. If the septic service will not provide a pricing structure, do not give them the business. Make another call.
Tip: Unclog any slow drains. Hair, grease, and soap residue can build up in the drains and slow down the flow of water, resulting in a backup and overflow.
Tip: Put down plenty of bathroom mats at the shower and tub to catch excess water spillage. Purchase an extra set of mats for when the water-logged mats are being washed and dried.
Tip: Immediately mop up any excess water that spills or puddles in the bathroom or shower.
Tip: Avoid overloading the washer with too many clothes or towels. Consider taking items to a laundromat with high-capacity washers and dryers, which will conserve water, energy, and time.
Tip: If severe weather in the form of a tropical depression or tropical storm is heading in the way of Northeast Fort Worth, inspect gutters, downspouts, and downspout extensions to avoid any water damage from overflowing gutters.
Tip: Pre-qualify a property damage cleanup and restoration company before guests arrive. Make the first call to the industry-leading professionals at SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth. The franchise is locally owned and locally operated by people who care about their community, their neighbors, and those who have been displaced by an evacuation order or by the destructive forces of a hurricane.
If, for some reason, a property damage disaster occurs while the host family is away, guests need only make one call to SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth, the service professionals that were carefully vetted by the homeowner.
For more information about storm damage restoration in Haltom City, TX, contact SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth at (817) 741-5737 or email office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com
Fire Sprinklers: An Essential Fire Damage Prevention Strategy for Businesses
8/8/2022 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth explains four misconceptions about fire sprinklers for businesses and commercial facilities.
SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth highlights why businesses in Keller, TX, need sprinklers to protect against a commercial fire damage disaster. A fire damage disaster is a complex cleanup and restoration process. The fire damages or destroys all or portions of the facility, and the damaged areas often must be demolished and rebuilt. Smoke damage can extend far beyond the burn site. If the fire department used water to extinguish the blaze, thousands of gallons of water were likely sprayed into the building, causing extensive water damage. Portions of the facility may be without water and power. The toxicity of a fire damage disaster can render parts of an office complex, distribution center, retail store, or factory uninhabitable until demolition, cleanup, and restoration have made the building structurally sound and healthy for occupation.
Fire prevention strategies to identify risks and eliminate hazards are foundational in any fire safety plan. The goal is to prevent or avoid fire in the first place. When prevention strategies fail, the fire must be suppressed and extinguished in its earliest stages. Failure to do so results in extensive damage. In a commercial setting, the disaster disrupts the business enterprise with potentially devastating financial consequences. A fire sprinkler system is one of the most effective tools to suppress or extinguish a fire before much damage occurs. The benefits of a fire sprinkler system far outweigh the detriments or downside of not having such a system. However, many misconceptions about fire sprinkler systems cause businesses to shy away from adopting this fire protection technology.
Four Myths about Fire Sprinklers
A fire sprinkler system is a simple, effective means to suppress and extinguish a fire and should be a key feature in every commercial fire safety and prevention plan. Yet, where building codes do not require sprinkler systems, builders and business owners sometimes do not include sprinklers in new builds, expansions, and renovations. Misconceptions about the effectiveness, functionality, and expense of the system drive these decisions. These determinations are unfortunate because of the many benefits a sprinkler system provides when installed in a structure.
Listed below is an overview of the common misconceptions surrounding the need for and the benefits of a fire sprinkler system in commercial buildings.
#1. MYTH: Sprinklers are too expensive.
Many business owners and property managers are of the opinion that the installation costs of a fire sprinkler system are too high and should not be included in the construction blueprints in regions where building codes do not mandate sprinklers. A closer look at the actual situation reveals that in new construction, the installation cost for fire sprinklers in commercial buildings taller than five floors is only about $1.00 per square foot. Installation costs in existing buildings are understandably more expensive but still reasonable. Installation prices to retrofit existing buildings range from four to five times more than new builds. These prices may vary as construction costs rise and fall due to inflation, supply chain disruptions, and changes in building codes.
Sprinkler installation incorporated in a new residential building is about 1% of the overall project cost. Sprinklers are a long-term solution that lowers insurance premiums, and the savings can offset the cost of the sprinklers, yielding a better ROI. Sprinklers can be a strong selling point if building codes require a retrofit with sprinklers.
#2. MYTH: Accidental discharges are unavoidable.
Contrary to common belief, an overcooked meal in the breakroom or burnt food in the office kitchen cannot activate sprinklers. Sprinklers activate only when exposed to high heat from a fire. Temperatures generated by stovetop cooking or opening an oven door simply cannot activate a sprinkler. Also, only sprinklers directly affected by flames will activate. In many cases, only one sprinkler activation is needed to extinguish the fire.
#3. MYTH: Smoke alarms are enough.
Smoke alarms alert occupants of fire but do nothing to extinguish the flames. Sprinklers reduce heat and smoke while working to extinguish the fire. Alarms reduce the likelihood of fatalities by about one-third, and sprinklers reduce the risk of death in a fire by approximately 80%. A life is priceless.
#4. MYTH: Sprinklers require expensive maintenance.
Commercial sprinklers involve sophisticated technologies that enhance performance, reduce the likelihood of a false activation, and require less maintenance to prevent malfunctions and leaks. Inspection and testing are necessary, but advances in technology and monitoring make commercial sprinklers a worthy fire protection strategy. Sprinklers in a residential facility also require upkeep and inspections.
A sprinkler system is an effective strategy to reduce property damage when a fire breaks out. Fire damage, smoke damage, and water damage will still occur, but the effects of the fire will be greatly reduced in many cases. When property damage services are needed in a commercial setting, the team at SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth is available 24/7, 365 days a year. The rapid response and quick cleanup and restoration help a business resume normal operations as soon as possible.
Contact SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth for more details about residential and commercial fire damage restoration services in Keller, TX. The office can be reached by calling (817) 741-5737 or emailing office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com
Six Hidden Fire Hazards That Have the Potential to Cause Fire Damage in Fort Worth, TX, Homes
8/8/2022 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth brings attention to hidden fire hazards that could cause a fire damage disaster in the home.
When a fire damage disaster occurs, SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth springs into action 24/7, 365 days a year, including holidays, to provide customers with a rapid fire damage cleanup and restoration process. To help homeowners avoid a fire damage disaster, the team at SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth exposes hidden fire risks that could cause a fire damage disaster.
Hidden Fire Hazards around the House
A quick, high-level inspection of the home may yield the conclusion that the house is safe from the risk of fire. However, fire risks can be found on kitchen counters, behind walls, and around the workbench in the garage or shop out back.
Most people are aware of common fire risks such as an overloaded electrical outlet or an unattended lit candle and take steps to avoid the unsafe practices. Yet, first responders still are called out to an average of over 1000 home fires a day. Here is a list of surprising fire hazards and instructions on how to avoid fire hazards in the home.
1. Clutter in the Kitchen
The kitchen is a hub of activity. The sink bustles with activity as pots, pans, dishes, and utensils are rinsed and re-used while cooking. Food prep on the counters is a whir of chopping, dicing, slicing, and mixing. Paper towels are used and then pushed to the side to be used again to prevent waste. Recipe cards dangle precariously above the stove as the meal preparation progresses. Potholders pile up next to the stove.
Four out of ten residential fires originate in the kitchen. To reduce the fire risk, keep combustible materials at least three feet away from hot burners. Avoid the temptation to leave meals cooking unattended on the stove or in a countertop oven, toaster, or air fryer. Have a fire extinguisher nearby in case a fire breaks out. Ring in the new year and celebrate Independence Day by putting fresh batteries in the home smoke alarms.
2. Overworked Wiring
Electrical wiring winds its way throughout a home hidden out of sight behind walls. On average, this hidden and unnoticed fire hazard is responsible for almost 1,000 housefires a week. Home electrical fires cause $1.5 billion in property damage each year. Activities such as hanging the family portrait, plugging a power strip into a power strip, or running an extension cord under a rug can burn the house down. Replace aging circuit breakers with arc-fault circuit interrupters to avoid electrical fires from overworked circuits. Any licensed, bonded, and insured electrician can handle this upgrade.
3. Sawdust
A day in the woodworking shop in the garage can produce mounds of sawdust on the floor and a fine coat of imperceptible dust on everything. The gritty sawdust and especially the fine, powdery dust are highly combustible, even more so than typical dust.
Install a dust-removal system, or remove excess dust with a shop vacuum designed to handle combustible dust. Vacuum up the dust several times during the day. Avoid disturbing the dust with an air hose or leaf blower since these methods send the dust airborne where ignition is much easier.
4. The Clothes Dryer
The lint tray captures highly combustible fibers from clothes tumbling in the dryer. Fibers that escape collect inside the dryer cabinet. The heating element can ignite the fibers if the buildup is excessive. Minimize the danger by hiring a professional to clean the dryer cabinet every two years.
5. Loose Outlets
When an outlet begins to wear out, blades hidden from view inside the electrical outlet lose their ability to snugly grip plugs from appliances and electronic devices. The loose connection can result in intense heat buildup that can cause a fire. When plugs fail to stay in an outlet, replace the faulty outlet immediately.
6. Antique Appliances
Vintage appliances make excellent décor pieces that add character to a home. However, the dated appliances were manufactured to less stringent codes, and the electrical components may have degraded over the decades. By rewiring the appliances, fire hazards can be greatly reduced. The best practice is to use modern appliances and machinery with a UL mark, indicating that the device has met or exceeded tight quality controls and is safe for consumer use.
An awareness of the hidden risks of an electrical fire in the home can lead to prevention strategies that make and keep the home safe. In case of a fire damage disaster, reach out to the cleanup and restoration professionals at SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth. After providing fire damage restoration services, the SERVPRO team can handle the insurance claims process from beginning to end, allowing the homeowner to focus on recovering from the disaster and moving on with life.
To learn more details about Fort Worth, TX, fire damage restoration, contact SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth at (817) 741-5737 or email office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com
Seven Elements That Make a Water Damage Restoration Project More Complicated and Expensive
7/30/2022 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth explains the factors that cause a water damage restoration project to be costly to clean up and restore.
A water damage disaster in the home is no small matter and can have serious consequences if not immediately addressed. When ignored or neglected, a water intrusion can cause extensive cosmetic and structural damage. Delays in cleanup and restoration may also negatively affect coverage by the insurance company. The many sources of a water release or water intrusion in a home call for vigilance on the part of the homeowner. Some potential causes of a water damage disaster include weather-related damages, clogged gutters, plumbing and sewage issues, appliance malfunctions, and HVAC leaks.
Water and moisture can damage just about everything it touches, including furniture, flooring, the foundation, and electrical wiring. In as little as 24 to 48 hours, advanced secondary damage can occur. Baseboards swell and must be replaced. Wet carpet becomes loaded with bacteria and must be discarded rather than salvaged. Mold growth explodes into an infestation. When a water damage disaster strikes, a rapid response by a professional property damage cleanup and restoration company is crucial to mitigate the water intrusion, start the cleanup, and prevent advanced secondary damage.
Several factors can make a water damage cleanup and restoration more complex, and these complications impact the cost of cleanup and repairs. Haltom City, TX, homeowners should consider these factors when evaluating an estimate of the expenses for cleanup and restoration.
Factors That Make a Water Damage Restoration Project More Complex and Costly
1. Extent of the damage
A leak in the bathroom from a tup overflow is less complicated than a whole-house disaster from a ruptured washing machine supply line or a flash flood. A large disaster area requires more time, labor, equipment, and materials to clean up and restore. Water damage encompassing several rooms requires more dehumidifiers, rapid-spin fans, and time before other steps in the restoration can take place.
2. Quantity of water
Not all water releases are equal. A ruptured appliance supply line can release several hundred gallons of water per hour into a home, causing widespread damage. A slow leak from an upstairs shower drain over several years may involve a similar quantity of water but do greater damage. Generally, though, the more water involved, the greater the complexity of the cleanup and restoration.
3. Source and type of water
Water from a sanitary source such as a ruptured ice maker line presents fewer issues than cleanup from a tub overflow of soapy water. A sewage backup involving fecal matter is the most serious risk hazard. Whether a water damage disaster involves clean water, gray water, or black water affects the complexity and cost of a cleanup. If clean water and gray water are not immediately removed, both types of water degrade into toxic, black water.
4. Delay in water removal, extraction, and drying
Time is a homeowner’s enemy in a water damage disaster. A delay in water cleanup allows walls, flooring, baseboards, furniture, and other porous items to absorb water and moisture. Warping, swelling, blistering, pathogens, and mold infestation can increase the restoration costs exponentially.
5. Types of materials
Waterproof vinyl or linoleum flooring may not need to be replaced, but laminate flooring may need to be ripped out and replaced. Custom luxury vinyl or CLV is waterproof and can be removed and reinstalled very easily. If the water damage involves hardwood flooring, immediate drying is crucial for salvaging the flooring. Carpeting contaminated with gray water must be replaced. If black water is present, both carpeting and padding must be replaced. Tile floors that are sealed and well-grouted may need the least attention as long as the water does not penetrate to the subflooring.
6. The location of the home
A home in a hot, humid area will be more difficult to dry out. Homes located in urban areas where the cost of living is elevated will find that cleanup and restoration services will reflect the elevated cost of living.
7. Mold growth
A delay in response time, cleanup, and restoration allows water damage to expand. Advanced secondary damage can develop. Baseboards swell and must be replaced. Flooring warps. Paint blisters and peels. Wet carpeting cannot be salvaged but must be removed from the home or business. Even worse, the risk of mold and bacterial growth skyrockets.
SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth is available 24/7, 365 days a year, including holidays, to provide customers with a rapid response and the water damage cleanup and restoration services needed to prevent a water damage disaster from becoming more complex and costly to restore. SERVPRO sets the bar very high when it comes to responding to customers’ needs, beginning with a rapid response.
For more details about water damage restoration in Haltom City, TX, email SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth at office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com or call (817) 741-5737.
SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth Explains Commercial Storm Damage Coverage for Medical Facilities
7/30/2022 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth explains what commercial storm damage coverage hospitals and medical facilities need.
SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth provides commercial damage restoration services for all types of businesses, including office buildings, retail outlets, professional offices, banks, distribution centers, manufacturing facilities, schools, and daycares. The team at SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth also takes on the challenges of cleanup and restoration for hospitals and medical facilities. Certified, experienced, and well-equipped technicians understand the complexities involved in dealing with property damage cleanup and restoration in an environment with expensive and delicate diagnostic and treatment equipment, pharmaceuticals, biohazards, patient care, and food services. Clients and patients may have medical conditions requiring care ranging from minimal attention to full nursing care. Hospitals, nursing homes, and other medical facilities need a rapid response and quick completion of the cleanup and restoration process so that medical services and patient care can resume as soon as possible.
Commercial storm damage such as flooding can have a localized impact on a building or devastate a major metropolitan area or region. Water damage, a mold infestation, and structural damage are some of the consequences of a storm and flood damage disaster. Medical facilities bear a unique risk hazard in the event of a flood or storm damage disaster that interrupts operations and the provision of services. The administration may be compelled to relocate the current patient population while turning away new patients and people needing immediate medical attention.
A solid, well-configured business owners policy (BOP) is sufficient for most property damage disasters. However, many private insurers limit water damage coverage to certain types of water damage, such as damage from a ruptured pipe or roof leak. Losses from a hurricane storm surge (not an issue for the metro Dallas/Fort Worth area) or a natural disaster may end up being paid for by business owners. If financial resources are inadequate to cover the losses and make needed repairs, the entity may end up shutting its doors and declaring bankruptcy.
Full protection for a healthcare facility from flood damage may require the acquisition of coverage under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Flooding caused by an extreme weather event, such as a severe weather cell, tropical storm, or hurricane, would be covered by an NFIP policy.
Further protection may entail purchasing additional special policy endorsements. Listed below are some examples and a brief description of additional coverage the owners and operators of a medical facility should consider in consultation with their insurance agent.
- Building ordinance coverage
- Business vehicle coverage
- Special equipment coverage
- Spoliation and service interruption
- Rental coverage
- Inland marine coverage
- Business interruption coverage
Building ordinance coverage
This coverage pays for structural updates that must be made to a damaged building to maintain building code compliance. Covered upgrades can include ramp and elevator installation for patients in wheelchairs.
Business vehicle coverage
Vehicles such as patient shuttles, ambulances, delivery vans, or other business vehicles require insurance coverage for destruction and liability. A comprehensive commercial auto policy covers non-collision losses. An example of a non-collision loss would be windshield damage from a fallen tree branch or water damage to parked vehicles.
Special equipment coverage
The loss of one costly medical device could exhaust the BOP policy limit. Separate coverage of highly expensive medical equipment may make sense for a medical facility, especially if the equipment is essential for daily operations.
Spoliation and service interruptions
Flooding can interrupt utilities, causing the ruin or destruction of perishable goods. Utility and spoilage coverage may pay for the replacement of industrial items in industrial refrigerators and freezers. For a medical facility, this endorsement would cover not only food and drinks for food services but also human organs, blood bags, and possibly refrigerated pharmaceuticals.
Rental coverage
Leased dental chairs, x-ray machines, and other medical equipment, as well as any equipment not directly owned by a medical facility, should be protected under a rental insurance policy. A single piece of equipment could be valued at hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Inland marine insurance
Transportation and cargo insurance replaces any inventory or supplies destroyed or lost in transit to or from the medical facility. Examples would be custom prosthetics, medical supplies, or other items washed away by floodwaters or otherwise lost in transit.
Business interruption insurance
The most important commercial property damage insurance is business interruption insurance. Each day a medical facility is unable to provide services could be thousands if not millions of dollars in lost revenue, depending on the size of the facility or the medical system. Business interruption insurance can replace income lost during cleanup and restoration. Projected income from canceled procedures, payroll expenses, and out-of-pocket costs would fall under this coverage.
SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth is a leader in commercial property damage cleanup and restoration for medical offices, clinics, outpatient surgical facilities, and hospitals. Availability 24/7, 365 days a year, including holidays, a rapid response, a quick cleanup and restoration, and the ability to scale to meet the challenges of any size disaster make SERVPRO an excellent choice when flooding, water damage, fire damage, smoke damage, or a biohazard disaster occurs.
To learn more about commercial storm restoration, contact the SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth office at (817) 741-5737 or email office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com
Four Tips for Making an Effective Emergency Call to a Restoration Company after a Disaster Strikes
7/30/2022 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth offers advice on how to contact a damage restoration company when emergency services are needed after property damage.
The team at SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth has received countless calls from property owners who have suffered water damage, fire damage, or storm damage to their homes or places of business. Calling a Keller, TX, restoration company to provide emergency restoration services can be stressful for someone who has never needed restoration services before. To help local residents prepare, SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth is offering tips on how to place a call to a damage restoration company after a property damage disaster strikes. Listed below are some tips to consider when reaching out to a property damage restoration company after a disaster has struck.
Step #1: Stay safe.
The top priority in any type or size of disaster is to make sure everyone is safe and stays safe while waiting for first responders and the arrival of the cleanup and restoration crew. A fire damage disaster is a toxic environment. Wading through flood waters to collect personal belongings is treacherous. Activity under a water-logged and sagging ceiling is ill-advised.
Step #2: Select a damage restoration company to call.
This step is easy with internet access, but if the power is out or if communications are knocked out, then an internet search is impossible. The delay could add to the extent of the damage and the expense of the cleanup and restoration.
Step #3: Call as soon as possible.
As soon as everyone is safe and it is evident that the cleanup and restoration process is not simple, quick, and easy, place a call to a damage restoration company. Water may be streaming into the home through the roof, which sustained significant damage from high winds. The fire department may still be on scene fighting the fire. Flood waters from a flash flood may be a foot deep throughout the home or business. If the disaster is widespread, waiting until the storm has passed and the skies are clear is an unnecessary delay that can lead to extensive advanced secondary damage.
Step #4: Follow up on any information the customer representative may have offered.
There may be some special instructions or general advice provided by the customer representative. As long as the situation is safe, follow through on these matters, if able. Remember, safety is the top priority.
What happens when a call is placed to SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth?
The call is answered by a customer representative who is trained to interact with the customer on two levels. The customer representative gathers information for a “First Notice of Loss.” This information includes contact information, the address of the damaged structure, insurance information, and a detailed description of the damage, including any special instructions about gaining entrance to the location. This initial phone call sets in motion a series of events that results in a crew arriving on the scene in about an hour or so after the call is placed.
Pre-qualify a damage restoration company before disaster strikes
SERVPRO customer representatives are trained to help customers deal with the anxiety, stress, and trauma of a property damage disaster. Many customer representatives have earned certifications in fire damage and water damage and have hands-on experience working on water damage cleanup and restoration projects.
The best time to reach out to a damage restoration company is before a disaster strikes. Stress, anxiety, and distractions are low or non-existent. The SERVPRO professional can address important questions from the prospective customer, such as:
- Is the company locally owned and operated? If so, for how long?
- Are crews available to respond 24/7, 365 days a year, including holidays?
- How long will it take a crew to arrive on the scene at the customer’s address?
- Will a detailed, well-documented estimate be presented before contracted work begins?
- Are technicians IICRC-certified?
- Can the company handle damage disasters involving fire, smoke, water, flood waters, mold, storm damage, emergency tarping, sewage backups, biohazards, crime scene cleanup, drug scene cleanup, and suicide scenes?
- Is the company able to manage all facets of a repair and restoration acting as a general contractor?
- Are references, reviews, and a portfolio available for perusal by potential customers?
- Is there a mechanism to handle complaints?
- Can the cleanup and restoration company handle the insurance claim process from end to end?
- Is the company bonded, licensed, and insured?
- Can the damage cleanup and restoration company scale to any size or type of disaster?
SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth is locally owned and operated, and the team is available 24/7, 365 days a year. IICRC-certified technicians arrive on the scene in about an hour with the right equipment to tackle the project. A detailed, well-documented estimate will be presented to the customer, and the staff can handle the insurance claims process from beginning to end. The dedicated team at SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth is committed to helping homeowners and businesses recover from disaster and return to normal as soon as possible.
Contact SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth to learn more about the damage restoration company. The office can be reached by calling (817) 741-5737 or by emailing office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com
How Keller, TX, Residents Can Avoid Fire Damage and Injuries When Celebrating with Fireworks
6/17/2022 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth warns the local community about injuries that can result from the misuse or improper operation of fireworks.
Firework safety and the prevention of fire damage from the misuse of fireworks are important during the Fourth of July celebrations. SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth is sharing safety tips to help local residents avoid personal injury and fire damage from a fireworks mishap.
Celebrate Safely
Summertime brings hot weather, pool time, grill time, picnics in the park, Fourth of July celebrations, and fireworks. Inevitably with the fireworks comes the potential for personal injuries and fire damage.
Small fireworks such as firecrackers, bottle rockets, and sparklers cause most of these injuries. A typical sparkler gets hot enough to melt metal. This favorite firework is not a child’s toy and should be used with extreme caution and only under adult supervision.
Personal firework safety is the most effective means to avoid or prevent injury. Consider these simple tips when around fireworks:
- Leave the fireworks display to certified, licensed professionals who have the training, experience, and protective gear to safely discharge the various items.
- Enjoy the fireworks from a safe distance.
- Keep fireworks at a safe distance from vehicles and structures.
- Avoid discharging fireworks under trees, awnings, in the garage, or on the back deck or patio.
- Always have multiple options close at hand to extinguish any small fires that might erupt, including a garden hose at the ready, pre-filled buckets of water or sand, and one or more fire extinguishers.
- Have a basic first aid kit on hand. Eyewash, burn salve, and antiseptic should be included in the kit.
- A fire blanket is always good to have on hand should someone’s clothing catch fire.
Common Injuries from Fireworks
USA Today reported the following statistics on injuries related to fireworks: “In 2020, an estimated 15,600 people were hospitalized with injuries related to fireworks – the highest number in the last 15 years, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reported. Sixty-six percent of the injuries happened between June 21, 2020 and July 21, 2020.”
Be aware of the most common fireworks injuries and what to do in case of an accident.
1. Burns to the hands
Understandably, a burn on the fingers or hand is the most prevalent wound from a fireworks mishap. A first-degree burn is minor in nature, affecting only the top layer of skin and causing redness, pain, and discomfort. Second-degree burns are serious burns resulting in the formation of blisters. Third-degree burns are the most severe burns. The burn area takes on a white leathery appearance and texture, and burn damage extends under the skin, affecting the underlying flesh.
To avoid burns to the hands and fingers, never handle a firework that has not fully discharged. Fireworks may smolder for several seconds or even longer and then explode. Minor first-degree burns can be treated at home, but more severe burns should receive prompt attention from a physician. For minor burns, clean the wound and apply an over-the-counter topical pain medication. Seek further medical attention if signs of infection appear.
2. Injuries to the eyes
A firework such as a firecracker can send debris flying at very high speeds. Heat and debris from fireworks can injure the eye and could cause total loss of vision. Protective eyewear can provide adequate eye safety when handling fireworks. Seek immediate medical attention should an eye injury from a firework occur.
3. Broken bones and deep cuts in the hands
Fireworks can inflict severe hand wounds, including deep lacerations, the loss of a finger or thumb, tendon damage, and fractured bones. In case of a hand injury, remove any jewelry from the fingers and wrist. Protect the hand with a clean cloth, and apply an ice pack to reduce swelling. Keep the hand elevated. Seek emergency medical attention.
4. Facial injuries
Powerful fireworks can burn the nose, lips, and ears. Facial bones may be fractured, and teeth may be chipped or dislodged if an impact is taken to the head. Light a rocket or tube-launched firework from the side, keeping one’s head well away from the firework. A firework can reach speeds well over 100 mph upon ignition. An impact with the head can cause severe injury. If an injury occurs, cover the wounded area with a clean cloth and apply an ice pack. Seek medical attention without delay.
5. Hearing loss
Temporary or permanent hearing loss may be induced by very loud fireworks. The impulse sound from a firework three feet away can range from 145 to 170 decibels, or nearly two times the safety limits (85 decibels) for the human ear. The wearing of ear protection when fireworks are being discharged is strongly advised for children from infancy to mid-teens.
Before using fireworks around the home, take the necessary precautions to ensure everyone’s safety. In addition, pre-qualify a reputable property damage cleanup and restoration company in the event of a fire damage disaster. SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth is available 24/7, 365 days a year, including holidays. The fire damage restoration company has the latest equipment, cutting-edge technology, superior cleaning techniques, and EPA-approved products to handle any size or type of disaster. The SERVPRO staff can manage the insurance claims process from end to end with no headache and no hassle for the customer.
Contact SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth for more information about fire damage restoration in Keller, TX. The office can be reached at (817) 741-5737 or office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com
Refrigerator Maintenance Tips to Keep the Appliance Operating Properly and to Prevent Water Damage
6/17/2022 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth shares maintenance tips to help homeowners take care of their refrigerators and minimize the potential for water leaks and water damage.
Regular maintenance of the refrigerator helps the unit to operate correctly and efficiently and is a sound strategy to prevent water damage in the kitchen. The kitchen fridge stays hard at work round the clock, but for the most part, the appliance goes unnoticed. However, refrigerators need some TLC to keep them from flooding the kitchen floor with water.
Monthly Maintenance
Monthly maintenance matters for the ice maker. Each month, empty the ice bin and remove any built-up chunks of ice. The ice will pick up the foul odors and smells in the freezer. Deploy an open box of baking soda to absorb these smells.
Quarterly Maintenance
Clean the door gasket with the changing of each season to ensure the seal is tight when the door is closed. A loose seal wastes energy and stresses the appliance. Clean grimy gaskets with soapy water, and let them dry completely. If seals are loose, their embedded magnets can be either replaced or re-magnetized.
Remove dust, grime, and pet hair from the condenser coils and fan with the vacuum and a brush attachment to keep the appliance functioning efficiently. Dirty coils put added stress on the compressor, wasting energy and money. Use a refrigerator coil brush for areas that are difficult to access. Households with shedding pets should follow this procedure on a monthly basis.
Biannual Maintenance
Every six months, replace the water filter to ensure clean water and ice. This procedure will also prevent clogs. Purge the system by running a few gallons of water through the filter. Give some attention to the drain hole drip pan that collects condensation. A little bit of elbow grease can keep a refrigerator humming, whirring, and cooling for years to come.
Preventing the Refrigerator from Leaking
A refrigerator can cause a major water damage disaster. A small drip or leak can go unnoticed for months, damaging flooring and causing wood rot in the substrate and support beams. The moisture can contribute to a mold infestation around the base of the appliance, the walls, and in the crawl space or basement if the water seeps through the floor. If the ice maker connection fails or the supply line ruptures, several gallons of water per minute can quickly flood the kitchen, adjacent rooms, and the entire home if the leak is not discovered and stopped.
Listed below are some quick tips to prevent refrigerator leaks, big or small.
Tip #1: Purchase and install a water sensor.
The inexpensive, battery-operated water alarm can be purchased from a hardware or big box home improvement store. When the sensors detect water, an alarm sounds, alerting the homeowner to the problem. With the presence of a refrigerator, dishwasher, and sink, the kitchen is especially vulnerable to water damage. The placement of a water alarm in strategic locations is a great way to prevent an expensive and inconvenient disaster in the kitchen.
Tip #2: Ensure that the refrigerator is not completely level.
The front of the appliance should be one-quarter to one-half inch higher than the back of the appliance. This slight tilt ensures proper drainage, assists with closing the doors and supports the production of ice in the ice maker.
Tip #3: Look out for line clogs.
The freezer will go into defrost mode two to three times a day. From 25 to 45 minutes, the temperature in the freezer will rise to about 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Water from the melting ice collects in a pan under the appliance. Puddled water around the base of the unit may hint at a clog. A homeowner with some physical agility and a knack for DIY projects may be able to unclog the lines, and a plumber or an appliance repair specialist will also be able to resolve a clog.
Tip #4: Make sure the ice maker is not making a mess.
Shut off the supply line to the ice maker. If the leak stops, tighten the supply line connection at the back of the appliance. Turn the valve to allow for water flow to resume. If the leak persists, the supply line may have a crack or crimp allowing the leak. A supply line replacement may require the services of a plumber.
Tip #5: Reevaluate the location of the refrigerator.
Some homeowners keep a second refrigerator in the basement, but the basement may not be a refrigerator’s best friend. The electric motor in the fridge generates heat. When the hot air meets the cold air of the basement, condensation is produced. This condensation from the basement refrigerator is enough to cause water damage, especially wood rot and mold.
When a household appliance creates a mess, rather than cleaning one up, turn to the water damage cleanup and restoration team at SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth. To learn more about Haltom City, TX, water damage restoration services, call the office at (817) 741-5737. The team can also be contacted by email at office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com
Six Ways Storm Damage Impacts Local Communities
6/17/2022 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth highlights the importance of hiring a locally owned and operated damage restoration company to restore flood and storm damage that has devastated a community.
When a natural disaster such as widespread flood and storm damage strikes Fort Worth, TX, people come together and rally around each other even though the area boasts a population of nearly one million residents. Everyone is affected to some degree, and neighbors help neighbors in the cleanup and recovery. SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth, a locally owned and operated property damage restoration company, is there to help.
How does flood and storm damage affect a community like Fort Worth?
Widespread flooding and storms can cause massive upheavals in a community. Here are six ways flood and storm damage affect a community.
1. Physical damage
Severe storms and flooding damage or destroy bridges, roads, homes, and businesses. Recovery may take years. Some homes and businesses will be at a total loss.
2. Psychological trauma
Flood and storm damage victims experience a range of psychological effects, including fear, worry, anxiety, stress, anger, depression, insomnia, and loss of appetite. Neighbors, family, and relief organizations such as the Red Cross offer counseling and support that help victims process and overcome mental trauma.
3. Economic loss
A natural disaster requires a massive response of manpower, machinery, and material, costing millions of dollars. Property damage can exceed billions of dollars. The 1995 Fort Worth Mayfest supercell storm pummeled the area with 4-inch hail, causing over $2 billion in property damages. The economic impact on the Dallas/Fort Worth metro area lasted for years.
Flooded fields and hail damage to crops exert upward pressure on food prices. Severe weather disrupts ethanol production, shuts down refineries, and interrupts the delivery of gasoline and diesel fuel, causing a rise in prices at the pump and economic hardship for consumers.
4. Environmental destruction
Heavy rains and flood waters erode nutrient-rich soil. Some of the forgotten victims of severe weather are wildlife and farm animals. Lakes and rivers are polluted with raw sewage, toxic chemicals, and foreign debris such as cars, household items, and vegetation.
5. Loss of life
Since 2015 in the United States, approximately 100 people are fatally injured annually from flooding. In addition, pets often suffer injury or loss of life during heavy flooding.
6. Damage to homes, businesses, and other buildings
Floodwaters and water intrusion from a damaged roof can impact insulation, drywall, baseboards, HVAC ductwork, and flooring.
Why use a local property damage cleanup and restoration company
When flooding and storm damage happen, secure the services of a reputable, bonded, licensed, and insured property damage company to begin the cleanup and restoration process. Below are six reasons why it is important that the damage restoration solution be provided by local community members.
1. Locally owned and operated
The staff and technicians of a locally owned and operated property damage restoration company not only know the community but are also a part of the community. They live, play, shop, work, and volunteer together as neighbors and friends.
2. Here today and still here for years to come
When a natural disaster such as a hurricane or tropical storm hits a community, fraudsters often descend on neighborhoods to take advantage of vulnerable victims. A down payment is received, but the service provider is never seen again. In some cases, shoddy work is provided, but problems are not discovered until long after the “company” has disappeared. Texas and Florida have some of the toughest regulations in the nation to prevent such scams. The safest and best course of action for a victim of property damage from a natural disaster is to hire a company that is locally owned and operated and plans to continue providing services on a permanent basis. If problems related to the disaster cleanup and restoration arise, the restoration company can still be reached by the homeowner or business. In fact, the company has a brick-and-mortar presence in the community.
3. Experienced
The owners of SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth are new to the SERVPRO family. They have over twenty years of experience in the mortgage banking industry and are no strangers to providing excellent customer service. Their team of IICRC-certified technicians boasts over 15 years of restoration experience, giving SERVPRO customers peace of mind.
4. Performance that can be tracked
Their track record of performance is public and positive. SERVPRO references are local, living and working in the area. An abundance of social media reviews is available for prospective customers to peruse.
5. Invested in the community
The owners and employees are involved in and give back to the communities they serve, including Fort Worth, Keller, and Park Glen.
6. Puts others first
When a large-scale disaster strikes Northeast Fort Worth, the families of the local SERVPRO team are impacted. Still, SERVPRO responds as a frontline property damage cleanup and restoration provider. Being local means team members are nearby. Being a member of a large, nationwide franchise means the local SERVPRO company can scale to meet the cleanup and restoration demands of a major water, fire, smoke, or storm damage disaster.
For more details about Fort Worth, TX, storm damage restoration, email the SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth office at office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com or call (817) 741-5737.
Technology: A Life-Saving Tool for Helping Communities Prepare for Storms and Storm Damage
5/12/2022 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: The team at SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth understands the devastation storms can bring. When storms are in the forecast, home and business owners can use technology as a tool to help prepare for severe weather.
When storm and flood restoration services are needed as a result of severe weather, trust SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth, a locally owned and operated damage restoration company. Technicians provide residential and commercial property damage cleanup services to Fort Worth, Keller, and Park Glen areas with continuous coverage twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The team is dedicated to customer service.
The thunderous roar of an approaching tornado is traumatic for anyone caught in its path. The massive scale of the event leaves people helpless. Technology levels the playing field, giving people the tools to weather the storm without injury.
Tech experts cast the future of weather technology in a positive light, writing, “Natural disasters still kill around 10,000 people a year, but that number has fallen substantially over the years. As the world’s resources have advanced, people have become better equipped to handle these events. If technology continues on its current path, it will reduce these numbers even further.”
How modern technology is improving the odds for people to make it through the storms safe and sound.
1. Modeling the storm season to anticipate severe weather
Accurate expectations of future weather events improve response and survival strategies. Storm type, timing, and intensity are crucial to creating and executing the best response. Modeling is a source of this vital life-saving data.
Powerful supercomputers analyze weather satellite data to simulate seasonal hurricane activity. These powerful systems generate reliable predictions concerning storm sizes, times, and behaviors. Agencies are empowered to respond appropriately. The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) refines these predictions. AI is the future of hurricane season prediction because hurricanes are so unpredictable.
2. Rapid alert systems
Modern communications technology enables meteorologists to alert agencies and the general population with an efficiency and speed never before experienced. Preparedness involves both modeling and fast-flowing lines of communication. Fast, clear alerts give agencies, institutions, businesses, and individuals critical time needed to be ready for the extreme weather.
Smartphone technology is vastly superior to older technologies such as strategically located sirens. The portability of digital alerts through cell phone technology means almost everyone with a cell phone receives a real-time alert. Wireless emergency alerts, WEA, save lives.
3. Tornado tracking technology
Occurring at a rate of about 1,200 per year in the US, tornadoes are frequent, violent, and difficult to predict. Advances in technology mean that scientists are better equipped to track the rambunctious twisters.
Accurate tracking results in accurate alerts that help people respond, take cover, and survive the storm. This acute awareness of a tornado’s location also allows rescue agencies to quickly deploy emergency teams to devastated areas. By shaving minutes off response times, first responders can save lives in the wake of storms.
4. Reinforced infrastructure
Sheltering in place is potentially dangerous if the shelter is not compliant with modern building codes. Stronger building materials and techniques reduce damage. Basements and storm shelters provide a safe refuge for people who have had to evacuate their homes or businesses. Hurricane windows and doors can sustain high-speed, high-impact collisions with flying debris. Reinforced garage doors are amazingly resilient under extreme conditions. A garage-door failure could also lead to a catastrophic roof failure.
5. Smart power grids
The cold weather disaster of February 16, 2021, demonstrated the vulnerability of the North Texas power grid. A failed power grid puts the general population at risk while, at the same time, hindering a coordinated response effort.
Monitors and sensors in the smart grid feed power companies needed data. Customers in the offline grid receive alerts of the outage and estimates of when the power will be restored. Some tech equipment has the sophistication to troubleshoot problems. Utility companies respond to these informative alerts and restore power much more quickly than in past decades.
6. New tools for understanding weather events
Accurate, timely information saves lives. Real-time weather conditions are constantly monitored at over 900 surface observation stations across the United States. This granulated information helps scientists more fully understand the nature of “Mother Nature” when dealing with the causes and behavior of extreme weather.
Why Storm Damage Restoration Services From SERVPRO
Modern technology saves lives, but it does not necessarily prevent storm damage. When severe weather causes a disaster that creates a need for storm and water damage restoration, trust the project to the professionals at SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth, Texas. Technicians are experienced, certified, and well-equipped to tackle any size disaster.
When home or business owners need storm damage restoration services, they can call the SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth office at (817) 900-0580 for emergency restoration services. The team can also be contacted by email at office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com
How Local Small Businesses in Watauga, TX, Can Overcome Severe Property Damage
5/12/2022 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth shares strategies to help local small businesses quickly recover from devastating property damage.
SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth is dedicated to helping small businesses in Watauga, TX, recover from a major property damage disaster by rapidly providing fire, smoke, and water damage restoration services. Loyal customers are the backbone of a small business’s success. They provide consistent repeat business and keep the doors open. A temporary interruption of services or halt in production can result in customers seeking other sources for their needs. A rapid, thorough restoration process gets products and services moving and revenues flowing to satisfy customers’ needs.
How a business responds to a significant property damage disaster can have consequences for future success.
Steps that help a small business recover from a serious property damage disaster.
Step #1: Review and understand the business’s commercial insurance policy.
Major property damage and business interruption insurance policies provide financial protection for a business in the event of a property damage disaster that not only damages the structure but also disrupts the sales and revenue cycle. A thorough understanding of the policy coverage and limits coupled with a working knowledge of how to use the policy during the claims process will ensure the business is protected and comes out on the other side of the disaster ready to move forward at a rapid momentum to make up for lost time and money.
Step #2: Consider the benefits of partnering with a restoration company that can handle the entire claims process.
Policyholders often find the complex, technical language in insurance policies to be confusing and difficult to understand. However, it is not enough for the policyholder to simply make the premium payments according to schedule and assume the carrier will advocate for the policyholder in the event of a claim payout at a fair settlement amount after property damage. The insured party needs to understand to some degree the intricacies of property insurance coverages and the claims process.
When small businesses work with SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth, the company’s trained and experienced staff can handle the claims process from beginning to end. The team will work with the insurance company to understand the coverages and the options within the policy to help the business achieve full recovery. The SERVPRO claims professionals most likely have previously worked with the insurance company in the Fort Worth and Dallas area. Claims management will not be an added headache for a business owner striving to restore normal business operations.
Step #3: Create a customized Emergency Ready Plan.
This important process breaks down into many parts. First, conduct a risk assessment of the business operations and the physical plant. Identify any fire hazards or other risks that have gone unnoticed or been neglected. Clarify if the structure is in a flood zone and qualifies for coverage under the National Flood Insurance Program.
Assess any vulnerabilities specific to the landscape’s layout, such as grading and slope issues. Though the facility may not qualify for FEMA flood insurance, subtle changes to the landscape may reduce the likelihood of a micro-flood from a stalled thunderstorm.
Implement safety procedures to address the new risk hazards. Review the safety plan in company meetings. Conduct drills on a scheduled basis, and post signage in high traffic areas. The goal is to cultivate a safety-conscious corporate culture.
Step #4: Make sure the commercial insurance policy covers frequent disasters common to the region.
This step may require a consultation with the insurance agent. Inquire as to what coverage other businesses in the area have. A pattern may indicate an adjustment needs to be made to the policy to reduce exposure in vulnerable areas.
Step #5: Take measures to prevent property damage.
As mentioned above, subtle adjustments to the landscape can protect against flooding. Remove trees or prune branches that can fall onto the roof, causing a puncture and water intrusion. Install a removable flood gate system at vulnerable entryways. Install reinforced doors or strengthen existing doors in areas where flooding can occur. Keep drains free of clutter and debris.
Step #6: Protect vulnerable data and data systems.
Implement a data backup system such as a cloud system. A strategic partnership with IT management professionals is recommended. Outsourced IT management can scale with company growth. Remember to include payroll in the strategy.
Step #7: Pre-qualify a reputable property damage restoration company.
Look for companies with these features:
- Insured, licensed, bonded, and IICRC certifications
- Available 24/7, 365 days a year, including holidays
- Rapid response within an hour or less
- Best equipment, latest technology, advanced cleaning techniques
- Provides detailed and documented estimations
- Can scale to any size or type of disaster
- Manages the insurance claims process
For more information about commercial water damage cleanup and restoration in the 76244 area, call SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth, TX, at (817) 900-0580 or email office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com
How to Know if a Home’s HVAC System and Air Ducts Would Benefit From Professional Cleaning Services
5/12/2022 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth identifies situations where air duct cleaning would be desirable and shares a testimonial from a homeowner who received HVAC system cleaning services.
The team at SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth provides a full menu of services, including water damage restoration, fire damage restoration, storm damage restoration, mold remediation, and residential and commercial cleaning. Air duct and HVAC unit cleaning is among the services that SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth delivers to clients. Air duct cleaning can offer several benefits, such as helping to minimize the potential for a mold infestation, contributing to the restoration of maximal energy efficiency, and combating unpleasant odors.
Who Should Consider Air Duct Cleaning Services?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advises that homeowners consider having their air ducts cleaned in the following cases:
- “There is substantial visible mold growth inside hard surface (e.g., sheet metal) ducts or on other components of your heating and cooling system.”
- “Ducts are infested with vermin, e.g. (rodents or insects).”
- “Ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust and debris and/or particles are actually released into the home from your supply registers.”
The EPA also offers the following recommendations regarding mold growth in air ducts and the HVAC system: “Many sections of your heating and cooling system may not be accessible for a visible inspection, so ask the service provider to show you any mold they say exists. You should be aware that although a substance may look like mold, a positive determination of whether it is mold or not can be made only by an expert and may require laboratory analysis for final confirmation. For about $50, some microbiology laboratories can tell you whether a sample sent to them on a clear strip of sticky household tape is mold or simply a substance that resembles it. If you have insulated air ducts and the insulation gets wet or moldy it cannot be effectively cleaned and should be removed and replaced. If the conditions causing the mold growth in the first place are not corrected, mold growth will recur.”
The EPA adds, “If any of the conditions identified above exists, it usually suggests one or more underlying causes. Prior to any cleaning, retrofitting, or replacing of your ducts, the cause or causes must be corrected or else the problem will likely recur.”
SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth’s Air Duct and HVAC Cleaning Services
At SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth, the team operates according to the principle of placing the customer’s needs first. Customer service, professionalism, and integrity are priorities.
Transparency is essential when it comes to air duct cleaning. SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth’s technicians only recommend air duct cleaning after a professional and thorough inspection indicates that cleaning is necessary. If the homeowner has concerns about the air quality inside the home, the team can offer a variety of recommendations about the options that are available to the homeowner to address the issue. By informing clients about the available options, SERVPRO enables homeowners to save money and make the best choice for their HVAC system. According to a SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth representative, “Our motto is ‘always do what is best for the customer,’ offering services, not for our company’s enrichment, but when we see a need.”
SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth uses air scrubbing technology to trap and contain airborne contaminants that may arise during the cleaning process. If odors are also an issue in the home, the company’s deodorization specialists can deploy commercial-grade ozone machines to permanently remove the offensive smell.
What Customers Are Saying About SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth
One online reviewer described his positive experience hiring SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth to provide air duct cleaning services at his home. He wrote in his review, “The SERVPRO team came to my house to clean out the ducts and vents for my HVAC system. They did a great job of cleaning them, with no mess in my house. They were in and out in a reasonable amount of time, and the cost was great. I would recommend their duct cleaning services to anyone. You have no idea how much dust and allergens can build up inside your ductwork in your home!”
To learn more about SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth’s damage remediation services, including water damage, fire damage, and storm damage, in Watauga, TX, and nearby areas, contact the office by email at office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com or call (817) 900-0580.
Electrical Safety: Essential to the Safe Enjoyment of Swimming Pools
4/13/2022 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth highlights the need to prioritize electrical safety around the pool to prevent fire damage.
Electrical safety around the pool can prevent a fire damage disaster. The placid crystal waters hide a weblike network of pipes, wires, a pump, and a filter, all powered by electrical current. Serious electrical hazards can cause potential fiery results. To prevent injuries and fire damage, the homeowner is urged to make electrical safety around the pool a top priority.
The pool season in North Texas runs from late March to October. The sizzling Keller, TX, summers make the backyard pool a prime location to beat the heat and relax from a hard day’s work. The pleasure does come with a specific set of necessary precautions:
- Sunscreen protects against sunburn and skin cancer.
- Bug spray, scented candles, and electronic bug zappers remedy the pest problem.
- Life jackets and swim rings ensure a safe swimming experience.
Safety around the swimming pool, spa, and hot tub must include awareness of potential water and electrical hazards. These six tips will help keep the pool and surrounding area safe from electrical shock.
Tip #1: Find a pool pro.
Seek out the services of a licensed, bonded, and insured professional for pool or spa installation, maintenance, and repairs. Schedule a comprehensive inspection and maintenance appointment before the pool opening to ensure the system is operational and safe. For the diagnosis and repair of a suspected problem, secure the services of a fully licensed, experienced electrician who is knowledgeable about the electrical concerns of pools. Strict guidelines are in place to ensure pools are installed and serviced to the highest safety standards.
Tip #2: Choose Bluetooth and battery-powered poolside technology.
Bluetooth devices are perfect for the pool setting. The short-range wireless connectivity allows for cordless signal transmission and control in devices such as radio, musical audio equipment, smart TV, and security system. Convert to onboard battery power or solar power, and eliminate electrical cords.
Keep standard electrical appliances far enough away from the pool so that bystanders can avoid contact with puddled water while using the device. As an added layer of protection, adjust the cord length so that the appliance cannot be moved without being unplugged first.
Tip #3: Use safe outlets.
Special electrical outlets are used with pools and spas. These GFCI or ground-fault circuit interrupters reduce water and electrical hazards by interrupting the circuit when a circuit overload occurs. These GFCI outlets are common in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and some garages. Test the outdoor GFCI outlets once a month to ensure they are operating properly.
Where electrical appliances are necessary, take safety to the next level. Protect these outdoor plug-in accessories and equipment with specially designed outlet covers that prevent splash arcs. Life and play around the pool can get rambunctious at times. A stray splash on an unprotected electrical outlet can cause a circuit to short or throw off a spark. This situation may be all that is needed to ignite a fire or create a risk hazard for electrocution.
Tip #4: Set up safety guidelines.
A formal set of safety guidelines for activities around the pool will protect guests and the homeowner. Post the rules in plain sight. Review the rules with friends, neighbors, and family who want to enjoy the pool. These rules shape safe behavior and guard against careless, hazardous activities that can result in personal injury, death, or a lawsuit. Provide instruction on when to evacuate the pool when inclement weather is forecast or arises. Include warnings about the dangers of mixing water and electrical equipment. The combination of water and electricity is dangerous whether a pool is the source of the water or not.
Tip #5: Know how the system works and learn how to operate it smoothly.
A pool is not just a 30,000-gallon container of clear, cool water; it is also a complex network of pipes, jets, intakes, lights, and wires. The task of opening a pool at the beginning of the season requires knowledge, skill, and some sweat. After the first few times, the flush protocol seems simple. In the case of electrical activity during a thunderstorm, the pool may need to be shut off quickly before lightning strikes. A delay in shutting off the power could result in a fire or great personal injury.
Tip #6: Pre-qualify a damage restoration company before fire damage occurs.
One call to SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth has a crew arriving at the client’s location within four hours or less. The team of fire and water damage restoration professionals is available 24/7, including holidays. Technicians are equipped with knowledge, expertise, training, industry-leading tools, the latest technology, industry-standard cleaning techniques, and EPA-approved cleaning products. SERVPRO can handle the claims process from start to finish with no hassles and no headaches for the client.
Contact SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth for more details about fire and water damage restoration services. The office can be reached by calling (817) 741-5737 or by emailing office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com
Helping Homeowners Deal with Water Damage from a Dishwasher Malfunction
4/13/2022 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth explains ways homeowners can overcome the challenges of water damage caused by a dishwasher flood.
A flooded kitchen presents several water damage restoration challenges, none of which are easily resolved. These multifaceted problems need immediate attention to prevent advanced secondary damage, which could include a mold infestation.
The challenges of water damage can prove to be a frustrating nightmare when an appliance such as the dishwasher floods the kitchen floor. A water damage disaster requires professional attention from trained technicians with the proper water removal equipment and drying techniques to quickly resolve the matter.
Within the kitchen, the dishwasher is a common source of leakage, and this appliance may leak for many different reasons. Consult a professional plumber or appliance repairman with the proper credentials to accurately diagnose the origin of the leak.
A Five-Point Plan for Dishwasher Water Damage Cleanup
1. Carefully inspect the flooded areas to accurately assess the extent of the damage.
Before initiating the cleaning process, inspect the kitchen and adjacent rooms to determine the extent of the flooding. A floor-mounted electrical outlet involved in the flood presents a serious risk hazard, especially if the fixture is not a GFCI outlet. A GFCI (Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter) will automatically break the electrical circuit when an overload or arc occurs. Also, other electrical appliances may be impacted by the floodwater. To remove all doubt and to ensure safety, turn off the power to all the affected areas.
If the kitchen is flooded, expect to find water under the dishwasher. If the appliance has an access panel on the bottom of the unit, check for water, and be sure to mop up any hidden moisture. Other floor-mounted cabinets in the kitchen may suffer water damage, and the cabinets can absorb the water if the remediation process is delayed. Remember, custom wooden cabinets can be very costly to repair or replace.
2. Begin the cleanup but continue to look for more water.
Not only may water be under the dishwasher and cabinets, but it may have also spread to areas under the stove, refrigerator, and freezer. The safest course of action is to turn off the power to these appliances before touching them. Standing in a pool of water and touching an appliance can have shocking consequences.
Mop up the bulk standing water first to prevent excess bulk water from seeping back under the appliances. Pay special attention to drywall and baseboards. Accelerate the drying process by stationing two or three powerful fans to cross-ventilate the flooded area. Over the next month, periodically inspect the areas under cabinets and appliances for signs of a mold infestation. The kitchen is, at times, a living space with excessive heat and high concentrations of moisture. The introduction of dishwasher flood water exacerbates the situation. The strategic placement of desiccants can facilitate the drying process, making it more difficult for mold spores to grow.
3. Be familiar with what the homeowner’s policy covers.
The standard homeowner’s policy does cover water damage caused by a mechanical or plumbing failure dishwasher. If lack of maintenance was the issue that led to the leak, the policy might not cover the flood damage. Reach out to the insurance company for clarification and advice on what steps to take moving forward.
4. Have a professional inspect an older dishwasher and perform needed maintenance.
An inspection and basic maintenance can prevent a water damage disaster and the headache that accompanies the incident. A dishwasher may give small hints of a larger impending disaster. Look for small pools of water under the front of the unit. Periodically check under the appliance for hidden water leaks.
5. Choose a cleanup and restoration professional.
Enlist the services of a licensed, bonded, and insured property damage restoration company to handle a large-scale flood from a dishwasher malfunction or supply line leak. The professional equipment can remove the water, dehumidify the environment, and perform advanced structural drying behind walls, under cabinets, and under flooring. The rapid response, as well as the rapid water removal and drying process, helps avoid wood rot, warping, buckling, the blistering of paint and wallpaper, and mold infestations.
For more details about SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth’s water damage cleanup services in the 76244 area, email the damage restoration company at office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com. The office can also be reached by calling (817) 741-5737.
Five Factors to Consider When Prequalifying a Watauga, TX, Damage Restoration Company
4/13/2022 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: Prequalifying a damage restoration company before disaster strikes is an effective strategy to expedite the start of the damage restoration process. SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth outlines a five-step process for selecting a service provider.
Prequalifying a restoration company can be one of the most powerful strategies for receiving rapid water damage restoration, fire damage restoration, or storm damage restoration services. Prequalification eliminates the scramble to locate and select a service provider in the immediate aftermath of a property damage disaster. When the homeowner has already chosen a dedicated damage restoration company, he or she can immediately place a call for emergency restoration services.
The Five-Step Process for Prequalifying a Damage Restoration Company
Step 1: Acquire references.
The homeowner’s insurance company may be able to recommend a cleanup and restoration service provider that it has worked with in the past. Also, family members, friends, and neighbors are valuable sources of information about local companies. Both positive and negative experiences can be helpful in narrowing down the selection list. Online review sites are another asset to the homeowner; however, it can sometimes be difficult to determine if an online review is legitimate. For this reason, trusted friends and family members who live in the community will likely provide the best references.
Step 2: Verify that the company is licensed and insured.
Hiring an uninsured and unlicensed company could be disastrous for the homeowner. If an uninsured company is contracted for restoration services and a technician is injured on the homeowner’s property, the homeowner could be sued for compensation. Choosing an insured company is especially important when restoration and cleanup services are needed since technicians may be working in an environment where the building is not completely structurally sound and where potentially hazardous substances are present.
A contractor’s license is one of the most fundamental requirements for a restoration company. An unlicensed company poses a great liability to homeowners, who could find themselves responsible for faulty and substandard work, as well as any additional property damage caused by the unlicensed contractor. Licensing provides legal protection for both the homeowner and the damage restoration company, so make sure that all companies on the shortlist are licensed and insured.
Step 3: Ensure that the company is properly certified.
In the restoration, cleaning, and inspection industries, an international organization called the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) sets the standards for industry certification. The IICRC certifies both firms and individual technicians. 26 technician education certifications are offered, including:
- Applied Microbial Remediation Technician (AMRT)
- Applied Structural Drying Technician (ASD)
- Carpet Cleaning Technician (CCT)
- Commercial Carpet Maintenance Technician (CCMT)
- Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration Technician (FSRT)
- Odor Control Technician (OCT)
- Trauma and Crime Scene Technician (TCST)
- Upholstery and Fabric Cleaning Technician (UFT)
- Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT)
Completion of IICRC certification testifies to a technician’s expertise and skill in his or her field of specialty. When selecting a damage restoration and cleanup company, look for an IICRC certified firm whose technicians have a broad array of certifications.
Another relevant certification is the Environmental Protection Agency’s certification for Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP). According to the EPA, “EPA’s Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP) Rule requires that firms performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities and pre-schools built before 1978 be certified by EPA (or an EPA-authorized state), use certified renovators who are trained by EPA-approved training providers and follow lead-safe work practices.” If homeowners suspect that their home contains lead-based paint, they should be vigilant to make sure that any restoration company they are considering hiring is certified and equipped to safely operate in an environment where lead is present.
Step 4: Find out the company’s estimated response time.
The ability to rapidly respond to property damage emergencies is an important qualification for a restoration company. In situations such as water damage, fire damage, and storm damage, delay in addressing the initial issue can lead to advanced secondary damage.
An ideal response time would be 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, including holiday availability. In addition, some companies offer further assurance of a rapid response. For instance, SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth is committed to having its team of technicians arrive on the scene of a property damage emergency within four hours or less.
Step 5: Inquire if the company handles the insurance claims process.
Navigating the insurance claims process can be difficult and stressful for a homeowner experiencing a property damage disaster. For this reason, homeowners want to identify a water damage restoration company that will work with clients and their insurance providers to manage the claims process and the accompanying paperwork.
To learn more about SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth’s water damage, fire damage, and storm damage restoration services in Watuaga, TX, Keller, TX, and surrounding areas, contact the office by phone at (817) 741-5737 or by email at office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com
How a Rapid Response from a Restoration Company Helps Decrease the Cost of a Sewage Cleanup
3/9/2022 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: Sewage damage can be very expensive, but by hiring a company that can implement a rapid response, homeowners can avoid secondary damage and minimize the overall cost to restore their homes.
The modern public sewer system makes it possible for many people to live in close proximity, but a system malfunction, severe weather, or drain blockage can result in a sewage backup necessitating sewage cleanup services. A sewage backup is inconvenient, messy, and unsanitary. Sewer line repairs can cost tens of thousands of dollars, and cleanup and restoration from a sewage backup in the basement or main living area can also cost thousands of dollars. Local homeowners in Watauga, TX, need to be aware of strategies for identifying and avoiding sewage issues.
Tips for Recognizing Potential Sewage Problems
Tip #1: Include the sewer lines in a home inspection before purchasing a home.
Before purchasing a home, the savvy buyer will have a professional carry out an inspection of the house from the roof to the foundation. If the home is not new construction, the sewage system should be carefully examined from the home to the main connection at the road. Any issues beyond the street connection are the responsibility of the utility company overseeing the mainline. Having a sewer inspection conducted prior to closing on the home could save tens of thousands of dollars once the deal is completed. A reputable, qualified plumber can scope from the mainline in the house to the connection with the municipal sewer in the street. This state-of-the-art camera technology offers homeowners and potential homebuyers an option to identify and assess any sewer line issues without having to dig. The high-tech solution reduces delays and requires no excavation.
Tip #2: Ask questions about the performance and problems of the sewer line.
Questions might include:
- What problems have occurred in the history of the home?
- How were these problems resolved?
- Have there been any recurrences of the same problems?
- What documentation is available about the problem?
- If a sewage spill occurred, is there documentation certifying that the cleanup and restoration process met industry standards and any municipal codes regarding sewage cleanup and restoration?
- Were the repairs a short-term or a long-term solution?
Tip #3: If a sewage problem is identified, negotiate a reasonable solution or continue the search for another home.
A sewage issue between the house and the road can be due to several factors. Tree roots may have punctured older clay pipes and clogged the system. Tree root intrusion can cause extensive damage and require large-scale excavation. If the sewage pipes are deep, the excavation work could cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Shifting earth, the weight of heavy equipment, or a nearby tree can cause an offset or collapse in the sewer pipes in the yard. Older homes may have terracotta pipes that degrade over time; in addition, aging pipes will crumble when stressed. Damaged pipes may still deliver raw sewage to the mainline at the street, but it is only a matter of time before the pipes collapse entirely or become clogged with dirt and roots.
Tip #4: Be willing to work with the current homeowner if the sewer line issue is not a deal-breaker.
The problems mentioned above may need extensive excavation that requires cosmetic landscaping after the repairs are completed. It may be that the homeowner will cover the heavy expenses of repairing the sewer lines if the prospective owner is willing to shoulder the burden of the landscaping.
Tip #5: Research alternative solutions.
Advances in plumbing technology may provide a very cost-effective, long-term solution that avoids excavation or expensive pipe replacement. One such solution is the installation of a sewer liner. The liner is a flexible tube coated with resin that hardens to form an additional layer within the pipe’s interior. The application inhibits the growth of tree roots in the system. While this option can be very expensive, it is less costly than an extensive excavation.
Tip #6: Always obtain multiple quotes from reputable, qualified plumbers and other service providers.
An inspection, assessment, and quote may or may not come with a fee, but they are priceless assets. The purchase of a home with severe plumbing and sewer damage and hidden water damage could be financially catastrophic for the new owner.
The severity of sewage damage underscores the necessity of prequalifying a reputable, certified, bonded, and insured damage restoration company. Listed below are some important questions to ask potential hires:
- Does the company guarantee a rapid response?
- Do technicians use the best and latest equipment?
- Are the technicians experienced, well-trained, and certified by the IICRC?
- Can the property damage restoration company handle the project from start to finish, including managing the insurance claims process?
- How do online reviews rate the company?
- Does the company have good references?
- In the event of a widespread disaster, can the team scale accordingly?
These are only a few points to consider when hiring a restoration and cleaning company, such as SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth. SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth offers a rapid response, 24/7, 365 days a year. The team uses the latest equipment, cutting-edge technology, and advanced cleaning techniques, and the company’s IICRC-certified technicians are some of the most highly trained professionals in the industry.
For more details about water damage restoration and sewage cleanup in Fort Worth, TX, and surrounding areas, email SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth at office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com. The team of restoration and cleaning professionals can also be contacted by phone at (817) 741-5737.
How Property Owners Can Prepare for the Challenges of Severe Weather and Storm Damage
3/9/2022 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth offers practical tips that Keller, TX, homeowners can use to prepare for common storm damage challenges.
Locally owned and operated, SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth serves Keller, TX, and surrounding communities with water, fire, and storm damage restoration services. SERVPRO technicians are highly trained industry professionals who adhere to the highest IICRC standards.
Overcoming the Challenges of Storm Damage
Being inside a home when severe weather causes storm damage is a traumatic and potentially dangerous experience. Personal safety is a chief concern. If the damage was severe enough to require the evacuation of the structure and the threat of severe weather persists in the forecast, avoid re-entering the home until first responders or other professionals have given the green light. Staying at a friend’s house, a hotel or an emergency shelter is a minor inconvenience that ensures the safety of the family.
Damage assessment and property damage cleanup and restoration should follow closely on the heels of the disaster to prevent advanced secondary damage from the water intrusion. The following information is intended to provide homeowners with practical ways to protect and preserve the value of their property in different situations.
Tips on Insurance Coverage
Most homeowner policies cover most storm damage incidents, including severe damage. Certain factors come into play when determining the actual payout and what the homeowner must cover. Some of these factors include:
- Premium amounts
- Applicable deductibles
- Age of the home
- Condition of the structure
- Extent of the damage
- Current property values in the neighborhood
Clients in storm or flood damage disaster areas should not be targeted for rate increases since such catastrophic natural events may be classified as acts of God and, therefore, beyond human control. A pitfall to avoid is failing to file a claim in a timely fashion; delinquency may render a property owner ineligible for coverage in the future. In some instances, an entire neighborhood, planned community, or section of a municipality may face a rate increase following a disaster. Due diligence in claims filing can prevent a homeowner from paying higher premiums without receiving the benefits now.
When a storm damage disaster strikes, follow these steps:
- As mentioned above, safety is always the top priority. Make sure everyone is safe and in a protected area of the home.
- Hire a damage cleanup and restoration company to carry out emergency tarping and board-ups if needed. A dependable company will begin the cleanup and restoration process promptly.
- Thoroughly document the damage. Take copious images and videos. Be mindful of the digital storage capacity of the phone or recording device to ensure the damage scene is adequately covered. If needed, upload images and video to the cloud for safe storage. These files can be link-shared with the insurance company. Save any receipts. Take an image of the receipt and upload it to a cloud file dedicated to disaster records. Note any repairs and maintenance performed on appliances prior to the storm damage disaster.
- Reach out to the insurance company to immediately begin the claims process. A claims representative or adjuster will assess the situation. SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth can handle the entire claims process, reducing stress for the homeowner.
Types of Storms and Their Damage Patterns
Winter storms
Though winters are mild in Texas, winter storms can cause havoc. High winds can damage shingles or cause tree limbs to break off and puncture the roof resulting in potential water damage. This water damage can foster mold growth. In February 2021, a historic cold snap held much of Texas in its frigid grip of sub-zero temperatures, which led to frozen pipes, water damage, house fires, and many fatalities.
To successfully overcome these challenges, the homeowner should practice extreme caution. If roof damage is suspected, secure the services of a licensed, insured, and bonded roofing contractor to inspect the situation. Stay off the roof, and leave the inspection to a trained professional who has the appropriate safety equipment. Cold and wet can combine to form ice sheets on walkways, steps, and decks. Exercise extreme caution when venturing outside during sleet, ice, and snow. Every home should have a disaster readiness plan and a well-stocked cache of emergency supplies, including food, water, batteries, flashlights, a weather radio, blankets, matches, personal hygiene products, and first aid supplies.
Hail damage
Hail usually varies in size from .2 inches to about 1.75 inches, but a 6.4-inch hailstone landed in San Antonio in 2021. Signs of hail damage include dents and cracks in shingles. Roof vents and siding may have dents as well. These damages can result in hard-to-detect leaks. To overcome these challenging roof damages, contact a trusted professional with training in hail detection. Have the professional check siding, gutters, and downspouts for damage.
Lightning damage
A direct hit from a lightning bolt can cause extensive structural damage, including fires. Cable, telephone lines, appliances, wiring, and satellite dishes can sustain catastrophic damage in a lightning strike. In the event of a strike, do not venture outside until the storm has subsided and everyone is safe. Bring in a reputable electrician to assess the situation. Be sure to contact the insurance company at the time of the incident to determine policy coverage.
Thunderstorm damage
Tornadic winds can turn a home into a pile of rubble, while torrential downpours can transform a cul-de-sac into a lakefront property. Flash-flooding from severe thunderstorms can damage baseboards, drywall, flooring, and a home’s foundation. If bulk water is not removed immediately, wet items can become contaminated with pathogens, and a mold infestation can break out.
To meet the challenges of a potential flash flood, relocate furniture to a safe location within the home. Move valuables, artwork, electronics, important documents, and keepsakes to a secure place in the home or a remote location if time and conditions permit. In the event of a tornado, retreat to a safe room within the structure. A preparation and response plan for severe weather can prepare a family to endure the worst and respond appropriately if the worst, a tornado, threatens the home or neighborhood.
Preparation is the key to overcoming the challenges presented by severe weather conditions. One of the most important pre-disaster preparations is pre-qualifying a reputable, proven storm damage restoration company. The professionals should be available 24/7, 365 days a year, including holidays. A rapid response is crucial. SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth can arrive within an hour to any property damage disaster in Keller, TX, and the surrounding area.
For more information about Keller, TX, storm damage cleanup, email SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth at office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com, or call the office at (817) 741-5737.
The Impact of Water Damage on Commercial Property Insurance
3/9/2022 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth explains how water damage can affect a Haltom City, TX, company’s acquisition of insurance.
Locally owned and operated, SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth is a leader in residential and commercial water damage restoration. Available 24/7, 365 days a year, SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth is dedicated to honesty and professionalism. Highly trained SERVPRO technicians have industry certifications from IICRC, and they are prepared to handle any size or type of disaster.
Water damage and commercial insurance
The recent labor shortage is making cleanup and restoration very challenging for businesses and institutions. Improvements in this situation do not seem hopeful in the foreseeable future.
Even though water damage is a frequent cause of commercial property damage, few businesses have implemented a formal plan to prevent water damage. This failure to execute a water damage prevention strategy and a mitigation response to curb the severity of the loss can be catastrophic.
Businesses can partner with a property damage restoration company that offers consulting on the creation of a Ready Plan that identifies risk hazards and improves the company’s response. Skyrocketing material costs, supply chain issues, and labor shortages highlight the need for prevention. Businesses and institutions should anticipate a significant rise in insurance premiums due to rising labor and material costs.
Insurance companies are responding to the challenges by taking a more proactive approach with clients to implement water damage prevention and mitigation strategies. Even if labor is available, scarcity of materials and delivery delays can sink a business. The key is to prevent the disaster in the first place. Secondly, if a water intrusion does occur, stop it at the source to limit the scope of the damage and the subsequent impact on the delivery of goods and services by the affected business.
Listed below are some tips to help businesses address a potential water damage disaster.
Tip: Identify water damage risk hazards.
- Catastrophic failures in aging plumbing systems
- Improper or inadequate maintenance of sprinkler systems
- Vertical risk: A water intrusion on an upper level of a multi-story office complex, retail outlet, or manufacturing facility has an elevated risk potential.
- Recovery risk: The interruption of business operations while waiting for critical parts or materials could have a greater negative impact than the actual damage from the water intrusion. Careful attention and maintenance can limit exposure and vulnerability.
These risk factors drive home the importance of prevention and mitigation.
Tip: Understand the direct and indirect costs associated with water damage.
Water damage affects both the structure and its contents. The location of the intrusion, the length of time the intrusion affected the area, and the list of water-damaged contents directly bear upon the cost of the claim. Structural damage may be minimal, and the ensuing cleanup may be quick. However, water from the malfunctioning sprinkler system may have ruined key electrical components in several assembly-line robotics. The shortage of parts and delays in the supply chain may shut down an assembly line or an entire plant for days or weeks.
The vertical risk increases the scope of the damage. The affected business suffers an interruption of business operations, cutting hard into revenue. The property owner may lose rental income if the structure is rendered uninhabitable.
Tip: Maintenance matters.
Faithfully execute regular, intentional, and pre-emptive building maintenance to avoid water damage on both the interior and exterior of the building. Risk analysis, prevention strategies, and response protocols are crucial to avoid, prevent, or limit damage in order to minimize insurance claims which can increase future premiums. Risk engineers stress the importance of the following tasks:
- Inspections, especially of risk hazards
- Maintenance (roof, fan vents, skylights, windows, doors, etc.)
- Cleaning drains, gutters, and downspouts
- Repairing (not patching) leaks
- Replacing aging valves, supply lines, and plumbing prior to a leak, or worse, a catastrophic failure
Tip: Partner with a water damage restoration professional to formalize a Ready Plan.
By pre-qualifying and partnering with a water damage restoration company, a commercial enterprise will always be prepared for a worst-case water damage disaster. With a plan in place, one call activates a team of water damage restoration professionals. A rapid response brings immediate action to stop the water intrusion, protect equipment and product, remove all bulk water, initiate applied structural drying, and begin the cleaning, sanitizing, and deodorizing process.
Partnership with SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth can include:
- Facility site inspections in conjunction with the property owner or site manager
- Risk analysis
- Collection of critical information such as contact information, mapping of shut off valves, a list of staff with shut-valve authority
- Recommendations for utilizing water sensing technology to monitor vulnerable locations
When the SERVPRO team arrives, they are familiar with the site, key people, shut-off valves, electrical panels, safety equipment, danger zones, and much more.
For more information about commercial water damage cleanup in Watauga, TX, and surrounding areas, contact SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth at (817) 741-5737 or email office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com
How Places of Worship Benefit from Commercial Property Damage Cleanup and Restoration Services
2/11/2022 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth lays out the five steps churches need to take in the aftermath of a water damage disaster at their facilities.
Commercial facilities, including churches, are not immune to water damage and will likely need flood and water damage cleanup and restoration services at some point. When a church is hit by a water damage disaster, fast action can prevent secondary damage such as a mold infestation. A proactive recovery and restoration response will enable the facility to promptly resume the activities of a community of faith and place of worship.
Delays in taking necessary steps to remediate the disaster could not only allow the damage to worsen but could also complicate the insurance claims process. The temptation is to rally the congregation in a DIY water damage restoration project. However, without the proper equipment, training, cleaning techniques, and personal protective gear (PPG), the scope of the disaster could escalate out of control, and the expense to the church could far exceed water damage restoration costs by trained professionals.
A water damage disaster may very well involve water contaminated by bacteria and sewage. The cleanup requires astute technicians who will clean, disinfect, sanitize, and deodorize the disaster site with PPG and the best and safest cleaning solutions.
Fast action is crucial in a water damage disaster. Here are steps that help to ensure a seamless, safe, and efficient cleanup and restoration process for a church struck with water or flood damage.
Step #1: Thoroughly document the scope of the damage.
Before rearranging anything at the disaster site, create a detailed archive of photos and videos of the damaged property. Accompany the digital record with explanatory notes. Make comments while videoing the damage. More is much better than less when documenting the damage. These photos, videos, and verbal descriptions will assist the insurance adjuster in understanding the original condition of the property.
Step #2: Implement emergency repairs where it is safe to do so.
Make short-term repairs such as leak mitigation, boarding up windows, and installing emergency tarping on the roof if safe to do so. More complicated repair projects, such as damage remediation and mold removal, should be left to professional service providers who can safely complete the job. Document the temporary repairs made and save all receipts.
Step #3: Relocate items from flooded areas of the building.
Books, files, furniture, choir robes, historical documents, electronics, and other items should be stored in a dry, safe place. Do not leave any items sitting on a wet floor. Do not discard flood-damaged items until the insurance company has assessed the damage.
Step #4: Implement mold prevention strategies.
Strive to remove the water and dry out the facility and flood-damaged contents as quickly as possible. The most effective means to accomplish this goal is to hire an experienced, well-equipped, and certified restoration company.
Step #5: Notify the church’s insurance company of the situation.
If the disaster is due to a flood and the church is covered under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), notify the agency of the situation. Otherwise, for a typical water damage disaster, inform the church’s insurance company of the damage.
Simplify the Restoration Process: Prequalify a Damage Restoration Company
The pre-qualification of a damage restoration company ensures that a property damage disaster at a church or other place of worship will receive immediate attention. The communication channels at a church can easily break down, especially if the pastor is out of town or the church is too small to have a designated, paid staff position for property management.
Once a restoration company has been prequalified, any decision-maker from the pastor to the janitor can make the initial call for services. Contact information for the company can be placed on file with the secretary, stored in the cloud, and displayed on the door, bulletin board, or wall of each facility storage room. Instructions can be included to direct members of the congregation on how to proceed if they encounter a situation that requires the services of the prequalified cleanup and restoration company.
When churches choose SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth, professional restoration technicians typically respond in an hour or less. If needed, the crew can shut off water valves or the water main to stop the initial water intrusion even before a plumber arrives on the scene. The SERVPRO team has the training, equipment, and expertise to initiate the water removal process and implement dehumidification and applied structural drying so that the facility can be ready for the next church service.
The professional staff at SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth can handle the entire insurance claims process from beginning to end. This service allows the church staff to maintain a focus on ministering to the community.
For more information about commercial water damage restoration, email SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth at office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com. The office can also be contacted by phone at (817) 741-5737.
How to Safely Handle and Store Pool Chemicals in Order to Prevent Fire Damage
2/11/2022 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth highlights the fire damage hazards of the improper storage and use of volatile pool chemicals.
The professionals at SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth are experienced in dealing with the complex facets of fire damage restoration. Listed below are some common fire hazards in a typical home:
- Grease or cooking fires in the kitchen
- Portable heaters
- Electrical issues from extension cords, overloaded circuits, faulty wiring, or appliances
- Careless smoking
- Unattended decorative or scented candles
- Children playing with matches or lighters
- Christmas trees and decorations
- Indoor fireplaces and woodstoves
- Grill and firepit accidents
- Dryer lint fires
- Flammable liquids and aerosols
- Pool chemicals stored in the garage or near the home
A thoughtful review of this fire hazard list highlights the following important fire safety tips:
#1. Cultivate a healthy awareness of the many potential fire hazards in the typical home.
#2. Have an adequate number of strategically positioned smoke alarms with fresh batteries installed.
#3. Create an emergency plan in case of a fire.
#4. Pre-qualify a property damage restoration company in the event of a fire damage disaster.
How Pool Chemicals Can Be a Fire Hazard
Residential backyard swimming pools are very popular in the hot, dry summers of Northeast Fort Worth. A healthy awareness of the potential fire hazards in and around a typical home will include the fire damage risks of improperly handling swimming pool chemicals. Though many homeowners close their pools for the winter, they still keep pool chemicals on hand through the winter.
In an article entitled “Safe Storage and Handling of Swimming Pool Chemicals,” the Environmental Protection Agency states, “Pool chemicals may become a hazard when they become wetted by a small quantity of water or when they are improperly mixed, such as with other chemicals or reactive materials. A number of the pool chemicals, especially those exhibiting oxidation properties, can potentially be highly reactive and capable of generating high temperatures, as well as releasing toxic vapors if improperly handled or stored. Reactivity may be triggered by water wetting the chemical, or by the inadvertent mixing of a pool chemical with an incompatible material. Some pool chemicals are self-reactive over time, even without moisture addition or mixing with other materials. Pool chemicals involved in fire or toxic vapor release are likely to include those that add chlorine or a chlorine ion to the pool water for bacterial control.”
The three factors that contribute to pool chemicals creating a fire damage hazard are summed up as follows:
- the addition of wetness or moisture
- improper mixing with other chemicals
- increased self-reactivity (instability) over time
Any one or all three of these factors can cause the chemicals to reach very high temperatures, which can ignite nearby flammable items. The chemicals can also explode or give off toxic fumes that can cause serious injury or death.
Pool Chemical Handling Tips
Handle pool chemicals in a well-ventilated area. Use gloves, eye protection, and a mask when dealing with dangerous chemicals. Close containers after each use to keep out moisture. Thoroughly clean equipment and tools that were used to handle one chemical before using them with a different chemical. Clean up spilled chemicals quickly, properly, and safely.
Pool Chemical Storage Tips
Separate chemicals that might react if accidentally mixed with each other. Do not store liquids above powders that, when combined, can explode or ignite. Store pool chemicals in a locked, stand-alone shed. Do not store pool chemicals in an attached garage; the results could cause devastating fire damage to the garage and home. Do not store pool chemicals with combustibles such as gasoline, paint thinners, or other flammable liquids.
A fire damage restoration project involving pool chemicals and the potential for explosions, additional fire, and the emission of toxic gases should not be handled as a DIY project. When a situation arises from a chemical explosion or fire resulting from the improper handling of pool chemicals, SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth can rapidly begin the fire damage cleanup project. Technicians are highly trained and experienced in the restoration and cleaning industry. They have the proper personal protective equipment and use proven remediation techniques to safely and thoroughly restore the damaged site to its pre-disaster condition.
For more information about Haltom City, TX, fire damage restoration, contact SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth by calling (817) 741-5737 or emailing office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com
What Factors Determine If Carpeting Can Be Saved during the Water Damage Restoration Process?
2/11/2022 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: When the carpet is damaged by water intrusion, several factors must be considered when determining whether carpeting needs to be restored or replaced.
The professionals at SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth know that water damage restoration involving water contaminated with gray water and black water presents serious health effects for technicians, occupants of the home, and pets. A rapid response is crucial to prevent advanced secondary damage that heightens the health risk. The team of highly trained and certified technicians takes every precaution as they act fast to remove the contaminated water and begin the cleaning and restoration process.
After water intrusion or flooding, damaged carpeting is often a concern, and homeowners must decide whether the carpet can be cleaned, restored, and saved. While the replacement of carpet and padding can cost thousands of dollars, restoration, where applicable, is more affordable and cost-effective.
Many factors are involved in the successful cleaning and restoration of carpet and padding that has suffered water damage from a natural disaster, a sewage backup, or a water intrusion from a burst supply line, roof leak, or HVAC condensate pan leak.
Factor #1: Condition of the carpet and padding prior to the flood damage
A key factor to consider when determining whether the flood-damaged carpet can be salvaged is the pre-flood condition of the floorcovering. Three important questions must be answered:
- What is the age of the carpet and padding?
- What is the quality of the carpet and padding?
- How were the carpet and padding installed?
The carpet and padding may have been worn out and in need of replacement before the flood damage occurred. Low-quality contractor-grade carpet and padding may not be worth restoring, especially if the product has any age and wear on it. Lastly, poor or faulty installation may create problems that hinder or prevent restoration.
Factor #2: Contamination levels of the floodwater
An accurate assessment of the contamination level of the offending floodwater is crucial in determining if cleaning and restoring the water-damaged carpet is possible. The water damage restoration industry categorizes water into three main types.
Category 1: Clean water
This category includes water from a broken pipe, supply line, or rainwater that has not been contaminated with sewage, soil, pesticides, bacteria, or chemicals. Carpet and padding soaked with Category 1 water can be restored by professionals utilizing the correct equipment, remediation procedures, and cleaning solutions. However, the carpet must not have been wet for more than one to two days. By forty-eight hours, the water that has been absorbed in the carpet and padding will begin to breed bacteria, elevating the contamination level to Category 2.
Category 2: Gray water
The concentrated contamination levels in gray water can cause health effects if the water comes into contact with the skin, eyes, mouth, or nose. Examples of Category 2 water incidents include overflow from a washing machine or dishwasher, spilled aquarium water, water from a toilet overflow with no solid fecal matter, and a sump pump failure. Padding contaminated with gray water must be replaced, but with proper drying, cleaning, and sanitization, the carpet can be salvaged. A 24 to 48-hour delay in responding to a Category 2 loss will elevate it to a Category 3 loss.
Category 3: Black water
Black water is rich in dangerous pathogens; other harmful agents in black water include raw sewage. A toilet overflow with a mixture of fecal matter and urine falls under Category 3, as does flooding from rivers and streams. Surface water from thunderstorms or the aftermath of a hurricane also creates black water. It is all but impossible to clean and sanitize a carpet suffering from Category 3 water contamination.
Homeowners are advised against venturing into a flooded basement due to the possibility of electrocution or a slip-and-fall injury. Water removal, cleanup, and sanitization are best left to professionals with the right equipment, personal protective gear, cleaning techniques, and powerful disinfecting, sanitizing, and deodorizing solutions.
Factor #3: Choice of restoration company to provide a rapid response
Quick action on the part of the homeowner to contact a reputable damage restoration company in the event of a water or flood damage disaster is the first step to a successful and cost-effective water damage remediation. The second step is the rapid response of the restoration professionals. A delay of a day or two can be catastrophic, allowing secondary damage to ruin carpeting, padding, baseboards, and subflooring.
The SERVPRO team sets the industry standard with a commitment to arriving at the client’s home in about an hour after the initial contact from the homeowner. Equipped with state-of-the-art cleaning technology and proven cleaning techniques, the SERVPRO technicians provide water damage cleanup and restoration services whether the water is Category 1 or the more dangerous Category 3, black water.
For more information about Fort Worth, TX, water damage restoration, email SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth at office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com. The team of damage restoration professionals can also be reached by phone at (817) 741-5737.
What Keller, TX, Pool Owners Should Know About Pools and Water Damage
1/31/2022 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth shares answers to questions homeowners have about water damage from pool leaks.
At SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth, the team is trained to remediate water damage resulting from a variety of water intrusion situations. Whether the damage is caused by a burst pipe or an appliance leak, technicians are trained and skilled in restoring the damaged area. SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth provides water damage cleanup for all types of water damage, including water damage from a leaking swimming pool.
When Is the Right Time to Prioritize Pool Inspections and Maintenance?
Winter is a time when pool care is not at the forefront of homeowners’ minds. Because pools are rarely used during the winter months, it is easy for maintenance and repair concerns to be overlooked until the warm, sunny months return. However, neglecting to regularly inspect and care for the pool reduces the chances that the homeowner will spot signs that the pool or pool equipment has sprung a leak. These leaks can cause water damage or compromise the structural integrity of the pool, sending gallons of water cascading into the yard, the basement of the home, and the house’s foundation.
How Do Pools Cause Water Damage?
Filter failure
Pool filters eliminate debris and dirt in order to keep the swimming pool clean, sparkling, and inviting. Often, pools are equipped with a filtration system located in the home’s garage or basement. The close proximity of the pool filter to the home means that the house can suffer water damage if the equipment leaks or fails and if a pipe bursts. To avoid water damage in the basement or garage, the homeowner should add filter inspection to the pool maintenance schedule. When opening the swimming pool each season, be sure to check if the system appears to be in good working order. Also, be cautious when purchasing a pool filter that has already been used since the filter may have had problems that led the previous owner to sell it.
Basement or crawl space deluge
If a pool experiences cracks and structural failure, the basement or crawl space could experience water damage from massive flooding. Even smaller leaks can cause water to seep into the basement.
What Can Homeowners Do to Identify Pool Leaks?
One way to identify potential leaks is to regularly observe the water level in the pool. If the water level is lowering without a known cause, such as evaporation, a leak may be present. If the water loss is subtle, the homeowner can use tape to track the receding of the waterline to determine if there is any cause for concern.
An unexplained increase in the water bill may indicate that the swimming pool is leaking. However, a more expensive water bill can also be a sign of a leak unrelated to the pool.
Difficulties in keeping the pool’s water at the optimal pH level is another subtle indicator that a leak is present. Leakage introduces debris and soil into the pool water and can lead to the growth of algae and bacteria. The intrusion creates an imbalance in the water chemistry, making it challenging for the homeowner to maintain the ideal pH.
Will Insurance Cover Damage From a Leaking Pool?
When seeking insurance coverage for water damage resulting from pool leaks, homeowners should keep in mind that, while insurance may pay to restore the damage to the home, coverage may not extend to repairing the damage to the pool itself.
Flood insurance is targeted towards storms and natural disasters and will not cover water damage caused by cracks in the pool or pool failure from wear. However, if rain and severe weather caused the pool to overflow and flood the home, flood insurance may cover the damage.
Coverage for a pool leak may fall under dwelling coverage or personal property coverage, depending on the style of the policy holder’s pool. If the homeowner knew the pool leaked and did not take prompt action to resolve the problem before it damaged the home, the insurance company might deny the property damage claim because of the homeowner’s inaction.
Who Can Homeowners Call for Water Removal and Cleanup?
Whether a pool has a small leak or a catastrophic structural failure, the personnel at SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth have the education, experience, and equipment to quickly, thoroughly, and professionally remediate the water damage to the home. Respectful and compassionate in their approach to serving clients, technicians evaluate the situation and provide the appropriate solution to promptly restore the water-damaged area and reduce stress for the homeowner.
Contact SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth to learn more about water damage restoration in Keller,TX, The damage restoration company can be reached by calling (817) 741-5737 or by emailing office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com
SERVPRO shares why it should be the primary choice for damage restoration of Northeast Ft. Worth Residences.
1/31/2022 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth shares its mission for quality damage restoration with homeowners and business owners across the US. It carries on the tradition of quality restoration that has helped members of the community rebuild.
Why SERVPRO Is the Best Choice for Property Damage Restoration in the Winter
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth has been providing quality restoration work to the Fort Worth, TX area for many years. How have they earned the trust and loyalty of so many satisfied customers? SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth shares the values that allow SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth to stand out from other fire restoration companies, mold remediation companies, and water damage restoration companies.
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth has been a trusted member of the community for decades. Texans demand the best customer service and a job done right. Discover how SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth became an industry leader in property damage restoration.
Restoring Many Types of Property Damage
Home damage may result from a complex phenomenon that involves many threats at once. Storms can knock down electrical wires and heaters, sparking fires. Firefighters put out a fire but cause water damage in the process. The moist conditions created by water damage provide a breeding ground for mold, and that’s when it’s a good time to contact a flood damage restoration company.
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth has vast experience in all areas of damage restoration needed to restore a property affected by this type of incident.
Water Damage Restoration
Water damage restoration companies such as SERVPRO mitigate and restore the water damage sustained by a property. This process includes water extraction of any excess water. The drying and dehumidification of affected areas including the floor, walls and ceiling will remove remaining water and help prevent mold growth. SERVPRO will also restore contents such as rugs, furniture, and other items deemed salvageable.
Fire Damage Restoration
Fire restoration companies remove charred wood, restore damaged walls, clean discolorations from ash and soot, remove smoke odors, and remediate water damage incurred from firefighting efforts.
Mold Remediation Companies
Mold remediation companies in Texas take a proactive approach to dealing with growth. A licensed remediation company like SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth will develop a mold remediation work plan that is based on a detailed mold remediation protocol provided by a licensed mold assessment consultant. Following this protocol and work plan will allow the technicians to remove mold and mold spores, helping to prevent its spread through the home or business.
Decades of Experience
How has SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth became skilled in so many areas of restoration? Their expertise comes from experience over time in:
Water Cleanup
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth uses the latest equipment for drying out rooms, carpets, and personal items. They have decades of experience in water cleanup, including restoring upholstery, repairing or replacing drywall, and many common building materials.
Mold Removal
Mold can be an insidious threat to homes. As a state of Texas licensed mold remediation contractor, SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth adheres to the highest standards for mold removal.
Commercial Water Damage
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth knows the challenges that business owners face after disasters. Technicians are able to respond promptly and work with business owners to ensure the water damage incident is dealt with efficiently and with minimal disruption as possible to business operations.
24/7 Emergency Water Damage Restoration
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth is available any time of day or night, seven days a week for emergency damage restoration services. Call us for a rapid response to any size property damage or to schedule water damage restoration services.
Commitment to Customer Service
As homeowners and business owners ourselves, SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth understands the unique needs that both types of customers face. Since we are locals who live and work in the community, we have a strong desire to assist our fellow neighbors and respond rapidly with empathy to any size emergency incident.
Residential Cleaning Service
Every homeowner needs to feel safe at home and enjoy their home’s beauty. SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth provides a wide range of cleaning services ranging from air duct and HVAC cleaning, viral disinfection or trauma clean up to general cleaning such as carpet and upholstery to cleaning the ceilings, walls and floors of a home.
Commercial Cleaning Service
Businesses depend on customer loyalty and brand image to grow and thrive in a challenging economy. SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth offers a quick and professional commercial cleaning service so that local businesses can reopen their doors when cleaning needs go beyond what a janitorial crew can provide.
Local Ownership, Nationwide Reach
Individual SERVPRO branches have local ownership, so homeowners can trust them to have ties to the community and know the area well. Together, the SERVPRO branches form a network that works together to source the best materials and recruit the best property damage restoration specialists.
Booking an Appointment with SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth
To make an appointment for property damage restoration in the Fort Worth area with SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth, call (817) 741-5737. Meet the team in person at 4200 Glenview Drive Fort Worth, TX 76117.
3 ‘Cold-Proofing’ Tips To Avoid the need for Flood Damage Restoration Services
1/31/2022 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: The flood damage restoration experts at SERVPRO run through three simple tips that Haltom City, TX, residents can take to keep freezing temperatures from destroying their pipes. Learn how to prevent this or what you can do to clean up any water damage if your plumbing does burst.
What To Do To Prevent a Cold Front From Bursting Pipes
The water in pipes can freeze as the outside temperature drops, and if enough ice collects, those pipes will expand and eventually burst. Emergency flood damage restoration and replacing plumbing can be costly unplanned expenses. Thankfully, there are a handful of different ways homeowners can combat the elements.
It’s fairly simple to keep the pipes warm enough to prevent flood damage restoration from becoming unavoidable. SERVPRO, one of the premier water restoration companies in the country, has identified these three tips as the most effective ways people can prevent cold fronts from causing a plumbing disaster.
3 Ways To Keep Your Plumbing Safe in Winter
#1: Keep Your Building Warm
The most straightforward way to combat a cold front is to counter it with warm air. So if homeowners can keep their house well-heated during the year’s coldest months, they will not have to worry about burst pipes and the property damage and mold removal that comes with them.
However, it is not enough to run the heater during the day. People who turn their home’s HVAC system off before bed are giving the freezing air eight hours on average to wreak havoc on your plumbing and during the coldest parts of the day as well.
The Department of Energy recommends keeping homes heated to 68 degrees during the daytime and leaving the thermostat running at a lower temperature throughout the night.
#2: Weather-Proof Your Pipes
There are ways to keep pipes themselves heated beyond a constantly running HVAC, the most popular and effective being insulation sleeves.
Insulation sleeves made of fiberglass or durable foam act as a coat for exposed pipes, wrapping around the plumbing and preventing it from freezing.
There are a handful of other heating products for pipes as well, such as heat tape and electric heating cables. These items are available at most home improvement stores or through a commercial cleaning service.
#3: Leave Your Faucets Running Slowly
If the water in pipes is allowed to sit still for long enough, it runs a high risk of freezing over and creating catastrophic plumbing and water damage.
The most effective way to keep water from freezing is to keep it running. Even if it’s just a light trickle, consistently moving water can ward off any potential icing in pipes. While this can slightly increase water bills, that added utility cost is mild compared to the services of mold remediation companies that homeowners would need after a burst pipe.
Water Damage Restoration From SERVPRO
Pipes can still burst even when homeowners take all the proper precautions. And when they do, they create a world of problems to your property. While anyone can attempt water cleanup and flood damage restoration on their own, it will be more challenging and costly than hiring a local team of experts to handle the job.
So, when a plumbing disaster strikes, homeowners in Haltom City, TX, can trust SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth to take care of the problem quickly and correctly. SERVPRO can safely clean any water damage with professionalism, reliability, and affordability that other water damage restoration companies cannot offer.
Call SERVPRO today at (817) 741-5737 to schedule water damage restoration or flood damage restoration services.
Helping Businesses Navigate Sewer Backup Coverage after Water Damage and Sewage Damage
12/28/2021 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth helps walk businesses through the process of sewage damage cleanup, as well as dealing with the insurance company.
SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth is available 24/7, 365 days a year, when a business needs the services of a commercial water damage restoration company. When a water damage disaster involves a sewage spill, the cleanup project requires trained professionals equipped with the right equipment and appropriate PPG. The skilled and experienced team knows how to work safely and efficiently in a hazardous environment to enable the company to resume normal business operations as soon as possible.
A Commercial Sewage Damage Scenario
The business owner arrives early to open the facility, turn on the lights, power up equipment, and prepare for the day. A terrible smell and a flooded office and showroom greet her. She winds her way through the maze of sludge and locates the source of the sewage backup at the office restrooms. Further investigation reveals a similar situation in the workers’ restrooms adjacent to the production floor.
The entire facility must be shut down. The sewage spread throughout the facility is unsanitary, and the slippery, buckled flooring in the office, showroom, and production area creates unsafe conditions that can lead to a slip-and-fall injury. Employees tracking through the spillage can have the unintended consequence of expanding the hazard zone, which increases the cost of the cleanup and restoration and delays the return to normal business operations.
Navigating Sewer Backup Coverage for Businesses
An article in The Balance, an online resource for small businesses, addresses an important question regarding a sewage backup and insurance coverage. “Will the damage be covered by your commercial property policy? The answer may be no. Most property policies contain a broad water exclusion that precludes (among other things) damage caused by water that backs up or overflows from a sewer, drain, or sump pump. Fortunately, you can protect your business from expensive sewer backup incidents by purchasing sewer backup coverage.”
An insurance company may provide an option for adding sewer backup coverage to a commercial property policy. If the discharge of water or waterborne material originates from a sewer, drain, or sump located on the property and named in the sewer backup endorsement, the loss will be covered.
Coverage extends to the cost of cleanup and restoration for the building and the repair or replacement of personal property damaged by sewer water. Repair of the sewer, drain, or sump itself is not covered.
A company with business income coverage may consider extending the coverage to include sewage backups. A major sewage spill could force the shutdown of normal business operations. The insurer will not pay expenses for a property damage loss or an income loss that exceeds the limits stated in the sewage backup endorsement.
Common Insurance Coverage Exclusions
Some exclusions apply, including the following:
- A sewage backup resulting from a flood, storm surge, or tidal wave
However, a business covered under the federal flood program is covered if the sewage backup is directly caused by a flood.
- A sewer backup or discharge resulting from failure to perform routine maintenance or repair
If the policyholder fails to keep sewer pipes free of tree roots and a backup occurs, damages will not be covered.
- A sewage backup from sump pump failure due to a power outage
Damages caused by sump pump failure due to a power outage are not covered unless the policy includes utility interruption coverage. If the sewage backup results from the sudden mechanical breakdown of the sump pump or its related equipment, damages will be covered.
Business and property owners are strongly advised to review their insurance coverage, including endorsements, with their insurance agent. The proactive decision to pre-qualify a reputable property damage cleanup and restoration company can save valuable time in a business where time is money. In addition, hiring a professional restoration and cleaning company eliminates the liability risks that are present when employees are tasked with cleaning up sewage. Trust the restoration experts at SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth for commercial water damage restoration, as well as fire and storm damage cleanup and restoration. The locally owned and operated SERVPRO can scale to handle any size disaster.
For more information about sewage cleanup and water damage restoration in Haltom City, TX, contact SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth by email at office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com or call the office at (817) 741-5737.
Tips and Checklist for Preparing for Storm Damage Restoration
12/28/2021 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth explains to Keller residents what they should do to prepare when hiring a storm damage restoration company.
Preparing for Storm Damage Restoration: Checklist and Tips
When disaster strikes, homeowners don’t have time to prepare for what lies ahead. That’s why it’s crucial to prepare before a storm bludgeons the neighborhood and damages your home.
Preparing for flood damage restoration can save you valuable time during a crisis. It makes things easier for the storm damage restoration company, allowing the technicians to get to work repairing your home faster and more efficiently. Below are a few tips that every homeowner should consider when preparing for storm damage restoration.
1. Evaluate the Home’s Exterior Damage
Once the storm calms, homeowners must evaluate their home’s exterior damage. Always check the roof before moving to the windows, downspouts, and gutters. This will help when it’s time to explain the extent of the damage to water damage restoration companies.
It also allows the restoration company to prepare for what lies ahead. If the home has extensive roof damage, the company’s technicians can plan their approach and fix it faster.
2. Assess the Porch and Yard
Heavy winds and downpours aren’t always the most dangerous parts of a storm. The debris the wind blows around is just as hazardous and can cause severe structural damage to a home even after the rain ends.
Homeowners need to check for broken tree limbs and hanging debris that still put their property at risk. It’s also vital to inspect decks, fences, and railings for damage since they are close to the home. A broken floorboard can break when stepped on, potentially causing severe injuries.
3. Check the Attic for Leaks and Water Damage
It’s no secret that storms take a toll on a home’s roof. If the roof becomes seriously damaged, leaks form in the attic, putting your home’s interior at risk. Excessive leaks can also cause hazardous mold to arise, causing possible health issues to the occupants.
Always check the attic (top floor of the building) for leaks after the storm settles. If the homeowner finds a leak, they must call a mold removal service as well as an emergency water damage restoration company immediately. Mold remediation companies clear the mold from the area, allowing the homeowner and their family to breathe safely. Look for companies like SERVPRO, which offers both mold and water cleanup services, to simplify the restoration process.
4. Document the Damage
Most adjusters want proof to see the extent of the damages. It’s always best to take pictures of everything affected by the storm to show the adjustor the scope of the damages. Flood and fire damage restoration companies often help with the documentation process as they inspect the property to provide an estimate.
It’s also crucial to keep everything regardless of its condition. Stacking all the ruined appliances, furniture, carpet, and sheetrock outside the home shows the adjuster the damages’ seriousness, proving their case even further.
Residential and Commercial Water Damage Services in Keller, TX
If you need water cleanup and water damage restoration in Keller, TX, call the restoration experts at SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth. Its team offers everything from storm damage restoration to commercial cleaning services at fair and affordable prices. The SERVPRO team has extensive experience serving the Keller community and can help residents with all their restoration needs.
Don’t wait. Call SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth at (817) 741- 5737 and take the stress out of storm damage restoration today!
4 Winter Fire Statistics That Every Homeowner Should Know
12/28/2021 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth provides Keller residents with four winter fire facts and statistics.
4 Winter Fire Statistics and Facts You Should be Aware of
The holidays are a festive time of year that brings people closer together. However, the constant cooking, extravagant decorations, and relaxing fires pose more of a threat than you might think. SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth presents a few helpful tips and tricks to make the holidays safer.
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth is one of Keller’s most trusted fire restoration companies. The influx of cooking, electrical decorations, and other celebratory activities increase the chance of fires and can help homeowners make their holidays safer than ever. Here are a few winter fire facts and statistics every homeowner should know.
1. Christmas Trees Start 160 Fires Every Year
Statistics show that Christmas trees caused around 160 fires per year between 2015 and 2019. The fires resulted in 12 injuries, two deaths, and $10 million in property damages on average. Lighting equipment and electrical distribution caused nearly half of the Christmas tree fires, making many people think twice before hanging decorative lights on their tree.
When setting up a Christmas tree, ensure it isn’t close to candles or fireplaces. Also, check the decorative lights to guarantee everything is working correctly before hanging them on the tree. Although Christmas trees alone don’t pose a threat, hanging hot, malfunctioning lights increases the chances of a fire tenfold.
2. Holiday Decorations Cause 790 Fires Per Year
Hanging holly and festive décor around a home can transform any residence into a winter wonderland. However, holiday decorations cause around 790 fires, one death, and 26 injuries on average yearly.
Two in five decoration fires start when the homeowner sets or hangs the décor too close to a heat source like a candle or fireplace. Always hang holiday decorations away from open flames and heated equipment to reduce the chances of a fire.
3. Christmas is the Peak Day for Candle Fires
More candle fires happen on Christmas Day than any other time of year. In fact, Christmas raises the chances of a candle fire by 2.5%. Candles started around 7,400 fires between 2015 and 2019, resulting in 90 deaths, 670 injuries, and $291 million in fire damage restoration costs.
Homeowners must place candles away from flammable objects like furniture, decorations, Christmas trees, and curtains. Although candles set the mood for the holiday season, use caution when using them around the home.
4. More Cooking Fires Happen on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and Christmas Eve Than Any Other Time of Year
The holidays and cooking go hand in hand. However, more cooking fires happen during the holiday season. Thanksgiving is the peak day for cooking fires, causing around 1,400 fires in 2019 alone for fire damage companies to respond to.
Christmas Day and Christmas Eve also have high cooking fire rates, resulting in well over 100 each year. It’s best to keep flammable decorations like holly and wreaths out of the kitchen to diminish the chances of a fire.
High-Quality Fire Damage Restoration in Keller, TX
For fire damage restoration services in Keller, TX, SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth has you covered. SERVPRO can handle all fire damage restoration needs without putting unnecessary stress on homeowners’ finances.
Unlike other water restoration companies and mold remediation companies, SERVPRO doesn't stop at fire damage restoration service. Its team provides residential and commercial restoration services, including:
- Water damage restoration
- Water cleanup
- Commercial water damage inspections
- Mold removal
- Emergency water damage restoration
- Commercial cleaning service
If you experience a fire this holiday season and need professional restoration services, contact SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth at (817) 741-5737.
Six Seasonal Fire Risks That Are Common in Winter
12/7/2021 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: Homeowners need to be aware of the fire hazards that threaten their homes during colder months. If fire damage should occur, local property owners can turn to the team at SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth for fire damage restoration services.
Locally owned and operated, SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth provides fire damage restoration services for the local area and serves the community with honesty and professionalism. SERVPRO technicians are highly trained in accordance with the highest IICRC standards. Customers can trust the property damage restoration team to handle any property damage disaster, including a fire damage disaster.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), an estimated 360,000 home structure fires occur each year. The cost of these fire disasters approaches $6-8 billion in damages. Fire dangers are elevated during the winter months because the cold weather drives people indoors where life is warm, comfortable, and cozy.
Here are some causes of home fires that are directly related to cold weather and increased time spent in the home.
- Cooking
The primary cause of housefires and related injuries is cooking. An activity that involves hot burners or actual flames from natural gas or propane inside the home is a fire hazard by design. During the warmer months, outdoor grilling is very popular, especially in light of the recent pandemic. However, during the winter months, the cold drives this outdoor culinary activity indoors. Keep the home safe with the following fire prevention tips:
- While food is cooking, someone should remain in the kitchen to keep an eye on the food.
- Keep flammable materials such as potholders, paper products, towels, and dishcloths away from the stove even when the appliance is turned off.
- A clean stove free of grease buildup is a safer appliance.
- Keep children and pets a safe distance from the stove during food preparation.
- Candles
During the winter months and the holiday season, scented candles add a delightful aroma to the home environment while enhancing the decor. However, from 2012 to 2016, candles were responsible for an estimated 8,200 home fires, December being the peak month for this type of fire.
According to a source in the insurance industry, “Falling asleep was a factor in 11% of the home candle fires. Be sure to extinguish all candles before heading to bed at night, and never leave the room with any candles burning. Three of every five home candle fires occurred when some form of combustible material was left or came too close to the candle. Candles should be placed at a minimum of three feet from combustible materials such as your Christmas tree and/or decorations, curtains, blankets, etc.”
Safer, flameless decor options include plug-in air fresheners, oil diffusers, and wax warmers.
- Smoking
The leading cause of fire deaths in the United States is smoking-related materials, such as cigarettes, pipes, and cigars. In 2014, an estimated 17,200 house fires were caused by smoking.
Smoking safety tips:
- Avoid smoking indoors, especially during the cold winter months.
- Keep lighters, matches, and cigarettes away from children. A locked cabinet is the safest storage option for these items.
- Discard smoking materials with the utmost caution. Ensure that the butts and ashes have been doused and are completely extinguished.
- Electrical lighting
Almost half of all Christmas tree fires (43%) were related to electrical distribution, such as overloaded circuits or extension cord mishaps.
Christmas tree lighting tips:
- Discard strings of lights that have frayed wires or loose bulb connections.
- Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for the number of light strands that can be connected.
- Do not decorate a live or artificial Christmas tree with lit candles.
- Before going to bed or leaving the house, turn off all Christmas tree lights.
- Convert to LED lights which are more energy-efficient and create much less heat.
- Clothes dryers
Homeowners report an estimated 3,000 dryer fires each year, and dryer fires cause around $35 million in property damage. Fall and winter are the peak months for dryer fires. Lint buildup is the major cause of dryer fires. Every time the dryer is used, clean the lint filters. Regularly inspect and clean the appliance. Homeowners who are unable to perform these safety tips can secure the services of reputable home services professionals who specialize in dryer inspection and maintenance.
- Christmas trees
Surprisingly, both live and artificial Christmas trees pose a fire risk in the home. A live tree is more likely to catch fire when it becomes dried out. However, artificial trees produce more severe flames that give off toxic chemicals and smoke. Great care should be exercised when using either type of tree.
Consider the following fire safety tips when using a live Christmas tree:
- Select a tree with fresh, green needles, which do not fall off when touched or jostled.
- Remove two inches from the trunk before anchoring the tree on the stand.
- Daily water the tree to keep the needles fresh and green.
- Christmas trees should be kept at least three feet away from a fireplace, heat vent, radiator, or other heat sources.
- Position the tree so that no doorways or hallways are blocked.
By pre-qualifying a fire damage restoration company, the homeowner is better prepared to meet the challenges of fire damage. In the event of a fire damage disaster, only one call will be needed to have a team of highly trained and experienced professionals arrive within an hour to begin the cleanup and restoration process.
For more information about Haltom City, TX, fire damage restoration, contact SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth, TX, by calling (817) 741-5737 or by emailing office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com
Why SERVPRO: Quick Response Water Damage Restoration to Prevent Further Damage
12/7/2021 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth explains why a fast response is crucial after a home or business experiences water damage and why they're considered a leader in the industry.
SERVPRO specializes in water damage restoration caused by storms, burst pipes, flooding, firefighting efforts, and more. Their highly qualified team serves the Fort Worth community, offering 24/7 emergency water restoration when needed. Services include water removal, deep cleaning of walls, carpets, floors, blinds, and upholstery, as well as mold remediation.
Each member of the SERVPRO team undergoes intensive water damage restoration techniques, learning the proper ways to perform water cleanup and mold removal. Training meets the highest standards of the IICRC and includes a certification program, related continuing education classes, and ongoing training through web-based workshops. As a leader in the industry, Texans have been choosing SERVPRO for their water damage restoration since 1998.
Why SERVPRO: Quick Response Water Damage Restoration to Prevent Further Damage
#1: SERVPRO Offers 24/7 Emergency Water Restoration
After a flood or storm, the first 48 hours are critical. Water damage restoration should begin immediately to avoid further damage to the property that could end up costing far more down the line. Using an emergency water restoration like SERVPRO is essential, especially if the incident occurs outside of business hours. SERVPRO responds to emergency calls within an hour, no matter what day of the year or time of day it is.
#2: SERVPRO Handles Water Cleanup
The first step water restoration companies take after assessing the damage is removing all of the moisture. Often this includes large water pumps to drain the water from the affected area. Any affected building materials such as carpets, sheetrock, and insulation will also need to be removed. Once this is done, high-efficiency dehumidifiers and commercial fans are used to speed up drying and eliminate moisture from the air. Doing this helps to prevent permanent damage.
#3: SERVPRO Stops Mold Production
It takes just 24 to 48 hours after being exposed to moisture for mold spores to develop and grow into a full-blown colony. SERVPRO interrupts the process by taking the proper measures before it gets to that point. If water damage restoration wasn't started immediately and mold had time to form, SERVPRO's team is also trained to safely handle mold removal.
#4: SERVPRO Is Locally Owned
SERVPRO is locally owned and operated, with over a dozen locations in Texas. They serve Fort Worth, Haltom City, and Keller, TX, to name a few. The SERVPRO team is made up of your friends, family, and neighbors, all working together to make this difficult situation easier for homeowners.
#5: SERVPRO's Staff Is Highly Trained
Working at SERVPRO requires significant training, turning their staff into fire and water damage specialists. They're required to complete the highest Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification, a SERVPRO-specific training program, related continuing education classes, and ongoing training through web-based workshops. It's efforts like these that have made SERVPRO a leader in the industry.
SERVPRO is a trusted member of the community. They have been offering their services to the area since 1998. Their highly trained technicians and state-of-the-art equipment have put them at the top of the industry, making them the number one choice for water cleanup and restoration. If you’re in need of emergency water damage restoration, call them now at (817) 741-5737 and avoid further damage to your home.
How to Successfully File an Insurance Claim for Water Damage Restoration
12/7/2021 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO shows Northeast Fort Worth residents how to increase their chances of getting insurance coverage for water damage restoration.
According to FEMA, just one inch of water can cost a homeowner up to $25,000 of damage. Unfortunately, insurance companies can be picky about approving claims for water damage restoration and providing coverage for repairs.
SERVPRO professionals are experienced in working with insurance companies for water cleanup and restoration. As such, the team has learned a thing or two about how insurance companies decide whether to approve insurance claims or not. Read on for SERVPRO’s tips and tricks on how to file an insurance claim for water damage successfully.
Tips for Filing a Water Damage Restoration Insurance Claim
Know What Is Typically Covered and Not Covered
To most insurance companies, water damage falls under two categories: sudden and gradual.
Sudden or Accidental Water Damage
Most insurance companies cover water damage that’s difficult or impossible to predict or prevent. Examples of sudden or emergency water restoration include:
- Frozen pipes that have burst
- Water damage from extinguishing a fire
- Severe rain or snowstorms that cause roof leakage
Gradual Water Damage
Insurance companies tend not to cover water damage that happened over time, was preventable or occurred due to the homeowner’s negligence. Examples of gradual water damage include:
- Mold build-up
- Leaking from improperly maintained plumbing, such as a leaking sink
- Cracks in walls that lead to water leaks
Whatever the specific coverage, SERVPRO advises their clients to contact their insurance company immediately to report the damage.
Collect Evidence of the Water Damage
Insurance companies need proof of the damage when evaluating a claim. This proof consists of photos and videos of the water damage site.
It’s also important to hold onto the objects and possessions affected by the water damage. SERVPRO advises their clients to store those items in a safe place as they could prove crucial later.
Get an Estimate of the Water Damage
Schedule an appointment with a water damage restoration company to get an estimate of the cost of the repair. Depending on the type of damage, mold remediation companies and fire restoration companies may also need to look at the damage. SERVPRO provides their clients with a complete repair estimate and informs clients if they need to vacate the property for their safety.
Hold onto the Receipts
Be sure to keep all the documents and receipts from water restoration companies that inspected the damage. The insurance company needs to see these receipts at some point. SERVPRO provides their clients with itemized receipts they can easily enclose with their insurance claims.
Do Meticulous Record-Keeping
Immediately record all information related to the water damage, including the date, time, and exact location of the damage. SERVPRO professionals record the dates and times they speak with an insurance company, along with the highlights of each conversation and the representative’s name.
Schedule a Visit with an Adjuster
Insurance companies send claims adjusters to damaged properties to assess how much they’ll pay for a claim. Be ready to show the adjuster all the possessions damaged by the water and any receipts.
If Approved for a Claim, Proceed with Caution
A claim approval doesn’t mean the insurance company will pay for all repairs. Often, a settlement barely puts a dent in the cost of the repairs. In that case, it’s worth negotiating with the insurance company for a higher amount. The SERVPRO team is experienced at speaking with insurance companies and advocating for their clients’ fair reimbursement.
About the Company
SERVPRO is an industry-leading residential and commercial cleaning service for property damage. Serving the Northeast Fort Worth and Keller, TX communities, SERVPRO specializes in water damage restoration, fire and smoke cleanup, and mold removal. The company office is located at 4200 Glenview Drive Fort Worth, TX, 76117. Call SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth today at 817-741-5737 to get a free estimate.
Proven Ways of Restoring and Cleaning Fire Damaged Buildings in Keller
12/1/2021 (Permalink)
Damages from kitchen fire
Apart from consuming your items and your buildings' structural components, fire damage incidents can leave behind dark stains on surfaces and discolored ceilings and walls. There is also the challenge of dealing with the odors that remain trapped in hidden locations. You are also likely to find soot and ash deposits behind walls and around the air conditioner vents. To prevent additional damage, we carefully inspect your Keller property and come up with appropriate restoration and cleaning techniques.
Sometimes fire damage to your Keller home can cause significant exterior structural damage and leave it dangerously unstable. If that happens, it is necessary to board it up instantly. Our SERVPRO technicians offer emergency board up solutions to secure buildings that are severely damaged. Such services can also cover openings that make the structure vulnerable to animals, rain, and vandals. The goal is to provide temporary support as the necessary repairs are being carried out.
Soot and smoke particles can penetrate and travel into various parts of the structure and affect carpets, paint, drapes, upholstery, clothing, and other contents within the building. Our SERVPRO technicians can ventilate the site and use appropriate debris removal techniques during the restoration process. We thoroughly clean and neutralize both the odors and deposits before any redecoration can take place.
Our SERVPRO technicians can use dry sponges when removing initial smoke deposits when attending to damages caused by high-oxygen fires. We use wet cleaning methods when dealing with the destruction caused by low-oxygen fires. In such cases, the use of dry sponges can spread the soot and create smears on surfaces. In most cases, kitchen fires do not leave behind visible residues, so we thoroughly clean the area to clear the mess. If necessary, we can remove contents in the kitchen drawers and cabinets to allow access to hidden locations.
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth is a trusted service provider that offers proven cleaning and restoration services that meet residential and commercial needs. Call (817) 741-5737 when you need our highly trained technicians to return your property to its preloss state.
Five Places Where Hidden Water Leaks Are Quietly Causing Water Damage
11/1/2021 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: When hidden leaks cause extensive water damage, homeowners can turn to SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth, a local leader in water damage restoration.
Locally owned and operated, SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth is a leader in water damage restoration in Halcolm City, TX, and the surrounding areas. The team of technicians serves the Fort Worth area with integrity and the highest professional standards.
Continuous or repeated exposure to water and moisture can damage subflooring, plywood sheathing, wood studs, and insulation. The fact that this water damage often plays hide and seek makes the situation even worse. Here are five favorite places where water damage and leaks can hide.
#1. Around a central HVAC unit
An HVAC system produces condensation on the indoor evaporation coils. The moisture, anywhere from five to twenty gallons depending on the humidity level, is collected in a shallow condensate pan and evacuated through a drain line to the outside of the home. If the line clogs, the pan will overflow. The inside portion of an HVAC system is often tucked away in the attic or closet, where the leak can go hidden for months. Inspect the inside evaporator coils and condensate pan when changing the filter. This proactive approach will enable homeowners to detect most leaks before a serious water damage issue arises. An annual inspection of the HVAC system by a certified technician should be on everyone’s spring cleaning list.
#2. Around a window air conditioner
As a window AC unit cools a room, moisture from the coils is directed to the exterior portion of the unit where it is discharged. If the evacuation tubing fails due to clogs, rot, or rust, the water will escape and drain into the wall space below the unit. Wood rot and a potential mold infestation can result. Feel for wet sheetrock or spongy flooring beneath the appliance, and be on the alert for a moldy, musty smell. The unit may need to have its filter and coils cleaned.
#3. Under the dishwasher
To keep water from seeping out of the tub, dishwashers have a watertight seal. However, leaks can develop in the joints of the dishwasher’s water supply line or in the drain line. Because the flooring underneath the dishwasher cannot be easily seen, a slow leak can cause widespread damage to the subfloor over time. The homeowner might not discover the damage until it is time to move or replace the dishwasher.
#4. Behind the washing machine
Tucked away in the laundry room, the washer can conceal leaks at the water supply line connections. Make a habit of inspecting the connections. Proactively replace the lines about every five to seven years to prevent a major water intrusion. Watch out for water pooling around the base of the appliance. When a leak does occur, resolve it immediately to prevent secondary advanced water damage.
#5. In the bathroom
The bathroom, the wettest room in the home, is a favorite hiding place for water damage and leaks. The normal use of the shower, tub, toilet, and sink yields sufficient moisture to foster a mold infestation. Several places where water damage and water leaks lurk include:
A slow drip from a supply line or the drain under a bathroom (or kitchen) sink may hide out until the homeowner is alerted by a musty smell or spongy flooring. Limited or no ventilation, darkness, and moisture from the leak make the area under the sink a prime spot for a mold infestation.
Next to the shower or tub
The shower and tub have several water line connections, and each connection provides an opportunity for a leak. Since these connections are often concealed within a wall, any leaks are also hidden behind the wall. Water damage from the leak signals the homeowner to a problem. Warped drywall, peeling paint, blistering wallpaper, a spongy floor, and a musty smell give away the hiding place.
The wax ring between the toilet base and the toilet flange may develop a leak. Sometimes a pool of water around the base of the toilet hints at a problem. This type of leak usually goes undetected until the subflooring rots, allowing the toilet to wobble. In some cases, the toilet may fall through the floor when enough weight is applied to it.
Behind a bathtub or shower surround
At some point, tub and shower surrounds with multiple pieces will experience a caulk failure between the surround sections and between the sections and the wall. The water leak will eventually damage the wood studs and framing materials. When the caulk begins to turn yellow or pull away, remove the aging, failing caulk and replace it with a new caulk designed for the moisture and temperature variations seen in a shower and tub.
Hide and seek leaks often leave extensive water damage in their wake. A leak many months old has likely spawned a mold infestation. Special protective gear, cleaning techniques, and EPA-approved cleaning solutions are required to get the job done quickly and, above all, safely.
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial water damage. For more information about the Halcolm City, TX, water damage restoration company, contact the SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth office at (817) 741-5737 or email office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com
Six Things to Do While Waiting for Your Storm Damage Restoration Company to Arrive
11/1/2021 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: The SERVPRO storm damage restoration team encourages you to do these six things while waiting for them to arrive.
Addressing storm damage to a home as quickly as possible is essential to keep everyone safe and minimize lasting damage. SERVPRO understands the frustration of home storm damage and works hard to provide effective and stress-free emergency storm damage restoration.
SERVPRO offers water damage restoration, water cleanup, mold removal, and commercial cleaning services in Northeast Ft. Worth, TX.
Six Things to Do While Waiting for Your Storm Damage Restoration Company to Arrive
1. Make Sure Everyone is Safe
Following a severe storm, safety is a priority. Even if the damage seems minor, it is essential to verify that everyone in the household is safe.
Take a headcount of everyone in the house and check for injuries. If anyone is injured, call for medical attention right away.
This is especially true if the storm ignites a fire in the home. Fire restoration companies will repair the damage, so getting the family out as quickly as possible should be the priority.
2. Take Pictures and Document the Damage
Take pictures and document the damage while waiting for the storm damage restoration team to arrive to help when it’s time to file an insurance claim. Insurance companies want to know the extent of the damage before paying out; documents and evidence will expedite the process.
Getting receipts from any water restoration companies that assist with the water cleanup is also critical.
3. Stay Out of the House
Some storms cause enough damage to force an evacuation. If the home is unsafe, do not re-enter it until the local authority says it is safe.
If there is a fire in the house, it is critical to stay out. Fire restoration companies will do everything they can to restore the home after the fire dies down.
4. Save Valuable Items
Flooding is common with storm damage. When the house begins flooding, save valuable and necessary items after ensuring that everyone is safe.
In many cases, severe home flooding calls for mold removal. Mold thrives in warm, wet places and can quickly deteriorate valuable items or impact house structure.
Mold remediation companies often require storm damage victims to stay out of the house during mold removal. Saving valuable items while waiting for the water damage restoration company will help prevent future frustration.
5. Open the Windows
Whether residential or commercial water damage, it is beneficial to open up the windows after receiving water damage. SERVPRO commercial cleaning services provide emergency water restoration as soon as possible; however, opening up the windows lets the air flow and reduces mold growth.
If the home has a sump pump, this is the time to turn it on. The sump pump will begin the water cleanup process while you wait for the water restoration companies.
6. Turn Off the Power
If the home is actively flooding, it is vital to turn off the power.
Home appliances like the microwave or dryer can quickly turn a flooding situation into a more dangerous endeavor. Although this won’t protect appliances from water damage, turning off the main power as water pours in will prevent electrocution and keep everyone in the house safe.
SERVPRO Storm Damage Restoration
Keller, TX, is no stranger to thunderstorms. When storm damage occurs, it is critical to begin the residential or commercial water damage restoration process as soon as possible. SERVPRO offers emergency water restoration and mold removal services in Northeast Ft. Worth, TX.
Contact SERVPRO at (817) 741-5737 for commercial cleaning services and storm damage restoration.
Waterproofing and Sump Pumps for Fort Worth Crawlspaces
10/18/2021 (Permalink)
Storm damage in home
Severe storms are a regular part of Fort Worth weather. They flood homes quickly, leaving a mess of not only a homeowner’s personal property but also their residence itself. For homes with crawlspaces underneath, this can be a problem that affects the structural integrity, destroys items in storage, and even lead to a mold infestation if not dealt with quickly.
In these cases, waterproofing is needed for Fort Worth residential crawlspaces. SERVPRO restoration teams can seal off almost any type of leak into one unless there is major damage to the exterior walls or the sub-floor above it.
If standing water is a recurring issue with every rain, then the homeowner has two problems: Leaks and seeps into the crawlspace, and very slow or no drainage. Our technicians can address both of them simultaneously.
Team members remove water with a commercial pump and then use a combination of hand-drying methods and dehumidifiers to remove any moisture left in the crawlspace. Then they cover the dirt floor with thick, polyethylene sheets to serve as a vapor barrier, preventing water from seeping up inside. Team members extend these sheets up and onto the walls, securing them together and to the walls with two-sided, foundation tape.
Before securing them to the walls, however, an inspector carefully examines the walls for any cracks or leaks. SERVPRO specialists fill them with a hydraulic cement that blocks further water intrusion. Next, they seal every wall with a masonry cement that reduces water seepage from outside the home. Once they complete the walls, team members seal the polyethylene sheets in place.
Water can still penetrate through wood floors, however. In areas that flood regularly, the solution for recurring flooding may be to install a sump pump. These devices work automatically, and when water is detected, they switch on to remove it until the level returns to normal. Our technicians can install a sump pump and have it working in a day.
Our goal at SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth is to help you return your entire home to a dry, safe condition, and keep it in that state as best as possible. If you need us to return your crawlspace to what it looked like before flooding; call us today at (817) 741-5737 to get started.
What Types of Mold Can Be Found in Commercial Facilities?
9/23/2021 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: Several different types of mold can take hold in an office building or other commercial environment. When business owners need mold mitigation services, they can turn to the team of professional technicians at SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth.
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth understands the importance of keeping an office building and other commercial settings clean, fresh, and safe from a mold infestation, which can accompany water damage to the facility. Technicians are highly trained in commercial property damage restoration and cleaning techniques. SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth follows the highest IICRC standards, so customers can trust the damage restoration and cleaning team to handle any situation, including a mold infestation in an office building or other commercial setting.
Repairs, maintenance, and janitorial services usually involve issues that are easily detectable — a spill in the hallway, a stain on the carpet, a squeaky door. However, mold is often a hidden issue. Mold proliferation is a growing concern and can affect health, worker productivity, and the customer experience. The goal of mold mitigation is to keep the facility in the best condition for tenants, employees, clients, customers, and anyone else that might visit the office building. The facility must be functional, clean, fresh, and healthy.
Five Common Types of Mold Found in Offices
Texture, color, or shape are not necessarily key indicators of the exact species of mold. Some mold types are visually indistinguishable from other types of molds, and in many instances, professional testing is required to determine which mold is present. A particular surface condition can host many different mold species.
- Cladosporium
This hearty mold can thrive in a variety of conditions and on a wide range of surfaces. Some molds prefer damper and warmer environments, but this mold can take hold almost anywhere in the temperate environment of a climate-controlled office complex.
Common locations to keep an eye out for Cladosporium include food storage areas such as the office kitchen, as well as the gasket on the doors to the refrigerator and freezer. Mirrors, windows, ceramic tile, and other non-porous surfaces where condensation can occur are a favorite residence for this mold. This mold is unsightly and makes a negative impression on clients, customers, and tenants.
- Aspergillus
Aspergillus, a robust mold strain that thrives indoors, feeds on cardboard, artwork, shelving, leather furniture, pressed wood products, and the cloth bindings of books. The spores from this mold may cause health effects. Mold can also impact the health of pets. There is a growing trend of bringing pets into the workplace, and an office complex may host support animals or service dogs.
- Alternaria
This outdoor mold travels into the office on people and pets. An open office window is an invitation to this mold strain to pay a visit to the office team. The warmth and moisture of summer are this mold’s preferred environment. This mold may be found growing on cloth upholstery.
- Penicillium
Most people think of mold as being black or brown. According to the Centers for Disease Control, color is not an indicator of toxicity. Molds may be black, brown, green, yellow, blue, and even pink or orange! Penicillium, a toxic mold that causes food spoilage, may be yellow, blue, or green in color. Drapes, cabinets, and ceiling tiles are surfaces this mold favors. Drywall that has been moistened from a water intrusion fosters the growth of this mold. While Penicillium is the source of the medical marvel penicillin, the mold can have health effects if left to spread in an office building.
- Stachybotrys
Known as “black mold,” Stachybotrys enjoys fibrous surfaces such as paper and wood. This moisture-loving mold is a slow-growing toxic beast that can cause health effects long before it is discovered and identified.
Mitigating Mold in an Office Building
When mold is discovered, mitigation should begin immediately. Common causes of mold include inadequate ventilation, condensation, melting ice dams, or water damage from flooding or leaky plumbing. When water intrusion is identified, the business owner should secure the services of a water damage restoration company to remediate the damage and prevent a widespread mold infestation.
For more information about mold mitigation, water damage restoration, and other restoration and cleaning services in Halcolm City, TX, contact the SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth, TX, by phone at (817) 741-5737. The team can also be contacted by email at office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com
How Long Will Water Damage Restoration Around Haltom City, TX, Take?
9/23/2021 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: The friendly professionals at SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth explains the water restoration process and how long each step typically takes to complete.
Whether to address damage from a storm, plumbing mishap, or otherwise, water damage restoration is an intensive process. In best-case scenarios, it only takes a few days but can take weeks. Why does it take so long?
Water cleanup spans more than simply removing water from a property, as water damage can have an unseen and lasting impact. Water removal and mold remediation companies complete a range of steps to treat buildings for odors, bacteria, microbes, and other harmful agents that can make their way into furniture, carpeting, and floorboards through outside water.
Both to expedite the process and minimize the chance of secondary damage, such as mold, the experts at SERVPRO, a leading water damage restoration company in Fort Worth, stress the importance of calling for emergency water restoration services as soon as possible after water exposure.
The Water Damage Restoration Timeline: What to Expect
1. Emergency Water Restoration and Removal
First, if a burst pipe, washing machine, or other appliance caused the flooding, the restoration company will turn off the water at the source. Next, large, truck-mounted pumps suck the water from inside the property.
This process can take several hours, depending on how much water is present. After that, they take steps to dry the property and restore safe humidity levels. That often takes at least 72 hours, even with help from industrial dryers and dehumidifiers.
2. Salvaging and Removing Furniture
Unfortunately, furniture and valuable items are often lost after flooding. The remediation company will work to salvage what they can and then recycle, throw away, or donate whatever will not be kept. How long this will take varies in length depending on the number of damaged items.
3. Mold, Stain, and Water Remediation
Treating carpets and furniture is relatively straightforward and quick. It generally only takes a few hours.
However, the danger with water damage is how it affects hidden areas in a home. Even clean water can lead to mold in any fabric or carpeting. If enough water has gotten to wooden walls or flooring, it can cause the wood to warp and degrade.
Inspectors will check beams, walls, and other structural components to ensure the safety of the home’s residents. Some restoration companies also test for asbestos before working on any building materials, and waiting for the test results can take 24-48 hours.
4. Disinfecting and Deodorizing
Once the property is treated for mold, it is deodorized, disinfected, and thoroughly cleaned. This process takes less than a day and finalizes the water restoration process.
Other Time Factors
Many of these phases of water damage restoration have very variable timeframes, based on factors such as:
- The amount of water in the property
- How long water was in contact with the property
- How long it took to stop the source of the flood
- The source of the water (clean drinking water, sewage, floodwater, etc.)
- The size of the property and what parts of the property were involved
- How quickly the residential or commercial water damage restoration company was contacted and responded
About SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth
SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth has served the community in Keller, TX, and surrounding areas since 1967, offering reliable water, fire, and storm restoration as well as mold remediation and commercial cleaning services. They are part of a nationwide franchise with more than 1,700 locations but are locally owned and operated.
Follow SERVPRO on Facebook to learn more about the water damage restoration process or contact them to schedule service today.
Contact Information:
4200 Glenview Drive
Fort Worth, TX 76117
Phone: (817) 741-5737
Email: office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com
Fire Damage to Your Fort Worth Business Needs Our Professional Remediation
9/1/2021 (Permalink)
Grease Fire Damages
The possibility of a fire in your Fort Worth restaurant kitchen cannot help but be always in the back of your mind as an owner. Although the devastation a fire can cause might seem impossible to overcome in the immediate aftermath, our highly-qualified technicians have great success using our inventory of state-of-the-art equipment and restoration best practices mastered in Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) courses.
The safety of both diners and employees is your priority if a fire damages your Fort Worth restaurant. Ensuring that your business recovers from the disaster fulfills our mission to provide industry-leading remediation services to the businesses in our community. Our crews mobilize fast, traveling to your site as soon as possible after your call.
Speed is crucial when mitigating the effects of fire damage. Within the first minutes and hours after the flames extinguish, fire residues pose the risk of progressive and permanent harm to structural components and the contents of your restaurant. SERVPRO crew members evaluate the types of residues found throughout your kitchen, dining rooms, storage areas, and other spaces.
We match appropriate products and methods to the different characteristics of soots coating surfaces. Protein-based soot is common in kitchen fires, depositing a thin and highly malodorous film that is hard to remove without solvents and abrasive tools. SERVPRO technicians can use barriers and air scrubbers to contain the cooking area, preventing the spread of debris to other spaces.
Even if your quick-thinking staff knocked down the flames with chemical extinguishers, secondary effects of the fire could linger. Persistent odors are particularly troublesome in an eating establishment as they interfere with the enjoyment of diners as they order and eat from your tempting menu. SERVPRO employees who complete the IICRC Odor Control Technician (OCT) course follow a research-based protocol to eliminate the stench in your establishment.
If clearing away charred items and thorough cleaning does not do the trick, SERVPRO turns to innovative techniques like thermal fogging or hydroxyl generators to eradicate the noxious smell. Thermal fogging recreates the fire environment, combusting deodorizers at high temperatures, so they attach to odoriferous particles and neutralize them. Hydroxyl radicals produced when ultraviolet rays react with water vapor (H2O) and oxygen (O2) dismantle the odor-bearing molecules. We this cutting-edge technology as a more successful and sustainable alternative to masking agents.
Contact SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth as soon as firefighters release your commercial property for abatement assessment. Call (817) 741-5737 day or night to schedule an inspection and develop a remediation and deodorization plan.
Leaving Water Damage In Your Home Can Lead To Mold Damage
9/1/2021 (Permalink)
Water overflow from toilet
Damages in your home are never something to ignore, especially when those damages can lead to future complications, such as mold damage. Sometimes financial difficulty, or other valid concerns, can stop you from calling for assistance when you need it. The story is pretty standard: a severe storm rolls in and soaks your basement bathroom through the open window. There are inches of water on the floor by the time that you find it the next morning, but you feel like you cannot afford to call for help and resolve to try to deal with it yourself. The decision can lead to future complications as only a professional can tell when a space is thoroughly dry.
Leaving any excess moisture in the structure of your home can lead to the growth of mold damage in your Fort Worth residence. Mold spores are omnipresent, and you cannot completely rid your home of them. However, they are relatively harmless until they come into contact with excessive moisture. As they feed off of the excess water, the mold spores can rapidly multiply and form a colony, which can damage the structure of your home and cause health effects. Calling for help as soon as you first begin to suspect you have mold damage is the key to a successful remediation.
Our SERVPRO techs can bring unique tools with them to remediate the mold damage in your home. One of the worst aspects is the smell, and we can set up an air scrubber to pull mold spores and odorous particles from the air while we work. SERVPRO can also set up a barrier made out of plastic sheeting to ensure that the mold spores cannot travel anywhere else when disturbed. Once it is safe to work, SERVPRO can disinfect and remove the mold before using an antifungal spray to help ensure there is no regrowth.
Do not delay when you find damage in your home. Dial (817) 741-5737 to contact SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth. We are open 24-7 and ready to take your call.
Creating the Ideal Drying Conditions for Water Restoration in your Fort Worth Home
9/1/2021 (Permalink)
Measuring moisture of affected tile
In dealing with any property restoration emergency, having access to the correct equipment goes a long way to reducing your claims loss expense. This principle is especially true in situations involving water, which can deteriorate contents, structure, and fittings overnight. One of the essential methods we use to reduce losses in your property is understanding how to dry your structure and contents properly. That means using moisture detection sensors, creating the right atmosphere for efficient drying and bringing in industrial extraction equipment.
The task of water restoration in your fort worth home is built on the foundations of careful psychrometric measurements taken regularly to control losses. Increasing the temperature in a closed area, for example, allows the interior air to take on more moisture- this process can increase the efficiency of air-moving equipment. However, to create optimum drying conditions, a SERVPRO technician must take regular readings using thermal hygrometers to ensure that the indoor air is not overloaded with moisture, which can slow drying times.
While restoration is underway, a SERVPRO technician may tent off the affected area to gain better control of the indoor environment. High levels of humidity, which are a natural byproduct of drying procedure, can also create ideal conditions for microbial growth. Leaving a humid environment overnight can lead to further damages. SERVPRO technicians may create an open system, by opening windows or allowing ventilation to exchange humid interior air with drier outdoor air, to prevent secondary issues like mold growth from occurring.
Using our training in combination with advanced drying equipment allows SERVPRO technicians to dry a structure without risking secondary damages confidently. By creating the ideal drying conditions, the expense of your claim is significantly reduced, and your home has the best chance of returning to its preloss conditions. We can forward the paperwork to your insurance adjuster to ease the claims process and let you get back to your everyday life with as little inconvenience as possible.
For advanced restoration services that get your home back to its preloss condition, contact SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth at (817) 741-5737.
Seven Tips for Minimizing the Scope of Damage From Severe Weather in Haltom City, TX
8/17/2021 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth highlights seven ways that Haltom City homeowners can lessen the impact of severe weather on their homes.
When severe weather strikes Haltom City, TX, and the surrounding area, SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth provides water and storm damage restoration services that help the community recover. Although storm damage may seem unavoidable, homeowners can prepare for thunderstorms and other severe weather by taking steps to reduce damage to Haltom City homes.
- Keep the treescape in top condition.
Trees in the yard could pose a threat to the home and nearby structures during heavy rains and high winds. Excessive amounts of rain loosen the soil around the roots of the tree, weakening the tree’s ability to remain standing in the path of high winds. The tree could topple onto the home, damaging the roof resulting in a water intrusion. A domino effect could occur in which one tree causes other trees to uproot. Hire an arborist to trim the trees around the home, eliminate overhanging branches, and remove diseased, dying, or dead trees.
The director of operations and urban forestry at Texas Trees Foundation offers the following tree care tips:
- Avoid hiring just anyone to remove fallen trees and debris when severe weather damages the treescape. Individuals with a chainsaw and pickup truck will drive through affected neighborhoods offering tree removal and cleanup services at a very low price. If a problem arises, the crew will disappear, leaving the homeowner with an even larger problem.
- Always hire a qualified, bonded, and insured tree service to remove any fallen trees. Incorrect pruning can cause damaged trees to fall victim to high winds during the next severe thunderstorm. If an uninsured tree service company damages the house, the homeowner could be held liable. An insured company will cover any further damage to the structure.
- Hire a certified arborist for the best treescape care. To ensure the treescape receives the best care, hire an arborist to prune the trees at least once a year. A competent arborist will shape the trees so that they are beautiful, healthy, and safe.
- Avoid cutting down trees if at all possible. Trees are an asset, and a well-managed treescape can add as much as twenty percent to the overall value of a property. Homeowners should invest in their trees, which add value and beauty to a home.
- Install a lightning surge protector.
According to DisasterSafety.org, a resource from the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, a lightning surge protector for the home costs between $300 and $500 and requires one to three hours to install. A whole-house surge protector can help prevent costly electronics from being destroyed by a lightning strike to the home.
- Construct protective screens around HVAC units.
For a relatively low budget, an industrious homeowner can add years to the life of an HVAC unit by constructing a screen around the unit. The screen shields the coils and fins of the unit from hail damage. In hail-prone areas such as Northeast Fort Worth and the greater North Texas region, a hail screen makes sense.
- Upgrade to a wind-rated garage door or reinforce the existing door.
Older unreinforced garage doors are vulnerable to damage from high winds. High winds cause the door to bow inward. The increased air pressure in the garage is strong enough to cause structural damage to the roof and surrounding walls. Wind-rated garage doors are manufactured to tolerances that can withstand high winds without allowing the home to sustain damage.
The homeowner who is unable to purchase and install a new wind-rated garage door can reinforce the existing garage door. The bracing must be in place ahead of severe weather.
- Upgrade to steel gutters and downspouts.
Inadequate or damaged gutters are a common source of water damage in the attic and in the walls of a home. Because steel is stronger than vinyl and aluminum, it is less prone to leakage.
- Upgrade to better quality impact-rated shingles when repairing or replacing a roof.
Wind, hail, and water damage are some of the most common causes of property damage, and the roof is a home’s first line of defense against severe weather. Homeowners can help prevent a water damage headache by replacing shingles. High-impact, better-quality shingles may qualify a homeowner for an insurance discount.
- Pre-qualify a property damage restoration company before storm damage.
SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth specializes in storm damage cleanup and restoration for residential and commercial properties. The team provides emergency tarping, board-ups, security fencing, pack-ups, and storage. Technicians also provide restoration services after a fire, smoke, or water damage incident and can perform mold and mildew remediation.
For more information about water damage restoration in Haltom City, TX, contact SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth, TX, by calling (817) 741-5737. The office can also be reached by email at office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com.
SERVPRO Technicians Quickly Get a Flooded Area Dry to Prevent Any Secondary Damages
7/23/2021 (Permalink)
Unchecked water losses can cause significant damages to your businesses.
Study spaces, book and gift stores, snack bars, and recreational activities are all part of the student experience at Fort Worth institutes of higher learning. When portions of the student union go underwater because of failed plumbing, a full-service water damage recovery company needs to step up to restore the college ambiance.
A water main burst in the student union of a university, the commercial water damage in Fort Worth starts inconveniencing hundreds of students and soaking books and merchandise. The two primary concerns are a speedy return to a comfortable study and recreational area for students and a solution for waterlogged spirit wear and books. We offer fast and professional water removal and restoration services and have access to drying and recovery services for merchandise.
Once the SERVPRO team is made aware that a crisis occurred at the union, a well-qualified team of water damage mitigation specialists and all the equipment necessary is dispatched to the building. Our work crew follows the same routine each time it arrives at a water event. First, the area is surveyed for safety, power disconnected if there is any chance of shocking the rescue team. Water is removed with truck-mounted pumps and extractors. Moisture levels are measured and monitored as industrial sized air movers and dehumidifiers do their work.
While the area is dried out, other members of the crew work to sort the merchandise soaked in the union’s bookstore. Items like sweatshirts, tees and the like can be laundered and dried. Perhaps the staff of the bookstore will reduce the prices, but the spirit wear will survive the water damage nearly intact. The books and school supplies are a different matter.
To dry out papers requires a special process called freeze drying. It is a somewhat expensive procedure, so it may not be cost effective for all items. On the other hand, the files and records in the store may be important enough to use the freeze drying or sublimation technique. Regardless, the SERVPRO crew keeps a careful inventory of items damaged, discarded and revived for insurance and tax purposes.
One call to SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth gets the ball rolling to dry out commercial spaces, large and small. Our number is (817) 741-5737 and is staffed 24/7.
SERVPRO Technicians Efficiently Remediate Your Property After a Fire
7/23/2021 (Permalink)
Our SERVPRO technicians are experts in Water & Fire Restoration
If you find yourself facing a fire damage situation in your Fort Worth area home, obtaining qualified professional help is easier than you might think. You are not alone and should never take on the task of renovating your property by yourself after a fire occurs. It can be hard to address every damaged item correctly, especially without the proper training and equipment.
Until you face this type of tragedy yourself, you may not fully understand the level of damage that occurs. In this instance, nearly half of the roof, rafters, decking, insulation, wiring, ducting, and other materials require replacement while the other portion needs a thorough cleaning and deodorization method performed to restore and remove the odors that exist.
Hundreds, if not thousands of posts from other do-it-yourself restorers, on websites all over the net, describe this as an unmanageable event. Some claim that you must tear down the entire structure and rebuild to get the odor out of your home after a fire. However, SERVPRO technicians perform deodorization and cleaning methods on a daily basis, successfully restoring many homes just like this one.
SERVPRO is available throughout your local community; we offer customers full-service solutions to fire damage situations of all shapes and sizes. Regardless of how the fire began on your property, we can help provide you with much-needed answers and solutions that get things back to normal as quickly and efficiently as possible. We can also help you prevent future events from occurring, and give quality recommendations that avoid future losses.
Avoid following someone else’s failed attempts at restoring their home alone. Contact SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth for access to qualified professionals 24/7, 365. We respond quickly, helping you restore your Keller, Park Glen, or Trace Ridge home the right way, the first time, call today. (817) 741-5737
Grilling and Fireworks Safety Tips for Summer Celebrations in Keller, TX
7/1/2021 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth encourages Keller, TX, residents to have safe summer celebrations by abiding by safety practices when cooking on the grill or setting off fireworks.
SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth serves the Fort Worth, Keller, and Park Glen areas with residential and commercial fire damage restoration services twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and on holidays. The SERVPRO team wants everyone to enjoy safe summer celebrations while grilling out and discharging fireworks.
Grilling Safety Tips for a Safe Summer Celebration
With the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions and the re-opening of the economy, people are more than ready to celebrate this summer. Neighborhood gatherings are once again commonplace across the country. The grill, now more popular than ever, is both an enjoyable and convenient way to cook. These sources of summer culinary delight still require regular inspection and maintenance. According to the National Fire Protection Association, grills cause or are involved in nearly 9,000 fires a year. To the surprise of many backyard grill masters, gas grills accounted for five out of six of these reported grill fires! An understanding of three of the leading causes of gas grill fires can make for a safe summer celebration.
- Failure to clean the grill
Grease buildup in the grease trap creates a secondary fuel source that will eventually ignite if left unresolved. When the grill cover is lowered, temperatures in the grill can reach over 500 degrees Fahrenheit in minutes. At this temperature, accumulated grease can flare up, and the flames can potentially cause serious fire damage to anything close to the grill. When nests from spiders and insects obstruct the flow of gas in the burner tubes, a flashback fire can result. In this type of grill fire, flames shoot out around the control panel. Grill fire flare-ups from cooking fatty foods or meats marinated in oil can also ignite residual grease buildup.
The key to safe summer celebrations is to regularly remove accumulated grease and empty the grease cup, which is typically found under the grill. Pay attention to the “flame tamers,” the flat steel shields located above the burners. By trimming the fat off meat or grilling at a lower temperature, excessive flare-ups can be prevented. An appropriately sized bottle brush can be used to clean out burner tubes in order to prevent flashback fires. If flames are yellow in color and burn unevenly across the burners, there may be a burner blockage.
- Locating the grill too close to flammable materials
The temptation during inclement weather is to grill on the porch or under an awning. The heat from a gas grill can ignite the awning, melt siding, or catch the house on fire. Potted plants and artificial vegetation can easily ignite when exposed to the heat from a gas grill. The results could be disastrous. To lower the fire risk, grill in a well-ventilated area away from combustibles. Never grill on an enclosed porch or carport, and avoid cooking under low-hanging branches or near shrubs.
- Leaving the grill unattended
An unattended grill is a catastrophe waiting to happen. Curious children may receive serious burns if they come in contact with a hot grill. Animals, overpowered by the delicious aroma of sizzling steaks, may topple the grill in search of a tasty meal. Grease fires or flare-ups, if not extinguished, can damage gas lines or the propane tank. The consequences could be explosive. If the gill must be left unattended, shut off the gas. This safety measure may ruin the meal, but it may also prevent fire damage, personal injury, or damage to the grill.
Basic Fireworks Safety Tips
A highlight of summer celebrations is July 4. Fireworks and Independence Day celebrations are popular across the US. Keller, Texas, and the surrounding greater Fort Worth area are no exception.
The National Safety Council reported in a recent article, “In 2017, eight people died and over 12,000 were injured badly enough to require medical treatment after fireworks-related incidents. Of these, 50% of the injuries were to children and young adults under age 20. Over two-thirds (67%) of injuries took place from June 16 to July 16. And while the majority of these incidents were due to amateurs attempting to use professional-grade, homemade, or other illegal fireworks or explosives, an estimated 1,200 injuries were from less powerful devices like small firecrackers and sparklers. Additionally, fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires each year, including 1,300 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires, and nearly 17,000 other fires.”
When closely followed, these basic safety tips will help prevent personal injury and fire damage during the festive celebration of this nation’s freedom and independence.
- Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for safely discharging legal fireworks.
- Know the local ordinances regarding the lawful discharge of approved fireworks. Failure to follow these ordinances could lead to severe fines and penalties.
- Keep in mind that the persons discharging the fireworks may be held responsible for any damages caused by the fireworks. For example, if the fire department is called out to extinguish a brush fire caused by fireworks, the person or group who discharged the fireworks may be responsible for covering the cost to extinguish the blaze. A small fire involving only a few acres could cost tens of thousands of dollars to put out.
- Always have adult supervision present when enjoying fireworks. Only discharge fireworks that are approved for personal use. Never light fireworks while someone is holding them.
- Young children should never handle fireworks. Older children should have close adult supervision and use protective eyewear.
- Once the firework fuse is lit, immediately get away from the device until it discharges. Do not attempt to handle or re-ignite fireworks that have malfunctioned. Both used and unused fireworks should be soaked in water for a few hours before disposal.
- Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that fail to discharge. Have a garden hose or a fire extinguisher handy in case of fire.
The best way to enjoy fireworks while celebrating a holiday is to attend a fireworks display sanctioned by city or county authorities and conducted by certified, licensed, and approved pyrotechnic professionals. Enjoy the sights and sounds while staying safe!
Pre-qualify a damage restoration company before a fire damage disaster occurs. Knowing who to call after a fire can save time and reduce the extent and cost of the fire damage restoration project.
For more information about fire damage restoration in Haltom City, TX, contact the SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth team at (817) 741-5737 or email the office at office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com.
How SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth Serves the Needs of Elderly Clients
6/8/2021 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth highlights the reasons why they are a trusted provider of property damage restoration services for elderly clients.
Locally owned and operated, SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth is a trusted fire, smoke, and water damage restoration company serving the area around Keller, TX. SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth builds upon a dedication to serving local communities with honesty and professionalism and provides continuous coverage twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
Adult children with elderly parents, who live either nearby or hours away, can take advantage of the opportunity to pre-qualify a property damage restoration company before a disaster strikes. Here are seven reasons why it makes sense to proactively anticipate a disaster by vetting a SERVPRO damage restoration company.
- Faster to any disaster 24/7, including all holidays
SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth is strategically located to respond to a property damage disaster faster than any other damage restoration company in the area. This rapid response is a core priority of the SERVPRO corporate culture. SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth provides emergency cleaning and restoration services twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, including all holidays. Adult children living outside the Northeast Fort Worth area can expect an immediate response time, day or night, when an elderly parent suffers a property damage disaster that needs immediate attention. By the time a family member arrives, SERVPRO is on the job, moving forward with whatever services are needed in an emergency.
- Professionalism that exceeds expectations
Upon arrival at the residence, a technician will assess the damage. A full estimate with documentation, including pictures, is provided to the elderly parent. The estimate can be remotely reviewed by the elderly parent’s children or caregivers. Current phone technology allows an adult child to be virtually present when the technician explains to the elderly parent the extent of the damage and the immediate steps the team will take to mitigate the problem, stabilize the situation, and begin the restoration process.
- Hassle-free management of insurance claims
The staff at SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth is able to manage the complicated and sometimes confusing insurance claims process. SERVPRO franchise owners are often well acquainted with the insurance companies in the area and have positive working relationships with the local agents, having collaborated with them on many property damage restoration projects.
- Experienced, competent, and certified technicians
The SERVPRO experts adhere to the highest IICRC standards and are some of the best-trained technicians in the industry. Having a wide range of professional certifications ensures that the proper mitigation and restoration methods are utilized in the home. Adult children of elderly parents can rest easy knowing that a reliable remediation company is on-site and actively addressing the immediate mitigation and restoration needs. Peace of mind comes from knowing that an elderly parent’s home is in good hands.
- A team that is like family
The team at SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth lives and works in the communities of Fort Worth, Park Glen, Heritage Trace, Melody Hills, and Keller. SERVPRO technicians often know the customers they serve, their extended family, and their friends. This familiarity is extremely beneficial on those occasions when a team arrives on-site to deal with a stressful water, fire, smoke, or storm damage disaster.
- Professionals who care
A core value at SERVPRO is empathy. The SERVPRO professionals understand the stress, confusion, and grief that a senior citizen experiences when cherished personal items are destroyed by fire, smoke, or water damage. Property damage restoration often involves recovering and restoring sentimental items that are associated with fond memories of loved ones past and present.
- Practical advantages of pre-qualifying a reputable and well-respected property damage restoration company
Adult children who live in a different town or state than their elderly parent or parents should consider the practical benefits of pre-qualifying a reputable and well-respected property damage restoration company. Schedule an appointment to meet the owner and technician team of the SERVPRO franchise nearest the elderly parent. Strategically place refrigerator magnets for the local franchise on appliances such as the refrigerator, dishwasher, washing machine, and freezer in case of a water damage disaster resulting from one of these appliances. Place the brand magnets in key locations such as the bathroom, bedroom, or kitchen.
The repetitive, well-positioned brand magnets serve to familiarize senior citizens with the brand name, logo, and franchise colors. In case of an emergency, the elderly parent struggling with memory issues will have plenty of opportunities to spot the SERVPRO contact information. Consistent branding across multiple platforms (vehicles, uniforms, equipment, etc.) can reduce confusion and build confidence and trust in an elderly resident struggling with memory issues. Companies that lack this comprehensive brand consistency could confuse or startle some clients. Stress, disruptions of the normal rhythms of life, loud noises, unfamiliar faces, and other unusual stimuli can cause confusion and elevate cognitive impairment in some senior citizens.
SERVPRO has experience working with elderly clients, and the team understands the challenges they face. SERVPRO employees are connected to the local area and often know friends and family members of the clients they serve. This sense of community is so valuable when the team arrives at the scene of a property damage disaster and discovers that the client is an old friend of the family or even a distant relative. Pre-qualify a fire, smoke, storm, or water damage restoration company in Keller, TX, so that an elderly parent knows who to call in the event of a property damage disaster.
For more information about Keller, TX, water damage restoration, contact SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth by calling (817) 741-5737 or by emailing office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com.
SERVPRO's Quick Actions Can Help Reopen Your Store Doors More Quickly After a Water Damage Event
6/2/2021 (Permalink)
Water damages from winter freeze
Your Fort Worth retail store hinges on having the right goods for the shoppers that happen into your store. While every day is a new challenge to bring people in through the doors and get them to spend some time perusing your wares, something seemingly as trivial as a water emergency could significantly gum up the works. Instead of worrying about customer retention and attracting new business, you are now worried about how long your establishment has to keep its doors closed and the effect that this has on your bottom line and the employees that count on their paycheck every week.
Commercial water damage in your Fort Worth store can present itself in several ways. The real struggle with an occurrence like this is to get it cleaned up, and the area restored as quickly as you can. Without professional restoration services, like those provided by our SERVPRO team, you might not have the ability to reopen your business for quite some time and still might not have corrected the full problem that you had initially faced.
One of the primary concerns that you face is the apparent potential loss of profits from having to close the business while restoration efforts are underway. With our experienced SERVPRO team, your doors can reopen more quickly, allowing this perceived loss in profits to be a little less extreme than it could have been with your intentions of trying to clean up the mess on your own.
The threats to your stock and structure are another concern that needs to get considered when it comes to professional restoration. The longer that water sits against structural components and stock in your store, the more damage that it does. It does not take long before the damage is irreparable to the stock items and structural components weaken to the point of requiring replacement.
Your employees count on your retail store to pay their bills and provide for their homesteads. The longer that your business has to remain closed for the cleanup process, the longer that these dedicated employees are without the pay that they need to survive. This reality should give you an excellent mindset to choose professional restoration services to thoroughly and promptly clean up the mess and restore the damages to the business.
There is no time to lose when water damage affects your business. With the threat of compounding damages and the loss of profits, choosing professional restoration services like our SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth team is a smart choice. Give us a call today at (817) 741-5737.
Commercial Water Damage Experts
6/2/2021 (Permalink)
Damages caused by Texas Winter Freeze
Drying out wet materials and contents inside your Fort Worth warehouse is an essential part of the restoration process. After standing water and moisture in carpet gets extracted, building materials must be dried so that more damage does not occur. To help speed up the natural evaporation process air moving and dehumidification systems get implemented.
If moisture sits inside your business' warehouse for too long items stored there may get ruined. If moisture resulting from a commercial water damage incident in Fort Worth does not get removed within 24 hours, mold can develop on building materials and contents such as tools or products stored for your company. Mold can cause health effects with some people and commonly develops inside a building that contains excessive moisture in the air and building materials.
When drying out moisture inside a structure, our SERVPRO technicians use air movers and dehumidifiers to create an environment that speeds up the drying of wet materials. The pieces of equipment get arranged in places that do not impede foot traffic and hinder business operations. The air movers get set up so that they push air in a counterclockwise motion hitting walls at a 45-degree angle to push the wet air away from the walls. The dehumidifier then pulls water out of the air, dispenses it in liquid form, and exhausts out warm, dry air that gets used in the air flow created by the air movers.
As water naturally evaporates off of wet materials the air close to it holds moisture. The air movers push this moist air into the center of the room where the dehumidifier can remove the water vapor. However, we do not position the air movers directly at the dehumidifiers because that would reduce the quantity of warm air coming out of them. Dehumidifiers instead get placed so that air movers can intake the hot, dry air exhausted out of them after water vapor is removed.
The correct positioning of drying equipment can reduce the time it takes to dry out moisture inside your warehouse thus saving your company money. Calling SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth at (817) 741-5737 after a loss can prove to be beneficial to your business.
SERVPRO FST Technicians Can Clean Up and Restore Smoke and Fire Residues
6/2/2021 (Permalink)
Damages sustained by grease fire
Nobody ever expects it to happen, but from time to time it still does. No matter how careful you are, it is still possible for a small fire to start inside your Keller home. Often small fires start in the kitchen during the cooking process.
Sometimes appliances malfunction or you accidentally get that cooking grease a little too hot. Anytime fire breaks out inside your home you had better call in SERVPRO's fire damage experts in Keller. Even if the fire seems small, there is possibly more damage done to your home than you realize.
For instance, if a fire gets started in the kitchen say on the stove, the area on the stove that the fire burned possibly appears only slightly charred. However, it is possible that there is damage caused that is not so noticeable. Anytime a fire burns inside the home the heat from the fire and the smoke it sometimes creates negatively affects areas of the home beside the exact location the fire's source.
If a fire starts on a stovetop, then the first place the flames and smokes head is directly up towards the kitchen's hood system, if there is one. The heat from the fire possibly burned or caused smoke damage to the venting system. Heat generated from the flames can also char or cause damage to other areas of the kitchen that might not be in plain sight. It is possible for heat and smoke to get behind cabinets and appliances and cause damage to those areas.
The smoke coming from open flames possibly causes a lot of extensive damage itself. Smoke can get to other areas of the home and ruin contents and building materials. Smoke and soot are abrasive and can etch glass, and pit other hard surfaces. Oily fires can also easily stain porous surfaces like drywall. SERVPRO's team of experts know how fires burn and can clean up the damage that occurred during a fire.
If you ever have a fire take place in your home, it is smart to call in the experts because they know exactly where to look for damage. moreover, how to restore your home to its preloss condition "Like it never even happened." Anytime even the smallest fire starts inside your house it is wise to call SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth at (817) 741-5737 for help 24/7.
Why Tarping Should Be Implemented Quickly After Storm Damage That Causes Water to Enter the Home
5/6/2021 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth highlights the benefits of quickly securing emergency tarping services after storm damage.
A locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth is the leading storm damage restoration company serving the Fort Worth, Keller, and Park Glen areas with continuous coverage twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. When severe weather damages a home, SERVPRO technicians are ready to respond to any disaster.
The Importance of Emergency Roof Tarping When Disaster Strikes
The roof, an essential part of any structure, is designed to protect the occupants and their belongings from the elements. A tiny roof leak can cause major property damage issues, including potential water damage to ceilings and walls, structural damage to support beams, and a full-blown mold infestation hidden in the attic and behind walls.
Unfortunately, most instances of major roof damage occur during severe weather situations. Intense thunder, torrential rain, pelting hail the size of a quarter, high winds, and even tornadoes wreak havoc on the roof. Shingles are ripped up and blown away. Plywood sheeting takes flight in high winds. The exposed attic yawns to receive rain and hail.
The roof damage may not be limited to one roof. Most likely, dozens, if not hundreds, of homes in the same area have been impacted to some extent by the wind, rain, and hail. In some instances, limbs and trees may have toppled onto the home, inflicting damage to the entire structure and not just the roof.
It could be days before a roofing contractor is able to inspect the damage and weeks before the damage is repaired. In the meantime, unless an intermediate solution is found, buckets of rain will pour through the roof, expanding and worsening the extent of the water damage. In warm, moist conditions, mold can begin to grow in one to two days.
The Benefits of Emergency Tarping
Homeowners may wait for weeks before receiving proper roof repair services. The intervening solution is emergency roof tarping. Emergency roof tarping can be the difference between minor water damage in the attic or collapsed ceilings, ruined flooring, significant structural damage, and a massive mold infestation. A minor leak may lead only to an inconvenience. A massive breach in the roof could be unhealthy and very dangerous.
Is Emergency Roof Tarping Effective?
Homeowners can minimize water damage with emergency roof tarping. Tarping effectively stops the leak by covering the damaged area. Stopping the flow of water, even if it is minuscule, prevents the damage from expanding. It also gives the wet areas of the attic and ceiling time to dry out.
Many roof leaks are small and barely noticeable at first. Most homeowners do not regularly inspect the roof after a storm, and many homeowners who do visually inspect the roof after severe weather are not sure what to look for. If water damage is negligible and limited to an obscure or inaccessible area such as the attic, the damage may go unnoticed for quite a while.
The main benefit of emergency roof tarping is to stop a small roof leak that does little damage from becoming a larger roof leak that causes widespread damage. Though emergency roof tarping is temporary, it works well in the short term until roofing services can be scheduled.
Steps in the Tarping Process
Step #1: Prepare the roof for the tarp.
Professionals with ladders and safety gear must clear out any debris such as damaged plywood, shingles, and other roofing materials.
Step #2: Evaluate the damage and prepare a restoration estimate.
The area of concern must be inspected to assess the damage and estimate the cost of the repairs.
Step #3: Make temporary structural improvements to support the tarp.
Plywood and support timber are applied to the damaged area before the tarp is installed. The additional construction supports the tarp and serves as a second water shield in case the tarp fails.
Step #4: The emergency tarp is installed.
Workers place the tarping on top of the plywood and secure the tarp with lumber. Tarping is only temporary and may not completely stop all water leaks. Water damage losses may expand until the roof is permanently repaired, and these additional minor losses will be added to the insurance claim.
Why Would a Homeowner Need Emergency Tarping?
What are some situations where a homeowner would need emergency roof tarping?
- Hurricanes, tornadoes, or severe weather damage a roof
- Delays in roof repairs require interim tarping
- High winds cause branches or trees to fall on a roof
- A home inspection prior to a home sale turns up a roof leak
The experts at SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth specialize in the cleanup and restoration of property damage caused by hurricanes, tornadoes, or severe weather. Technicians can provide emergency tarping, board-ups, security fencing, pack-ups, and storage.
To learn more about storm damage restoration in Keller, TX, contact SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth, TX, at (817) 741-5737 or email the office at office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com.
Rely on SERVPRO to Restore Your Home and Its Contents after Fire Damage
5/3/2021 (Permalink)
Fire Damages
Enjoying a relaxing time with friends and family in your Fort Worth home's rec room helps you stay more productive at work while also enjoying quality family time at home. Most of the time, this stays an uneventful passing, but unfortunately, accidents can happen, also.
When activities in your Fort Worth home get cut short because of fire damage, we can help undo the damage and restore your property. At SERVPRO, we stay on top of the latest developments in the restoration industry, meaning we can always help those in our community when they need us the most. The three main aspects of fire damage all require attention and skilled technicians who can mitigate the situation thoroughly and with professionalism.
It is only through the removal and replacement of charred materials and burnt personal belongings that some aspects can regain their appearance and functionality. When walls burn, removing the damaged sections prepares the area for reconstruction work. Inventory lists of damaged clothing, toys, books, and other items help replace like-kind items, helping your family get everything back to normal faster and with less effort.
Smoke from a small fire in your rec room can travel quickly to all other parts of your home. This smoke leaves not only soot and ash in fine layers on surfaces, making everything a grimy mess, but it also invades the smallest crevices in your home's interior. Although we remove the visible remnants of the smoke, protecting your family from this carcinogenic stew, much can remain in the smaller, less-accessible areas in your home.
Hidden soot can cause problems as the particles disintegrate and become airborne again. Not only do they produce an ongoing foul odor, ruin your food's appeal, and make your home smell terrible, they can also expose your family needlessly to the same carcinogenic compounds found in the original soot. We often use thermal fogging to rid homes of such problems. The fog follows the same pathways of the fire's smoke, and wherever the chemical agents encounter soot, reactions between the two changes the soot into an inert substance, unable to enter the air again. Our Odor Control Technician (OCT) handles this and other related tasks after this and other types of disasters.
We partner with qualified specialists who can restore electronic equipment after a fire. Both heat and smoke that entered into the housing of your devices can cause problems. After any disaster that might affect your video games, computers, or other gear, these should remain unpowered until after a thorough inspection. Circuit boards and other connections can short out if you power on damaged equipment, rendering your equipment useless or in need of expensive repairs.
Wanting to help families in our area recover as quickly as possible from the trauma of fire damage, SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth can be contacted by dialing our local number, (817) 741-5737, at any time, day or night, 365 days a year.
How SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth Uses Advanced Equipment to Provide the Best Services to the Community
4/13/2021 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth explains how using advanced equipment enables its team to deliver the best damage restoration services to the community.
Locally owned and operated, SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth is the leading residential and commercial property damage restoration company serving Fort Worth, Keller, Park Glen, and the surrounding areas. Superior training, adherence to the highest IICRC cleaning and restoration standards, 24/7 availability, and a commitment to providing the best customer service are hallmarks of the SERVPRO team.
Over the last few decades, significant strides have been made in restoration and cleaning technology and techniques. SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth has made the commitment to embrace these emerging advancements. SERVPRO technicians utilize specialized equipment, resources, and techniques to provide the best damage restoration and cleaning services in the industry to the Northeast Fort Worth area.
Choosing the best property damage restoration company can be challenging and confusing in light of the recent innovations in the restoration industry. Companies that take advantage of these innovations are more efficient, thorough, and reliable and can provide better results and greater value to customers.
Here are some of the advancements that empower SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth to restore a property to its preloss condition quickly, reliably, and more effectively.
- Infrared cameras
Infrared cameras can detect water hidden behind walls, ceilings, and flooring. The ability to detect water hidden from view increases efficiency by eliminating the need to deconstruct damaged areas in search of hidden water. This technology can save on reconstruction services and the time required to complete the damage restoration process. Companies that do not have access to this amazing technology must rely upon water detection techniques that are inefficient, costly, and often fail to discover the full scope of the damage. Overlooking hidden water can lead to mold issues in the future. SERVPRO customers can be confident that the latest technology has revealed hidden water damage, which can then be mitigated with other cutting-edge tools.
- Hygrometers
Psychrometry is defined as “the science of study of various properties of air, method of controlling its temperature and moisture content or humidity and its effect on various materials and human beings.”
A hygrometer, an important measuring device in the science of psychrometry, detects and measures humidity in the air. This indispensable tool is an essential item in the water damage restoration tool kit. It lets the technician know that moisture is being removed from the structure.
Low humidity does not kill mold, but it does slow down the growth of mold. Optimal humidity levels in the home are between thirty and fifty percent. The only way to accurately measure humidity is with a hygrometer. A sustained low humidity level indicates that the water and moisture mitigation process is making measurable progress.
- Industrial pumps
In water damage disasters involving large-volume water intrusions, SERVPRO technicians will deploy industrial-grade pumps to remove water from buildings, stories below grade, parking garages, homes, and basements. These pumps can remove up to 36,000 gallons of water daily. The rapid evacuation of large quantities of water limits advanced secondary water damage in large-scale disasters. Staging a multi-pump response gives SERVPRO the ability to meet the needs of any size water damage disaster.
- Water extraction units
The well-equipped technicians have a wide array of water removal options, including both truck-mounted and portable units that efficiently remove water from a home or business affected by a water damage disaster. This equipment works to quickly remove any remaining standing water, as well as water in hard-to-reach places such as under flooring and in carpeting. Racing against the clock, technicians work to remove excess water and prevent further water damage and potential mold growth.
- High-speed air movers
A wide variety of high-speed air movers accelerate moisture evaporation, effectively curbing mold growth and advanced secondary water damage.
- Industrial-grade dehumidifiers
High-performance dehumidifiers eliminate remaining moisture in the air, bringing the drying process full circle. Mold needs water and moisture to thrive, so removing the moisture from surfaces and decreasing the humidity will prevent mold growth.
- Air scrubbers
After a fire, soot and contaminated dust particles must be removed from the air. Industrial air scrubbers quickly and continuously purify the air, remove harmful particles, and neutralize toxic fumes.
- Thermal foggers
Thermal foggers are employed to effectively deodorize a home or business. Sometimes thermal foggers are used to disperse fungicides. Because the vapor droplets produced by thermal foggers are so small (0.5-10 microns), the deodorizer can penetrate more deeply into surfaces that need to be treated.
- OSHA-approved sanitizing and disinfection agents, germicides, and antimicrobial treatments
Over the last several decades, researchers and scientists have developed sanitizers, disinfectants, germicides, and microbial treatments that are environmentally friendly and safe for humans and pets. Utilizing these remarkable innovations proves SERVPRO’s dedication to creating a safe, clean & comfortable living environment for you and your family.”
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial properties that have suffered a property damage disaster. By leveraging the latest, most advanced technology, techniques, and solutions, the expert team of restoration professionals at SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth can restore a damaged property to its preloss condition and return life to normal for the homeowner or business.
For more information about damage restoration in Fort Worth, TX, call SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth at (817) 741-5737 or email office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com.
Flooding from Storms Needs Immediate Extraction--Call SERVPRO
4/9/2021 (Permalink)
Post Storm Mitigation
Removing standing water after a storm needs to happen immediately after the event occurs. Calling a professional water removal company can have the right amount of personnel, equipment, and resources on your doorstep quickly enough to prevent saturation of critical areas of your Fort Worth home.
Reliable water removal services are available throughout the Fort Worth area. You obtain 24/7 emergency response service, a no-cost estimate of damages found on your property, and a highly trained team of professionals ready to ensure your water removal gets done right.
Extracting standing water and drying the entire structure of your home may sound like an easy task. However, since every situation is different, there is always the chance of something going wrong. You need a skilled team of IICRC-industry certified professionals that can adjust on the go, making changes needed to provide you with a successful restoration.
Leaving flood waters on your property for an extended amount of time can cause severe damage to the structural integrity of your home's support system, walls, ceiling, flooring, and insulation. Hesitating may also cause corrosion, and rot, leading to additional problems as time goes on, if mold has the opportunity to set in, restoring your home requires additional services.
SERVPRO's qualified technicians utilize a variety of water location and extraction equipment to ensure proper water removal on your property. Everything from hand-held portable units to truck-mounted water extractors, infrared moisture detectors, hygrometers, dehumidifiers, air-movers, and attachments make finding, removing, and drying the affected area easier.
SERVPRO crews are standing by to provide you with the services and technical knowledge necessary to return your home to a quality condition after heavy storms, rain, or flooding occurs in your home. Make the most of what is available in your area and give us a call, today.
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth offers quality solutions to residents in Fossil Creek, Keller, and Park Glen, as well as other surrounding communities. We are proud to serve, providing water removal, cleaning, and restoration services you can trust. (817) 741-5737
Common items affected by water damage in your home
4/9/2021 (Permalink)
Flooring affected by water damages
Ground-floor bedrooms can be among the most heavily affected rooms in a home in Fossil Creek when flood damage hits. While sleeping areas on second floors may be safe from most of the effects of rampaging floodwaters, ground floor and basement bedrooms contain many amenities that may be more vulnerable to severe water damage than objects found in other parts of the home. SERVPRO excels in restoring materials without having to replace them whenever possible, but we still see some of our most challenging work cut out for us wherever bedrooms are concerned.
Bed Sets
Flood damages can cause costly damage to sheets, mattresses, pillows, and any other parts of a bed. For some homeowners, these items can represent a combined total of thousands of dollars in value. One of the primary things we do after arriving and ask many residents to do before we get there is to separate pillows, sheets, and other layers from each other. Keeping these items separated out early on helps them to dry out faster and prevents color bleed from taking place.
Carpeting
Most local homes fill their bedrooms with carpeting and rugs that can sustain severe damage in the event of a flood. Storm floods typically cause warping, discoloration, and material degradation in both the upper layers of carpeting and in the padding below them. Depending on the conditions, we may be able to replace sections of carpeting while keeping other areas intact selectively, but most floods force us to replace flooring in carpeted rooms entirely.
Valuable Belongings
Many valuable personal items are stored in the average bedroom, including electronics, clothing, objects of sentimental value, and a wide range of other possibilities. While some items may be lost forever after being inundated with water, others may yet be salvaged. We examine every damaged item individually to determine if and how we should attempt to clean and restore it.
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth helps local homeowners to recover from the effects of flood damage on a 24/7 basis. Call us at (817) 741-5737.
A Water Damage Crisis
4/9/2021 (Permalink)
Water backup in shower
As a Keller homeowner, you might not even be fully aware of all of the situations that could result in water emergencies in your home. To stop and think of all the possibilities can become overwhelming, not to mention that some of the sources of these incidents are nearly impossible to prevent. The best preparation for the possibility is to know whom to call to restore resulting damages quickly and mitigate your out of pocket expenses at the same time.
Water damage to your Keller home might come from a number of locations, but the result is almost always the same: excess water on your floors and walls that you do not have the time or resources to clean on your own. Fortunately for you, our SERVPRO team works to be the first to every disaster and can be reached any time of the day to help you restore the damage to your home from any emergency.
When it comes to water damages, our team arrives at your home and immediately starts to assess the condition of the affected area and the extent of the damage that the water has caused. Depending on the severity of the present water, our SERVPRO team could choose water extraction equipment such as pumps and vacuums or choose to rely on our concentrated air movers and dehumidification equipment to dry out the affected area.
Once the water has gotten successfully removed, the source of the problem can get identified and repaired. If the situation calls for more extensive construction than our team is equipped to handle, we can prepare the area for this construction so that a contractor only needs to arrive and install new materials in the formerly damaged areas.
Our team is an excellent choice for any manner of water emergency that you might have to face in your home. While the situation might seem overwhelming at first, our SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth specialists can have your home restored and your mind at ease quickly. You can reach our emergency response team anytime by calling (817) 741-5737.
SERVPRO Northeast Ft. Worth Is Here To Help
4/9/2021 (Permalink)
Our SERVPRO vehicles are at the ready!
SERVPRO Northeast Fort Worth can help stop a flooded house in Fort Worth
One of the worst feelings in the world is waking up to a flooded house due to a water leak within your home. Some of the major culprits of water damage are caused by broken supply lines to the toilet, supply lines to dishwashers, supply lines to clothes washers, AC leaks in the condensation lines, and water heater tank leaks. It is a good general rule of practice to have your AC and your water heater serviced by a licensed professional at least once a year in order to avoid leaks. Also check your supply lines to the toilets and dishwashers at least once a year for cracks or frays within the line. These simple checks can help one avoid costly damage due to water leaks within your home.
If you are faced with a water leak the first order of action is to find the source of the leak and, if possible, stop the leak. The easiest and most efficient way to do this is to turn the water off to the house, which is located next to the water meter. The meter is located outside of the home by the front street, and can be easily turned off with a T bar wrench.
Once the water leak is stopped it is then time to extract the water as quickly as possible. The longer the water is sitting in the home the more damage to belongings and structure occurs. Possible mold growth can start to develop if the water is not removed within a timely fashion. It is very important to call SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth when face with water in the home. We have the ability to quickly extract the water to lessen the home damage. We understand drying technology to properly install air movers and dehumidifiers in order to quickly dry out areas in your home.
At SERVPRO Northeast Fort Worth we work hand in hand with your homeowners insurance to safely and professionally dry our your home, thus saving the you time and expense and quickly getting you back on their feet after a water loss. Most insurance companies prefer to work with our company due to our professionalism, honesty, and industry experience in the field of water loss remediation. We work closely with insurance adjusters and insurance companies in order to help ease the burden on the affected homeowner.
If you are faced with a water loss please do not hesitate to call SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth.
www.SERVPROnortheastftworth.com
817-741-5737
We offer a variety of services
4/9/2021 (Permalink)
Post Carpet Cleaning
Many people do not realize this, but SERVPRO also offers a wide variety of cleaning services. From pet stains to graffiti, SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth can help you restore your home or business with expertise.
Some of the cleaning services offered are:
Air Ducts and HVAC – One of our most popular cleaning services is a thorough cleaning of heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit. This can help greatly with indoor air quality, as well as energy efficiency.
Odor Removal – For odors that come from both inside and outside the house, SERVPRO can help eliminate odors in your home or business. Some common sources of odors can be cigarette smoke, mold, skunk spray, and biohazard. We are also able to remove items such as clothes and furniture to our onsite ozone chamber. We recently had a claim where a client’s dog brought in a skunk and we were able to remove the odor from his home by utilizing our ozone machines.
Commercial Cleaning Services – When you need cleaning services that go beyond the scope of your regular janitorial staff, you can rely on us to make your workspace look its very best.
Vandalism and Graffiti - Our technicians can act quickly to address vandalism and graffiti to your house or commercial building. We can remove spray paint, as well as clean driveways, sidewalks, metals, woods, plastic and masonry.
If you find yourself in need of one of these cleaning services, please give us a call at 817-741-5737.
The Reason Fort Worth Residents Call SERVPRO for Property Restoration Services
4/8/2021 (Permalink)
Here at SERVPRO, we make it "Like it never even happened."
When property disasters strike in Fort Worth, you need to act quickly to secure your home and save your possessions by enlisting professional restoration services. We operate right here in Texas and can arrive onsite within four hours of notification of loss to any size disaster, residential or commercial. Our technicians are given industry-leading training which blends with their qualifications from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification- an internationally recognized guideline provider. We gain experience from every job we do, and today, we offer one of the most qualified teams of technicians for water, fire, mold, or storm-related damages.
Water
Clean water emergencies are hard to plan for and can occur for any number of reasons, including faulty plumbing, heavy rainfall, or overflow. The more time moisture remains in the property, the higher the likelihood that irreversible damage is caused. Our priority is to remove excess water, dry and clean the property after a water loss to your Fort Worth home. We achieve that by mobilizing the right equipment and workforce for each situation rather than adopting a one size fits all approach.
After making contact with our customer service team on our emergency line, we can send a water restoration technician (WRT) to your property. Waterlogged flooring or carpets can usually be drained using extraction units. Depending on the scale of your emergency, our team can decide on a truck-mounted unit for high volume extraction or a portable unit that works better where access to the property may be restricted.
Waterlogged fabrics are up to 50% weaker when wet. Our restoration services take into account the different makeups of each property we enter. Thick carpets benefit from heavier extraction units that squeeze moisture from the material. Thin carpets, on the other hand, may sustain damage under the weight of a heavier unit. For weaker carpets, we may untack edges, and place an air-mover between the subfloor and the carpet. This process is called floating the carpet and can be a valuable specialty drying technique for owners of Fort Worth residences.
Fire (HVAC)
When fires burn at high temperatures, they can increase the internal air pressure as well as produce vast plumes of smoke that quickly spread around the home. Hot smoke moves toward cooler air and surfaces. This process can be particularly problematic if your heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system are switched on during the fire. Hot smoke is drawn into the supply side of your HVAC, deposited onto the interior metal surfaces, and travels throughout your home via ventilation shafts resulting in significant fire damage in your Fort Worth home.
As part of our restoration services, SERVPRO technicians can assess your HVAC system for damages. One of the core reasons we carry out this assessment is to make sure soot is not re-deposited into clean rooms after deodorization and sanitization. We can restore your HVAC system by placing air whips into the shaft and applying negative air pressure once soiling has been sufficiently loosened by the whips. We can also remove ventilation grates, to clean behind them and replace the damaged ones with clean filters.
If there is damage to the system itself, we cannot cover that under our restoration services. However, we can arrange for a trusted third-party HVAC repair service on your behalf, reducing paperwork as well as the stress of having to deal with more than one company. The final step in restoring your HVAC is to run vaporized deodorant through the system to remove any unpleasant odors from spreading around the home.
Mold
Moving furniture around can often reveal hidden areas of mold damage in your Fort Worth home. Finding mold is no reason to panic since mold spores are a natural part of most indoor environments. Once they come into contact with water and begin to reproduce, mold can affect indoor air quality or pose health effects, so it makes sense to enlist the help of professional restoration service. SERVPRO can send a team to your residence to inspect and remediate mold using a combination of cleaning, odor-controlling, and drying techniques.
One of the crucial aspects undertaken during the cleaning phase is the application of disinfectants to surfaces. After removing the visible signs of mold, SERVPRO technicians can treat the surface with disinfectant, bringing it to a sanitary level- this process can also prevent regrowth after service. Where there is restricted access but a strong chance of mold being present, we can fumigate the restricted area with anti-microbial chemicals using fogging equipment.
Mold issues do not necessarily equate to permanent damages in your Fort Worth home. Our expert restoration services can locate, assess the extent of damage, and then remediate the issues to a high level of cleanliness. At the end of service, we can thoroughly fumigate the area using vaporized deodorants to bring odor back under control, and your property back to its preloss condition.
Storm
We are a leading provider of storm damage recovery here in Texas. Our rapid response units are available around the clock should you require emergency restoration after storm damage in your Fort Worth home. Our telephone lines are in operation twenty four hours a day so you know you can reach us in an emergency. We have a team of technicians on-call that can complete vital mitigation tasks to prevent permanent harm to your home.
High winds can pull tiles from roofs or send debris through windows and doors. These types of damage often have secondary consequences, allowing water to seep in and creating more problems for your contents or fittings. Part of our restoration services is focused on the security of your property. Our technicians can perform emergency board-ups as well as reinforcing structural components that may have been blown loose.
These tasks may seem relatively small, but they make a big difference to the amount of damage your property sustains and whether or not that damage is permanent. The less water in your Fort Worth home, the less damage it can cause. The moisture that does get in can be extracted using portable units. After that, our technicians can place dehumidification to dry the affected area thoroughly.
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth has developed a reputation as a fast-responder in emergencies and a dedicated restorer of property damages. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster. Contact us at (817) 741-5737 for premier restoration services.
SERVPRO Offers Certified Water Damage Restoration Services
4/8/2021 (Permalink)
We Restore Businesses
Roof maintenance chores need doing routinely, or the interior of your Fort Worth commercial building may pay the price with deterioration from water damage. Clogged or missing downspouts can send rainwater into the interior of your property rather than on the ground and away from the foundation. If the problems persist, you may need our restoration assistance.
If your business experiences pooling water from the drains and downspouts clogging with debris it is possible your Fort Worth business could slowly accumulated water damage buildup behind walls and above the ceiling tiles. The leaking may not be noticeable at first, but quickly a large area could be affected and need professional remediation from our water damage experts.
It is not uncommon for water damage to take weeks or longer to become so evident that the business owner calls for help. Water soaks into cellulose fibers like those in drywall and ceiling tiles. When SERVPRO crews arrive expect us to spend some time tracing back the leak to make sure we address all damp areas. Our employees employ moisture meters and scanners to locate any hidden water pockets and to help set drying goals. Mastering the use of this technology is one of the goals we have for our team members when they attend IICRC training.
If water is trapped, we use carefully chosen strategies to release it without creating a considerable disturbance of the affected area of your business. Small holes may be drilled in drywall or cinder block mortar joints to let the water move through. If possible, a wand from an extractor passed through an opening in a wall evacuates moisture. SERVPRO technicians learn a wide variety of methods to remove water during our extensive training.
Once standing water is eliminated, SERVPRO crews in Fort Worth use air movers, heaters, and dehumidifiers to dry out the damp areas. Throughout the steps, we are vigilant for any signs of mold growth because of the length of time it took to discover the water damage in the first place. If mold infestation is discovered, we use EPA protocols to contain and remove the colonies and any mold infiltrated materials.
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth covers all the bases when it comes to water damage restoration. Call (817) 741-5737 to set up an assessment for your commercial building.
For more information regarding the city of Fort Worth, click here.
Eight Tips to Help Homeowners Prepare for Tornado Season and Minimize Storm Damage
3/4/2021 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth offers seven tips on how homeowners can prevent storm damage during the upcoming tornado season. Should storm damage occur, the team at SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth can quickly be on the scene as soon as it is safe to begin providing damage restoration services.
Locally owned and operated, SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth is the premier residential and commercial storm damage restoration company serving the Fort Worth, Keller, and Park Glen areas. SERVPRO technicians are the best trained in the industry. Having the highest IICRC standards means customers can trust the property damage restoration team to handle any property damage disaster.
As tornado season approaches, SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth urges homeowners to be prepared. Following the simple measures listed below can prevent or limit unnecessary property damage, save money on costly repairs, and save lives. Should storm damage occur, the team at SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth can quickly be on the scene as soon as it is safe to begin providing damage restoration services.
Tip #1: Know when to expect peak tornadic activity, and keep an eye on the weather.
In an article explaining the tornado season in Texas, the experts state: “While tornadoes can occur all year long, tornado season in Texas runs from March through August. During these months, it is not uncommon for several tornadoes to occur at once. The way tornadoes form is not completely understood, but scientists believe they begin when wind shear causes thunderstorms to rotate. As the winds rotate faster, a funnel cloud is formed, and if this cloud reaches the ground, it is called a tornado.”
Understanding what a tornado is and how it works can create a healthy respect for the power of these potentially devastating meteorological events. Anyone who has personally experienced a tornado has both seen and felt the unleashed power of these storms. A prior experience with a tornado can be a driving motivation to take precautionary steps when tornado season arrives.
Tip #2: Create a list of items to bring inside in the event of severe storms or tornadoes.
The list serves a dual purpose. First, the preparation of the list prepares the mind to think quickly when a storm arrives. It is doubtful that anyone braving high winds, pelting rain and hail, and lightning would be checking off items as they were being collected and stored in the home or garage. However, when minutes count, having a mental list can save time and possible injury from flying debris. Items to store may include:
- lawn and pool furniture
- flags, hanging bird feeders, wind chimes
- portable solar lights
- grill, fire pit, and outdoor fans
- bicycles, skateboards, toys
Tip #3: Clear away any debris and loose items in the yard or on the patio or porch.
Potted plants, garbage cans, dog houses, branches, and even firewood may become missiles when launched by the turbulent winds of a tornado. These and other wind-born items can shatter windows, penetrate siding, and demolish vehicles.
Tip #4: Prune trees so that they are less vulnerable to damage from high winds.
Remove damaged and diseased limbs that can break off and become deadly projectiles. Thin out the larger branches to allow wind to flow through the trees. The services of a bonded, insured, and reputable tree service company will be required to perform these measures safely.
Tip #5: Reinforce garage doors.
Garage doors are often damaged by high winds and airborne debris. If the garage door is destroyed, wind-driven rain and hail can cause serious water damage to the contents of the garage, and any vehicles in the garage can be damaged from debris and hail. High winds ripping into the garage can contribute to catastrophic roof failure and possibly the destruction of the entire home.
Tip #6: Weigh the benefits of installing sturdy permanent storm shutters to cover windows.
Though not as devastating as a direct hit from a tornado, large hail and microbursts can cause extensive damage. Wind-driven hail the size of a baseball or larger can impact a home at speeds exceeding 100 miles an hour. Once a window shatters, rain can wreak havoc inside the home. Shutters can be rapidly closed to protect the windows.
Tip #7: Fortify the home.
The insurance experts at Access Home Insurance offer the following recommendations: “Call a professional to reinforce any masonry walls or other structures that provide support to your home. If you have a chimney, have the professionals secure it with reinforced steel to prevent it from falling off during high winds. Professionals can also assess your home and make recommendations to add additional strength and stability.”
Tip #8: Pre-qualify a property damage restoration company to provide services before the calamity strikes.
SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial properties damaged by a storm. The company can provide emergency tarping, board-ups, security fencing, pack-ups, and storage. The dedicated team also provides restoration services after a fire, smoke, or water damage incident while also handling mold and mildew remediation for the home or business.
For more information about storm damage restoration, contact the SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth, TX, at (817) 741-5737 or email office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com.
Common Causes of Fire Damage in Commercial Buildings
2/10/2021 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth explains common causes of commercial fire damage and advises business owners about how they can avoid these fire risks.
Locally owned and operated, SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth is the premier commercial property damage restoration company serving the Fort Worth, Keller, and Park Glen areas twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth is a true leader in the restoration industry. Having the highest IICRC standards means customers can trust the property damage restoration team to handle any commercial or residential fire, water, or mold disaster.
Common Causes of Commercial Fires
The U.S. Fire Administration reported that there were an estimated 103,600 non-residential building fires for the years 2009-2018. This works out to about twenty-seven fires per day or a little over one commercial structural fire per hour in the United States.
The most common causes of non-residential building fires included:
- 30.6% - Cooking
- 11.5% - Unintentional, careless
- 9.8% - Intentional
- 7.8% - Electrical malfunction
- 6.9% - Heating
- 5.7% - Open flame
- 5.3% - Other heat
- 4.7% - Other equipment
- 3.8% - Equipment malfunction
- 14.7% - Miscellaneous: appliances, exposure, natural, smoking, causes under investigation
The top six causes listed above account for nearly three out of four non-residential commercial fires.
Restaurants are particularly susceptible to fires. Easter magazine reported that fire departments across America responded to an average of 8,240 structure fires at eating and drinking establishments each year between 2012 and 2016. These fires caused $246 million in property damage.
From 2013-2017, fire departments responded to an estimated average of 4,630 structure fires per year that involved hot work — welding torches, cutting torches, heat-treating, soldering, etc. These fires caused $355 million in direct property damage per year.
By incorporating a comprehensive fire safety and prevention protocol in commercial buildings, many commercial structure fires can be avoided or minimized in their impact. An effective fire safety system has three crucial prongs:
- Detection
- Control
- Extinguishing
Detection: Smoke and fire alarms
Smoke and fire detectors should be strategically located throughout a commercial building. Placement is not enough. Periodic testing and maintenance of each device and the overall system should be a top priority for the facility’s safety coordinator. Smoke and fire detectors not only save lives, but they are also necessary for code compliance.
Control: Fire and smoke curtains
The second prong of an effective fire safety system encompasses controlling the fire and smoke once a fire has erupted. Installing fire and smoke curtains at critical junctures protects employees, machinery, equipment, tools, raw materials, and product. Controlling the spread of the fire and smoke buys time for employees and staff to exit the building. Slowing the spread of fire and smoke also allows more time for the fire department to arrive on the scene, safely assess the situation, and stage the response to the fire.
Extinguishing: Sprinklers and fire extinguishers
The third prong of an effective fire safety system includes extinguishing the fire soon after it breaks out. Over thirty percent of non-residential fires involve cooking. Therefore, restaurants and other food preparation locations, being high-risk zones, should proactively ensure that they are adequately protecting the structure, staff, and customers with sprinklers, well-maintained smoke detectors, fire alarms, and easily accessible fire extinguishers.
Other Crucial Considerations
Having a Fire Prevention Safety Plan is essential for every commercial structure. Many counties in Texas, including Tarrant County, require Third-Party Plan reviews for all new construction projects to include building and fire protection systems. Project owners must still apply for all applicable permits with the Fire Marshal’s Office.
The success of any fire safety plan depends upon effective training. When a fire erupts in a manufacturing unit or a warehouse full of combustibles, employees and staff have only minutes to save data, shut down production lines, secure the facility, and escape. Every second counts. Disciplined training saves lives.
Finally, fire and water damage restoration must be achieved rapidly. When a production line, retail sales outlet, restaurant, or service center goes offline or idle, profits plummet. To help businesses recover quickly from water and fire damage, SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth will work with business owners before disaster strikes to formulate a Ready Plan.
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial properties after fire, smoke, or water damage. For more information about fire damage restoration, contact SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth, TX, at (817) 741-5737 or email office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com.
SERVPRO Technicians Have Safety in the Forefront After Water Damage in Your Home
1/24/2021 (Permalink)
Equipment drying the vanity
Sometimes, a Fort Worth water damage case may prove so severe as to warrant a quarantine or exclusion zone within your home. While we do not make these calls lightly, SERVPRO has to institute such safety precautions for some situations to protect both you and your home while we conduct restorations. While our technicians are typically more than able to explain the full reasoning behind such precautions, it might pay off to know what situations can commonly lead to this decision.
Electrical Hazards
If your Fort Worth home has water damage in a broad area or standing water in a room, this area typically must be cordoned off due to the potential presence of electrical hazards. When outlets and large electronic appliances come into contact with volumes of water, they create a major hazard to anyone not protected by specialized clothing like that worn by SERVPRO technicians.
Mold
If our inspectors find a mold of a dangerous species or spread, they may create a quarantine area to stop its spread and shield residents from potential health effects the mold can cause. We are well-qualified to handle mold situations, so worry not if we do find a problem. We simply incorporate mold remediation into the present cleanup job and keep moving.
Septic Tank Spillage or Other Waste Hazards
When a septic tank has spilled, or some other disaster involving biological waste has occurred, we typically bar access to this area to prevent contamination from occurring. Tainted water sources carry large quantities of bacteria, viruses, and fungi that can create serious health effects even through simple proximity. If you know that your septic tank has ruptured or spilled, be sure to inform our personnel before they arrive so adequate preparations can be made.
Structural Damage
More severe water damage has the potential to cause structural damage to the home. If our trained inspectors find signs of this, they may ask you and your family to vacate the area immediately. Structural collapse can happen suddenly, and without prompting, so it is best to stay away from the at-risk area until we have had enough time to ensure its safety.
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth is trained and equipped to deal with water damage of any variety. Call us at the first sign of trouble at (817) 741-5737.
Nine Grilling Safety Mistakes That Can Lead to a Fire Damage Disaster
1/7/2021 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth urges homeowners to avoid nine grilling safety mistakes.
Locally owned and operated, SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth is the premier damage restoration company serving the Fort Worth, Keller, and Park Glen areas with continuous coverage twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth is a true leader in the restoration industry and builds upon a dedication to serving the Fort Worth community with honesty and professionalism. SERVPRO technicians are the best trained in the industry. Having the highest IICRC standards means that customers can trust the property damage restoration team to handle any commercial or residential fire, mold, or water disaster.
Grilling is more popular than ever
Without a doubt, grilling is a favorite pastime in Texas. The frequency of grilling has skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic as more people spend more time in their backyard enjoying the fresh air and robust flavor of hamburgers, steak, or fish cooked on the grill.
Grilling safely: Grilling mistakes to avoid
Grilling can be dangerous, and caution should be exercised when firing up the grill. Between 2014-2018, fire departments responded to more than 10,000 home structure and outdoor fires involving grills per year. The annual damage totaled almost $150 million. Here are some grill safety tips that warn grill masters of mistakes to avoid when grilling.
Mistake #1: Cooking too close to a structure or combustible material
Cooking under an awning or under a tree to avoid the hot sun could get a griller burned. Floating embers could turn a tree into a gigantic torch. The grill should be at least ten feet away from the deck railing, home, wooden shed, or garage. Use long-handled grilling tools for personal safety.
Mistake #2: Leaving an active grill unattended
Kids and pets do not mix with lonely grills. Playing near an unattended grill is a recipe for disaster. A dog’s sniffer is estimated to be over a thousand times more sensitive than the human nose. Multiply the savory aroma of that sizzling, juicy steak a thousand times, and the temptation is unbearable. Keep this fact in mind when stepping away from the grill.
Mistake #3: Grilling indoors
Believe it or not, some people grill in the house or garage. Cooking inside on a gas or charcoal grill is a fire hazard. Grills also produce carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas that can be deadly. Stay safe by keeping the flame, smoke, and heat outside where it belongs.
Mistake #4: Not cleaning the grill on a regular basis
Clean grills yield better tasting food and are less likely to produce flare-ups. Clean the grill after every use. Be sure to remove grease and fat buildup from the drip tray and grates.
Mistake #5: Failing to use a meat thermometer
The only way to determine if food has been heated to a temperature that is high enough to kill harmful bacteria is by using a meat thermometer. Grill masters need to practice good food preparation hygiene to avoid cross-contamination and food poisoning.
Also, dispose of marinades and sauces that have come into contact with raw meat. Use clean utensils and a clean plate to remove cooked meat from the grill. Wash hands thoroughly with soap before and after handling any raw meats such as seafood, poultry, beef, and pork.
Mistake #6: Cooking too many steaks on the grill at once
Too much fat dripping on the grill flames can cause a flare-up. Cook steaks, hamburgers, hot dogs, kabobs, or other items in batches to avoid grill flare-ups.
Mistake #7: Igniting a gas grill with the lid closed
Gas grills cause more house fires than charcoal grills. Lighting the grill with the lid closed allows gas to buildup, producing a fireball at the point of ignition. Practice open-lid lighting. Should the flame go out, turn the grill and gas off. Wait five minutes before attempting a relight. Charcoal grill owners need to be very careful when dousing briquettes that just do not seem to want to light.
Mistake #8: Forgetting to shut off the grill
Take the extra few seconds to turn off the burners and the fuel lines. Charcoal grillers should allow the coals to completely cool before disposing of them in a metal container.
Mistake #9: Unprepared to extinguish a fire
One of the fire damage hazards of grilling outside is the wind. If a fire erupts, the wind can cause the flames to spread rapidly. Have a supply of baking soda handy in case of a grease fire. Use a fire extinguisher for other fires. Do not use water on a grease fire.
SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial properties after a fire, smoke, or water damage incident. For more information about fire damage restoration in the Northeast Fort Worth area, contact the office at (817) 741-5737 or email office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com.
Why SERVPRO Relies on Advanced technology for Water Removal
1/4/2021 (Permalink)
Flooding in office
Whom do you call when you arrive home after work and find water pooling all over? Whether the water is from a clean source or not, it is likely to cause a wide range of problems including deterioration of materials, soiling, and microbial growth. One viable option is to call SERVPRO since we offer professional water removal services. Our crews are highly trained, and IICRC certified. We also use advanced technology and techniques to save your property after water loss.
Using different approaches during water removal in Fort Worth is possible. An approach that removes the water fast helps prevent secondary issues that arise from a water spill. For example, mold develops within 24 to 48 hours after the spill. Our SERVPRO technicians rely on advanced technologies for fast removal. We have dry-wet vacs, pumps and truck-mounted water extractors. The added capabilities like heating and storage in the water extractors we use allow us to multitask between removal and restorative cleaning if the need arises.
Although the spill is the problem, removal can be very disruptive requiring the removal of contents such as furniture or tearing down walls and other permanent fittings like countertop cabinets. Such additional steps introduce extra costs and prolong the process even further. Using advanced technologies, our SERVPRO technicians limit the amount of teardown or movement needed to dry the property effectively. Using advanced moisture detection equipment like thermal cameras, moisture sensors, and thermo-hygrometers, we check the level of migration to determine whether we can dry carpets in-place. We also have advanced equipment like injectidry systems that help remove moisture from wall cavities and below wooden floorboards without requiring teardown.
The effectiveness of the drying phase after a water loss incident has serious ramifications. Leaving moisture traces in any part of the house leads to problems like mold later on. Our SERVPRO technicians rely on industrial grade dehumidifiers and high-speed air movers to dry excess moisture from the spill "Like it never even happened."
Do not hesitate to call SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth when there is a spill. You can reach us at (817) 741-5737 any time.
Your Keller Business Needs to Look and Smell Inviting after Fire Damage Restoration
1/4/2021 (Permalink)
Fire Restorers
Presentation is important for any business, and doubly so in the service sector. If you own or manage a store or restaurant, your customers will likely be discouraged or even scared off by obvious signs of damage and visual blemishes on your property. SERVPRO knows first-hand that some of the most thorough visual damages to a building can come from fires, whether through the burn itself or any associated events and factors. These blemishes and issues are commonly cleaned up by our restoration teams, to ensure that once a company's doors get back open, they stay open.
Burn Marks
Burns and char easily rank among the most visible types of commercial fire damage in Morgan Park, immediately giving away to any observer the fact that a fire has burned in the area. Blackened or darkened materials, even if they have no other major damage beyond discoloration, can still be resource and time-intensive to cover up, often requiring a wide cleaning and repainting job to make sure colors blend well and no burn material remains.
Smoke and Ash
Smoke and ash leave a profound impact on a building, to both the sight and smell of anyone nearby. Smoke is a pervasive scent and easily noticeable in most cases, but can also leave behind a great deal of smearing and coat surfaces. Depending on the type of smoke and conditions of this fire, this may be a relatively easy cleanup job, or a more thorough repainting may be in order.
Structural Damage
SERVPRO can also help to restore mild structural damage caused by a fire, rebuilding walls, floors, supports, and other elements of a building if they have been burned through or collapsed on. We always aim to restore before replacing, and in this way can potentially save you thousands in reconstruction costs where they are not necessary.
SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth is always here to help in time of fire restoration please feel free to call us at
817-741-5737
Northeast Fort Worth Damage Restoration Company Debunks Seven Water Damage Myths
12/7/2020 (Permalink)
Here to Help
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth debunks six water damage myths that can delay the beginning of the restoration process and lead to advanced secondary water damage.
Locally owned and operated, SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth is the premier damage restoration company serving the Fort Worth, Keller, and Park Glen areas with continuous coverage twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. SERVPRO technicians are the best-trained service providers in the industry. Customers can trust the property damage restoration team to handle any commercial or residential fire, mold, or water disaster.
Even if there is doubt about whether a water damage incident is severe enough to call a property damage restoration specialist, the homeowner should still make the call. There is nothing to lose but much to gain. Delay costs valuable time.
- Time for mold and mildew to begin to grow
- Time for drywall to wick up water
- Time for bacteria to grow in carpeting, making it unsalvageable
- Time for colors to bleed and fade in drapes, upholstery, and furniture
- Time for baseboards to warp
- Time for ceilings to collapse
- Time for the flooring to buckle
In short, there is no time to waste when faced with a water or fire damage disaster, no matter how large or small it might be.
Here are six myths and misconceptions that need to be dispelled when considering what to do when faced with a property damage disaster.
Myth #1: “I will have to deal with the insurance company all by myself.”
Truth: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth will not only help the client deal with the insurance company, but the team will also walk the customer through the process and provide a free estimate of what it will cost to restore the damaged property. SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth works with the insurance company to obtain for the client the best claim payout for the water, fire, or flood damage.
Myth #2: “The water will dry up by itself.”
Truth: Large scale water damage will not dry by itself. Small scale events can cause significant damage if the water is not immediately and completely removed. Water trapped in walls and under flooring can linger indefinitely, providing a perfect breeding ground for mold. Once the mold has established a foothold, the cost of cleanup can rise dramatically. SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth uses advanced equipment and techniques to rapidly and completely remove water and moisture from a home or business damaged by water or flooding. Advanced technology measures moisture levels, enabling technicians to know when the water and moisture are eliminated.
Myth #3: “I don’t have to call a restoration company immediately.”
Truth: An immediate response from a water damage restoration professional is crucial to limit advanced secondary water damage. Swift action lessens the scope of the damage and is critical for insurance coverage.
Myth #4: “I can’t afford water damage restoration services.”
Truth: Insurance will usually cover some or all of the expenses to repair the water damage and restore the damaged scene to normal.
Myth #5: “I only have to worry about the water damage.”
Truth: A water damage event is multi-faceted. Mold growth, structural damage, and sewage damage are just a few of the other dangers that lurk after a water damage incident.
Myth #6: “I can clean up the water by myself.”
Truth: Remediating water damage requires professional training, special equipment, and advanced technology. Water, fire, and sewage damage create environments that are hazardous to human health. The restoration process involves more than water removal, drying, dehumidification, sanitizing, disinfecting, and deodorizing. Special precautions must be taken to preserve the health of the technicians during the restoration process and to ensure the health of the homeowner and any family members after the property is restored.
SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth strongly encourages homeowners, businesses, and other property owners to vet locally owned and operated property damage restoration specialists so that when disaster strikes, trusted options are immediately available. Taking hours to research property damage restoration specialists when every minute counts can allow the scope of the damage to expand and the expense of the restoration process to significantly increase.
SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke, or water damage incident while also providing mold and mildew remediation.
For more information about damage restoration in Northeast Fort Worth, contact the office by phone at (817) 741-5737 or email office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com.
How To Select The Right Fire Damage Restoration Company
11/12/2020 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: An overview of factors and considerations to help you pick a fire restoration company that can meet your expectations, including certification, expertise, experience, reviews, and more.
There's no doubt that fire can be unimaginably destructive. Still, many people underestimate the damage the smoke and the water and flame retardants used to extinguish the blaze can do. All three elements require a different approach when it comes to restoration and cleanup.
Because of the critical role a fire restoration company plays in ensuring your home or business recovers, it’s vital to find the right one. Knowing what to look for can make the choice easier in an already stressful time.
Here are some of the primary elements to look for when choosing a fire damage restoration company:
Certification
Certification is one of the essential factors to consider when choosing a fire restoration company. Make sure they have all the necessary state and local certifications that will legally allow them to provide restoration services and that they are up to date.
Look for Cleaning and Restoration Certification from the Institute of Inspection in particular, but also pay attention to the company's sub-certifications that specify the additional specialized services they can provide. Some examples of these services include commercial and structural drying and mold remediation.
Expertise and Experience
Besides having the proper certification, the company's employees should also be fully licensed and well-trained fire-damage experts, able to handle a wide range of scenarios.
While expertise is crucial, hands-on experience is arguably more important. Every case of fire damage needs the utmost care since incorrect assumptions early on can prolong or derail the restoration unnecessarily. With adequate experience, such misconceptions are less likely to happen.
Make sure that the fire restoration company you choose has more than enough experience and has handled a good deal of similar restoration projects.
Referrals and testimonials
Get first-hand information from the company's past clients regarding their experiences working with each particular fire restoration company. You can also ask for recommendations from other sources, such as your insurance carrier.
Rather than fixating on a single negative or positive review, look for a pattern. Even the best companies have a few outliers in their feedback profiles.
Explore specialties
Different fire restoration companies have different areas they specialize in. Every asset is different, so the company should handle and treat it differently. Assess your assets, determine your priorities, and look for a company specializing in that area.
Recovery time
Seconds can make the difference between being able to recover an item and having to replace it. Choose a company that offers rapid response times. They should also provide sound advice on the actions to take when salvaging possessions from a fire.
Detailed schedule
A good fire restoration company should provide an in-depth, estimated completion date and a detailed schedule of the steps their team will take during the recovery process.
Storage facilities
Some companies offer storage facilities. If they do, find out more information about those facilities such as storage space and other conditions like security and temperature control. Likewise, inquire whether the company provides packing services and how accurate they are at keeping records.
Costs
Most fire restoration companies will provide a free consultation regarding the work to be done. While these costs typically vary based on the extent of damage, having an estimate allows you to pick the option that falls closer to the amount you are willing to spend.
With these few factors and considerations, you should be able to pick a fire restoration company that can meet your expectations. In Fort Worth, SERVPRO is the industry leader.
Why SERVPRO?
SERVPRO is an all-in-one fire restoration and water cleanup company that has served Fort Worth for over 50 years. Their services include mold removal, commercial cleaning services, building restoration services, and more, to ensure you can get your home or business back to normal with just one phone call.
For more information about fire restoration services, contact SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth.
How Long Should It Take To Fix Flood Damage In Fort Worth?
11/3/2020 (Permalink)
Warehouse of Drying Equipment
Fort Worth residents are accustomed to storms rolling in out of a perfectly beautiful afternoon. They make for some interesting skies to watch and photograph, but the resulting floodwaters can cause homeowners thousands of dollars in restoration costs.
Cleaning up the debris and soiling left over after flood damage in Fort Worth may seem daunting, but it is hardly the most challenging task, primarily when handled by a skilled team with sophisticated equipment. Our SERVPRO technicians use simple equipment such as shovels, as well as advanced ones like power washers to remove soils from the property quickly.
Drying excess water left over after flooding incidents can take time. Water loss incidents that affect your Fort Worth property often prevent you from staying in the home or building. As water sits in the property, it soaks into different materials complicating the removal process. Our highly trained technicians use a variety of equipment including air movers to speed up the drying process. Typically, one air-moving unit can cover 150 to 300 square feet since we remove carpets and pad for disposal instead of drying them. By calculating the total square feet affected in the incident, we can estimate the expected turnaround time for drying.
Restoring flood damage can take longer if secondary problems develop. Mold infestation and deterioration of materials such as wood through rotting and warping add extra steps lengthening the process. Where possible, our technicians take precautions to prevent these problems. We try to dry materials within 48 hours to prevent mold development. We also set drying goals that lead to balanced drying preventing problems such as cracking. In case we cannot prevent the issues, put our building service skills to use tearing down affected areas to replace affected materials and refinish surfaces to deal with the problem - we are Here to Help.
For fast restoration after a flooding incident, call SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth at (817) 741-5737 to help. We are available 24/7.
Avoiding Fire Damage In Your Home
11/2/2020 (Permalink)
Damage from grease fire
Most electrical fires are caused by faulty cords, plugs and appliances so knowing safety and fire prevention are keys in avoiding fire damage to your home or business. The following are steps that homeowners and commercial property managers can take to avoid costly fire and soot damage.
Electrical Cord Safety:
- Inspect all cords for frayed or damaged casings
- Never damage or break off the third prong in a plug
- Never break off a third prong plug and plug into a two prong outlet
- Replace all 2 prong outlets with 3 prong outlets
- Do not pull out cords from the cord always pull out plugs from the plug.
- Use surge protectors sparingly as it is possible to overload a circuit if too many plugs are pluged into one outlet.
- Extension cords are to be used as temporary cords.
- Use the correct gage when using an extension cord
- Try to keep cords from running underneath a carpet or rug
- Keep cords away from water and heat sources
Appliance Safety:
- Follow manufacturers instructions
- Disconnect small appliances when not in use
- Disconnect appliances when you are going to clean them
- Unplug small appliances if you are going to leave town for an extended period
- Check phone chargers for overheating
At SERVPRO Northeast Fort Worth we are there to help our customers in a fire and soot damage situation with fast service in order to get you back on your feet. Please feel free to contact us at : 817-741-5737
Any Water Restoration Project in Keller May Require Multiple Steps To Complete
11/2/2020 (Permalink)
Water Damages
H2O is found naturally and is needed for you and your family to live a comfortable lifestyle at your Keller residence. Therefore, all homes have a complex plumbing system that could fail one day forcing you to contact a water restoration company like SERVPRO. Moisture does not mix well with the organic materials that make up your house's structure and interior building materials. When things get saturated, they tend to lose their strength and disintegrate. Anytime excessive moisture enters your living area, it is vital to start steps towards complete water restoration immediately.
Problems with moisture are the most likely type of damage that your property can suffer. To prevent things from falling apart and mold from growing, our SERVPRO team is available 24/7 in Keller to conduct water restoration operations. If your plumbing system develops a crack or one of your appliances chooses to act abnormally, you could find yourself walking in water when you enter the affected area. As much as stepping in a puddle is unpleasant to you, your building materials and contents that you rely on to live a comfortable lifestyle are not designed to be able to recover from being wet quite like us humans are.
Water is a powerful force, and we have all seen the devastation it can cause during floods or hurricanes. But what some people do not know is that the liquid natural resource can be destructive even in small amounts. Excessive moisture can and will ruin pretty much anything if it gets wet enough and it is left damp for a long enough period.
To make matters worse, if materials inside your home get wet the presence of moisture can cause problems in other areas that the water never even touched. Escalated humidity levels are also known to destroy certain materials that make up a building's structure. Also, if humidity and moisture levels stay high for more than 48 hours, any organic substance inside your dwelling becomes susceptible to microbial contamination. If you ever see or feel wet materials inside your home, please call SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth at (817) 741-5737 so that we can help prevent future secondary problems.
How to Prepare for Severe Weather
10/2/2020 (Permalink)
Storm Damage
Northeast Ft. Worth residents and other North Texans are familiar with the destructive power of storms. On October 20, 2019, residents of North Texas lived through what Forbes Magazine describes as “the most costly tornado in Texas history.” While thankfully no lives were lost, Texans suffered “more than two billion in damages, according to the Insurance Council of Texas. More than 30,000 auto and residential claims have been filed to date…”
The same article notes that claim costs could be even higher because the storm and tornado tore through Preston Hollow, a high-end Dallas neighborhood loaded with multi-million dollar estates.
The EF-3 tornado cut a wide path nearly 16 miles long, leaving unbelievable devastation in its wake. Not since 1976 had a tornado that powerful roared through the area.
Nine Storm Preparation Tips
- Get and stay informed.
Tune in to the local radio or TV station and community alert system for emergency information. Keep a battery-operated/solar-powered radio on hand.
- Inspect the emergency survival kits and the food and water supply.
The emergency kits should be stocked with essential items. If one or more are not available, purchase the necessary items to properly outfit the kits. Stock up with a two-week supply of food and water. The tornadoes that hit the North Texas area in 2015 and 2019 left thousands of homes and businesses without power for weeks.
- Round up plenty of LED flashlights and batteries.
LED flashlights burn much brighter and last much longer than traditional flashlights. Heavy-duty solar-powered landscape lights can perform a double function as an attractive landscape feature and as an emergency light. Gather them up before the threatening storms, tornadoes, or approaching hurricane.
- Fully charge the car chargers.
The chargers can be used to charge a personal cell phone, smartphone, and other portable devices.
- Secure all outdoor furniture.
Secure outdoor furniture and other objects or move them inside. An EF-2 (135 mph) or EH-3 (140 mph) tornado can destroy an outdoor swing or trampoline. Deck furniture can disappear never to be seen again.
- Collect tools and emergency building materials.
Sandbags, plywood, and waterproof tarps will come in handy if windows are blown out, or a roof is torn off, or the shingles are damaged. Keeping as much water as possible out of homes and businesses will reduce damage to the interior. Keeping the inside as dry as possible will hinder the growth and spread of mold.
- Fill up automobiles and equipment.
Store fresh fuel for the emergency generator if one is available. Use approved fuel containers and store the fuel in a safe, dry place.
- Know how to shut off the utilities.
Should the home or business receive extensive damage, it may be necessary to shut off utilities, such as gas, electricity, and water. If evacuation is required, turn off utilities before leaving if time permits.
- Gather documents and records.
After a severe storm disaster, residents may need ID to prove who they are. Gather and store ID documents in a portable waterproof, fire-safe security chest. Important identification documents include birth certificates, Social Security cards, marriage certificates, adoption papers, passports, naturalization documents, wills, living wills, powers of attorney, and property deeds/titles. If there is room in the chest, include essential or memorable DVDs, portable disks, and flash drives. A better solution may be to create a document cache with files and images of relevant documents, ID cards, and photos. This cache can be stored on the cloud, and duplicated on a flash drive that is kept on hand. Personal IT management is essential, especially during and after a house fire or natural disaster.
Conclusion
Preparation is the key to weathering the storm when it hits. When it does, contact a storm damage restoration specialist. Emergency tarping and boarding, site stabilization and security, immediate water damage restoration, and other disaster recovery procedures can best be implemented by expert technicians facilitated by advanced equipment and technologies.
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth is a trusted leader in the restoration industry as well as in the local community. They provide 24-hour emergency service and are dedicated to responding faster to any size disaster. They pride themselves on having not only the training but also the expertise to handle their customer's restoration and cleaning needs. They are locally owned and operated and can respond immediately to an emergency. Being locally owned, they make every effort to stay involved in the community providing their time and services when needed.
For more information about storm damage cleanup, call SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth at (817) 741-5737 or email office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com.
Team SERVPRO Thoroughly Remediates Water Damage After an Event in Your Home
8/23/2020 (Permalink)
Our SERVPRO Franchise can help remediate a water loss resulting from a faulty shower
A hot shower at the end of a long day in Fort Worth is a welcome thing, but when the shower water begins to escape and to pool where it should not be, you have a problem on your hands. The shower pan or shower base is a waterproof floor which includes the drain and is made to protect the shower area subfloor. Made usually of concrete and tile, terrazzo, metal, or concrete, if it has missing tiles or is sloped poorly, you are dealing with water damage in Fort Worth from a shower leak.
If for any reason your shower has caused a leak in your bathroom, the issue needs to be fixed right away. Continual exposure to moisture quickly creates mold in your bathroom, and you need help with the water removal as well. SERVPRO can come to your aid whenever you need us.
Once our techs have entirely removed any standing water and then dried out your home again, we can perform the restoration services. These include all the tasks that are needed to return your home to its normal condition before the loss. The restoration process can include any repairs to the structure and contents, final cleaning, final inspections and all of our equipment being removed from the job site when done. We also ensure that all of your belongings are put back into place.
One thing SERVPRO staff has to watch out for in a water damaged bathroom is the condition of any ceramic tile which was affected. The grouted joints are usually waterproofed when installing over plywood. However, any cracks make it vulnerable to water damage. The tile often is unaffected, but water can penetrate the grouting, causing warping or expansion of the subfloor, which causes the tiles to come apart at the joints and become loose. We need to repair your subflooring in this case and reinstall the tiles afterward.
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth is thorough when it comes to water removal and restoration of any damage left behind by the leak. You can trust us to take care of your home in Trace Ridge, Heritage Trace, or Keller when you call us at (817) 741-5737.
For more information regarding Fort Worth, click here.
What Happens After You Call Us? When Face with Water Storm Damage
8/19/2020 (Permalink)
Call SERVPRO to prevent secondary damages to your home
Within Minutes
- Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path.
- Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery, and belongings.
- Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets.
- Photographs, books, and other paper goods start to swell and warp.
Hours 1 - 24:
- Drywall begins to swell and break down.
- Metal surfaces begin to tarnish.
- Furniture begins to swell and crack.
- Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain.
48 Hours to 1 Week:
- Mold and mildew may grow and spread.
- Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp.
- Metal begins to rust and corrode.
- Furniture warps and shows signs of mold.
- Wood flooring swells and warps.
- Serious biohazard contamination is possible.
More Than 1 Week:
- Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive.
- Structural safety, mold growth, and biohazard contaminants pose serious risks to occupants.
At SERVPRO Northeast Fort Worth we are there to help our customers in a fire and soot damage situation with fast service in order to get you back on your feet. Please feel free to contact us at:
817-741-5737
http://www.SERVPROnortheastftworth.com/
Hire Professionals For Commercial Water Removal
8/12/2020 (Permalink)
Call SERVPRO if your business suffers from a water loss
When you own your Fort Worth business, it is common to demand much from yourself and your staff. Any challenge to daily operations becomes another task on your agenda, delegated to the work team on your roster that best matches the job requirements. No matter how talented your workforce, some issues are best left to experts, including water removal. We specialize in all matters concerning water damage and offer help backed by trained technicians and cutting-edge products and equipment.
Plumbing ages and eventually springs minor leaks your staff manages in any Fort Worth business, but significant pipe damage during planned remodeling requires water removal immediately. The quantity of water a pipe breach spills into your commercial property exceeds the amount a housekeeping or maintenance crew can resolve. One of our core services is water removal, and our crews arrive at your site fast, equipped with high-efficiency submersible pumps and extractors that can be truck-mounted and powered if the electricity is interrupted temporarily because of the water crisis.
You and your staff concentrate on operating your business as our SERVPRO crew focuses on water removal and structural drying. We work with you to avoid disrupting your employees and customers while we complete the job. Avoiding even a brief shutdown due to the water crisis is crucial to maintaining the confidence you built over time with your clientele. We remain keenly aware of the need to meet customer service and employee needs during the water removal process.
After the water removal, SERVPRO always moves on to planning and implementing structural drying. Our vehicles carry sufficient numbers of air movers, heaters, and dehumidifiers to set up drying patterns throughout the affected spaces. Crew members measure and then monitor moisture levels, following the drying principles (psychrometry) mastered during IICRC training. A balance of air movement, temperature, and air humidity forces water vapor out of building materials into the atmosphere where it absorbs or condenses within our desiccant or refrigerant dehumidifiers for containment and disposal.
Depend on SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth to step up and handle your commercial water removal crisis. Reach us 24/7 at (817) 741-5737 because we know disasters occur any day or time.
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Overcoming Mold Growth In Your Fort Worth House
7/22/2020 (Permalink)
Bacterial growth can appear anywhere in your home
Not every disastrous situation that occurs in your Fort Worth home happens dramatically. Sometimes situations develop throughout days or weeks that spread throughout affected areas of your home that pose threats to the structural integrity and the health of the occupants within the property. Mold growth is one of the situations that might not develop overnight, but by the time that homeowners notice its presence, can already be out of control.
Recovering from mold damages in your Fort Worth home requires a fast response from experienced technicians who have the appropriate equipment. Our SERVPRO professionals can respond quickly to this emergency and work to quarantine the affected areas to avoid the spread of mold spores to new surfaces and thwart the spread of the thriving colony with the application of our air scrubbers. These machines can trap mold spores in the environment to keep them from relocating.
Our franchise takes great pride in the work that our technicians do to obtain their mold remediation certification from the IICRC. As the organization that sets quality standards for restoration work throughout the industry, this certification can ensure to our customers that our professionals know what it takes to remove the mold in their homes and restore the damage that the organism has caused. These same technicians pursue in-house training opportunities to continue their knowledge and growth within the mold remediation and restoration facet of the industry.
Preliminary work from the moment that we arrive can help eliminate the moisture that allowed mold spores to seat and colonize within your house. Our state-of-the-art equipment and products available to the SERVPRO technicians dispatched to your home can also prevent the spread of the colony while our team prepares the steps for removal. Products like our OSHA-approved antimicrobial solution can prevent fungal growth on unaffected surfaces and adversely affect current growth to preserve the material playing host.
Mold isn't going away on its own. When you need professional assistance for a situation like mold growth, you can count on our SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth remediation technicians to help. Give SERVPRO a call anytime at (817) 741-5737.
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Water Loss Swift Service by SERVPRO Reduces Lost Revenue to Fort Worth Retail Shops
7/7/2020 (Permalink)
SERVPRO Technicians are certified and experienced in the mitigation process
If water ever leaks into your Fort Worth jewelry store, the damage caused can be devastating. If the leak comes from a level above your store's floor, water can pour in from the ceiling and cause significant issues that require prompt commercial service. If water saturates building materials such as ceiling tiles or drywall materials, they can lose their structural integrity and crumble. When building materials degrade, they create safety hazards for the employees working in your Fort Worth business.
Other hazards can be created during and after a pipe break, or other leak takes place including trip hazards and electrical hazards. The first thing our SERVPRO restoration crew does when arriving on the scene of a water cleanup job in Fort Worth is to secure the work area. We start by inspecting your entire store and looking for potential hazards. We know that it is vital to keep your store functioning during the restoration process if possible, therefore we strive to keep the work area safe for your employees and ours.
Safety hazards our SERVPRO technicians repair if possible so that they do not create danger. Other areas that cannot be immediately fixed get blocked off with caution tape until the hazards can be eliminated. Factors like severe structural problems and electrical hazards must be repaired by a certified professional before mitigation work can begin.
Once the work area is deemed safe by our SERVPRO team, we start by extracting excessive moisture from your store's structure. If there is two inches deep of standing water or more, we get rid of this first by implementing a submersible pump. The pump sets in the standing water and sucks it out of the building and deposits it into a sewer drain or waste tank, a portable sump pump.
If there is moisture present inside your store's carpeting or your furniture's upholstery, we use specialized extraction equipment to remove water. Our extraction equipment consists of a heavy duty truck mounted pump that has its own power source.
Promptly removing moisture is essential to preventing secondary damage to your products. If material inside your store stay wet humidity levels indoors rise and can cause your display cases to warp and valuable jewelry products to rust--not the gold. Call SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth at (817) 741-5737 any day of the week to keep your shop open.
Seperate your Contents and Structure when Restoring Fire Damage in Fort Worth?
6/25/2020 (Permalink)
Fire Damage within home
It is essential to take elaborate restoration steps after fires damage buildings and the contents within. Although your concern might not be on what damage falls under content or structure, there might be reasons why you need to distinguish the two aspects. Among the reasons is for insurance purposes since insurance policies make that distinction. Restorative cleaning also involves separation since cleaning contents and structure happen separately.
Structure refers to any item attached to the building permanently when addressing fire damage in Fort Worth. So, any damage to the walls, framework, ceilings, and attached floor coverings fall under the structure. Components like light fixtures, HVAC systems, and bath fixtures also qualify as part of the structure. Our SERVPRO technicians are Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certified ( IICRC) certified in Fire and Smoke Restoration (FST), so they make the necessary distinction when scoping a fire loss.
Understanding the distinction between structural and content damages helps during fire loss cleaning. It is essential to move contents away from affected sections of the building. Our SERVPRO technicians move contents to a clean section within the building for onsite cleaning. We can also move out items to a facility offsite for advanced restorative cleaning. We also evaluate the structure to establish whether restorative cleaning is enough. In case of extensive blistering by heat or charring by flames, we dispose of the affected structure items.
When cleaning the structure, it is essential to do tests to establish which cleaning approach to use. An appropriate cleaning method removes fire residues without causing further damage to the surface or the material. Our SERVPRO technicians test and classify structural materials as washable and non-washable depending on whether wet cleaning is possible. Another reason for doing tests is to establish the type of residue left on the material to determine the best cleaning method. For grease and other oil-based residues, we use dry solvent cleaning agent even when the affected material can be wet-cleaned.
For the elaborate restoration of your home after a fire loss, call SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth to help. We are ready at (817) 741-5737 any time. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster
Call Serpvor For Professional Commercial Water Removal
6/25/2020 (Permalink)
Damage Caused by Water
When you own your Fort Worth business, it is common to demand much from yourself and your staff. Any challenge from daily operations becomes another task on your agenda, delegated to the work team on your roster that best matches the job requirements. No matter how talented your workforce, some issues are best left to experts, including water removal. We specialize in all matters concerning water damage and offer help backed by trained technicians and cutting-edge products and equipment.
Plumbing ages and eventually springs minor leaks your staff manages in any Fort Worth business, but significant pipe damage during planned remodeling requires water removal immediately. The quantity of water a pipe breach spills into your commercial property exceeds the amount a housekeeping or maintenance crew can resolve. One of our core services is water removal, and our crews arrive at your site fast, equipped with high-efficiency submersible pumps and extractors that can be truck-mounted and powered if the electricity is interrupted temporarily because of the water crisis.
You and your staff concentrate on operating your business as our SERVPRO crew focuses on water removal and structural drying. We work with you to avoid disrupting your employees and customers while we complete the job. Avoiding even a brief shutdown due to the water crisis is crucial to maintaining the confidence you built over time with your clientele. We remain keenly aware of the need to meet customer service and employee needs during the water removal process.
After the water removal, SERVPRO always moves on to planning and implementing structural drying. Our vehicles carry sufficient numbers of air movers, heaters, and dehumidifiers to set up drying patterns throughout the affected spaces. Crew members measure and then monitor moisture levels, following the drying principles (psychrometry) mastered during IICRC training. A balance of air movement, temperature, and air humidity forces water vapor out of building materials into the atmosphere where it absorbs or condenses within our desiccant or refrigerant dehumidifiers for containment and disposal.
Depend on SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth to step up and handle your commercial water removal crisis. Reach us 24/7 at (817) 741-5737 because we know disasters occur any day or time.
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What type of water overflow do you have in your Fort Worth home or business?
5/21/2020 (Permalink)
SERVPRO equipment drying restroom from a CAT 1 water loss
Water from sewer system backups should be considered very dangerous. The water is grossly unsanitary and may contain bacteria and viruses that could cause serious illness. Special training and equipment is necessary to safely clean this type of contamination. Luckily, SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth is here to help!
The three types of contaminated water:
Category 1: "Clean Water"
This is water from a clean source, such as a broken clean water supply line or faucet. If left untreated, category 1 water can quickly degrade into category 2 or 3 water depending upon such factors as time, temperature, and contact with contaminants.
Category 2: "Gray Water"
This water has a significant level of contamination that could cause discomfort or illness if ingested. Sources for category 2 water may include washing machine overflow; toilet overflow with some urine, but no feces; or dishwasher overflow. It can quickly degrade into category 3 if left untreated.
Category 3: "Black Water"
This water is grossly unsanitary and could cause severe illness or death if ingested, and any contact should be avoided. Sources for category 3 water could include flooding from rivers or streams, water from beyond the toilet trap, water from the toilet bowl with feces, or standing water that has begun to support microbial growth.
Did your home or business have a sewage backup or toilet overflow? Call us today at 817-741-5737 !
Commercial Water Damage Experts
5/15/2020 (Permalink)
Drying mat systems at work
Drying out wet materials and contents inside your Fort Worth warehouse is an essential part of the restoration process. After standing water and moisture in carpet gets extracted, building materials must be dried so that more damage does not occur. To help speed up the natural evaporation process air moving and dehumidification systems get implemented.
If moisture sits inside your business' warehouse for too long items stored there may get ruined. If moisture resulting from a commercial water damage incident in Fort Worth does not get removed within 24 hours, mold can develop on building materials and contents such as tools or products stored for your company. Mold can cause health effects with some people and commonly develops inside a building that contains excessive moisture in the air and building materials.
When drying out moisture inside a structure, our SERVPRO technicians use air movers and dehumidifiers to create an environment that speeds up the drying of wet materials. The pieces of equipment get arranged in places that do not impede foot traffic and hinder business operations. The air movers get set up so that they push air in a counterclockwise motion hitting walls at a 45-degree angle to push the wet air away from the walls. The dehumidifier then pulls water out of the air, dispenses it in liquid form, and exhausts out warm, dry air that gets used in the air flow created by the air movers.
As water naturally evaporates off of wet materials the air close to it holds moisture. The air movers push this moist air into the center of the room where the dehumidifier can remove the water vapor. However, we do not position the air movers directly at the dehumidifiers because that would reduce the quantity of warm air coming out of them. Dehumidifiers instead get placed so that air movers can intake the hot, dry air exhausted out of them after water vapor is removed.
The correct positioning of drying equipment can reduce the time it takes to dry out moisture inside your warehouse thus saving your company money. Calling SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth at (817) 741-5737 after a loss can prove to be beneficial to your business.
We Provide Flood Damage Restoration in Keller
5/15/2020 (Permalink)
Severe thunderstorms can cause damage and flooding in your home. A tree branch can fall on your roof, leaving a large hole for water to come in. Acting fast can prevent significant damages to your home. If you hesitate to call a professional, it could lead to the loss of furniture and belongings and could ruin your walls and flooring. When possible, our team can restore your property and save many of your items.
SERVPRO flood damage restoration in Keller and surrounding areas involves inspecting the damages and securing your home. Our techs can cover the hole in your roof with waterproof tarpaulins or with plywood. They also can check for broken windows or missing doors and can board or cover and seal them. We secure entry points to your home to prevent water from entering the premises. Plus, it helps keep birds, squirrels, and other animals from invading your residence.
Our technicians know that responding fast can reduce damages and work quickly to remove water from inside your home. They can use portable or truck-mounted extractors or commercial grade pumps and wet vacuums to eliminate water from the structure. Rapid water removal can also prevent secondary water damages such as rot and mold growth. We strive to get to your home promptly and begin the job as soon as we arrive to help reduce restoration costs and the number of damages.
Storm waters can also ruin interior walls, flooring, and ceilings. Our techs may have to remove wet materials like carpeting, drywall or insulation. If further construction is necessary, we can help homeowners get in touch with a general contractor. Flood waters contain toxic substances, which mean our techs must throw out all contents like carpeting, padding and any furniture that may come in contact with the water. During the drying phase, we may use air movers and industrial axial fans to dry the structure thoroughly. The crew may also employ dehumidifiers to reduce moisture levels.
If you need reliable and efficient flood damage services in your area, call us 24/7 at (817) 741-5737. SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth can get the job done. We are always nearby and ready to help.
Stormwaters Are No Match for SERVPRO's Technicians and Equipment
5/1/2020 (Permalink)
SERVPRO fans drying out structure
Planning for flash flooding in Ft. Worth is hard. Its very definition indicates that it was unpredictable. Thunderstorms brew in our area, bringing relief in times of drought, but there is no way to shut the rain down when it transforms from welcome to a disaster. When water flows into the lower levels of your home, you need our help fast.
The Fort Worth area experienced flood damage during recent storms, and your house is on the list of affected properties. You feel overwhelmed, but a referral from a friend brought you together with our trained flood restoration team. We get immediately to work on the damage done to your foundation and crawl space because we understand just how devastating standing water can prove to be.
Our service vehicles are equipped with nearly every piece of equipment imaginable to remove water and begin drying out the area. We chose to operate this way so that no time is lost in arranging for the necessary tools. Gas powered pumps and truck mounted water extractors get the job done regardless of whether the power is out. Quickly responding to this kind of water loss is at the core of the services we provide, and our customers relax at least a bit when our big green SERVPRO trucks arrive. Flash flooding can be decisive and swift in destroying properties.
Even if a number of your neighbors also experience flood damage, you do not stand in line waiting for our assistance. We scale up our services in response to the crisis you and perhaps the rest of community experience. If needed, we tap into our nationwide network of other SERVPRO disaster response companies.
Delay in removing water and drying out structure and contents is not acceptable to us as it results in irreparable damage. Fast action means most building materials are still restorable and fixtures such as carpeting and cabinetry respond to the skills of our highly-trained technicians. SERVPRO employees inventory and pack out possessions and stage them in a dry area of your home or our facility. You review what items you desire restored through special techniques like freeze drying as our crews extract the water and position air movers and dehumidifiers to dry out the flooded area.
You need SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth by your side when the floodwaters fill your foundation. Call (817) 741-5737 for immediate assistance 24 hours a day.
SERVPRO Offers Off-Site Restoration to Damaged Possessions from Fire & Smoke
5/1/2020 (Permalink)
Home affected by fire
Once a fire in your home has gotten extinguished, you are only part of the way towards recovering from the incident. In fact, you now face damages to your property the likes of which many homeowners have never experienced before. Fortunately, even though this same damage might be out of the wheelhouse and skill sets of most property owners, professional and reliable restoration services are only a simple phone call away.
As you might now see, fire damages present themselves in several unique ways throughout your Keller home. Even areas that were not directly affected by the blaze can house lingering effects like smoke and soot damage. One of the most pressing concerns beyond the structural integrity of your home is the contents you keep inside. Our SERVPRO professionals have a plan to keep these items safe and give them the attention they need to get fully restored as well.
Pack-outs are a service offered by our professionals which remove contents of your home to keep them safer throughout the restoration process. While some of these items might have gotten damaged during the fire, this same process provides a means for these damaged items to get concise inspection and restoration to make them ready for the second phase: pack-ins.
Once the appropriate attention and work have gotten done to the removed items of your home, and the restoration within your house is complete, the contents of your house are ready to get returned. Our SERVPRO professionals carefully bring in each item and put it back in its original position, helping to make the unfortunate circumstance a distant memory as you move on with your fully restored home. Trying to prevent fires from occurring with foresight and planning can at least mitigate fire damage to your property.
Fire damage in your home might feel overwhelming to overcome at first, but with the right professional assistance, it does not have to be as daunting. You can rely on the rapid response and expertise of our SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth fire damage restoration technicians to act quickly to get your home back to original conditions as soon as possible, "Like it never even happened." Give us a call anytime you need us at (817) 741-5737.
Tips on Commercial Water Removal in the Fort Worth Location
4/3/2020 (Permalink)
Water to be extracted at a commercial building
If you own a café, clothing store, or any business, you know that anything can happen. After all, owning a business is unpredictable. If there is a storm or hurricane, leaky pipe, or bad plumbing, then your business establishment can be drenched. In this situation, you know that commercial water removal plays an essential role. Many business owners know that it is important to immediately call in the expert before the water damage can escalate further.
Before the experts can get to your location for the commercial water removal in the Fort Worth area, there are some tips and strategies that you can take to remove water from your establishment. You can start by having all your employees help mop and blot out excess water from the floor. Make sure you remove any electrical appliances away from wet areas. After that, you can wipe off excess water from wooden furniture. Then you can place aluminum foil or wooden blocks between wet carpets and furniture legs. Don’t forget to turn the air conditioner on for optimal drying conditions. If you want to save your rug, make sure to remove it away from wet areas. If you have expensive art pieces, then it is best to place them in a safe and dry location. Gather any loose items that you can find on the floor.
Once the SERVPRO technician arrives at your business site, you can rest assured that you are in good hands. The techs can begin the process by inspecting your business site to check for any damages and sufficient drying conditions. They can start the mitigation process immediately by using a vacuum to extract excess water. They can also use a moisture meter to measure the humidity in the air. They want to make sure that there is a right amount of dryness in the atmosphere to help them absorb moisture from the wet area. This strategy is to ensure optimal drying time. Afterward, the SERVPRO technicians can use disinfectant and odor neutralizing solution to get rid of any unpleasant odor that was left behind from the water damage.
If you are in need of water removal for your business establishment, then give SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth a call at (817) 741-5737, and we can send our skilled technician to your business establishment.
Storm Damage Repair And Restoration
4/3/2020 (Permalink)
Storm showers can affect your home in a big way
An average rain shower can be pleasant to listen to as you fall asleep but when a massive storm hits your home and does severe damage, the water removal process can be anything but relaxing. Storms are destructive and can easily flood your home with excess water. Additionally, this water might not always be safe. Because the intense weather can flood hundreds of gallons of rainwater into your home, it is possible to end up with a mess that you just cannot clean up yourself. Fortunately, you do not have to.
When water has invaded and taken over your Keller residence, trust our IICRC-certified technicians to remove it from your property swiftly. We use powerful industrial grade wet/dry vacuums to remove all of the excess water so we can get your home back to the condition it was in before the storm hit. Upon calling our office, our technicians can be on the scene as soon as possible.
We can remove the excess water from your home, and once we do, we can move onto the drying process. SERVPRO understands how valuable your carpets are to you and know that a flood can soak them thoroughly and dirty them. Depending on the type of water that flooded your home, SERVPRO can determine if your carpets are salvageable and clean them entirely if they are. Underneath your carpets, we can focus on your floorboards. SERVPRO uses advanced equipment like dehumidifiers and air movers to eliminate harmful moisture in the air and dry out your belongings.
In rare cases, intensely contaminated black water can flood your home from the storm's influence. Should your house be flooded with unsafe water, we can guide you through what you can keep and what you should not. SERVPRO is with you every step of the way to make an inventory of your belongings and assist with your claims process.
When a storm hits your home, and it becomes flooded with excessive water, do not wait. Call SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth area at (817) 741-5737 to remove it. 24/7, we are ready to take your call and return your home to its preloss condition.
We do it all
4/3/2020 (Permalink)
SERVPRO is ready to go at any time
Many people do not realize this, but SERVPRO also offers a wide variety of cleaning services. From pet stains to graffiti, SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth can help you restore your home or business with expertise.
Some of the cleaning services offered are:
Air Ducts and HVAC – One of our most popular cleaning services is a thorough cleaning of heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit. This can help greatly with indoor air quality, as well as energy efficiency.
Odor Removal – For odors that come from both inside and outside the house, SERVPRO can help eliminate odors in your home or business. Some common sources of odors can be cigarette smoke, mold, skunk spray, and biohazard. We are also able to remove items such as clothes and furniture to our onsite ozone chamber. We recently had a claim where a client’s dog brought in a skunk and we were able to remove the odor from his home by utilizing our ozone machines.
Commercial Cleaning Services – When you need cleaning services that go beyond the scope of your regular janitorial staff, you can rely on us to make your workspace look its very best.
Vandalism and Graffiti - Our technicians can act quickly to address vandalism and graffiti to your house or commercial building. We can remove spray paint, as well as clean driveways, sidewalks, metals, woods, plastic and masonry.
If you find yourself in need of one of these cleaning services, please give us a call at 817-741-5737.
Water can damage your home
4/3/2020 (Permalink)
Water entering crawlspace
H2O is found naturally and is needed for you and your family to live a comfortable lifestyle at your Keller residence. Therefore, all homes have a complex plumbing system that could fail one day forcing you to contact a water restoration company like SERVPRO. Moisture does not mix well with the organic materials that make up your house's structure and interior building materials. When things get saturated, they tend to lose their strength and disintegrate. Anytime excessive moisture enters your living area, it is vital to start steps towards complete water restoration immediately.
Problems with moisture are the most likely type of damage that your property can suffer. To prevent things from falling apart and mold from growing, our SERVPRO team is available 24/7 in Keller to conduct water restoration operations. If your plumbing system develops a crack or one of your appliances chooses to act abnormally, you could find yourself walking in water when you enter the affected area. As much as stepping in a puddle is unpleasant to you, your building materials and contents that you rely on to live a comfortable lifestyle are not designed to be able to recover from being wet quite like us humans are.
Water is a powerful force, and we have all seen the devastation it can cause during floods or hurricanes. But what some people do not know is that the liquid natural resource can be destructive even in small amounts. Excessive moisture can and will ruin pretty much anything if it gets wet enough and it is left damp for a long enough period.
To make matters worse, if materials inside your home get wet the presence of moisture can cause problems in other areas that the water never even touched. Escalated humidity levels are also known to destroy certain materials that make up a building's structure. Also, if humidity and moisture levels stay high for more than 48 hours, any organic substance inside your dwelling becomes susceptible to microbial contamination. If you ever see or feel wet materials inside your home, please call SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth at (817) 741-5737 so that we can help prevent future secondary problems.
Structural Damage from Fires
4/3/2020 (Permalink)
We can make it "Like it never even happened."
If a fire ever burns inside your Fort Worth home, the flames can cause devastation to your property. If the blaze gets hot enough, it can cause fire damage to your building materials and contents. If the conditions are ideal, flames can engulf just about anything that is in their path. The amount of time the blaze burns can make a difference as to how much fire damage takes place.
Items that are close to the source of the initial burn are the ones that get torched first. As the flames grow, your fire damage situation in Fort Worth can get worse and cause things to get ruined due to burning, charring, and soot residues. The amount of oxygen and how hot the fire got while burning can both change the types of damage caused during a burn. Slow burning, oxygen-starved blazes tend to create wet smoke that is tough to clean, but the number of objects burns may not be as high. When flames have plenty of oxygen and things, burn hot more charring on contents, and structural components are likely to occur.
Since insurance companies separate their coverage based on your contents and your building materials, our SERVPRO technicians categorize the damage caused to your home in either the contents or structure classification. If your possessions like furniture or art displayed on walls get ruined, then the problems would be placed in the estimate as damage to contents. If items such as your ceilings or walls get torched, then the problems would be classified as structural issues.
If fires do not get put out quickly, it is likely that structural components will get burnt. When things like drywall and ceiling materials get burned, they often get replaced. In some situations, our SERVPRO restoration crew has to remove and replace wooden studs or floor joists due to charring as well.
The general rule when determining whether wooden structural components are ruined or not is if there is more than a quarter inch of charring then the item must get replaced. If the charred material is less than a quarter inch deep, then it is possible to save the items by sanding them down and applying a specialized sealant paint to trap in pungent aromas. If you ever need help with structural charring issues, call SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth at (817) 741-5737 24 hours a day.
Sealing the crawlspace
3/24/2020 (Permalink)
For most Fort Worth residents, a crawl space is usually a forgotten part of the home unless the family dog decides to have a litter of pups under the house. Some homes though have crawl spaces large enough to store holiday decorations and more. Regardless of the size, however, if space fills with water, it can become a problem for the entire home.
Sealing a crawl space in your Fort Worth home requires a professional company that can remove water and prevents future intrusion from rains and floods. So why SERVPRO? Our company can dry any crawl space, and then stop more water from entering using a process called encapsulation. It seals off the crawl space with a combination of blocking seeps and leaks and establishing a vapor barrier which prevents water from entering the crawlspace via the soil.
Specialists first level out the dirt floor of the crawl space. They fill holes and compact the earth to prevent water pooling under the home. Next, our work crews lay down thick plastic sheets of polyethylene. These sheets serve as the vapor barrier to stop further water intrusion from the ground. Crew members make certain the sheets extend far enough so they can secure them to the walls with foundation tape and anchors.
Before securing the plastic sheets, SERVPRO specialists examine the concrete foundation walls (if part of the construction) for any cracks that let in even a drop of water. They fill the cracks with hydraulic cement and then cover the walls with masonry cement which stops seeps too small for our specialists to see. Together, these sealants can stop any water from getting into the crawl space again. Once the cement dries, crew members tape the polyethylene sheets in place. For problematic flash flooding from monsoons or other weather-related occurrences, a sump pump can be installed for rapid evacuation of flowing water.
To finish drying the crawl space, specialists use a dehumidifier to remove water from the air. This device also draws water from the sub-floor overhead to prevent rot and reduce the risk of a mold infestation.
At SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth, we take every step to keep our neighbors high and dry in their own homes. If you have any water pooling under your homes from the recent rains, call us at (817) 741-5737 today to schedule an inspection and start the encapsulation process.
Water Removal
3/23/2020 (Permalink)
Carpet soaked from water
Whom do you call when you arrive home after work and find water pooling all over? Whether the water is from a clean source or not, it is likely to cause a wide range of problems including deterioration of materials, soiling, and microbial growth. One viable option is to call SERVPRO since we offer professional water removal services. Our crews are highly trained, and IICRC certified. We also use advanced technology and techniques to save your property after water loss.
Using different approaches during water removal in Fort Worth is possible. An approach that removes the water fast helps prevent secondary issues that arise from a water spill. For example, mold develops within 24 to 48 hours after the spill. Our SERVPRO technicians rely on advanced technologies for fast removal. We have dry-wet vacs, pumps and truck-mounted water extractors. The added capabilities like heating and storage in the water extractors we use allow us to multitask between removal and restorative cleaning is the need arises.
Although the spill is the problem, removal can be very disruptive requiring the removal of contents such as furniture or tearing down walls and other permanent fittings like countertop cabinets. Such additional steps introduce extra costs and prolong the process even further. Using advanced technologies, our SERVPRO technicians limit the amount of teardown or movement needed to dry the property effectively. Using advanced moisture detection equipment like thermal cameras, moisture sensors, and thermo-hygrometers, we check the level of migration to determine whether we can dry carpets in-place. We also have advanced equipment like injectidry systems that help remove moisture from wall cavities and below wooden floorboards without requiring teardown.
The effectiveness of the drying phase after a water loss incident has serious ramifications. Leaving moisture traces in any part of the house leads to problems like mold later on. Our SERVPRO technicians rely on industrial grade dehumidifiers and high-speed air movers to dry excess moisture from the spill "Like it never even happened."
Do not hesitate to call SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth when there is a spill. You can reach us at (817) 741-5737 any time.
24/7 Service
3/20/2020 (Permalink)
SERVPRO vehicles ready for action
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, large or small. When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage.
We Answer the Phone Ready to Help
Call Today - (817) 741-5737
We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.
What to Expect
When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed.
Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:
- Your name and contact information
- Your insurance information (if applicable)
- The street address of the water-damaged home or business
- When did the flooding or water damage occur?
- What caused the water damage (if known)?
- Is there electricity available (on-site)?
About SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.
Commercial Restoration
3/18/2020 (Permalink)
Drying equipment in commercial building
Flooding and water damage events in Northeast Fort Worth commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large scale event, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. In many instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.
Restoring Commercial Properties Presents Unique Challenges
Our professionals are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.
About SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth
SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.
Please call us if you find yourself in need of commercial property restoration after water damage! 817-741-5737
Storm Preparation
3/13/2020 (Permalink)
How to prepare for a storm:
Before the storm –
- Check your gutters, and clear out any debris that may be clogging them. Also assess your area for storm drains in low lying areas, and make sure those are clear as well.
- Remove fallen leaves and other debris from your yard.
- If you are in a flood zone, keep sandbags on hand and put up valuables.
- Check your insurance to see if you are covered for floods.
- Figure out the safest route from business to home. If your home is located in a flood zone, make a plan so that all family members understand were the closest safe ground is and how to get there.
- Ensure a plan is in place for family pets, as well.
- Make a list of valuables that you can keep in a safe place.
- Put together some supplies, such as food, water, a first aid kit, and medications together in a safe area in case they are needed. Also include flashlights, batteries, and a radio if possible.
- Fill up your gas tank in your car.
During the storm –
- Monitor the TV and radio for weather updates. If an evacuation is advised, evacuate quickly and safely. A good source is http://www.weather.gov/
- If water enters your home, evacuate to a higher ground even if there is no evacuation order in place by officials.
- If traveling, watch for washed out roads and downed power lines. Turn around, don’t drown!
After the flood –
- Make sure your drinking water is clean to prevent illness. Boil water for three to five minutes and then let cool before drinking. Alternatively, purchase bottled water from the grocery store.
- Check your home for moisture on the walls, carpets, and furniture. Dampness can cause mold and mildew. Open windows and turn on your heater to approximately 15 degrees higher than the outside temperature to facilitate drying.
- Practice good hygiene such as hand washing to help prevent illnesses.
If in the event your home has water damage call SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth to help remediate the issue at 817-741-5737
Frozen Pipes
3/12/2020 (Permalink)
Weather in Texas can be unpredictable, with sudden freezes happening as late as March. Now is an great time to learn more about how to avoid frozen pipes, and the subsequent water damage that can occur if those pipes expand and burst. Though frozen pipes are a common occurrence, they can be prevented.
SERVPRO offers the following tips for preventing frozen pipes and mitigating potential damage that they can cause.
- Insulate all the exposed pipes in your home. Especially where they may be unheated, such as the basement, attic, garage, crawl space, and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets.
- Keep the temperature the same during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower temperatures in the evening, you can prevent a costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
- Close any inside values that supply water outdoors and open the outside value to properly drain excess water that may be in the pipes.
- In drastically cold temperatures, let your faucet trickle. While you may be concerned about wasting water, running water is less likely to freeze.
- Remove, drain, and store hoses used outdoors. Keep outside valves open so that any water remaining in the pipe can expand without causing it to break.
- If you plan to be away from home for an extended period of time, leave the heat on and set to a temperature no lower than 55° F.
Found a Frozen Pipe? Thaw It Out:
- If you turn on a faucet and only a few drips come out, suspect a frozen pipe. Typically, frozen pipes are found along exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.
- Make sure the faucet remains on while treating the pipes, as the flowing water will help to melt the ice within the pipe.
- Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad, an electric hair dryer, or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, or other open flame device.
- Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze too.
Should you experience a loss resulting from water damage, turn off the water supply as soon as possible, and call SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth immediately at 817-741-5737. The longer you wait to call, the greater the chance of mold growth and unrecoverable property. SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth professionals have the expertise to prevent or mitigate the devastating effects that water damage can have.
Mold infestation
3/8/2020 (Permalink)
Mold growth on vanity
Overcoming Mold Growth In Your Fort Worth House
Not every disastrous situation that occurs in your Fort Worth home happens dramatically. Sometimes situations develop throughout days or weeks that spread throughout affected areas of your home that pose threats to the structural integrity and the health of others within the property. Mold growth is one of the situations that might not develop overnight, but by the time that homeowners notice its presence, it can already be out of control.
Recovering from mold damages in your Fort Worth home requires a fast response from experienced technicians who have the appropriate equipment. Our SERVPRO professionals can respond quickly to this emergency and work to quarantine the affected areas to avoid the spread of mold spores to new surfaces and thwart the spread of the thriving colony with the application of our air scrubbers. These machines trap mold spores in the environment to keep them from relocating.
Our franchise takes great pride in the work that our technicians do to obtain their mold remediation certification from the IICRC. As the organization that sets quality standards for restoration work throughout the industry, this certification can ensure to our customers that our professionals know what it takes to remove the mold in their homes and restore the damage that the organism has caused.
Preliminary work from the moment that we arrive can help eliminate the moisture that allowed mold spores to seat and colonize within your house. Our state-of-the-art equipment and products available to the SERVPRO technicians dispatched to your home can also prevent the spread of the colony while our team prepares the steps for removal. Products like our OSHA-approved antimicrobial solution can prevent fungal growth on unaffected surfaces and adversely affect current growth to preserve the material playing host.
Mold isn't going away on its own. When you need professional assistance for a situation like mold growth, you can count on our SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth remediation technicians to help. Give SERVPRO a call anytime at (817) 741-5737.
We Can Restore Your Home From Secondary Damages
1/24/2020 (Permalink)
Mold in vanity
Overcoming Mold Growth In Your Home
Not every disastrous situation that occurs in your Fort Worth home happens dramatically. Sometimes situations develop throughout days or weeks that spread throughout affected areas of your home that pose threats to the structural integrity and the health of the occupants within the property. Mold growth is one of the situations that might not develop overnight, but by the time that homeowners notice its presence, can already be out of control.
Recovering from mold damages in your Fort Worth home requires a fast response from experienced technicians who have the appropriate equipment. Our SERVPRO professionals can respond quickly to this emergency and work to quarantine the affected areas to avoid the spread of mold spores to new surfaces and thwart the spread of the thriving colony with the application of our air scrubbers. These machines can trap mold spores in the environment to keep them from relocating.
Our franchise takes great pride in the work that our technicians do to obtain their mold remediation certification from the IICRC. As the organization that sets quality standards for restoration work throughout the industry, this certification can ensure to our customers that our professionals know what it takes to remove the mold in their homes and restore the damage that the organism has caused. These same technicians pursue in-house training opportunities to continue their knowledge and growth within the mold remediation and restoration facet of the industry.
Preliminary work from the moment that we arrive can help eliminate the moisture that allowed mold spores to seat and colonize within your house. Our state-of-the-art equipment and products available to the SERVPRO technicians dispatched to your home can also prevent the spread of the colony while our team prepares the steps for removal. Products like our OSHA-approved antimicrobial solution can prevent fungal growth on unaffected surfaces and adversely affect current growth to preserve the material playing host.
Mold isn't going away on its own. When you need professional assistance for a situation like mold growth, you can count on our SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth remediation technicians to help. Give SERVPRO a call anytime at (817) 741-5737.
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Smoke and Soot
1/7/2020 (Permalink)
Visual damages caused by fires
Smoke and soot is very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.
Smoke and soot facts:
- Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
- Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
- The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.
Different Types of Smoke
There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:
Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber
- Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.
Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood
- Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.
Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire
- Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor.
Our Fire Damage Restoration Services
Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions. We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage. We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.
Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – 817-741-5737
We can restore your home
1/3/2020 (Permalink)
Mold created as a result of secondary damages from a water loss
Overcoming Secondary Damages In Your Fort Worth House
Not every disastrous situation that occurs in your Fort Worth home happens dramatically. Sometimes situations develop throughout days or weeks that spread throughout affected areas of your home that pose threats to the structural integrity and the health of the occupants within the property. Mold growth is one of the situations that might not develop overnight, but by the time that homeowners notice its presence, can already be out of control.
Recovering from mold damages in your Fort Worth home requires a fast response from experienced technicians who have the appropriate equipment. Our SERVPRO professionals can respond quickly to this emergency and work to quarantine the affected areas to avoid the spread of mold spores to new surfaces and thwart the spread of the thriving colony with the application of our air scrubbers. These machines can trap mold spores in the environment to keep them from relocating.
Our franchise takes great pride in the work that our technicians do to obtain their mold remediation certification from the IICRC. As the organization that sets quality standards for restoration work throughout the industry, this certification can ensure to our customers that our professionals know what it takes to remove the mold in their homes and restore the damage that the organism has caused. These same technicians pursue in-house training opportunities to continue their knowledge and growth within the mold remediation and restoration facet of the industry.
Preliminary work from the moment that we arrive can help eliminate the moisture that allowed mold spores to seat and colonize within your house. Our state-of-the-art equipment and products available to the SERVPRO technicians dispatched to your home can also prevent the spread of the colony while our team prepares the steps for removal. Products like our OSHA-approved antimicrobial solution can prevent fungal growth on unaffected surfaces and adversely affect current growth to preserve the material playing host.
Mold isn't going away on its own. When you need professional assistance for a situation like mold growth, you can count on our SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth remediation technicians to help. Give SERVPRO a call anytime at (817) 741-5737.
Click here for more about Fort Worth.
Smoke and Soot
12/12/2019 (Permalink)
Bathroom after fire
Smoke and soot are very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.
Smoke and soot facts:
- Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
- Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
- The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.
Different Types of Smoke
There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:
Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber
- Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.
Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood
- Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.
Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire
- Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor.
Our Fire Damage Restoration Services
Each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions. We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage. We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.
Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – 817-741-5737
Professional Equipment Makes the Difference in Fort Worth Flood Damage Cleanup
10/6/2019 (Permalink)
We have what it takes to knock out your Fort Worth flood damage in your home.
SERVPRO will clean your flood damage in Fort Worth the right way.
Two things about flood damage when it occurs: first, cleanup has to start quickly. Second, all water requires the removal and inadequate extraction of water leaves the property open for more costly issues.
SERVPRO technicians utilize a wide array of water extraction equipment when working on flood damage in a Fort Worth property. Each surface and amount of water dictates the type of removal equipment chosen for use. Before water removal efforts commence, technicians scope the property using different kinds of moisture detection devices to ascertain areas where there are excessive levels of moisture that require extraction or drying attention.
Water Extraction from Carpet
In cases of wet carpeting from rainwater entering the home and the cleanup started within 24 hours, there is potential for restoration of the carpet. SERVPRO technicians use a host of tools such as pumps with weighted carpet wands or deep extractor tools, and Rovers that use the weight of a technician to push water out of carpeted surfaces. When carpet absorbs groundwater, there is no restoration potential. The technicians extract the water and cut the carpet into strips for easier handling.
Hardwood Flooring with Water Damage
Wood flooring constructed from composite never fares well with water exposure and is generally a loss. Hardwood flooring has restoration potential on a case by case basis partly determined on the category and length of water exposure. SERVPRO technicians use squeegee attachments with wet vacuums and follow up using drying mats to limit the warping or buckling.
Special Attention to the Subfloor
When water enters a property, it follows the path of least resistance and migrates into the subflooring rapidly. The use of inadequate or improper removal methods leaves the property open for the weakening of the building materials, foul odors, and mold infestations. Technicians use squeegee attachments when pooling water is an issue.
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth at (817) 741-5737 is ready to handle flood damage in your home. We're Faster to Any Size Disaster and restore the house to its pre-flood condition.
To find out more about Fort Worth, click here.
Our Professionals Are Ready 24/7 To Assist After A Fire In Your Forth Worth Residence
9/18/2019 (Permalink)
We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.
Get Expert Fire Damage Cleanup For Your Forth Worth Residence
A fire disaster in your home is a traumatic experience, and it can also cause devastating losses. Smoke and soot can affect different surfaces, including walls, ceilings, floors, appliances, and upholstery. You need to act quickly after fire loss to restore your home to its pre-damaged state.
In an unfortunate event of fire damage in your Forth Worth residence, call fire restoration professionals immediately to prevent further damage. Lingering smoke and soot from the fire can circulate throughout your home and harm the indoor air quality. A professional restoration company such as SERVPRO can help you take care of the damage. We have the experience, workforce, and equipment required to deal with fire loss incidents.
If the flames caused an opening in your home, we could board up the area to secure your property and prevent damage that precipitation may cause. If there is no power in your home after the incident, our crew can use flashlights and power generators to establish emergency lighting.
A fire may also leave debris in your home like broken items and nails, and they can cause injuries to the people living in it. The exterior of your house may also have items that may need to be disposed of, such as torn gutters, ash, and damaged shingles. Our crew can remove such items to simplify the restoration process.
Our technicians can also perform initial cleaning to prevent secondary destruction from soot residues. We can pre-clean furniture and soot to remove the heaviest soot. Our Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technicians (FSRTs) may also wipe acidic soot residues from metals and porcelain. We perform a thorough cleaning of the affected structures and contents with environmentally friendly products.
Our SERVPRO technicians can also wet clean some of your possessions to remove moderate to heavy residues. Wet cleaning is suitable for items that do not sustain damage when soaked in water. After cleanup, we can deodorize your home and its contents using air scrubbers or thermal fogging.
After a fire ruins your residence, SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth is the right restoration company to call. You can reach our professionals anytime at (817) 741-5737 for quick remediation in Keller, Park Glen or Heritage Trace. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.
For more about Forth Worth click here.
Water Restoration Fort Worth – Removing Damaged Walls
9/15/2019 (Permalink)
SERVPRO has the tips and tools to assist your Fort Worth water damage.
We can help you through your water damage in Fort Worth.
Restoration of water damaged materials can vary a great deal depending on the type of water, the amount of water, and the length of exposure. Some situations may require de-sanitation of the entire premises. Specific rooms may require drying and dehumidification. Usually, drywall that is exposed must be replaced at least above the waterline.
SERVPRO provides restoration services for all types of water damage in Fort Worth. The first step is the assessment of the situation by our crew chief. Depending on the circumstances, he or she can arrange for deployment of the appropriate equipment and technicians to restore your home. This step includes pump mounted extractors for large amounts of water as well as submersibles. Removal of debris, and damaged unrecoverable materials for disposal.
Water Extraction from Carpets
Truck-mounted pump or portable extractors can be used to remove moisture from the carpets and underpad in clean water situations. If the water is contaminated, the flooring usually must be removed. The application of dehumidifiers in a negative pressure application can bring moisture levels down to acceptable levels. Negative pressure is used to exhaust moist air outside the home and draw dry air into the home from outside.
Removal of Baseboards and Walls
Water can easily penetrate drywall and seep under baseboards. Drywall exposed to water often expands and crumbles. If there is a limited amount of water in the room, remove the baseboards. Also the damaged drywall above the waterline. For high water levels, the entire damaged wall may be removed to facilitate drying of the structure before restoration.
By exposing this area, SERVPRO can also apply drying techniques to these areas using water extractors, air movers, and dehumidifiers. We do not want to leave any pockets of moisture that can trigger mold growth later.
Call SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth at (817) 741-5737 for 24/7 serve. We serve the towns of Keller, Park Glen, Heritage Trace, and surrounding areas. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster. We can handle any type of water restoration challenge.
If you would like to know more about Fort Worth, click here.
Some Shortcuts to Fort Worth Flood Damage Remediation Success
9/8/2019 (Permalink)
Flooding and flood damage can literally put you out of your home. Contact our certified team for a fast response.
The High-Power Cleaning Agents Used to Disinfect Flood Damaged Fort Worth Homes
Disinfecting surfaces after flood damage is one of the most important safety measures we can take. Many types of floodwater harbor dangerous bacteria, fungi, and other microbes, and mold spores tend to overgrow whenever flooding happens. SERVPRO technicians use a variety of disinfectant products to help us target microbes more efficiently and without damaging your home.
Quaternary Compounds
The disinfectants we use the most for flood damage situations in Fort Worth are known as quaternary compounds, or "quats" for short. These products have many beneficial qualities when used for home damage restorations. First and most importantly, they are typically very effective against bacteria and fungi alike, allowing us to counteract many potential biohazards at once. However, unlike other disinfectants, quats have almost no potential to cause damage to any materials in your home and even give off a pleasant odor. Because these compounds are so versatile and helpful, we use them regularly throughout our flood damage restorations.
Chlorines
Chlorine-based disinfectants are even more potent than quaternary compounds but have some limitations and safety precautions that reduce their versatility. While chlorine chemicals can be applied to porous surfaces like wood and fabric, they can damage some other types of materials, mainly surfaces with delicate finishes. Also, the smell of chlorine is strong and difficult to counteract. Because of these limitations, we only use chlorine-based chemicals when quats prove to be insufficient.
Phenolics
Phenolic cleaning chemicals are the strongest we have in our arsenal, but also potentially the most harmful. These chemicals are useful for some of the worst flood damage cases we see, where filthy water may contaminate an entire home and create a significant biohazard. Unlike most antibiotics, these chemicals can even neutralize viruses. However, because phenolics have a strong foul odor and may be hazardous when used incorrectly, we reserve them for the most severe situations.
Botanical Disinfectants
While less potent than quaternary compounds, botanical disinfectants are similarly versatile, and many of our customers prefer us to use them over stronger chemicals. Let us know if you would prefer us to use one of our botanical alternatives on your home.
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth maintains a constant stock of some of the most powerful and specialized cleaning agents approved for use in residential buildings. For our expert mitigation and restoration services after a flood, call us 24/7 at (817) 741-5737.
Click here to see more info about the city of Fort Worth.
Don't Let A Leaky Sink Cause Water Damage In Your Fort Worth Home
8/23/2019 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth can help to solve water damage problems before they get out of hand.
How Your Leaky Sink Can Cause Permanent Water Damage In Fort Worth
Leaky faucets and pipes are the banes of homeowners everywhere. While modern engineering and sealants help to prevent many of the widespread issues that plagued us in the past, even the most well-made water lines and faucets can start to leak and cause damage to your home. If you identify a leak early on, you should be able to seal up the problem on your own, but often a few hours is enough to cause enough damage to call for help from a professional damage mitigation company like SERVPRO. Here's how a small leak can cause big problems for your home.
Mixing with Chemicals
One of the most dangerous aspects of water damage in Fort Worth homes is the potential for water to mix with hazardous chemicals stored nearby. Many homes we visit have buckets and stores of cleaning chemicals directly below leaking pipes and sink basins. These can represent a significant safety hazard, especially if any of the chemicals are outside of their bottles (which may happen if you re-use rags and sponges). SERVPRO technicians know how to identify and take precautions against these potential safety risks so that you do not have to.
Mold Growth
One of the most popular reasons why we get called in to help remove mold from local homes is due to the presence of longtime leaks in cabinets and similar environments. With a steady supply of water, an environment that is almost always dark, and little activity to disturb its growth, mold can spread quickly underneath your kitchen sink. Patching up the leak and removing the water before any mold can grow is imperative to avoiding a widespread problem in your home.
Bleeding Colors and Finishes
Some dyes and finishes used on wood and other materials in your home may react poorly with water, potentially causing permanent damage to your home as colors wash out and bleed into one another over time. Again, the only way to stop these problems from progressing is to dry up the water as quickly as possible. Otherwise, you may need to re-paint, re-finish, or even replace any affected parts of your home.
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth can help to solve water damage problems before they get out of hand. Call us 24/7 at (817) 741-5737 for our services or a quote.
For more about Fort Worth click here.
Take The Stress Out of Water Damage Remediation in Fort Worth
8/19/2019 (Permalink)
Water damage can lead to uncontrolled mold growth if not treated properly. Call the professionals at SERVPRO today for remediation assistance.
Creating the Ideal Drying Conditions for Water Restoration in your Fort Worth Home
In dealing with any property restoration emergency, having access to the correct equipment goes a long way to reducing your claims loss expense. This principle is especially true in situations involving water, which can deteriorate contents, structure, and fittings overnight. One of the essential methods we use to reduce losses in your property is understanding how to dry your structure and contents properly. That means using moisture detection sensors, creating the right atmosphere for efficient drying and bringing in industrial extraction equipment.
The task of water restoration in your fort worth home is built on the foundations of careful psychrometric measurements taken regularly to control losses. Increasing the temperature in a closed area, for example, allows the interior air to take on more moisture- this process can increase the efficiency of air-moving equipment. However, to create optimum drying conditions, a SERVPRO technician must take regular readings using thermal hygrometers to ensure that the indoor air is not overloaded with moisture, which can slow drying times.
While restoration is underway, a SERVPRO technician may tent off the affected area to gain better control of the indoor environment. High levels of humidity, which are a natural byproduct of drying procedure, can also create ideal conditions for microbial growth. Leaving a humid environment overnight can lead to further damages. SERVPRO technicians may create an open system, by opening windows or allowing ventilation to exchange humid interior air with drier outdoor air, to prevent secondary issues like mold growth from occurring.
Using our training in combination with advanced drying equipment allows SERVPRO technicians to dry a structure without risking secondary damages confidently. By creating the ideal drying conditions, the expense of your claim is significantly reduced, and your home has the best chance of returning to its preloss conditions. We can forward the paperwork to your insurance adjuster to ease the claims process and let you get back to your everyday life with as little inconvenience as possible.
For advanced restoration services that get your home back to its preloss condition, contact SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth at (817) 741-5737.
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We Have State Of The Art Equipment To Restore Your Fort Worth Fire Damage
8/12/2019 (Permalink)
Garage fires are very common in the area and we can offer our immediate response and provide trained technicians to assist you.
How We Handle the Work for Fort Worth Factories with Fire Damage
Fire damage to factories and other industrial facilities can seem overwhelming in their scale. Due to the presence of flammable materials, numerous potential safety hazards, and large buildings, some of our most challenging projects involve cleaning up after fires in industrial settings. We have the manpower and equipment necessary to restore your facility to the way it was before the disaster for even the worst situations but have a few extra tricks for when situations start to get out of hand.
The SERVPRO Network
Part of the reason why we are always ready to handle fire damage to a factory in Fort Worth is thanks to our network of sister franchises that can provide support when we need it most. SERVPRO franchises number in the thousands across the country, and if a disaster is ever so massive as to overwhelm our local capabilities, we can call in additional resources and workforces from other nearby areas. Usually, we only need to call in these forces for widespread flooding or fires that spread across multiple properties, but we may use them for particularly disastrous industrial fires.
Industrially Focused Equipment
Handling smoke and fire damages in large buildings require us to use similarly large and powerful pieces of equipment. Our technicians use top-of-the-line items like dry ice blasters and thermal fogging machines to clean up fire residues with maximum efficiency even in buildings with large floor spaces. We keep these devices (and the materials they need to function) heavily stocked at our local facilities to ensure that more significant buildings receive the coverage they need.
Versatile Certifications
SERVPRO technicians receive a wide variety of certifications from the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration before getting placed on any of our crews. Even after they start responding to calls and operating as a full team member, many take the opportunity to pursue additional training and certifications to specialize in specific types of damage restoration, including fire and smoke damage. Our teams thus have the certifications and training necessary to handle any industrial disaster and the safety hazards that may accompany it.
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth is professionally trained and equipped to handle even the most massive fires with optimal efficiency at a minimal cost. Call us at (817) 741-5737 for our 24/7 services or a quote.
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SERVPRO's Stellar Reputations Is Why Fort Worth Area Homeowners Call Us for Cleanup and Abatement after House Damages
7/22/2019 (Permalink)
SERVPRO Provides Advanced Equipment, Know-How, and Skilled Technicians to Restore Your Water, Mold or Fire Damaged Home in Fort Worth!
The Reason Fort Worth Residents Call SERVPRO for Property Restoration Services
When property disasters strike in Fort Worth, you need to act quickly to secure your home and save your possessions by enlisting professional restoration services. We operate right here in Texas and can arrive onsite within four hours of notification of loss to any size disaster, residential or commercial. Our technicians are given industry-leading training which blends with their qualifications from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification- an internationally recognized guideline provider. We gain experience from every job we do, and today, we offer one of the most qualified teams of technicians for water, fire, mold, or storm-related damages.
Water
Clean water emergencies are hard to plan for and can occur for any number of reasons, including faulty plumbing, heavy rainfall, or overflow. The more time moisture remains in the property, the higher the likelihood that irreversible damage is caused. Our priority is to remove excess water, dry and clean the property after a water loss to your Fort Worth home. We achieve that by mobilizing the right equipment and workforce for each situation rather than adopting a one size fits all approach.
After making contact with our customer service team on our emergency line, we can send a water restoration technician (WRT) to your property. Waterlogged flooring or carpets can usually be drained using extraction units. Depending on the scale of your emergency, our team can decide on a truck-mounted unit for high volume extraction or a portable unit that works better where access to the property may be restricted.
Waterlogged fabrics are up to 50% weaker when wet. Our restoration services take into account the different makeups of each property we enter. Thick carpets benefit from heavier extraction units that squeeze moisture from the material. Thin carpets, on the other hand, may sustain damage under the weight of a heavier unit. For weaker carpets, we may untack edges, and place an air-mover between the subfloor and the carpet. This process is called floating the carpet and can be a valuable specialty drying technique for owners of Fort Worth residences.
Fire (HVAC)
When fires burn at high temperatures, they can increase the internal air pressure as well as produce vast plumes of smoke that quickly spread around the home. Hot smoke moves toward cooler air and surfaces. This process can be particularly problematic if your heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system are switched on during the fire. Hot smoke is drawn into the supply side of your HVAC, deposited onto the interior metal surfaces, and travels throughout your home via ventilation shafts resulting in significant fire damage in your Fort Worth home.
As part of our restoration services, SERVPRO technicians can assess your HVAC system for damages. One of the core reasons we carry out this assessment is to make sure soot is not re-deposited into clean rooms after deodorization and sanitization. We can restore your HVAC system by placing air whips into the shaft and applying negative air pressure once soiling has been sufficiently loosened by the whips. We can also remove ventilation grates, to clean behind them and replace the damaged ones with clean filters.
If there is damage to the system itself, we cannot cover that under our restoration services. However, we can arrange for a trusted third-party HVAC repair service on your behalf, reducing paperwork as well as the stress of having to deal with more than one company. The final step in restoring your HVAC is to run vaporized deodorant through the system to remove any unpleasant odors from spreading around the home.
Mold
Moving furniture around can often reveal hidden areas of mold damage in your Fort Worth home. Finding mold is no reason to panic since mold spores are a natural part of most indoor environments. Once they come into contact with water and begin to reproduce, mold can affect indoor air quality or pose health risks, so it makes sense to enlist the help of professional restoration service. SERVPRO can send a team to your residence to inspect and remediate mold using a combination of cleaning, odor-controlling, and drying techniques.
One of the crucial aspects undertaken during the cleaning phase is the application of disinfectants to surfaces. After removing the visible signs of mold, SERVPRO technicians can treat the surface with disinfectant, bringing it to a sanitary level- this process can also prevent regrowth after service. Where there is restricted access but a strong chance of mold being present, we can fumigate the restricted area with anti-microbial chemicals using fogging equipment.
Mold issues do not necessarily equate to permanent damages in your Fort Worth home. Our expert restoration services can locate, assess the extent of damage, and then remediate the issues to a high level of cleanliness. At the end of service, we can thoroughly fumigate the area using vaporized deodorants to bring odor back under control, and your property back to its preloss condition.
Storm
We are a leading provider of storm damage recovery here in Texas. Our rapid response units are available around the clock should you require emergency restoration after storm damage in your Fort Worth home. Our telephone lines are in operation twenty four hours a day so you know you can reach us in an emergency. We have a team of technicians on-call that can complete vital mitigation tasks to prevent permanent harm to your home.
High winds can pull tiles from roofs or send debris through windows and doors. These types of damage often have secondary consequences, allowing water to seep in and creating more problems for your contents or fittings. Part of our restoration services is focused on the security of your property. Our technicians can perform emergency board-ups as well as reinforcing structural components that may have been blown loose.
These tasks may seem relatively small, but they make a big difference to the amount of damage your property sustains and whether or not that damage is permanent. The less water in your Fort Worth home, the less damage it can cause. The moisture that does get in can be extracted using portable units. After that, our technicians can place dehumidification to dry the affected area thoroughly.
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth has developed a reputation as a fast-responder in emergencies and a dedicated restorer of property damages. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster. Contact us at (817) 741-5737 for premier restoration services.
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We Will Cleanup Smoke And Soot Residue In Your Fire Damaged Fort Worth Bookstore
7/8/2019 (Permalink)
When smoke and soot from a fire have damaged your bookstore, call SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth at (817) 741-5737 for restoration services.
Commercial Fire Damage In A Fort Worth Bookstore Necessitates Smoke And Soot Cleanup Services
Fire protection is a principal concern for commercial buildings and property managers, and owners take various precautions to protect the buildings from fire, including installing fire sprinkler systems. However, defective or old wiring, loose connections, overloaded circuits, and faulty fuses can lead to sparks or overheating that ignites a fire.
One thing you may have to deal with after commercial fire damage in your Fort Worth bookstore is smoke and soot, which can spread all over the immediate area and cause the discoloration of the ceiling, shelves, walls, flooring, and inventory. Soot composition varies based on the underlying causes. All kinds of soot cause some darkening, and in severe cases, it appears black.
Hot fires that burn products made from natural materials quickly cause dry soot. It has a dusty, dry texture and a minor scent. The heat from a fire can trigger the fire sprinkler system in your bookstore. If a fire smolders on low heat for a while, it can create wet soot. To clean wet soot, it is crucial to combine fire damage and water damage remediation strategies. At SERVPRO, we have the equipment required to deal with water damage resulting from firefighting efforts, such as:
• Extractors with a heater, pump, and vacuum system
• Air movers
• Dehumidifiers
• Thermo hygrometers
A fire in your bookstore can destroy the bookshelves, furniture, books, book journals, magazines, highlighters, and newspapers and leave others covered in soot. This damage can bring business operations to a halt, and you need to deal with it promptly. Our technicians can attempt to clean books that have soot and smoke damage by using dry cleaning methods to remove dry smoke residues. We can also try to remove loose particles by blowing, vacuuming, or brushing the books with compressed air. However, books present a unique challenge we cannot always guarantee their successful restoration.
Our Fire & Smoke Damage Technicians (FRST) technicians can use specialized cleaning equipment, products, and techniques to clean the shelves, floors, and furniture. Some materials in these items are synthetic and create chemical reactions when burned. Removing the chemicals quickly prevents etching and pitting. If your bookstore has carpet flooring, our SERVPRO technicians can vacuum it using vacuum cleaning machines containing a high-efficiency filter.
We can also remove smoke odors from the indoor environment through thermal fogging. A thermal fogger heats deodorizing agents into a fog, which mimics the behavior of smoke. The fog travels to areas where the smoke traveled and eliminates odor from hard to access areas and surfaces.
When smoke and soot from a fire have damaged your bookstore, call SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth at (817) 741-5737 for restoration services. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.
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Now You Can Have Flood Damage Remediation in Your Fort Worth Home Done Safely
7/3/2019 (Permalink)
Flood damage almost always occurs at the most inopportune times. Contact SERVPRO today for all remediation needs.
Flood Damage in Your Fort Worth Home? Call Us!
Summer storms in Fort Worth are a common occurrence. Large puffy clouds regularly roll over the area, helping keep the weather cool in the summer. However, it’s important to keep in mind that clouds can quickly unleash torrents of rains, causing flooding in your home.
Often flood damage in Fort Worth homes occurs after heavy storms. If this happens to you, then you need professionals who can quickly work to resolve your issues. Our teams of SERVPRO water damage restoration technicians (WRT) can arrive on your property within hours of your call to begin extracting water. We can utilize industrial grade wet vacs and pumps to speed up the process. Floods typically consist of Category 3 black water, which can soil absorbent substances, forcing us to discard them.
As a homeowner, you have several options for mitigating any further damage before SERVPRO crews arrive. Here are some tips we recommend you follow to help reduce damages:
- For your personal safety, make sure to wear protective clothing (such as tall rubber boots) before coming into contact with contaminated water.
- Extract contaminated upholstery pieces from your home so tha they can be properly disposed of.
- Move your furniture out of the flood waters.
- Wipe down wooden sections of furniture with a wet rag to help prevent the formation of water lines.
Once we are present, we can remove absorbent materials such as carpeting that can be more difficult for you to remove on your own. This can be accomplished with the use of carpet removal tools. We can then use air movers and dehumidifiers to pull moisture out of your sub flooring to fully dry it.
Additionally, we can identify hidden moisture in your home using moisture sensors after pumping out the flood water. This allows us to identify areas that require further use of dehumidifiers and air movers to fully dry out.
We have extensive experience in mitigating the damages brought on by flooding. If you find yourself the victim of a storm, then call SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth. You can reach us at any time during the week at (817) 741-5737.
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Our Fire Damage Specialists Can Save Your Fort Worth Home
6/25/2019 (Permalink)
Structural concerns are a substantial threat to the rest of your property and its occupants after a fire loss incident.
Debris Removal And Rebuilding After A Fort Worth Fire
Many steps must get taken to restore a fire loss incident in Fort Worth residences fully. Even with a team of qualified professionals, many potential risks and hazards exist even in the early stages of damage assessment and cleanup. Any homeowner should understand their limitations in these situations and not unnecessarily put themselves at risk to assess the damage and inspect the property on their own. Instead, leave this step to competent and well-trained professionals like ours.
Overcoming fire damage in Fort Worth residences begins with a thorough inspection of the property and a specific plan to restore it entirely. Many SERVPRO employees and staff members get involved in this planning process which encompasses all of the mitigation steps and the restoration work to follow, including the work that must get performed to appease the insurance company so that damage claims can get successfully filed and approved.
Before much of the mitigation can get started for your house, our contracting specialists must address the pressing structural concerns that exist in many ways. The first of these is through repairing and temporarily constructing solutions for designed or disaster-made holes and breaches in your property’s exterior. This process can prevent further elemental damage occurring while mitigation efforts get underway. Once mitigation completes, these same competent contractors can get to work on the repair of the structural damage, including full-scale build back.
Debris removal is another critical service that precedes the reconstruction of your property. This process includes the assessment of structural integrity and construction material stability against spreading fire loss effects. Our SERVPRO professionals must remove items that have become too badly damaged to preserve, and these removed materials can get later replaced in the full-reconstruction and building phases to come.
Structural concerns are a substantial threat to the rest of your property and its occupants after a fire loss incident. To make every symptom of this emergency “Like it never even happened,” give our SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth rapid response team a call today at (817) 741-5737.
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We Put The Flames Of Worry Out In Forth Worth After A Fire Disaster
6/10/2019 (Permalink)
Pictured is an ozone machine that is used to deodorize the smell of soot after fire damage occurs in a home.
Fire Damage to Your Fort Worth Business Needs Our Professional Remediation
The possibility of a fire in your Fort Worth restaurant kitchen cannot help but be always in the back of your mind as an owner. Although the devastation a fire can cause might seem impossible to overcome in the immediate aftermath, our highly-qualified technicians have great success using our inventory of state-of-the-art equipment and restoration best practices mastered in Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) courses.
The safety of both diners and employees is your priority if a fire damages your Fort Worth restaurant. Ensuring that your business recovers from the disaster fulfills our mission to provide industry-leading remediation services to the businesses in our community. Our crews mobilize fast, traveling to your site as soon as possible after your call.
Speed is crucial when mitigating the effects of fire damage. Within the first minutes and hours after the flames extinguish, fire residues pose the risk of progressive and permanent harm to structural components and the contents of your restaurant. SERVPRO crew members evaluate the types of residues found throughout your kitchen, dining rooms, storage areas, and other spaces.
We match appropriate products and methods to the different characteristics of soots coating surfaces. Protein-based soot is common in kitchen fires, depositing a thin and highly malodorous film that is hard to remove without solvents and abrasive tools. SERVPRO technicians can use barriers and air scrubbers to contain the cooking area, preventing the spread of debris to other spaces.
Even if your quick-thinking staff knocked down the flames with chemical extinguishers, secondary effects of the fire could linger. Persistent odors are particularly troublesome in an eating establishment as they interfere with the enjoyment of diners as they order and eat from your tempting menu. SERVPRO employees who complete the IICRC Odor Control Technician (OCT) course follow a research-based protocol to eliminate the stench in your establishment.
If clearing away charred items and thorough cleaning does not do the trick, SERVPRO turns to innovative techniques like thermal fogging or hydroxyl generators to eradicate the noxious smell. Thermal fogging recreates the fire environment, combusting deodorizers at high temperatures, so they attach to odoriferous particles and neutralize them. Hydroxyl radicals produced when ultraviolet rays react with water vapor (H2O) and oxygen (O2) dismantle the odor-bearing molecules. We this cutting-edge technology as a more successful and sustainable alternative to masking agents.
Contact SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth as soon as firefighters release your commercial property for abatement assessment. Call (817) 741-5737 day or night to schedule an inspection and develop a remediation and deodorization plan.
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We Are Available 24/7 For Your Fort Worth Fire Damage Restoration Services
6/4/2019 (Permalink)
Improper storage of combustible liquids and petroleum products just need a spark to set them off. We are here to help.
Professional Fire Damage Restoration in Fort Worth Helps Prevent Secondary Damage
Many homeowners love deep frying foods including turkey. Unfortunately, if the oil is overheated, a grease fire can occur. The oil starts to boil, smoke and then catches fire. You can put out a grease fire by using a fire extinguisher or kitchen items like baking soda and salt.
If a grease fire breaks out and you cannot put it out, contact your local fire department. Once the firefighters put out the fire, you’ll want to seek help from a company that provides fire damage restoration services in Fort Worth to prevent secondary destruction. The soot and smoke residues could ruin surfaces like walls and ceilings. Fire restoration experts can clean your home properly and address soot and smoke damage. One such company is SERVPRO and we are available 24/7 to respond to many fire emergencies.
The smoke and soot from the fire can continue to spread and that’s why we move fast to limit the destruction using products like towels, and brushes to remove soot and smoke. We carefully inspect the affected area to locate the smoke residues and identify the type. We then chose the cleaning method that can remove the residue present. Our restoration experts can use heat to increase the speed of chemical reactions in cleaning products. We choose the right temperature based on the material being cleaned and the cleaning solution being used.
After fire damage, you may find it daunting to eliminate the smoke odor from your home, meaning that smoke odor particles are still present. To remove smoke smells from a home, our SERVPRO technicians can use industrial-grade sealants and a hydroxyl generator. Hydroxyl generators are suitable because your home can remain occupied during the deodorization process, unlike ozone machines, which are hazardous to use around pets and humans. Hydroxyl generators mimic the smoke particles and neutralize them at the molecular level, ensuring that the smells are obliterated completely.
If fire has damaged your home, contact SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth for restoration services. You can reach as at (817) 741-5737. We have the expertise to restore your home to its normal condition. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.
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Is the Tub Showering Water Beyond Your Ft. Worth Bathroom?
5/22/2019 (Permalink)
Water damage from leaking plumbing in bathrooms can spread to other rooms. SERVPRO is always ready to dry your home.
Restoring Water Damaged Components of Your Ft. Worth Bathroom
Water loss incidents that begin in the bathroom of your Ft. Worth home can often be troublesome to get under control. With many of the fixtures in this area without shutoff valves or with aging components that could be prone to stress and leaks, situations can quickly get beyond the capabilities of even competent and experienced homeowners. The best approach is to address these circumstances with a reliance on the fast response and capabilities of our restoration professionals.
No matter where water damage occurs in your Ft. Worth home, it is imperative to get restoration technicians in route as quickly as possible. Mitigation can help not only to save you time and money but to protect areas of your home from requiring demolition and replacement. Our SERVPRO professionals have ready trailers and service vehicles that stay stocked and prepared for emergencies. Whenever we get a call for a water loss incident, we can quickly mobilize the right personnel and roll out with the equipment necessary to make a difference.
Damage assessment is one of the first steps to any of our recovery tasks. Our estimator and management walk through the property with our detection equipment and moisture readers to determine the best approaches for restoring the residence. We can also determine the necessary equipment and personnel to get the job completed as promptly as possible. Understanding the spread of water damage can help us to know the best places to position drying machines to maximize their effectiveness.
Our SERVPRO professionals must also address the saturation of elements within the bathroom, like vanities and shelving. While flooring and other materials can often resist water penetration for a time, fixtures like the vanity are not designed to do so. With running our high-velocity air movers and LGR dehumidifiers, which are ideal for highly saturated materials, we can often protect and preserve these exposed areas without the need for demolition.
Water damage that occurs in the bathroom of your home can result in widespread damaging effects. You can count on our SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth team to work fast to get the situation under control and make this incident “Like it never even happened.” Give us a call today at (817) 741-5737.
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Wondering How You Are Going to Tackle Commercial Flood Damage in Your Fort Worth Business?
5/18/2019 (Permalink)
Don't let your business get taken over by flood damage. Call SERVPRO today for all remediation needs.
SERVPRO Helps Fort Worth B&B Beat Commercial Flood Damage
Commercial flood damage can be a devastating situation for a business owner. This type of water loss is rated as a category three biohazard and sometimes referred to as “black water,” and it is vital that the cleanup is done professionally to have sanitary conditions for both employees and customers and to avoid secondary damages to the property.
SERVPRO assisted a bed and breakfast commercial property in Fort Worth that received flood damage from some locally heavy storms. Groundwater entered through worn weather stripping on the back door and drenched the breakfast area where guests gathered each morning for a homemade breakfast after spending the night.
The B&B owner cleaned the water up when it first entered the property, but soon realized the job was going to be much larger than merely mopping up some rainwater. She placed a call to SERVPRO late in the evening, and we arrived a few hours later to begin mitigation on the property.
Our technicians immediately scoped the room with our detection equipment to determine areas of water migration. Fast action by the B&B owner stopped water from reaching the subflooring; however, we found elevated moisture levels within the baseboards, very bottom of the sheetrock and under the cabinetry.
When moisture wicks into sheetrock, sometimes flood cuts are necessary to remove unsalvageable materials and let enough air flow in to dry the wall cavity. In this case, the wicking was minor and not enough to warrant flood cuts. The technicians determined the sheetrock could be mitigated and removed the baseboards and toe kickboards under the cabinets for drying purposes.
Using specific configurations with equipment such as our InjectiDry that forces air into small openings, our air movers forced air into the affected spaces to ensure they reached drying goals to inhibit the potential for mold growth and foul odors. Afterward, our technicians thoroughly cleaned and sanitized the kitchen area to get it ready for reopening for breakfast for the guests.
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth is ready to come to your property 24/7 to mitigate commercial flood damage. Call us at (817) 741-5737, and our technicians arrive within hours because We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.
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SERVPRO Says to Fort Worth Property Owners--Fire Losses Require Documentation along with Cleaning and Restoration
5/2/2019 (Permalink)
Structural Fire Damage to Fort Worth Home Gets TLC from SERVPRO
Why Divide Structure from Contents when Restoring Fire Damage in Fort Worth?
It is essential to take elaborate restoration steps after fires damage buildings and the contents within. Although your concern might not be on what damage falls under content or structure, there might be reasons why you need to distinguish the two aspects. Among the reasons is for insurance purposes since insurance policies make that distinction. Restorative cleaning also involves separation since cleaning contents and structure happen separately.
Structure refers to any item attached to the building permanently when addressing fire damage in Fort Worth. So, any damage to the walls, framework, ceilings, and attached floor coverings fall under the structure. Components like light fixtures, HVAC systems, and bath fixtures also qualify as part of the structure. Our SERVPRO technicians are Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certified ( IICRC) certified in Fire and Smoke Restoration (FST), so they make the necessary distinction when scoping a fire loss.
Understanding the distinction between structural and content damages helps during fire loss cleaning. It is essential to move contents away from affected sections of the building. Our SERVPRO technicians move contents to a clean section within the building for onsite cleaning. We can also move out items to a facility offsite for advanced restorative cleaning. We also evaluate the structure to establish whether restorative cleaning is enough. In case of extensive blistering by heat or charring by flames, we dispose of the affected structure items.
When cleaning the structure, it is essential to do tests to establish which cleaning approach to use. An appropriate cleaning method removes fire residues without causing further damage to the surface or the material. Our SERVPRO technicians test and classify structural materials as washable and non-washable depending on whether wet cleaning is possible. Another reason for doing tests is to establish the type of residue left on the material to determine the best cleaning method. For grease and other oil-based residues, we use dry solvent cleaning agent even when the affected material can be wet-cleaned.
For the elaborate restoration of your Keller, Park Glen or Heritage Trace area home after a fire loss, call SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth to help. We are ready at (817) 741-5737 any time. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.
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After A Flood Our Crew Can Help Restore Your Fort Worth Home
4/24/2019 (Permalink)
For fast restoration after a flooding incident, call SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth at (817) 741-5737 to help. We are available 24/7.
How Long Should It Take To Fix Flood Damage In Fort Worth?
Any homeowner hit by a flooding incident feels anxious wondering whether it is possible to restore the property to its preloss state. Among the thorny issues you have to deal with, is determining how long the restoration is likely to take so that you can make other plans if necessary. A professional restorer can help provide an estimate based on the time it takes to accomplish different aspects of the restoration process.
Cleaning up the debris and soiling left over after flood damage in Fort Worth may seem daunting, but it is hardly the most challenging task, primarily when handled by a skilled team with sophisticated equipment. Our SERVPRO technicians use simple equipment such as shovels, as well as advanced ones like power washers to remove soils from the property quickly.
Drying excess water left over after flooding incidents can take time. As water sits in the property, it soaks into different materials complicating the removal process. Our SERVPRO experts use a variety of equipment including air movers to speed up the drying process. Typically, one air-moving unit can cover 150 to 300 square feet since we remove carpets and pad for disposal instead or drying them. By calculating the total square feet affected in the incident, we can estimate the expected turnaround time for drying.
Restoring flood damage can take longer is secondary problems develop. Mold infestation and deterioration of materials such as wood through rotting and warping add extra steps lengthening the process. Where possible, our SERVPRO technicians take precautions to prevent these problems. We try to dry materials within 48hours to prevent mold development. We also set drying goals that lead to balanced drying preventing problems such as cracking. In case we cannot prevent the issues, put our building service skills to use tearing down affected areas to replace affected materials and refinish surfaces to deal with the problem “Like it never even happened.”
For fast restoration after a flooding incident, call SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth at (817) 741-5737 to help. We are available 24/7.
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Call Us When Roots Are Causing Water Damage Problems For Your Fort Worth Home
4/10/2019 (Permalink)
Reach out to us at (817) 741-5737 and let us leave your home “Like it never even happened.”
Roots Can Get Into Your Fort Worth Pipes Without You Knowing
Regardless of where you live, including Fort Worth, being a homeowner comes with both great joy and great responsibility. The general upkeep of your home depends on your efforts, but there are also neighbors and elements beyond your control that put you at risk. Something as simple as a beautiful tree whose roots grow underneath your crawl space can compromise your plumbing and cause an almost imperceptible leak that slowly erodes your foundation and adds humidity to your living room without you noticing.
When you find water damage in your Fort Worth home, it is best to reach out to a professional team to assess the extent of the damage. Our SERVPRO technicians arrive upon receiving your call and can assess whether the humidity you sense in your living room is only limited to that area or if it has spread to other rooms. Furthermore, we trace the moisture to its origin and work with you to ensure the root compromising your plumbing is taken care of and the source of the leak repaired.
If the root in question is affecting your flooring, our SERVPRO team can help you restore it. For hardwood floors, we concentrate on returning them to their natural moisture level to prevent further buckling. If you have carpet, we use a wand to extract any water residue and make sure it is dry. Even beyond these obvious solutions, we take inventory of all your belongings in the living room including furniture, books, instruments, and decor that may also need to be restored. Our hygrometers help us determine whether they are also victims of excess moisture and we restore them appropriately.
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth is equipped to handle your water damage needs even when they are not catastrophic. It does not take a flood for your home to need the expert services of a trained team and we are just a phone call away. Reach out to us at (817) 741-5737 and let us leave your home “Like it never even happened.”
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Fort Worth Area Motels Rely on SERVPRO for Fast Water Damage Recovery
4/2/2019 (Permalink)
The SERVPRO Green Box Truck Is Faster To Any SIze Disaster, Ready for Commercial Water Restoration in Fort Worth
Commercial Water Removal Services for Your Fort Worth Business
When it comes to water leaks in your Fort Worth motel, what you don’t know can hurt your structure. Plumbing leaks are known as a top cause of foundation damage. However, although some leaks are apparent, some are almost impossible to know they are there without looking under foundation slabs or behind walls. When you know what some of the warning signs are that you have a leak, you can avoid the expense and hassle of extensive water damage.
When you do suspect you have a water leak in your Fort Worth business building, you need water removal services from a professional remediation company. At SERVPRO, we have extensive experience with all types of water damage, so you can rest assured when you hire us you are getting the best service for your business.
One sign something is wrong is a water bill that has had a sudden increase. Some plumbing issues are difficult to spot, so this could be your first indication that you have a problem. Since water use can have fluctuations over a year, you should compare your bill with the same month from the year before to see if something could be amiss.
The presence of mold or mildew is a clear sign you have an issue with a water leak. Mold thrives on moist conditions. Keep an eye out for dark spots on floors or ceilings and pay even more attention to any musty odors that are coming from the motel rooms that could indicate excess moisture. Mold can affect guests' clothing, a fact that can lead to negative reviews.
When you call SERVPRO with a problem, even if you are not sure where it is, our technicians can help you find it. With special moisture sensors which can detect hidden dampness, we can find the leak source so we can fix the problem. We can then work on removing excess water that has built up, plus clean up any possible mold damage. We also understand how inconvenient disruptions are to your daily business, so we do everything we can to keep the interruptions for you and your guests at a minimum.
Other signs you could have a water leak include damaged wallpaper, paint, walls or flooring. When moisture has had a chance to build up inside the walls of your motel, it can lead to cracking, bubbling, warping or sagging. Floors with water damage can create the materials to become soft or spongy. SERVPRO techs can also lightly fog corridors, common areas, and rooms with a pleasant scent to improve the ambiance of the motel.
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth knows that your business in Fossil Creek, Trace Ridge or Park Glen cannot afford downtime due to a water loss emergency. That is why we are available at any time when you dial (817) 741-5737, so do not hesitate to reach out to us as soon as you find a problem.
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Restoring Your Keller Commercial Property After A Water Damage Event
4/1/2019 (Permalink)
SERVPRO fans hard at work
Flooding and water damage events at Keller commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large scale event, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. In many instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.
Restoring Commercial Properties Presents Unique Challenges
Our professionals are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.
About SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.
Meet our Crew
Call Our Experts Right Away After A Flood Causes Damage To Your Fort Worth Home
3/28/2019 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth is here to help.
Disposing Of Belongings After Your Fort Worth Home Is Flooded
As a homeowner, you never think that it could happen to you, but suddenly torrential rains fall all around you, and your Fort Worth home is in the path of the water. Being prepared for the onset of disaster is the most crucial step you can take towards protecting your home. Aside from the necessary supplies and precautions recommended by local community helpers, you should also identify the best professional team to help you restore your home in case there is water damage as a result of the weather.
When a flood causes damage to your Fort Worth home SERVPRO is the right team for you to call. Our rapid response hotline is available 24/7 and is quick to respond to your emergency. Our Green Fleet is fully equipped with the latest equipment and technology to rapidly extract water from your home and mitigate the loss of time and money following a disaster.
One of the primary concerns, when there is flood damage, is the presence of bacteria in your home as the result of water coming from the outside, otherwise known as black water. Unwanted debris and organisms can enter your house and need to be removed as soon as possible. Our truck-mounted pumps are ideal to extract a large volume of water and dispose of it by relevant regulations. For smaller water accumulations our SERVPRO team can use handheld instruments that allow us to access hard to reach corners of your home.
Unfortunately, one of the by-products of flood damage is the removal of porous surfaces such as carpets and upholstered materials. Because of the hazard flood water poses, our SERVPRO team disposes of these items quickly and according to environmental recommendations. Our field experience lets us understand the intricacies of this process and make it simple for you as the homeowner.
Having your home be in the middle of the flood is overwhelming. SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth is here to help. We can be reached at (817) 741-5737 when disaster strikes so our competent team can join you in restoring your property to pre-damage condition.
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IICRC Certified Firm
3/25/2019 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth is an IICRC firm. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.
IICRC Certified Firms must
• Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.
• Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.
• Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.
• Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.
• Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.
The IICRC Develops The Standards For The Restoration Industry
The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals.
Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.
About SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: from initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.
Meet Our Crew
Your Water Damaged Fort Worth Home Might Have Areas Cordoned Off for These Four Reasons
3/22/2019 (Permalink)
Water damage from a leaking roof, washing machine or pipe can be devastating and needs immediate clean up. Contact SERVPRO to remediate the damage.
SERVPRO Technicians Have Safety in the Forefront After Water Damage in Your Home
Sometimes, a Fort Worth water damage case may prove so severe as to warrant a quarantine or exclusion zone within your home. While we do not make these calls lightly, SERVPRO has to institute such safety precautions for some situations to protect both you and your home while we conduct restorations. While our technicians are typically more than able to explain the full reasoning behind such precautions, it might pay off to know what situations can commonly lead to this decision.
Electrical Hazards
If your Fort Worth home has water damage in a broad area or standing water in a room, this area typically must be cordoned off due to the potential presence of electrical hazards. When outlets and large electronic appliances come into contact with volumes of water, they create a major hazard to anyone not protected by specialized clothing like that worn by SERVPRO technicians.
Mold
If our inspectors find a mold of a dangerous species or spread, they may create a quarantine area to stop its spread and shield residents from potential health effects the mold can cause. We are well-qualified to handle mold situations, so worry not if we do find a problem. We simply incorporate mold remediation into the present cleanup job and keep moving.
Septic Tank Spillage or Other Waste Hazards
When a septic tank has spilled, or some other disaster involving biological waste has occurred, we typically bar access to this area to prevent contamination from occurring. Tainted water sources carry large quantities of bacteria, viruses, and fungi that can create serious health effects even through simple proximity. If you know that your septic tank has ruptured or spilled, be sure to inform our personnel before they arrive so adequate preparations can be made.
Structural Damage
More severe water damage has the potential to cause structural damage to the home. If our trained inspectors find signs of this, they may ask you and your family to vacate the area immediately. Structural collapse can happen suddenly, and without prompting, so it is best to stay away from the at-risk area until we have had enough time to ensure its safety.
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth is trained and equipped to deal with water damage of any variety. Call us at the first sign of trouble at (817) 741-5737.
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Quick, Professional Fire Damage Restoration in Fort Worth that Gets the Job Done Right
3/22/2019 (Permalink)
SERVPRO technicians focus on restoration rather than reconstruction after a fire. Contact us for thorough service that will meet your expectations.
SERVPRO Technicians Efficiently Remediate Your Property After a Fire
We recently began restoration on a Fort Worth property, where a fire occurred on the second floor, only causing minor smoke and water damage to the downstairs. About 40% of the rafters and decking in the roof required replacement and much of the area was black from smoke.
If you find yourself facing a similar fire damage situation in your Fort Worth area home, obtaining qualified professional help is easier than you might think. You are not alone and should never take on the task of renovating your property by yourself after a fire occurs. It can be hard to address every damaged item correctly, especially without the proper training and equipment.
Until you face this type of tragedy yourself, you may not fully understand the level of damage that occurs. In this instance, nearly half of the roof, rafters, decking, insulation, wiring, ducting, and other materials require replacement while the other portion needs a thorough cleaning and deodorization method performed to restore and remove the odors that exist.
Hundreds, if not thousands of posts from other do-it-yourself restorers, on websites all over the net, describe this as an unmanageable event. Some claim that you must tear down the entire structure and rebuild to get the odor out of your home after a fire. However, SERVPRO technicians perform deodorization and cleaning methods on a daily basis, successfully restoring many homes just like this one.
SERVPRO is available throughout your local community; we offer customers full-service solutions to fire damage situations of all shapes and sizes. Regardless of how the fire began on your property, we can help provide you with much-needed answers and solutions that get things back to normal as quickly and efficiently as possible. We can also help you prevent future events from occurring, and give quality recommendations that avoid future losses.
Avoid following someone else’s failed attempts at restoring their home alone. Contact SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth for access to qualified professionals 24/7, 365. We respond quickly, helping you restore your Keller, Park Glen, or Trace Ridge home the right way, the first time, call today. (817) 741-5737
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SERVPRO Professionals are Ready to Restore Commercial Water Damage in Keller
3/19/2019 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth is available 24/7 for all of your water damage restoration needs.
The Importance of Fast Extraction for Your Keller Store
Store owners place much faith in their buildings when they place the orders to supply their shops with items and goods, and your Keller store is no different. While you might have made the substantial initial investment a long time ago, every item that you have for sale within the shop represents part of that financial arrangement that you have with your supplier to make good on your end of the agreement. When water loss incidents occur within the store, you need to act immediately to protect this investment from irreparable damage. Our professionals can help.
While you cannot predict when you might need water removal services in your Keller store, the faster that you can secure this service, the less of the items and stock throughout your store that can become directly impacted. Our SERVPRO professionals can work quickly to offer effective mitigation solutions including fast extraction when you need it the most. We have multiple tools and pieces of equipment to remove excess water from your building.
When we first come into your building, part of our team works to set up the extraction equipment required to begin removal and restoration efforts while another portion of our crew can work to remove at-risk contents from the affected area. Without a widespread situation, much of these moved items can get stored in a different area of your store unless they require focused drying and cleaning attention.
Our SERVPRO technicians on site determine the best equipment for the severity of the water damage, ranging from mobile wet-vac units with extraction wands to gas-powered trash pumps and our extractor truck. With effective removal of excess water, our team can get to work on thoroughly drying the damaged area and protecting your building from potential reconstruction or remediation needs.
While there are many concerns when your store suffers a water loss incident, the investment that you have made in the stock and contents of the shop is a priority for our SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth team as well. We have efficient extraction and drying equipment to get your doors back open quickly. Give us a call anytime disaster strikes at (817) 741-5737.
Read about the city of Keller here.
24 Hour Emergency Water Damage Service
3/18/2019 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth provides 24 hour fire and water damage restoration service
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, large or small. When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage.
We Answer the Phone Ready to Help
Call Today - (817) 741-5737
We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.
What to Expect
When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed.
Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:
- Your name and contact information
- Your insurance information (if applicable)
- The street address of the water-damaged home or business
- When did the flooding or water damage occur?
- What caused the water damage (if known)?
- Is there electricity available (on-site)?
About SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.
Meet Our Crew: https://www.SERVPROnortheastftworth.com/employee-photos
How Our Crew Will Restore Your Keller Home After A Flood
3/14/2019 (Permalink)
If you have any flooding in your home, call us today at (817) 741-5737.
Removing Flood Damage In Keller Homes
Keller residents are accustomed to storms rolling in out of a perfectly beautiful afternoon. They make for some interesting skies to watch and photograph, but the resulting floodwaters can cause homeowners thousands of dollars in restoration costs.
Since flood damage to Keller homes comes from outside the structure, the water contains soil and anything else that might be outside the home like animal waste, pesticides, and fertilizer. The presence of these contaminants means SERVPRO restoration teams have to take additional precautions to protect anyone entering the home and to return it to a clean, safe condition.
Team members start by spraying all standing water and exposed surfaces with an anti-bacterial agent to reduce the threat to breathing and physical contact. In addition to the standard rubber boots with every water incident, our specialists also wear rubber gloves, eye protection, body suits, and respirators if needed.
If the floodwater brought in a large amount of soil and debris, it might be necessary for our teams to remove it with shovels and other hand tools. After they remove the trash and other waste, SERVPRO technicians can start removing the water.
We use commercial pumps to clear out homes regardless of the type of water, but with an outside flood, our personnel has to direct the removed water and contaminants into the nearest sewer access point. If the system is overwhelmed by the flood, then restoration teams pump it into a tank truck for disposal in a water reclamation plant.
Now, our teams switch to extraction wands and other devices to draw water out of carpets and off floors. There is no way to 100% guarantee that a carpet is safe for use after a flood, so our teams remove and dispose of the carpet and carpet pad after removing the water to reduce the weight and make it easier to remove. After drawing water off wood flooring, vinyl, or concrete, specialists spray the floors with a strong, anti-bacterial cleaner to eliminate any remaining threat.
Our goal at SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth is to return every Texas home to its owner in a clean, safe condition as close to its pre-flood state as possible. If you have any flooding in your home, call us today at (817) 741-5737.
Click here for more about Keller.
Faster to your Ft. Worth Water Damage Event
3/13/2019 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth provides 24/7 fire and water damage restoration service
Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays.
Faster To Any Size Disaster
Flooding and water damage is very invasive. Water quickly spreads throughout your home and gets absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, and more. SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs.
Need Emergency Service? Call Us 24/7 – (817) 741-5737
Water Damage Timeline
Within Minutes
- Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path.
- Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery, and belongings.
- Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets.
- Photographs, books, and other paper goods start to swell and warp.
Hours 1 - 24:
- Drywall begins to swell and break down.
- Metal surfaces begin to tarnish.
- Furniture begins to swell and crack.
- Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain.
- A musty odor appears.
48 Hours to 1 Week:
- Mold and mildew may grow and spread.
- Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp.
- Metal begins to rust and corrode.
- Furniture warps and shows signs of mold.
- Paint begins to blister.
- Wood flooring swells and warps.
- Serious biohazard contamination is possible.
More Than 1 Week:
- Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive.
- Structural safety, mold growth, and biohazard contaminants pose serious risks to occupants.
About SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.
Meet Our Crew: https://www.SERVPROnortheastftworth.com/employee-photos
How SERVPRO Removes Water From Your Fort Worth Home
1/24/2019 (Permalink)
SERVPRO has the equipment and expertise to quickly remove water from your Fort Worth home.
Why SERVPRO Relies on Advanced technology for Water Removal in Fort Worth
Whom do you call when you arrive home after work and find water pooling all over? Whether the water is from a clean source or not, it is likely to cause a wide range of problems including deterioration of materials, soiling, and microbial growth. One viable option is to call SERVPRO since we offer professional water removal services. Our crews are highly trained, and IICRC certified. We also use advanced technology and techniques to save your property after water loss.
Using different approaches during water removal in Fort Worth is possible. An approach that removes the water fast helps prevent secondary issues that arise from a water spill. For example, mold develops within 24 to 48 hours after the spill. Our SERVPRO technicians rely on advanced technologies for fast removal. We have dry-wet vacs, pumps and truck-mounted water extractors. The added capabilities like heating and storage in the water extractors we use allow us to multitask between removal and restorative cleaning is the need arises.
Although the spill is the problem, removal can be very disruptive requiring the removal of contents such as furniture or tearing down walls and other permanent fittings like countertop cabinets. Such additional steps introduce extra costs and prolong the process even further. Using advanced technologies, our SERVPRO technicians limit the amount of teardown or movement needed to dry the property effectively. Using advanced moisture detection equipment like thermal cameras, moisture sensors, and thermo-hygrometers, we check the level of migration to determine whether we can dry carpets in-place. We also have advanced equipment like injectidry systems that help remove moisture from wall cavities and below wooden floorboards without requiring teardown.
The effectiveness of the drying phase after a water loss incident has serious ramifications. Leaving moisture traces in any part of the house leads to problems like mold later on. Our SERVPRO technicians rely on industrial grade dehumidifiers and high-speed air movers to dry excess moisture from the spill "Like it never even happened."
Do not hesitate to call SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth when there is a spill. You can reach us at (817) 741-5737 any time.
Click here to read about the Fort Worth Stockyards.
Our Experts Explain The Importance Of Safety After A Fire In Your Fort Worth Home
1/8/2019 (Permalink)
After a fire in your home, SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth can help get your structure and life back to normal.
Fire Damage Restoration And Fire Safety For Your Home In Fort Worth
Going through a fire is the fear of many homeowners in Fort Worth, but taking precautions can help to protect your home from the devastating effects. Doing what you can to prevent a fire is not only beneficial for your family’s safety but your wallet as well. You may be able to get privileges and grant discounts from your insurance company if you’ve taken extra measure to fireproof your home.
You need the help of professionals to restore and clean your fire damaged home in Fort Worth. With the right tools and training, SERVPRO can fix your home up to the way it was before the fire occurred. However, consider the following things to help keep your home safe from a fire.
The number of house fires that happen every year is dramatically reduced by installing smoke alarms. Smoke alarms can detect even the slightest bit of smoke and alert you before the fire gets to a size that is unmanageable. The more smoke alarms you install in your home, the more discounts you can also get on your insurance. SERVPRO technicians can also help you clean smoke and soot damage if need be.
You need to be prepared in case a fire does ignite. Sink water is not great for extinguishing a fire quickly. However, a fire extinguisher suffocates flames faster and on a much larger scale. You can keep various fire extinguishers accessible in your home to make sure you can quickly put out all kinds of house fires.
Many house fires happen from mistakes which could have been avoided if you or family members were more attentive to fire hazards. One of the best ways to fireproof your home is just by checking it for any fire hazards and re-organizing to avoid the hazards. You should, for example, clear the areas around heating vents, electrical sockets, stoves, fireplaces, lamps and other areas which could start a fire. Make sure to only smoke outdoors and extinguish your cigarettes with sand or water to be safe.
After a fire in your home in Fossil Creek, Trace Ridge, or Summerfields, SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth can help get your structure and life back to normal. We can be reached any time by dialing (817) 741-5737, so do not hesitate to call our professionals as soon as the fire is out.
Click here for more about Fort Worth.
How Crawlspace Encapsulation Protects Your Ft. Worth Property From Mold
1/3/2019 (Permalink)
The environment of crawlspaces is a breeding ground for molds.
Securing Your Fort Worth Home from Water Damages and Mold
Working to protect your Fort Worth property from various damages can feel like a constant task for many homeowners. With the threats of severe weather systems passing through the region and unnatural occurrences that can flood or cause water damage to the house, homeowners work to implement as many precautionary measures as possible. Crawlspaces, unfortunately, are left out of this preventative stage much of the time because of their difficult access.
The crawlspace of your Fort Worth home is often the most susceptible to aspects like mold damage resulting from water damage and persistent moisture. Once this area of the property gets affected by this lingering dampness, mold spores can colonize and begin to move up into the home and spread through the trafficked areas of your main floor. Our SERVPRO rapid response team can respond quickly to the discovery of mold growth in your home, as our team is ready 24 hours a day for the disasters that threaten our customers.
While we can work to contain the spread of the mold throughout the floor above the crawlspace, this area of the property must get addressed by our professionals as well. We can begin by working to remove the active colonies in this area through our remediation tactics and then restore the damage to structural elements that might have resulted from the growth. Our SERVPRO technicians can then look to identify the source of the moisture threatening this area of your home and remedy that with water diversion equipment like sump pumps.
Crawlspace encapsulation is becoming a popular solution for our customers because it protects the entirety of this space below your home and prevents water damage from affecting structural elements again. These components and the ground get covered in a thick 12mm plastic sheeting once the mold colonies get removed and the supports, beams, and framing get sprayed with an antimicrobial solution.
While many homeowners might neglect to protect their crawlspace, the discovery of mold can demand a permanent solution to protect your home and its occupants. Give our SERVPRO of Northeast Ft Worth restoration specialists a call today at (817) 741-5737.
Ft. Worth is the 15th largest city in the United States. Click here to read more.
How to Remove Debris From Your Fire Damaged Forth Worth Residence
12/17/2018 (Permalink)
Removing fire debris is one of the first steps in recovering from a fire. Call SERVPRO to remove the debris and restore your home.
Is Fire Debris Removal in Ft Worth Homes Covered by Insurance?
Once a disaster has impacted your Fort Worth home, you work to understand that steps necessary to return your property to preloss conditions. Ultimately, in the case of fires, much of the work that needs to happen falls into the skilled hands of professional restoration technicians like ours. The question becomes who is going to cover the costs of restoring the property, whether this falls into the coverage that you pay for when you have home insurance, or if it becomes an out of pocket expense.
With the often widespread fire effects throughout your Fort Worth property, even fire debris removal can feel overwhelming to a homeowner. Our SERVPRO professionals can help with an honest assessment of the damage and the best approach to restoring the property as efficiently as possible. Your insurance provider requires documentation, evidence, and photographs to approve a claim for your home to get the restoration paid for, so calling our experienced team first can be a time and money saving option.
Also, by getting our professionals to your home quickly, we can implement our mitigation tactics which can keep the damage from getting worse. We have equipment designed to clean up potential water damage, improve air quality, and remove hazards that could exist from the fire spreading throughout your home. Our safety-conscious SERVPRO technicians have full-body personal protective equipment that can keep them safe through these initial efforts.
Often basic home insurance policies from major providers include fire debris removal coverage. To know for sure, you can call your agent directly to walk you through the details of your specific policy. This removal is critical to begin restoration as it removes overly damaged components and potential health hazards from the property and provides a safer environment for our technicians to restore.
With fire damage, no two homes get affected in the same way. Let our highly trained SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth fire restoration specialists offer you comprehensive service from our initial inspection through the return of your restored home. Call us anytime at (817) 741-5737.
The U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing Western Currency Facility is located in Fort Worth and prints 60% of America's paper money. Click here to read more.
Why SERVPRO - Sealing The Crawl Space In Fort Worth Homes
12/14/2018 (Permalink)
Why SERVPRO for Crawl Space Encapsulation in Fort Worth? Our Green Fleet Is Ready to Roll.
Lake Worth Home Owners Benefit from Crawl Space Encapsulation
For most Fort Worth residents, a crawl space is usually a forgotten part of the home unless the family dog decides to have a litter of pups under the house. Some homes though have crawl spaces large enough to store holiday decorations and more. Regardless of the size, however, if space fills with water, it can become a problem for the entire home.
Sealing a crawl space in your Fort Worth home requires a professional company that can remove water and prevents future intrusion from rains and floods. So why SERVPRO? Our company can dry any crawl space, and then stop more water from entering using a process called encapsulation. It seals off the crawl space with a combination of blocking seeps and leaks and establishing a vapor barrier which prevents water from entering the crawlspace via the soil.
Specialists first level out the dirt floor of the crawl space. They fill holes and compact the earth to prevent water pooling under the home. Next, our work crews lay down thick plastic sheets of polyethylene. These sheets serve as the vapor barrier to stop further water intrusion from the ground. Crew members make certain the sheets extend far enough so they can secure them to the walls with foundation tape and anchors.
Before securing the plastic sheets, SERVPRO specialists examine the concrete foundation walls (if part of the construction) for any cracks that let in even a drop of water. They fill the cracks with hydraulic cement and then cover the walls with masonry cement which stops seeps too small for our specialists to see. Together, these sealants can stop any water from getting into the crawl space again. Once the cement dries, crew members tape the polyethylene sheets in place. For problematic flash flooding from monsoons or other weather-related occurrences, a sump pump can be installed for rapid evacuation of flowing water.
To finish drying the crawl space, specialists use a dehumidifier to remove water from the air. This device also draws water from the sub-floor overhead to prevent rot and reduce the risk of a mold infestation.
At SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth, we take every step to keep our neighbors high and dry in their own homes. If you have any water pooling under your homes from the recent rains, call us at (817) 741-5737 today to schedule an inspection and start the encapsulation process.
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How Our Team Of Highly Trained Specialists Handle Flood Damage To Your Fort Worth Home
12/4/2018 (Permalink)
Our experts have the equipment and training to get you back into your home quickly.
Safety Assessments And Thorough Cleanup For Fort Worth Flooding
Water loss incidents that affect your Fort Worth property often prevent you from staying in the home. Being displaced from your house and looking for a credible service that can restore the damages efficiently can be stressful. Many homeowners even consider the possibility of taking on the effects of flooding on their own to repair their property, but this is not advisable. With structural concerns and potential contaminants, you need a team of professionals that know how to restore your home quickly and safely.
With overcoming flood damages to your Fort Worth property, our initial focus is the safety of our technicians and the stability of the structure for beginning our mitigation work. This assessment is an essential place to begin as it determines areas that could pose a risk of structural failure and identifies portions of the property too irreparably damaged to preserve through our advanced techniques. Our SERVPRO rapid response team comes equipped with the necessary personal protective equipment to keep them safe throughout the initial mitigation steps and throughout the restoration.
As with any flooding situation, extraction must happen before many of the other steps to come. We employ advanced equipment for fast extraction, such as gas-powered and truck-mounted pumps. We can even utilize extraction wands for tighter spaces. Once the excess gets removed, our technicians can make use of other equipment such as air movers, the injectidry system, and industrial-strength dehumidifiers to eliminate lingering moisture and dampness.
In more substantial flooding situations, flood cuts may be necessary where moisture begins to wick up drywall from the floors. We assess with moisture detection equipment the height of the necessary cut to get made, noting where the drywall is left unscathed by the moisture, and remove only the damaged portions for later replacement.
We have many effective techniques that can work to restore your home following a traumatic flooding situation efficiently. You can count on our SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth rapid response team to help in an emergency. Our experts have the equipment and training to get you back into your home quickly. Give us a call today at (817) 741-5737.
Click here for more about Fort Worth.
We Can Restore Your Fort Worth Home After A Mold Infestation Has Taken Over
11/17/2018 (Permalink)
When you need professional assistance for a situation like mold growth, you can count on SERVPRO!
Overcoming Mold Growth In Your Fort Worth House
Not every disastrous situation that occurs in your Fort Worth home happens dramatically. Sometimes situations develop throughout days or weeks that spread throughout affected areas of your home that pose threats to the structural integrity and the health of the occupants within the property. Mold growth is one of the situations that might not develop overnight, but by the time that homeowners notice its presence, can already be out of control.
Recovering from mold damages in your Fort Worth home requires a fast response from experienced technicians who have the appropriate equipment. Our SERVPRO professionals can respond quickly to this emergency and work to quarantine the affected areas to avoid the spread of mold spores to new surfaces and thwart the spread of the thriving colony with the application of our air scrubbers. These machines can trap mold spores in the environment to keep them from relocating.
Our franchise takes great pride in the work that our technicians do to obtain their mold remediation certification from the IICRC. As the organization that sets quality standards for restoration work throughout the industry, this certification can ensure to our customers that our professionals know what it takes to remove the mold in their homes and restore the damage that the organism has caused. These same technicians pursue in-house training opportunities to continue their knowledge and growth within the mold remediation and restoration facet of the industry.
Preliminary work from the moment that we arrive can help eliminate the moisture that allowed mold spores to seat and colonize within your house. Our state-of-the-art equipment and products available to the SERVPRO technicians dispatched to your home can also prevent the spread of the colony while our team prepares the steps for removal. Products like our OSHA-approved antimicrobial solution can prevent fungal growth on unaffected surfaces and adversely affect current growth to preserve the material playing host.
Mold isn't going away on its own. When you need professional assistance for a situation like mold growth, you can count on our SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth remediation technicians to help. Give SERVPRO a call anytime at (817) 741-5737.
Click here for more about Fort Worth.
How Professionals Restore Your Fire Damaged Keller Home
11/13/2018 (Permalink)
One of the first steps after a fire is securing the building. SERVPRO added tarps to this house to keeps the elements out while it was being repaired.
Proven Ways of Restoring and Cleaning Fire Damaged Buildings in Keller
Apart from consuming your items and your buildings' structural components, fire damage incidents can leave behind dark stains on surfaces and discolored ceilings and walls. There is also the challenge of dealing with the odors that remain trapped in hidden locations. You are also likely to find soot and ash deposits behind walls and around the air conditioner vents. To prevent additional damage, we carefully inspect your Keller property and come up with appropriate restoration and cleaning techniques.
Sometimes fire damage to your Keller home can cause significant exterior structural damage and leave it dangerously unstable. If that happens, it is necessary to board it up instantly. Our SERVPRO technicians offer emergency board up solutions to secure buildings that are severely damaged. Such services can also cover openings that make the structure vulnerable to animals, rain, and vandals. The goal is to provide temporary support as the necessary repairs are being carried out.
Soot and smoke particles can penetrate and travel into various parts of the structure and affect carpets, paint, drapes, upholstery, clothing, and other contents within the building. Our SERVPRO technicians can ventilate the site and use appropriate debris removal techniques during the restoration process. We thoroughly clean and neutralize both the odors and deposits before any redecoration can take place.
Our SERVPRO technicians can use dry sponges when removing initial smoke deposits when attending to damages caused by high-oxygen fires. We use wet cleaning methods when dealing with the destruction caused by low-oxygen fires. In such cases, the use of dry sponges can spread the soot and create smears on surfaces. In most cases, kitchen fires do not leave behind visible residues, so we thoroughly clean the area to clear the mess. If necessary, we can remove contents in the kitchen drawers and cabinets to allow access to hidden locations.
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth is a trusted service provider that offers proven cleaning and restoration services that meet residential and commercial needs. Call (817) 741-5737 when you need our highly trained technicians to return your property to its preloss state.
Keller is named after John C Keller, who was a foreman on the railroad. Click here for more on the history of Keller.
Excessive Moisture and Your Keller Home
11/2/2018 (Permalink)
Yikes! Broken pipes mean water on the floor and increased moisture in your home. Excessive moisture damages your belongings and the home's structure.
Any Water Restoration Project in Keller May Require Multiple Steps To Complete
H2O is found naturally and is needed for you and your family to live a comfortable lifestyle at your Keller residence. Therefore, all homes have a complex plumbing system that could fail one day forcing you to contact a water restoration company like SERVPRO. Moisture does not mix well with the organic materials that make up your house's structure and interior building materials. When things get saturated, they tend to lose their strength and disintegrate. Anytime excessive moisture enters your living area, it is vital to start steps towards complete water restoration immediately.
Problems with moisture are the most likely type of damage that your property can suffer. To prevent things from falling apart and mold from growing, our SERVPRO team is available 24/7 in Keller to conduct water restoration operations. If your plumbing system develops a crack or one of your appliances chooses to act abnormally, you could find yourself walking in water when you enter the affected area. As much as stepping in a puddle is unpleasant to you, your building materials and contents that you rely on to live a comfortable lifestyle are not designed to be able to recover from being wet quite like us humans are.
Water is a powerful force, and we have all seen the devastation it can cause during floods or hurricanes. But what some people do not know is that the liquid natural resource can be destructive even in small amounts. Excessive moisture can and will ruin pretty much anything if it gets wet enough and it is left damp for a long enough period.
To make matters worse, if materials inside your home get wet the presence of moisture can cause problems in other areas that the water never even touched. Escalated humidity levels are also known to destroy certain materials that make up a building's structure. Also, if humidity and moisture levels stay high for more than 48 hours, any organic substance inside your dwelling becomes susceptible to microbial contamination. If you ever see or feel wet materials inside your home, please call SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth at (817) 741-5737 so that we can help prevent future secondary problems.
Keller was founded in 1881. Click here for more information about Keller, Texas.
Why Team SERVPRO Always Arrives on the Keller Flood Damage Scene Quickly After a Storm
10/28/2018 (Permalink)
When storm damage affects your property, you need a team to handle the situation and prevent further destruction from the elements. Contact SERVPRO.
We Provide Flood Damage Restoration in Keller
Severe thunderstorms can cause flooding in your home as it did earlier today. A tree branch fell on the roof and left a pretty large hole. Acting fast can prevent significant damages to your home. If you hesitate to call a professional, it could lead to the loss of furniture and belongings and could ruin your walls and flooring. When possible, our team can restore your property and save many of your items.
SERVPRO flood damage restoration in Keller and surrounding areas involves inspecting the damages and securing your home. Our techs can cover the hole in your roof with waterproof tarpaulins or with plywood. They also can check for broken windows or missing doors and can board or cover and seal them. We secure entry points to your home to prevent water from entering the premises. Plus, it helps keep birds, squirrels, and other animals from invading your residence.
Our technicians know that responding fast can reduce damages and work quickly to remove water from inside your home. They can use portable or truck-mounted extractors or commercial grade pumps and wet vacuums to eliminate water from the structure. Rapid water removal can also prevent secondary water damages such as rot and mold growth. We strive to get to your home promptly and begin the job as soon as we arrive to help reduce restoration costs and the number of damages.
Storm waters can also ruin interior walls, flooring, and ceilings. Our techs may have to remove wet materials like carpeting, drywall or insulation. If further construction is necessary, we can help homeowners get in touch with a general contractor. Flood waters contain toxic substances, which mean our techs must throw out all contents like carpeting, padding and any furniture that may come in contact with the water. During the drying phase, we may use air movers and industrial axial fans to dry the structure thoroughly. The crew may also employ dehumidifiers to reduce moisture levels.
If you need reliable and efficient flood damage services in your area, call us 24/7 at (817) 741-5737. SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth can get the job done. We are always nearby and ready to help.
Click here for more about Keller.
Some Mistakes in Fort Worth Water Damage Remediation That Your Business Should Avoid
10/14/2018 (Permalink)
Finding water damage in your business can be quite disconcerting and cause panic. Call SERVPRO right away for remediation services.
Tips on Commercial Water Removal in the Fort Worth Location
If you own a café, clothing store, or any business, you know that anything can happen. After all, owning a business is unpredictable. If there is a storm or hurricane, leaky pipe, or bad plumbing, then your business establishment can be drenched. In this situation, you know that commercial water removal plays an essential role. Many business owners know that it is important to immediately call in the expert before the water damage can escalate further.
Before the experts can get to your location for the commercial water removal in the Fort Worth area, there are some tips and strategies that you can take to remove water from your establishment. You can start by having all your employees help mop and blot out excess water from the floor. Make sure you remove any electrical appliances away from wet areas. After that, you can wipe off excess water from wooden furniture. Then you can place aluminum foil or wooden blocks between wet carpets and furniture legs. Don’t forget to turn the air conditioner on for optimal drying conditions. If you want to save your rug, make sure to remove it away from wet areas. If you have expensive art pieces, then it is best to place them in a safe and dry location. Gather any loose items that you can find on the floor.
Once the SERVPRO technician arrives at your business site, you can rest assured that you are in good hands. The techs can begin the process by inspecting your business site to check for any damages and sufficient drying conditions. They can start the mitigation process immediately by using a vacuum to extract excess water. They can also use a moisture meter to measure the humidity in the air. They want to make sure that there is a right amount of dryness in the atmosphere to help them absorb moisture from the wet area. This strategy is to ensure optimal drying time. Afterward, the SERVPRO technicians can use disinfectant and odor neutralizing solution to get rid of any unpleasant odor that was left behind from the water damage.
If you are interested in commercial water removal for your business establishment, then give SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth a call at (817) 741-5737, and we can send our skilled technician to your business establishment.
Click here for more information on the city of Fort Worth.
Discover Secrets to Waterproofing Your Fort Worth Crawlspace Before Storms Set in
10/7/2018 (Permalink)
If your crawlspace is getting excess water, contact SERVPRO to remediate and offer waterproofing options for your home.
Waterproofing and Sump Pumps for Fort Worth Crawlspaces
Severe storms are a regular part of Fort Worth weather. They flood homes quickly, leaving a mess of not only a homeowner’s personal property but also their residence itself. For homes with crawlspaces underneath, this can be a problem that affects the structural integrity, destroys items in storage, and even lead to a mold infestation if not dealt with quickly.
In these cases, waterproofing is needed for Fort Worth residential crawlspaces. SERVPRO restoration teams can seal off almost any type of leak into one unless there is major damage to the exterior walls or the sub-floor above it.
If standing water is a recurring issue with every rain, then the homeowner has two problems: Leaks and seeps into the crawlspace, and very slow or no drainage. Our technicians can address both of them simultaneously.
Team members remove water with a commercial pump and then use a combination of hand-drying methods and dehumidifiers to remove any moisture left in the crawlspace. Then they cover the dirt floor with thick, polyethylene sheets to serve as a vapor barrier, preventing water from seeping up inside. Team members extend these sheets up and onto the walls, securing them together and to the walls with two-sided, foundation tape.
Before securing them to the walls, however, an inspector carefully examines the walls for any cracks or leaks. SERVPRO specialists fill them with a hydraulic cement that blocks further water intrusion. Next, they seal every wall with a masonry cement that reduces water seepage from outside the home. Once they complete the walls, team members seal the polyethylene sheets in place.
Water can still penetrate through wood floors, however. In areas that flood regularly, the solution for recurring flooding may be to install a sump pump. These devices work automatically, and when water is detected, they switch on to remove it until the level returns to normal. Our technicians can install a sump pump and have it working in a day.
Our goal at SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth is to help you return your entire home to a dry, safe condition, and keep it in that state as best as possible. If you need us to return your crawlspace to what it looked like before flooding; call us today at (817) 741-5737 to get started.
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Our Water Cleanup Team In Keller Works Hard To Mitigate Disasters
9/19/2018 (Permalink)
Mold and mildew begin growing with 24 to 48 hours after a water disaster so cleaning it up and extracting all of the moisture becomes crucial.
Our Team Works Hard To Mitigate Disasters
During September, SERVPRO encourages families in Keller to brush up on their preparedness skills. A disaster can strike your property at any time and come from almost any direction. Weather does not always play a role in these horrible circumstances because incidents such as broken pipes and fire can happen in isolated areas of your house.
When a broken pipe, fire-fighting activities, or overflowed basins occur inside your Keller residence, SERVPRO employees are ready to perform the water cleanup duties needed. We make mitigation fast and easy for homeowners and can do the same for you all year long. While September is National Preparedness Month, remaining prepared helps stave off damages that continuously worsen with each passing minute whenever unwanted water affects your home. In many situations, merely knowing how to shut off a water valve can save your home from severe damage.
Mold and mildew begin growing with 24 to 48 hours after a water disaster so cleaning it up and extracting all of the moisture becomes crucial. Other problems can come from the way in which materials in your home interact with water, also, and porous materials often become damaged to the point of requiring replacement. Responding as quickly as possible reduces this need, so we always strive to remain Faster To Any Size Disaster when we provide services to those in our communities. A fast response can also increase the odds in favor of your flooring and help it survive a disaster.
After removing water sitting in your residence, we address the issue of moisture in materials and water vapor in the air. Air movers speed up the circulation of the air drastically, and both desiccant machines and dehumidifiers work tirelessly to remove the moisture as air passes through these pieces of equipment.
When wall cavities, ceilings, and other portions of your home retain water, we discuss options with you regarding its extraction. The most effective way to do this aspect of water cleanup and removal mitigation involves the drilling of a small hole in an inconspicuous place so we can direct airflow with an Injectidry machine.
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth wants to help mitigate the damage and restore your home and make it “Like it never even happened.” We serve those within the Park Glen, Summerfields, and Diamond Jarvis Hill areas with services designed to mitigate damage in many forms. Water cleanup methods are only one of our many services that help restore homes to preloss condition, making them livable again in a cost-effective manner. Call us when you have an emergency, any day of the year, at our 24-hour services line, (817) 741-5737.
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A Burst Pipe Can Leave Your Fort Worth Clothing Boutique in Need of Professional Water Restoration Services
9/12/2018 (Permalink)
The SERVPRO Green Fleet Keeps Fort Worth Retail Stores Open with Rapid Water Removal
SERVPRO Works Hard and Long to Keep Your Business Afloat After a Water Loss in Fort Worth
Water damage restoration services are usually required after an incident causes water damage to your property. In the case of your clothing boutique, a burst pipe leaked many gallons of water into the back storage room of your store before you managed to shut off the flow of water. As the water spilled into the room, it soaked boxes of unopened merchandise, the floor, and the base of the walls inside your building.
To prevent complications such as mold damage from arising, it is necessary to call for professional water damage restoration services to visit your Fort Worth store. Water damage is time-sensitive, and it can only take seventy-two hours for microbial growth to begin. The faster that you have professionals on the job, the more likely the remediation of the damage is likely to succeed.
At SERVPRO, we understand that it is essential for you to get your business operational as soon as possible. We make it a priority to arrive when you need us, whether you would like our team of IICRC-certified technicians to work through the day or night.
When our SERVPRO technicians report at the job site, our first goal is to get the boxes out of your storage room and send them to be inspected and dried at our local facility. Should they have been ruined by the water damage, we can help you file a claim for your insurance company. Afterward, SERVPRO can employ the use of advanced trade equipment to remove the standing water from your store.
SERVPRO uses devices such as wet/dry vacuums to remove standing water and, in cases of extreme water volume, we can use submersible pumps. From there, our techs can use equipment such as dehumidifiers for the reduction of moisture levels in your store. Our ultimate goal is to make you feel "Like it never even happened."
If you should ever find your store in urgent need of water damage restoration, never wait to get help. Call (817) 741-5737 to reach out to SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth. 24/7.
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Fort Worth's Flood Damage Experts Talk About Problems With Roofs
9/3/2018 (Permalink)
Storm and Disaster Relief for Fort Worth Property Owners Is Only a Phone Call Away to SERVPRO
Storm Damage Cleanup and Restoration in Fort Worth and the Pros from SERVPRO
The thunderstorms in Fort Worth are known to be quite severe during this time of year. The excessive rains and high-speed winds created by a storm can cause costly flood damage to your property. If there is enough rain to cause water to get deep outside, then it can quickly enter your home. Your roof is one part of your building structure that is susceptible to various types of damage. If your roof gets broken somehow, it can cause flood damage inside the living area of your house.
Thunderstorms can also bring about hail and lightning that can hit your roof. Both of these elements can cause your home in Fort Worth to develop flood damage. Ice storms do happen, and they can tear apart your roof shingles. A lightning bolt can hit your house and cause much destruction.
If anything ever happens to your roof or your roof's shingles, it is possible for water to leak into your structure. If moisture gets into your home from above, much damage can result as the water works its way down to your floor. Roof damage can also create safety hazards and if not repaired can be the cause of water-related issues in the future. This link from the EPA provides disaster recovery information for many weather-related conditions that may arise during this time of the year.
When mitigating any storm-related problems, our SERVPRO technicians first make sure that the building is safe for all workers and occupants. Sometimes this requires removing pieces of the roof or ceiling that are hanging down and might fall. Other times we have to call in a certified contractor to fix electrical or plumbing issues.
After the work area is deemed safe, our SERVPRO crew determines the source of where the water is leaking into the home. We then figure out how to seal the hole in the roof so that no more moisture can enter the living area of the building. In some cases, we can permanently fix the leak in the roof, but in other cases, we temporarily fix it until a certified roofing contractor can conduct the repair or reconstruction.
Once water has stopped leaking into your house, we use specialized extraction and drying equipment to remove the moisture. If you ever have water-related problems after a rainstorm, call SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth at (817) 741-5737 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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Fire Damage Technicians Out Of Fort Worth Talk About Structural Issues
8/22/2018 (Permalink)
If a fire ever burns inside your Fort Worth home, the flames can cause devastation to your property.
Technicians Talk About Structural Issues
If a fire ever burns inside your Fort Worth home, the flames can cause devastation to your property. If the blaze gets hot enough, it can cause fire damage to your building materials and contents. If the conditions are ideal, flames can engulf just about anything that is in their path. The amount of time the blaze burns can make a difference as to how much fire damage takes place.
Items that are close to the source of the initial burn are the ones that get torched first. As the flames grow, your fire damage situation in Fort Worth can get worse and cause things to get ruined due to burning, charring, and soot residues. The amount of oxygen and how hot the fire got while burning can both change the types of damage caused during a burn. Slow burning, oxygen-starved blazes tend to create wet smoke that is tough to clean, but the number of objects burns may not be as high. When flames have plenty of oxygen and things, burn hot more charring on contents, and structural components are likely to occur.
Since insurance companies separate their coverage based on your contents and your building materials, our SERVPRO technicians categorize the damage caused to your home in either the contents or structure classification. If your possessions like furniture or art displayed on walls get ruined, then the problems would be placed in the estimate as damage to contents. If items such as your ceilings or walls get torched, then the problems would be classified as structural issues.
If fires do not get put out quickly, it is likely that structural components will get burnt. When things like drywall and ceiling materials get burned, they often get replaced. In some situations, our SERVPRO restoration crew has to remove and replace wooden studs or floor joists due to charring as well.
The general rule when determining whether wooden structural components are ruined or not is if there is more than a quarter inch of charring then the item must get replaced. If the charred material is less than a quarter inch deep, then it is possible to save the items by sanding them down and applying a specialized sealant paint to trap in pungent aromas. If you ever need help with structural charring issues, call SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth at (817) 741-5737 24 hours a day.
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Fort Worth's Commercial Water Cleanup Technicians Discuss Extraction
8/17/2018 (Permalink)
SERVPRO Rescues Both Large Buildings and Small Shops from Water Loss in Fort Worth
Water Loss Swift Service by SERVPRO Reduces Lost Revenue to Fort Worth Retail Shops
If water ever leaks into your Fort Worth jewelry store, the damage caused can be devastating. If the leak comes from a level above your store's floor, water can pour in from the ceiling and cause significant issues that require prompt commercial service. If water saturates building materials such as ceiling tiles or drywall materials, they can lose their structural integrity and crumble. When building materials degrade, they create safety hazards for the employees working in your Fort Worth business.
Other hazards can be created during and after a pipe break, or other leak takes place including trip hazards and electrical hazards. The first thing our SERVPRO restoration crew does when arriving on the scene of a water cleanup job in Fort Worth is to secure the work area. We start by inspecting your entire store and looking for potential hazards. We know that it is vital to keep your store functioning during the restoration process if possible, therefore we strive to keep the work area safe for your employees and ours.
Safety hazards our SERVPRO technicians repair if possible so that they do not create danger. Other areas that cannot be immediately fixed get blocked off with caution tape until the hazards can be eliminated. Factors like severe structural problems and electrical hazards must be repaired by a certified professional before mitigation work can begin.
Once the work area is deemed safe by our SERVPRO team, we start by extracting excessive moisture from your store's structure. If there is two inches deep of standing water or more, we get rid of this first by implementing a submersible pump. The pump sets in the standing water and sucks it out of the building and deposits it into a sewer drain or waste tank, a portable sump pump.
If there is moisture present inside your store's carpeting or your furniture's upholstery, we use specialized extraction equipment to remove water. Our extraction equipment consists of a heavy duty truck mounted pump that has its own power source.
Promptly removing moisture is essential to preventing secondary damage to your products. If material inside your store stay wet humidity levels indoors rise and can cause your display cases to warp and valuable jewelry products to rust--not the gold. Call SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth at (817) 741-5737 any day of the week to keep your shop open.
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Benefect and Mold Remediation
8/9/2018 (Permalink)
Benefect disinfectants used in home with mold issues.
Benefect is a product that we here at SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth use on a daily basis to clean and sanitize mold and other bio hazards. Benefect is a world recognized leader in next-generation botanical antimicrobials. Benefect products use nature's way of cleaning and killing germs with no compromise in strength and without endangering human health. Benefect has been around for over 20 years and has been partnering with SERVPRO for almost a decade. Conor was born with a severe immune system disorder. His parents (Sam and Jen DeAth) needed to minimize the burden on his immune system by cleaning and disinfecting their home, but conventional germ-killing chemistry was almost as dangerous to Conor. His parents searched for natural alternatives to the toxic disinfecting agents found in everyday products but quickly realized they’d have to create their own. Benefect Corp. (www.Benefect.com) is a world recognized leader in next-generation botanical antimicrobial technology. The Active Ingredient is highly specialized Thyme Oil that has been grown & blended to exacting specifications. All the disinfecting strength you need, without the risk. Why would you choose anything else? For more information go to http://benefect.com/US/about.php
Crawlspace Waterproofing For Your Ft Worth Home Can Prevent Water and Mold Damages
8/1/2018 (Permalink)
When mold disasters strike, our SERVPRO team will be there to help.
Preventing Mold & Water Damage To Your Ft Worth Residential Home
Protecting your Ft. Worth home from water damages is something that too many homeowners consider much too late to be effective. It is often only once persistent moisture have caused problems with the structural integrity of your home or cause microbial growth that they seek restoration work and a permanent solution to prevent these problems from reoccurring.
The truth is, many people could avoid water and even mold damages from striking their Ft. Worth homes with crawlspace encapsulation services. A better understanding of this process can help you to appreciate how this precautionary and preventative measure can keep moisture from affecting your household from beneath your first story.
Encapsulation is a process that uses 12mm thick sheets of poly to cover the walls, underneath the upper flooring, the ground, and any supports to prevent moisture from penetrating into this area. This thick plastic provides a sound moisture barrier for the entire crawlspace, effectively keeping the structural components of your home safer and preventing conditions like mold growth.
Before the installation of the plastic sheeting, however, other measures are taken such as fogging the wood framing and supports with an antimicrobial solution. Ventilation gets installed in the crawlspace if none exists to prevent moisture buildup in the area and also eliminates a stagnant atmosphere.
In some cases, sump pumps are necessary installations when natural springs or other water threatens the crawlspace area on a regular basis. In some other cases where a sump pump is not necessarily a requirement, our SERVPRO technicians opt for the installation of other stationary equipment such as a permanent dehumidifier to continually pull moisture from the environment. This lack of dampness and moisture can aid in preventing the growth of mold that erodes and degrades wood components within the crawlspace.
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While you might not always think of ways that you can prevent mold growth or water damage to your home until after the problem already arises, some forward-thinking now can prevent costlier restoration work in the future. Give our SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth a call today to learn more about crawlspace encapsulation. You can reach us anytime at (817) 741-5737.
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Firefighters That Have Responded to a Fire Can Cause Intense Water Damage in Your Fort Worth Home
7/31/2018 (Permalink)
When the remains of a fire are soaked with water that was used to put out the fire, you know that it is time to contact SERVPRO for remediation.
SERVPRO Technicians Understand That Dealing With Fire Damage Always Includes Remediating the Water Damage Caused by Putting Out the Fire
Firefighting efforts require the use of an intense amount of water to extinguish flames, however, it can lead to your home needing urgent water damage restoration services. When putting out a fire, firefighters pump out hundreds of gallons of water in just a few seconds. The intensity of the water spray can weaken the structure of your home and also cause slippery surfaces that are not safe to walk in. Until clean up is done, and the remaining structure of your home is dry, a contractor cannot come into the space to rebuild. Fortunately, help is not far from your home.
Immediately after a fire has been extinguished, our job is to swiftly arrive so we may begin providing water damage restoration services in your Fort Worth home as soon as possible. It is imperative for you to call for professional help swiftly, as it increases the likelihood that our remediation is successful. The quicker we can begin to tackle removing the water, and cleaning up the space, the more likely we are to save some of the structure that has been waterlogged.
When SERVPRO arrives at the scene, the first thing we can do is a careful inspection of your home. We can identify any charred obstacles that could be hazardous and remove them. Additionally, SERVPRO can look for any structural materials that are not saveable and demolish them. Additionally, we can remove any drywall panels that have been ruined. Once the area is free of any dangers that can lead to tripping or other injuries, we can set up to dry out the remaining structure.
SERVPRO can set up extractors and wet vacs to remove any puddles of water from the area, as well as anything that is excessively soaked. Extractors in particular help draw water out of materials to further dry them. Additionally, SERVPRO can use tools such as dehumidifiers and ventilation box fans to help create an ideal environment for evaporation. Using these tools allows us to remove the water and moisture from the remains of your home so renovation work can be done by a contractor.
Do not hesitate or consider skipping this vital step between extinguishment and renovation. Dial (817) 741-5737 to get in touch with SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth. We always strive to arrive at your home as quickly as we possibly can.
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Fort Worth Crawl Space Cleanups, Encapsulation, And Mold Remediation
7/18/2018 (Permalink)
If not discovered and dealt with, mold can grow undetected for years.
Mold Remediation and Restoration
When mold first begins to grow in a Fort Worth home or business, it is usually in a location where the homeowner or other occupants cannot enter. In many residential or commercial buildings in the Fort Worth area, the attic and sub-floor crawlspaces are not easily accessible. Newer homes have eliminated, for the most part, the space needed to use them for storage of old clothes, family mementos or holiday decorations.
Cleanup and mold remediation in a crawlspace is more difficult than in a full-size attic. Our SERVPRO team specializes in stopping growth, removing mold, and eliminating the threat that a long, undetected mold colony can be to a home’s structural integrity.
If not discovered and dealt with, mold can grow undetected for years. Too late, a consumer might find that the mold covers every surface and may have even penetrated into wooden support structures. At that level of contamination, our technicians first enter the crawlspace with a spray wand and a large container of anti-fungal chemicals strapped to their backs. They spray the entry point, allow it to dry, and then move into the crawlspace, spraying every bit of mold they see.
If the mold is thicker still, SERVPRO technicians also have the option of spraying baking soda from a high-pressure spray gun. The action effectively removes mold from every surface. The only drawbacks are that the spray gun covers everything in baking soda and that it does not neutralize any spores deep in the wood. In some cases, our technicians may have to follow-up with the anti-fungal spray.
After both treatments, technicians then use a commercial vacuum to remove the spores. They link the vacuum to a HEPA filter, which is designed to capture even a single, microscopic mold spore. If there is any concern about remaining spores, team members spray the area again before sealing it back up.
Until recently, the crawl spaces in over 26 million households in the US were thought to be 'out of sight’ and ‘out of mind.' Today problems with mold, odors, pests, energy consumption, and damage to the structure, Fort Worth consumers are looking for encapsulation specialists to solve these issues. While many companies are providing encapsulation services, few have a trained team that understands the actions required to ensure a fast solution to the encapsulation challenges.
Cleaning up mold in a crawlspace is difficult, but not impossible with the right tools and training. If you need our encapsulation services, call SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth at (817) 741-5737 today to schedule an inspection.
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Why Even Small Messes In Your Fort Worth Residence Might Need Professional Water Restoration
7/12/2018 (Permalink)
Every situation that involves some water damage in your home might not feel like a disaster.
Professional Water Restoration
When you think about restoration for water damages in your Fort Worth home, many homeowners often take their mind to large-scale disasters encompassing multiple areas of their house. This train of thought could lead you to disasters like flooding, or water removal situations like busted plumbing or appliance failures. While these do happen, professional restoration services for water damage can benefit smaller situations as well.
Sometimes, homeowners should consider water restoration services for their Fort Worth home, even when you would not consider the mess to be a disaster. The thorough nature of the work that can get done and the speed with which it happens can be two strong selling points for this approach right away.
One of the reasons that you may consider choosing SERVPRO for even smaller-scale water incidents is the dedication that we have to the industry standard of restoration. You might not realize that many of the situations homeowners feel like they can clean up on their own end up inadequate, allowing for worsening conditions over a brief period.
One of the most likely scenarios with lingering moisture and dampness in your house is the threat of mold and mildew growth. This microbial intruder can pose potential health effects for your family when exposed to a growing colony, which requires immediate attention and removal to prevent these effects from taking hold.
Often, our SERVPRO technicians do not even need to extract water, but focus more on cleaning and drying the area sufficiently. If we are unaware of the extent of the dampness in the affected areas, we can utilize equipment like thermal imaging scans to determine where moisture might still yet be that needs attention.
Every situation that involves some water damage in your home might not feel like a disaster. Without the right cleaning and drying, however, it could very well turn into one. You can count on our SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth water restoration technicians to clean up the mess and get your home back to original condition quickly. Give us a call anytime at (817) 741-5737.
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Hire Professionals For Commercial Water Removal In Fort Worth
7/3/2018 (Permalink)
Water can damage your business.
Hire Professionals For Commercial Water Removal
When you own your Fort Worth business, it is common to demand much from yourself and your staff. Any challenge to daily operations becomes another task on your agenda, delegated to the work team on your roster that best matches the job requirements. No matter how talented your workforce, some issues are best left to experts, including water removal. We specialize in all matters concerning water damage and offer help backed by trained technicians and cutting-edge products and equipment.
Plumbing ages and eventually springs minor leaks your staff manages in any Fort Worth business, but significant pipe damage during planned remodeling requires water removal immediately. The quantity of water a pipe breach spills into your commercial property exceeds the amount a housekeeping or maintenance crew can resolve. One of our core services is water removal, and our crews arrive at your site fast, equipped with high-efficiency submersible pumps and extractors that can be truck-mounted and powered if the electricity is interrupted temporarily because of the water crisis.
You and your staff concentrate on operating your business as our SERVPRO crew focuses on water removal and structural drying. We work with you to avoid disrupting your employees and customers while we complete the job. Avoiding even a brief shutdown due to the water crisis is crucial to maintaining the confidence you built over time with your clientele. We remain keenly aware of the need to meet customer service and employee needs during the water removal process.
After the water removal, SERVPRO always moves on to planning and implementing structural drying. Our vehicles carry sufficient numbers of air movers, heaters, and dehumidifiers to set up drying patterns throughout the affected spaces. Crew members measure and then monitor moisture levels, following the drying principles (psychrometry) mastered during IICRC training. A balance of air movement, temperature, and air humidity forces water vapor out of building materials into the atmosphere where it absorbs or condenses within our desiccant or refrigerant dehumidifiers for containment and disposal.
Depend on SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth to step up and handle your commercial water removal crisis. Reach us 24/7 at (817) 741-5737 because we know disasters occur any day or time.
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Leaving Water Damage In Your Fort Worth Home Can Lead To The Development Of Mold Damage
6/28/2018 (Permalink)
Damages in your home are never something to ignore, especially when those damages can lead to future complications, such as mold damage.
Leaving Water Damage In Your Home Can Lead To Mold Damage
Damages in your home are never something to ignore, especially when those damages can lead to future complications, such as mold damage. Sometimes financial difficulty, or other valid concerns, can stop you from calling for assistance when you need it. The story is pretty standard: a severe storm rolls in and soaks your basement bathroom through the open window. There are inches of water on the floor by the time that you find it the next morning, but you feel like you cannot afford to call for help and resolve to try to deal with it yourself. The decision can lead to future complications as only a professional can tell when a space is thoroughly dry.
Leaving any excess moisture in the structure of your home can lead to the growth of mold damage in your Fort Worth residence. Mold spores are omnipresent, and you cannot completely rid your home of them. However, they are relatively harmless until they come into contact with excessive moisture. As they feed off of the excess water, the mold spores can rapidly multiply and form a colony, which can damage the structure of your home and cause health effects. Calling for help as soon as you first begin to suspect you have mold damage is the key to a successful remediation.
Our SERVPRO techs can bring unique tools with them to remediate the mold damage in your home. One of the worst aspects is the smell, and we can set up an air scrubber to pull mold spores and odorous particles from the air while we work. SERVPRO can also set up a barrier made out of plastic sheeting to ensure that the mold spores cannot travel anywhere else when disturbed. Once it is safe to work, SERVPRO can disinfect and remove the mold before using an antifungal spray to help ensure there is no regrowth.
Do not delay when you find damage in your home. Dial (817) 741-5737 to contact SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth. We are open 24-7 and ready to take your call.
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Emergency Water Restoration In Fort Worth
6/20/2018 (Permalink)
A burst pipe caused significant damage and flooding to this home. SERVPRO was called to complete water restoration.
How SERVPRO completes water restoration
On the list of urgent Fort Worth household emergencies, the need to remove significant amounts of water ranks near the top. Water restoration is unlike most other cleanup or maintenance tasks, requiring specialized equipment and certified technicians. Immediate response to your crisis is also essential. We have all these requirements covered.
Appliances located in the upper levels of your Fort Worth home complicate water restoration circumstances. For example, having the laundry room located near second-floor bedrooms is convenient, but can cause water to flow down walls and even several flights of stairway if the washer’s pump breaks. Similarly, your kitchen’s dishwasher can send water into an adjacent family room when a hose disconnects or the computer panel malfunctions, and it continuously fills. You come home to hundreds of gallons in your lowest levels. Our team has seen this before and can help.
In addition to the pooled water at the lowest parts of your house, SERVPRO crews also note that floors, walls, steps, and ceilings above the water’s final resting place are soaked. When we arrive on the scene, our crew lead assesses all aspects of the water damage and designs a plan to remove the standing water and dry out saturated structural components. Our service vehicles are well-stocked with the equipment needed so work can begin right away.
Water deeper than two inches removes most efficiently when we use submersible pumps. As the water level falls, SERVPRO crew members switch out to our high-efficiency extractors. Infrared scanners help us locate hidden reserves of water. Releasing the trapped moisture is crucial. Technicians can drill holes, make flood cuts, or use extensions to suction water out of cells from the top.
We have success drying carpeting in place with weighted wands on the extractors, following an established protocol taught during the extensive training our SERVPRO crew members master. Hardwood floors benefit from the use of drying mats.
Walls and ceilings often dry out with just the addition of air flow and lower humidity. Throughout the process, our team uses moisture meters to establish a baseline on every surface affected by the water event. SERVPRO leads determine drying goals, and then we monitor the progress with additional measurements. The positioning of air movers and dehumidifiers, with the possible addition of heaters to obtain the optimum balance to move water vapor out of building materials, is the final step.
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth is eager to assist residents of our local communities with water restoration emergencies. Call for a consultation 24/7, any day of the year at (817) 741-5737.
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Going The Extra Mile For Fire Damage Restoration In Your Keller Residence
6/19/2018 (Permalink)
Fire Damage in Keller Cleanup and Restoration Needed? Contact SERVPRO for Help
SERVPRO Offers Off-Site Restoration to Damaged Possessions from Fire & Smoke
Once a fire in your home has gotten extinguished, you are only part of the way towards recovering from the incident. In fact, you now face damages to your property the likes of which many homeowners have never experienced before. Fortunately, even though this same damage might be out of the wheelhouse and skill sets of most property owners, professional and reliable restoration services are only a simple phone call away.
As you might now see, fire damages present themselves in several unique ways throughout your Keller home. Even areas that were not directly affected by the blaze can house lingering effects like smoke and soot damage. One of the most pressing concerns beyond the structural integrity of your home is the contents you keep inside. Our SERVPRO professionals have a plan to keep these items safe and give them the attention they need to get fully restored as well.
Pack-outs are a service offered by our professionals which remove contents of your home to keep them safer throughout the restoration process. While some of these items might have gotten damaged during the fire, this same process provides a means for these damaged items to get concise inspection and restoration to make them ready for the second phase: pack-ins.
Once the appropriate attention and work have gotten done to the removed items of your home, and the restoration within your house is complete, the contents of your house are ready to get returned. Our SERVPRO professionals carefully bring in each item and put it back in its original position, helping to make the unfortunate circumstance a distant memory as you move on with your fully restored home. Trying to prevent fires from occurring with foresight and planning can at least mitigate fire damage to your property.
Fire damage in your home might feel overwhelming to overcome at first, but with the right professional assistance, it does not have to be as daunting. You can rely on the rapid response and expertise of our SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth fire damage restoration technicians to act quickly to get your home back to original conditions as soon as possible, "Like it never even happened." Give us a call anytime you need us at (817) 741-5737.
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Why Flood Damage Severely impacts bedrooms in Fossil Creek
6/6/2018 (Permalink)
Water damage in this home affected multiple rooms.
Common items affected by water damage in your home
Ground-floor bedrooms can be among the most heavily affected rooms in a home in Fossil Creek when flood damage hits. While sleeping areas on second floors may be safe from most of the effects of rampaging floodwaters, ground floor and basement bedrooms contain many amenities that may be more vulnerable to severe water damage than objects found in other parts of the home. SERVPRO excels in restoring materials without having to replace them whenever possible, but we still see some of our most challenging work cut out for us wherever bedrooms are concerned.
Bed Sets
Flood damage in Fossil Creek can cause costly damage to sheets, mattresses, pillows, and any other parts of a bed. For some homeowners, these items can represent a combined total of thousands of dollars in value. One of the primary things we do after arriving and ask many residents to do before we get there is to separate pillows, sheets, and other layers from each other. Keeping these items separated out early on helps them to dry out faster and prevents color bleed from taking place.
Carpeting
Most local homes fill their bedrooms with carpeting and rugs that can sustain severe damage in the event of a flood. Storm floods typically cause warping, discoloration, and material degradation in both the upper layers of carpeting and in the padding below them. Depending on the conditions, we may be able to replace sections of carpeting while keeping other areas intact selectively, but most floods force us to replace flooring in carpeted rooms entirely.
Valuable Belongings
Many valuable personal items are stored in the average bedroom, including electronics, clothing, objects of sentimental value, and a wide range of other possibilities. While some items may be lost forever after being inundated with water, others may yet be salvaged. We examine every damaged item individually to determine if and how we should attempt to clean and restore it.
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth helps local homeowners to recover from the effects of flood damage on a 24/7 basis. Call us at (817) 741-5737.
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The Basics of Mold Damage Remediation in Fort Worth
6/1/2018 (Permalink)
At SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth, we have what it takes to remediate mold infestations from your home.
SERVPRO Explains Professional Mold Remediation in Fort Worth
Whenever there is hidden water in a home or business premise, chances of mold damage resulting are high. Many property owners who experience a water emergency make a mistake of assuming that all is fine after water removal. Water usually seeps into places we cannot see, such as interior walls, under flooring and sometimes it can penetrate into drywall. To prevent such eventualities in your Fort Worth home, you need to work with remediation professionals.
The first thing that our SERVPRO technicians do when attending to mold damage incidents in fort worth is to do an examination. During this step, we use moisture meters to measure the presence of moisture in your ceilings, floors, walls, and cabinets. By using infrared cameras, we are in a position to determine the cause and the degree of the damage. By using water extractors and dehumidifiers, we remove and dry your contents and in the process abate the spread and growth of mold.
Securing the affected area is one of the critical processes that our SERVPRO technicians perform during mold remediation. We do this to prevent the spores from spreading from the contaminated area to a clean one. If we have any running HVAC systems in the area, we stop them and seal their vents. We also establish negative air pressure and install containment barriers within the contaminated area to prevent the movement of the spores.
When our SERVPRO technicians notice that porous materials such as insulation, wall boards, books, papers, clothes, carpets and soft furnishings are highly contaminated, we dispose of them off. Depending on the degree of contamination, we may clean up semi-porous materials such as wood by sanding, drying, and using a safe anti-microbial detergent before reusing. To remove any remaining mold particles, we first dry, clean and perform HEPA filtration in your air conditioning, ventilation, heating and crawl spaces.
Locally Owned Company with National Resources
Our highly trained team at SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth works around the clock to address fire, water, storm, and mold damage. Call us at (817) 741-5737 at any time of the day and get industry proven services.
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Water Removal Restores Your Fort Worth Home To Pre-Loss Condition
5/16/2018 (Permalink)
After your home becomes dry again, structural restoration, if required, can begin.
Water Removal Restores Your Home To Pre-Damage Condition
Floods can happen for many reasons in Fort Worth. Once flooding occurs, even if it does not overcome your entire home, a fast reaction from you can help minimize the damages your home experiences.
Homeowners in Fort Worth might need water removal specialists to extract thousands of gallons of water from an unattended broken water line or an intrusion of overflowed water coming from a nearby lake or river. Our pump trucks can remove water, even when disposal requires government designated locations. We always follow the legal requirements, helping protect our community and the environment from the risks of possible contamination.
The same contamination that causes such legislation to exist in the first place can also cause illnesses to your family members if they come into contact with any stagnant water. Just like municipal treatment facilities exist to render any pathogens or chemicals inert and neutral, we also clean up anything left after we perform the initial extraction.
Removing standing water, followed by smaller units that use either suction, heat, directed air, or a combination restore your home to a healthy dry condition quickly. As the indoor environment dries, many pathogens die off and no longer pose a threat to people. As we clean your home, any remaining microorganisms still present become trapped in our cleaning cloths. We dispose of these in sealed bags, making sure they never pose a threat to your family again.
After your home becomes dry again, structural restoration, if required, can begin. Carrying this out while your home retains any moisture often results in damage related to trapped moisture. SERVPRO technicians have training that teaches them not only what to do to restore your home, but also the order in which to take these steps.
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth Helps families in the Diamond Jarvis Hill, Old Town Keller, and Woodland Springs areas by performing water removal services. You can reach us at any time by calling (817) 741-5737. Our 24-hour service line is answered every day of the year, including holidays, so we can better serve our communities.
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Mold Damage in Your Fort Worth Apartment can Start Out Slowly
4/28/2018 (Permalink)
SERVPRO Finds the Moisture and Cleans Up and Remediates Mold Problems in Fort Worth
Understanding Remediation Underscores the Need for Professional Mold Cleanup
Microbes exist everywhere, no matter where you go in Fort Worth. Because of this, overgrowth can happen at almost any time.
Fort Worth residents who deal with mold damage often find it seemingly grew overnight. Sometimes, this does happen, but it can also grow very slowly and provide you with ample time to rid your home of the conditions that permitted it to begin covering surfaces inside your
home. Mold can grow on almost anything, but porous items, including gypsum board, clothing and leather goods, can face especially fierce attacks by this tiny microorganism.
SERVPRO technicians can perform mold remediation so your home's interior no longer holds the overpopulation it did in the past. One
part of remediation includes controlling the amount of moisture in the home. Stripping microorganisms of this vital nutrient keep them from growing and ensures that the work we perform retains its value for you.
Using moisture meters to detect water and moisture in the smallest amounts helps detect where mold might hide inside walls that only seem dry on the outside. Moisture can enter your home through many different avenues and stay out of sight. While you never see it, mold
easily finds it because it already exists in almost every corner of your home.
Window sills often contain the most amount of mold in a home. This happens because of the air going in and out of these openings in your
home. When this happens, mold can also slip down inside the wall cavity under the window and travel inside the walls. We can combat
this without tearing out your walls, protecting your home while still saving you money.
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth can be contacted by calling our 24-hour service line, (817) 741-5737. Calling our local number helps you begin the steps to remediation of mold, and also prevents microorganisms from regaining a foothold inside your dwelling. We serve the
communities around Heritage Trace, Woodland Springs, and Fossil Creek.
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Fort Worth's Commercial Water Damage Experts Explain Drying Techniques
4/24/2018 (Permalink)
If moisture sits inside your business' warehouse for too long items stored there may get ruined.
Commercial Water Damage Experts
Drying out wet materials and contents inside your Fort Worth warehouse is an essential part of the restoration process. After standing water and moisture in carpet gets extracted, building materials must be dried so that more damage does not occur. To help speed up the natural evaporation process air moving and dehumidification systems get implemented.
If moisture sits inside your business' warehouse for too long items stored there may get ruined. If moisture resulting from a commercial water damage incident in Fort Worth does not get removed within 24 hours, mold can develop on building materials and contents such as tools or products stored for your company. Mold can cause health effects with some people and commonly develops inside a building that contains excessive moisture in the air and building materials.
When drying out moisture inside a structure, our SERVPRO technicians use air movers and dehumidifiers to create an environment that speeds up the drying of wet materials. The pieces of equipment get arranged in places that do not impede foot traffic and hinder business operations. The air movers get set up so that they push air in a counterclockwise motion hitting walls at a 45-degree angle to push the wet air away from the walls. The dehumidifier then pulls water out of the air, dispenses it in liquid form, and exhausts out warm, dry air that gets used in the air flow created by the air movers.
As water naturally evaporates off of wet materials the air close to it holds moisture. The air movers push this moist air into the center of the room where the dehumidifier can remove the water vapor. However, we do not position the air movers directly at the dehumidifiers because that would reduce the quantity of warm air coming out of them. Dehumidifiers instead get placed so that air movers can intake the hot, dry air exhausted out of them after water vapor is removed.
The correct positioning of drying equipment can reduce the time it takes to dry out moisture inside your warehouse thus saving your company money. Calling SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth at (817) 741-5737 after a loss can prove to be beneficial to your business.
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What You Can Do When a Storm Floods the Office Space of Your Fort Worth Home
4/13/2018 (Permalink)
Flood damage in your home should be addressed as soon as possible because it can lead to mold growth and structural damage.
Call on SERVPRO if You Experience Flood Damage in Your Home
Heavy rainfall can cause flood damage, especially during a particularly severe storm. There are many ways that water can get inside of your Fort Worth home during a storm, but one of the most common is debris. A storm with high winds can cause rocks, tree branches, and even lawn chairs to break the windows of your home, allowing floodwaters to seep inside. When the waters seep into your basement office space, it can seem like an utter nightmare. Your computer is there along with all of the electrical wiring to make your electronics function. Luckily, professional help is nearby to get your office back to its pre-storm state quickly.
Damaging flood waters can seep into your Fort Worth home swiftly and soak into your belongings, such as the wood of your desk or the fibers of your carpet. Our technicians know how vital it is to respond to water damage as quickly as possible, as it worsens the longer it sits and can lead to mold growth. We strive to try and get to your home as soon as we possibly can after receiving your call so that we may begin the remediation process and remove the floodwaters causing damage.
SERVPRO can bring advanced tools like truck-operated pumps and powerful wet/dry vacuums to remove the water from your basement office space. We can use moisture meters to determine the level of moisture in the space and identify the most impacted areas. Afterward, we can employ the right tools to dry out your carpet, floors, the base of your walls, and the legs of your desk.
Floods can bring unsanitary water with them. SERVPRO can inspect and measure the safety of the water that has flooded your home. Should the water be toxic, we can rip up the carpets in your office and throw them out for you as they cannot be kept once contaminated. Afterward, SERVPRO can help you find a contractor to replace the carpeting in your office space. We strive to do whatever we can to return your home to its preloss stage.
When your home has been overrun with damaging floodwaters, do not wait. Call SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth at (817) 741-5737. We can send our technicians to your home as soon as possible.
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Mold Damage Mitigation In Fort Worth
4/8/2018 (Permalink)
Mold can appear in many colors or just give off a smell when it hides behind walls and cabinets. Contact SERVPRO when you see or smell mold.
Team SERVPRO Follows a Proven Process When Remediating Mold Damage
Mold is often a significant problem inside your Fort Worth home if it goes unnoticed. A fungus develops from spores then grows structures called hyphae. Hyphae grow in all directions including down into the materials, out across surfaces, and up.
Hyphae produce more spores so that the fungi can reproduce. SERVPRO's mold damage technicians in Fort Worth have experience in finding mold and dealing with it. If mold issues do not get handled, then it is possible that spores float to other rooms and turn into mold.
If there is a presence of spores, mold only needs three things to survive. A fungus needs an organic food source, moisture, and the correct temperature to form and thrive. Once mold exists the area must get treated because it can cause health effects with certain people.
The first step to mold remediation is first to determine if mold exists or not. SERVPRO's restoration team inspects your home to see if mold growth has already occurred. The team asks to see if the structure had recent water damage and they look around to see if they can visually see mold in the form of black dots or white fuzz.
If a fungus exists inside your house, we follow a few vital steps when completing the mitigation process. First, we establish containment, so the environment outside the affected area does not get contaminated. Before any work begins, we section off the contaminated area with a thick, plastic containment chamber.
The containment chamber then gets a hole cut into it, and an air scrubber gets set up on the hole to create negative air pressure. All of the air then gets sucked into a HEPA filter. The filter traps all fungi particles and mold spores preventing them from spreading to other areas inside or outside the building.
Once the containment chamber gets established, any affected material gets removed. Any dust created during demolition gets filtered through the air scrubber so that it does not contaminate anything. For professional help mitigating a fungal issue, call SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth at (817) 741-5737 24/7.
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Why You Should Choose Professional Water Damage Restoration For Your Fort Worth Retail Store
3/30/2018 (Permalink)
When facing water damage in your store, it is best to bring in professionals immediately to minimize any downtime. Contact SERVPRO right away.
SERVPRO's Quick Actions Can Help Reopen Your Store Doors More Quickly After a Water Damage Event
Your Fort Worth retail store hinges on having the right goods for the shoppers that happen into your store. While every day is a new challenge to bring people in through the doors and get them to spend some time perusing your wares, something seemingly as trivial as a water emergency could significantly gum up the works. Instead of worrying about customer retention and attracting new business, you are now worried about how long your establishment has to keep its doors closed and the effect that this has on your bottom line and the employees that count on their paycheck every week.
Commercial water damage in your Fort Worth store can present itself in several ways. The real struggle with an occurrence like this is to get it cleaned up, and the area restored as quickly as you can. Without professional restoration services, like those provided by our SERVPRO team, you might not have the ability to reopen your business for quite some time and still might not have corrected the full problem that you had initially faced.
One of the primary concerns that you face is the apparent potential loss of profits from having to close the business while restoration efforts are underway. With our experienced SERVPRO team, your doors can reopen more quickly, allowing this perceived loss in profits to be a little less extreme than it could have been with your intentions of trying to clean up the mess on your own.
The threats to your stock and structure are another concern that needs to get considered when it comes to professional restoration. The longer that water sits against structural components and stock in your store, the more damage that it does. It does not take long before the damage is irreparable to the stock items and structural components weaken to the point of requiring replacement.
Your employees count on your retail store to pay their bills and provide for their homesteads. The longer that your business has to remain closed for the cleanup process, the longer that these dedicated employees are without the pay that they need to survive. This reality should give you an excellent mindset to choose professional restoration services to thoroughly and promptly clean up the mess and restore the damages to the business.
There is no time to lose when water damage affects your business. With the threat of compounding damages and the loss of profits, choosing professional restoration services like our SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth team is a smart choice. Give us a call today at (817) 741-5737.
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When A Storm Takes Your Keller Residence By Surprise
3/20/2018 (Permalink)
Storms are destructive and can easily flood your home with excess water.
Storm Damage Repair And Restoration
An average rain shower can be pleasant to listen to as you fall asleep but when a massive storm hits your home and does severe damage, the water removal process can be anything but relaxing. Storms are destructive and can easily flood your home with excess water. Additionally, this water might not always be safe. Because the intense weather can flood hundreds of gallons of rainwater into your home, it is possible to end up with a mess that you just cannot clean up yourself. Fortunately, you do not have to.
When water has invaded and taken over your Keller residence, trust our IICRC-certified technicians to remove it from your property swiftly. We use powerful industrial grade wet/dry vacuums to remove all of the excess water so we can get your home back to the condition it was in before the storm hit. Upon calling our office, our technicians can be on the scene as soon as possible.
We can remove the excess water from your home, and once we do, we can move onto the drying process. SERVPRO understands how valuable your carpets are to you and know that a flood can soak them thoroughly and dirty them. Depending on the type of water that flooded your home, SERVPRO can determine if your carpets are salvageable and clean them entirely if they are. Underneath your carpets, we can focus on your floorboards. SERVPRO uses advanced equipment like dehumidifiers and air movers to eliminate harmful moisture in the air and dry out your belongings.
In rare cases, intensely contaminated black water can flood your home from the storm's influence. Should your house be flooded with unsafe water, we can guide you through what you can keep and what you should not. SERVPRO is with you every step of the way to make an inventory of your belongings and assist with your claims process.
When a storm hits your home, and it becomes flooded with excessive water, do not wait. Call SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth area at (817) 741-5737 to remove it. 24/7, we are ready to take your call and return your home to its preloss condition.
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When Fire Damage Takes Your Fort Worth Family Rec Room Out of Commission
3/9/2018 (Permalink)
When a fire damages your home, call on the professionals at SERVPRO to return your home to its pre loss condition "Like it never even happened."
Rely on SERVPRO to Restore Your Home and Its Contents after Fire Damage
Enjoying a relaxing time with friends and family in your Fort Worth home's rec room helps you stay more productive at work while also enjoying quality family time at home. Most of the time, this stays an uneventful passing, but unfortunately, accidents can happen, also.
When activities in your Fort Worth home get cut short because of fire damage, we can help undo the damage and restore your property. At SERVPRO, we stay on top of the latest developments in the restoration industry, meaning we can always help those in our community when they need us the most. The three main aspects of fire damage all require attention and skilled technicians who can mitigate the situation thoroughly and with professionalism.
It is only through the removal and replacement of charred materials and burnt personal belongings that some aspects can regain their appearance and functionality. When walls burn, removing the damaged sections prepares the area for reconstruction work. Inventory lists of damaged clothing, toys, books, and other items help replace like-kind items, helping your family get everything back to normal faster and with less effort.
Smoke from a small fire in your rec room can travel quickly to all other parts of your home. This smoke leaves not only soot and ash in fine layers on surfaces, making everything a grimy mess, but it also invades the smallest crevices in your home's interior. Although we remove the visible remnants of the smoke, protecting your family from this carcinogenic stew, much can remain in the smaller, less-accessible areas in your home.
Hidden soot can cause problems as the particles disintegrate and become airborne again. Not only do they produce an ongoing foul odor, ruin your food's appeal, and make your home smell terrible, they can also expose your family needlessly to the same carcinogenic compounds found in the original soot. We often use thermal fogging to rid homes of such problems. The fog follows the same pathways of the fire's smoke, and wherever the chemical agents encounter soot, reactions between the two changes the soot into an inert substance, unable to enter the air again. Our Odor Control Technician (OCT) handles this and other related tasks after this and other types of disasters.
We partner with qualified specialists who can restore electronic equipment after a fire. Both heat and smoke that entered into the housing of your devices can cause problems. After any disaster that might affect your video games, computers, or other gear, these should remain unpowered until after a thorough inspection. Circuit boards and other connections can short out if you power on damaged equipment, rendering your equipment useless or in need of expensive repairs.
Wanting to help families in our area recover as quickly as possible from the trauma of fire damage, SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth can be contacted by dialing our local number, (817) 741-5737, at any time, day or night, 365 days a year.
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Fire Damage from Hair Straighteners and Curlers in Your Fort Worth Home
2/27/2018 (Permalink)
Leaving hair straighteners and hair curlers unattended is a fire hazard and can leave your home in need of fire damage restoration services.
Rely on SERVPRO to Restore Your Home after Fire Damage
For many people, a hair straightener or hair curler is an essential daily beauty aid. These devices can, however, pose a fire hazard if they are unattended. If you regularly use one of these items in your home in Fort Worth, you should avoid leaving it plugged in when it is not in use, and always ensure you are placing them on a non-flammable surface to avoid combustion. The fire risk that straighteners and curlers pose should not be underestimated, as if left alone even for a short while, small fires can spark and spread, causing additional damage.
Fires from these devices are no less scary than any other fire, and the fire damage they can leave behind in your Forth Worth home can be devastating. You may wonder how your home is ever going to look the same, or where to begin. That is where our technicians at SERVPRO come in. We are here to help you after a disaster like this anytime you need us.
When cleaning your home after fire damage, there are four fundamental elements which are required to suspend residues so we can remove them. Temperature is first, as heat increases how fast the chemical reactions in the cleaning products are. We choose the right temperature depending on the solution for cleaning and the material being cleaned.
Agitation is the next step in SERVPRO’s cleaning process. We agitate surfaces by using brushes, towels, water and air pressure, and the sonic vibrations found in ultrasonic machines. Agitation loosens residues from surfaces and spreads the cleaning products over the surface.
The professional cleaning products go through several chemical reactions with surfaces and residues. We choose the right cleaning product depending on what action we desire, like emulsifying, dissolving, oxidizing, bleaching, or changing ph. The amount of dwell time which is needed for professional cleaning and deodorizing products varies depending on the kind of residues and products.
SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth takes the time to thoroughly clean and sanitize anything in your home in Trace Ridge, Heritage Trace, or Fossil Creek that is salvageable after a fire. Just give us a call at (817) 741-5737 as soon as the fire is out so we can help you restore your home.
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Water Removal, Cleaning, And Restoration Services Available In Ft Worth
2/20/2018 (Permalink)
Flooding in Forth Worth? Call the Green Fleet from SERVPRO for Water Extraction and Cleanup
Flooding from Storms Needs