SERVPRO of Highland Village

7/8/2022 (Permalink)

We live here. We serve here.

SERVPRO of Highland Village

Why SERVPRO? That answer is simple actually. When your home or business experiences, what seems like chaos, water damage, fire damage, or mold you want to call someone who will be there quickly, treat you like a priority, and most of all someone who you can trust. Let’s face it, when we are talking about your HOME or a business you’ve put countless hours into, you want, no.. you NEED it to be taken care of.  That’s why you choose SERVPRO of Highland Village.

Our owners, being 4^th generation SERVPRO, have been groomed to carry on the legacy of quality service, incredible customer service, and making a difference in people’s lives.

The coolest part is, that we are neighbors. We live here. We shop here. We Serve here. It is our passion at SERVPRO of Highland Village to serve our community and to help our neighbors.  With the SERVPRO brand being trusted since 1967, it’s a reputation that we promise to uphold.

No matter the size of the damage, we have the ability to mobilize as many additional crews, equipment, and resources to help YOU.

If ever in need of restoration services, we hope you will find it easy to trust SERVPRO of Highland Village to make it “Like it never even happened.”

How to clean and restore your home after a fire

7/6/2022 (Permalink)

How to clean and restore your home after a fire

Dangerous is the word I would use to explain what it is like cleaning and restoring your home after a fire. IF proper safety precautions are not taken and/or the procedures are not followed. There is also a time frame where further damage can occur from smoke and soot if they are not taken care of immediately, so it’s crucial that you act fast. The safest and easiest way to handle the cleanup and restoration of your home after a fire is to hire a professional fire restoration company, however, if the fire is small enough, you may be able to handle it yourself.

Cleaning Procedures

There is no set way to restore your home back to normal in the event of a fire due to the fact that each home is different, not only the layout but the items in the home that need to be restored will vary from home to home. However, there are some basic steps to follow to assist along the way.

• Ensure you wear personal protective equipment
• Ensure the surrounding area is safe and properly protected
• Use TSP (Trisodium Phosphate) products when removing the lingering odor the fire caused

Proper PPE

Personal protective equipment should not be ignored or taken lightly. Failure to use the proper PPE could expose you to harmful elements the fire may have caused affecting you both short term and long term. So, at a minimum, before you begin to clean and restore your home ensure you are wearing the following:

• Safety goggles
• Protective gloves
• Long sleeves
• Nose mask

Safety boots are an addition that may be recommended depending on the specific details of the aftermath.

Protect the Surrounding Area

This next step can save you a lot of money if done correctly. Opening windows and doors in the home to allow smoke and other elements to exit the residence. Preventing the buildup of smoke and soot is what you are trying to avoid. Ideally, a large powerful fan can assist with the removal of smoke along with any vapors from cleaning products, out of your home.

Next is your floors and how to protect them, especially the areas that have little to no damage in the rest of the house. The main concern is tracking soot and other particles into other parts of the house via foot traffic. A good way to avoid this is simply by blocking off certain areas of the home or by laying cloth down.

TSP Products

Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) products are used to remove the odor that stays in your home after a fire. Most homeowners who have experienced a fire in their home will say the odor is one of the biggest issues, not only is it an unpleasant smell but breathing in the smoke and the other particles in the air can be harmful to one’s health.

When using TSP products, you should not deviate from the directions. It is also crucial that you have the proper PPE before handling TSP due to the fact that it can be harmful to the body/skin and eyes. So, ensure your body and eyes are fully protected and proceed with extra caution.

Scrub Walls

The walls can be easily overlooked after a house fire so it's important to check to see if the walls are affected or damaged throughout the home! The reason for this is that if your Central heat and air were on after or during the fire, it is highly likely that soot and other particles have been blown throughout the house. The sooner you have wiped away soot off the walls, the easier the restoration process will be. An easy tool for cleaning walls is called a chemical dry sponge also referred to as a soot eraser sponge. That is your best bet to remove residue. Please note that in some cases multiple cleaning may be necessary. Just allow time in between each time you scrub the walls for them to dry.

Drying Time

In most cases after a house fire, you will be using a liquid cleaning solution to help clean throughout your home. Please keep in mind that cleaning solutions need time to dry, so be sure not to paint or redecorate without an adequate amount of drying time.

Fire Damage Restoration Experts

For some, home fires can be handled with the help of yourself and perhaps a few friends or family members, but if you feel the task is too big, please reach out to our professional and experienced teams at SERVPRO of Highland Village. Our team would be happy to discuss how we can help after your home fire or simply answer any questions you might have. We are a 24/7 emergency service and we are only a call away.  

When did you last check your toilet?

7/6/2022 (Permalink)

Aging Toilets

Our teams here at SERVPRO of Highland Village have responded to numerous calls where the culprit of the water damage was caused by a TOILET. It is certainly an issue that can come with a variety of problems. As toilets go through the wear and tear process over the years, the components can degrade and malfunction if not properly maintained. There are multiple reasons why a toilet can malfunction, jam, or overflow which can lead to some pretty wet issues inside your bathroom. A common occurrence is an overflowing reservoir. In some cases, they can be as damaging as a busted pipe but more times than not it can usually be mitigated by the homeowner fairly quickly. In the event that an overflowed reservoir is not caught quickly, you may be in need of water extraction. After just a few minutes, water can damage baseboards, cabinets, and flooring. SERVPRO of Highland Village has professionals who can arrive with high-powered extraction equipment for the most severe of water damages. Once we have successfully pumped out any standing water our next goal is dry and preserve any affected parts of your home or business. As hectic as it may seem when you experience water coming from your toilet or reservoir, with a prompt response from you, SERVPRO of Highland Village can make any water damage “Like it Never even happened”

Give SERVPRO of Highland Village a call anytime.

(940)-241-3434

Different Types of Storm & the Damage They Bring

7/2/2022 (Permalink)

Thunderstorms can be incredibly damaging to your home. There are many different elements a thunderstorm may include, such as lightning, wind, rain, and hail. While there is only so much you can do to protect your home from a natural disaster, understanding the different types of storms and how they may damage your home can help you properly plan if a bad storm is headed your way and know what to expect in the aftermath.

Depending on the area you live in, you may be at an increased risk of experiencing certain types of storms. Being familiar with the types of storms your area is most likely to experience can be very helpful. The following is an overview of the more common types of storms and how they can damage your home. 

Types of Storms

The different types of storms include thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, and winter storms. Each is damaging in its own way and claims numerous lives each year in the United States. In addition to the deadly nature of storms, they can also severely damage your home. 

Storms often damage homes by infiltrating them with water, causing electrical damage, and damaging the foundation, walls, and roof through heavy wind, lightning, rainfall, and other elements. 

Water damage, fire damage, and heavy damage caused by wind are among the most common ways in which your home can suffer from a severe storm. Below we highlight the three main types of damage that often occur to homes in the United States. These damages include lightning, tornado, and flood damage.

Lightning

Lightning exists with many thunderstorms. They have the power to damage the electrical wiring inside your home. If there are any electrical items plugged into outlets in your home, then they are at risk of damage as well. This includes computers, cell phones, televisions, kitchen appliances, and more. Another way lightning can damage your home is by striking your roof or other parts of your home. Lightning can also lead to home fires that can quickly spread as well.

To prevent lightning damage, be sure to unplug all electrical appliances and items. Also, stay away (and keep children away) from electrical outlets, appliances, and systems during thunderstorms for optimal safety. 

Lightning can also cause the power to go out, so be sure to have flashlights and candles ready before an expected storm. If lightning damage does occur, consider contacting a home damage restoration company near you that offers prompt service. They can restore parts of the home directly affected by lightning such as roof damage as well as damages that occur as a result of an electrical fire caused by lightning.  

Tornadoes

A tornado is a fast-moving vortex of high winds that connects from a cloud to the ground. They appear as a funnel-shaped cloud and can be incredibly violent and destructive. Most tornadoes have 100-mile-per-hour winds or higher, and some can carry winds more than 200 miles per hour. This gives them the potential to be incredibly destructive to a home. 

There is little that can be done to prevent a tornado from causing damage, but a prompt initial response to damage can help the restoration process be more effective. If a tornado warning is given for your area, then be sure to get in the safest place possible where there are no windows. After the storm, check your home for damage and call a restoration professional for fast and effective service. 

Floods

Floods are often more severe than many realize, and they claim hundreds of lives each year in the United States alone. 

A flood occurs when there is an overflow of water in areas that are normally dry. Storms often bring heavy rain to an area. While much of the water absorbs into the soil or goes down drains, storms that produce heavy rain or rain that continues for an extended period of time leads to flooding. Flash floods can also occur if rivers and other water sources become too full and lead to an overflow. 

Floods can damage your home if standing water builds up along the foundation. In many instances, the water and moisture can enter your home through tiny cracks and gaps. If this occurs, it may lead to the need for storm damage restoration. 

Fight Back Against Storm Damage with SERVPRO

SERVPRO of Highland Village is here to help homeowners restore their homes after storm damage. If wind, water, fire, or other elements have damaged your home, then get in touch with us today. 

We offer a 24/7 service so that the restoration process for your home can start right away. You can reach us through phone or email, and our team is happy to answer your questions and guide you through the restoration process. 

How to Stay Safe After Storm Damage Affects Your Home

6/30/2022 (Permalink)

Dealing with storm damage to your home is always a difficult experience. Many storms occur at an unexpected time with little notice, which makes it all the more difficult to handle the situation. Before the storm, you should have a safety plan in place. However, many do not think about how to stay safe after storm damage affects their home.

There are certain steps that homeowners can take to ensure the situation is handled properly and the risk of injury after the storm is kept to a minimal level. You can also take measures to minimize the damage to your home, which may make the cleanup and restoration process easier and faster. 

Staying Safe After a Storm

The main priority after a storm damages your home is ensuring your safety and your family’s safety. There are many risks to consider, including but not limited to a collapsing roof, fallen electrical wires that are dangerous, and extreme flooding. 

After ensuring optimal safety by understanding the proper steps to take in the immediate aftermath, you can also take steps to help your neighbors and ensure your home is properly protected from further storm damage. Lastly, you should also start the home cleanup and restoration process by contacting a storm damage restoration company to come out remove water and protect damaged areas of your roof and home. 

Listen to the Radio for Any Advisories

The first thing you want to do after storm damage affects your home is to ensure the storm has passed completely. Ideally, you will have a place inside of your home that is safe, and try your best to remain there until it is safe to venture out. During the storm, the power will likely have gone out, which means watching the news or using your cell phone may not be an option. 

If this is the case, then the best option to hear any advisories and receive updates on the status of the storm is by listening to the radio. Of course, if you are able to use your cell phone or television, then you can likely receive the news through those devices as well. 

Leave Your Home If It Has Sustained Structural Damage

Once you have received word that the storm has passed, then you can check on your home. If there is any structural damage, leave the home until the damage restoration company has an opportunity to restore the property. 

In the immediate aftermath, avoid going near any power lines, electrical wires, or water. If you have elderly neighbors whose homes are damaged and you are safe and in good health, then consider checking on them to see if they need assistance before finding a safe place to go. It is best to avoid driving, if possible. 

Practice Caution When Working on Roofs

The best thing to do after storm damage occurs to your home is to call a storm damage restoration company. They can arrive quickly and start the home restoration process in a safe and effective manner. However, if you do plan to start the initial restoration efforts to prevent further damage to your home, then it is essential to use extra caution. 

If you work on the roof, then be sure to be careful while climbing ladders and do not step on any areas of the roof that seem weak and damaged. Also, avoid tasks that require professional assistance, such as replacing severely damaged parts of the roof yourself.

Cover Leaking Roofs to Prevent Further Water Damage

Although it may become unsafe to do extensive work to your roof, laying a tarp across the damaged part of the roof can be an effective way to prevent further water damage inside of your home. If you do not feel comfortable climbing your roof, then you can call a damage restoration company to start the restoration process quickly. 

You can also start the initial efforts of removing water from your home. If there is standing water inside of your home, you can remove it with buckets, towels, and other household items. Also, be sure to take out wet rugs and any carpet that is damaged beyond repair to reduce the impact of water damage to your flooring. 

Consult with the Storm Damage Experts

If your home has suffered storm damage and you need a fast response from a professional and reliable home restoration company, then get in touch with our team at SERVPRO of Highland Village. 

We help homeowners in the area who suffered fire damage and water damage restore their homes in a fast and effective manner. We are glad to answer any questions you have on the initial phone call, and we take pride in making the cleanup and restoration process as easy and convenient as possible for homeowners after storm damage occurs.

Lightning Causes House Fires in Lantana

6/29/2022 (Permalink)

Following scattered thunderstorms in the DFW area, several homes in the Lantana community were set ablaze after being struck by lightning. This photo represents one of these homes and the drastic damage that was inflicted. It goes to show that flood damage is not the only concern regarding heavy storms. We advise all community members to have an emergency plan in place that is adaptable to any situation that may arise. Communicate your plan with other members of your household and involve your neighbors when possible. Practice procedures often in order to build confidence and certainty should an incident occur. Lastly, we at SERVPRO of Highland Village are here to help ensure the safety of those around us. If you are unsure where to begin in formulating your emergency plans, give us a call at 940-241-3434. Our Emergency Ready Profiles help keep you prepared for any disaster.

Storms in DFW

6/29/2022 (Permalink)

Here in the DFW area, we are currently experiencing heavy volumes of rain that are affecting homes and businesses in our community. During storms like these, it is important to always keep in mind that flooding can happen anywhere and in a variety of environments. To honor our commitment to helping those in our area, we at SERVPRO of Highland Village are responding faster than any disaster. When catastrophic water damage does strike, our professionals will be the first on-site with expert knowledge to help clean up and restore affected areas with precision.  If you or someone you know has experienced water loss due to these recent storms, please reach out to us at (940)-241-3434. We are standing by and ready to help make it "Like it never even happened."

How to Prevent the Spread of Respiratory Disease

6/28/2022 (Permalink)

With the ever-evolving nature of COVID-19, we at SERVPRO of Highland Village hope to provide you with the tools necessary to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases. We advise all community members to practice social distancing and limit physical interaction with others by always staying at least 6 feet apart. Remember to wash your hands frequently and wear a mask in public when possible. Lastly, avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose as these facial features can act as pathways for pathogens to enter the body. As we continue to learn more about new ways to stay safe, we will remain mindful of how our actions on the job site affect the health and well-being of others. You can trust that we will take into consideration every measure to ensure our customers are treated like family.

When Should I Acquire Fire Damage Restoration Services?

6/14/2022 (Permalink)

Fire damage restoration involves restoring a home after a home fire. It is important to act quickly after a fire and contact a fire damage restoration company quickly if the repairs require professional assistance. While a minor fire that is put out quickly may not result in the need for professional restoration services, moderate to severe fire damage requires more extensive treatment to minimize replacement costs. 

Waiting too long after a fire occurs can cause the aftermath to be worse, whereas a fire damage restoration company that arrives quickly after the fire can keep the damage to a minimal level. This can help homeowners save thousands of dollars, as well as save precious and sentimental furniture and decorative and antique pieces inside of the home. 

By fully understanding when to contact a fire damage restoration company for prompt service (and when not to), you can make an informed decision that can help you restore the appearance and quality of your home for the lowest cost possible. 

Physical Damage Caused by Flames

Of course, the number one cause of damage in many fires is the flames. The initial fire can be devastating if it continues for an extended period of time. More notably, the repair process for walls, roofs, flooring, furniture, and more that are damaged by flames requires more extensive treatment to restore the damage and avoid replacement.

Additionally, along with flames comes smoke and soot. Smoke and soot pose a unique concern as they can last much longer and cause damage to the home through a slower, more drawn-out process. Due to this, it is essential to promptly remove smoke and soot inside of the home as quickly and as effectively as possible after a fire. Another major concern following a fire is water damage. This becomes a concern if the fire department is needed to put out the flames. 

For small flames that cause little damage to a small area of the home, the homeowner may be able to restore their home to a degree. However, more severe physical damage caused by flames, smoke, soot, and water requires professional fire damage restoration services.

What’s Involved in Fire Damage

Every fire damage restoration is unique, but there is a certain process a professional company may follow. The restoration process typically involves inspecting and restoring structural damage, removing smell and dirt promptly, and dealing with smoke and soot concerns. 

Structural Damage

Structural damage is perhaps the main concern following a fire to your home or commercial property. Structural damage refers to damage to the core foundation of the property. This includes the foundation, walls, roof, flooring, and doors. Structural damage may occur as a direct result of the flames of the fire, although it commonly is the result of water damage in an effort to put out the fire as well. 

The first thing the fire damage restoration professionals will do upon arrival on the scene is to assess the severity and extent of the damage, particularly to the structure of the home. They can begin the restoration process by protecting damaged areas, removing smoke and soot, and drying areas damaged by water. 

Smell and Dirt

While acquiring fire damage restoration services for structural damage may be a given, the damage does not have to be as severe for there to be a need for professional assistance. Fires cause a foul-smelling odor and can stir up dust, dirt, and other contaminants. Fire damage restoration seeks to remove any bad odors that linger in the home after the fire as well as clean up dirt. They can utilize services, such as professional carpet cleaning, scrubbing walls, and various other methods to help sanitize the home. 

Smoke and Soot

Smoke and soot almost always build up in the home in areas the flames spread. After the fire is put out, homeowners still have to address potential damage caused by smoke and soot. Fire damage restoration professionals can arrive at the property promptly to quickly remove smoke and soot and minimize the impact the fire has on the home. They can then work toward the restoration of the structure of the home, furniture, and other surfaces damaged by the smoke and soot. 

Without fire damage restoration, the soot can build up over time and become far more difficult to remove. If too much time passes without removing the smoke and soot, then damaged items may require the replacement of items rather than repair and restoration, which is much more costly. 

Hire a Professional Fire Damage Restoration Company

Reach out to our team at SERVPRO of Highland Village today for more information about our fire damage restoration services. We offer a 24/7 emergency service to help minimize the initial damage done to your home and start the fire damage restoration process as quickly as possible.

How Long Does It Take to Restore a House after a Fire?

6/11/2022 (Permalink)

Many families are in a difficult place after a fire occurs inside their home. A frequently asked question that fire damage restoration companies receive is how long the process will take after a fire. This question is often very challenging to answer until after they are able to conduct a thorough inspection of the damage.

However, homeowners can get a general idea of how long the restoration will take by examining the size and severity of the fire and water damage that occurred. By learning more about the process and a tentative idea of how long it takes, homeowners can properly prepare and make necessary arrangements until their home is fully restored. 

Dependent Factors of Timeline

There is a range of factors a professional fire damage restoration company will consider early in the process to provide the homeowner with a tentative idea of how long the process might take. These factors include the size of the home, how many rooms the fire spreads to, and the overall severity of the damage. 

With that said, it is often hard to predict how long the process will take. A broad estimate is between a week and four months to restore a house after a fire. In the most severe cases, it may take up to six months, and some restorations have been completed within a few days. The following is an overview of the more notable factors that affect how long the process takes. 

House Size 

One of the main factors in determining how long a fire damage restoration will take is the size of the house. Naturally, a larger home will require more extensive repairs, but it is not always that simple. One of the main determinations is the type of rooms that are damaged. 

If the fire causes damage to rooms that require extensive repairs, such as the living room and kitchen, then the restoration may take longer. If the fire occurs in a room or rooms in which there are not as many items, such as a spare bedroom, then the repair may not be as complex and subsequently, it will take less time. 

Keeping in mind that every situation is unique regardless of the size of the home, fire damage restoration to a small home may only take around three weeks or less. For medium-sized homes, the restoration may take up to two months. For large homes that need extensive repair, the fire damage restoration can take as many as six months. 

Size of the Fire

Another major factor that affects how long the restoration process will take is the size of the fire. A small fire has less potential to spread, and if it is put out early then it may not cause much damage. In this case, thoroughly cleaning the area that was subject to the fire, removing a minor amount of soot, and cleaning and sanitizing the area might be all that is required. This may only take several days to a couple of weeks.

For larger fires, the threat of the fire spreading is larger. If the fire spreads into multiple rooms, then the restoration can take several months to complete. Of course, there are additional factors to consider as well, including how long it takes for the homeowners (or neighbors if the homeowners are away) to call for assistance.

Overall Damage

Fire damage restoration professionals examine a lot of factors when determining how long the restoration will take, but the ultimate deciding factor in how long the process takes is the overall damage. This is determined by the size of the home, how many rooms the fire spreads to, the type of rooms that are affected, and how soon after the fire the restoration company is able to begin its process. 

If the fire does not cause any serious damage to hard to repair items, such as the roof or interior of the walls, and only requires minor restoration, then the restoration process may take anywhere from several days up to a month. 

On the other hand, if the overall damage is severe, then the restoration can take up to six months. This is because a lot will have to be done before the actual restoration begins, including removing all water, soot, and smoke and cleaning and sanitizing the affected areas. The process may also take longer for more severe overall damage if issues such as roof replacement are required. 

Consider Working with a Fire Damage Restoration Company

Our team at SERVPRO of Highland Village offers professional fire damage restoration. If your home was damaged by fire and water and you need a prompt response from a reliable damage restoration company, then give us a call today. We can provide more insights into the restoration process, and we offer 24/7 emergency service.

What is Fire Damage Restoration?

6/1/2022 (Permalink)

Fire damage restoration is the process of restoring a home or commercial property after a fire occurs. There are several steps involved with the fire damage restoration process, including an initial assessment of the fire and water damage, an immediate board up to prevent further damage, removing all water and smoke, cleaning and sanitizing, and finally restoring all furniture, floors, walls, etc., that were damaged during the fire. 

With fire damage restoration, it is not only the fire damage that the owner has to worry about. If the fire department is called, which is often the case, then the home may have water damage as well caused by efforts to put the fire out as quickly as possible. A professional fire damage restoration company can deal with water damage concerns as well. 

Restore Your Home Back to Normal

Fire damage restoration aims to restore the property back to the way it was before a fire. Of course, every situation is unique and the efforts needed to restore the home are dependent on the area that is damaged and the severity of the damage. However, the primary goal in every situation is to restore as much of the home as possible, utilizing replacement as a last resort. 

It is helpful to understand how the fire damage restoration process works to determine whether or not it is right for you after a fire occurs inside your property. Fire damage restoration is generally a good idea for people who want to restore their home back to the condition and appearance it was before. It also aims to remove health hazards after a fire. 

How It Helps 

As mentioned, there are certain steps a fire damage restoration company will follow, although the specific steps may vary based on the specifics of the situation. However, it generally involves the following steps:

• Inspection and damage assessment
• Removal of water and smoke
• Cleaning and sanitizing areas
• Restoration of all damaged areas

The benefits of fire damage restoration may include the ability to save money from replacement costs, restoring items with sentimental value, and removing any safety hazards inside your home. The following are several ways in which fire damage restoration can help after a fire occurs inside of your home or business. 

Removes Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces

During the inspection process, the fire damage restoration professionals will make note of any and all areas of the home that were damaged by fire or water. It is important to call a restoration company as soon as possible after a fire occurs to have the best chance at restoring the damage. When the professionals arrive, there is often a large amount of smoke that exists inside the home. Soot, which is a black powdery substance that results when the matter does not burn all the way, may exist as well. 

It is important to remove all smoke and soot as quickly as possible. A professional fire damage restoration company can use professional equipment and specialized techniques to remove soot and smoke from all surfaces, including the floors, walls, windows, and more. 

Water Removal and Drying

In many instances, the water damage is just as problematic as the fire and smoke damage. With this understanding, the fire damage restoration professionals will remove any standing water as soon as possible after a fire occurs. 

Afterward, they will then use dehumidifiers, air movers, and other professional equipment to remove as much water and moisture as possible. This ensures the damage is kept to a minimum and saves the owner money by restoring walls, floors, ceilings, and more, which may have otherwise required replacement. This process helps prevent more severe concerns such as black mold. 

Cleaning and Sanitizing

To this point, most of the effort the fire damage restoration company has put forward is to prevent any further damage. The next step is to clean and sanitize all damaged areas, including floors, walls, ceilings, furniture, and more. The professionals will do everything possible to restore the appearance and condition of all damaged areas to where they were before the fire. 

They will also use air scrubbers and fogging equipment to remove any foul odors that exist. After cleaning and sanitizing all areas, minor repairs are likely to be recommended. For damages that are beyond repair, replacements might be in order to restore the appearance and condition of the home or commercial property. 

Work with the Fire Damage Restoration Professionals

There is nothing worse than experiencing a fire inside of your property. The situation, however, can be made less stressful by calling a fire damage restoration company as soon as possible. Our team responds promptly to all who are interested, and we offer a 24/7 emergency service. If you want to learn more about fire damage restoration, then get in touch with our professionals at SERVPRO of Highland Village today.

Average Fire Damage Restoration Cost

5/12/2022 (Permalink)

It is helpful to understand the average fire damage restoration cost before calling a professional restoration company. Of course, there is a wide range of potential costs and many factors that dictate how much the restoration will be, including the size of the fire, location of the damage, how much of the home can be restored, and insurance coverage. 

Regardless of the final cost, fire damage restoration is often far more cost-effective than the alternative. Without it, the homeowner may have to pay for the replacement of expensive items that are not covered by insurance.

With that said, there are certain expectations homeowners can have from a financial standpoint. The following is an overview of fire damage restoration costs, including insights into how companies determine the final price. 

Determining the Average Cost of Fire Damage Restoration

The average fire damage restoration cost is between $4,000 and $10,000. While this is a broad range, homeowners can determine a more accurate idea of how much their restoration will be by knowing the most notable factors that affect the price. The following are four considerations a professional fire damage restoration company will consider when determining the price. 

Location of the fire

Perhaps the factor that affects the price the most is the location of the damage. Fire damage to a small bedroom is not going to be as difficult and expensive to repair as damage to a kitchen. Significant damage to the floors, walls, and roof will raise the price as well. 

Due to this, the first thing a fire damage restoration company will do is inspect the damage and determine the areas that are affected. Whereas a minor repair to one bedroom may only cost several thousand, a complete kitchen restoration can cost as much as $50,000. 

The reason the location is so important is that certain equipment is more valuable and more difficult to restore. Whereas damage to bedroom carpet does not require extensive service, restoring kitchen cabinets, roofs and other more expensive items is more time-consuming and requires more resources. 

Size and spread of the fire

The place the fire originates is likely to be the most damaged area in the home, but fire can spread quickly and damage surrounding areas as well. In some instances, rooms that were not damaged by the fire may still have smoke, soot, and water damage. 

The size of the fire is perhaps the second largest determining factor in price. Of course, the more areas that need to be restored, the more expensive the cost will be. This is because it will take the fire damage restoration technicians more hours to complete the service, and they will need to use more resources to complete the restoration. 

Items that need to be replaced or restored

In addition to the location of the home and the size of the fire and water damage, the items that need to be restored play a significant role. For example, many fires originate in the kitchen. When this occurs, all appliances, including the dishwasher, refrigerator, sink and stove, require extensive restoration or replacement, which raises the cost. Additionally, the floors and kitchen cabinets likely require restoration as well. 

On the other hand, damage to a room that has less in it, such as a den, small bedroom, or home office, may have fewer and less vital items to restore. 

Then, of course, replacement is more expensive than restoration. The main goal of a fire damage restoration company is to restore as much as possible to avoid replacement and ultimately lower the cost for the homeowner. However, there are times when restoration is not an option and replacement is required. 

Homeowners insurance coverage

Last but not least, the homeowner’s insurance coverage will play a huge role in the cost of the fire damage restoration for the homeowner. Although it may not have much of an impact on how much the fire damage restoration company charges, it does impact how much of the cost the homeowner is responsible for. 

Whereas some coverages may include all costs for the restoration, a less extensive insurance policy may only cover certain areas or items of the home. To find out how much the cost of fire and water damage restoration will likely be, it is best to first check with the insurance company to determine what costs they will take care of. 

Speak to an Experienced Fire Damage Restoration Company

If you have fire and water damage to your home and need fast and reliable damage restoration, then give our team at SERVPRO of Highland Village a call. We are available 24/7 for emergency fire damage situations. Our team is happy to answer your questions about restoration costs and guide you through the difficult time after a home fire.

The Fire Damage Restoration Process

5/11/2022 (Permalink)

Fire damage to your home is a devastating experience. In addition to the fire damage, there is generally a fair amount of water damage also due to sprinkler systems or firefighters. Fortunately, not all is lost after fire and water damage occurs, and there are many times when the home can be restored without major renovations.

To make things a little easier, it is encouraged to consider a fire damage restoration company to restore as much damage as possible. They typically work fast to restore items that are expensive or carry sentimental value. 

Although each company may use its own process, there are certain steps that one can expect during the aftermath of fire damage. The following is an overview of the restoration process. 

What is Fire Damage Restoration?

Fire damage restoration aims to restore as much of the home as possible after a fire occurs. The repairs may include deep cleaning carpet and furniture, removing a buildup of smoke and soot on the walls, floors, and roof of the home, as well as getting rid of any foul odors that linger. 

The primary goal of fire damage restoration is to restore rather than replace. This means the company will do a thorough assessment of every inch of the home and restore all that does not require replacement.

Of course, restoration after fire and water damage is time-sensitive. The longer furniture, floors, walls, etc., remain damaged by fire and water, the harder the home is to repair. Because of this, fire damage restoration technicians work efficiently to remove all water and soot buildup to salvage as much as possible and avoid costly replacements.

The Fire Damage Restoration Process in 7 Steps

Every company will have a unique process, but there are expectations homeowners can have when they hire a fire damage restoration company. It is helpful to know what to expect to better understand the importance of professional fire damage restoration. The following is a general seven-step process for restoring damage caused by fire and water after a home fire occurs. 

Contacting a fire damage restoration company

The first step in the fire damage restoration process is to contact a company that specializes in the service. It is ideal to contact the fire damage restoration company the same day or night as the fire, but it can wait until the next day if you are dealing with trauma from the incident. However, the sooner the restoration can begin the better. 

Fire damage inspection and assessment

The first thing the fire damage restoration company will do is inspect and assess the damage. They will make note of all that was damaged, which may include flooring, furniture, and more. They will also make note of odor caused by smoke and fire, which generally requires professional removal. 

Board-up and roof tarping

After inspection, the technicians will board up any areas of the home that cause additional concern, such as releasing a strong odor. They will also tarp the roof if it is vulnerable to additional damage or collapse. This step is generally only necessary for moderate to severe damage. 

Water removal and drying

Water damage is often a concern after a home fire as well due to sprinkler systems and efforts by firemen to put the fire out quickly. A professional fire damage restoration company will not only know how to restore damage, but they will also remove standing water in the home and professionally dry areas and items that are vulnerable to water damage. 

Smoke and soot removal

Smoke can linger inside a home for hours after a fire occurs. If the company arrives the same day or night as the fire, then they can effectively remove lingering smoke quickly to reduce damage and prevent a buildup of excess soot. They can also begin efforts to remove soot from the home. 

Cleaning and repair

After the initial efforts to minimize damage and determine the best way to restore the home, the cleanup and repair process begins. This may include deep cleaning upholstery and carpet, restoring materials with water damage, and removing lingering odors caused by the fire. 

Complete restoration

The goal of fire damage restoration is to restore as much as possible. While there might be certain areas of the home that require replacement, a professional fire damage restoration company should have the mentality to repair everything possible. This saves the homeowner money. This may take several weeks, depending on the severity of the fire and water damage.

Learn More About Fire Damage Restoration Today

Reach out to our team at SERVPRO of Highland Village to learn more about fire damage restoration. Our professional team has the experience and knowledge necessary to restore homes after fire and water damage. We are more than happy to answer your questions, and we offer a 24/7 emergency restoration service.

Repairing Damaged Water Pipes without the Need for Demolition

4/15/2022 (Permalink)

Pipes that are leaking are one of the most common problems that homeowners today face. Repairing leaking pipes can be costly and cause a big headache. Preparing for these problems is key to preventing large water damage.

Poor installation practices are one of the most common causes of leaks in plumbing systems. Kitchen and bathroom faucets are sometimes installed with too tight of a grip, creating leaks. Red stains in your toilet can indicate rust or iron, which could mean a clog in your pipes.

Cracks are another cause of water leaks. Small cracks can be something to not worry about, but larger cracks should be cause for concern and should be inspected by a professional. Small cracks can be fixed with epoxy or paint typically. Larger cracks may need cement caulk or replacement in order to be fixed. 

When pipes become blocked, water damage is likely to occur. A quality water filtration system can prevent blocks in pipes. If a pipe does become blocked, many hardware stores carry inexpensive drain snakes or rent large augers in order to remedy the issue yourself.

Many leaks are found around fixtures and fittings such as faucets, tubs, showers, toilets, and water heaters. It is often difficult to find these leaks as many of them are behind walls and tile and require demolition to find the true leak source.

Slab leaks are also common and consist of damaged water pipes beneath a layer of soil on the exterior of your foundation. If a slab leak appears anywhere near a foundation, it is important to have it repaired as soon as possible. If a damaged water pipe is visible, or you feel there may be more than one leak, contact a licensed plumbing service as soon as possible to have the leak repaired.

Slab Leaks Can Go Years Without Being Detected

4/15/2022 (Permalink)

Slab Leaks and Water Damage Repair

In areas where the soil is very unstable, slab leaks are very common. Many homes are constructed on concrete slabs or with brick-reinforced pier and beam foundation. This can create problems with basements as walls can crack while soil pressure is changing. Drainage pipes typically run under the slab, however, underground plumbing connections are usually harder to find and more costly to repair. Depending on the leak’s severity, the cost of repair varies.

The stresses of structural design, settling, and soil pressure can lead to slab leaks. Multiple combinations of factors can weaken the building’s structural integrity, including mechanical flaws in the design of the home. Installing new basement walls can help to stop slab leaks, but the stress of the loose soil could already be too much. 

Lack of proper waterproofing could be another cause of slab leaks. Sewer and drain line maintenance is vital in order to prevent both structural integrity issues and future water damage. If your plumbing system contains improper pipe lengths or bends at joints, there is a good chance your plumbing could leak. Other issues that can cause leaks include insufficient water pressure in your household plumbing system or standing water in pipes that connect to the sewage system.

Slab leaks may go years without being detected since water can move beneath the slab foundation without showing up on an inspection. Moreover, it is easy to misdiagnose slab foundation problems, so homeowners should be on the lookout for anything they may see that seems out of place. For instance, if you find a crack in your slab but no corresponding void in your floor slab, your basement may be the culprit. A faulty drain line may also cause water to leak through, especially if the soil is cracked around the pipe.

If you've recently noticed your water bill shooting up and your water pressure is low, you may be experiencing a slab leak. This type of leak is a plumbing issue that requires the expertise of a professional to fix. Slab leaks are often a result of corrosion, which causes them to be challenging to detect. They typically occur near the water meter, pipes, or appliances. If you suspect you have a slab leak, contact a slab leak repair company in your area to schedule an inspection.

What Are the Common Water Damage Problems in Commercial Property?

4/14/2022 (Permalink)

Handling commercial water damage is not an easy task. As a commercial property owner or manager, you are probably aware that water can not only cause damage to the interior of your building but the exterior and landscape of your property.

Some factors that need to be considered when assessing the time needed to restore a commercial property are the cause of damage and how long a structure has been damaged.

Below are a few of the common causes of commercial water damage and the different restoration services that can be used to address them.

Natural Causes

Acts of nature can impact commercial buildings just as much as residential buildings. Hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and flooding can be detrimental to high-rise buildings which are often commercial buildings.

Leaks

One of the most common causes of leaks in commercial buildings is poor construction practices. Inadequate foundation drainage systems and poorly maintained roofing materials can cause parts of the building to sag if ignored.

Broken Water Pipes

Broken water pipes can shut down a whole building if not managed properly. Broken water supply pipes can flood a building, but a broken sewage pipe can create an even bigger mess. Sewage can bring “blackwater” with it, creating not only a water damage issue but also a biohazard issue.

Emergency Service

SERVPRO of Highland Village is open 24/7 for emergency situations. Flooding, water leaks, and sewage leaks can create the need for emergency services. Call us for immediate help during these situations.

If you have experienced water damage in your business, call us at (940) 241-3434.

Fire Safety 101: Smoke Alarms

4/14/2022 (Permalink)

Smoke alarms are a very important part of our everyday lives. A smoke alarm is a device that senses smoke, which is usually an indication of fire. Residential smoke alarms are used in almost every room and hallway in your home. Commercial smoke alarms are also used in most rooms and send a signal to an alarm control panel.

Commercial Smoke Alarms

Commercial smoke alarms are usually located on every floor of a commercial building. These alarms will alert the fire department of the potential fire as well as alert all those inside the building. 

Heat Detectors

Many commercial hospitality facilities such as hotels and resorts have heat detectors that will sound an alarm when there is a rapid increase in the air temperature.

Smoke Detectors

Smoke detectors detect smoke particles in the air and will alert you to not only smoke, but many newer models can also alert you to carbon monoxide.

Which Type Of Smoke Alarm Do I Need?

In the United States, it is required to have a working smoke alarm installed in your home. Which kind of smoke alarm should you choose to have in your home?

There are two types of smoke alarms that are commonly used in residences: ionization and photoelectric. Photoelectric smoke alarms are the lowest prices and need a power source in order to work properly. Ionization smoke alarms are commonly installed in newer buildings and can also be disabled if they are not connected to a power source.

If you feel you need help deciding which type of smoke alarm is right for you, please look at the resources below: 

• USFA position on home smoke alarms - US Fire Administration
• Texas Department of Insurance - Municipalities with Smoke Alarm Programs
• Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detector Buying Guide

Installing the Right Type of Flooring for Your Home

4/14/2022 (Permalink)

Flooring is one of the most essential features of a home. It can tie together your decor and it plays a crucial role in your home’s resale value. The most common flooring types are wood, stone, and concrete slab. Flooring can be a very expensive feature of your home. Follow the guide below in order to choose the best flooring for you.

Wood flooring

Wood flooring can be installed in various ways, depending on how complex you would like the design to be. The least complicated way to lay wood flooring is to have boards that have been “chopped” by a machine. The most common wood flooring layout is using a “locking” flooring system, where the floorboards are fitted as a single unit onto the concrete slab. This method provides the cleanest, most consistent, and most visually appealing finish.

Stone flooring

Stone flooring is incredibly durable as a flooring material. Stone flooring materials are usually preferred for use on the lower levels of houses.

Vinyl flooring

Vinyl flooring is very durable, extremely lightweight, slip-resistant, and relatively easy to maintain. One downside to vinyl flooring is that it does not always look right when placed on floor areas that are not partitioned.

Ceramic flooring

Ceramic flooring is made of glass-ceramic materials which contain silica and is ideal for use on open floor areas and where slip accidents are unlikely. Ceramic flooring is highly durable and provides good sound and heat insulation.

Tile flooring

Tile flooring is made from highly durable materials such as marble or limestone. Tile flooring is available in a wide range of designs and colors and can be installed in areas that have temperature control issues. Tile flooring is also easy to maintain due to its slip-resistant nature.

Should you hire a professional floor installation service? There are many benefits to hiring a professional floor installation service for your commercial or residential project. Floor installation is a complex process, and any mistakes can be costly. You want to be sure that your installation is done right the first time. If you have questions about our professional flooring installation services, call our office at (940) 241-3434.

Why is Commercial Fire Damage Restoration So Important?

4/14/2022 (Permalink)

The level of fire damage varies greatly depending on the severity of the fire. A small electrical short circuit might only cause minimal damage to specific items within a commercial building. However, if the fire resulted from a gas leak or a natural disaster, the scope of the damage can be much more significant.

The first step in restoration after a fire is to evaluate the damage caused to the structure.  Depending on the materials and age of the building, the damage may be relatively minor or may require a structural inspection. This step of structural analysis is necessary before any renovations or rebuilding can take place. 

The building's actual cash value should be established before finding out the value of everything damaged. This includes furniture, electronic equipment, jewelry, clothing, and carpeting. It would also be a good idea to have an appraisal for any wood or metal fixtures. Sometimes, when a building suffers water damage, it will have an overall discounted value determined by the amount of wood and material damaged and the structural elements' condition. This is often used as a factor in determining the replacement cost for a damaged building. However, in some cases, such as with a damaged roof or entire floor, the property's actual cash value cannot be determined since it will be challenging to determine the exact condition of the structure without actually seeing it.

Once values have been determined, it is time to plan what will need to be done to restore the property to its pre-incident condition. Some risks commonly associated with fire damage restoration include soot damage repair, smoke damage repair, and mold remediation. The floor may need to be replaced on every level. If there is water damage from fire fighting efforts, this could result in subfloor damage. If electrical service was affected by smoke, the electrical subflooring may need to also be addressed.

If a building has suffered severe fire damage, it is essential to remediate any water damage that may have occurred as soon as possible. The longer a property sits without restoration, the more costly and time-consuming the project will become. Immediately contacting a professional fire restoration company to assess and remediate the damage is essential in properly restoring a property to its preloss condition.

4 Safety Tips on How to Prevent a House Fire

4/13/2022 (Permalink)

Do you know how to prevent a house fire? Fire can create destruction and chaos. If a family is lucky enough to escape a fire in their home, often times they do not want to return after the stress they went through during the fire. Consider following the tips below in order to prevent this tragedy from happening to you.

Fire Prevention Safety Tip #1

The best safety tips are the ones that ensure your and your family’s safety. In order to keep your family safe, it is important to check the smoke detectors in your home regularly. If your home does not have a smoke detector–or not enough smoke detectors–they can be purchased online or at a local home improvement store.

The National Fire Protection Association provides the following safety guidelines for smoke alarms:

• Smoke alarms should be replaced every ten years.
• Smoke alarms should be installed on each level of the home.
• Smoke alarms should be installed outside each sleeping area, the kitchen, and the hallways connecting the sleeping areas.
• Smoke alarms should be equipped with an alarm system that will sound when the power is out.
• Smoke alarms should be tested monthly.
• Smoke alarms should be regularly cleaned to avoid the build-up of dust.
• Smoke alarms should be replaced every ten years.

In order to protect your home and your family, it is important to make sure your smoke detectors are in working order. Make sure that your smoke detectors are always plugged in or have batteries installed and test them monthly to ensure they are working properly.

Fire Prevention Safety Tip #2

Make sure your home is equipped with fire extinguishers. Having a working fire extinguisher in your home could be the difference between a small kitchen fire and having to rebuild an entire home. Don’t forget to make sure your fire extinguishers are also not expired. The average fire extinguisher is used every ten years.

Fire extinguishers are designed to put out fires. Typically, they are filled with gas that is stored under pressure and is released as a fine mist. When the gas is sprayed, it creates a barrier between the fire and the items it is burning. The fire may go out on its own, or it will need to be sprayed again. Making sure your home has fire extinguishers or the proper sprinkler system in place is very important in keeping your family safe.

Fire Prevention Safety Tip #3

Children should be taught proper fire prevention techniques. The most effective way to teach your children about fire hazards is to have a discussion with them about the different fire hazards that their home could be vulnerable to and the different ways to avoid fire hazards.

Most children are taught in school that fire is not good and that it can be harmful to them and their surroundings. It is important to reinforce these lessons at home and to make sure they know how to call for help and where safety equipment is in your home.

Fire Prevention Safety Tip #4

Making sure that your fire alarm system is ready at all times is important in order to keep your family safe. If your house is outfitted with an alarm system before a fire starts, it could protect you and your loved ones from harmful smoke and fire.

Many newly-built housing developments have the houses in each neighborhood close together, heightening the chance for flames to jump from one house to the next. This chance of fire spreading is also high in apartment buildings and condos.

These are just a few fire safety tips that you should remember. At SERVPRO of Highland Village, we want to make sure you implement proper fire safety precautions to keep your family and home safe. In the event that you should ever need emergency fire damage restoration, we are available 24/7.

Commercial Fire Damage Restoration

4/13/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial fire damage restoration is caused by a wide range of factors. Firefighting operations, smoke, and windows broken in the course of fighting the fire all result in equipment loss. Buildings can also sustain damage from water, due to fighting the fire. The damage can also result from breakdowns of machinery or faulty operations.

To restore your property to its original state after commercial fire damage, many different steps must be taken. In the beginning, it is vital to determine the cause of the fire damage. For example, the burning of oil can lead to leaks if the fuel levels are not maintained properly or if the fire is difficult to control.

Following the determination of the cause of the fire damage, you can begin searching for a commercial fire damage restoration company. If you are faced with an immediate emergency the best thing to do is to reach out to your local fire department. While a restoration company is important, they could not help with the actual flames. Some fire departments have lists of companies that they like to refer also and can provide this information.

After that, it is best to look at your budget as a company. The cost of restoring a damaged building can be pretty expensive and might hit close to a set budget for to cost of repair, especially if you are not going through insurance. So that is helpful to keep in mind when choosing who to go for.

Commercial Fire Damage Restoration includes the process of erasing some flammable matters that are in the building following the fire. In many cases, the firefighter unit will demand the destruction of distinguishing areas, such as certain walls or furniture. Therefore, before they can carry on the devastation of these parts, you will need to confirm you see the district's fundamental completeness before introducing some plans to eliminate the articles.

Dealing with Fire Damage in Highland Village

4/13/2022 (Permalink)

Time is of the essence when dealing with fire damage. The longer smoke and soot are left on a surface, the more destructive it can be–not to mention the adverse health effects that it could lead to.

To determine which belongings can be salvaged and which cannot be salvaged, fire restoration professionals must conduct a thorough inspection of the home. This inspection can determine: how much property has been affected, how to begin the cleanup process, and what will need to be done to restore the property.

Once the inspection has been completed and it is determined which items and materials will be salvaged and which will be removed, the cleanup and restoration process can begin. This process can include removing items and materials from the home that will not be saved, cleaning soot and smoke from any surfaces that will be salvaged, and running specialized air scrubbers in the home to capture soot particles.

Contact us at (940) 241-3434 in order to have a fire damage inspection performed today!

How Do Commercial Water Damage Restoration Services Operate?

4/13/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial water damage restoration can be a complicated process, and many companies are unprepared when it comes to having a company in place to mitigate water damage. Commercial restoration services can include flood cleanup, asbestos abatement, and mold remediation. It is important to have a plan in place when something goes wrong in a commercial building, as these buildings have different structural properties.

After hurricanes, fires, or other disasters, SERVPRO of Highland Village can help to restore your commercial building to its original condition with our expertise in the commercial building realm. Certified IICRC water restoration technicians are available 24/7 to provide prompt service and knowledge.

There are many contributing factors to commercial water damage such as fires, heavy rain, wind, snow, and ice. The leading causes of commercial property damage in the United States are hurricanes and flooding.

After flooding inside a commercial building, it is essential to hire a company with the right credentials and proper expertise to deal with your unique situation. Using advanced technologies and equipment, we can help keep costs down and get your property back in working order as soon as possible. Restoring and replacing materials within the structure is typically part of the restoration process.

If your commercial property is in need of restoration, please contact us at (940) 241-3434.

Fire Damage Cleanup Near Lantana, TX

4/13/2022 (Permalink)

Have you or someone you know recently had a brush fire? Do you have smoke residue on your clothes? If you need your clothes cleaned due to smoke odor after a fire, we can help through our highly effective Esporta wash system.

Assessing damage from a fire is important in order to determine what needs to be repaired or cleaned. Walls and ceilings should be evaluated for soot and damage as well as your HVAC system. A typical insurance policy will most likely pay for the damages/replacement from a house fire., but it is best to double-check with your insurance.

Once your insurance company is notified of a house fire, they will send out someone to inspect the damage to determine what is covered. If insured, you might be surprised at how much they will pay. SERVPRO of Highland Village will work hand and hand with the insurance company along with the adjuster to ensure the homeowner is properly taken care of.

It may seem overwhelming when there is a lot of smoke or soot inside your home from a fire, but rest assured by hiring a professional fire restoration company like SERVPRO of Highland Village, we will make it "Like it never even happened." With our equipment and expertise, we can handle anything you throw at us, so please do not assume any part of your house does not need to be inspected solely from the appearance. Smoke and soot can an unhealthy environment and cause the structure to become unstable.

DOES YOUR LANTANA HOMEOWNER INSURANCE POLICY COVER FIRE DAMAGE?

When experiencing fire damage in your home, the thought that everyone comes across is “Is my insurance going to cover this?” In this day and age, most homes are covered however it is important to check with your insurance company to verify. When it comes to the damaged belongings in your home from a house fire, insurance may pay to replace the items or to repair them.

FIRE DAMAGE RESTORATION IN LANTANA, TX

We highly recommend that you do not try to take care of the fire damage on your own. Hire a professional. If not properly and professionally serviced you could inadvertently cause your home to lose value. A company like SERVPRO of Highland Village has the experience and is insured. Smoke and soot can quickly and dramatically affect your health. Without the proper precautions, you could be putting yourself at risk.  Some neighborhoods have a fire safety committee that could assist with fire damage cleanup. 

Making it look “Like it never even happened,” is not just our tag line but it's what we do best. Getting the professionals of SERVPRO of Highland Village on the job as quickly as possible would be best. Regardless of the size of the fire damage do not wait if possible. Prevention is the best tactic for house fires but a quick and professional response is the best thing.

What is the Typical Cost for Water Damage Restoration?

4/12/2022 (Permalink)

The average cost for home water damage restoration is around $3,000. With that said, there are many factors that affect the cost of water damage restoration, and the total cost can range anywhere from $1,000 for a minor repair to more than $5,000 for the most severe restorations. 

The best way to determine how much your water damage restoration, in particular, will cost is to call a professional to come for a home inspection. However, by understanding the factors that affect the cost (see below), you might be able to get a sense of how much you can expect to pay during the restoration process. 

Factors That Affect the Cost of Water Damage Restoration

Every water damage restoration is unique. Water damage is a rather broad term that can range from a small leak that is caught quickly to the result of severe flooding. In determining the cost of a water damage restoration, there are certain factors that a professional company will consider. These factors include but are not limited to the source of the water damage, how severe the damage is, the rooms that are the most affected, and the type of water that caused the damage. 

Source of the Water Damage

There are a variety of ways in which water can enter and damage a home. One of the main factors that affect the price of the restoration is why exactly the damage occurred in the first place. Several of the more common sources of water damage include:

• Roof 
• Basement
• Bathroom
• Floor 
• Drywall
• Plumbing

While water damage that results from an issue with a bathroom fixture may not lead to the need for an extensive or lengthy repair, significant damage to the basement may require quite an investment to fix the concern and restore the results of the water damage. 

In addition to finding out where the water entered, water damage restoration professionals will also consider how exactly the water damage occurred (missing shingles, busted pipes, etc.) and seek to treat the underlying concern. 

Extent of the Damages

The extent of the water damage also depends on a variety of factors and plays a direct role in how much the restoration will cost. One of the main considerations in how severe the damage is to the home is how long the problem existed before it was detected and properly inspected. 

Also, the amount of material that is damaged is an important assessment to make as well. While minor damage to the floorboard may not be expensive to repair, severe damage to both the walls and floors can lead to a significant bite out of the wallet. 

When assessing the extent of the damage, a professional company will also check for signs of mold, bacteria, asbestos, and other signs of concern. 

The Area of Damage

Certain areas of the home have more value than others. If the damage takes place in a room such as the living room that has expensive flooring, furniture, and well-insulated walls, then the repair and replacement cost will likely be higher. If the damage is to a sunroom, laundry, or another area that requires a less expensive replacement cost, then the cost might be lower. 

Additionally, if the roof or plumbing is damaged, then the cost may increase as well. A professional company will also look at the total area that is damaged. Restoring a small section will obviously be less expensive than replacing entire walls. 

The Category of Water That Caused the Damage

There are actually different categories and classes of water. The type of water plays a role in how expensive the water damage restoration will be as well. There are three main categories of water damage.

• Category 1 refers to clean water. Category 1 damage is the easiest and often least expensive to fix. Clean water can result from leaky faucets, sprinklers, burst pipes, water heaters, and other clean water sources.
• Category 2 involves “grey water,” which can be more expensive to clean up and may result from washing machines, dishwashers, etc. Greywater can carry microorganisms and human waste.
• Category 3 carries the most potential harm in “black water.” Blackwater is also the most severe and expensive to fix and typically results from flooding, storm surges, and other complex issues. This category includes harmful bacteria, sewage, seawater, and Category 2 water damage left untreated.

Speak to a Professional Water Damage Restoration Company

If you have found water damage inside your home, then feel free to reach out to us to start the water damage restoration process. Our friendly professionals are happy to provide you with information about the restoration process and arrange a time for the home visit to inspect the damage.

Fire Restoration Services

4/12/2022 (Permalink)

Fire Cleanup & Fire Restoration Services

After a fire has happened and there is so much damage it seems hopeless, there is help available. The Basics of Fire Restoration are typically what people think of when they hear “fire restoration.” Fire restoration is much more extensive than these basics, however. Fire restoration can involve cleanup, drying, mold remediation and even structural reconstruction. After restoration, your home can look brand new.

Apart from cleaning up the mess, we will check any damage to your home during fire restoration. If the damage is extensive, we may need to remove unsalvageable materials and rebuild parts of the home and do re-wiring as well.

Fire Restoration After Disaster

After smoke and damage has occurred, most people are unsure how to properly clean up. If the wrong methods are used, cleanup can be extremely difficult and dangerous if the wrong chemicals are combined. You can be sure our restoration services will properly clean your home and cause no further damage.

To start the restoration process, professionals will conduct a standard air quality inspection in order to prevent further health effects related to smoke and soot. Once the air quality is deemed safe, all moisture sources need to be eliminated so that the next step of fire restoration can begin. Dehumidifiers and air scrubbers will be used in order to lower the humidity and eliminate any odors that are present.

Removing soot and residue from carpets, walls, floors and ceilings by using a carbon-based absorbent is important during the restoration process. Specialized extraction equipment may also be used in order to remove any residual moisture left behind after extinguishing the fire. A qualified restoration team will be able to determine which type of absorbent is best for your particular needs. There are also absorbents that can be used in order to eliminate odors from a home.

While a disaster can be difficult to work through, professional fire damage restoration can help the process be more efficient. At SERVPRO of Highland Village, we provide 24/7 fire restoration services. Call our office at (940) 241-3434 if you have any questions.

Fire Damage Repair and Cleanup

4/12/2022 (Permalink)

Fire Damage Repair and Fire Cleanup Services

What is fire damage restoration? Fire damage restoration is the process of restoring fire and smoke-damaged property to its pre-incident condition. Due to the nature of fire damage, fire restoration and repair can take anywhere from months to years to complete. Smoke and water can both destroy furniture, insulation, drywall, carpeting, electrical systems, and other essential building materials. 

The first step of the fire damage restoration process is to remove any items that are highly porous such as carpets, pillows, or mattresses. These items will keep a majority of the smoke and soot trapped in them. Once these items are removed, dehumidification must begin in order to remove any excess moisture from the home.

If your home has sustained water damage from firefighting efforts, it is important to remove any items that can be repaired and to begin to dry out the home. A professional restoration company will have the necessary equipment in order to dry your home properly.

Often after a fire, power will be turned off to a home. In order to operate any drying equipment, temporary power must be routed to a home. Contact your local city electric provider in order to set up a temporary power pole (restoration professionals can also provide a generator, if necessary). 

Full-Service Fire Damage Restoration

Any items in a home that can be salvaged after a fire may need further cleaning in order to be used again. This process may be heavy hand-cleaning or–in the case of textiles such as clothes, linens, drapes, etc.--professional cleaning from our specialized Esporta wash system. These methods help to clean and preserve items that many families do not want to replace, or feel can be saved through cleaning. Deodorizing of some items such as fabric furniture pieces may also be required during this process.

In order to find out more about our full-service fire damage restoration process, please contact our office.

Factors That Affect Commercial Fire Damage Restoration

4/12/2022 (Permalink)

There are a few factors that determine fire damage restoration cost. The way in which a fire was started is one of the biggest factors in the cost of restoration. Carbon monoxide is one of the reasons larger fires can start.

Carbon monoxide can be eliminated through the use of specific commercial cleaners. These cleaners will effectively eliminate any presence of carbon monoxide in the air. These cleaners can also eliminate the presence of oxygen in a building. If the temperature outside is high enough it can be incredibly difficult to extinguish a fire using traditional means. The presence of carbon monoxide during commercial fire damage restoration can make restoration extremely difficult.

Many buildings that have had large fires will need to be completely gutted and rebuilt in order for restoration to take place. Smaller fires may have been contained to one room, but many buildings have entire offices and warehouses that have been affected by smoke and soot and will need to be restored. It is important to consult a commercial fire restoration company in order to determine the scope and extent of the damage to the property.

The cost of the restoration process will vary depending on the type of damage that has occurred. For instance, the cost of water damage restoration will be different than the cost of electrical or structural damage restoration. The type of business building will also determine the commercial restoration cost. 

Once the restoration company has determined what is needed to restore the property to its preloss condition, an estimated cost and time for restoration can be given. The cost of smoke and fire damage restoration can be overwhelming. It is suggested that an insurance policy that will cover necessary repairs is in place in order to cover what is lost, including personal items within a building.

Protect Your Home from Soot, Smoke & Fire Damage

4/12/2022 (Permalink)

10 Ways To Protect Homes From Soot, Smoke & Fire Damage

Preparing a home to be protected from fire damage is often tedious and requires many hours of work. Since smoke and soot can be challenging to remove from a home’s interior, homeowners can use the following steps to help make the process of fire remediation go more smoothly.

First, smoke and soot cleanup professionals can remove smoke and soot from the home before restoration begins. As soon as smoke and soot odor is noticeable, it is imperative that the smoke and soot are removed so the restoration team can perform their services much more efficiently.

Second, smoke and soot can sometimes be cleaned with household products. For example, peroxide can be used to neutralize odors. Bleach is relatively inexpensive and can be used to rid surfaces of smoke and soot.

Third, the use of oxygenated bleach solutions is recommended by many smoke and soot cleanup companies–as these solutions are highly effective in removing smoke and soot. Many major home supply stores carry these solutions in powder form. In order to use the oxygenated solution, the powder needs to be mixed with water and applied to the affected area, and left on the surface for about an hour.

Fourth, paper towels can be used in order to absorb excess moisture. The smoke and soot can be vacuumed up with a wet vac while the surface is wet. This typically needs to be completed before the sun comes up, as the sun can accelerate the evaporation process.

Fifth, when smoke and soot are present, do not leave any windows open. Opening windows in the home will accelerate the evaporation process and spread carcinogens from smoke and soot further throughout the home.

Sixth, do not attempt to address residual smoke odor on your own. Contact a professional smoke restoration company in order to prevent any adverse health effects.

Seventh, make sure that your home has working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors before storms. Also, make sure to have a working fire extinguisher in your home.

Eighth, never place wet towels, mops, or clothes on top of your dryer. This can create damage to your home’s electrical wiring as well as a higher risk for a fire to start.

Ninth, make sure all window treatments and curtains are in front of the windows. This can help to prevent further damage to your home’s interior. Keeping windows closed during a fire can help to suffocate the fire, should one break out.

Finally, consider installing an air purifier in your home. Air purification systems can help to remove smoke and soot from the air, as well as improve your home’s air quality.

In order to prevent a total loss of your home, follow these steps. Maintaining your home and keeping a proper insurance policy up-to-date will help to properly restore your home in the case of fire damage.

What is Water Damage Restoration?

4/8/2022 (Permalink)

In short, water damage restoration is the process of fixing a structure after it has been damaged by water. Water damage has a wide range of how extensive it can be. While some damage may be able to be dried quickly and in place, some severe damage might require the removal of floors, walls, insulation, ceilings, and other materials.

Professionals may be required to remediate water damage in order to prevent problems with the integrity of a building or mold damage. In order to understand how professional water remediation services can benefit you, take a look at the steps below:

Steps in the Water Damage Restoration Process

A restoration professional should be scheduled for an inspection when water damage is discovered, our technicians are trained on how to inspect and successfully remediated water damage.

Water damage questions

Most people that are affected by water damage have many questions about the restoration process. In order to begin the restoration process, it is important to determine if professional restoration services are needed.

Inspection and damage assessment

Once it is determined that a professional will be needed in order to remediate, they will be called in to assess the severity of the water damage. After an initial inspection is completed, the water damage professional will advise how to best remediate the problem.

Water removal and extraction

The next step in the restoration process is to prevent further damage from occurring. During the first part of this step, the source of what is causing the damage needs to be addressed (i.e.: the water to the building has been turned off or disconnected if the source of damage is a burst pipe or water heater). Once the source has been stopped, the excess water must be removed by extraction equipment. Removing standing water from a structure can both decrease drying time and the chances of further damage.

Drying and dehumidification

Even though the excess water has been removed from the structure, the drying process is not yet complete. Moisture could have wicked up into walls and into insulation, which means that moisture needs to be pulled out of these materials by drying equipment. Insulation can be tricky, however. Insulation typically will not dry to the standard it needs to in order to prevent mold growth, so it will need to be removed.

Cleaning and repair

When water damage occurs, one of the main concerns of restoration is to prevent the spread or growth of mold and bacteria. Knowing how to properly clean and sanitize all affected areas and materials is an important part of a restoration professional’s knowledge in order to keep homes safe.

Air scrubbers may be used in order to remove harmful particles and moisture from the air so materials that are vulnerable to bacterial growth can be protected. This may include carpet, drapery, and clothing. 

Any contents that may have been contaminated will be removed to be cleaned or disposed of during this step as well.

Damage restoration

While each water damage situation is unique and has its own challenges, the steps listed above are always necessary in order to properly remediate water damage.

The extent of damage can vary greatly, meaning that restoration could be as simple as replacing drywall and insulation in affected areas, or as extensive as requiring the replacement of entire walls. Usually, entire walls and ceilings will only be replaced when there is a presence of mold, asbestos, or other toxic materials.

Typically. the longer water damage is left without remediation, the more extensive the restoration process is likely to be. It is recommended that as soon as water damage is expected or occurs, a water damage restoration professional be contacted in order to inspect the damage and provide a plan for remediation.

Contact Water Damage Restoration Specialists

Call us at (940) 241-3434 in order to schedule an appointment with a water damage restoration professional today. We are happy to assist you with any questions you may have.

The Basics of Fire Restoration

4/8/2022 (Permalink)

If a fire has occurred in your home, certain precautions must be taken during fire restoration. First, the structure has to be deemed stable for re-entry by fire investigators. Once the structure has been declared stable, a local fire restoration company can be arranged to thoroughly clean and restore your house to its original state. It can be devastating to see your home after a fire, but many times a fire restoration service can change a disaster into something beautiful. Keeping this process economical is also a strength of fire restoration companies; restoration can save you thousands of dollars in replacement costs.

Thousands of dollars can be saved in re-construction costs simply by after-fire restoration.

Typically, when a fire restoration company arrives at your home to assess the damage, they will collect your personal belongings and inspect your home to determine what kind of damage has occurred. Oftentimes, most companies do not specialize in home fires, so assumptions are made about the damage they see, which in some cases leads to unnecessary losses of valuables. SERVPRO of Highland Village analyzes damage and also determines which items are salvageable.

SMOKE AND SOOT not only come with an annoying smell after a fire but it must be removed carefully to avoid damaging the carpet and floors. Absorbent rugs should be used to capture the odor, preventing the smell from spreading to other areas near the affected location.

Professional Restoration companies have the ability to remove excess moisture from almost anywhere in your home with the proper skills and equipment.

The damage that smoke and soot bring with a fire does not stop with the home. Inhaling smoke or soot can be damaging to your health especially if you suffer from allergies or asthma. A proactive approach to avoid inhalation of smoke is smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. In the unfortunate event of a fire, your local fire department should be called immediately. In the event of smoke or soot damage, our office should be notified as soon as possible.

Fire restoration companies are capable of removing soot and odor from buildings after a fire using absorbent pads. Our trusted professionals also check electrical and heating systems to ensure those locations were not affected. The cost to restore your property could be costly, so it is vital to take into consideration any and all professional suggestions the restoration company makes that could make a difference in the long run.

One of the main things that needs to happen first after a fire, once the fire department deems it safe to enter, is to extract any water. A dehumidifier removes excess moisture from the air while a pump is used to suck out water from the affected area.

The efforts of the insurance company along with your assigned adjuster will work closely with the restoration company to ensure the cost of the damage is accurate and priced properly.

Odor control is one of the biggest hurdles a fire restoration company has to deal with. It needs to be assessed and handled before the smoke and fire damage. If ignored the odor can easily spread through HVAC systems and foot traffic.  In order to keep the area fresh after the restoration process happens it is vital it is handled properly and immediately. 

The Dangers of Smoke

3/9/2022 (Permalink)

Did you know that smoke and soot are not the same things? While a fire is burning, smoke is created through incomplete combustion. Incomplete combustion means there is not enough oxygen to burn the fuel completely. Leftover particles of carbon, tar, oils, and ash are released into the air, creating smoke that we can see. 

The primary cause of death for victims of indoor fires is smoke inhalation. Rather than being consumed by the fire itself, nearly 75% of victims die because of smoke inhalation. In order to prevent large amounts of smoke inhalation, it is important to stay low to the ground. Hot air rises in a structure while it is burning, which brings smoke up with it. In a typical structure fire, most evidence of smoke damage is found higher up on the walls and ceilings. Smoke will usually rise toward the ceiling, then be forced towards the doorways and air ducts and into other rooms. As smoke travels throughout a structure, it deposits residue (known as soot) on other materials. These materials can include the belongings in your home.

If you have questions about smoke damage, call SERVPRO of Highland Village at (940) 241-3434.

How Dangerous is Water?

3/3/2022 (Permalink)

For some small business owners, the worst nightmare has become a reality. What would you do if you opened your doors for the day and there is water pouring from where your ceiling used to be? A damaged toilet supply line could mean the difference between having a ceiling and not having a ceiling.

The water damage in our example was caused by a leak from an old toilet supply line. Once the supply line gave out, water flooded multiple rooms on the second floor and soon found its way into the sub-floor between the second floor and first floor. Once enough water had pooled in the sub-floor, the weight collapsed the floor/ceiling and began to flood the first floor.

This business owner knew that time is of the essence when it comes to water damage, so they called us to begin mitigation services as soon as possible. In order to prevent further damage, it is important to turn off the main water supply to the structure. After the water has been turned off, any standing water in the building needs to be removed. Drying equipment may be utilized in order to draw out any water that can not be seen as easily. Some materials may have been damaged beyond repair during the water loss and will need to be removed as part of the mitigation process. These materials may include drywall from the walls and ceiling, carpet, carpet pad, and insulation.

Once the structure has been dried out completely, the reconstruction process can begin. Contact us about our mitigation and reconstruction services today!

How to Treat Mold

2/28/2022 (Permalink)

Mold can grow anywhere that moisture is present. In order to properly contain and remove mold growth, it is important to understand mold and the basic remediation procedure. Various species of mold are vital to our ecosystem and have been in existence since the beginning of time.

What each surface that is contaminated with mold is comprised of determines what needs to happen during the remediation process. If a porous material is contaminated, it must be removed as the mold may have grown deeper into the material. A non-porous surface can be cleaned of mold and an air scrubber will be placed in order to trap any mold spores that may have been released into the air. Below are 5 basic procedures for remediation of mold:

1. Begin by containing the area in order to prevent mold spores from spreading to unaffected areas.
2. Remove any porous materials that are severely affected by mold.
3. Clean any mold from nonporous surfaces
4. Remove settled spores from the area and run an air scrubber to capture spores from the air.
5. Dry the structure completely in order to prevent future mold growth.

Removing mold-affected materials and drying the affected structure are two of the main keys to successful mold remediation. At SERVPRO of Highland Village, we are prepared to remediate mold to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Routine Air Duct Cleanings

2/28/2022 (Permalink)

Dirty air vents can blow dust and debris into your home and create respiratory issues.

This time of year, it may feel that your nose is running more than normal. If so, it may be time to get your air ducts cleaned. During the spring, hay fever is more prevalent and with the unpredictable Texas weather, your HVAC system may be working overtime. In order to lengthen the lifespan of your HVAC system and keep your allergy symptoms to a minimum, air duct cleaning may be needed. Regular air duct cleaning removes dust, allergens, and potential mold spores that can hide in your ductwork throughout major temperature shifts. Experts suggest duct cleaning to be performed every three to five years, however, that are factors that could create the need for more frequent cleaning:

1. Having pets in your home
2. More frequent allergy flare-ups
3. A noticed increase in health effects
4. A build-up of dust on surfaces throughout the home, including inside the ducting system, on air vents, and on walls and ceilings near air vents.

If you feel your home may need duct cleaning, contact us for a free quote!

The Dangers of Asbestos

2/28/2022 (Permalink)

These technicians are removing asbestos that was found in ceiling panels in this commercial building.

Have you heard of asbestos? Does that word scare you? Do you know where asbestos originates from?

Asbestos is found all over the world, it is a naturally occurring mineral. Asbestos has crystals that form long, thin fibers.

Asbestos became popular as a component in insulation in the late 1800s. Insulation containing asbestos was primarily wrapped around boilers and pipes, as well as other high temperature applications.

Asbestos has been found to create negative long-term health effects in humans. One disease that can develop is asbestosis. Asbestosis typically develops over 15 to 30 years and is characterized by fibrotic scarring of the lung which can reduce lung function and capacity. This can create shortness of breath.

Multiple cancers can be developed after being exposed to asbestos including lung cancer and mesothelioma. When a person has been exposed to asbestos fibers, their risk of developing lung cancer increases by 5 times. For reference, cigarette smokers increase their chances of developing lung cancer by 10 times.

Mesothelioma is the rarest form of cancer that can develop after exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the chest cavity lining and possibly the abdominal cavity lining. Mesothelioma spreads very rapidly and is always fatal.

If you believe you may have asbestos in your home or business, call the removal professionals--SERVPRO of Highland Village.

Your Business and SERVPRO

12/2/2021 (Permalink)

A business owner’s worst nightmare is walking into their office and it is underwater. SERVPRO of Highland Village is equipped to handle these situations quickly and efficiently in order to get your business back up and running as soon as possible. As one of the nation’s leading fire and water restoration companies, we have the knowledge and expertise on how to properly restore your property. With over 50 independently owned and operated franchises in the DFW area and over 1300 franchise locations across the country, the SERVPRO System has unmatched and nearly unlimited resources for equipment and field expertise. This knowledge and these resources are what make SERVPRO stand out amongst our competitors. SERVPRO has been working since 1967 on gaining and maintaining customers’ trust through completing exceptional work and building lasting relationships. If your business is in need of water remediation, fire restoration, mold remediation, or biohazard cleanup, don’t forget to give SERVPRO of Highland Village a call.

Tornado Season

12/2/2021 (Permalink)

Local church's missing roof after being in a tornado's path.

During the heavy storm season, Dallas is often hit with tornadoes. Tornadoes can leave behind a trail of destruction and ruin. At SERVPRO, we respond to people who have been displaced due to tornado damage in their homes. Wind can blow roofs off of buildings and trees can fall on buildings--allowing rain to enter these structures, causing further damage. In order to help families who have been affected by tornado damage, we pack up all of their belongings to be stored in our secure, climate-controlled facility, and begin to remove all debris from the home. Once all personal belongings and debris are removed, we can begin to properly dry out the structure. Once the house is dry, we can rebuild the structure and do any renovations necessary to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Heading to Storm

10/18/2021 (Permalink)

As a part of Storm Team Wilson, we at SERVPRO of Highland Village pride ourselves on being able to be dispatched at a moment’s noticed to a loss area. Whether this storm is a hurricane, polar vortex, or tornado site, we are here to help after these storms create chaos and serious damage. 

Types of Storm Work

Typically, we work at storm events that include home damages that are considered covered or uncovered. Uncovered Storm Work includes damages to be mitigated and repaired that will not be covered by a homeowner’s insurance policy. This can include mold or contents coverage over policy limits. Covered Storm Work includes damages that will be mitigated and repaired that will be covered under the homeowner’s insurance policy. This typically includes most water damage to the structure and contents up to a limit.

Drying Commercial Carpet

10/15/2021 (Permalink)

This hallway shows where the water intrusion has stopped.

Commercial properties need to keep their business running more often than not, so when water damages these properties, time is of the essence. In this church, a coffee maker’s water supply line burst, flooding the room and hallway with water. In many commercial buildings, the carpet that is used is glued directly to the concrete and does not typically have a pad installed between the carpet and the concrete. This can make the drying process more simple, but drying may take longer. Cove base is pulled off of the wall and holes are poked behind where the cove base was glued in order to dry the walls and carpet more effectively. After the drying process has been completed, the cove base is reinstalled and the affected area is left "Like it never even happened."

Things You Should Know In Case of Water Damage

10/5/2021 (Permalink)

On carpet, water lines can be easily seen as the water can discolor the carpet and create staining.

The sooner a leak from a water supply line is found, the better when dealing with water damage. This family had a leak from an upstairs bathroom water supply line that also infiltrated the entire downstairs.

Some facts about water damage that you may not know:

1. Mold can start growing incredibly quickly (in as little as 24 hours), so call SERVPRO ASAP once you have experienced water damage.
2. The smallest leak from a crack in a pipe can spill 250 gallons of water a day. This could lead to both higher utility bills and larger repair bills.
3. If you are experiencing some sort of leak that is leading to water damage, turn off electricity in the affected area(s). Water is a conductor of electricity, which could be incredibly dangerous until water is extracted.
4. If water has been sitting for more than 72 hours, it is considered “black water”. Black water is a pathogenic biohazard that can include sewage and chemical waste. This is the reason time is of the essence when remediating water damage.

Stop Further Water Damage with These Tips

9/30/2021 (Permalink)

If you find yourself experiencing a water loss in your home, follow along for some tips on how to prevent further damage to your home and furniture. If you are able, shut off the source of the water. Sometimes storms can bring water into your home, but if you have a leak inside your home, turn the water supply to your house off first. This will prevent any more leaking in your home until you can call the experts in to assess the damage and come up with a plan of action for remediation. If you have light flooding or a small water loss, protect your wooden furniture from rising water by wrapping the legs with aluminum foil or placing wood blocks under the wooden legs.

Do not use your household vacuum to remove water

Don’t turn on ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet.

Don’t leave wet fabrics up. Hang furs and leather goods.

Turn air conditioning on for maximum drying in the summer.

Remove colored rugs from wet carpeting to prevent staining.

Move art objects to a safe, dry place.

If you have light flooding or a small water loss, protect your wooden furniture from rising water by wrapping the legs with aluminum foil or placing wood blocks under the wooden legs.

This knowledge can help save you from an even bigger headache during your water damage, so don't forget to bookmark this page to refer back to in case of emergency, and call the pros at 940-241-3434.

Be Prepared with an Emergency Ready Plan

9/28/2021 (Permalink)

A flooded business' workout room in Corral City.

Water can create damage in your business that can keep you from being open for your customers. In this resident center workout room, a clogged outside drain prohibited water from being directed away from the building, resulting in water flowing into this workout room and a few other rooms in the building. Not wanting any downtime--or mold growth, this resident center in Corral City called us to be able to extract water immediately and dry down the flooring and walls. Being organized and calm in these emergency situations is key in order to get your business back up and running as soon as possible. Be ready for any emergency at your business by signing up with SERVPRO of Highland Village for an Emergency Ready Plan today!

Lantana, TX Lightning Strikes

9/27/2021 (Permalink)

During storms, lightning can strike anywhere, at any time. Fires can be caused by this lightning when it strikes houses. The Argyle Fire District has responded to numerous calls due to lightning strikes, high water rescues, and medical emergencies during a short period of time. Multiple Lantana homes have been considered a total loss as a result of fire and water damage.

Getting families back into their homes as soon as possible after being displaced due to a house fire is our top priority. We attempt to salvage as many items as possible when cleaning after fire damage. In order to make this possible, we clean furniture with our upholstery cleaning machine, clothes with the Esporta Wash System, and other salvageable household items with dry cleaning sponges. SERVPRO stands out among the crowd because of our attention to detail when handling a customer’s belongings.

How SERVPRO Can Help Small Business

7/15/2021 (Permalink)

A business displaying their Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned badge.

In a past study entitled COVID-19 Cleaning: A Reopening Study, 1,000 customers had been interviewed in order to assess their attitudes and comfort levels about being patrons in businesses during the pandemic. Findings from this study concluded that 71% of customers expect each business they visit to be considerably cleaner than their own home. Customers feel that how clean a business is in direct correlation to how well a business is run. This study was conducted at the beginning of the pandemic, and customers still hold a business’s cleanliness in high regard, over a year later. SERVPRO of Highland Village still offers our Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned service to businesses needing cleaning services. Please contact us at (940) 241-3434 for more information.

Our Second Year

7/14/2021 (Permalink)

One of our owners, Harrison Stone

In May this year, we celebrated our second anniversary in business! In the whirlwind that has been the past year, we have learned how to best help our community during a global pandemic through our services. As we continue to strive to be a light in our community, we look forward to what the next years will bring. We reflect on our first years and are thankful for how much we have been able to learn and grow, while looking ahead at our future goals. One of our owners, Harrison Stone, has said, "Getting to help people these first years has been a really great experience and the things we have learned have changed our business a lot. The satisfaction of our customers is what continues to drive our business. We thank everyone who has been a part of it and we look forward to a long and bright future."

How Can I Repair Storm Damage to My Home?

7/6/2021 (Permalink)

A home swept away by storm water in need of restoration.

Storm damage can occur in the blink of an eye and leave a homeowner confused and displaced, as they now need to restore their home. Calling a storm damage restoration company as soon as possible after the storm has passed in order to begin the restoration process.

The following is an overview of how you can repair your home after storm damage, including an in-depth look at the different types of storms and what storm damage is, how the restoration process works, and whether or not the cleanup and restoration is covered by your insurance. 

What Is Storm Damage?

Any damage that occurs as the result of a storm is considered storm damage. Many different types of storms can create this damage, including thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and snow storms. Heavy rain, heavy winds, lightning, hail and various other elements can cause damage to a home. For our restoration purposes, wildfires are also considered a type of storm.

A prompt restoration effort is often necessary after a storm. Fire and water damage can create more damage the longer they sit, so quick cleanup is essential in lessening the effects of damage after a severe storm.

Storms can sometimes be identified in advance, which means you and your family can have a plan in place for cleanup after a storm occurs. However, storms are not always predictable. This is when knowing about a 24/7 emergency storm damage cleanup and restoration company comes in handy, so you can get settled back into your home as soon as possible after disaster strikes.

Rejuvenate Your Home 

The main goal of storm damage restoration is to restore your home at the most affordable cost possible. This is done through trying to restore rather than replace items in your home. The beginning of this process is a detailed inspection of the home. Storm damage restoration professionals will assess every part of the home, including foundation, floors, walls, roof, and furniture.

The next step in the restoration process is to board up any severely damaged or sensitive areas of the home so no further damage occurs. This step can also include removing water, smoke, soot, and other elements that--if left undisturbed--could cause more damage.

Allowing a 24/7 restoration service professional into your home as soon as damage has occurred can lessen the overall damage and make the restoration process more efficient.

Removal of Water

With many storms comes water damage. Thunderstorms especially can bring heavy rains, which often cause flash flooding. Heavy winds and lightning can damage roofs as well.

Upon arrival at your home, a restoration specialist will first begin to remove any standing water. This helps to prevent further water damage and prevent mold growth. Removing standing water also can make the drying process quicker. Our technicians will also use specialized equipment such as: 

• Moisture detectors
• Infrared cameras
• Dry vacuum
• Submersible water pumps
• Truck-mounted vacuum units

Places such as under carpet, floorboards, and the inside of walls can trap water, which is why having a professional water removal technician is key in remediating water damage properly. It is not uncommon for experienced water extraction technicians to remove hundreds of gallons of water in the initial stages of the restoration process.

Is It Covered by Insurance?

Most homeowner’s insurance policies cover damage by lightning, fire, wind and hail. Some also cover water damage due to flooding. In order to know if you are covered, ask your insurance agent what exactly your policy covers. By understanding what types of damage to your home your homeowner’s policy covers, you can financially plan in case of disaster. Part of this planning can include gathering phone numbers and other essential information of damage restoration companies in order to be able to get a professional out as soon as possible after damage occurs.

Work with the Storm Damage Experts

You can find out more about storm damage cleanup and restoration by getting in touch with our professional restoration experts today. We provide 24/7 service and can get to you as soon as possible after a severe storm damages your home. For more information, give our team at SERVPRO a call today.

Different Types of Storms & The Damage They Bring

7/2/2021 (Permalink)

Different storms can cause damage to a residence and may require restoration.

Thunderstorms can be dangerous and incredibly damaging to your home. Thunderstorms can include many elements, such as lightning, wind, rain and hail. Understanding the different types of storms and how they could damage your home can help you properly plan and protect yourself and your family during a natural disaster. Knowing what to do if a bad storm is headed your way and what to expect during the aftermath could help to keep you and your family safe.

Certain areas are at an increased risk of experiencing bad storms. If you live in an area that is at a higher risk, being familiar with the types of storms that tend to occur can be incredibly helpful. The following is an overview of the most common storms and how they can damage your home.

Types of Storms

Different types of storms include thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, and winter storms. Numerous lives are claimed during these storms in the United States each year. These storms can be deadly, and they can severely damage your home. Water can infiltrate your home during storms, causing electrical damage and damaging the foundation, walls and roof through heavy wind, lightning, and rainfall--amongst other elements.

The most common ways in which your home can suffer from a severe storm are water damage, fire damage, and wind damage. Next we highlight the three main types of damage that often occur to homes in the United States during storms, including lightning, tornado, and flood damage.

Lightning

Lightning not only has the power to damage the electrical wiring in your home, but it also has the power to strike your home and start a fire. Any items that are plugged into electrical outlets in your home during a thunderstorm are at risk of damage. This includes items such as computers, cell phones, televisions, and kitchen appliances, amongst other things.

Unplugging electrical items while not in use is not only a great way to save energy, but also a way to protect these items from being damaged during a storm. It is also a good idea to stay away from electrical appliances and outlets during a thunderstorm.

Be prepared for power outages--which are common during storms--by having flashlights and candles readily available. If your home is damaged by lightning during a storm, be sure to contact a home damage restoration company near you that offers prompt service. These companies can restore parts of the home that have been damaged by lightning, as well as any fire damage that can occur from a home being struck by lightning.

Tornadoes

Tornadoes can be incredibly violent and destructive. A fast-moving vortex of high winds that connects from a cloud to the ground, a tornado can carry winds more than 200 miles per hour. Typically, tornadoes carry winds around 100 miles per hour, which can bring enough force to rip roofs off houses.

Homes can not be protected from tornadoes causing damage, however a quick initial response to damage can be effective in helping the restoration process be more efficient. If a tornado warning is given for your area, make sure to hunker down and get into the safest area possible (with no windows) wherever you are. After the storm has passed, check for any damage to your home and call a restoration professional as soon as possible in order to make your home "Like it never even happened."

Floods

Floods claim hundreds of lives every year in the United States, as floods are more severe than many people realize. A flood occurs when there is an overflow of water in an area that is normally dry. Heavy rain during storms means much of the water that comes from a storm cannot be absorbed into the soil or drains (like during normal rainfall), so the area floods. Flash flooding can occur if rivers or lakes become too full and begin to overflow.

If standing water builds up along the foundation of your home, flooding can damage your home. Water can also enter your home through tiny cracks and gaps. You may need storm damage restoration if this occurs.

Fight Back Against Storm Damage with SERVPRO

If wind, water, or fire have damaged your home during a storm, SERVPRO of Highland Village is here to help. We offer 24/7 service in order for your restoration process to begin right away. Our team is happy to answer any questions you may have through phone or email.

How to Stay Safe after Storm Damage Affects Your Home

6/30/2021 (Permalink)

A home recently damaged by storm activity.

When a storm damages your home, it is always a difficult experience to endure. A lot of storms are sudden and occur without much warning, which makes it difficult to get a handle on the situation. In order to be able to handle these storm situations more effectively, you and your family should have an emergency plan in place. 

Homeowners can take certain steps in order to be prepared for storm situations and stay safe during and after a storm. Some of these steps include taking measures to minimize the damage to your home, which can make the cleanup and restoration process faster and easier.

Staying Safe After a Storm

The biggest priority after a storm has damaged your home is ensuring you and your family’s safety. There can be structural damage to a home that could lead to a collapsing roof, fallen electrical wiring that could be live, and extreme flooding. Leaving your home could sometimes be the right thing to do to ensure your safety, but sometimes staying in your home could be more safe.

After the initial damage and making sure your family is taken care of, you can take steps to help your neighbors and immediate community and prevent further storm damage. By calling a storm damage restoration company, you can start the cleanup and restoration process. Having storm damage restoration professionals out as soon as possible after storm damage can help make the restoration process easier and faster with them starting to remove excess water and protect damaged areas of your roof and home.

Listen to the Radio for Any Advisories

Ensuring the storm has passed completely after experiencing storm damage to your home is the first step in keeping safe during these emergency situations. Staying in a designated “safe spot” in your home to ride out the storm is another way to ensure you and your family’s safety. The power will most likely be off as it can go out during a storm, which means cell phones may or may not be working to check the news or weather reports. If this is the case, listening to the radio is going to be the best option to hear any advisories or status updates.

Leave Your Home If It Has Sustained Structural Damage

After receiving word that the storm has passed and it is safe to venture out of your “safe spot”, you can begin to assess any damage that may have occurred. If your home has suffered structural damage, this is the time that you should leave until a damage restoration company can come to restore the damaged property.

While heading to a new location, avoid going near any power lines, electrical wires or water. It is also best to avoid driving if possible.

Practice Caution When Working on Roofs

The first thing after making sure you and your family are safe after storm damage occurs is to call a storm damage restoration company. We can begin the cleanup and restoration process quickly and in a safe and effective manner. However, if you decide to board up and tarp your roof in order to prevent further damage to your home, it is essential to use extra caution. If you decide to start this process on your own, do be careful while climbing ladders and try to not step on any areas of the roof that seem weak and damaged. Also avoid tasks that require professional attention, as in replacing large, severely damaged parts of the roof yourself.

Cover Leaking Roofs to Prevent Further Water Damage

Tarping or boarding up your roof and parts of your home that were damaged by the storm is a good way to prevent further water damage inside of your home. This can become unsafe, so call a damage restoration company in order to get a “board-up” completed.

If you are sure there will not be further damage to your home, you can start initial efforts of removing water from your home. If there is standing water inside your home, you can begin to remove the water with buckets, towels, and other household items. Any wet rugs and carpet that have been damaged beyond repair can also be removed at this time in order to prevent more extensive damage to your flooring.

Consult with the Storm Damage Experts

If your home has suffered storm damage and you need a fast response from a professional and reliable home restoration company, then contact our team at SERVPRO of Highland Village. 

We help homeowners in the area who have suffered fire damage and water damage to restore their homes in a fast and effective manner. We are happy to answer any questions you have during our initial phone call, and we take pride in making the cleanup and restoration process as easy and convenient as possible for homeowners after storm damage occurs.

Lightning Causes House Fires in Lantana

6/29/2021 (Permalink)

House fire caused by a lightning strike in Lantana, Texas.

During scattered thunderstorms in the DFW area, many homes in the suburb of Lantana are struck by lightning, starting fires. When it comes to storm damage, water damage is not the only concern that homeowners in the Lantana area have. This photo shows the drastic extent of damage that lightning can cause. It is advised that each family have an emergency plan in place in case of any emergency situation. Make sure that all members of your family are informed of this plan, and any neighbors if possible. Practice carrying out these emergency plans in order to more effectively and confidently execute this plan during an actual emergency. At SERVPRO of Highland Village, we are here to help ensure the safety of those in our community. In order to get an idea of what you should include in your emergency plan, give us a call at (940) 241-3434. Our Emergency Ready Profiles can help keep you prepared for any disaster.

Storms in DFW

6/29/2021 (Permalink)

We have recently experienced a lot of storm activity in the DFW area. These high volumes of rain have affected homes and businesses in our community greatly. Flash flooding has been one of the biggest concerns, as it can happen quickly and can be quite dangerous. In order to help our community, SERVPRO of Highland Village is committed to responding faster than any disaster. Our professionals will be the first on site when a catastrophic water damage strikes in order to provide expert knowledge to help cleanup and restore affected areas with precision. If you are looking for help due to a water loss during the recent storms, please contact our office at (940) 241-3434. We are standing by, ready to help make it “Like it never even happened.”

Hazardous Cleanup Services

6/28/2021 (Permalink)

Have you experienced a potentially hazardous situation in your home or business? Taking precautionary steps during cleanup could make a huge difference in keeping you and your family safe and protected. SERVPRO of Highland Village aims to maintain the health and safety of our staff and the members of our community by eliminating harmful bacteria and pathogens before they have a chance to pose a risk. Through our thorough cleaning and disinfecting process and with our proprietary botanical cleaning chemicals, our cleaning technicians can sanitize and disinfect surfaces while eliminating airborne pathogens through disinfectant fogging. This cleaning process has been refined to follow CDC guidelines. If you feel your home or business may have been contaminated, please contact us at SERVPRO of Highland Village for a cleaning quote today.

How to Prevent the Spread of Respiratory Disease

6/28/2021 (Permalink)

After being shut down for the last year during the global pandemic, COVID-19 taught us how easily respiratory diseases can spread and become dangerous. At SERVPRO of Highland Village, we want to give all homeowners and business owners the tools necessary to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases. Many pathogens in our daily environment can be easily transmitted. One of the easiest ways to prevent the transmission of the flu is to wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose. If you are feeling sick, it is also a good idea to wear a mask in order to not infect others. We at SERVPRO of Highland Village follow all of these guidelines as well as are experts at disinfection and cleaning.

When Should I Acquire Fire Damage Restoration Services?

6/14/2021 (Permalink)

Building becoming fire damaged by recent fire.

After a fire in a home, it is important to act quickly in contacting a fire damage restoration company. Any sort of moderate to severe fire damage can require extensive treatment in order to minimize replacement costs.

If too much time passes after a fire loss, more damage could occur. By acting quickly, damage can be kept to a minimum, which can help homeowners save thousands of dollars and save sentimental belongings inside the home. By knowing that a fire damage restoration company needs to be called as soon as possible after a fire loss, you can make an informed decision on restoring your home for the lowest cost possible.

Physical Damage Caused by Flames

The initial cause of damage during a fire is the actual flames. The longer these flames burn could lead to more devastating consequences. Repairing walls, roofs, flooring and furniture that are more damaged by flames can require more extensive treatment in order to restore the materials in order to avoid replacement.

Flames create smoke and soot. Smoke and soot can be more damaging because they last longer than flames, which means if they are not taken care of quickly, they can create more damage over a longer period of time. Water damage can happen while a fire department is trying to extinguish the flames.

Damage from a small fire can usually be remediated by the homeowner or a handyman, but for fires big enough to create large amounts of smoke and soot, professional fire damage restoration services may be needed.

What’s Involved in Fire Damage

Fire damage can have many components to it. While every fire damage situation is different, there are certain steps to the restoration process that fire damage professionals follow. These include inspecting and restoring structural damage, removing smells and dirt promptly, and dealing with smoke and soot concerns.

Structural Damage

Structural damage is always the first addressed concern after a fire damage. If the home’s structural integrity has been compromised during the fire, there may be no restoration that can be done. Areas that structural restoration addresses are the foundation, walls, roof, flooring and doors. Structural damage usually occurs during the fire, but also during the extinguishing process (creating water damage).

Assessment of the severity and extent of damage is the first step fire damage restoration professionals will take upon arrival to the home in order to start the restoration process. Once it is determined what needs to be repaired and restored, professionals will protect damaged areas, remove smoke and soot, and dry areas that have been damaged by water.

Smell and Dirt

Professional fire damage restoration help is always needed, no matter if there is structural damage to a home or not. Fire can stir up contaminants in the air including dust and dirt and create foul odors. During fire damage restoration, one of the goals is to remove any foul odors in the home, and to clean up any dirt that may have been stirred up. Professional carpet cleaning, scrubbing of walls, and other methods are used to get rid of dirt and sanitize the home.

Smoke and Soot

Smoke and soot are almost always present once flames start to spread within a home. Homeowners must address this once a fire is extinguished in order to prevent further damage to the home. Fire damage professionals can arrive quickly to a fire damage in order to start removing smoke and soot and prevent further damage. 

Without fire damage restoration and removal of smoke and soot, there can be further buildup of smoke and soot within a home. If damage continues to occur, items that may have been salvageable previously may start to be beyond repair, requiring replacement.

Hire a Professional Fire Damage Restoration Company

For more information about our fire damage restoration services, call SERVPRO of Highland Village. We offer 24/7 emergency service in order to restore your home as quickly and efficiently as possible.

How Long Does It Take To Restore A House After A Fire?

6/11/2021 (Permalink)

The fire restoration process and timeline for this home is dependent on many factors.

After a fire occurs inside their home, many families are often stuck in a difficult situation. Frequently, the question is asked: “how long until I can move back into my home?” This question can be difficult to answer until a thorough inspection of the damage is completed.

Homeowners can, however, get a more general idea of how long the restoration process will take by looking at the extent of fire and water damage that has occurred. By understanding the fire damage restoration process better, homeowners can prepare themselves for the road that lies ahead.

Dependent Factors of Timeline

There are a few factors that fire damage restoration professionals take into consideration when estimating how long homeowners will need to prepare to be out of their home. These factors include the size of the home, how many rooms the fire affected, and the overall severity of damage.

Even with these determining factors, it is often difficult to predict how long the restoration process will take. A very broad estimate is between one week to four months to get a house fully restored after a fire. In more severe cases, restoration and reconstruction could take up to six months, while the most minimal fire restoration could take as little as a few days. The following factors are an overview of how long the fire damage restoration process can take.

House Size 

The size of a house is one of the most important factors taken into account when determining how long fire damage restoration will take. Larger homes of course typically require more extensive repairs, but that is not always the case. The type of rooms that were damaged is one of the main determining factors of how extensive restoration will be.

The kitchen and living room are two rooms that typically require the most extensive repairs. A spare bedroom might not be as complex of a room to restore due to the room typically not having as many cabinets or built-in shelves.

Fire damage restoration in a small home could take three weeks or less depending on the severity of damage. For a medium-sized home, the fire damage restoration could take up to two months. Larger homes with extensive repairs needed can take around six months.

Size of the Fire

The size of the fire is another major factor that plays a role in determining how long the fire damage restoration process will take. Smaller fires have less potential for spreading and they can be easier to extinguish. Typically smaller fires are minimal in repairs and mostly just require deep cleaning services. The removal of soot and sanitizing can take as little as a couple of days or as long as a few weeks.

When a larger fire has started, the threat of the fire spreading is much higher. The more rooms that the fire spreads to, the longer the restoration process can take. How long the fire is burning until it is extinguished is another factor that can contribute to the size of the fire.

Overall Damage

Overall damage is the ultimate deciding factor in how long the fire damage restoration process will take when restoration professionals are examining the damage after a fire. The size of the home, how many rooms were affected, the types of rooms that were affected, and how soon after the fire damage the restoration company is able to begin the restoration process are the contributing factors to overall damage.

If hard-to-repair items--such as the roof or interior walls--are not damaged, the restoration process can take anywhere from several days to a month. However, if overall damage is severe, the restoration process can take up to six months. Removing all water, soot, and smoke and sanitizing affected areas will have to be completed before the rest of the restoration begins. If roof replacement is required, this also can add on extra time to the restoration process.

Consider Working with a Fire Damage Restoration Company

If your home has been damaged by fire and/or water and you need a prompt response from fire damage restoration professionals, give us a call at (940) 241-3434. We at SERVPRO of Highland Village can provide you with knowledge into the restoration process and help you along the way.

What Is Fire Damage Restoration?

6/1/2021 (Permalink)

Fire damage restoration is the process of restoring a home or commercial property after a fire has occurred. The steps involved in the fire damage restoration process include: an initial inspection of the fire and water damage, boarding up the structure to prevent further damage, removing all water and smoke or soot, cleaning and sanitizing all contents that can be salvaged, and restoring any floors or walls, etc. that were damaged during the fire.

If the fire department was called to extinguish the fire, there may be water damage that the property owner also needs to be aware of. A professional fire damage restoration company can address any concerns about water damage at the same time as the fire damage.

Restore Your Home Back to Normal

The goal of fire damage restoration is to restore the property so it’s “Like it never even happened.” While some homeowners take this opportunity to make upgrades to their property, the end goal in every fire damage restoration situation is to restore as much of the structure as possible while eliminating health hazards that may have accumulated during the fire.

How Fire Damage Restoration Helps 

The specific steps a fire damage restoration company will follow may vary by company and specifics of the extent of fire and water damage, however the fire damage restoration process typically involves these general steps:

• Inspection and damage assessment
• Removal of water and smoke
• Cleaning and sanitizing areas
• Restoration of all damaged areas

Saving money from replacement costs, restoring sentimental items, and removing safety hazards are all benefits of fire damage restoration. The process of fire damage restoration is detailed further below.

Removes Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces

Fire damage restoration professionals will make note of any and all damage to the home during the inspection process. The longer water and fire damage sit untouched in a home, the harder the home will be to restore, so it is important to call a restoration company as soon as possible after a fire occurs. Smoke may still exist inside a home when restoration professionals arrive, soot (a substance that results when matter does not burn all the way) may exist in the home as well.

Smoke and soot are removed from a home as quickly as possible in order to prevent further damage. Fire damage restoration professionals use specialized equipment and techniques in order to remove smoke and soot from all surfaces, including floors, walls, windows, and more.

Water Removal and Drying

Water damage can be just as problematic as fire and smoke damage. With this knowledge, fire damage restoration professionals will begin to remove as much standing water as soon as possible after a fire damage occurs. Using dehumidifiers, air movers, and other drying equipment is essential in order to remove as much moisture as possible. Drying the structure is essential in order to salvage walls, floors, ceilings, and more that may have required replacement without this restoration technique. Drying the structure also can prevent mold growth.

Cleaning and Sanitizing

Before cleaning and sanitizing, most of the effort put forth from the fire damage restoration company has been to prevent further damage. The next part of the restoration process is to clean and sanitize all damaged areas including floors, walls, ceilings, furniture, and other contents. Anything that can be salvaged and restored will be brought back to the original condition and appearance before the fire.

Air scrubbers and fogging equipment help to remove any odors that may be lingering in the home. Repairs and replacements that may be needed are likely to be recommended and completed at this point.

Work with the Fire Damage Restoration Professionals

Experiencing a fire at your property is one of the worst experiences that can happen, however a fire damage restoration company can make the restoration process less stressful. At SERVPRO of Highland Village, we offer 24/7 emergency service in order to serve you better. If you have questions about fire damage restoration, call us at (940) 241-3434 today.

Slab Leaks Can Go Years Without Being Detected

4/15/2021 (Permalink)

Slab Leaks and Water Damage Repair

Slab leaks are a very common reality of life in places where soils are very unstable. Most homes are constructed on concrete slabs or with brick reinforced stone pier and foundation construction as basement walls often can crack and break during changing soil pressure. Drainage pipes are typically run under the slab; however, underground plumbing connections are usually harder to find and more costly to repair. This article briefly discusses what causes slab leaks, how SERVPRO of Highland Village's drainage pipe repair services can fix them, and how the average cost of slab leak repair varies depending on the leak's severity.

The causes of slab leaks are numerous and varied. In addition to the factors mentioned earlier that can cause drainage problems below ground level, the stresses of structural design, settling, and soil pressure can also lead to leaks. Regardless of the cause, the problem is usually caused by a mechanical flaw in the design of the home or building or a combination of factors that weaken the building's structural integrity.

Installing new basement walls may be an effective solution to stop slab leaks, but the damage is already done in most cases. Due to the stress of the soil beneath your foundation, older concrete slabs will generally settle unevenly, while new concrete slabs will settle pretty quickly. As a result, newly built homes may seem structurally sound but are not very structurally sound. These "snowplowing" conditions under new concrete slabs can promote both structural weakening and leaks.

Another main cause of slab leaks is a lack of proper waterproofing. Sewer and drain line maintenance is vital to prevent both structural integrity issues and water damage. Since sloped floors allow liquid to travel underneath the foundation due to differences in slope, it is imperative to address drainage issues before any problems arise. If your plumbing system contains improper pipe lengths or bends at joints, there is a good chance that the plumbing will leak. Other issues that can cause liquid to seep into your flooring beneath your foundation include insufficient water pressure in your household plumbing system, standing water in pipes that connect to the sewage system, or a faulty float valve in your household toilet or drain pipe.

Since slab leaks often occur in places where there is no flooring, such as crawlspaces, around walls, and around window and skylights, repairing this type of leak presents a daunting task. Even if you have fixed a few small leaks in the plumbing system of your home, you may still require professional plumbing help to fix major structural damage, such as those found with collapsed ceilings and other roofing problems. In most cases, leaking drains and sinks require slab leak repair, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Another primary source for slab leaks is shifting soils, such as when you build a new house. As your new home settles, the concrete slab it rests on will eventually warp in response to natural forces, such as gravitational shifts, weather changes, and other factors.

• This unnatural movement can expose your plumbing to leaking underneath your house.
• Moreover, soil movement is likely to increase with time, causing more problems for future repairs.

Finally, older homes frequently develop soil pockets in between floors and around plumbing pipes. The presence of soil between copper pipes on your sewer line, for example, can make it vulnerable to water leaks from your kitchen sink. Also, older homes frequently have wooden frames surrounded by concrete slab foundations. These can also lead to issues with water leakage.

Slab leaks may go years without being detected since water can move beneath the slab foundation without showing up on an inspection. Moreover, it is easy to misdiagnose slab foundation problems, so homeowners should be on the lookout for anything they may see that seems out of place. For instance, if you find a crack in your slab but no corresponding void in your floor slab, your basement may be the culprit. A faulty drain line may also cause water to leak through, especially if the soil is cracked around the pipe.

Slab Leak Repair Company

Were you looking for the best slab leak repair company? Slab leak repair is a costly and challenging repair for any home or business. But don't worry! We've got you covered. 

If you've recently noticed your water bill shooting up and your water pressure is low, you may be experiencing a slab leak. This type of leak is a plumbing issue that requires the expertise of a professional to fix. Slab leaks are often a result of corrosion, which causes them to be challenging to detect. They typically occur near the water meter, pipes, or appliances. If you suspect you have a slab leak, contact the best slab leak repair company in your area to schedule an inspection.

Our technicians are all highly trained and will be able to provide you with the best slab leak repair service.

Dealing With Fire Damage In Highland Village, TX

4/13/2021 (Permalink)

Dealing With Fire Damage in Highland Village

If you have experienced fire damage in your home, you must take action as soon as possible. A fire damage restoration in Highland Village, TX, could save your home and the possessions inside it from destruction. Fire damage can lead to extensive damage to your belongings and carpets, in addition to causing health effects for you and your family.

Fire restoration in Highland Village, TX, is a specialist job for trained and licensed professionals. Many experienced companies specialize in fire damage restoration in Highland Village, so rest assured that you have several choices to choose from.

To ensure that your belongings are safe, the restoration team will need to conduct a thorough inspection. After all, you'll want to know what damage has been done and how extensive it is.

Fire restoration in Highland Village, TX, involves:

• Knowing exactly how much property has been affected.
• Beginning cleanup processes.
• Securing undamaged items as soon as possible.

A fire damage company can be more efficient to conduct a thorough inspection, but sometimes you can start an investigation on your own. This is especially important if several people will need to be interviewed as part of your fire damage restoration in Highland Village, TX. Interviewing a range of individuals will help to ensure that everyone is on the same page with the same objectives in mind.

Once the fire damage has been assessed, the restoration company can determine the extent of the damage. If necessary, they will need to rely on your documentation, photos, and videos to assess the damage's scope further. This will give you a better idea of what can be restored and which items need to be discarded. A fire department may advise that things such as carpets and clothing need to be discarded because of the danger of electrocution while also cautioning against putting clothing directly on top of carpet pads. This may cause the backing to peel off.

When the fire damage in Highland Village, TX is extensive, professionals will likely schedule an in-home visit for you. This will provide them with a better idea of the extent of the damage and provide an accurate cost estimate. In addition, your insurance company may reimburse you for expenses related to fire restoration services in Highland Village, TX, such as soot removal, carpet restoration, smoke damage restoration, and emergency ventilation.

It is wise to ensure that any soot and smoke damage are taken care of promptly. Remember that smoke and soot particles can make breathing difficult.

After the fire damage has been assessed, the restoration company can then begin their work.

Restoration companies typically use specialized air quality equipment to remove smoke, clean debris, and dry items, such as furniture. Because smoke contains thousands of different chemicals, special air cleaners must be used to prevent health effects from occurring.

A qualified restoration company will advise you on the best options for dehumidification and ventilation and provide you with a list of recommended cleaners and deodorizers to use. Remember, removing smoke from the air is only one step in proper fire damage restoration.

After the fire damage has been assessed, the restoration team will begin the fire damage restoration process. Fire restoration companies typically divide the fire damage into multiple rooms, depending on the severity of the blaze. If water-damaged rooms need to be isolated, a plumber will need to be called to ensure that everything is operational and safe. The plumber may even be able to recommend a company that specializes in fire damage restoration. Luckily with SERVPRO of Highland Village, our team can handle all plumbing, electrical, and restoration needs.

While most fires are contained once they have been put out, there is always a possibility that the fire damage caused was not contained. For example, walls that were affected by fire may continue to leak because of water damage, leaving holes or cracks in the walls. While it is possible to stop fires from spreading, there is no way to prevent damage caused by fires from spreading. For this reason, it is imperative to have an experienced fire damage restoration company on hand. After the fire damage's initial assessment, the company will need to test the fire equipment in place.

Once all the necessary fire damage cleanup has been completed, the structural professionals will need to do mold testing and moisture testing. Mold testing is often done in an outside environment, similar to a greenhouse. Water damage cleanup involves removing any excess water, which will help reduce the risk of mold setting in. In many cases, a structural repair firm will also recommend that asbestos testing be done as well. Once all asbestos testing is complete, the structure can be sealed, and a newly painted surface can be applied.

Fortunately, SERVPRO of Highland Village is a one-stop shop for all disaster recovery. There's no need to deal with many different companies when you can deal with just one.

Simple Ways to Prevent a House Fire

4/13/2021 (Permalink)

Simple Ways to Prevent House Fires

It is easy to see why most homeowners want to know how to prevent a house fire. When a fire breaks out, it is often the only thing standing between the occupants of a home and destruction. However, following these simple but effective safety tips can help ensure that a fire does not engulf your home in tragedy.

To effectively combat fire hazards, you must have the proper equipment. One of the most critical pieces of equipment you can invest in is a smoke detector. These detectors are available in various styles and models, and they can be purchased online or at local retailers.

Smoke detectors come in two different styles. Either you have a manual model or an electronic system. A manual detector will require that you open and close flues manually to ensure no pockets of dry air between the interior surfaces of flue pipes. Electronic systems can detect smoke much more quickly and allow for faster opening and closing of flues. These detectors may also detect certain chemicals and other common household hazards, which can help prevent fires.

Your smoke detector should be located in an area of your home that is not easily accessible to children. This will ensure that you and any occupants of your home will be safe from fire hazards. For example, smoke can be detected as far away as 100 feet from home in some cases. If your detector is located so that it is accessible to children, it will likely cause false alarms, which can draw unnecessary attention to you and your home.

When purchasing smoke detectors, you should be aware of their recommended range. The range will depend on the model of detector that you are buying. You should test the unit once you have located it in a central location in your home to not activate if it cannot see smoke up to a certain distance. Many models will have a range of around one hundred feet. Be sure to test it outdoors before you place it inside your home.

Your home's fire safety plan should include regular maintenance of all gas appliances. Make sure that you never leave gas appliances running unless they are completely off. Always read your gas appliance manufacturer's safety manual before you leave the house. It will provide you with valuable information about maintaining your appliances and fire safety precautions.

Your smoke detectors must be placed in locations in your home where they will be most effective. This is true whether you have a fireplace or not. Do not place them near curtains, bedding, clotheslines, or any other location where smoke could enter. This is how to prevent a house fire from happening.

When purchasing smoke detectors, it is a good idea to purchase one that is UL listed. This will ensure that it will withstand extreme temperatures as well as electrical fire hazards. In the unlikely event that a fire does start in your home, your smoke detectors will be able to warn everyone in the home and alert the fire department right away. This is how to prevent a fire from occurring in your home.

Fire extinguishers should always be kept in a fireproof container at home. These units should also be kept in areas that are easily accessible. If there is one room in your house that is unoccupied or rarely used, it would be wise to put an extinguisher in this room. You should also make sure that you know where these fire extinguishers should be placed when taking proper precautions to prevent a house fire.

Some people feel that they are better off purchasing an alarm system for their home. This is not a bad idea. You can buy alarms that will protect your family and your entire house, and all of its contents. When you purchase an alarm system, make sure that it will cover all of your home's major fire hazards.

If you have small children, you should invest in childproof locks. Lock your doors when you are not around. Homes that are constantly unlocked pose a serious fire hazard. Homes that smokers frequently occupy are also at a higher risk of fire hazards. Knowing how to prevent a house fire is something everyone should know. By following these simple steps, you can prevent fires a little easier for everyone in your home.

4 Safety Tips For Preventing a House Fire

4/13/2021 (Permalink)

4 Safety Tips On How to Prevent a House Fire

How to prevent a house fire? That is the question that would cross the minds of many, especially those who live with families. Fire is a horrible thing. It destroys things and makes people panic, and even if they are lucky enough to escape the fire, they do not want to return to their homes.

If you've been thinking about ways to prevent a house fire, this article will help you.

Fire Prevention Safety Tip #1

The best safety tips are those that ensure the safety of your family and home. One of these safety tips is to check smoke detectors in your home regularly. Smoke detectors help people stay safe from fire. If you have any doubts about the safety of your home, you should check smoke detectors regularly. You can buy them from the local store, or you can also get them online.

The National Fire Protection Association provides the following safety guidelines for smoke alarms:

• Smoke alarms should be replaced every ten years.
• Smoke alarms should be installed on each level of the home.
• Smoke alarms should be installed outside each sleeping area, the kitchen, and the hallways connecting the sleeping areas.
• Smoke alarms should be equipped with an alarm system that will sound when the power is out.
• Smoke alarms should be tested monthly.
• Smoke alarms should be regularly cleaned to avoid the build-up of dust.
• Smoke alarms should be replaced every ten years.

One of the best ways to protect your home and family's safety is to make sure your smoke detectors are in good working order. To ensure that your smoke detector is in excellent working order, you need to make sure it is always plugged in and working. You should also test it monthly to ensure that it is working properly. A battery-operated smoke detector is also a good idea for an extra level of safety.

Do you have any other safety tips that ensure the safety of your family and home?

Fire Prevention Safety Tip #2

Another fire safety tip is to make sure that your home is equipped with fire extinguishers. A fire extinguisher is a must for any home. You might not think much about fire extinguishers until you need one.

Why?

It's not because they're not important. It's because they're not often used. The average fire extinguisher only gets used once every ten years or so. It is essential because it can stop house fires from spreading to other parts of your home. Some of the fires that spread throughout your home can quickly spread to your appliances and furniture.

What does it do?

A fire extinguisher is designed to put out fires. They're usually filled with a type of gas that's either stored under pressure or released as a fine mist. When it is sprayed or released, the gas creates a barrier between the fire and the items it's burning. The fire will then either go out on its own, or the person using the fire extinguisher will be able to put it out with a stream of gas or a burst of air. If you have a fire extinguisher in your home, you'll be able to quickly stop a fire from getting worse.

Therefore it is better to make sure that all main areas of your house have fire extinguishers and that the proper sprinkler systems are in place.

Fire Prevention Safety Tip #3

Children should also be taught about fire prevention. You can do this by having a discussion with them about the different fire hazards that their home could be vulnerable to. Discuss the different types of fire that can affect your home and what precautions they need to avoid these types of fire hazards. This is one of the most effective and efficient ways to teach your children about fire hazards.

When you have kids around the house, you need to ensure that you provide them with safety tips. Most children are taught in school that fire is not good and can harm them and their surroundings. At home, you can also ensure that they know where certain safety equipment is placed inside the house and which areas of the house they should be kept away from.

By teaching your family members about emergency procedures and how to react during fire alarms, you can be sure that your entire family will follow these fire safety tips well.

Fire Prevention Safety Tip #4

Another thing that you can do to help you keep your family safe when there is a house fire is to make sure that you have your house fire alarm system ready at all times. You must have this in your home because it could come in handy if a fire breaks out. You should check if your house is fitted with an alarm system before a fire breaks out. You should make sure that your fire alarm battery is replaced at least once every year. By doing so, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from harmful smoke and fire.

Fire can happen anywhere, anytime.

Though not a new thing, in recent years, the vulnerability of houses to fire has been heightened. Houses now tend to be made of flammable materials and are tightly packed together. Those who live in apartments and condominiums are even more vulnerable to fire. No one knows the exact reasons why some homes catch on fire and others don't. But we do know some things that you can do to lower the odds of a fire. 

These are simply four of the critical fire safety tips that you should remember. It's not easy keeping up with all the many demands on a home, let alone when a disaster happens. At SERVPRO of Highland Village, we just want to make sure that you implement proper fire safety precautions to help keep your family and home safe. After all, these are your family's safety that you are trying to protect. In the unfortunate event that you should ever need our services, we are available 24/7 for emergency fire damage restoration and many other disaster recovery services.

Fire Restoration Basics

4/8/2021 (Permalink)

The Basics Of Fire Restoration

If a fire has destroyed your home, there are undoubtedly certain precautions to take regarding fire restoration. The structure needs to be deemed stable for re-entry after a fire, and you will also want to arrange for a local fire restoration company to thoroughly clean and restore your house to its former appearance. Your home may look destroyed after a fire, but many times it is possible to bring it back to life with the assistance of after-fire restoration service. Restoration companies have the experience and expertise to restore a home to its original look, and they can do so economically.

After-fire restoration can save you thousands of dollars in costly re-construction costs.

When a fire restoration company arrives at your home to assess the damage, they will collect your personal belongings. They will then inspect your home and determine what kind of damage has occurred. Most companies do not specialize in home fires, so they may make assumptions about the damage that they see. If a fire restoration company like SERVPRO of Highland Village gets hired, we will begin to analyze the damage and determine which items are salvageable. If you do not have valuable belongings in the home at this time, they should suggest ways in which you can save money to replace them.

Smoke and soot can cause an annoying odor in the home after a fire. Smoke and soot should be removed carefully to avoid causing structural damage to the carpet or floors. You should use absorbent rugs to capture the odor not to spread to other areas of the home.

Professional fire restoration companies have the skills and equipment necessary to remove excess moisture from carpets, flooring, furniture, walls, and ceilings.

Smoke and soot can also cause health effects if they are inhaled. People who have allergies or asthma are especially vulnerable after home fires. The best way to prevent health problems is to use smoke detectors or smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to alert you and your family of smoke or carbon monoxide when it begins to fill your home.

If you can spot the warning signs of a fire, it's crucial to alert the fire department. In the case of smoke and soot, you should contact our offices as soon as possible.

Fire restoration professionals can also remove residual smoke and soot that may be present after a fire. This residual damage is removed using absorbent pads. Our professional fire restoration workers can also check electrical and heating systems to determine if they are damaged or need repair. The cost of restoring your home after fire damage can be costly, so it is essential to let the experts deal with problems that they are familiar with; they may also suggest improvements that will save you money in the long run.

The fire restoration process starts to dry out the area.

Dehumidifiers are often used to dry out the home after severe fire damages quickly. Water extraction is also an option when there is heavy water damage. This process involves using pumps to suck out all of the water from the home while the dehumidifier removes excess moisture.

Your insurance provider may pay for the costs of damage control after fire restoration takes place. The insurance adjuster should take care of determining the actual cost of the damage to your home as well. It is important to give the insurance adjuster a price list of everything that is damaged so that they can price it properly.

If notified quickly enough, a good fire restoration company will work closely with the insurance adjuster to get the right value on your belongings.

Fire restoration involves many tedious processes, but they are important to controlling fire damage. Odor control begins before smoke, and fire damage is taken care of. Odor control is essential because not only does it prevent odors from developing, it also keeps the area smelling fresh after the restoration process is complete. After smoke and fire damage have been taken care of, a professional cleaner should remove smoke and odor. Smell cleaning is a critical task that must be completed after fire damage has been taken care of.

Our Nation As We Know It

1/8/2021 (Permalink)

Almost a year ago, the United States faced a new threat that we were largely unprepared for: COVID-19. This novel coronavirus has changed the way we live our lives and how we function daily. Throughout toilet paper shortages, hand sanitizer shortages, and mask shortages the nation had to stand strong in an attempt to battle this virus so it would not take over the nation. Almost a year later, COVID-19 still runs our lives. 

In order to keep our world safer and give people peace of mind, SERVPRO came up with a solution. Through our Certified SERVPRO Cleaned program, businesses and their customers everywhere can rest assured that the places they work and shop have been cleaned to CDC standards. Businesses can also do their own cleanings with Certified SERVPRO Products. Through this program, businesses can use CDC and EPA registered products to battle against COVID-19.

How To Clean & Restore Your Home After A Fire

6/25/2020 (Permalink)

Cleaning and restoring your home after a fire can be dangerous if the proper safety precautions are not taken and the right procedure is not followed. It is also essential to act fast after the fire occurs to prevent smoke and soot from causing additional damage. While the easiest way to restore your home after a fire is to hire a professional fire restoration company, you may be able to clean up small fires yourself, along with the assistance of friends and loved ones. 

Cleaning Procedures

There is a certain cleaning process homeowners should follow after a fire occurs inside of their home. While each home is unique and the cleaning process should be specifically designed to restore all damages found during the inspection process, there are certain steps that should be taken. These steps include but are not limited to wearing personal protective equipment, ensuring the surrounding area is properly protected, and using TSP products to remove the lingering odors the fire caused. The following is an overview of the most notable steps that should be taken during the restoration process after a home fire. 

Use Proper PPE 

Do not start the home restoration process if you do not have the proper personal protective equipment (PPE). This is the most important step in the process as inhaling smoke and leaving yourself exposed to other harmful elements after a fire can be detrimental to short and long-term health. The basic PPE essentials you will need before you begin to clean and restore your home include: 

• Safety goggles
• Protective gloves
• Long sleeves
• Nose mask
• Apron

You may need additional PPE, such as safety boots, depending on the specific details of the fire aftermath. The main thing is to ensure your body is fully covered and protected. Once you have the right equipment, you can start the process. 

Protect the Surrounding Area

The next step is to protect all surrounding areas. Be sure to open up all windows and doors in the home to allow smoke and other elements to leave the home. This prevents buildup of smoke and soot and can minimize damage as well as help you stay safe and protected. Ideally, you should also have a high-powered fan installed to move smoke and the vapor of cleaning products away. 

Now you will need to protect the floors, especially the areas that have little to no damage. You can do this by laying a cloth down or blocking off the less damaged area to avoid people tracking smoke and other particles through the floor. 

Use TSP Products 

You can use trisodium phosphate (TSP) products to remove the odor that lingers after a home fire. The odor is one of the primary concerns homeowners typically have after a home fire occurs. Not only can the smell be unpleasant, but breathing in the smoke and other particles that contribute to low air quality can be bad for one’s health.

When using TSP products, be sure to follow the directions closely. This is when your personal protection equipment becomes incredibly important. Since TSP products have the ability to burn and damage skin, make sure to have your body fully protected and use extra caution while using TSP chemicals. 

Scrub Walls

The walls in the damaged area will most likely be very dirty, if not damaged. The sooner you can wipe away the soot on the walls the more effective the restoration will be. You can use a chemical dry cleaning sponge (often referred to as a soot eraser sponge) to remove the soot that has built up on the walls. 

Since the walls may be damaged and vulnerable, scrub them gently yet thoroughly to remove as much residue as possible. If multiple cleanings are needed, be sure to let the walls dry between each time you scrub.  

Allow Proper Drying Time

As you clean your walls, floors and roof, be sure to allow all areas to dry properly if you use a liquid cleaning solution. All too many homeowners make the mistake of painting or decorating too soon, which leads to less effective results. Before painting, laying new floors and other home restoration tasks, make sure the walls are dry and ready for repair. 

Contact the Fire Damage Restoration Experts

For the best home restoration results after a fire, contact our professional and experienced team at SERVPRO of Highland Village. We specialize in home restoration after fire and water damage, and it is our goal to reduce the cost of replacements by restoring your home floors, walls, roof, furniture, and more. Our friendly team is happy to discuss how we can help you after your home fire, and we can answer questions you may have. We also offer 24/7 emergency services as we understand the importance of a prompt response following a home fire. 

Characteristics of Smoke

2/12/2020 (Permalink)

An example of how bad fires can get. This house had lots of smoke damage which took up the majority of SERVPRO's time at this house.

When a fire occurs, smoke inhalation is one of the biggest threats to our health. During a fire, smoke is a result of rapidly decomposing materials releasing solid materials, aerosols, and gases. Carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide are just two of the extremely dangerous gases that are released during smoke in a fire. Small particles of carbon are released and suspended in the air during a fire, which is what makes smoke visible to the naked eye. These particles also absorb the smell from the fire, which is how soot is created. Once smoke settles on surfaces, it is considered soot. Smoke particles are very small in size, around .1 to 4 microns (1 micron = 1 twenty-five thousandth of 1 inch). Even though smoke particles are very miniscule, they can create issues in your respiratory tract. Smoke rises, so stay low to the ground if you are ever near an active fire in order to breathe in less smoke.

Water Damage Turns Into Fire Damage

2/11/2020 (Permalink)

Sometimes a water damage can cause a fire damage.

This water leak turned into a fire loss quickly when a pipe running through the ceiling sprung a leak onto the main electrical panel for the house. This short made the panel burst into flames. Using electrical wiring to travel, the fire quickly spread to the HVAC central unit in the attic. Eventually, the fire caused the original leaky pipe to burst, extinguishing the flames. At SERVPRO of Highland Village, we were able to dry and restore where the water and fire had damaged the home and clean and deodorize the rest of the home. We also were able to clean and deodorize all of the homeowner's belongings and return their home to working order. If you have questions about water damage and fire damage, please contact us at (940) 241-3434.

We Are Ready For Any Challenge

1/3/2020 (Permalink)

This is a commercial distribution center that has standing water on the floor.

Experiencing a loss at a commercial property can be devastating. Not only will you be dealing with the detriment of having property damage but now your business and income will be negatively impacted as well. Recovering your business as swiftly as possible is important to ensure as little downtime as possible. With the ability to arrive on site 24/7 within two hours of receiving the call you can rest assured that the mitigation process can begin ASAP. Upon arrival our experienced crew will determine the best course of action to get your business back up and running. Whether the damage is fire or water we can restore your business back to a grand opening look. If you have trouble in the future with water or fire damage, please call us at (940)-241-3434.

Tornado Restoration

12/27/2019 (Permalink)

Local Church had lots of water damage because its roof was torn off

In late October Dallas, Tx was hit with 10 different tornadoes leaving behind a trail of
destruction. We responded to an emergency call where a family’s house was significantly damaged with half of the roof scattered throughout the neighborhood making the house unsuitable to live in. Our job was plain and simple, to give them their home back. We started off by packing out their entire house and moving every piece of furniture, clothes, electronics, anything you could think of until their home of 20 years was completely empty. We removed and discarded all debris, damaged sheet rock, flooring, wood studs, and roofing. During this chaos the family stayed in a hotel temporally while we started to work on renovating all the damaged caused by the destructive 140-mph tornado. In a matter of time the family was back in their home like it never happened.

Auditorium Has Severe Water Damage

12/27/2019 (Permalink)

These pictures are the result of devastating water damage to this auditorium.

When it comes to your commercial business needs, SERVPRO of Highland Village is well equipped to handle any size job. Whether you have a one-story building, warehouse, school, hospital or even a 15-story skyscraper there is no job we can’t handle. As one of the countries leading fire and water restoration companies, our competitors do not easily match our inventory of equipment and neither our experience in the field. Just in Dallas, TX alone there are over 50 independently owned and operated SERVPROs, nationwide includes over 1300 SERVPROs, giving us a vast amount of resources. Not only do we have an unlimited amount of resources but also we have the trust of many customers throughout the years. From start to finish we have only one goal in mind, which is to get you back in business.  We have come a long way since our startup in 1967 and as the years continue we strive for excellence as a company. You can trust us to get the job done.

5 Great Ways to Prevent House Fires

12/26/2019 (Permalink)

If you could prevent a fire in your business or home, then why wouldn't you?

1. Avoid Leaving the Kitchen

Fires can start very quickly! This is why you should never leave cooking food unattended. If you have to leave the kitchen for any reason, make sure everything is properly turned off!

2. Check Your Dryer

Don’t forget to clean out your lint trap every time you put in a new load of laundry. This is one of the most common reasons for fires in the house.

3. Watch out for Candles

Everyone loves scented candles, especially around the holidays – but if you don’t use them carefully, they could cause a fire. Make sure you put them out before you exit a room and keep them far away from blankets, pets, or other flammable objects.

4. Fireplace Safety

You don’t want any stray sparks to escape so you need to make sure you have a door between the flames and your flooring. It goes without saying, but never leave the room when the fireplace is going.

5. Fire Extinguishers First

Fire extinguishers are the first thing you should reach for when a fire breaks out. You want to make sure you have one in every room that is a potential threat, such as the kitchen.

Only You Can Help Prevent House Fires

There is nothing more devastating than losing everything you own to house fires. Your home is like a member of your family. It’s where you make your most precious memories, so you owe it to yourself to protect it.

How We Clean Your Home After A Fire Damage

12/26/2019 (Permalink)

These are only a couple of examples of chemicals we use to clean up after fire restoration.

Here at SERVPRO of Highland Village, we implement a 7-Step Fire Damage Restoration. With the help of our highly trained product technicians and crew chiefs, we strive to get your home or business back to what it is before. "Like it never even happened."

1. Emergency Contact

As soon as we are called our representative will begin asking questions regarding the fire
damage event. Those answers will help us respond quickly with the correct equipment and
tools. 

2. Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment

Once on site we inspect and test rooms of the property to evaluate the fire, smoke, and soot
damage.

3. Immediate Board-Up and Roof-Tarp Service

Fires can damage windows, walls, and roofs. To protect against more damage, we board up
broken windows and walls then place tarps on roofs affected by the fire.

4. Water Removal and Drying

Removing water happens right away to clean up most present water. Dehumidifiers and air
movers are then used to remove the last of the water and fully dry the area. 

5. Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces

We use special equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and
other surfaces. 

6. Cleaning and Sanitizing

We clean and sanitize all of the items that are restorable and areas that were damaged by the
fire. We also utilize industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment to remove any odors.

7. Restoration

Our goal is to get your home or business to its pre-fire condition. Restoring the affected area
might include minor or major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms.

Trouble in Houston

10/7/2019 (Permalink)

Turn around, don't drown! This much water can sweep away your car with ease.

60 inches of rain can put almost anything underwater! During tropical storm Imelda, the city of Houston, TX experienced severe flooding. SERVPRO of Highland Village sent a storm team down to provide some relief in the area, where we saw extensive damage. We were almost unable to make it past several roads because the water was too high, even a few days after the water had started to recede.

Toxic Water

Unfortunately, flood water of any kind is classified as "category 3," and considered to be toxic. Anything the water touched should be removed and disposed of as quickly as possible. For one home in the area, this meant removing all cabinets, carpet, wood flooring, doors, and more. We also performed flood-cuts 18 inches above the baseboards, which entails removing any drywall that had absorbed the contaminated water. 

Efficiency

It is important to clear the property of any moisture as quickly as possible in an attempt to hinder the chance of mold growth. SERVPRO of Highland Village works fast to mitigate in order to decrease the chances of further damage or contamination spreading. 

Flood Information

9/8/2019 (Permalink)

Floods can happen anywhere, anytime! It's important to know what you can do to minimize your losses when faced with one. According to the American Red Cross (ARC), floods cause the most damage over any other disaster yearly. The most likely cause of a flood will be heavy rainfall,  overflow of a dam, or failure of other water containment systems. 

Prioritize safety

The most important thing to remember is to not take risks. Flood-water can be contaminated with dangerous chemicals or waste, so keeping your distances when possible is always a priority! One of the best ways to keep informed is to sign up for your local area's alert system.  

Protect Your Belongings

If you have time to prepare for potential flooding, move any valuables to an elevated location. Doors and windows are often no match for large amounts of water, just 12 inches can sweep away your car! 

After the Flood

Floods can be dangerous even after they're gone! High water can drive animals like snakes into your home. There's also a risk of electrocution if a live current comes into contact with any water. It's important to listen to authorities and exercise caution when assessing any damage. 

It's always important to have a plan for when bad things happen. Cleaning up after even a minor flood can prove to be an overwhelming task, so don't go alone! SERVPRO of Highland Village is more than capable of handling any size job quickly and easily. Give us a call at (940)-241-3434. 

Choose the Leader in the Restoration Industry

8/11/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is the number one leader in water restoration in the US. Whether you need emergency flood damage restoration, or your upholstery or carpets cleaned. We have the training, skill, and professional equipment to make your house feel like home again.  Check out these reasons to use SERVPRO of Highland Village:

1. Faster to Any Sized Disaster
2. A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry with over 1,800 Franchises
3. 24-Hour Emergency Service
4. Highly Trained Restoration Technicians
5. Advanced Restoration and Cleaning Equipment

SERVPRO of Highland Village specializes in the restoration and cleanup of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage. We can also mitigate mold and mildew from your home or business. SERVPRO of Highland Village can also perform your duct and carpet cleaning in your home or business. We can even clean up after your construction project is completed.

Why choose SERVPRO of Highland Village? Because we can make it "Like it never even happened."

HVAC Condensation Can Cause Water Damage

8/7/2019 (Permalink)

When your HVAC creates condensation, that water needs somewhere to spread, and those lines can become clogged quickly. This can cause your emergency line to either break or your drop pan to overfill! So, what should you do if this happens causing water damage?

Call an HVAC company to service your unit? This is probably the easiest and most efficient method, but unfortunately the most expensive.

Check to make sure your primary condensation line, usually located near the ground outside the home in an area of high foot traffic, is slowly dripping water when your HVAC is on.

If your primary line is not dripping check the secondary line, usually located somewhere like above a window or door as to be more noticeable when dripping.

If the primary, or both lines, are not dripping while the unit is on, find a way to flush out or remove the potential blockage. The cleanout will usually be located close to the HVAC main unit. Make sure you thoroughly research how to properly clear your lines before attempting to!

Check your HVAC unit drip pan, make sure it has no holes or rust around it. If it is damaged, you may need to have it replaced.

SERVPRO of Highland Village will come out and perform a free moisture inspection on your residence or commercial property if you believe you may have had a potential accident. We get an estimate to you or begin communication with your insurance. If you HVAC leaking, call SERVPRO of Highland Village at (940)-999-1279

When Storms or Floods Hit, SERVPRO of Highland Village is Ready

8/5/2019 (Permalink)

Lightning storm

SERVPRO of Highland Village is your local storm and flood damage restoration professional. Since we are in and part of your community, we are able to respond quicker to your emergency, with the right resources. With highly trained staff, specialized equipment, extensive experience, and the SERVPRO team behind us, we are equipped to restore your business or home “Like it never even happened.”

Storms and floods have been increasing throughout the past few years and so has our ability to respond ASAP. But it’s not over yet. Summer storms are still with us. If a large storm impacts our area, we have access to additional resources to handle any size disaster. The faster response, the less the damage, the less likely there will be additional damage, and the faster we can get you back to where you need to be. Mitigation is key in our line of work and with water damage a prompt response is crucial to lower your bill at the end of it.

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call SERVPRO of Highland Village today (940)-999-1279

Allergy Season is here

8/5/2019 (Permalink)

Seasonal Allergies? We are here to help!

Allergies are at full force this year and this is the time of year they are present. Whether it’s pollen or dust plumes blown over from the Sahara Desert, it gets into your HVAC system and without regular cleaning. SERVPRO of Highland Village specializes in air duct cleaning on homes and businesses in Highland Village and surrounding areas. Our technicians are trained to handle any type of HVAC or air duct cleaning.

You definitely don't want you or your family living in an unhealthy environment.

Call our office today at (940)-241-3434 and we will come out for free to look at your system and provide you with a thorough estimate of what your small business or home might need.

https://www.SERVPROhighlandvillage.com/

Flash Flooding: Preparation Over Restoration

7/8/2019 (Permalink)

Trinity River in Dallas Flooding

Flash flooding is responsible for more deaths annually than any other type of severe weather. Flooding in dense cities is becoming increasingly devastating as cities grow. Whenever we build a new building, highway, sidewalk or parking garage, we take away an area where water can soak up in the soil like a sponge. The grasslands and wetlands that used to inhabit most of DFW, have been built over with a mountain of interlocked concrete. This accelerates the flow of rainwater which leads to more ‘flash floods’. 

A side note: many cities are encouraged to build up walls and barriers along rivers in order to prevent flooding in the area. This is not only ineffective but in turn, makes flooding much worse for others downstream. Rivers need room to transport massive amounts of rainwater and constricting them only is like rubbing dirt on an open wound.

How to protect your business or home from water damage related to excessive rain?

Most of these issues I’ve stated are problems that can only be fixed through smart urban planning and other political actions. In order to get the most effective change and ensure your community minimizes their flood risk is to contact your local congressman or woman through email, phone, or in-person, and explain your concerns for smart flood control in your community. However, we all have seen how unreliable and uncooperative the political process can be. So, what actions can you take immediately?

• The cheapest way is by redirecting your downspouts. Making sure that the water coming off your roof makes it's way to a drainage or water source is important. 
• Adding a garden: Since plants absorb water much more efficiently than grass it would be a good idea to introduce a garden to your lawn.
• Rain barrels allow the water coming from your downspout to be reused to water your plants which helps save you money.

There are other measures like dry wells and rain gardens that serve as extra prevention measures, but, they are more costly.

Extreme Response Team

6/21/2019 (Permalink)

Should extreme weather threaten your home or business, the ERT is on standby to offer additional assistance

Tornado season runs usually from March to June; hurricane season is June through November. Between those two seasons alone, Texans can potentially face lots of storm activity.

Already this summer has seen large amounts of rain and flooding across the United States. 

When torrential rains, swelling streams, strong winds, and lightning strike...sometimes the damage is so widespread that the SERVPRO franchises in the affected area aren't able to meet the needs of the communities around them.

Should that occur in our area, SERVPRO of Highland Village has access to the Extreme Response Team, which can be activated as needed. These units are specially trained and equipped to assist and support in large loss situations. They are able to come alongside the local franchises and lend their strength, resources, and time to help the impacted community get back on its feet.

SERVPRO of Highland Village is Faster to Any Size Disaster.

Water trapped in a crawl space

6/14/2019 (Permalink)

Water from a storm not so long ago recently made its way underneath the home of a customer in Little Elm. SERVPRO of Highland Village was called to inspect the property for major holes in the foundation, as well as clean up the water and remove odors caused by the standing water under the house.

We successfully pumped all of the water out from underneath the house as well as dried the space out over a number of days. As the job was nearing an end, we then sprayed the space with one of our fresh SERVPRO deodorizers, as well as eliminated odors that were in the house due to the water.

The customer was very satisfied with our work upon completion and told us that she would certainly recommend us to anyone that she knew. 

Our story

5/30/2019 (Permalink)

The Stone family has been with SERVPRO for over 40 years now. My great grandmother, grandparents, great aunt and uncle, both uncles, and my father have all owned their own separate franchises in the past. This business has fed our family for this long and along the way helped countless families and individuals get their lives back in order from all kinds of disasters.

My brothers and I have decided to take the family legacy to the next generation and carry on the pride and responsibility of restoring the homes and property of as many people as we possibly can.

With over 40 years of restoration knowledge and experience, we are truly able to handle any task and make it "Like it never even happened."