According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), three of every five home fire deaths results from fires in homes with no smoke alarms (38%) or no working smoke alarms (21%).
Most fatal fires happen when families are asleep because occupants are unaware of the fire until there is not adequate time to escape. A smoke alarm stands guard around the clock, and when it first senses smoke, it sounds a shrill alarm.
All in all, smoke alarms are crucial elements in the early detection of fires. If you have not checked your smoke alarm in years or several months check out these statistics from the NFPA. (The Smoke Alarm Effect)
Having properly functioning smoke alarms in your Austin, TX home is an essential aspect of basic fire safety. These devices give you the first warning that your home is in danger in the event of a real fire.
After you’ve had your fire alarm system for a while, though, it may stop working as effectively as it once did. If you notice any of the following signs, it may be time to replace the smoke alarms in your home.
The Alarms Are Over 10 Years Old
Like all other devices, your smoke detectors will eventually reach the point where they’re too old to work properly. To see if this is the case, simply check the date of manufacture on the back of the alarm. If at least 10 years have passed since the printed date, you’re due for a new alarm system.
The Alarms Fail the Monthly Test
To ensure that your fire alarm system is in top condition, you should test it at least once a month. Find the test button on the front or side of each device and hold it down for a few seconds. If the alarm doesn’t emit any sound, this is a likely indicator that the system needs to be replaced.
The Alarms Go Off Randomly
Your smoke detectors must do their job of alerting you of a real fire emergency before any fire or smoke damage from fire ensues. However, if your alarms frequently go off for no apparent reason, they could be defective.
To save yourself the constant noise and properly safeguard your home from danger, be sure to have new detectors installed as soon as possible.
Home Fire Accidents
When faced with home fire casualties, heating equipment is the leading cause. Half of home heating equipment fires are reported during the months of December, January, and February around the holidays.
Sometimes it’s hard discussing potential accidents or things that can go wrong in your home, but it’s important to be aware. Unfortunately, these accidents tend to happen around the holidays when we're with our friends and family.
Here are some simple steps that can help prevent most heating-related fires and kitchen accidents from happening:
· Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.
· Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
· Never use your oven to heat your home.
· Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
· Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning space heaters.
· Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.
· Keep spills cleaned up on and around your stove top.
· Keep and eye on your pans in the oven. Always set a timer.
· Keep a fire extinguisher close by.
· Be sure your smoke detector has good batteries in place.
· DO NOT throw water on a grease fire.
· Always keep your body safe guarded by wearing proper safety gloves or mitts.
· Keep children and pets away from ovens and stove-tops in use.
Stay safe over the holidays as you keep these tips in mind! Cleaning after fire smoke damage is a serious task and you can cause further damage without professional help. Having us help with your fire damage restoration services will ensure full fire and smoke damage restoration.
SERVPRO of East Central Austin is here to help for fire restoration, biohazard cleanup, water damage, and mold inspection with 24/7 emergency services. We will work diligently as your fire damage restoration company for Austin, TX to restore your home and memories back to their original condition.
Restoring Your Property after Water Damage with SERVPRO of East Central Austin
Have you recently had water damage in your home or business, and are not sure how to handle it? You are not alone, many people are unsure of the steps they should take after having a water damage event, and how they should go about having their home or business properly restored after the damage occurs.
There are a variety of issues that can cause your home or business to suffer from water damage. These can include a flood, burst pipe, sewage backup and more. These issues can occur without any type of warning and gravely affect your Austin home or business.
It is stressful and often it is not clear what to do or who to call. When your home or business suffers from water damage, even an extra hour can significantly worsen the damage. It is important to call water damage professionals immediately to handle your issue. SERVPRO of East Central Austin can help immediately to stop the damage from worsening and restore your property and belongings to make it "Like it never even happened." Our SERVPRO professionals are highly trained and certified water damage restoration technicians, and we can handle all your water damage restoration water extraction needs.
The first step to restoring your home or business after a water damage event is to act quickly. Acting quickly can help immensely in salvaging and restoring your belongings and property, including the drywall and flooring that is in your home. It is important to note how quickly water can permanently damage organic material. Unfortunately, it is only a matter of hours before your property can be left with irreversible water damage. If our certified SERVPRO technicians are called immediately, we can respond quickly and often save and restore water damage and lessen the chance of secondary issues such as mold growth.
If mold does begin to grow in your home or business, you may need to have mold remediation as well.
Your first step to restoring your home or business is to call us at SERVPRO of East Central Austin so that we can respond to your emergency as quickly as possible. After arriving, our technicians will do a thorough inspection with our moisture readers to determine the extent of and where there is potential for water damage and how far the moisture has traveled. Once assessed, our production team will use heavy duty water extractors (powerful pumps and vacuum units) capable of removing hundreds or thousands of gallons of water to pump out standing water and areas of property saturated with water.
Next, our technicians use room measurements, temperatures from various locations and relative humidity to determine the appropriate number of air movers and dehumidifiers needed to dry your home or business. Our air movers are strategically placed to evaporate excess moisture from belongings and property while dehumidifiers reduce the moisture content of the air, hastening the drying process. Once dry, we use cleaning techniques to provide sanitizing, deodorization, and disposal to decrease the possibility of microbial growth.
We are trained to identify and deodorize offensive odors when necessary. Our technical expertise and industrial grade air scrubbers and fogging equipment go well beyond simply masking odors and other shortcuts that do not work when your odor problem is serious or persistent.
Depending on the scenario, we may additionally use antimicrobial, antibacterial, or disinfectant treatments to clean your property. We will remove and dispose of damaged materials with guidance from you and your insurance adjuster.
There are over 21 million commercial establishments in the United States, occupying 4.9 million buildings. These buildings cover over 72 billion square feet or 1.6 million acres. The U.S. adds about 1.6 billion square feet per year—nearly 110,000 buildings annually, or roughly half-a-million buildings every five years. The sheer magnitude of annual growth in commercial real estate is astounding.
How are you planning on protecting your property?
Most companies attempt to treat a commercial project like a “really big house”, which is a big mistake. Calling and hiring a restoration company without the right education or credentials can cause further damage and business interruption.
With residential homes, the primary purpose is to house a family, whereas commercial structures have a variety of uses and functions. All these factors can affect the restoration process.
Commercial facilities, if they are greatly impacted by damage, require more time for scoping, planning, and estimating. Additional square footage affected raises the requirements of the commercial project, meaning additional management staff, labor, equipment, and supplies will be needed.
SERVPRO of East Central Austin has a highly trained, experienced, and certified team, able to handle all your property damage needs. Our staff receives ongoing training from our corporate training facility to meet and exceed IICRC industry certifications. This ensures we provide the proper assessment and repairs. (For more information on our training and qualifications and how we can help restore your property, please contact us directly.)
When your Austin property is the victim of a disaster or damage, such as water and fire damage, fire and smoke damage, or storm damage, every minute counts to minimize the effect on your building.
Every time we enter a commercial large loss project, we focus on the differences that occur in a commercial building over a residential home. We consider how our communication, planning, and even our conversations might have to be altered to provide the highest level of customer service on a commercial restoration project when speaking with either an owner or property management team.
Your SERVPRO of Austin, Tx cleaning and restoration team can provide support from water damage cleanup and water damage restoration to fire damage repairs and mold remediation services. As a locally owned and operated facility, we provide commercial cleaning services, residential cleaning services, biohazard cleanup, carpet cleaning, air duct cleaning, mold removal, and more.
When you have a disaster or water emergency in Austin, call SERVPRO of East Central Austin, your trusted leader for restoration services, 24 hours, 7 days a week to restore your home or business. We are centrally located, and you will receive an immediate response. Faster to any size disaster. Make it "Like it never even happened."
How SERVPRO of East Central Austin can help with a Tornado
Tornadoes can strike without warning and destroy a community in seconds causing property damage. A tornado is a rotating column of air that occurs during a thunderstorm and can have wind speeds that reach up to 300mph. Because wind is invisible, it is hard to see a tornado unless it forms a condensation funnel made up of water droplets, dust, and debris.
Know The Signs and Be Prepared
Before a tornado warning is issued for your area, here are some things to keep in mind.
Know the signs of a tornado, a rotating funnel-shaped cloud, an approaching cloud of debris, or a loud roar similar to a freight train. Many people have reported that when a tornado is approaching, the sound they hear is like a train barreling down the tracks.
Know your community's warning system and understand the difference between a tornado watch and warning through the national weather service.
A warning means a tornado is already occurring or will occur soon and to go to a safe place immediately. A watch means conditions are favorable, and a tornado is possible.
Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or your local news channel for current emergency information and instructions. With advanced technology in weather forecasting, meteorologists can pinpoint circling winds and inform the public like never before.
Assemble An Emergency Kit
Assemble an emergency kit for you and your family. Put these items in zip lock bags and store them all in a plastic tub. Many different times can make up a kit, but here are a few of the basics to keep in mind.
It's recommended to have one gallon of water per person for at least three days, drinking and sanitation. At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food per person. Battery-powered or hand-crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert. A flashlight, first aid kit, and extra batteries are all essential to keep in your kit.
Where To Go
Preparation is essential, and something we should all take time to do. It's a great idea to plan ahead of a disaster and chose a place where family members can gather if a tornado is headed your way.
It could be your basement or storm cellar, a center hallway, bathroom, or closet on the lowest level. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside.
Get under a sturdy table and use your arms to protect your head and neck. Always remember to stay away from windows, doors, and outside walls.
Understanding The Risk
Know your area's tornado risk. In the U.S., the Midwest and the Southeast have a higher risk for tornadoes. If you lived on the west coast, you probably would read about mudslides and wildfires preparedness rather than thunderstorms and tornadoes.
The infamous Tornado Alley, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska, still leads in the number of tornadoes. While Indiana is not one of the states that make up the region known as Tornado Alley, tornadoes aren't unusual in Indiana. Indiana averages 22 tornadoes each year, and that's why it's crucial to plan ahead to help keep your family safe.
If You Have Storm or Tornado Damage
SERVPRO of East Central Austin is here to help as your water damage company for Austin, TX. We offer emergency services as a restoration company for homes or businesses after a storm has passed. Some of these restoration services include roof tarping, basement flooding, water removal, covering broken windows, water damage repair, sump pump, structure dry out, and any flood damage repair in Austin, TX.
Dealing with the aftermath of a house fire in Austin, TX.
In the event of a fire in your home, be sure to call your local Austin fire department initially. Your focus should always be safety first. Once you and your family are safe and secure reach out to your insurance agent to see if a claim is necessary.
This is when you call us at SERVPRO of East Central Austin. Your family is safe, your insurance companies have been notified, and now you need a water damage and fire damage restoration company.
Soot can develop through three different methods:
· Wet soot residue results from smoldering, low-heat fires. This residue is sticky, smeary, and has a very pungent odor.
· Dry soot residue results from fast-burning fires with high temperatures. This residue is typically dry, powdery, and non-smeary.
· Protein residue is almost invisible but can discolor paints and varnishes in your home. This residue also has an extremely pungent odor.
Each type of smoke damage restoration is different and requires specific expertise to clean. When you need fire damage restoration in Austin, TX, our team here at SERVPRO of East Central Austin is here to help. We are highly trained in smoke, fire and water cleanup and restoration and can assist in all aspects. We consider everything we need to clean and what our plan is moving forward.
Structural Cleaning - After a smoke or fire damage, ceilings, walls, woodwork, carpeting and floors will often need a thorough cleaning. Our team here at SERVPRO of East Central Austin will walk your property to determine the extent of damage. We will use specific equipment and cleaning products for the different types of surfaces and products found within your structure.
Depending on the amount of soot, we can lower the cost of cleaning if lighter soot deposits are found. We can also see if the expense can be lower with repainting or refinishing. If this is not the case, we will clean to prepare for painting. This process deodorizes and ensures the new paint will adhere properly to the surface.
Contents Cleaning - All the restorable contents in affected areas will be professionally cleaned and deodorized. This includes area rugs, furniture, draperies and upholstery. Our team will begin by carefully inspecting and testing all fabrics to determine which cleaning methods are most appropriate.
Both wet and dry-cleaning services can be provided as we deodorize and restore contents to preloss condition. This process would include electronics, art, wood furniture, kitchen items, clothing, bedding and much more. Finally, we can provide an inventory list of all "to be claimed" items if so requested.
Deodorization - SERVPRO of East Central Austin provides specialized services that rid your home or place of business of offensive odors left by fire or smoke damage. We do not cover up lingering odors with a fragrance. As we seek out the sources of the odor and remove them. Ask us to explain the various methods available and which will work best for you.
No matter how difficult or hard you find your situation to be, we can help. Find your fire restoration near me with SERVPRO of East Central Austin to help restore your home and business back to pre-damage conditions.
What Should You Call SERVPRO of East Central Austin for?
One of the biggest misconceptions about emergency water and fire damage restoration in Austin, TX is that you will know who to call when the time comes. "I haven't had an issue yet, so when I do, I can make a decision then."
Not going to happen.
Preparing for such a disaster, especially for a commercial company, will not only provide peace of mind, but will ensure you aren't forced into making a snap decision that can potentially impact the ability to restore your home or business.
SERVPRO of East Central Austin is your Texas water damage restoration company providing services for water damage repair, mold remediation, mold inspection, content cleaning and residential and commercial fire clean up.
When deciding on your preferred vendor, look for your SERVPRO Texas locations locally owned and operated. We provide an optimal experience and will have your highly trained SERVPRO team professional reach out as soon as possible.
Here's how we can help:
1. Restoration Costs Less
A complete replacement can be expensive in labor and materials, particularly if the existing materials must be removed first. Depending on the materials selected it can get very expensive. Restoration, on the other hand, requires less labor and materials, and thus costs less to restore vs. replace.
2. Restoration Extends the Life of Your Property
You can defer complete replacement and make future plans for the expenditure in your capital budget.
3. Restoration is More Sustainable
Millions of tons of construction waste end up in landfills annually. Restoration allows you to reuse your existing materials, which in turn is a much more environmentally friendly option. Plus, it can lead to steps to make your building more energy efficient and may help you qualify for ENERGY STAR or LEED credits.
4. Restoration Helps Prevent Catastrophic Loss
Ignoring the fact that your home or business is deteriorating doesn’t make the problem go away; it can only get worse. The more time passes, the greater the potential damage and the more it costs to restore it. At some point, the only option will be total replacement. Continued neglect can put your business, employees and tenants at risk.
Insulation can become wet in a variety of ways. A pipe could burst, a seam could have been improperly welded, or there could be a puncture somewhere on your roofing system, among a wide variety of other possibilities. However, just fixing the cause of the leak is not enough; the wet insulation must be removed.
Here's three potential ramifications anyone in the restoration industry would tell you about leaving wet insulation or other materials behind in your home or business:
1. Structural Stability
As mentioned above, wet materials can negatively impact your entire building. The trapped moisture can begin to degrade the foundation of your home or business starting at the location of the loss and working it’s way out. Rotting can occur and lead to collapses throughout the structure. There is also the overall weight burden to consider. As moisture is collected that particular item gets increasingly heavier. The pressure can be catastrophic to the building and lead to complete system collapse.
2. Energy Efficiency Compromised
The presence of wet products within any structure will generally negate the energy efficiency benefits of any system. This is due to the fact that the moisture is acting as a conductor of energy rather than repelling it as it is designed. Your building will now require more heat in the winter and air conditioning in the summer, resulting in higher utility bills. Moisture can specifically cause your insulation to lose as much as 40% of it’s thermal residence capabilities.
3. Indoor Air Quality
It is highly likely that your building is being occupied for a good portion of the day and/or night depending on what industry you are in. As a result, air quality is incredibly important. If anything is wet, mold and bacteria can grow. Not a good sign for healthy air or happy occupants. The longer you leave it untreated, the greater the potential danger to your occupants.
It’s important to be proactive with finding your preferred restoration company and preventing similar occurrences like the above scenario from happening. SERVPRO of East Central Austin provides quick inspections to any sized disaster. Call your trusted leaders at SERVPRO of East Central Austin for the best water damage restoration in Austin, TX.
SERVPRO East Central Austin Emergency Fire and Water Damage
Dealing with the aftermath of fire and smoke damage restoration can be extremely stressful especially when soot has made its way through your house and completely covered all of your belongings.
SERVPRO of East Central Austin is trained and licensed to give you an optimal experience as we care for your home and business as your SERVPRO in Austin, TX, locally owned and operated location. It should be known that soot restoration is one of the most difficult aspects of a house fire as it can be very damaging.
According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), three of every five home fire deaths could have been prevented.
Most fatal fires happen when families are asleep giving them less than adequate time to escape. A smoke alarm stands guard around the clock, and when it first senses smoke, it sounds a shrill alarm. Smoke alarms are crucial elements in the early detection of fires.
National Fire Safety is important all year round and while the main focus is preventing residential fires, our team here at SERVPRO of East Central Austin would like to remind everyone this is a great time to revisit workplace fire prevention and safety.
Below are 12 tips to ensure a fire-safe workplace:
Step 1. Get Organized– Practice good workplace housekeeping. Clutter contributes to fires by providing fuel and by preventing access to exits and emergency equipment.
Step 2. Designated Smoking Areas – Smoke only in designated areas, and extinguish smoking materials safely. Never smoke in storerooms or chemical storage areas.
Step 3. Fire Extinguishers – Maintaining the appropriate type and number of fire extinguishers and learn how to properly use a fire extinguisher.
Step 4. Electrical Hazards – Report all electrical hazards. Many fires start in faulty wiring and malfunctioning electrical equipment.
Step 5. Access to Control Panels – Electrical control panels need to have free access maintained so that the electric could be shut off easily.
Step 6. Maintenance – Maintain machinery to prevent overheating and friction sparks.
Step 7. Sprinkler Systems & Smoke Detectors – Never block sprinklers, firefighting equipment or emergency exits. Observe clearances when stacking materials. Testing of sprinkler systems and smoke detectors at least annually.
Step 8. Chemical Safety – Use and store chemicals safely. Read the label and the Material Safety Data Sheet to determine flammability and other fire hazards. Provide adequate ventilation when using and storing these substances.
Step 9. Waste Control & Storage – Control the accumulations of flammable and combustible waste materials and residues so that they do not contribute to a fire emergency.
Step 10. Prevent Ignition – Use all precautions to prevent ignition in potentially explosive atmospheres such as those containing flammable liquid vapors or fine particles. Use non-sparking tools, and control static electricity as required.
Step 11. Exits – Emergency exit diagrams should be posted and emergency exits should be well lit with neon-regulation signs.
Step 12. Contact Info – Employees should have a list of emergency contact phone numbers in case of emergency. Remember that people will often panic in an intense situation; therefore basics such as the company address, phone number and floor plan should be posted.
Planning to ensure fire protection and safety is key to avoiding unwanted fire issues.
Residential and Commercial Fire Clean Up
Soot can be one of the hardest parts of fire restoration clean up and is developed through three different methods:
· Wet soot residue—results from smoldering, low-heat fires. This residue is sticky, smeary, and has a very pungent odor.
· Dry soot residue—results from fast-burning fires with high temperatures. This residue is typically dry, powdery, and non-smeary.
· Protein residue—almost invisible but can discolor paints and varnishes in your home. This residue also has an extremely pungent odor.
Each type of soot is different and requires specific expertise to clean for such needs or concerns.
Our fire repair process is outlined online for your review.
Call us at SERVPRO of East Central Austin , your SERVPRO of Texas, faster to any size disaster, for all your fire damage restoration services.
When water damage hits your business, SERVPRO is here for you!
SERVPRO of East Central Austin is here to help! You can reach us 24/7 at (512) 420-9886.
Water damage does billions of dollars in damage every year. Everything from small pipe leaks to water damage from firefighting efforts, to natural disasters such as floods, can do extensive damage to property. Without extensive mitigation, this can put businesses at risk of mold and other contaminants, which can affect the safety and comfort of your facilities.
If your business requires commercial water removal, the pros at SERVPRO are ready to handle it fast. Our IICRC-certified team has the tools and techniques needed to assist business owners and restoring their property after a disaster occurs. Whether the damage is caused by pipes or other infrastructure issues, this is a crew you can count on to restore your facility to its preloss condition.
Protecting Your Facilities
Be vigilant
Notice an uptick in water expenses? It may be a plumbing issue. Make sure to regularly inspect your building for damp areas and hire a certified professional to make the fixes required for your property.
Prepare for disaster
Sandbags, sump pumps, and other preventive measures can go a long way towards protecting your business. Commercial water sensors can also detect and limit the amount of water damage that occurs in your facility by quickly alerting you to damage.
Check openings and prepare them accordingly
This includes windows, doors, trim, and other gaps and cracks on your property. Use weather-stripping and waterproof caulking, as well as other measures for waterproofing your store.
How SERVPRO Helps Businesses
When SERVPRO comes to your business, they can get started right away on water extraction, drying, and disinfection for your property. If your retail store features carpet and other porous fabrics, SERVPRO back-mounted extractors and rovers can pull moisture out of the carpet and potentially prevent the need for disposal with careful drying. Carpet, in many cases, can be saved from disposal if delamination--that is, the separation of pad from the carpet--has not occurred.
Air movers can be placed every 10 to 16 linear feet at 45-degree angles to dry the walls. If the ceiling is affected, technicians can move ceiling tiles to facilitate the removal of moisture through just a couple of openings. In open areas, plastic sheeting can be used to construct chambers for more effective drying in a contained space.
If disaster does strike, give us a call! We are faster to any disaster and are here to help get you back to "Like it never even happened."
SERVPRO of East Central Austin is always here to help. Call our office at (512) 420-9986
SERVPRO Extracts Flood Waters to Mitigate Damage
Flood damage is exceedingly dangerous, for both homes and lives. Floods have the power to swamp and drown residents, as well as cause them serious injury or infection. To homes, they can seep and flow into not only furniture but also the structure itself, causing immense water damage. Furthermore, floodwaters are usually unsanitary and can cause dangerous airborne and water carried illnesses and mold, which may cause health effects. Avoidance is the best way to skirt issues and hazards caused by flooding. So watch out for heavy rains or floodwaters in the street, and keep upstairs if possible.
Infection and Illness One of the most common injuries sustained after flood damage in Austin, TX is an infection. Floodwaters breed and transport dangerous microbes, and because they often mix with sewage and overflow materials, diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and others can occur. Any water ingested or entering wounds has serious potential to lead to illness or infection, hence why you should exercise extreme caution and avoid entering floodwaters when possible. Also, some microbes, pathogens, and viruses may spread through the air or emit toxic gasses, and so the air surrounding flooded areas may also be hazardous to breathe.
Cuts and Wounds Floodwaters often carry shards of wood, glass, and ceramic that may cut or stab into exposed flesh. These can cause blood loss and pain, in addition to opening up a wound for infection. Should you be cut anywhere in a flood-soaked area, immediately seek to disinfect and bandage the wound to prevent acute infection.
Further Damage to the Home SERVPRO lists on our website some ways that you can help clean up before our technicians arrive following a flood. Be careful to stick to these recommendations and avoid danger, as there is a chance that you may cause further damage to your home. Allow our trained IICRC technicians in water restoration to be the first to begin serious work, for the sake of both you and your insurance.
SERVPRO of East Central Austin is a locally owned and operated company with trained technicians and high-quality equipment prepared to deal with any flooding disaster, large or small. Call us today at (512) 420-9886 for our help or services.
Here at SERVPRO of East Central Austin, we are available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, large or small. When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage.
We Answer the Phone, Ready to Help
We understand when you are ready to call, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through. SERVPRO of East Central Austin has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration as the cornerstone of our business.
What to Expect
When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO of East Central Austin professionals may be needed.
Here are some of the questions you may be asked:
Your name and contact information
Your insurance information (if applicable)
The street address of the water-damaged home or business
When did the flooding or water damage occur?
What caused the water damage (if known)?
Is there electricity available (on-site)?
We specialize in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.
Floods can be surprising, and they can catch you off guard. Water is incredibly damaging, and most people would be surprised at what water can do once it sneaks its way into your home. SERVPRO of East Central Austin is here for you for suggestions and life saving tips.
Our crews are highly trained and licensed to work in these situations. It is important to us to get out there and protect your property as quickly and professionally as possible, as we ensure the water will not migrate and cause additional damage to the surrounding areas.
Flooding can be dangerous and scary. Be sure to have emergency kits with you at all times in case of a storm.
If for any reason, you and your family are unable to make it out of your home or town when a storm is coming, there are ways to be Storm Ready.
Follow the steps below to feel better prepared when a storm hits:
1.) Have a home emergency plan. Know all your safe exit points of the home, what to do with pets, keep on hand at least 2 Emergency Kits, and let your neighbors know you are still at the home.
2.) Stock up on the easy essential foods, water, toiletries, candles, lighters, and flashlights. Have plenty of blankets and pillows handy.
3.) Keep some games and toys for the children handy--Waiting for the storm to pass over might get boring in some cases.
4.) Secure loose things around and on your property.
5.) Make sure there are no branches hanging over your home or garage.
6.) Stay indoors when the storm is upon you.
7.) Ensure your home, contents and car insurance is adequate and current.
8.) Learn how to safely turn off your power, water, and gas.
9.) Keep a battery powered radio nearby so you can keep up with warnings and updates on the storm.
10.) Keep water containers, a camping stove and fuel safely on-hand.
Call us at SERVPRO of East Central Austin for more information.
As a leader in the cleaning and restoration industry, we strive to meet or exceed the expectations of every customer, client, and business that is involved with water damaged property. Every property, every project, every customer deserves excellence.
Water intrusion in a home or business is always a traumatic event. Effectively restoring a water-damaged property is such a valuable service to any homeowner or business owner. This type of disruption creates stress and uncertainty for many individuals and can be very costly.
This is when you call us at SERVPRO of East Central Austin to provide guidance and assistance to ensure the best decisions are made through these difficult times.
Excessive water and moisture in any indoor environment can pose health risks for occupants and if it is not resolved properly. Water intrusion can cause severe damages to both your structure and contents.
Properly mitigating, drying, and restoring a water-damaged structure requires training, expertise, and specialized equipment. With hands-on experience and coaching in the field, we are the best in the industry.
The goal of emergency actions is to protect your structure and contents from further damage, establish a safe environment, extract water, demo unrestorable materials, and create the conditions for drying the structure and contents effectively. This typically involves calculating and positioning air movers and dehumidifiers within the affected area.
Once the equipment is placed, we monitor the drying process and make sure it is working properly. Monitoring services continue until the structure and contents are dry as we evaluate, update monitoring logs, and make adjustments as needed.
National Fire Safety: Call us at SERVPRO of East Central Austin for more information 512-420-9886
National Fire Safety is important all year round and while the main focus is on preventing residential fires, our team here at SERVPRO of East Central Austin would like to remind everyone this is a great time to revisit workplace fire prevention and safety
Below are 12 tips to ensure a fire-safe workplace:
Step 1. Get Organized– Practice good workplace housekeeping. Clutter contributes to fires by providing fuel and by preventing access to exits and emergency equipment.
Step 2. Designated Smoking Areas – Smoke only in designated areas, and extinguish smoking materials safely. Never smoke in storerooms or chemical storage areas.
Step 3. Fire Extinguishers – Maintaining the appropriate type and number of fire extinguishers and learn how to properly use a fire extinguisher.
Step 4. Electrical Hazards – Report all electrical hazards. Many fires start in faulty wiring and malfunctioning electrical equipment.
Step 5. Access to Control Panels – Electrical control panels need to have free access maintained so that the electric could be shut off easily.
Step 6. Maintenance – Maintain machinery to prevent overheating and friction sparks.
Step 7. Sprinkler Systems & Smoke Detectors – Never block sprinklers, firefighting equipment or emergency exits. Observe clearances when stacking materials. Testing of sprinkler systems and smoke detectors at least annually.
Step 8. Chemical Safety – Use and store chemicals safely. Read the label and the Material Safety Data Sheet to determine flammability and other fire hazards. Provide adequate ventilation when using and storing these substances.
Step 9. Waste Control & Storage – Control the accumulations of flammable and combustible waste materials and residues so that they do not contribute to a fire emergency.
Step 10. Prevent Ignition – Use all precautions to prevent ignition in potentially explosive atmospheres such as those containing flammable liquid vapors or fine particles. Use non-sparking tools, and control static electricity as required.
Step 11. Exits – Emergency exit diagrams should be posted and emergency exits should be well lit with neon-regulation signs.
Step 12. Contact Info – Employees should have a list of emergency contact phone numbers in case of emergency. Remember that people will often panic in an intense situation; therefore basics such as the company address, phone number and floor plan should be posted.
Planning to ensure fire protection and safety is key to avoiding unwanted fire issues. Our fire repair process is outlined online for your review. Call us at SERVPRO of East Central Austin for all your fire restoration needs.
If you have any questions about the Emergency Ready Profile for your commercial building call us at SERVPRO of East Central Austin 512-420-9886.
What is an ERP?
An ERP is an Emergency Ready Profile which pertains to the layout of your commercial building. ERP's are used to map out your building for potential disasters. Once you contact us to come out for mitigation services, we can all refer to the ERP for important utility shutoff locations as well as specific concerns for your facility. An ERP will help business' save time and money. This profile ensures a stressful situation is handled as efficiently as possible as we move forward with the issues at hand.
An ERP will contain the following:
An assessment of your facility.
A Concise Profile Documentation that contains critical information in the event of an emergency.
Facility details (shut-off valve locations, priority areas and priority contact information)
Line of command in regard to the authorization to preform services initially and continuing to work on the job after the initial inspection.
With this profile, SERVPRO of East Central Austin will have a complete layout of your building and fully prepared for any disaster or an incident strike.
Don't let our first exposure to your building be during a disaster response. If we become familiar with your property now, we can move forward in the event of a disaster with mitigation efforts to prevent further damage. Getting your business up to speed as quickly and safely as possible will be our main goal.
If you have any questions about the Emergency Ready Profile for your commercial building call us at SERVPRO of East Central Austin 512-420-9886.
Last month’s winter storm was a real awakening for a lot of us out here in Texas. We are not new to natural disasters or having to rebuild our community, but the mass power outages and subfreezing temperatures was a crisis situation we weren’t prepared for.
Texas homeowners may be surprised to know that every state in the US is vulnerable to flooding--even the more arid ones. Changes in sea level, as well as weather patterns, are enough to create sudden floods that cause damage to homes and infrastructure in one fell swoop. Homeowners with flood coverage may be relieved to have it, but without professional cleanup, water damage can make their structures a host for mold, microbes, and further issues. Follow our guide for initial emergency water damage tips.
If you need flood damage cleanup, our storm team is ready and willing to rebuild your home to it’s original condition. As professionals, we receive the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) training to maintain high standards in addressing fire, water, and mold damage as well as restoration of structures. SERVPRO works with you and your insurance adjuster so that cleanup complies with your policy as well as local regulations.
Your insurance adjuster can assist you in the process of completing a proof of loss for your flood claim. Make sure your proof of loss complies with the needs of the Standard Flood Insurance Policy and file promptly--within 60 days of the flood--to make sure you get compensated in a timely fashion.
SERVPRO technicians can also assist with this process by taking photos of the damage, taking inventory of possessions, and coordinating with both you and your insurance adjuster during the cleanup process. If you have crucial documents that are damaged by flooding, SERVPRO can create electronic copies of the papers so that you always have access to them.
A successful cleanup begins with thorough monitoring of the situation. This is why SERVPRO technicians use a variety of moisture measurement technologies to evaluate the extent of damage before extracting moisture, disinfecting surfaces, and drying your home. Throughout the drying process, professionals can use penetrating and non-penetrating moisture sensors and meters to determine the progress made by the cleanup process. Infrared imaging allows technicians to see behind structures to determine if subfloors, studs, or fiberglass insulation require further drying.
Every surface in your home has an ideal humidity level to maintain its integrity, from hardwood flooring to drywall to your furniture. SERVPRO strives to ensure that items that can be safely restored are handled with the utmost care, and possessions that require replacement are not removed without documentation and the informed consent of homeowners and insurance adjusters. If your disaster requires general contracting services for restoration, your local SERVPRO is licensed to handle this type of work.
SERVPRO of East Central Austin provides a mitigation service that is Faster to Any Size Disaster. If disaster strikes in your home, you can call (512) 420-9886.
Protecting the Structure and Integrity of your Property
Call us at SERVPRO of East Central Austin for additional information. 512-420-9886
As a leader in the cleaning and restoration industry, we strive to meet or exceed the expectations of every customer, client, and business that is involved with water damaged property. Every property, every project, every customer deserves excellence.
Water intrusion in a home or business is always a traumatic event. Effectively restoring a water-damaged property is such a valuable service to any homeowner or business owner. This type of disruption creates stress and uncertainty for many individuals and can be very costly.
This is when you call us at SERVPRO of East Central Austin to provide guidance and assistance to ensure the best decisions are made through these difficult times.
Excessive water and moisture in any indoor environment can pose health risks for occupants and if it is not resolved properly. Water intrusion can cause severe damages to both your structure and contents.
Properly mitigating, drying, and restoring a water-damaged structure requires training, expertise, and specialized equipment. With hands-on experience and coaching in the field, we are the best in the industry.
The goal of emergency actions is to protect your structure and contents from further damage, establish a safe environment, extract water, demo unrestorable materials, and create the conditions for drying the structure and contents effectively. This typically involves calculating and positioning air movers and dehumidifiers within the affected area.
Once the equipment is placed, we monitor the drying process and make sure it is working properly. Monitoring services continue until the structure and contents are dry as we evaluate, update monitoring logs, and make adjustments as needed.
Call us at SERVPRO, “Like it never even happened.”
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
Never pour grease down your sink!
You’ve probably heard this before, but you should definitely avoid pouring grease down your kitchen sink. It doesn’t matter if you flush it with hot or cold water. It can still congeal and cling to your pipes, and could still cause some serious blockage and water damage.
Some people use detergent to break up grease before pouring it down the drain…and that may help sometimes. But there’s no guarantee that it’ll keep the grease from sticking to your pipes, so why take the risk?
The safest thing to do is just to pour your grease in an empty can, and either let it sit or put it in the refrigerator. Once it hardens you can toss it in the trash and get rid of it.
Pipe leaks from clogged pipes can cause water damage to your home as well as mold damage if the water damage is not soon addressed.
If you have a leaky pipe under your kitchen sink that has caused water damage to your home, please do not hesitate to call SERVPRO of East Central Austin today!
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
There’s no such thing as a small disaster, especially when the water you don’t see contains bacteria or can cause mold, rot, and other unseen damage.
Water damage can affect the value of your property. Before you get out the mop bucket and try to clean it yourself, consider how the damage can affect your commercial property. SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals know how disruptive water damage can be for your business and are trained and equipped to manage the drying process from start to finish. With rapid response time and a full line of water cleanup and restoration services, we can help you regain control quickly, by helping to ensure your facility and its contents are properly dried, deodorized and protected.
Before you risk further damaging the value of your commercial facility by attempting to clean the mess yourself, call your local water damage cleanup and restoration professionals at SERVPRO of East Central Austin!
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
SERVPRO Can Remediate the Flood Damage in Your Austin, TX!
Living in Austin, TX can open your home to many heavy rainstorms. Unfortunately, if you live in an older building, this can cause some issues. Visualize an older roof, finally giving way under the weight of pooling water, and allowing it to leak into your home. You notice water begins to drip down into your bedroom from the ceiling.
Our flood damage remediation services for Austin and surrounding areas are expert-tier. SERVPRO technicians are well trained, and we use advanced technology to ensure the best service possible. If you need flood damage remediation, get in touch with us.
What Could I Do to Be More Prepared For a Flood?
If you know a severe rainstorm is on the way, you can do a few things to be prepared for the damage your home could face.
Keep a list of emergency numbers
Consider having spare water and food, in case of an extended power outage
Consider calling for assistance, anticipate flooding risks
While not all rainstorms are severe or lead to electrical utility loss, it is always good to be prepared. Having bottled water and nonperishables handy can ensure you don’t need to rush to a grocery store when everyone else is. SERVPRO suggests contacting our office to set up a scheduled appointment for demonstrating our ERP Plan. The Emergency READY Profile Plan can help prevent, or at least mitigate, damages caused by intruding water, fires, or even mold.
What Can SERVPRO Techs Do Once They're Here?
Once our highly trained technicians get to your home, they can get to work right away. We can start by:
Covering the hole on your roof with tarps, to try and stop water from getting inside
Employ wet/dry vacuums to remove water from between your walls, your ceiling, and your bedroom floor
Use air blasting tubes to get dry air into hard to reach places (injecti-dry advanced devices)
Here at SERVPRO, we are dedicated to helping you reduce excess moisture in your home and prevent mold damage. If you go through an unfortunate flood loss event, get the help your home deserves!
Get in touch with SERVPRO of East Central Austin by calling (512) 420-9886. We're here for you!
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
3 Elements of Fire Restoration
After arriving at a workplace fire, firefighters usually do everything necessary to ensure that personnel are evacuated and the fire is extinguished. Often, this involves seemingly destructive behaviors such as breaking windows and inundating surfaces with water. To make things worse, the sprinkler systems present in many offices may automatically respond to a relatively local fire by spraying water across a whole area, requiring extensive water cleanup. If you have had a fire, there are three kinds of restoration your space will need now that the flames have been put out.
1. Fire Damage Flames are the most immediately destructive force present in any fire. Because of the extreme temperatures that they can reach, unchecked fires can destroy almost anything in their path. Often, buildings that have been burned are no longer structurally sound and must be inspected by a structural engineer. Many items or surfaces may be salvageable during fire cleanup, but this will depend on the extent of both the external and internal damage.
2. Smoke and Soot Because smoke easily permeates mechanical and electronic devices, removing evidence of smoke damage can be complicated. Soot created by smoke sticks to surfaces, resulting in a distinct odor that tends to linger. Starting smoke cleanup quickly is essential because soot becomes more destructive and difficult to remove over time.
3. Water Cleanup Sprinkler systems, burst pipes, and firefighting equipment can all cause extensive water damage. While some items may be undamaged by water, you should always understand that flowing water may have mixed with toxic or corrosive substances present in your workspace. There is a lot to think about after sustaining a fire in Austin, TX. Some aspects of fire restoration involve skill-intensive labor. It is always recommended that you check whether your insurance policy covers fire restoration. By contacting SERVPRO of East Central Austin that specializes in fire, smoke, and water cleanup, you can prevent further damage to your valuable property.
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
How Overflowing Gutters in Your Austin, TX Home can Lead to Cavity Water Damage Issues
Gutters play a vital role in collecting rainwater in passages beneath the roof and transporting that water into an open sewer point. In the fall, leaves can get into these gutters, causing blockages, thereby preventing water from reaching the sewer point. During the winter months, high winds can result in debris or fallen branches from further clogging up the gutters. With the additional rainfall expectations throughout the winter, these blockages can become a significant concern for the interior of your home.
Overflowing gutters can result in moisture entering your attic space or into wall cavities causing unseen water damage in your home. With the help of gravity, moisture overflowing into the structure migrates downwards. SERVPRO of East Central Austin recommends that homeowners perform regular checks on both the exterior of their home and the interior walls throughout the colder months. Common symptoms of excessive moisture inside wall-cavities may be peeling of wall-paper, musty odors, or disjointing between baseboards and floor.
Restoring wall cavity damage can be tricky. There needs to be practical measurements and understanding of where moisture is before the, often necessary, removal of drywall or baseboard. SERVPRO technicians can call upon thermal imaging cameras that provide readings of surface temperatures on walls, which can indicate where moisture might reside. Alternatively, our technicians may use borescopes to see inside the cavity and assess the extent of mold or water damages.
It may be necessary for SERVPRO to provide advanced structural drying technicians to your property to restore wall cavities. These technicians are adept at using Injectidry systems that attach hose nozzles into the small holes drilled into the wall. From there, a centrifugal fan can circulate heated air into the cavity to address moisture issues and dry out the pit. In some situations, water damage may be too severe for non-invasive systems, and we must remove sections of the wall to provide drying access to more powerful equipment like air-movers, vent fans, and portable heaters.
If you notice any symptoms of cavity damage in your home, do not hesitate to contact SERVPRO of East Central Austin at (512) 420-9886.
Water, Storm, Fire, or Mold Damage; SERVPRO Has You Covered
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
Austin residents have no fear, SERVPRO will always be here.
SERVPRO of East Central Austin is serving this community in all types of property recovery and restoration. Our roster of technicians carries skillset that covers contracting as well as building maintenance. We provide our workforce with 10 and 30 hour General and/or Construction Industry Training (OSHA.) That means our servicemen and women are capable of restoring your property from the ground up after an adverse weather event or unforeseen flood. Alongside Storm and Water Damage, we run recovery for fire, mold and property reconstruction.
Storm
As part of storm restoration services, it is vital to inspect and secure the safety of your home. You may find yourselves temporarily relocated if there is moderate structural damage. During this period, SERVPRO technicians can enter your home to perform essential mitigation tasks that could significantly reduce the expense of your claim. These tasks may include the removal of large quantities of water using gas-powered pumps and truck-mounted extraction units. We can also scope the structure itself to spot fundamental weaknesses.
Pack-out services run by SERVPRO are not uncommon during flash floods or rainy season. Our technicians take an electronic inventory of your possessions, condition, and location in the home. We then carefully remove these items, reducing the risk of permanent damage from exposure. Using professional movers, our team can store your possessions in a climate-controlled warehouse. Once restoration services are complete, and we can pass any paperwork onto your insurer, and return possessions to their original rooms. Our emergency lines remain open twenty-four hours a day with on-call technicians ready to provide out of hours services.
Water
Areas that suffer from adversarial weather conditions need restoration services that focus on water damage in Austin. Our water restoration technicians (WRT) arrive in trucks with a full stock of pumps, extractors, air movers, and dehumidification equipment. As a restoration service that also caters to Austin's commercial businesses, we are confident in saying that no disaster is too big or too small for SERVPRO of East Central Austin.
When dealing with property, the recovery speed is an essential part of reducing damage. Prolonged exposure to moisture can cause all kinds of harm to your home, contents, and decoration. SERVPRO knows that one of the most effective means of mitigation is to remove excess moisture, clean, and dry a property as quickly as possible.
Our first task after the water removal process is complete, is rapid drying. Water can migrate quickly from one area of the home to another. Any structural weaknesses are quickly exploited by substantial volumes of water, which can result in waterlogged wall spaces, flooring, and subfloor. SERVPRO restoration services are adept at structural cavity drying with equipment that does not require removal or permanent damage to the structure itself. Using drying mats or injectidry systems, we can thoroughly dry your home and reduce the likelihood of expensive secondary damage.
Fire
Fires can start from the most innocuous of places. Faulty wiring, malfunctioning electronics, and appliances as well as from human error like leaving on a stove or forgetting to open the flue. Unfortunately, how these property emergencies start does not influence the extent of fire damage in your Austin, TX home. To make a full recovery, you may need to start the claims process and bring in professional restoration services.
Often the most severe areas of smoke and soot deposits can be found inside fittings, cabinets, or cavities. The reason is that hot smoke and ash are naturally attracted to cooler surfaces like those found inside of a room. These internal areas can be problematic to restore yourself since they frequently lack protection or finish, which exposes the surface to smoke. In higher pressures, soot can be pushed into the surface itself, becoming odorous and challenging to clean.
SERVPRO restoration services are available here in Austin, TX. Our Fire and Smoke Restoration Technicians (FRST) can make accurate assessments of internal cavities by conducting a pre-test. These pre-tests help to inform SERVPRO technicians of the type of equipment needed to make a full recovery. We stock a full range of mechanical cleaning equipment, including sand and soda blasting to remove ingrained soot or smoke. Once complete, your SERVPRO technician can refinish the cabinet interior to a preloss condition. This method can also be beneficial in trapping and reducing malodors.
Mold
While most SERVPRO restoration service requirements here in Austin require immediate attention, mold can often be overlooked. But microbial growth does not disappear by itself. Our restoration services offer precise intervention for Mold Damage in your Austin, TX home. Using trained assessors and remediators for microbial fungi, SERVPRO can perform tasks that not only remove mold but can also prevent it from coming back.
Microbial fungi are invisible to the naked eye and a natural part of any indoor environment. However, in the right conditions, these microscopic spores can rapidly reproduce, forming more significant, visible signs of growth known as mold colonies. Like any living organism, mold colonies seek to reproduce themselves, which can result in a small infestation escalating throughout your home in a matter of weeks. By intervening early, you take a crucial step in protecting your home or business from widespread infestation.
A primary challenge in mold remediation of properties is physical barriers. These may include furnishings, fittings, or the walls and flooring of your home. To rectify the problem, SERVPRO technicians need first and foremost access to the areas of most concern. Accessing these areas may mean performing controlled demolitions or temporary removal of floorboards. We carry out these procedures to not only remove colonies but also to thoroughly dry interior cavities of your home; ensuring mold does not return after the restoration service.
If your property suffers mold, fire, storm or water-related damages, contact SERVPRO of East Central Austin at (512) 420-9886.
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
24/7 Emergency Services
SERVPRO of East Central Austin provides 24/7 emergency services every day of the year, including holidays! Our certified technicians are here to help when you need it most.
We Are a Disaster Recovery Team
We are now a disaster recovery team with multiple franchises conveniently located through the United States. Our crews are currently in Lake Charles, LA helping with the cleanup and repairs that Hurricane Laura left behind.
Our Crews Are Highly Trained and Certified
Our technicians go through specific training to obtain the proper knowledge in order to take the utmost care of your home. They learn specifically how to determine the work they need to perform and how to use our certified equipment.
Faster to Any Size Disaster
Our team is faster to any size disaster. As soon as we get the first phone call, we call our technicians immediately to get them to the shop and to get out to your home or business to ensure no further damage occurs.
We Are a Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry
SERVPRO is a well know and highly trusted leader in our industry. We work directly with insurance companies and receive positive feedback from our customers.
If you have any questions or would like more information about our company, call our office at (512) 420-9886.
Is Your Commercial Building in Austin, TX Prepared For a Water Damage?
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
How To Prepare Your Austin, TX Business For Water Damage
One of the most challenging experiences an Austin business owner can undergo is water damage. In addition to interrupting your daily operations, water damage can compromise the structural integrity of your property. However, learning how to prepare for this type of damage can prevent you from losing your emotional and economic equilibrium. Learn more about how to handle water damage by reviewing the steps and strategies outlined below:
Create an Emergency Plan One of the fundamental things you should do to prepare your Austin, TX business is to create an emergency plan. This system will function as a guide for action if you are not present. Your contingency plan should include information regarding where all of the locations of emergency exits and fire extinguishers. It should also include the phone numbers of important people and businesses, including your insurance agent, the fire department, and your local SERVPRO.
Never Complete A DIY Project In many cases, business owners want to start the cleanup process immediately after they experience water damage. However, this course of action is not prudent. In fact, there is a vast range of hidden dangers that water damage can cause on your property. Because most company owners are aware of these hazards, they can make themselves susceptible to both injury and illness by attempting to complete the remediation process on their own. Additionally, commercial property owners typically do not have the specialized equipment necessary to complete the restoration process with speed and skill. For this reason, it's important that you leave the remediation project to the professionals.
Selecting a Water Damage Restoration Company Once you recognize that attaining professional water damage restoration services is important, you may be wondering how to find the ideal service provider. To ensure that you can get the best commercial water damage remediation services on the block, be sure to look for the following qualities in a company, like SERVPRO:
• 24/7 emergency services • Excellent Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating • Great online reviews • Stellar customer service • Satisfaction guarantee • Established reputation
Call SERVPRO For Excellent Commercial Water Damage Services When you find that your business property has been subjected to water damage, there's only one company to call for fast, friendly service: SERVPRO of East Central Austin. All of our IICRC-certified technicians will offer you the detailed care necessary to restore your property quickly and correctly. We're ready to get your commercial property back in a pristine condition immediately, so call us today.
Locally Owned Company with National Resources
As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of East Central Austin is strategically located to respond quickly to your Austin, TX water damage and any emergency water event. Call us today at (512) 420-9886
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
SERVPRO Techs Eliminate Water Damage in Austin, TX Homes with Sophisticated Tools
Did you know that freezing isn’t the only cause of burst pipes? When this type of disaster occurs in your Austin, TX residence, it can be both sudden and overwhelming. However, there is a team that is ready to assist you.
If a plumbing malfunction requires water removal for your Austin, TX home, SERVPRO can begin the cleanup process within hours of your initial contact. Your local SERVPRO is also licensed to render general contracting services to restore your residence after disaster cleanup has finished.
Preventing Burst Pipes
Texans might not have to worry as much about frozen climes causing burst pipes, but plumbing clogs and obstructions can cause similarly costly issues.
Common sources of pipe clogs include:
Fats, oil, and grease buildup in pipes
Non-flushable paper products such as paper towels
Sewer line obstructions caused by tree roots and debris
If carpeting outside of the bathroom has been affected by contaminated water, disposal may be necessary to prevent the spread of mold or microbes in your home.
SERVPRO Technicians Sanitize Your Bathroom
When a water damage situation involves the sewer system, sanitation is key to keeping your home safe. SERVPRO uses a variety of cleanup modalities paired with EPA-registered biocides to combat microbes and bacteria. These can include:
Pumps and sprays
Manual application with cleaning cloths and sponges
Injection systems
Sanitation is critical not only to successful drying but also to mitigating odors in tandem with deodorization equipment like ultra-low volume (ULV) foggers. After sanitation in a gray or black water situation, structural drying and repairs can begin.
SERVPRO of East Central Austin offers a 24/7 cleanup that is Faster to Any Size Disaster. Call (512) 420-9886 to have an emergency response crew at your home within hours.
Restoring Your Austin, TX Home or Business After A Flood
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
Texas homeowners may be surprised to know that every state in the US is vulnerable to flooding--even the more arid ones. Changes in sea level, as well as weather patterns, are enough to create sudden floods that cause damage to homes and infrastructure in one fell swoop. Homeowners with flood coverage may be relieved to have it, but without professional cleanup, the water damage can make their structures host to mold, microbes, and further issues.
If your Austin, TX residence needs rapid flood damage cleanup, SERVPRO technicians are ready to restore your home to a preloss condition. These professionals receive the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) training to maintain high standards in addressing fire, water, and mold damage as well as restoration of structures. SERVPRO works with you and your insurance adjuster so that cleanup complies with your policy as well as local regulations.
Completing a Proof of Loss for Your Flood Claim Your insurance adjuster can assist you in the process of completing this portion of your claim. Make sure your proof of loss complies with the needs of the Standard Flood Insurance Policy and file promptly--within 60 days of the flood--to make sure you get compensated in a timely fashion.
SERVPRO technicians can also assist with this process by taking photos of the damage, taking inventory of possessions, and coordinating with both you and your insurance adjuster during the cleanup process. If you have crucial documents that are damaged by flooding, SERVPRO can create electronic copies of the papers so that you always have access to them.
A successful cleanup begins with thorough monitoring of the situation. That is why SERVPRO technicians use a variety of moisture measurement technologies to evaluate the extent of damage before extracting moisture, disinfecting surfaces, and drying your home. Throughout the drying process, professionals can use penetrating and non-penetrating moisture sensors and meters to determine the progress made by the cleanup process. Infrared imaging allows technicians to see behind structures to determine if subfloors, studs, or fiberglass insulation require further drying.
Every surface in your home has an ideal humidity level to maintain its integrity, from hardwood flooring to drywall to your furniture. SERVPRO strives to ensure that items that can be safely restored are handled with the utmost care, and possessions that require replacement are not removed without documentation and the informed consent of homeowners and insurance adjusters. If your disaster requires general contracting services for restoration, your local SERVPRO is licensed to handle this type of work.
SERVPRO of East Central Austin provides a mitigation service that is Faster to Any Size Disaster. If disaster strikes in your home, you can call (512) 420-9886.
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
Tips on Keeping Your Austin, TX Home Safe from A Fire
There are simple steps every family can take to protect their home and loved ones from a potential house fire.
1. Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside of sleeping areas
2. Test smoke alarms at least once every month
3. Talk with all family members about a fire escape plan and practice the plan a minimum of twice a year
4. If a fire occurs in your home, GET OUT, STAY OUT, and CALL FOR HELP!
5. Never go back inside for anything until safety officials clear it as safe to enter
The American Red Cross website has these tips plus many more disaster prevention and awareness tips you can find on their site https://www.redcross.org
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
Our new Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program is a repeat viral pathogen disinfecting service, designed just for your residential or commercial property needs.
The demand for disinfecting services continues to increase across the country as our community reopens and organizations put the health and safety of people first. SERVPRO teams are in a unique position to provide the highest level of clean and confidence during this crisis. At SERVPRO of East Central Austin, we have advanced training and superior technology to handle the planning and implementation of both routine proactive disinfecting and emergency solutions after a confirmed case, to minimize the spread of pathogens.
Call SERVPRO of East Central Austin at (512) 420-9886 if you have any questions or concerns. We are always here to help!
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
If you have water damage, fire damage, or need a proactive cleaning service for COVID-19, call SERVPRO of East Central Austin at (512) 420-9886. We are always here to help, 24/7, 365 days a year.
Our highly trained professionals are trained and certified in water mitigation, fire damage cleanup, COVID-19 cleaning services, mold remediation, and build back services. We can help you through the whole process to get your home back to "Like it never even happened."
We are now part of a Global Disaster Recovery Team and located in many areas throughout the state of Texas, Colorado, and Indianapolis. If your commercial building is affected in any way, we have the manpower and equipment to get your business back up and running in no time! Call us today if you have any questions.
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
During the summer and fall months, we all love to enjoy a nice fire with our friends and family (socially distanced of course) and some s'mores! While in the winter, some of us enjoy a nice fire by the fireplace inside. However you enjoy your fires, it's important that you are safe!
Indoor fireplaces/pellet/ wood stoves
Be sure your chimney and stove (if you have one) is inspected and cleaned by a chimney specialist once a year to ensure there is no creosote build-up and no other issues. Keep the area around the fireplace clean and clear of any fire hazards. This can include decorations, tripping hazards, and any other flammable materials.
ALWAYS
Ensure the flue is open before igniting a fire
Use fireplace gloves when adjusting the doors or screens
Close the damper when the fire is completely out
Control your fire
Outdoor fires
While most of us enjoy sitting outside by the fire with friends and family, enjoying a beautiful summer or fall night, it is always important to remember and be aware of safety and any hazards.
Always use a designated fire pit
Keep water nearby in case of an emergency
Never use a flammable liquid to start a fire
Don't wear flowy clothing around a fire, always wear snug fit or short-sleeved clothes.
After you've had your fun around the fire, be sure the fire is doused with water and is fully extinguished.
Whether you're enjoying a campfire outside or warming up by the fire inside, always be sure you're practicing proper safety measures!
SERVPRO of East Central Austin is here to help you with any fire-related damage. Our teams are highly trained to help guide you through the entire process. We'll make it "Like it never even happened."
Give us a call at (512) 420-9886, we're always here to help!
Flood Damage to Your Home After You Just Got New Flooring Is Devastating, Let Us Help!
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
Restoring New Hardwood Floors After A Flood
You probably spent many hours deciding upon just the perfect hardwood and spent a pretty penny on its purchase and installation when remodeling your home. Now, flooding from a severe storm has saturated the newly laid flooring!! You are probably panicking, wondering what is going to happen next. Well, SERVPRO of East Central Austin can assess the damage and do our best to dry out the flooring. Once the floor and its support are dried properly, under the watchful eyes of our highly qualified technicians we will assess any damage to the integrity of the wood and take steps to restore it to its preloss condition, including refinishing if necessary, or we might have to replace it.
Hardwood can be restored if moisture is found, as long as standing water is removed quickly. We pride ourselves on a fast reply time and a quick damage assessment depending on the extent of the damage once on site. Industrial strength water extractors will make removing the obvious moisture a fairly quick process. Then our technicians will set up a proper balance of air movers and dehumidifiers to dry the wood, based upon training received upon employment and renewed at regular intervals.
Careful attention must be paid to any vapor barriers, including those on subfloors and the actual finish of the hardwood. SERVPRO technicians are trained to identify these as barriers to proper drying. Air movers may be placed so that the flow is at least partially under the planks to perform efficient drying. In some cases, we may strategically pierce the finish to dry from the top. Only after the moisture content of the hardwood, properly measured by our staff, is down to 12 percent and the subflooring is 10 percent it is safe to assume the floor is dry enough to refinish. As the wood continues to dry, we will look for cupping, a result of too much water on the top, or crowning, a more serious problem when the subflooring was too wet for too long. Cupping can be sanded out in many cases, but crowning may require the replacement of affected pieces of wood. Once repairs are completed, we will refinish the wood to match the surrounding areas.
Contact SERVPRO of East Central Austin at (512) 420-9886 to arrange for a flooring water damage specialist to visit and design an effective restoration plan.
COVID-19 Cleaning Study Reveals What Consumers Think About Reopening
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
The coronavirus pandemic has ushered in a new perspective as we all strive to get back to work, get back out, and get back to business. As we move toward this new normal, it’s hard to know just what your customers expect, and what you need to do as a business owner to make them feel comfortable about visiting your storefront again.
To find out more about what both consumers and employees are feeling as they fall back into their normal routines, SERVPRO® commissioned a survey to learn more about how consumer attitudes and expectations of cleanliness in regards to COVID-19 are affecting their decisions.
A new era of clean
The results confirmed that we’re entering into a new era of expectation of cleanliness for businesses. More than 80 percent of respondents said businesses need to be more aggressive now than before COVID-19 when it comes to cleaning. The cleaning protocols in place before COVID-19 hit will not be sufficient in today’s environment. In fact, a full 71 percent have higher cleanliness expectations for businesses than in their own homes.
Individuals continue to be nervous when going out, with nearly 70 percent saying they’re thinking about avoiding COVID-19 exposure constantly when they’re out in public. This statistic gives a unique insight into consumers’ awareness level about the potential dangers that may exist when they go out, and their intense desire to avoid them. As business owners, putting proper cleaning and disinfection measures in place, and communicating that you’ve done so, is necessary to help inspire confidence that will help consumers become more willing to visit.
Beyond that, 76 percent of survey respondents said the way a business addresses cleanliness during COVID-19 is a good indicator of how well that business is run in general. So, it’s important to note that consumers are paying attention. They’re taking into account the level you’re going to in order to protect them now, and they’ll remember that in the future.
The level of clean, matters
There’s no shortage of anxiety when it comes to coronavirus, and nearly 60 percent reported they’re specifically worried about catching COVID-19 from touching surfaces or objects that haven’t been cleaned sufficiently. And the person doing the cleaning makes a difference in the minds of consumers.
When all else is equal (product, price, service, convenience), 64 percent said they are more likely to shop at a business with a decal indicating professional cleaning, versus a store without such a decal.
So, how do you set yourself apart and inspire confidence with your customers now?
Certified cleaning program
Our Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program is the answer. With a tailored cleaning program that is customized for your business needs, our expertly trained staff cleans and decontaminates your property according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention standards.
We use EPA-approved cleaning solutions, including our proprietary cleaning agent SERVPROXIDE, a hospital-grade disinfectant that is NSF certified for direct food contact surface use.
As a Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned participant, you’ll provide reassurance to your customers and employees that you’re taking all the steps needed to get the highest level of clean for them. This dedication will be on display through a decal window emblem, and other digital marks to show your commitment to clean.
*Proprietary study prepared by Message Factors, Inc. Results are based on experiences and perceptions of 1,000 consumers surveyed May 2020.
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
Fire Damage Cleanup & Restoration is one of our primary services. No matter the season, a fire can begin by one of the most common ways listed below. Stay aware and know what to look for according to Wikipedia.
Kitchen fires from unattended cooking, grease fires/chip pan fires
Electrical systems that are overloaded, poorly maintained or defective
Combustible storage areas with insufficient protection
Combustibles near equipment that generates heat, flame, or sparks
Hoping these help you and your family stay safe. Know what causes fires, so you can avoid them!
If you experience a fire in your home and need assistance with the cleanup & restoration, please call us at (512) 420-9886. We are always here and happy to help!
What You Should and Shouldn't Do While Using A Power Strip
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
With the endless amount of accessories, appliances, and tools that are becoming more and more common in your household, it can sure be a hassle figuring out where to plug all of them in at. Many homeowners find themselves always swapping plugs or using devices such as a power strip. While a power strip can help you out in many situations, it is the mistake of relying on them too much that causes problems. Follow these tips below to ensure your safety when using a power strip in your home.
Use only light load appliances on power strips. That includes computers, lamps, clock, etc.
Ensure that the power strip you purchase has an internal circuit breaker. This is a very important safety measure that is designed to prevent property loss and risks of fire.
Use power strips sparingly. They aren't designed to maintain a load for an extended period of time, and can easily overheat quickly if used too often.
DON'T plug a power strip into another power strip (the term is called "daisy-chaining"). Doing this will short out appliances and highly increase the risk of an electrical mishap.
DON'T use power strips in moist or potentially moist areas. DON'T put them in kitchens, utility rooms, or basements.
DON'T continue to use a power strip if it feels hot.
NEVER cover, staple, tack or nail a power strip to anything. Covering can smother the strip, and provide ample flammable material in the event of a power strip failure. Puncturing can harm the cords, making room for dangerous situations.
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
Today is the day, the first day of Hurricane Season, June 1st - November 30th. With that being said, you and your family should be ready for when disaster strikes. In order to prepare for a hurricane, here are a few things to consider:
Have a home emergency plan.
Know all of your safe exit points of the home.
Plan what to do with your pets.
Keep on hand at least 2 Emergency Kits.
Let your neighbors know you are still at the home or if you need assistance.
Stock up on the easy essential foods, water, toiletries, candles, lighters, and flashlights.
Have plenty of blankets and pillows handy.
Keep some games and toys for the children handy--Waiting for the storm to pass over might actually get boring in some cases.
Secure loose things around and on your property.
Make sure there are no branches hanging over your home or garage.
Stay indoors when the storm is upon you.
Ensure your home, contents, and car insurance is adequate and current.
Learn how to safely turn off your power, water, and gas.
Keep a battery-powered radio nearby so you can keep up with warnings and updates on the storm.
Keep water containers, a camping stove and fuel safely on-hand
If you are affected by a hurricane or tropical storm, call SERVPRO of East Central Austin at (512) 420-9886. We are always here to help!
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
Results after a severe storm can be devastating if you are not prepared for the situation. That is why SERVPRO of East Central Austin is encouraging you and your family to follow some tips in case of an event that a severe storm is approaching.
Prepare an Emergency Kit:
Flashlight and extra batteries
First aid kit
Any medicine currently being taken
Emergency food and water
Extra change of clothes and shoes
Important documents and cash
Pet supplies if you are taking care of an animal
These are a list of basic supplies just in case a disaster may strike. It is encouraged that everyone has an emergency kit readily available. Aside from having an emergency kit ready, a plan should also be in place. If there is a designated storm area inside your Austin, TX home or office, occupants should head there with their prepared emergency kits. Severe storms cannot be avoided, but with the right tools and resources, they can be easier to deal with. Our team at SERVPRO of East Central Austin is dedicated to helping you when disaster strikes!
Call us at (512) 420-9886 If you have been impacted by a storm.
Our cleaning products are made by SERVPRO's own chemists and are EPA approved. Our products also meet the CDC's guidelines for specific viruses such as COVID-19. We use specialized training, equipment, and products to restore your ceilings, walls, and belonging without the need to repaint or refinish and to help the entire property smell fresh.
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
A power outage is when the electrical power goes out unexpectedly and it's not a comfortable situation to be in, especially because of the comfort level we have grown to be in. Extended power outages may impact the whole Austin, TX community and even the economy.
A POWER OUTAGE MAY:
Disrupt many aspects that we are used to using on a regular basis including communications, cooking, water, and transportation.
Close retail businesses, grocery stores, gas stations, ATMs, banks, and other services.
Cause food spoilage and water contamination.
Prevent the use of medical devices.
PROTECT YOURSELF DURING A POWER OUTAGE:
Keep freezers and refrigerators closed to keep cool air trapped. This will help keep your food from spoiling at a fast rate.
Only use generators outdoors and away from windows, and only if you absolutely need it because you might have issues getting more fuel.
Do not use a gas stove to heat your home, this could lead to fire damage.
Disconnect appliances and electronics to avoid damage from electrical surges.
Have alternate plans for refrigerating medicines or using power-dependent medical devices.
If safe, go to an alternate location for heat or cooling.
Check on neighbors, especially the sick or elder that may use medical equipment that requires electricity.
HOW TO STAY SAFE WHEN A POWER OUTAGE THREATENS:
Prepare NOW
Take an inventory of the items you need that rely on electricity.
Talk to your medical provider about a power outage plan for medical devices powered by electricity and refrigerated medicines. Find out how long medication can be stored at higher temperatures and get specific guidance for any medications that are critical for life.
Plan for batteries and other alternatives to meet your needs when the power goes out.
Sign up for local alerts and warning systems. Monitor weather reports.
Install carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup in central locations on every level of your home.
Determine whether your home phone will work in a power outage and how long battery backup will last.
Review the supplies that are available in case of a power outage. Have flashlights with extra batteries for every household member. Have enough nonperishable food and water.
Use a thermometer in the refrigerator and freezer so that you can know the temperature when the power is restored. Throw out food if the temperature is 40 degrees or higher.
Keep mobile phones and other electric equipment charged and gas tanks full.
For more information on making sure how to handle a power outage, make sure to visit Ready.gov
SERVPRO is currently performing fogging and deep cleaning for viral pathogens. We are providing services for businesses that are requesting proactive cleaning, as well as those that have had possible COVID-19 contamination.
Technicians, outfitted in full protective gear, spray a dry fog called SERVPROXIDE, typically only on high-touch, high traffic surfaces to kill germs.
With a hand-held spraying unit, a technician delivers the surfactant to everything from doorknobs to computer keyboards. Our highly trained and certified technicians can effectively complete a treatment with little downtime.
If you’re interested in learning more about a monthly or quarterly maintenance/disinfecting cleaning plan for your commercial business, contact the professionals at SERVPRO of East Central Austin at (512)420-9886.
Why SERVPRO? SERVPRO of East Central Austin Has Well-Trained Employees
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
About thirty years ago, back in 1992, SERVPRO Corporate developed a National Training Center to teach restoration and mitigation skills to Franchise Owners, employees, and insurance industry professionals.
New Franchise Training
A 15 day in-house, hands-on training program at our corporate training facility. Designed primarily for new franchise owners but also a valuable course for franchise employees. The program covers all aspects of:
The National Training Center offers employee training as a self-paced program designed specifically for SERVPRO employees. Certification is awarded after the successful completion of course materials and an examination. Modules include:
SERVPRO of East Central Austin is here for you 24/7/365. Our highly trained professionals are always working to ensure top-of-the-line services are provided to our customers.
If you have water damage, fire damage, mold, or simply need your air ducts cleaned, call SERVPRO of East Central Austin at (512)420-9886.
SERVPRO of East Central Austin on the Frontlines with Emergency Response
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP
Providing Essential Services including professional cleaning and sanitizing solutions during this challenging time give us a call to answer your concerns.
SERVPRO of East Central Austin is being called on by numerous businesses and community leaders to perform the necessary bioremediation services to clean, disinfect, and sanitize their properties.
SERVPRO of East Central Austin started in early March to clean Austin, TX and surrounding areas office buildings and homes for COVID-19.
SERVPRO uses EPA approved products that follow CDC guidelines for cleaning. If you are interested in inquiring about our services, we are here to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Please call our office at 512-420-9886 if you have any questions or concerns regarding COVID-19.
Why SERVPRO Professionals are the right choice?
SERVPRO of East Central Austin is here to help disinfect your facility with decades of hands-on experience cleaning and disinfecting. Our dedication to helping local homes and businesses disrupted by disasters is second to none. We have worked hard over the years building a reliable team of IICRC certified technicians and resources to assist. Wherever you need cleanup specialists, our SERVPRO crews are here to help!
During this unprecedented time caused by the global pandemic of coronavirus, this is a reminder to our customers that we are specialists in cleaning services, and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards.
Specialized Training
We are prepared to clean and disinfect your Austin, TX home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC). We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff performs on a daily basis.
The CDC encourages cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces include:
Kitchen/Food Areas
Bathrooms
Schools/Classrooms
Offices
Retail Spaces
Water Fountains
Shelving/Racks
Sales Counters
Carpets and Rugs
Stair Handrails
Elevator Cars
Playground Equipment
Fitness Equipment
Specialized Products
The CDC recommends usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to the coronavirus. Multiple products in the SERVPRO product line carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims. While there is currently no product tested against this particular strain of the coronavirus, we are following all guidelines as provided by the CDC and local authorities.
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
What to Do When You Have Sewage Problems
According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), the number of backed up sewers is increasing at an alarming rate of about 3 percent annually. Sewage contains harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses and other harmful microbes. Direct contact with sewage or surfaces contaminated by sewage can result in illnesses such as gastroenteritis (stomach flu) and E. coli diarrhea.
Knowing what to do when you experience sewage overflow in your home is vital to protecting your health and the health of your family, as backed by the III.
There are several causes of sewer backups—here are some of the most common.
1. A clog in your home’s pipes
A sewer backup can be the result of a simple clog or backup within your home’s pipes.
Sewer clogs are easily preventable with maintenance and proper care. Take the following steps to prevent backups:
Properly dispose of paper and disposable products. Paper towels, hygienic wipes and feminine products do not deteriorate quickly and can all create backups within your pipes if disposed of in the toilet. Make sure only human waste and toilet paper goes down.
Properly dispose of grease. Cooking oil should be poured into a heat-resistant container and disposed of properly after it cools off, not in the drain. Grease will solidify in your pipes, creating blockages in your pipes.
2. Tree roots
Tree roots are a common cause of a clogged sewer line. As tree roots grow, they search for sources of water. If they latch onto a sewer pipe, they will grow into the pipe in order to reach the water inside.
Old homes are especially susceptible to damage caused by tree roots. Older sewer lines are typically constructed out of clay or other porous materials, which can become crushed by large, overgrown roots.
3. Damaged sewer pipes
When sewer pipes are broken or ruptured, the sewage won’t be able to properly drain through the system, resulting in frequent backups. There are several causes of damaged sewer pipes, including corrosion of an older pipe, leaking joints where the seals between sections of pipe have broken, and sewer pipe rupture due to shifting soil, settling, or use of heavy construction equipment above ground.
4. Blockage in a city sanitary main
Some sewer backups are caused by a city sanitary main blockage. If the blockage is not detected in time, sewage from the main can back up into homes and businesses through floor drains. These are usually detected and treated before they become an issue, but they have been known to occur.
5. Heavy rainfall or other weather-related events
Heavy rainfall, especially for a prolonged period of time, not only causes significant water damage in Austin and the need for water damage cleanup, but can also cause major problems for sewer lines. If the rainfall exceeds the capacity of the sewer line, the excess water coming into the line may find its way to your sewer line.
As a result, you can be left with inches, or even many feet, of waste-water in your basement due to the public drain system being overburdened.
What to do if you experience a sewer backup
While prompt cleanup of the damage and destruction to your home is essential, it’s important to take these steps first to ensure the health and safety of everyone in the household:
Remove children, seniors, and pets from the affected area until it is restored to a safe condition.
Contact the utility companies that service your area and have them shut off the electricity, gas, and water supply to your home. If there’s standing water due to the sewage backup, never enter the space while the power is on – this is dangerous. Electricity and water can kill.
Open windows to ventilate the area. Don’t use your home’s AC as this will spread contaminated air throughout your home.
Don’t use any water for bathing, drinking, washing hands, clothes or dishes.
Add small amounts of chlorine bleach to standing water to help provide some disinfection.
Once you’ve performed these important first steps, proceed to:
Notifying your insurance company that there has been a sewage spill in your home.
Calling a professional water damage restoration company that specializes in sewage cleanup. Cleaning up sewer backup is a difficult, unpleasant, and risky task, that’s best left to professionals. Proper cleanup entails a step-by-step process that requires the skill of an experience team and the proper equipment to get the job done safely and correctly.
Keep in mind that you should only consider a DIY sewage backup cleanup in case of a minor spill – one that is confined to a small area of your home (bathroom, part of a kitchen, etc.) and has recently happened. Major spills require professional help and a team of trained water damage professionals to handle it correctly.
Who Should You Contact When You Have a Sewage Backup in Austin
In the event of a sewage backup in your Austin TX home or business, immediately contact SERVPRO of East Central Austin at (512) 420-9886 to arrange for the cleanup of your property. We’re available 24/7 to provide you with the most appropriate, safest, and cost-effective solution to the problem.
Included in our services is odor removal and content cleanup, so you’ll have all the aspects of the restoration process taken care of when using our professional sewage cleanup services.
What to Expect from Your Water Damage Restoration Company
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
When your home has suffered from water damage, it can be a tense and stressful experience. If the damage is severe, you'll need to hire a water damage restoration company to make repairs and restore your Austin home or business. Understanding what to expect from a water damage restoration company can help make the process less overwhelming.
What Is the Job of a Water Damage Restoration Company?
Restoration companies are some of the first responders when a home has been damaged by fire or floods, excessive water damage, or other major catastrophes. The ultimate job of a restoration company is to clean up the damage, remove it from the property and to preserve and protect the home so that it and the contents within it don't suffer from further damage.
Some restoration companies also will be able to repair your home or business to bring it back to its original condition. When hiring a water damage restoration company, you'll want to ensure you have a clear understanding and what they will and will not do at your property.
Your Insurance & the Restoration Company
After your property has suffered a major event and subsequent damage, you'll want to contact your insurance agent. Be sure to review your responsibilities with your insurance agent, and what is required by your insurance policy for cleaning up the home to prevent any additional damage. You'll want to discuss any questions you may have with your insurance agent.
Your agent may make referrals of restoration companies within the area. You can also contact a water restoration company on your own.
When choosing a water damage restoration company, be sure they have all the proper certifications, are fully licensed and have at least a few years of experience in the water damage restoration industry. Make sure you're working with a company you can trust; your property is in their hands after all. One of the benefits of working with SERVPRO is the national reputation our company has built and continues to uphold. SERVPRO franchises and employees are all upheld to strict training guidelines.
The Process Once the Water Damage Restoration Company Arrives
Here's how you should proceed once the water damage restoration company arrives.
Do a walkthrough of the property with the Restoration Company representative, and point out and discuss all the areas that need to be cleaned. The restoration company may be able to identify issues that you're not aware of, so you should also allow them to thoroughly examine the issues.
The company's representative will be evaluating what will be needed in terms of time, work and equipment to clean and restore your home. You should expect that they'll provide you with an estimate for those services.
Though insurance companies will cover most of the work done by damage restoration companies, there can be instances where not all cleaning and restoration services will be covered. You'll want to make sure you understand from your insurance company what will and won't be covered.
When they provide you with a contract, as with any contract you should read over it thoroughly and ensure that you understand the services listed and what will be done on your property. Be sure to request that you receive documentation showing the drying process and completion.
Once the work has been completed, be sure to keep a close eye on the areas where the restoration work was done, as you'll want to make sure no moisture or dampness from the water damage remain in your home.
If you experience any issues with the Restoration company, remember that you'll need to take those up with the restoration company directly, and your insurance company won't get it involved.
Though hopefully you've chosen a reputable company to handle your restoration, remember that you'll always want to ensure that the work was done correctly.
Some Things to Look Out for When Choosing a Restoration Company
Reputable restoration companies will be IICRC certified. IICRC stands for the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification. It's a non-profit organization that offers certification programs and standards for the restoration industry.
In order to be IICRC certified, the restoration company must have proof of insurance, maintain a written customer complaint policy with follow-up on complaints, and provide the technicians with education and training to become certified.
Companies may also be members of the Restoration Industry Association (RIA). The RIA is a trade association for cleaning and restoration professionals. In addition to education and training, the trade association offers technical support and several certifications for technicians.
Here's a quick review of how to proceed when water damage strikes your home or business: 1. Be sure to choose a restoration company with an excellent reputation that have been around for at least a few years. 2. Check that your restoration company is IICRC Certified 3. Read the contract carefully and be sure to keep your own copy 4. If a problem occurs, make sure you contact your restoration company right away 5. Check with your insurance company on what is expected of you following a major loss. 6. For any insurance coverage questions, be sure you get answers in writing from your insurance company claims adjuster. 7. Remember that it's important to act fast to prevent further damage from water or flooding. This is to prevent things like mold from growing. Delays can end up costing you much more in the end in terms of recovery, salvage and reconstruction. 8. Make sure repairs to your home are done promptly after the clean up service occurs.
We understand how devastating a damage event can be. When you need to ensure your property is in good hands, be sure to contact our SERVPRO team. We don't just clean up and remove the damage, we specialize in restoring your property to its original condition and making it "Like it never even happened."
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
Water leaks are more than just a nuisance. Undetected leaks — or those that are simply ignored — can eventually lead to costly repair and further water damage due to rot, mold growth from extra moisture, and other extensive damage. Finding and fixing a water leak early on & before it gets out of hand can save you money and avert potential disaster.
The first sign of a hidden leak can be a higher than normal water bill. Once you’ve ruled out that the cause isn’t due to extra water use by house guests or from watering your lawn and garden during the warm-weather months, an undetected leak is the likely culprit.
Did you know that fixing easily corrected household water leaks can save homeowners about 10 percent on their water bills?
There are a few different ways to check for hidden water leaks. The first tool is your water meter.
In addition to telling the utility company how much water you’ve used, your home’s water meter can also be used to your advantage to find hidden water leaks.
Follow these simple steps to uncover your water leak:
Stop using all water inside and outside the house. This includes all the indoor faucets, outdoor faucets, water-using appliances, ice makers, and automatic backflow cleaning in whole-house water filters. Don’t flush the toilet during the test.
Locate your water meter. If your meter has a water flow indicator, watch the indicator for movement. This is a small rotating wheel on the meter that can detect even small amounts of water flow. If it moves when you know no one’s using any water, then there’s a leak somewhere in your house.
If you don’t have a water flow indicator, record the numbers that appear on the meter. Wait a few hours (remember not to use any water during this time).
Check the meter. If the meter reading goes up, it’s an indication of a hidden water leak.
Now that you know you have a leak, the next step is pinpointing its exact location. The following are the most common places for a home water leak to occur.
Tub and Shower: Drain Leaks
Drain leaks occur when water sneaks around the outside of the drain where it’s connected to the tub or shower. This means the water is not actually going down the drain. This type of leak is especially common with plastic or fiberglass tubs and shower pans, where the seal around the drain is susceptible to breaking.
In addition to causing mold problems in your Austin TX home, these leaks can stain or destroy the ceiling below or rot floor joists.
How to test for a drain leak
Plug the drain with a test plug (found at home centers) and fill the tub with some water (experts suggest using a test plug instead of your tub drain plug since it may leak). After an hour, check to see if the water level has dropped. If it has dropped, the drain is leaking.
Toilet flange leak
The flange is the part of the toilet that secures the unit to the floor which connects to the drain pipe. If you have a toilet flange leak, water will leak out every time you flush. This can wreck flooring, rot the subfloor and joists, and damage the ceiling in the room below.
How to test for a flange leak
If there are stains on the ceiling in the room directly below the bathroom near the toilet, the cause is most likely a leaking toilet flange. You’ll have to remove the toilet and look for the exact source of the leak, such as cracks in the flange, broken bolts, or a loose flange that isn’t screwed securely to the subfloor.
Another way to test if your toilet has a leak, is to place a few drops of food coloring into the tank. Don’t flush the toilet for one hour; after one hour, check the toilet bowl. If there’s food coloring in the bowl, you have a leak.
To determine what part is leaking, turn off the water supply at the base of the toilet. Draw a line on the tank at the water level. Wait another hour. If the water level drops below the line, the problem is the flush valve (the part inside the tank of the toilet that moves the water into the bowl) or flapper (the part of the toilet that drains water from the tank and into the bowl when you flush).
If the water level stays the same, the leak is the refill valve (refills the toilet tank and bowl to the correct water levels after flushing) or float (a device that allows water to fill the tank without overflowing).
Under sink plumbing leaks
Under the kitchen sink or bath vanity leaks often go unnoticed for a long time since they’re usually at the back of the cabinet.
Water can eventually run down the pipes into the floor or subfloor, rotting the sink base, the floor and the framing.
How to test for an under sink plumbing leak:
Run a dry tissue or napkin along shutoffs and supply line connections and look for wet spots. Also run the dishwasher and check for leaks under it.
Sink drain leaks
Drain leaks in kitchens and bathrooms usually occur at the drain or at the slip joints in the drainpipe. This type of leak can eventually damage flooring, cabinets and even ceilings below before you notice them.
How to test for a sink drain leak:
Plug the sink drain and fill the sink bowl with water. Remove the drain plug; as the water drains, check all joints from the sink to the wall with a dry tissue for any wetness.
It is Always a Good Idea to Seek the Advice of a professional
Finding the source of your home’s water leak can be difficult. There are many other potential causes of leaks, including water heaters (especially older models that rust and corrode over time), washing machines (ruptured cold or hot water supply hose), refrigerators (leak or rupture of automatic ice maker) and dishwashers (ruptured water supply line).
If you have trouble pinpointing the exact cause, contact a professional plumber.
Check for leaks outdoors
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), it’s important to routinely check not only for indoor leaks, but outdoor leaks as well.
Your irrigation system should be checked each spring before use to make sure it wasn’t damaged by frost or freezing.
Check your garden hose for leaks at its connection to the spigot. Check all of your spigots by looking for leaks as well as listening for running water in the pipe.
Inspect the pump, lining and pipes of your pool for any obvious drips. Also note if your pool seems to be losing water at a faster rate than normal, which may indicate a leak.
Repairing leaks
If you find a leak, there are many DIY videos online that can show you how to fix most problems. While small projects like toilet leaks are easily tackled by the DIYers, pipe leaks and other complicated leaks are best left to the hands of a professional plumber.
If your leak is extensive and has caused damage to your home, don’t wait to take action!
Under the right conditions, mold can begin to grow in as little as 24 to 48 hours.
Major water leaks can also lead to costly structural damage, especially in places you can’t see — above the ceiling, behind walls or beneath floors.
Contact our SERVPRO team as soon as possible to mitigate the problem. We can be reached 24/7 at (512) 420-9886.
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
Don't get caught holding the financial bucket when it comes to water damage and your insurance company.
If Disaster Strikes, Get the Most from Your Water Damage Claim
As if having your floors, furniture and other belongings damaged by water isn’t stressful enough, having your water damage claim denied makes an already nerve-racking experience that much worse. The words water damage can cause anxiety in any homeowner.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, about one in 50 insured homes has a property damage claim caused by water damage or freezing each year.
To make sure you get the coverage you’re owed, we’ve compiled a list of steps on how to maximize your water damage claim.
Read your insurance policy now, before a water disaster strikes.
Some people assume that their homeowners insurance will cover all types of damage to their home caused by water. This is not always the case. One of the first things to know is the difference between flood damage and water damage and what type of coverage you have.
The main difference between a flood claim and a water damage claim is where the water comes from. With flood damage, the water comes from a natural source (heavy rains and/or rising waters such as from a hurricane or other weather event) and affects two or more properties (you, your neighbor and others in your area).
Water damage is caused by things like a burst pipe, tub or toilet overflow, a leaking dishwasher, or a broken appliance hose. If you’re dealing with water in your house but your neighbor doesn’t have any issues, you are most likely dealing with a water damage claim. Most homeowners policies cover sudden and accidental water damage. They don’t, however, cover flood damage.
Flood insurance is a separate policy from your homeowners insurance.
If you do not currently have flood insurance, but you are concerned about your risk of flood damage, learn more about purchasing flood insurance and filing flood claims at https://www.floodsmart.gov/.
Contain the water damage! Trying to mitigate the water damage should be priority number one. If you have a plumbing leak, turn off the water to the house. Is your roof leaking? You can put a tarp up to temporarily block the rain.
If you aren’t able to stop or control the incoming water, you’ll need to hire a professional, such as a plumber, asap.
Contact a trusted water remediation company
When you’re dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of damage. A reputable company such as SERVPRO of East Central Austin will be fully staffed 24 hours a day and will be ready to come to your home to help control the situation.
Also be sure to contact your insurance agent or company to gather vital information on how to get the claims process started to help pay for repairs. The sooner you call the better.
Consult with a public adjuster
Public adjusters help you maximize your insurance claim and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. These professionals aren’t tied to any insurance company, whereas adjusters sent by the insurance company are, and they’ll naturally try to minimize the insurance company’s payout.
Hiring a public adjuster makes sense especially if your claim is large. A public adjuster will walk you through the water damage insurance claims process. They’re certified professionals who know the industry and they’re the best way to ensure your water damage insurance claims are covered.
Document, document, document
Your insurance company will need evidence to assess your claim. Capture the extent of the damage in photos or on video. Take photos of all of the damage, and also include anything that could have caused the damage, like a broken pipe or a hole in the roof.
Create an inventory of what has been damaged and include each item’s value and the estimated cost to replace it. If possible, gather receipts with dates of purchase, and the prices of the damaged contents.
Although you may be tempted, don’t throw out any damaged items yet. Collect water-damaged items and debris in plastic bins or bags so that you have physical proof for the adjuster.
Complete all the necessary paperwork
Submitting insufficient information or incomplete data is one of the most common reasons why water damage claims are denied. Be sure you fill out all the necessary paperwork and provide all requested documents, photos, etc. Contact your insurance company if you have any questions or if you get to sections that you’re unable to complete.
Hire a qualified water damage remediation company
Your insurance company may suggest or hire their own cleaners for your home. Water can cause extensive damage to your home, so you’ll want to be sure you hire a team that’s highly qualified and has vast experience. Highly trained technicians, such as those who work on the SERVPRO of East Central Austin team, will make sure to use moisture detectors, hygrometers, infrared cameras, and other advanced water restoration equipment and techniques.
We’ll also monitor the location of the water in your home and use the proper disinfectants to prevent the spread of mildew, bacteria, and fungi.
Contact SERVPRO of East Central Austin today by phone at (512) 420-9886 or online with any questions and to learn more about how to maximize your water damage claim.
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
Discover What to Look Out for with Possible Mold in Your Austin Home
Right now, as you’re reading this article, there are mold spores swirling around you. Since mold is a natural substance, and it’s normal for mold spores to circulate, some of this mold isn’t going to cause a problem for you.
But there are certain circumstances can cause mold to grow, spread and cause major problems, including problems to the construction of your home and health effects. So, how do you know when you need a mold inspection?
Visible Mold
Mold can often be easily seen in places such as your bathroom and sink, usually any place where there’s excessive moisture. The type of mold that grows in your bathroom can easily be removed by using a household cleaner. The biggest culprits of this type of mold or mildew in Austin are humidity and temperature. In many cases, bathroom mold isn’t harmful; cleaning the mold up right away also helps alleviate the problem. Another way to reduce the amount of mold in your bathroom is by using ventilation fans.
Invisible Mold
Mold can take on a different impression if you have a leak in your Austin home, or if you’ve experienced flooding or water damage in Austin. It’s the unseen areas where the most toxic types of mold can start to spread, without your awareness. A leaky faucet, for instance, can cause water to drip into your floors, behind your walls and other parts of your house. In the hidden areas, you may not be able to see any type of mold forming, but if a leak isn’t fixed, the mold can spread and start to smell.
While there are different types of mold, it’s the toxic types, such as Black Mold, that can cause the most harm. This includes not only damage to your home, but also to your health. When mold starts covering your walls, or you begin smelling mold in your Austin home, then you should consider having a mold inspection done by a reputable Austin mold remediation company.
However, it’s not just the appearance of mold, or the possibility of invisible mold, that would prompt a mold inspection. Other factors come into play, including the following:
When you can smell mold, but you can’t see it. Having a mold inspection as well as a mold test can help narrow down if you have a mold issue and where to find it in your Austin home or apartment.
If you’ve had a mold issue and it’s already been remediated, you may want to have a removal clearance test, to ensure that all traces of mold have returned to normal levels or are gone entirely.
If you have any inexplicable health effects, there’s a chance that mold could be the culprit. A mold inspection can help narrow this down.
A mold inspection should transpire during any real estate transaction to protect both the seller and the buyer. This should also apply to a landlord/tenant situation should any issues with mold arise.
If you’re concerned about the indoor air quality of your home, then it might be worth having a mold inspection.
If these are issues that concern you and you’re on a budget, you may consider the less expensive route of a home mold detection kit. But there are significant issues why this is not a good idea, especially when compared to the services of a mold removal service. Here’s why:
Many of these kits do not include an actual visual inspection; nor are they performed by a mold remediation specialist. Mold remediation specialists are trained to not only acquire samples, but also to provide a thorough visual inspection to detect mold. They also have state of the art equipment to conduct these tests.
As we’re constantly surrounded by mold spores, a home test will tell you that you have mold in your home (which we all have), but it won’t pinpoint how severe the mold actually is. or where the source of the problem is coming from.
What to Look for in an Austin Mold Remediation Company
Before you move forward with having a mold inspection done, there are a few things to investigate before you hire a mold remediation company in Austin.
Mold removal is serious business, and there are plenty of unethical companies out there, who will try to take advantage of you, overcharge you and do a subpar job on your home. Only go with a highly regarded and knowledgeable Austin mold removal and remediation specialist.
Beware of businesses that promise to remove all mold from your Austin, home or business. It’s impossible to remove all mold, since the spores exist both inside and outdoors. But if your walls are covered with mold from a leak or a flood, and you hire a company that’s unable to completely remove and remediate the mold, without stopping the moisture and the mold at its source, then you’ll have more problems down the road.
You certainly want a mold removal specialist who has a good track record and uses top of the line equipment. In most cases these individuals will be able to trace the source of the mold, test it and help remove and remediate it.
How Our Austin Mold Remediation Company Can Help if you need a Mold Inspection
If you believe you may have a problem with mold in your Austin home, you should contact a mold remediation specialist, like SERVPRO of East Central Austin. In fact, mold inspection and mold remediation are just a few of the top services that we offer.
Our SERVPRO team is centrally located in Austin and we use only top of the line, state of the art equipment to treat your home.
If you have a mold issue in your Austin home or business, our highly trained Austin mold remediation specialists will work with you through the entire mold remediation process from the initial mold inspection to the complete restoration of your Austin property.
Keep in mind that the more that mold spreads, the more difficult it becomes to remove. SERVPRO of East Central Austin will meticulously search for any mold at your home or business. We can provide an immediate mold inspection and if a mold problem exists, we’ll start remediation right away to stop if from spreading.
5 Reasons You Should Not Perform DIY Mold Remediation
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
If you have noticed black specs in your home or business, you may have mold. Mold in Austin can be a huge problem.
Once you detect its presence, your next thought will likely be getting rid of it. While you may be tempted to tackle mold removal yourself, you should take into account the size of the problem. Unless the problem is limited to a very small area, it’s best to leave this important task to the hands of professionals. If you're unsure if you have mold in your household or business, you may benefit from a mold inspection.
Here are 5 reasons you should NOT perform DIY mold remediation
Reason 1: It’s not just about cleaning up the mold
Mold is a natural occurrence and is part of the natural environment; it can be found everywhere, indoors and outdoors. Mold is not usually an indoor problem — unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing. While removing mold from the surfaces of your home is an important step, uncovering what's causing the mold to grow in the first place is just as critical. If you clean up the mold, but don't fix the water problem, the mold problem will keep coming back.
Mold thrives in warm, moist, and dark environments and can be caused by water damage from flooding or leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes. Professional mold remediation includes both the identification and correction of the conditions that permit mold growth.
Reason 2: A licensed, experienced professional will find hidden mold
Mold has a clever way of growing in hidden areas in Austin…and just because it can’t be seen with the naked eye, that doesn’t mean it’s not in your home. Experts are aware of the spots where mold likes to lurk — behind wallpaper, under paneling, the backside of dry wall, crawl spaces, or the underside of carpets and pads. Mold can also grow in insulation, upholstery, and in the air ducts of your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
Reason 3: Mold Remediation professionals like SERVPRO will protect the health of your family
SERVPRO will ensure the mold remediation is a carefully planned and executed process, with the team's highest priority being protecting the health and safety of your family. Once they’ve determined the cause of the mold growth, our mold remediators take special steps to avoid exposing themselves and others to mold-laden dusts as they conduct their cleanup. This includes the use of personal protective equipment (skin, eye, and respiratory protection) and sectioning off areas where the mold is growing.
Caution should also be used to prevent mold and mold spores from being dispersed throughout the air to other parts of the house. A method known as containment (which includes the use of polyethylene sheeting and a negative air system to keep contaminated air from flowing into uncontaminated areas) is part of this process.
When large areas of the home are affected, especially after flooding or water damage occurs in Austin, residents are often instructed to temporarily vacate the premises until the remediation process is complete.
Reason 4: The pros have access to the latest equipment
When it comes to mold removal, there are a variety of cleanup methods available to effectively tackle damage to household materials and furnishings caused by mold growth. This includes HEPA air scrubbers, HEPA vacuums, negative air machines, commercial-strength dehumidifiers, moisture meters, and more.
Reason 5: You’ll miss out on useful tips for preventing future mold problems
The key to mold control is moisture control. Our mold remediation team will work with you to find ways to prevent future mold problems. Tips may include:
Using a dehumidifier in your basement to keep the moisture content down.
Keeping the humidity level in your home below 50 percent.
Ensuring your home has adequate ventilation, including exhaust fans.
Fixing water leaks from plumbing fixtures or pipes as soon as you find them.
Preventing rainwater from seeping into your home.
Routinely inspecting your landscaping, gutters, and downspouts that may be directing water into or under your house. Runoff from gutters and downspouts can put your Austin home at significant risk for moisture issues — and especially mold growth.
Acting fast if your home floods from a burst pipe, roof leak, hurricane, or other disaster. Timing is essential as mold can start to grow on a damp surface within 24 to 48 hours.
If you suspect that your home has a mold problem, contact SERVPRO of East Central Austin to have your property assessed. It can be very frustrating to deal with mold, so if we find it, we have the training, equipment, and expertise to handle the situation.
Our SERVPRO team is highly trained in mold remediation Austin. This training and required certifications allows us to manage all of your mold remediation needs in Austin and the surrounding area.
We use top of the line, state of the art equipment to treat your home, and we’ll thoroughly examine and detect any possibility of mold that may be hard to find. We can also provide an immediate mold inspection and, we’ll immediately start remediation to stop mold from spreading, so that it doesn’t return and make your home look "Like it never even happened."
If you’ve experienced water damage, and are having problems with mold, then give SERVPRO of East Central Austin a call.
Did You Know Your Dishwasher Is One of the Biggest Culprits of Water Damage?
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
How to Avoid a Water Damage Disaster with Your Dishwasher
While we often associate water damage with floods or storms, home appliances can also be the cause of serious water issues in your home. One of the biggest culprits is your dishwasher.
Dishwashers are one of the most used appliances in any household. However, after so much use, normal wear and tear can start to wear it down, which can lead to a variety of plumbing issues. Worn pipes, internal corrosion and age can be just a few of the causes of a leaky dishwasher. So, how do you stop it from turning on you and flooding your home?
One thing to keep in mind is that even if you experience a small leak from your dishwasher, it could be caused by larger problems. In most cases it won’t be something that you can clean up with a few paper towels; the problem may be more serious and can even cause major water damage in your home.
Here are just a few ways that your dishwasher can cause problems:
Check your Dishwasher Door If your dishwasher has a few years on it, you‘ll want to check the condition of its door. Check for any leaks or defects; and especially make sure that it properly closes. In some cases the door might need to be replaced, as it’s not creating a tight seal to prevent water from getting out. If your door is loose, then try tightening any screws or bolts on your own. If the problem persists and you experience any leaks or floods, then you’ll need to contact a professional.
Defective Gaskets Gaskets are the silicone or rubber seals found inside the dishwasher door or the tub, that help create a watertight seal while the dishwasher runs. However, many uses over the years can cause the gaskets to loosen, crack, or simply deteriorate, which can cause leaks while running. Always check your gaskets to make sure that they’re in good shape. If not, then you should have them repaired or replaced.
Damaged Hoses Most dishwashers have connection hoses: one brings in clean water, while the other releases dirty water. Over time, these hoses can loosen or become disconnected. You should always check these connections to make sure that no leaking is taking place. If the hoses break, then you’ll have water all over the floor. If this happens, shut off your main water valve and call a water removal specialist.
Internal Corrosion The main center of your dishwasher is often called the tub. This is where your dishes are stacked and it features the spray arm that washes everything. Unfortunately, while your dishes wind up clean, there’s often residue, such as assorted minerals and left over detergent that can play a part in corroding the tub. Any type of corrosion can cause major problems, so it’s best to check this regularly.
The Proper Detergent You should always use detergent specifically designed for dishwashers. Regular dishwashing soap will quickly foam, causing bubbles to leak through the dishwasher’s gaskets and door, creating a major mess. Another tip: if you soak your dishes in regular dish soap before you put them in the dishwasher, rinse them off beforehand, to remove any traces of the regular soap.
Issues With the Drain As your dishwasher works to remove dirt and grime, it also collects those aforementioned particles in the drain. Chunks of food, minerals and other items can get stuck in your dishwasher’s drain, preventing the wastewater from flowing through, and can potentially cause flooding or any other type of water damage. Make sure the drain is cleaned regularly to prevent any type of blockage.
Read Your Manual Of course with every new appliance that uses water, it’s important to read your manual so that you know how it fully operates and how to prevent any unforeseen problems.
Performing regular maintenance will not only help keep your dishwasher in top working condition.
Check your supply line and drain hoses to ensure that they’re in good working shape.
Never overload your dishwasher; too many dishes and glasses can make the dishwasher work harder and can strain the machine causing leaks, flooding, and potential mold issues.
Always run your dishwasher when you’re at home, so you can turn off the water should there be a leak and help stop the flow of water from getting all over your floors.
When Your Dishwasher Springs a Leak Even if you take care of your dishwasher, you may come across a leak at some point. Here are a few things you can do should you find yourself in that situation:
1. Turn Off The Water If there’s any kind of leak coming from your dishwasher, turn off the water in your house. This will stop the water and help you identify where the leak may be coming from.
2. Turn Off Your Electricity You may run the risk of having water get into your outlets, which can short out your electricity and possibly cause electrocution. If this happens, shut off your electricity immediately and call a professional for assistance.
3. Water Cleanup If you’ve managed to shut off your water and electricity, you can try to clean up as much water as possible. This should be taken care of right away instead of letting it sit. Mold and water damage can occur if pools of water are left and neglected. If the water volume is extreme, clean up as much as you can, but if you have water damage, you should reach out to a water damage and mold removal and remediation specialist like SERVPRO who can help extract the water and help stop possible mold and damage to your home.
4. Clean Up the Immediate Area If you have flooding from your dishwasher, then there’s a likelihood that the water has gotten into your kitchen cabinets and other places. Check your cabinets for any signs of water; if the water has made contact with any food, then it should be discarded. Canned foods are usually okay in this type of situation, but other perishable items should go. Clean any pots, pans, glass and metal items that may have come in contact with the water. If you have any furniture or other appliances in the immediate area, it’s best to remove them to prevent them from getting waterlogged.
You can use towels and rags to clean up the remaining water, but in some cases you may need to use a wet-dry vac to remove water that’s in hard to reach places. Check if your walls and floors are wet: vacuuming can help remove some, but not all, water that has made contact with porous materials such as drywall, carpeting and some types of wood.
5. Airing out the Kitchen While you may have picked up all the water and run a wet/dry vac, that doesn’t mean that you’re out of the woods. The next step is air-drying the kitchen. Open your windows for better circulation and run fans and dehumidifiers to help get rid of any excess moisture. It’s also during this time that you have to assess how much damage has actually taken place. If your walls aren’t completely dry, you may to have them removed and replaced to prevent mold. The same goes for cabinets and floorboards, if they’ve been too seeped with water; if you come across any part of your house that looks okay, but you’re not sure if it is, then reach out to a water damage removal and restoration specialist who can assess the situation.
6. The Status of the Dishwasher Once the water damage has been addressed, you’ll have to inspect your dishwasher and investigate the cause of the problem. Things such as a clogged drain, a leaky door and a worn hose can usually be repaired. If the damage is more extreme, such as corrosion or a damaged tub, then you may have to get a new dishwasher entirely.
How and When an Austin Water Damage Professional Can Help
There’s no question that having a dishwasher is a convenience. It makes cleaning plates, glasses, and utensils ten times easier than doing it by hand, and it also saves water by doing so. But, over time, dishwashers break down and cause leaks that can create massive problems, which you may or may not be able to tackle on your own.
If your dishwasher springs a leak, and the damage is severe, give SERVPRO of East Central Austin a call.
We’ll thoroughly examine the extent of your water damage and work diligently to restore your Austin TX home after it has occurred. Our SERVPRO team consists of trained & certified professionals in water damage restoration, mold removal and mold remediation Austin. If your dishwasher has caused major flooding we’ll properly restore your home by using state of the art extraction equipment and scientific drying principles to ensure a smooth water restoration process.
Beware of These Common, Risky Fire Hazards in Older Homes in Austin
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
Have an Older Home in Austin? Take Precaution of Possible Fire Hazards
There’s no denying the charm of living in an older home. Arched doorways, ceiling medallions and other architectural details representative of a bygone era catch the attention of many homeowners. But along with the unique charms that come with living in an older home in Austin, come unique hazards, such as fire risks. Purchasing an old home may require more than a lot of elbow grease, a few coats of paint and TLC touches throughout. Thoroughly investigating to uncover potential fire risks in your Austin home is an important step to take to prevent catastrophic fire damage. Below are some of the most common fire hazards lurking in your older home.
1. Bad wiring
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), electrical failures or malfunctions were the second leading cause of U.S. home fires in 2012-2016, accounting for 13 percent of home structure fires. Antiquated wiring such as knob and tube wiring — which was the standardized method of electrical wiring in homes until the 1940s — poses a potential risk for fire damage.
Knob and tube wiring systems use porcelain knobs for running wires through unobstructed spaces and porcelain tubes to protect wires running through studs and joists.
If a knob and tube system is intact and functioning properly, it poses no immediate risk. Problems arise, however, when the rubber sheathing that’s used to insulate the wires degrades (modern electrical wiring is encased in plastic). As the rubber degrades over time, it exposes live wires to air and moisture, thereby increasing the chance of a short or a fire. The combination of modern insulation and knob and tube wiring also poses a fire hazard that can lead to devastating loss and the need for fire damage repairs and restoration to your Austin home.
This antiquated wiring system utilizes porcelain knobs to suspend the wires in open air to allow the heat to dissipate. When homeowners insulate the attic and walls of their notoriously drafty older homes, the insulation surrounding the wires will cause heat to build up, resulting in a potential fire. Currently, the United States National Electrical Code® (NEC) forbids use of loose, blown-in or expanding foam insulation over knob and tube wiring.
Older wiring is also rated for lower amps than is required by the multiple appliances we use today. This can result in circuits being overloaded, which can cause a fire. Knob and tube wiring systems also lack a grounding conductor. Grounding conductors reduce the chance of a fire and damage to sensitive equipment.
Hiring a certified electrician or electrical inspector to evaluate the wiring throughout your home is key to preventing a potential fire and preventing the need for fire damage repairs and restoration with the additional water damage that can occur, as is removing knob-and-tube wiring from inside your walls or attic prior to adding insulation.
2. Balloon-frame construction
According to firefighters, the way your home is constructed could make it a bigger fire risk and susceptible to fire damage. Balloon-frame construction, popular in the 1930s and 1940s, is a common sight in older homes. Unlike the modern platform building technique in which a floor (platform) is built, then wall studs (boards that function as framing elements in the home) are installed, then another floor (platform) and so on, balloon framing is characterized by wall studs that run continuously two or more stories high from the foundation to the attic floor. The problem with a balloon-frame house is that when a fire starts in the lower level of the home, there’s nothing to stop the flames from quickly spreading to the attic.
If you live in one of these homes, retrofitting the walls could be quite costly. Keep this in mind if you’re considering buying an older home with this type of framing construction.
3. Outdated appliances
Vintage appliances may add to the charm of your older home, but they also add an increased risk of fire. Your old-fashioned plug-in fan, vintage light fixture and chrome coffeemaker may still run, but they were made according to antiquated safety codes and may include frayed or damaged wires. An appliance that doesn’t come with a UL mark, signifying that Underwriters Laboratories has vouched for the item's safety in actual use, should be rewired.
4. Old furnaces
The average life expectancy of furnaces is 15 to 20 years. Furnaces that are 20 years or older pose a danger due to their use of an old-style pilot light for ignition. House fires that are started by pilot lights, bad ventilation and/or gas line leaks are another major fire hazard of an outdated heating system. The combustible materials or any flammable objects near a furnace also create an increased possibility of fire or explosion.
While replacing your furnace with an energy-efficient modern model is best, if you’re not ready to replace your old furnace, be sure to have it diligently inspected and serviced by a professional every year.
5. Chimneys
Before spending your first cozy night indoors sitting by a crackling fire, be sure your fireplace chimney and/or wood stove has been recently inspected. It’s vital that your chimneys are inspected annually, and cleaned of creosote buildup — a flammable dark brown or black tar-like byproduct of the wood-burning process that’s deposited on the walls of a chimney. If creosote builds up in sufficient quantities – and the internal flue temperature is high enough – the result could be a chimney fire.
A professional chimney cleaning typically includes sweeping the fireplace, inspecting the firebox, liners, smoke chamber and flue, and chimney exterior. Recommendations for proper operation or replacement of equipment and necessary repairs to any equipment or structure will also be made.
How SERVPRO Can Help
Our professional team at SERVPRO of East Central Austin knows just how devastating and traumatic a fire can be. If you do have an older home, and there are many in Austin, please be sure to have all of the above issues checked for your safety. While checking these issues may be time consuming, it is far better to update your older house to current standards, so as to prevent any potential fire risks and future fire damage.
Our SERVPRO team will examine the extent of your fire damage while providing top-level service, care and expertise during the fire damage repairs & fire damage restoration process.
Our highly qualified, trained and certified personnel, uses top of the line equipment for handling all of your fire damage restoration needs. Our team is trained to clean and restore your home, in the aftermath of any fire damage, with as little disruption as possible.
For more information, contact our fire damage specialists at (512) 420-9886.
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
Fire & Smoke: A Devastating Combination
You've heard the saying, where there's smoke, there's fire. That saying goes both ways, because where there's fire, there's also smoke. If your Austin home or business has experienced a fire, in addition to the fire damage repairs that will inevitably need to be addressed, you'll also need to consider the lingering effects of smoke as well.
Smoke contains harmful elements, such as carbon monoxide and high concentrations of carbon dioxide. When you have a fire and subsequent smoke damage, not only will you be breathing in these elements, but smoke residue will also be attaching itself to your home’s walls, floors, clothing, furniture and much more.
Smoke also stinks…literally (and pretty badly), which is why once a fire has occurred, both fire damage restoration and smoke damage restoration will likely be needed. The amount of smoke damage you'll have can vary; the volume of smoke during a fire can be greatly impacted by temperature, ionization and airflow.
Different Types of Smoke and Temperature
There are basically two different types of smoke: wet smoke and dry smoke.
Wet Smoke is often derived from burning materials, such as plastic, rubber and other synthetics. It burns at a low heat, it tends to smolder and leave behind very sticky and messy soot, which is not all that easy to clean on your own.
Dry Smoke tends to burn fast at a very high temperature. The heat from the fire rises, which causes smoke to rise. Hot air always rises during a fire, which is why we’ve always been told to stop, drop and roll when one occurs.
In most cases the temperature of a fire will be directly above the source of the blaze, primarily the ceiling. If cold air is present during a fire, it will decrease beneath any warmer air, which will allow for the smoke to reach exterior walls and windows. It’s not uncommon for smoke to appear on the outside walls, even if the majority of the fire damage repairs will be inside your home.
Smoke after Fire Damage
Smoke has a mysterious way of getting into some of the strangest places that you would least expect, in the aftermath of a fire. Smoke is able to permeate into enclosed spaces, such as drawers, closets and inside your walls. This happens due to warmer air, which attracts molecules, and once a fire is raging, there’s more energy to transfer smoke particles from the fire into the air. With cooler air, there is slower movement, so any particles will have a harder time moving, so they’re more likely to be found in enclosed and hard to reach places.
After a fire, you’re very likely to find more smoke on the backside of drapes, curtains and blinds, as they tend to be cooler places. Drapes can be problematic as the space between the drape and the window is often cooler, so smoke can latch onto the backside and leave abundant traces; the same phenomenon can occur with venetian blinds as well.
Smoke Particles, Ionization and Airflow
Smoke particles are usually ionized. This means that they carry an electrical charge that gives them the ability to cling to certain surfaces, such as metal nails and screws, plastics and man-made fabrics such as vinyl.
If you have drywall fastened with metal screws, chances are that you’ll find small smoke rings around the screws that have settled on the drywall. If plastic items catch fire, the smoke can create black, stringy shapes that resemble cobwebs (known as ‘smokewebs’) and hang from the wall to the ceiling.
And, of course, most upholstery can become terribly stained from smoke and in many cases you’ll find that whatever has been impacted, is simply not salvageable.
The ducts for your HVAC unit can also become infested with smoke after fire damage has occurred. Even with the unit off, smoke can still seep through the vents and make its way into rooms not even affected by fire.
Removing Smoke
If the fire damage and smoke is extensive, don’t even attempt this on your own. Some smoke damage after a small fire may be manageable on your own, but anything beyond that will need the services of a fire damage restoration professional.
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Fire Damage Restoration Services
Since each smoke and fire damage situation varies, it’s important to quickly repair and restore your Austin-based home as quickly as possible. Fires are devastating, which is why SERVPRO of East Central Austin will go above and beyond to remediate and restore your property after a fire. We’ll evaluate the overall scope of your fire damage repairs and provide the proper equipment and expertise to ensure a smooth restoration process.
We’re a locally owned Austin company, and we care about the community that we serve.
We have the resources to help guide you through this time, and our employees are trained and certified professionals, who have the experience and know-how to handle your fire damage repairs. We’ll utilize our experience and high-tech equipment to ensure that we clean and deodorize your property thoroughly.
If you’re in need of fire damage restoration, call our local Austin SERVPRO office today: 512-420-9886.
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
As a homeowner, having to deal with water damage to your floors is something you hope you’ll never have to experience. Unfortunately, this type of damage is more common than you may think.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, about one in 50 insured homes has a property damage claim caused by water damage or freezing each year. Austin TX is particularly at risk, because of the amount of flooding that occurs here. Before the damage gets worse, consider having professional water damage restoration to your Austin home.
Water damage can happen suddenly or it can occur slowly, over a period of time. In many cases, the signs of potential damage to flooring are obvious. You’ll see puddling of water or several inches of standing water in an area due to burst pipes, overflowing toilets or bathtubs, or hurricanes and other weather events.
Other times, you may be alerted to a problem when you notice black or dark staining on your wood floors, loose tiles, or warping in an area of your laminate flooring. This type of damage may be the result of a leaking appliance such as a dishwasher, water heater or refrigerator (from the supply line to an ice maker). By the time you notice there’s a problem, your floor may have already sustained significant damage.
How Water Damage Can Affect Your Floors
Depending on the type of flooring in your home, water can damage it differently. Here’s how water damage can affect certain types of flooring.
Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors are highly susceptible to water damage. Depending on the amount of water and how long it's had contact with the wood, the damage can range from minor staining and discoloration, to rotting and black mold infestation of the wood planks.
Too much water may also cause cupping (when the edges of a board are higher than its center) or buckling of the wood (this is when the floor separates from the subfloor, up to several inches high). The quicker the excess water is removed, and the floors are properly dried, the better the chances the wood (or most of it) can be salvaged. Wood flooring that’s salvageable will need to be sanded and refinished.
Laminate floors
Laminate flooring is a popular alternative to traditional hardwood flooring; it’s regarded for its durability, affordability and water resistance. Water resistance, however, is not the same as waterproof.
While laminate can withstand minor spills — thanks to its water-resistant top layer — it will not tolerate standing pools of water or heavy moisture. This type of flooring is made of several layers that are fused together using high heat and intense pressure.
Once the flooring starts to absorb the excess moisture, the composition of the laminate material and layers begin to break down, leading to warping, swelling, buckling, cracking, splitting or cupping of the floor.
Ceramic tiles
Ceramic tiles are known for their exceptional resistance to water, and are installed in high-moisture areas, including kitchens, bathrooms, basements and mudrooms. In cities like Austin, you'll often find them installed throughout the home, not only for their water resistance capabilities, but also because they help keep floors cool during hot summer months.
Although excess water doesn’t damage the actual ceramic tiles, it can damage the grout between the tiles and the adhesive used to secure the tiles to the subfloor. When enough water is left standing on the tiles, it can seep into the grout and saturate the subfloor (the supportive layer beneath the tiles, typically made from plywood). The wood soaks up the water and expands, causing the floor to buckle or tiles to become loose.
Carpeting
As you may have already guessed, carpet that’s been damaged by water can turn into a wet, soggy mess. However, carpet can be properly cleaned, sanitized, disinfected and dried after water damage if the carpet’s exposure to water has been limited and the water comes from a relatively non-contaminated source — broken water pipes, water heaters or overflow and leakage from bathroom, kitchen and utility sinks.
Carpets that have been damaged by floodwaters from sewage backup or storms, or water that has come into contact with fecal matter or heavy metals and chemicals, must be replaced.
When Your Floors Are Water Damaged, You Need to Act Fast
Whether your floors have been exposed to water due to a burst pipe, leaky dishwasher or overflowing bathtub, the most important thing to do is to act fast! The longer water sits on your floors, the more damage it’ll cause, especially when it reaches the subfloor.
Standing water also promotes the growth of mold and could lead to your needing mold remediation. The growth of mildew and bacteria are also cause for concern and may cause health effects. Did you know that water-damaged areas and items must be dried within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth?
How Our SERVPRO Team Can Help
Depending on the extent of water damage to your floors, consulting with a professional water restoration company such as SERVPRO of East Central Austin is a wise choice. A professional is trained and experienced to thoroughly examine your flooring and subfloor to determine where the water has reached and whether secondary damage (such as mold growth) has occurred. Remember, just because you don’t see puddles of water, doesn’t mean that damage isn’t lurking beneath the surface.
With the help of specialized equipment, our experienced SERVPRO technicians can accurately detect hidden moisture and take appropriate steps to perform quality water damage restoration. This multi-step process includes the use of a combination of high-performing pumps and industrial wet vacuums, fans, air movers and dehumidifiers to dry your floor and the surrounding area. We are meticulous about monitoring and documenting the drying process to verify that your property is dried properly and thoroughly.
The team at SERVPRO of East Central Austin understands how stressful water damage can be for homeowners, and the importance of moving quickly to remove the water and begin water damage restoration. We provide 24-hour emergency service, seven days a week (including holidays), so you can rest assured that if an emergency happens, we’re there with you right away and stay with you every step of the way thereafter.
What to Do When You Have Standing Flood Water in Austin
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
Standing Flood Water and its Potential Health Risks for Austin Homeowners and Businesses
Austin TX is no stranger to heavy rain. When you’re in an area like Austin, that’s comprised of significant hilly terrain, that rain can quickly lead to some serious flooding. Flash floods come with the territory here, and with those floods also comes the likelihood of dealing with standing floodwater in your home or business.
But what Austin home and business owners may not be fully aware of is the damage that standing water from floods can cause.
Standing water (also known as stagnant water) is a pool of water that has accumulated, either from a rainstorm, or a flood. In most cases, these pools tend to be very small, and can be easily dealt with. But when a major storm hits Austin, water can gradually seep into your home or business and cause major water damage and mold in its aftermath, especially if you’re in an area where flooding is prevalent.
Though a small amount of water seeping in might be manageable on your own, if you have even a few inches of standing water in your house, then you need to step back and bring in a water removal and water damage professional.
Potential Health Issues from Standing Water in Austin TX
Aside from the physical damage it can cause to a building, standing water, if not dealt with right away, can pose serious health risks, including the increase of harmful bacteria and diseases, potentially infecting everything it comes in contact with, including clothing, children’s toys, kitchen appliances and furniture.
The list of health risks that can result from flood water is high, including infectious diseases, diarrheal diseases, and bacterial infections; diseases such as Norovirus, Tetanus, Tuberculosis, Legionnaires’ and West Nile are also possible. It’s important to be extremely cautious if you try any type of water extraction on your own, so be sure to wear protective clothing and especially gloves; if you have any open cuts on areas of your body that will be exposed, including your hands, dress and protect these properly to prevent infection.
If your house has been submerged, then so has your kitchen. This means that you shouldn’t eat anything that has come in contact with the standing water, as it could be contaminated. Some canned goods might be salvageable, but other perishables should be discarded.
Other Unseen Standing Water Hazards
In addition to health issues, be prepared that following a flood, you may be dealing with a variety of insects, including mosquitoes, cockroaches and other types of creatures that can be harmful. You may also come in contact with miscellaneous debris that’s flowed into your Austin home, such as mud, broken glass, pieces of wood and metal; note that these may be submerged and not easily identifiable at first and some of these can create physical hazards and obstructions as well. If there’s been an appearance of mud in your Austin home or business, you could also find other foreign objects such as rocks and broken tree branches.
Also, and this is very important, before you even decide to examine this water damage on your own, be sure to check for any fallen power lines in your immediate area. If you notice any downed lines, call the city to report this, and wait for a professional to show up and handle it properly.
Other Issues to Watch Out For When Your Austin Home Is Flooded
If you have standing water in your home, and are able to remove it on your own, you may still not be out of the woods. While you may have removed the water, there will still be other potential problems on the horizon. Even if a torrential storm has passed and your house hasn’t been flooded, there may still be some cases where standing water remains an issue.
Water Damage to your Floors
Regardless of what types of floors you have in your home, after dealing with flooding, you can expect to see some type of water damage. If your floors are made of tile and wood, your floors may appear cracked, warped or show signs of buckling. If your floors are carpeted, they may be saturated and damaged beyond repair, so it’s best to discard the carpeting and replace it.
Check Outside Your House
Pools and puddles of standing water outside your house can mean that you have poor drainage in your yard. If your gutters are clogged and aren’t moving the water away from your house, you can also face foundation problems. Also, if you have an older roof, you may experience pools of water that are slowly causing damage to your flashing and loss of shingles and tiles leaking from above into the walls of your house. Always check outside your home after a storm to tackle any possible water damage Austin.
Check for Mold and Rust
Standing water and the water damage associated with it can also create harmful mold and rust. Pipes can experience corrosion from standing water, and the moisture can help increase the existence of mold spores. The thing to keep in mind here that most mold is microscopic and can’t be seen immediately with the naked eye Once the standing water has been removed, properly air dry the interior of your house with proper ventilation. Fans, open windows, dehumidifiers…use whatever you can that will help remove the moisture from your home and stop mold and rust from developing.
Have you Been Affected by Standing Water after a Flood?
Contact Our Austin SERVPRO Team
If you’re not prepared to handle standing water on your own after a rainstorm or a flood, then you should contact a water extraction & water damage restoration company like our local SERVPRO team. Our staff are dedicated, trained & certified professionals who are available 24/7 and can handle your water damage and mold remediation needs.
We've performed thousands of water damage removal and restoration (including standing water issues) jobs, and we will diligently restore your property after water damage occurs from Austin storms, floods, and leaks.
Our team will review your water damage repairs while also providing an advance water damage inspection. We only use state of the art extraction equipment to make the restoration process an easy one.
Our SERVPRO team consists of highly trained water restoration technicians who can provide guidance and valuable resources.
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
After the Fire: How to Recover from Fire Damage
Fire damage can be devastating. After experiencing a fire in your house or business, your world may feel like it’s been turned upside down. Know that you're not alone.
Depending on the extent of the damage, knowing where and how to begin tackling the fire damage can feel overwhelming. We’ve assembled a list of 7 must-know fire damage restoration tips to help steer you in the right direction and help you get your home and life back to normal.
Tip #1: Assess the Damage — Cautiously
While your first inclination after a fire is to get inside to assess the damage, we urge you to use caution! The flames may have been put out, but dangers still lurk in the form of soot and dirty water left behind that may make you sick. There may also be structural damage. Ask the advice of the Austin fire department if it’s safe to enter your home. Firefighters will make sure the utility services (water, electricity and gas) are safe to use, and that the roof and floors are secure before you assess any fire damage repair.
Tip #2: Contact Your Homeowner’s Insurance Company
To make sure you’re compensated properly for the damage to your Austin property, it’s important to contact your insurance company after the fire and before the fire damage cleanup begins. Your agent will instruct you on what to do first. You’ll be asked to make a list of everything that was damaged or destroyed in the fire and to describe these items in detail (including how much you paid for them and providing receipts when possible). The good news is that a standard homeowner’s insurance policy will cover fire damage to the home’s structure, as well as the homeowner’s personal property. Documenting the damage from the fire with photos and/or videos is also important. Your insurance company will also work with you to help you find a reputable fire and water restoration service.
Tip #3: Contact a Reputable Fire Damage Restoration Company
Cleanup after a fire takes time and patience. You’ll find items that have been damaged by fire, smoke, soot and water used to put out the fire. Trusting the advice and expertise of a reputable fire damage restoration company can ensure the process runs as safely, quickly and efficiently as possible.
Response time is crucial for proper fire damage restoration. The longer you wait to address the damages, the more repairs will be needed, especially when it comes to the often subsequent water damage that also occurs as a result.
Drenched walls, furniture and other belongings can promote the growth of dangerous mold in your Austin residence or commercial property. When choosing an Austin TX fire damage restoration company, be sure to entrust your home to a company that’s licensed, bonded, insured and is certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). Trustworthy companies will do the following:
Perform a thorough fire damage assessment
Secure windows and doors with board-up services to ensure the physical safety of your property
Extract as much water as possible and use advanced drying and de-humidifying techniques
Tackle smoke and soot removal
Remove soot, ash and smoke residue from heating, ventilating and air-conditioning units and all ductwork
Remove and dispose of items that are too badly damaged to be repairable
Perform other cleaning, restoring and repairing services to preserve and protect your home and its contents
Tip #4: Care for Your Treasured Family Photos
As the fire and water damage specialist is busy at work bringing your home back to its pre-fire damaged condition, you’ll be eager to try to salvage as many treasured family belongings as possible, such as photographs.
Photographs that have not been burned can usually be saved. If you come across photographs that have become stuck together, don’t try to separate them by pulling them apart. Instead, soak them in slightly warm water. If the water becomes dirty change it often. It could take about an hour to loosen them. Dry them in a single layer, image-side up on a hard surface. Photos that are wet but not stuck together should be rinsed with water and dried, image-side up, in a single layer on a hard, smooth surface. Don’t dry photos in direct sunlight.
Tip #5: Throw Away These Items When You've Had Fire Damage!
Non-perishable food (such as canned foods) exposed to heat and damaged by flames or smoke should not be consumed. High heat can activate bacteria and toxic fumes can also contaminate food through sealed glass jars and aluminum cans. As a general rule, don't use canned goods when cans have bulged or are dented or rusted. Medications exposed to flames, heat and smoke should also be properly disposed.
Tip #6:Save Undamaged Property from Further Destruction
If you come across any items that aren’t damaged in your Austin TX home or business, you should put them in a safe place during the fire damage restoration process, such as in a storage facility. Check with your insurance company to see if your policy covers additional costs such as storage fees.
Tip #7: DIY Ways to Get Rid of Lingering Smoke Odors
If there’s a burnt odor that remains in your home, try using a HEPA filter air purifier. You can also try placing small bowls of baking soda, wine vinegar or activated charcoal throughout your home to help absorb the odor. Commercial odor-absorbing packets sold at home improvement stores will also help in some cases.
Final tip:
Flames, smoke, soot and water can cause significant damage to the structure of your home and your personal belongings. That’s why SERVPRO of East Central Austin is here to help you with any fire damage repair in Austin.
Our team of trained and certified professionals will be your ally throughout the process and will listen to your concerns. We will examine the extent of your fire damage repairs and provide the proper equipment and expertise to ensure a smooth restoration process, to make sure your home is restored to its pre-fire condition.
Give our local SERVPRO office a call if you need help, or have any questions.
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
Mold is not fun to deal with. Not only can it cause issues, but it’s extremely difficult to get rid of. Mold is a natural substance, so in many cases, there’s no avoiding it. It’s also insidious in nature, and in some cases, you may not even know it’s there. Once you come across mold, however, you need to act quickly. This is one of the reasons why, with Austin’s climate, and its frequent high mold counts, that having mold remediation in Austin is so important, when you first detect mold.
Mold: Where Does it Come From?
Mold has microscopic pores that can appear just about anywhere, indoors or out. Mold is a frequent result where water damage occurs, whether that be a minor leak, or any instance, where water or moisture is involved.
So why is mold so hard to detect? Sometimes mold is visible, but often it isn’t. Most mold spores are microscopic, and range anywhere from 2-10 microns (microns are also known as micrometers, which individually are equal to one millionth of a meter).
One answer is that if you have a leak or any water issues, most molds can grow in places that you can’t see, like inside walls, inside ceilings, and other places that are often hidden from plain sight. Much of it depends on what is feeding the mold spores, so while we often think of nasty black spots, mold can grow in a variety of colors, mold spores can also appear in white, grey, red, brown and have a fuzzy or dusty consistency.
In most cases within homes or businesses, mold grows as a result of a subsequent water issue, such as a leak that helps introduce its spreading. However, water doesn’t always necessarily equal mold growth, since the actual spores need to be present.
If ignored, mold can start to smell and eventually start to spread into hidden areas. So, if you have a minor leak in your kitchen or bathroom, and it remains problematic, then it can lead to greater problems down the line. Especially in the Austin TX climate, even if you detect the slightest trace of mold, then you need to contact us to initiate its removal.
What to Do at the First Signs of Mold in Austin
Molds will also omit a foul odor when its spores are in the process of colonizing. Initially, you may smell something fairly dank and musty, indicating that the mold has started to spread. Remember, you may not be able to see it, but if you can smell it then you need to take care of it.
Although you can attempt to eradicate the mold on your own, if you don’t have the experience or know how to actually remove it, then you’ll likely run into some problems. That’s why professionals in the water damage and mold remediation industry are highly equipped to tackle this. It’s also best to have a basic understanding of how mold originates and how you can stop it before it spreads. The last thing you want to deal with is a mold infestation in your home and business that’s gotten out of hand.
Understanding what mold is capable of and confronting it before it becomes something uncontrollable is a good way to start. It’s important to prevent the spread of mold by any means necessary because it can affect not just your business and home, but your health as well if it’s not properly remediated.
Finding the Mold Source
As previously mentioned, mold can be invisible, often appearing in areas behind walls, under floors and inside ceilings. Seeking out the source is the route that a professional mold removal and remediation company will take. If there’s a dominant musty smell and the appearance of dry rot, then the mold issue is more problematic and immediate action needs to be taken.
The potential for health related issues grows stronger if the mold isn’t fully checked out. Questionable indoor air quality could also mean that you have a mold issue.
What is Mold Remediation?
If mold has taken over your home or business, then you need to start the mold remediation process right away. Any areas where moisture appears will have to be stopped in its tracks and dealt with, such as turning off the water source. But, first you’ll need to document everything to help with any liability you may face. Take pictures or videos, and make notes documenting where all the leaks and potential damage have occurred.
If too much time has passed before noticing the mold, the spread of it could be more extensive than originally perceived. Remediating mold will help to remove all traces of it in your home, so that you’re no longer exposed to any harmful spores.
If mold has seeped into your walls, they’ll have to be opened up to allow for any dry rot and existing mold to be removed. This may not be the only place where the mold is growing, so you’ll have to investigate further into where any additional traces of it may occur.
Remediation professionals utilize a two level mitigation process, which can help remove the mold from your property.
Since mold issues are most often caused by water damage, the first level primarily handles the repair of any water problems, to prevent any new spores from appearing and growing. Contaminated areas are isolated, such as closing doors, windows and other areas from parts of the home that aren’t affected.
If there’s a fair amount of dust, it should be misted, so that the dust particles don’t spread, which allows for an easier cleanup. This level also includes the removal of any wet or contaminated materials, which should then be double-bagged in thick plastic bags and discarded.
The second level of mold mitigation primarily involves a thorough cleaning of the affected areas with a HEPA vacuum, followed by scrubbing the areas in question with a detergent solution, to ensure that all traces of mold have been removed and mold odors are removed. A visibility test often follows, to make sure that no dust, dirt or anything even resembling mold remains.
Afterwards, extensive drying should take place by properly airing out the areas in question using appliances such as fans and dehumidifiers. Once the areas are completely dry, then all affected parts of your home or business, including walls, etc., should be replaced.
If a mold situation in your home or business starts to develop, and it’s too overwhelming for you to handle on your own, you should contact us for help in remediating the mold in your Austin home or business.
Located in Central Austin, our SERVPRO team features highly trained mold damage specialists, all of whom have the training and required certifications to tackle all of your mold remediation needs. SERVPRO of East Central Austin uses only top of the line, state of the art equipment for mold remediation projects.
SERVPRO of East Central Austin will thoroughly examine and detect any existence of mold at your home or business. We’re able to provide an immediate mold inspection and if we find any mold, we’ll get started to stop mold from becoming more of a problem.
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
You Can Help Protect Your Business From Fires | SERVPRO® of East Central Austin - SERVPRO of East Central Austin Blog
If you are a business owner, there are plenty of safety issues that must be considered regarding risks to your business, staff and visitors. One of those risks you need to work on is fire prevention.
Electrical distribution and lighting equipment, 12% of fires
Heating equipment, 11% of fires
Intentional, 10% of fires
Smoking materials, 9% of fires
Exposure, 4% of fires
Electronic, office or entertainment equipment, 3% of fires
Three of those causes, intentional, exposure, and electrical distribution and lighting equipment, accounted for the most property damage with 20%, 18% and 15% respectively.
When you take a look at more recent numbers, the NFPA estimates that from 2007–2011, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 3,340 fires in office properties per year. Those fires were the cause of an annual average of four deaths, 44 injuries and $112 million in direct property damage.
First, make an assessment of your fire hazard risks. There are some local governments that provide the service of a fire marshal who can assess your risks and also provide guidance on your fire prevention plan.
You’ll want to make sure that the right fire protection equipment is in place. This includes an automatic sprinkler system, smoke detectors and fire extinguishers on each floor.
Finally, you must consider the human element of your business, the employees. When you create a fire plan and review it on a regular basis with your staff, you’ll be ensuring that everyone is educated on what to do in the event of a fire. Conducting fire drills at least once a year will keep the fire safety protocol fresh, as will taking time to review evacuation plans and knowing where the first-aid kits are located.
Despite best efforts with fire prevention and safety tips, the worst could always happen at your business. If a fire has damaged your business, SERVPRO® of East Central Austin is available to help make it "Like it never even happened."
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
Wind Damage and Its Impact on Your Property | SERVPRO® of East Central Austin
Severe storms bring many concerns, but damaging winds are always a threat. These winds, which can come with little to no notice, can damage personal property as much as a tornado or hurricane.
What You Need to Know About Damaging Winds
When thinking of damaging winds, the first thought may be winds from a tornado or hurricane. However, those are not the only times when they may happen.
Damaging winds are considered those with wind speeds exceeding 50–60 mph and can occur with strong thunderstorms. Damaging winds are often referred to as “straight-line” winds, which differentiate the damage from a tornado.
The damage from these winds can be surprisingly destructive, as they can cause other objects to become projectiles. These projectiles can go through windows.
Windows and roofs can take the brunt of this damage, and the winds are intense enough, they can cause water damage to the home as the outside elements come indoors through shattered windows and damaged roofs.
Anyone who lives in a thunderstorm-prone area is at risk from damaging winds, but some structures are especially at risk. Mobile homes, for example, even those that are anchored, can be seriously damaged in winds gusting over 80 mph.
How to Protect Your Home
Some suggestions of ways to protect your property from damaging winds are listed below, but keep the “Two R’s” in mind: reinforce and remove.
Use a professional to reinforce your garage door.
Remove and/or secure loose objects on your property such as trash cans outdoor furniture and grills that could be moved or tossed by the wind.
Have a professional remove large or dying trees and branches that could fall on your home.
As we all know, not all high winds come with advanced warning, but some of these suggestions could leave you better prepared should damaging winds occur.
Also, if you are building a new home or renovating an older home, be sure the windows, walls and doors are up to code for weather situations for your area.
If your home has been a victim of damaging winds and resulting water damage, the highly trained specialists at SERVPRO of East Central Austin are available 24⁄7 to help with the cleanup and restoration of your home.
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
Protecting Your Home From Water Damage | SERVPRO® of East Central Austin - SERVPRO of East Central Austin Blog
Protecting Your Home From Water Damage | SERVPRO® of East Central Austin
Severe weather is usually one of the first things that comes to mind for many when thinking about water damage. While storms and flooding are a major cause of catastrophic water damage, they are often not the main culprits.
Instead, various items in and around your home could be responsible for many water damage situations.
101 on Water Damage
Unfortunately, many homeowners will face water damage. Water damage was the third most common reason for a homeowner to file a claim on homeowners insurance between 2011 and 2015, with an average payout of $8,861 per claim.
First, you must understand the difference between water damage and gradual damage because it can have an impact insurance on claims. Gradual damage is an occurrence that has been happening over time, such as plumbing issues in the walls causing damage to the walls, ceilings or floors, or water damage caused by cracks in the foundation. Many aspects of gradual water damage are not covered by homeowners insurance, while storm-related water damage usually is.
PLUMBING SUPPLY SYSTEM FAILURES: This involves frozen pipes that burst due to the buildup in water pressure caused by freezing water or when the supply system components fail and results in a leaking or burst pipe. Plumbing supply system failures are the leading source of residential water losses and cost an average of $5,092 per incident after the deductible, according to IBHS. It was also noted that homes 16 to 40 years of age made up a larger group of these types of water damage.
PLUMBING DRAIN SYSTEM FAILURES: This may occur when a sewer drain backs up and overflows into the home or from material breakdown issues. IBHS found that 52% of drain system failures were caused by sewer backups and 37% were related to material performance issues in their study. IBHS also noted that the average drain system failure was more expensive in southern region states than in northern region states.
TOILET FAILURES: Toilets are the second most common source of residential water damage loss after plumbing supply system failures, which are usually caused by faulty fill valves or clogged drain lines. According to IBHS, toilet failures on the first floor of a home resulted in more damage and higher claims than those in basements or upper floors.
WATER HEATER FAILURES: A water heater has a life expectancy, and when your water heater reaches its life expectancy, the tank will begin to rust and corrode, resulting in leakage or bursting issues. According to IBHS, 69% of all water heater failures resulted from a slow leak or a sudden burst and, on average, cost $4,444 per incident following the deductible.
WASHING MACHINE FAILURES: This type of failure is typically caused by supply hose failures, machines overflowing and drain line failures. Washing machines are one of the top 10 source of residential water losses, and per IBHS, supply hose failures accounted for over half of all washing machine-related losses.
If your home has experienced any water damage, our team of professionals at SERVPRO® of East Central Austin is available to help with cleanup and restoration and make it “Like it never even happened.”
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
Why Mold Remediation Is Best for Mold Situations | SERVPRO® of East Central Austin
If you have water damage occurring in a home or commercial property, mold growth is most likely to follow. Did you know that mold can begin growing within 48 hours of exposure to moisture?
If you are faced with a mold issue, knowing what your next steps are is very important, which is why we would like to use this blog to provide an overview of mold remediation.
The Difference Between Mold Remediation & Mold Removal
There are ads out there that you’ve probably seen for mold remediation and mold removal, but the latter of the two is a fallacy. Removing all mold from a home or business is virtually not possible. However, a qualified restoration company will focus on mold remediation, which will produce the goal of getting mold levels back to a normal and natural range.
Mold spores can—and do—occur naturally almost everywhere, both inside a home or commercial building and outside. The issue only becomes a problem when a minor mold issue is ignored or left untreated, allowing it to turn into a major infestation.
During mold remediation, technicians isolate all of the contaminated areas. Dependent upon the level of remediation, this could be done by either closing all doors and windows or effectively sealing off all doorways and openings with a polyethylene sheeting. Dust in the contaminated areas is then suppressed through a “misting” process.
Wet and mold-damaged materials are then removed and discarded using plastic bags. All areas exposed to and affected by the mold are then completely and thoroughly cleaned and dried. A HEPA vacuum is often brought in and used to remove contaminated materials and debris.
The mold-affected area is treated with a biocide and then left overnight to cure and kill the mold spores. The next day, the mold remediation crew will return to encapsulate the mold-affected and surrounding areas.
What to Do If You Have a Mold Problem
If you are seeing evidence that your home or business has a mold problem, it is important to act quickly. Evaluate to check the size of the problem, and if the mold-affected area covers more than 10 square feet, it is time to call the professionals.
Be sure that the professionals you call are highly trained and certified in the following areas:
Applied microbial remediation
Water damage restoration
Applied structural drying
While it is possible that some minor mold issues can be successfully resolved by homeowners and business owners on their own, it is always safer to contact the professionals in order to have a quick and safe resolution to the problem.
At SERVPRO® of East Central Austin, our mold damage specialists are trained and certified experts in mold remediation. If your home or business is experiencing a mold issue, contact us to begin the mold remediation process.
Have You Created a Disaster Plan for Your Business?
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
Have You Created a Disaster Plan for Your Business? | SERVPRO® of East Central Austin - SERVPRO of East Central Austin Blog
Have You Created a Disaster Plan for Your Business? | SERVPRO® of East Central Austin
As of late, we have experienced a myriad of troubles thanks to Mother Nature in the likes of floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires and earthquakes. The key to being able to roll with these punches, so to speak, is to be prepared for a multitude of worst-case scenarios.
Being prepared for those scenarios involves creating a natural disaster plan for your business. This blog will deal with some of the aspects to consider when designing that plan.
Think About This
There are many things you will need to consider when creating a disaster plan for your business.
Some of those considerations follow below:
How to protect the human aspect of your business—your employees
How to secure your equipment and assets
How to get business up and running smoothly again
Thankfully, checklists have been made available from sources like the Red Cross, FEMA and Ready.gov that can help in identifying areas that need to be included in your natural disaster preparedness plan. These sources can also enlighten you as to just how prepared you truly are.
Employee Protection During a Disaster
If a disaster were to strike without warning, the safety of your employees and any visitors to your business should be one of the first considerations in your disaster plan and lays out procedures and safety measures to be followed.
Evacuation routes and exits from your facility should be clearly and properly marked and there should be an area that serves as a shelter. You’ll also want to look into installing emergency lights and have designated staff that will serve as “safety wardens” that are properly trained and ready to assist with all emergency efforts.
When choosing an area for shelter, a basement or storm cellar is the best location in case of tornadoes or other high-wind situations. If this is not possible, locate a small interior room or hallway on the lowest level of the building.
How to Protect Assets
If your business is located in a brick and mortar location, you’ll need to make informed choices about protecting your assets within the building. When a natural disaster strikes, there are thousands of dollars in equipment and/or merchandise at risk inside that building.
Always have an updated and complete inventory of these items and, if it is possible, photographs taken prior to a disaster are always good to have when filing insurance claims. If you use a computer server, ensure that the server is being backed up regularly and the storage system cannot be damaged.
If your business is in a building that you own, you may want to talk with a contractor to uncover areas that may need structural improvement. The contractor can point out possible safety hazards and offer suggestions for upgrading and advice on any areas that may not make the grade in certain weather situation.
How to Get Back to Business
Understand that when a natural disaster does occur, it is highly probable that your business will have to be closed for a length of time due to damage. Every day you remain closed is another day of lost profits. It is wise to set aside a “rainy day” fund that will help with additional costs that are not covered by your insurance.
Build a list of contractors who will be readily available for construction issues, and find a cleanup and restoration service will be available to quickly respond to your emergency situation.
With SERVPRO® of East Central Austin, you can count on us to get to the disaster faster and make it "Like it never even happened." Our training and expertise have prepared us to help with water damage, storm damage, fire damage and mold remediation quickly and effectively.
Knowing what to do when disaster strikes your business is of the utmost importance. When it comes to the cleanup and restoration aspects, depend on SERVPRO® of East Central Austin to be there for you.
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
This Is How Floodwaters Are Classified | SERVPRO® of East Central Austin - SERVPRO of East Central Austin Blog
This Is How Floodwaters Are Classified | SERVPRO® of East Central Austin
If you think all water that causes water damage is the same, think again as there are three classifications for it: clean, gray and black. By gaining a better understanding of the differences in these types of water, it will help you understand how to better handle a water damage situation.
No matter what type of water is involved in a water damage situation, there is always going to be a cleanup and restoration process that must follow. First, and most important, is to remove all of the moisture and damp items quickly to hinder any mold growth because this is an ideal environment for mold to flourish.
Clean Water
Much like the name states, this water is considered “clean” and not any kind of water that would pose an immediate health threat. It is free of contaminants and will be water from:
Broken water lines
Malfunctioning appliances
Toilet holding tanks
Snow melt and rainwater
The damage from clean water is the easiest type of water damage to work with since there will be fewer microbes living in the water. However, after 48 hours and following contact with the surfaces of a building, clean water can move up to category two, gray water.
Gray Water
With gray water, water damage cleanup and restoration can become a bit more serious. This is water that could create a health risk, because it may contain chemical or biological contamination. Because of the slight contamination in gray water, it would need to be thoroughly treated before being safe for consumption.
Gray water is water that comes from dishwashers, aquariums, showers, etc., and the 48-hour exposure time applies here as well, with gray water turning into black water if not treated.
Black Water
Black water is the most dangerous of the three classifications, and it is considered to be highly contaminated with harmful chemicals and biological matter. This would include floodwaters containing soil and all sewage waters.
Sewage is contaminated with microbes, including bacteria, protozoans, molds, fungi and more—many of which are harmful to humans and create a health hazard.
Some of the diseases that can be transmitted by black water are:
Cholera
Typhoid
Hepatitis
Gastroenteritis-type illnesses
A good rule is to remember that, when it comes to floods, all water involved should be assumed to be black water since it will have picked up contaminants along its path.
These three floodwater classifications are recognized by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Remediation Certification (IICRC), an organization that certifies and sets the standards for the cleaning and restoration industry. Our technicians have all studied and familiarized themselves with the IICRC standards and best practices in water restoration and are available to help determine the steps to take to get your home back to normal.
It doesn’t matter what type of water has caused damage to your home or business, SERVPRO® of East Central Austin is here to help get the situation under control and make it "Like it never even happened." Don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you need emergency cleanup and restoration services!
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
Ideas to Help Protect Your Home From Water Damage | SERVPRO® of East Central Austin - SERVPRO of East Central Austin Blog
Ideas to Help Protect Your Home From Water Damage | SERVPRO® of East Central Austin
One of the most common and costliest disasters your home may experience is water damage. From anything such as a pipe bursting to a malfunctioning dishwasher or storm damage, there are many ways water damage could affect your home.
While water damage is not a new concept for homeowners to deal with, there are ways you can safeguard your home from some trying scenarios.
How to Protect Your Home
Water damage can bring with it many issues to deal with as well as having a possible long-term impact on your home. Mold is one of the headaches resulting from water damage, as mold can begin to grow and flourish within 48 hours of exposure to water.
When considering ways to safeguard your home, it may be helpful to break it down by areas of impact, such as by basements, kitchens, bathrooms, flooring and ceilings.
An important way to prevent water damage in the basement is by preventing water seepage. This can be accomplished by resealing vulnerable areas of the basement, making sure water drains away from your home and installing a backwater valve.
Kitchens and bathrooms may experience water damage as a result of plumbing issues and/or appliance failures.
Take some time and follow these recommendations:
Inspect all appliances regularly, especially paying attention to hoses and faucets
Check all seals and caulking around showers and tubs to ensure there is no leakage
Know where your home’s main shut-off valve is located
Be sure that you don’t leave the house while the washing machine or dishwasher are running
The possessions inside your home may not be salvageable, but there are things you can do to decrease the amount of damage and loss. Use waterproof bins to store items to protect against water damage, and keep items stored on shelving off of the floor, especially when using a basement or garage for storage.
What to Do if Water Damage Occurs
If your home experiences a water damage event, there is a good chance you will be able to salvage items that can be dried out within 48 hours.
Make sure that you contact your insurance company immediately and evaluate just how much water damage your home has suffered as well as the type of water that is involved.
The three types of water are:
“Clean” water, which can be from rain, condensation, leaky pipes, etc.
“Gray” water, which can be slightly dirty water from dishwashers, washing machines, clean toilets, etc.
“Black” water, which is water from sewage or serious flooding from nearby rivers, etc. Be aware that this water can cause serious health problems.
You will need to get your home dried out, dehumidify the area, remove wet objects and disinfect anything remaining following a water damage disaster.
Here’s a tip from the pros: Freeze any wet books, photos and papers in a frost-free freezer, which will allow you time to deal with other matters at hand. This will prevent mold and mildew from developing and causing more deterioration. Once you are able, remove them from the freezer to air-dry or fan-dry the pages.
It may seem like recovering from water damage is an overwhelming and slightly impossible task, but it doesn’t have to be. You can call on the highly trained experts at SERVPRO of East Central Austin, who are here to make it "Like it never even happened."
Making Sure Your Family Is Ready for Severe Weather
Making Sure Your Family Is Ready for Severe Weather | SERVPRO® of East Central Austin - SERVPRO of East Central Austin Blog
Making Sure Your Family Is Ready for Severe Weather | SERVPRO® of East Central AustinWhile we receive advanced severe weather warnings as a general rule, there will be those occasions when we will not. Fortunately, there are things you can do and safety tips to follow that will ensure the safety of your family and help you be prepared for various severe weather occurrences.
How to Create the Family Severe Weather Plan
An important way to stay ahead of the weather is to have an established family emergency plan put together and ready.
If you have already established an emergency plan with your family, make sure that it is reviewed and discussed regularly, especially at the beginning of the various weather seasons so that everyone knows exactly what to do.
If there is not a family emergency plan in place for your family, here are some things to take into consideration when creating it:
1. How will emergency alerts and warnings be received?
We live in a day where we rely on smartphones to gather information and keep in touch with family, and it is easy to receive emergency alerts and warnings on smartphones equipped with a weather app or Google. This way you quickly receive emergency alerts, providing you with valuable time in severe weather situations. However, keep in mind warnings and alerts are also still broadcast over radio and TV.
2. What are the storm shelter options?
When living in a tornado-prone area, the best place to take shelter is in a basement or the lowest part of your home in an interior room away from windows, doors and outside walls or corners. Be aware, however, that tornadoes aren’t the only weather circumstance that requires a form of storm shelter, and you can get more information about more of the situations that call for them by visiting ready.gov.
3. What is the evacuation route?
Have you looked over multiple evacuation routes in the event of evacuation due to hurricanes, flooding and fires that can force you from your home in a hurry? It’s wise to have multiple routes just in case one is impassable, and don’t forget your furry family members. You will need to find a place that will let you bring and stay with your pets along the way.
4. What are your methods of communication?
As mentioned earlier, it is easy to rely on cell phones to keep in touch with your family, but in some circumstances, that won’t be possible. Cell phone towers can be damaged by weather, phones may be lost or left behind, and there’s a huge possibility that there will be no power to recharge your cellphone batteries.
Your family will also need an emergency communication plan in place and a designated safe meeting place to meet at in case you are separated from each other.
If a storm does cause damage to your home or business, don’t hesitate to call your friends at SERVPRO® of East Central Austin to get the cleanup and restoration process started.
Water damage Austin can be a major problem. If the restoration process becomes complicated, then you should call a professional.
Water damage can be a major problem to deal with. But, what really is the root cause of it? There’s always an excessive amount of water that rises or appears into an area where it simply cannot pass through easily. Much of this is brought upon by heavy rains and flooding, as well as erosion, like a small hill becoming drenched and giving way as it cannot absorb an overflow of water. With no place to go, the water will just stop and congeal, sometimes quite rapidly. Many homes, businesses, schools and roads can be destroyed, or simply washed away by floods, leaving excessive damage in it’s wake.
Your home can de destroyed by water damage Austin, especially your walls, floors and personal items. Pipes can rust from water submersion, wood can rot and mold can rear its ugly head if the mess isn't cleaned up right away.
Removing the water and restoring your home can be a time consuming process. You can’t just go in and start removing the water; there are many steps and things to take into consideration, including the extent of the damage, potential health risks and how to actually remove the water and repair your property.
Of course, there are many elements involved in the restoration process such as cleaning, drying, mold remediation Austin and more… so let’s break it all down, as many of them are intertwined.
Cleaning up the Water From Your Austin Home
The first question you’ll probably ask after a flood or a leak, is ‘how do I get rid of all this water?’ To be honest, it’s a bit complicated. You may want to go in and start scooping out the water or using a vacuum cleaner, which are things you should never, ever do. Depending on how much water you have to deal with, it may be very easy to get rid of the water, or it can be very time consuming. Think about the different types of water: some water is clean and some is dirty. If it’s something that can be easy to fix on your own,, such as a small leak, then you can use detergents or soap to clean up the residue. If you’re dealing with a major flood, a leaky roof, or sewage back up, you may face harmful contaminants which you don't want to attempt cleaning on your own. That's when you need to call a professional water removal Austin specialist.
The Restoration Process
Once the floodwaters have been cleared, then you can initiate the restoration process. Its not as easy as that, as you should never attempt to remove the water on your own. In cases like these, you should always reach out to a water restoration professional and follow certain procedures to protect you and your home.
You should always have your home inspected after there has been water damage. This will give the professionals a greater idea of how much water is being dealt with and what types of equipment they’ll need. While the professionals will bring in water pumps and other industrial equipment, you may be able to help by venting out certain areas and by using fans and dehumidifiers to help dry out the area.
The drying process is also lengthy, and it can vary greatly depending on how much water you have in your Austin home. Once the water removal Austin has taken place, the cleaning can then begin. It won't be a pretty sight, especially if there is excessive dirt, mud, and foreign objects, but over time you can start getting your property back to how it was before the damage occurred.
You’ll have to look at floors, walls, even the insulation to make sure that it’s all properly dried out and that no water remains. Some construction work might be needed, depending on how sever it all is, yet these specific things should never go unchecked.
This is just one element of many on how the restoration process works with water damage.
What is Mitigation?
Mitigation is used as a preventive measure to help reduce and prevent the amount of water from flooding, leaks and any other number of causes. In other words, stopping the water before it spreads more than it already has. A professional can go over all the various steps that are involved and how to stop water damage Austin in its tracks. The sources are many. It may not be a flood from a heavy rainstorm, but a leak from a faulty pipe, a broken appliance, or even from a blocked up sewer system. Mitigation can help you understand the source of your water damage, and by acting quickly, it can help prevent further damage to your Austin home.
Additional Elements of Water Restoration
While the water is a huge part of the Restoration process, there are also other issues to consider. Mold, of course is a messy side effect of water damage Austin if the clean up isn't thorough enough. Mold is everywhere, but it can start spreading if the water isn’t fully removed and your home isn't fully dried out. If the problem persists, then a mold inspection Austin may be needed to ensure that it isn't spreading. Odors emanating from mold and mildew can not only create unpleasant smells, but can also cause health issues if not properly cleaned. depending on the overall scope of the damage, you may need reconstruction if the damage is extreme. If any of these issues should arise, contact a professional service to help you with the restoration process.
How SERVPRO of East Central Austin Can Help With Water Damage Restoration
If your water damage Austin is extensive, don't even attempt to handle this on your own. SERVPRO of East Central Austin is here to help.
We will take every effort to restore your Austin TX home after you’ve experienced water damage. We’re trained & certified professionals who specialize in water damage restoration, mold removal and mold remediation Austin, and more. We’ll work hard to properly restore your home in the aftermath of water damage from Austin storms, floods, and leaks. We use state of the art extraction equipment and scientific drying principles to ensure a smooth water restoration process.
We’re a locally owned Austin company, and we understand how overwhelming it is if you’ve experienced water damage. We’re highly trained water restoration experts, and are available 24/7.
Call our local SERVPRO Company today at (512) 420-9886.
What You Should And Shouldn't Do After An Austin Home Fire
Fire damage can be devastating. Here are suggestions on what you should and shouldn't do if your Austin home has a fire.
A fire can have a devastating affect on your home and your life. While the severity of a fire can range greatly, even the smallest home fire can cause problems, such as toxic fumes, an abundance of soot, in addition to the damage. Once the fire department is called, they’ll most likely use hoses and foam to put out the fire. While this puts out the fire, the excess water can lead to water damage Austin, if it's not cleaned up right away.
Once the fire is out, you should refrain from cleaning up the mess, especially if you're not sure on how to tackle the damage. Your safety can be at risk. Excess water from putting out the fire if not removed right away and properly can lead to extensive water damage Austin, and a build up of mold. If mold starts to appear, then you need to reach out to a mold remediation Austin professional.
Cleaning items such as rugs and furniture on your own may cause you to spread soot around, which will make your property even dirtier. You may also be putting your health at risk, if you don't have the proper cleaning equipment.
So, in a case where you have Texas fire damage, you need to reach out to a fire and water damage specialist who can help analyze the situation and work with you to help save your home.
What To Do After A Fire:
Avoid Soot If you have to enter your home after a fire, do everything in your power to avoid tracking soot everywhere. If you have old and tattered towels and sheets, use them on the floor so you don’t keep moving soot everywhere. If you find that you have to move items, wear protective clothing and rubber gloves.
Unplug Your Appliances and Check Your Plumbing If you lose your power, you should remove all of the food from your refrigerator and keep the doors open. Left over food will start to rot and then you'll have unpleasant odors to deal with. You may also have to deal with mold as well, which is extremely nasty. If this is the case, you should consider having a mold inspection Austin,to ensure that it doesn’t spread.
Check your other appliances to make sure that they weren't damaged. If they don't look right, then don’t use them.You should also examine your plumbing fixtures; if they’re covered with soot, then wipe them off as best as possible.
Keep Your HVAC System Clean Soot can get into your HVAC system, if you don't cover it right after the fire. Find durable fabrics to cover the unit, so that you can help keep out any soot particles. If you need to use your HVAC, have it checked by a professional before you do.
What Not To Do After A Fire:
Don't Clean Your Walls You may think that basic household cleaner and paper towels will clean up all the soot on your walls; it's quite the opposite. Soot is filthy and extremely messy. While you may think that cleaning is the answer, you'll find yourself spreading soot all over the place. Your walls will become even dirtier than before and you may have to repaint them, or even replace them.
Don't Clean Your Rugs The same advice applies to rugs and carpets. If they're immersed with soot, then using a household cleaner will just spread it around. Your rugs may also be soaked with water, so don't try to vacuum this or draw out the water on your own; reach out to a professional for water removal Austin. A light colored rug, for example, will suddenly turn dark, and the soot will be impossible to remove. The same goes for any type of upholstery or fabric. Leave it be until the professionals arrive, as they have the equipment to clean these items properly.
Don't Clean Your Appliances and Electronics In the aftermath of a fire, your electronics and appliances may be damaged, but you might not even be aware of it. Heat and water can damage such items beyond repair; so if they're unplugged, make sure, with the assistance of a professional, that they are functional before you plug them in. Take every precaution to avoid the likelihood or starting another fire.
Don't Use Any Electronic Devices You should make sure that your electricity is good to go before you even consider plugging in any electronic devices, as this could be a safety issue. Excessive fire and water damage Austin can cause some electric items such as ceiling fans and lights to short out, causing more problems. Have a fire damage professional or an electrician inspect your circuits before using any appliances or electronics.
Don't Eat Any Contaminated Food If your pantry and refrigerator have been affected by fire damage, you should immediately discard any opened items, as they could be contaminated. If anything is covered with soot, or has had contact with excessive heat, then it should go. Some foods such as canned goods may be salvageable, but don't risk this…consult with a fire damage professional about what can and cannot be saved in the aftermath of a fire.
Don't Have a Dry Cleaner Restore Your Clothes You'll find that some dry cleaners have experience in cleaning clothes that have been affected by fire and water damage, while others do not. Soot can be problematic, especially if you deal with a cleaner who isn’t properly equipped for this task. Make sure you find a cleaner who has the knowledge to handle extremely dirty and damaged clothing, especially after fire and water damage.
Why You Should Choose SERVPRO After Fire Damage Austin
If your Austin home has experienced fire damage, you need to repair and restore as much of your property as fast as possible.
Fires can be traumatic, and the aftermath, including smoke damage, water damage, and the onset of mold, can be extremely distressing. SERVPRO of East Central Austin will diligently investigate, remediate and restore your Austin home in the aftermath of a fire. We'll examine the extent of your fire damage repairs and provide the proper equipment and expertise to ensure a smooth restoration process.
Our team of trained and certified professionals have the experience and knowledge to tackle all of your fire damage repairs. If you're in need of help, call our local Austin SERVPRO office today: 512-420-9886.
Water Damage: Things to do Before the Professionals Arrive
If you experience water damage Austin, there are a few things you can do before SERVPRO arrives.
You have a broken pipe or a leak in your Austin home. What do you do? Aside from panicking, you need to address the situation from the start. You need to call a plumber, but one isn’t available… you’re on your own.
Believe it or not, the smallest leak can cause major water damage Austin to your home. So, don’t panic, but be aware there are a few things that you can take care of on your own, before you reach out to water damage specialists.
Many of these quick solutions are fairly easy to tackle on your own. However, you shouldn’t don’t see them as fully solving the problem. Contact a specialist before things get out of control.
Cut Off the Water Flow to Your Austin Home
It’s often hard to determine where the source of your leak is coming from. If you have difficulty in locating the source, then shut off your water. A burst pipe may have many origins as to where the trouble stems from, so shutting off the water will help give you the ability to start with water removal Austin.
While it’s recommended that you shut off your water, you should also consider shutting down your electricity, until the source of the leak can be determined. This will help prevent any kind of electrical fire…another problem you don’t want to deal with.
Ways to Start Drying Out Your Austin Home
So, you have water damage, but have yet to reach out to a professional water removal service. All hope is not lost as there are a few things you can do to help eliminate some of the water in your Austin home.
Your best ally in this endeavor is air. Open up all of your windows to allow fresh air in and use fans to help circulate it. If the moisture has nowhere to go, then you’ll eventually have to face musty odors, followed by the spread of mold. It’ll be a slow process to dry out your home, but the sooner you can get air in to start drying up some of the moisture, the better. Mold is nasty to deal with and you may actually miss it while cleaning. In this circumstance, you should contact a professional to help you with a mold inspection Austin, to help stop it before it spreads.
Using a Dehumidifier to Help Remove Water
A dehumidifier is a valuable tool to help remove water from your home. It basically sucks out the moisture from the air, and will help make the drying process go a bit faster. You may want to get several, depending on the amount of water you have. They’re very efficient machines and can help save you time during the cleaning process.
You’ll also have to do some additional work in removing items that may be tainted with water. Some of these may be salvageable, while others may not. Items like carpeting and furniture may be soaked, but they should be removed and brought outdoors so that they can air dry in the sun. Any other items, like small furniture and miscellaneous personal things, can usually be cleaned with mild detergent and water. These should also be taken outdoors to dry…but clean them thoroughly so that they don’t become susceptible to mold.
Vacuuming Options After Water Damage Austin
If you happen to own a wet vacuum, then you can at least get started on removing some of the water. This will help you temporarily if your carpeting, floors and furniture are soaked. Only use a wet vac under these circumstances: Never use a regular vacuum cleaner!
While it won’t be an immediate resolution, it will definitely help preventing the water from seeping into porous surfaces. Once water gets into porous materials it can begin to warp and buckle items such as wood floors, which you would most likely need to replace. Most wood floors are covered with polyurethane, but even excessive amounts of water can cause this coating to deteriorate.
While a wet vac allows you to tackle the surface, water can sink deep into these porous materials, which can then lead to mold. Even though mold may make an appearance, all hope is not lost. The good this is that there are restoration companies that can work with you to help manage your humidity and control whatever mold remediation Austin that you may need
Important Things Before The Professionals Arrive
While your first reaction is to start cleaning up the mess right away after water damage Austin, there are a few things that you shouldn’t do which can greatly affect your safety.
-Don't leave any wet fabric, such as clothes, small area rugs, etc., in your Austin home. Pick them up and allow them to air dry outside.
-The same goes for paper products such as wet newspapers, magazines and books; don't leave them on the floor. There’s a chance you may not be able to salvage them, but they should still be take outside to air dry as well.
-Do not use any electronic devices! Unplug and avoid using all electric appliances, such as radios, TVs and computers.
-Stay out of rooms that have wet floors and ceilings. If you manage to remove most of the water on your own, then let these rooms air dry allow professionals to begin full water removal Austin.
SERVPRO: How We Can Help
This is where SERVPROof East Central Austin can help. Our SERVPRO team consists of dedicated, trained & certified professionals who are available 24/7 to help with your water damage Austin needs.
We specialize in water damage removal and restoration, as well as mold remediation and removal. We will take every effort to properly restore your home or business in the aftermath of a storm, floods, leaks or whatever your particular situation.
We'll review the overall scope of your water damage repairs with an advanced water damage inspection and state of the art extraction equipment to make the restoration process go smoothly.
Our SERVPRO Team is ready and willing to help with your water restoration repairs. If you’re in need of water damage repairs and restoration, please contact our local SERVPRO company today.
Why You Should Use A Professional Water Damage Specialist in Austin
Austin water damage can be a nightmare. A professional water damage specialist can help, should these circumstances arise.
Water damage can be a nightmare. Whether from a flood, a leaky or burst pipe, a faulty appliance or a backed up sewage system, your first inclination is to clean up the mess. But wait! First of all, do you know what you’re dealing with? This isn’t something that can be done with a few paper towels and some soap. This is much more complicated than that.
There are several issues involved here, ranging from safety, bacteria, and the potential for mold to spread if the water damage is not properly remediated. Basically you shouldn’t tackle this on your own. Instead, you should reach out to an Austin based professional, who can help you figure out the best course of action for water removal Austin.
Of course, you never want to have to deal with a burst pipe, but it does happen and it can create abundant damage to your home. Initially you’ll want to clean up the mess…but you shouldn’t do this on your own. It’s a very time consuming process, and most likely, you won’t have the proper equipment to remove the water and dry your property and items right away. If ignored for a long period of time, the water can actually get into your walls and floors as well as other items, which can lead to mold. It’s a very complicated and time-consuming procedure to get rid of water damage Austin and mold on your own, and you should always use a professional service should this type of experience occur.
How Water Can Actually Damage your Austin Home
Whether a flood, heavy rain, or a burst pipe is the cause, once water enters your home and seeps into cracks and other hard to reach areas, the damage can be extreme. Water immersion can eventually degrade the condition of your building materials: metal will eventually rust, wood will begin to rot and mold will eventually spread. If water damage isn’t addressed immediately, your home or business may suffer some irreparable damage.
First Steps in Restoring Water Damage
Identifying the problem is the first action you need to take in confronting water damage. If a leak is the source, then shut off your water and then assess the damage. If there’s a limited amount of water, then you may not have excessive damage…just enough to isolate it and not vacate the house while it’s repaired and remediated. If the damage is extreme, there may be potential health risks involved and you may have to evacuate until the issue is resolved. It is recommended that you as the Austin homeowner not attempt to clean up the damage yourself. A licensed water damage professional will understand every element of your water damage and will be able to assess the damage, properly dehumidify your property monitor the areas in question and help with water removal Austin.
If you haven’t consulted with a restoration professional, you probably should. They can go over all the details of your water damage to determine the extent of the damage and what can be salvaged. They can also give you insight as to the status of mold in the aftermath of your water damage and provide a mold inspection Austin. If left unattended, mold spores can spread and cause major issues not just for your health, but also for the safety of your home. Mold needs to be meticulously monitored and removed before you can even return to your home.
Using a Professional Instead of Cleaning up Austin Water Damage Yourself
Think of it this way: you want to clean up your home after a storm or leak has caused water damage. It is your home and you want to protect it…but do you have the time, the energy…can you handle this on your own? In most cases, we aren’t able to tackle such an immense project on our own. A minor leak may be easy to manage and clean up on your own, but a more extreme case of water damage will require the services of a professional, who can handle the restoration of your property in less time than it would take if you did it single-handed.
Stopping Austin Mold Before it Starts
It important to address the water damage right away, for standing water and any extra moisture can be a breeding ground for mold spores to take root and then take over your house. This is where you should consider a mold inspection Austin, so that professionals can assess that status and potential spread of mold in your home once water damage has occurred. It’s best to stop mold before it can spread, so utilizing the services of a professional who handles mold remediation Austin will be a good step in keeping a headache from becoming a migraine.
How SERVPRO Of East Central Austin Can Help
If you’ve experienced water damage then SERVPRO of East Central Austin is here to help. We're trained & certified professionals who are available 24/7 in order to assist you with your water damage Austin needs.
We specialize in water damage removal and restoration, and mold remediation, and we use top-quality drying equipment for our water damage cleanup & restoration jobs.
Our SERVPRO team will evaluate the status of your water damage repairs, along with advanced water damage inspection, featuring state of the art extraction equipment for a smooth restoration process. We’re highly trained water restoration experts, and our trained and certified professionals can help 24/7 with your water restoration and repairs.
If you've experienced water damage and the onset of mold, contact SERVPRO of East Central Austin today.
One way to stop the spread of mold, is to prevent it before it starts.
It’s no question that mold is a nuisance, and once it makes its first appearance, it can be hard to stop it from spreading in your Austin home. Mold spores are so microscopic that it’s nearly impossible to stop them; however, you can take precautions to keep mold from spreading.
The first step is finding out where mold exists in your home. As Austin tends to be very humid in the summer, there are greater options for mold to appear if you don’t confront moisture in your home head on. You may in fact need a mold inspection Austin, to determine how bad the problem actually is. Whether it’s a wet area, a small leak, or extensive water damage, you have to get to the source before the mold starts.
Mold has the ability to get into everything, such as fabric (furniture and clothing), wood (floors and walls), carpets and also poorly ventilated areas such as bathrooms, showers and cabinets. These are items and areas that need to be maintained, because if unchecked, mold can cause serious health problems.
So, how does one stop mold before it starts?
Prevention is one method to help keep mold from spreading, so if you have issues with moisture and mold from water damage, then here are some ways to manage it:
Mold and Dampness
Mold cannot spread unless there is moisture in your Austin home. Therefore, if you discover any wet patches or areas that are more damp than usual, you might have the start of serious problem. Remove anything that appears to have been affected by moisture or dampness; this can include anything ranging from clothes, walls, carpeting, etc. You should clean and dry any wet or damp spots as soon as you find them, usually you have a 48-hour window before mold starts to spread, and so sooner is better.
Proper Ventilation in Your Austin Home
If there are parts of your house that are poorly ventilated (such as bathrooms and laundry rooms), open your windows and bring in fans and dehumifiers, which will help to eliminate dampness and prevent any mold spores from growing and spreading. Any type of condensation or wet spots should be dealt with as soon as possible. If you don’t have proper airflow, then mold can spread throughout your Austin home.
This is why it’s important to have good circulation. By keeping your windows open, doors to your closets open and giving access to areas that don’t usually get much air, such as cabinets, closets and cupboards, you can help reduce excess moisture in your home. Fresh air will also help decrease moisture and prevent mold from spreading.
You should also monitor any indoor plants that you may have, as mold spores are drawn to damp soil. The spores can take root in the soil and start the spread of mold over time throughout your home. Water your plants only when they need it.
How Moisture Meters Can Help
Moisture meters are designed to help you manage the amount of moisture that exists in your home. Reducing humidity can drastically affect moisture buildup as well as the spread of mold. A moisture meter, which can be purchased at any hardware store, can help you regulate internal humidity, which, according to the EPA should be between 30 and 60 percent.
Using Mold Resistant Building Materials
If you’ve experienced water damage Austin, then you may have extreme problems where you may have to renovate your home. If this is the case, then you might want to look into a variety of mold-resistant products on the market. Items such as mold-resistant sheetrock and drywall are available which can help prevent the spread of mold.
Keep Water Away From Your Austin Home
If your Austin home is often susceptible to floods from rainstorms, the problem might involve the landscaping of your property. If the land surrounding your home doesn’t slope downward, then water may be seeping into your home’s foundation, which can cause major problems in the end. Check the layout of your home and foundation to make sure that water isn’t getting into your home. If you have gutters, clean them frequently to prevent water buildup, and make sure that the water drains away from your home.
How SERVPRO Can Help if You Experience Mold Problems
Dealing with mold can be extremely frustrating, especially if you’ve experienced water damage Austin. If you’re having issues with mold, then you should contact a mold removal and mold remediation specialist, like SERVPRO of East Central Austin. We can help stop the spread of mold, so that it doesn’t return.
Our SERVPRO team consists of highly trained professionals in mold remediation Austin, and our training and required certifications enable us to manage all of your mold remediation needs. Using top of the line, state of the art equipment to treat your home, we will examine and detect any possibility of mold that you may not be able to find. We can provide an immediate mold inspection and, we’ll immediately start remediation to stop mold from spreading.
If you have problems with water damage Austin TX and the spread of mold, then give SERVPRO of East Central Austin a call.
How Cleaning Your Gutters Can Help Prevent Water Damage to Your Austin Home
A clogged gutter, which, if not addressed, can lead to water damage austin.
As fall passes through and eventually leads into winter, it’s time for leaves to start falling off of the trees. Many of these leaves will land on the ground, while others will wind up in the gutters of your home, which, over time can cause problems such as clogging and water damage if they’re not removed.
Sometimes we forget about our gutters, but once the water from a rainstorm starts to fall onto the side of your house rather than passing through the gutters, then there is obviously an issue that needs to be addressed.
Gutters keep a steady flow of water away from your home in order to help prevent water damage. If you ignore and don’t properly maintain your gutters on a regular basis, there can be disastrous consequences for the outside and inside of your home, which may require the attention of water damage specialists Austin.
Gutters, Flooding and Freezing
Gutters are designed to move water away from the roof of your house and your foundation. If your gutters are blocked, water will not flow properly, instead pouring over the sides and onto your walls and down into your foundation. As the water runs down the side of your house, it can greatly affect any wood siding you might have, which, if neglected, can eventually lead to mold, and eventually wood rot. The foundation, which is usually made of concrete, can slowly crumble over time from the excessive moisture.
Excessive water can also spill over into your yard, causing flooding. This can affect any nearby landscaping, such as trees and plants positioned near your house. While there’s rarely a deep freeze in Austin, you should keep your gutters clean in the event that ice does form. If your gutters are clean, they may still be clogged, which can allow excess water to freeze and create ice dams. Leaking for ice dams can seep in through your roof and create water damage, as the water has no place to go.
How to Clean Your Gutters
While the idea of cleaning your gutters may at first appear a daunting challenge, it’s actually not all that complicated. However, there are a few precautions you should take if you plan on doing this yourself:
Get Yourself a Safe Ladder. If you have an old, rickety wooden ladder, get rid of it and get yourself a sturdy new one, if possible. You’d be amazed at how many people fall while using old ladders to clean their gutters. Never lean your ladder against the gutters as they can be bent or broken. Always have someone spot you while holding the ladder while you’re cleaning the gutters. This helps stabilize the ladder and allows for an extra set of hands to pass you tools you may need for cleaning.
Wear Protective Clothing. While you may think that your gutters are full of leaves, keep in mind that there may also be twigs, dirt and a variety of bugs up there. Always wear long sleeves and thick rubber gloves as a protective measure. It’s a very messy job, so protect yourself.
Use tools. While you may feel like using your hands, based on how messy this can get, you may want to use tools, such as a small garden trowel to scoop out the mess.
How to collect the leaves and dirt. Before you even begin, get yourself a plastic drop cloth or a tarp and lay it down to collect the leaves and other debris. This is a better option instead of just dumping them in your yard.
Easy Clean Up. Once you’ve cleaned out the gutters, you should also check the drain for any foreign objects. Leaves and twigs can easily get stuck in here, so make sure that you get everything. Once you cleaned out the whole gutter, rinse the out with a hose to make sure that they’re clean and that the water flows properly.
How SERVPRO of East Central Austin Can Help if You Experience Water Damage
If your Austin home has experienced water damage and flooding from clogged gutters, SERVPRO of East Central Austin can help
We’re a locally owned Austin company, and we understand how overwhelming it can be if your property has experienced water damage. We can help with all aspects of water damage Austin, including water extraction Austin, water damage cleanup and water damage restoration. We’re water restoration experts, and our highly trained and certified professionals can help 24/7 with your water restoration and repairs to make it "Like it never even happened."
Need help with your water damage issues? Call our local SERVPRO Company today at (512) 420- 9886.
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
The holidays are upon us and you’re all set to decorate your Austin home. While it’s easy to get caught up in decorating, cooking, baking and visiting with family and friends, it’s also easy to overlook things that can be dangerous if not checked, such as potential fire hazards and fire damage and even water damage Austin.
You don’t want any type of Texas fire damage to affect your home during this time of year. So, here are a few precautions that can help you have a safe holiday.
Preventing Kitchen Fires
If you’re planning on doing a lot of cooking for the holidays, you should always be focused on what’s on your stove. Never leave any pots or pans that are being used unattended. Keep any potentially flammable items away from the stove while you’re cooking, including paper products such as napkins and plates, wooden spoons, and fabric items such as dishtowels and potholders.
You should also stay alert while you’re cooking. A lack of sleep or too much eggnog can impair your ability to focus on your holiday dinner. Most holiday related fires are actually cooking related, especially during Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Preventing Fire Hazards While Decorating Your Austin Home
While it’s typically warm in Austin, it can get cold during the holidays. If this is the case, you should make sure that any holiday decorations are nowhere near a heat source. This includes gas and wood fireplaces, space heaters, radiators, and other appliances that can produce heat. Most decorations catch fire when they’re placed near a heat source, so use extreme caution.
Candles are a major cause of fires during the holidays. If you need to use candles as part of your decorations, then use flameless, battery operated ones instead of traditional candles. These offer the same decorative effect without the risk of fire. If you do use regular candles, make sure that they’re placed in secure holders, and keep them far from flammable items such as curtains or fabrics. Always make sure that you’re there when they’re being used - never leave them unattended.
Fire Hazards with Holiday Lights and Christmas Trees
Christmas trees have the potential to be extremely dangerous if not properly monitored. If you do get a cut Christmas tree, make sure it’s firmly mounted in a durable stand and placed far from any heat source, where it can dry out and potentially catch fire. Check your tree’s water levels daily and make sure that it has plenty of water. A dry Christmas tree can go up quickly, so make sure that there’s plenty of hydration.
If you already have holiday lights, plug them in to check that they’re in good condition and that they don’t heat up. Any faulty lights that don’t work, heat up, or have frayed cords should be discarded and replaced with new ones. You do not want to put damaged lights on your Christmas tree, as this can cause a fire. You should never leave your holiday and tree lights plugged in when you aren’t home or if you’re sleeping - always unplug them. As for your tree decorations, make sure that you use non-combustible and flame-resistant items to prevent fire damage.
If you have young children, safeguard your house and your decorations at least six inches out of their reach so that they can’t get to them.
It’s very important not to overload extension cords or power strips. Check the wattage of your extension cords and surge protectors before you start plugging several strips of lights into them. Any lights or extension cords that you plan on using should be UL listed.
If you do a fair share of outdoor decorating, use lights that are only designated for outdoor use, and if you do hang lights outdoors, use a wooden ladder to drastically reduce the likelihood of electric shock. You should also have someone assist you while you’re hanging lights outside, in the event that you should slip and fall - never do this alone.
Of course, the holidays are meant to be a fun time to get together with friends and family, but they should also be safe. Accidents and unexpected fires happen at an alarming rate every year during this time, so please take these precautions to ensure that you have a safe holiday.
SERVPRO Can Help With Your Holiday Safety Questions
SERVPRO of East Central Austin is locally-owned and specializes in water extraction Austin, water restoration Austin, mold inspections and mold remediation, fire damage, residential and commercial cleaning services, and more.
Give us a call if you find yourself in need of any ideas or suggestions on how to keep your home safe during the holidays.
Be safe and Happy Holidays!
Saving Your Property After Mold Damage Occurs in Your Austin Home
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
You’ve had water damage in your Austin home or business, and you’ve done your best to clean up the mess. The first part is getting rid of all that water. It’s not the easiest thing to do, as water removal Austin can be very time consuming. If you’re not able to get rid of all of the water, you’ll find mold starting to make an appearance.
If you’re faced with a dangerous mold problem that’s affecting your personal items, you need to determine what to keep and what to discard. It’s a big problem, because not everything is salvageable, and if you can’t handle removing the mold on your own, you need to bring in a mold remediation Austin specialist.
Of course the idea of seeing a beloved possession covered in mold can be very distressing, but don’t fret just yet: that antique clock might be salvageable, but that couch may not. Of course you’d like to keep everything, but that may not be possible. If you’ve managed to remove most of the water damage from your Austin home, then you may have less mold to deal with, and more chances to save your items.
So, let’s break all of this down for you, because some items can be saved, while others cannot.
How to Deal with Mold Affecting Non-Porous Surfaces
Let’s look at non-porous surfaces such as glass or ceramic items. These are often very smooth, and since they are non-porous, you’ll find that mold cannot really affect these materials. Glass is usually pretty easy to clean, usually with a damp towel and dish soap. If you find a lot of mold on these types of items, be sure to scrub it off thoroughly, then run it through your dishwasher if possible.
How Mold Can Affect Porous Surfaces
You’ll find that items such as carpets, curtains, rugs and furniture are not as easy to clean, once they’ve been affected by mold. As these are porous, they have a greater tendency to absorb water, giving mold the thumbs up to spread. If this is what’s happened, then you should probably throw out these items, as the mold will become so immersed that they will be beyond repair. It should be stressed that if these types of items and materials are wet and are caught in time before mold can start to grow, you might actually have a better chance of drying them out and then cleaning them. A mold remediation Austin professional can give you guidance on how to proceed with this.
How Mold Can Affect Semi-Porous Surfaces
With materials such as wood and stone, it can be a bit of a gamble as to whether they can be saved. If you have wood floors and walls, and the water damage is severe, you’ll find greater opportunities for mold to appear, especially if the water damage isn’t taken care of immediately. The same can be said for walls, especially if water saturates sheetrock and seeps beyond it to the wooden beams in the structure of your Austin home. Once mold starts to grow, you may have to cut open your walls and floors, bring in a mold inspection Austin professional to inspect the severity of the situation.
Masonry, such as brick and stone can also be affected by mold if not checked properly. Remember, mold thrives wherever there’s moisture, so be sure to check any internal stone work (including bricks) if you’ve experienced water damage in your Austin home.
How SERVPRO Can Help with Mold Removal and Mold Remediation
Mold removal can be extremely difficult, especially if it affects different surfaces and materials. Don’t try to handle this on your own: contact a mold removal and mold remediation specialist, like SERVPRO of East Central Austin. We can help stop the spread of mold, so that it doesn’t return.
Our SERVPRO team can manage all of your mold remediation needs. We use only top of the line, state of the art equipment to treat your home. We will examine and detect any possibility of mold at your home or business. We’ll provide an immediate mold inspection and, we’ll get right on it to start remediation and stop if from spreading. If you have problems with water removal Austin and mold, give us a call.
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
What Causes Mold in Austin? And How to Know When You Need Mold Remediation
While mold is often associated with flooding and water damage, there are many other causes that can lead to mold damage and the need for mold remediation Austin. While a natural disaster, such as a flood, is a major component in mold development, but even the most miniscule amount of stray water can attract mold spores, and here’s where microbe growth can take root and be ignored for a lengthy period of time, until it’s too late. This is where you'll most likely need a mold inspection Austin.
Mold is extremely messy to deal with and to clean up. The greatest misconception is that everyone who has mold lives in a dirty house. You can have the cleanest, most immaculate house, and still experience mold. Mold spores are everywhere, so it’s not the condition of your house, or the cleanliness of it that’s the main issue. What does matter are three important things: temperature, moisture and a food source.
How Temperature Affects the Growth of Mold in Austin
On average, and depending on where you live, many homes manage an indoor temperature ranging from 74 to 78 degrees. However, mold spores can thrive and grow anywhere from 68 to 86 degrees, while others are known to grow at temperatures that are lower than 68 and even higher that 86. In a humid environment such as Austin, mold spores can thrive outside in 100-degree weather.
Moisture and Its Role in Furthering Mold Growth
Moisture is a necessity in order for mold spores to take root and grow. The spores can grow at different moisture levels; for example, the spores can grow quite rapidly at 70% humidity and above. Some can even start growing at a reduced level of 65%, so it’s best to keep moisture levels in your home or business below 60%. A mold remediation Austin specialist can help in understanding how to regulate humidity.
Could Food Sources Be Contributing to Mold in Your Austin Home?
Mold can attach itself to practically anything, which is why your Austin home is a prime food source for spores. Once the spores attach, mold can spread on anything such as insulation, paper, drywall, wood…basically anything organic is a lure for mold to take root and expand. If the mold becomes excessive, then you need to arrange a mold inspection Austin.
How SERVPRO Can Help with Mold Removal and Remediation
Once water damage Austin takes place, mold can quickly take root not that far behind. You have a limited time frame in which you can stop it before it spreads.
If you find that you have contaminated water and can’t control the spread of mold, don’t try to handle this on your own: contact a mold removal and remediation specialist, like SERVPRO of East Central Austin. We can help stop the spread of mold, so that it doesn’t return.
Our SERVPRO team consists of highly trained professionals in water damage and mold remediation. Our training and required certifications enable us to manage all of your mold remediation needs. We use only top of the line, state of the art equipment to treat your home, business or apartment.
We will perform a thorough mold inspection Austin, where we examine and detect any possibility of mold at your home or business.
If you believe you could have a mold problem, give us a call at 512-420-9886 today.
Why You Should Never Air Dry Your Austin Home After Water Damage
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
If your Austin home or business should experience a flood, or any type of water damage, your first instinct may be to let everything dry out before you start to clean up. While water evaporation is a natural process, you may think that this is the route to go. While we may air dry our clothes on a clothesline, this isn’t advisable for your home, once water damage occurs. In fact, air-drying out your home can cause a multitude of damaging issues, such as warping and mold.
Here are two main reasons why air drying your Austin home is not the best route to go after water damage has occurred:
Water Damage to Your Austin Property
While air drying usually takes longer than proper cleaning, you run the risk of having many items in your house becoming water damaged. Carpets, wallpaper, upholstery are considered absorbent, so once they become waterlogged, it will take longer to dry than usual. Warping can then occur, once these porous materials absorb the water. Think of walls and floors submerged under water…they almost always are never the same afterwards.
If your property is exposed to moisture for an extended period of time, oxidation and rotting can also take place. A thorough drying procedure should be taken into account to prevent any type of warping, which is why it’s best to remove all of the water from your Austin home and then begin the cleaning process. Once your property is severely water damaged, it may be very costly to repair and even replace what’s been affected.
The Appearance of Mold after Water Damage
The longer that water remains in your Austin home or business after water damage, the greater the opportunity for mold to appear. This is why it’s important to remove all water and not air-dry your home. If you move quickly to remove the water from your home, then there will be a reduced opportunity for mold to spread into your floors and walls. Tiny crevices can allow mold spores to fester and take root, and you most likely don’t want to have to replace your floors and walls. Mold removal and remediation should take place as quickly as possible, to stop mold before it starts.
How Our SERVPRO Team Can Help
If you’ve experienced water damage in your Austin home, it’s best to not air dry your property. If you cannot handle water damage removal and restoration and mold remediation by yourself, then SERVPRO of East Central Austin is here to help. We're trained & certified professionals who are available 24/7 in order to assist you with your water damage Austin needs.
We specialize in water damage removal and restoration, and mold remediation. Our SERVPRO team will evaluate the status of your water damage repairs in addition to an advance water damage inspection, featuring state of the art extraction equipment for a smooth restoration process.
If you've experienced water damage Austin and the onset of mold, contact our local SERVPRO Company today.
6 Things to Consider When Choosing a Cleaning Company for Your House Cleaning and Commercial Cleaning Services in Austin
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
SERVPRO vs. Traditional Cleaning Services vs. an Austin Maid Service - What's the Best Choice?
Many people don't realize that beyond the damage restoration services we provide, our SERVPRO team can also perform many other duties for your Austin home or business, and that includes house cleaning services. Our cleaning services go well beyond what an Austin maid service or other Austin cleaning companies can offer.
If your home or business has suffered Austin water damage, a flood, and/or a fire, it's likely you're already aware that you would be better off with a team of professionals behind you, like our SERVPRO company, handling all your water removal, cleanup & water restoration needs. But what about those regular household or office cleanings? Why is SERVPRO a better choice than an Austin maid service and other cleaning services Austin?
The answer is simple. We provide a much deeper, more thorough clean than a traditional cleaning service. Our SERVPRO team uses state-of-the-art equipment, cleaners and high powered vacuums to give your home and/or office the most intensive cleaning it can have. We're fully insured, and can handle a variety of cleaning services, including carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, cleaning your drapes & blinds, ceiling, floor and wall cleaning, odor removal and much more. Other home cleaning services do just enough to mask the issue. Our SERVPRO team gets to the root of stains, dirts and smells to make sure your home or office is as clean as can be. And you know the SERVPRO name is one you can trust.
Depending on your budget, you may still be tempted to contact an Austin maid service or other residential or commercial cleaning services Austin to clean your home or business. But there are other reasons why an Austin maid service may not be the best choice. Here are five additional reasons why our cleaning service can be a better choice than a traditional Austin cleaning company or Austin TX maid service for your residential and commercial cleaning needs.
1) Ensure that the Company You're Choosing to Hire for Cleaning Services Is Trustworthy and Has Insurance
Regardless of an Austin cleaning service or Austin Maid Service’s online reputation, you still should try and do a little further digging into their company. One thing you'll want to do is make sure that they’re bonded before any work begins. This type of insurance will protect your home in the event that damage or a theft occurs, and replace your property if a theft does happen. If they’re not bonded, then you may run the risk of having something taken from your home or business.
Always check everyone’s references before they do work on your property. Online reviews are great, but it's likely you'll be able to get further information talking to a previous/current customer. If the company came recommended by a friend or relative, speak to them directly about their experiences.
2) Don't Attempt to look for Cleaning Companies or Maid Services on Internet Job Boards
If you're in the market for an Austin Maid Service or cleaning services company, avoid searching or posting for one on places like Craigslist. Many times these postings and responses can be from scam artists, who don't work for reputable businesses, and are posing as cleaners, when actually their aim is to rob you.
Certainly there are some honest individuals not affiliated with Austin Maid Services who clean houses and use sites like Craigslist to promote their services, but it's a risky endeavor. If you do go this route, be very thorough in checking into their background, reputation and be sure to ask to speak to at least 3-5 other customers to get references.
Independent cleaning services can be great, but remember, if there’s no one to supervise or be accountable, then you also may not be able to file a claim if your property is damaged or something is stolen.
3) What is ‘Clean’? Make Sure You & the Cleaning Company You're Working With Have Similar Ideas of 'Clean'
One person’s idea of clean may not mesh with yours. This can cause conflicts with a cleaning company or Austin Maid Service, especially if they have a different approach to cleaning. Some Austin Maid Services may just do a quick surface clean to make your home or business look presentable, but the truth is when doing any type of cleaning, a deep cleaning is what you need to get rid of mold, bacteria, and prevent these things from returning.
A deep cleaning, like the type our SERVPRO company provides involves deep scrubbing and polishing of surfaces, things that a surface clean just can’t conquer. If you have to use an Austin Maid Service or traditional cleaning service, check to see how thorough they are in their cleaning procedures. If they don’t perform a thorough job, then unfortunately, utilizing their services could just be a waste of your money.
4) The Importance of Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
Something else that should be taken into account with whatever type of cleaning service you're working with is what types of products they actually use. Some products contain chemicals that are extremely hazardous, not only to you, but also to children and pets, so it’s best to use eco-friendly products instead of ones that may cause harm. If a cleaning company or Austin Maid Service is promoting that they use ‘green’ or ‘eco-green’ cleaners or products, ask them for the names of the types of cleaning products they use and ingredients. Occasionally companies that promote their products as eco-friendly aren’t really using ‘green’ products, but rather, they're using harmful products that are diluted with water to come off as less harmful.
5) Different Cleaning Pace and Insurance Issues
Problems can arise if you’re using a cleaning service or Austin Maid service with a limited staff. If you need to have your home or business cleaned right away, and the service is short staffed, then it may take longer than you expect. Many people like a quick clean, but sometimes this just isn’t the case. If you’re dealing with a service where only one employee is available for the job, and you have a large house, it's going to take much longer for your house to be cleaned.
6) Reliability in an Austin Cleaning Service Is Key
We all lead busy lives, and when we hire a company to do our house cleaning or office cleaning, we need to make sure they're reliable and on time. It goes without saying that you should always check out a company's online reputation, but posing the reliability question to any references you receive is important as well.
If an Austin cleaning service or Maid Service agrees to be at your home at a specific time and then is four hours late, that’s an issue. Also, keep in mind, you could run into overcharging for services that haven’t been rendered, especially if there’s an agreed upon price before hand. This happens all too frequently, with additional hidden charges, extra fees for work in the invoice that hasn’t been done.
How SERVPRO Can Help With Your Cleaning Services
Although there are many good cleaning services Austin, and Austin Maid Services out there, many of them just can't provide the level of cleaning that our SERVPRO team can. Our scope of services covers both residential household cleaning and commercial cleaning throughout Austin TX. If you're in need of a deep, thorough proper cleaning, try our SERVPRO company on for size. You won't be disappointed.
10 Tips for Keeping Your Home Safe While on Vacation
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
Is Your Austin Home Safe While You're Away?
With the holidays approaching, everyone's gearing up for their travel plans. If you're planning a vacation anytime soon, there are certain precautions you should take to protect your home from burglars and other damage that can greatly hamper home safety. Though you may live in a safe Austin neighborhood, even a minor mistake can cause a great amount of heartbreak when you return home. It’s always good to make a list of preventive measures to ensure that your home's protected while you’re away.
How to Prevent Property Break-Ins and Other Home Damage from Occurring While You're on Vacation
1) Keep Everything Locked
Lock your doors and windows. You may think this one's a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised how often homeowners forget to lock a window or two, prior to leaving on vacation. Before you leave, do one last round of checks to ensure all locks are working properly. If you don’t have a full-time house sitter, but have a friend or neighbor who is keeping an eye on your house, make sure you provide them with an extra set of keys in the event there's an emergency. Property break-ins are a significant cause for concern in the Austin TX area, so don't take this too lightly.
2) Keep Your Plans to Yourself
If you’re all set to travel, you should never advertise your plans on social media or discuss it in public. If you post any explicit details about your travel plans, such as when you’re leaving, how long you’ll be gone for, there is a slight chance that someone might pick up on that info. If you need to tell someone, then make sure it’s only friends and family in a non-public forum, or someone that you’ve asked to take your mail, or feed your pets. Unfortunately, there are individuals out there trying to scam your personal information, so if they find out that you’re gone, your home might become a potential target for burglary.
3) Disconnect Your Electronics
Our appliances don’t really serve any purpose if we’re not using them for an extended period of time. Coffee pots, televisions, computers, toasters and anything else that doesn’t have to be plugged in while you’re gone, should be unplugged. This will help to cut down on your electric bill and keep you from wasting excess electricity. And it will also help to prevent against electrical fires while you’re gone. The last thing you want is to get a call on your vacation and find out your house has been the victim of fire damage.
Another safety precaution is unplugging your garage door when you leave. Believe it or not, when eyeing your home, criminals can use universal remotes to open up your garage door and break into your house. So, unplug the door and add that extra barrier for home safety.
It can be fairly typical when flying that you might leave your car at the airport. If you park your car at the airport long-term, you should never leave a cell phone or GPS in your car. If someone breaks into your car, they can use these technologies to decipher your route to your house.
4) Hiring a House-or Pet-Sitter
If you have pets, and don't want to place them in a kennel, consider hiring a house sitter, pet sitter or a friend or relative to stay at your Austin home or to visit the house daily. This is also a great way to keep your home looking lived in and occupied while you're away. There are many reputable pet sitting services where professionals can take of your furry friends, but if you’re worried about dealing with strangers, then seek out friends or relatives, who would be willing to take care of your animals while you're gone.
5) Some Additional Security Features
Other precautions you can take to keep your Austin TX home safe include installing a home security system (these can vary in price), as well as additional lighting, such as exterior motion lights that go on when someone walks by. While motion lights are pretty commonplace these days, they can still work as a deterrent.
Also, when it comes to keys, never keep a copy of your keys hidden outside. There are plenty of common hiding spaces (like under a flower pot) that burglars know like the back of their hand, so avoid making those types of mistakes. As mentioned earlier, if you have to give your keys to someone, give them to a neighbor, friend or relative, who is watching your place while you’re away. Make sure only that person has them and gives them back to you when you return.
6) Stop Your Mail and Have a Friend Check on Your House
If you’re planning a long vacation, it’s advisable to have the post office hold your mail until you return. The post office offers this as a free service and can hold your mail for up to 30 days. This will stop mail, including bills and paychecks from building up in your mailbox. A full mailbox is one of the telltale signs a burglar will look for, when trying to gauge if anyone is staying in the home.
If you get a daily newspaper, you can also have delivery put on hold as a home safety measure. Sometimes we have a tendency to forget that, but it can easily be resolved with a call to your local paper. A pile of papers on your front lawn is another sure sign that you’re away, and it too can make you a target for burglars.
With the mail and papers put on hold, there are still some potential problems that can show that you aren’t at home. Fliers, menus from take out restaurants and those doorknob advertisements, if ignored, can cause problems. If you can’t find someone to house sit for you, see if one of your neighbors can remove them and also keep an eye on the house and make sure that everything is okay.
7) Reduce Your AC and Heat
If you don’t have pets, and you're traveling during some of Austin's warmer months, then it’s wise to turn off your air conditioning while you’re away. Of course it gets incredibly hot in Austin, but there’s no need to keep it running while you're gone, unless you have pets. In most cases, if you have one or two pets, you can set your thermostat to a comfortable temperature such as 78°F.
In the wintertime, it can get cold in Austin, so you can set your thermostat to 55°F to keep your pipes from freezing. Remember, if your pipes freeze, you could end up having to fix leaks from cracked pipes and significant water damage Austin.
By altering the temperature range on your thermostat and turning the AC off while you’re away, you can save up to 3% on your electric bill. And as your HVAC unit can have water damage issues periodically, you'll want to avoid the potential for any water damage from your HVAC unit, while your away. If you do run into these issues, you could end up needing water damage restoration Austin.
And remember, water damage can lead to other problems, like mold in your Austin TX property, so be sure to take all preventative measures that you can. If you end up with mold, you'll need a mold inspection Austin done, and possibly mold remediation Austin as well.
8) Give Your Property the Lived In Look
If you have a daily routine, such as waking up and going to sleep at a certain time, you should replicate that as much as possible, while you’re away with home lighting. But, the key is to not leave your lights on all day and night. Use timers on your lights to go on when you would usually turn them on, so it appears that someone’s in the house. Timers are quite affordable, ranging from $10-$30 dollars, and these are worthy investments for home protection. It’s best to keep your house looking as is while you’re gone.
As to whether you should keep your curtains open, well, that’s a tough one. There are some who say that if you usually keep your curtains open while you’re home, then keep them open while you’re gone, which gives the impression that someone’s there. On the other hand, if you're gone during the summer months, seeing as this is Austin TX, and it’s extremely hot in the summer, you may want to close your shades and curtains to keep heat from coming in through the windows and causing the temperature to rise inside your home, and also to keep strangers and thieves from looking inside.
If you mow your lawn every week, and you're going to be on vacation for longer than a week, you may want to hire someone to take care of your lawn while you’re away, so that the property looks cared for. You may also have plants that need to be watered, so make sure those are taken care of as well.
9) Water Heater Levels
Unless you have someone house sitting for you while you’re away, it might make sense to turn off your water heater. You can shut off the circuit breaker before you leave, and if you have a gas-powered heater, then you can shut off the gas valve. Once you return, you should let your hot water run for a few minutes before turning the heater back on, to make sure that the tank isn’t empty. If there’s no water in it, the tank can suffer significant damage. If you take a winter trip, your water heater should be set to the lowest setting you can, just to prevent your pipes from freezing.
10) Manage your Fridge
Your refrigerator uses a lot of electricity to keep your food cold and frozen. If you’re taking an extended vacation and some of that food may go past its expiration date, consider tossing it before you leave, and then unplug and clean your fridge, which can save you some money on your electric bill. One additional tip if you do empty everything before you travel is to put a box of baking soda inside the fridge to help absorb odors and prevent the spread of mold.
If your fridge has individual settings for the fridge and the freezer, you can set the fridge to 42°F and the freezer to 5°F. This will still keep everything cold for the duration of your vacation, while also helping to bring down your electricity costs just a bit.
Enjoy these helpful tips on keeping your Austin home safe, while you're on vacation, from our SERVPRO team. Our Austin SERVPRO company is a locally-owned Austin TX company that specializes in water damage Austin, TX, water removal Austin, mold inspections and mold remediation, fire damage repairs, residential and commercial cleaning services Austin and more. Give us a call if you're in need of any of these services.
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
Water Damage and Your HVAC Unit
As anyone who's suffered from water damage knows, it can cause multiple problems that can be difficult to remedy. If you’ve been the victim of water damage from a flood or excessive rain in Austin, then it’s something that you should take care of immediately. However, other types of water damage may go unnoticed, causing more insidious damage and leading to unforeseen problems down the road. Your heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit (HVAC) is one such culprit; if your HVAC unit is not properly cared for, and routinely maintained and inspected, you can find yourself with some very extreme water damage and mold issues down the line.
Normally, your HVAC unit shouldn’t leak, but it can happen. Basic maintenance of your unit can keep it running without any problems, but sometimes this just isn’t the case. Even minor issues can cause a major headache for you, if your HVAC unit isn’t checked on a regular basis.
Typical Causes of HVAC Leaking and Water Damage Resulting from Your HVAC Unit
Like any major household appliance, your HVAC needs to be maintained regularly to prevent any future problems. It’s like your car, if you don’t change the oil every few thousand miles, you’ll experience problems; the same goes for your HVAC unit. Water damage, mold and even structural damage are major risks you can face if your HVAC unit is not properly maintained.
Below are some tips to prevent water damage from your HVAC:
Preventing Water Damage as a Result of Condensate Drain Issues
If your HVAC is in good working shape, then the water that’s collected in your condensate drain should be carried through your plumbing system and expelled outside of your Austin home. While you might see very small amounts of water from your unit, this is often normal as the unit is removing moisture from the air.
However, a clogged condensate drain can cause water to leak. As your condensate drain gets clogged, it needs to be flushed out. Dust from your filter and other related debris can get stuck in the drain, so it should be cleaned out often, depending on how much you use your HVAC.
Once you turn off your unit, the drain can be flushed with water mixed with some bleach, or it can be vacuumed out. If you’re not sure how to do this, then contact a specialist, who can also check if there are any issues with the drain itself. However, if you see larger than normal amounts of water appearing on your floor, on your walls and even your celling, then you have water damage Austin and need to get it taken care of right away.
Another thing to keep in mind: if you find a leak in your air conditioner’s drainage pipe, this should be replaced right away. You should contact a professional for this, because it’s a bit of a tricky process, but if a leak is evident, then take care of it immediately to prevent any further water damage from occurring.
And if you are the victim of water damage in Austin TX or the surrounding areas, rest assured our SERVPRO team can help.
Centrally located in Austin, our SERVPRO company consists of highly trained and certified water damage restoration professionals; not only can we take care of any water removal & extraction you may need, but we specialize in water damage restoration Austin, and can also handle any necessary mold inspection or mold remediation Austin.
Frozen Coils & How They Can Cause Water Damage
We all know how hot it gets here in Austin TX, and many people often have their ACs cranked very high in order to stay cool. If your HVAC is doing overtime in this department, you may actually find ice starting to appear in your evaporator coil. Once the ice begins to melt, the melted water will start to leak. If you think that your coil is frozen, then you should shut down your AC for a few hours, so that the ice melts and clean up any water that you find. If this occurs more than once, then you need to bring in a specialist to figure out the problem. Otherwise you could end up with more water damage on your hands.
Even a Simple Thing Like Your Condensate Pan Shifting Can Attribute to Water Damage
Another thing to look out for is your condensate pan, a galvanized metal pan that collects any condensation from your HVAC unit. If it shifts in any way, which they can do, you’ll find some type of water damage appearing over time. It’s not that difficult to repair as all you need is to check the pan’s placement and move it back in place if it’s moved.
Leaky Window Air Conditioners: A Large Culprit for Potential Water Damage & Mold
While most homes in Austin have central HVAC units, there are some homeowners that use window air conditioners to beat the heat. Although less expensive than a central system, these types of air conditioners are known to leak frequently, which can cause extreme water damage and mold. As they have no condensate drain, many times the water will leak out onto the window sill, causing permanent damage and allowing for mold to set in, causing even more problems.
These units are heavy, cumbersome and often tend to leak, as they usually aren’t mounted properly. If this is the situation, then you’ll find excess water coming into your house. Usually these just rest in your window, but it’s much safer if they are mounted on a window bracket, so that they’re positioned properly. If you don’t have a window bracket, be sure that it’s secure enough so that extra water drains on the outside of your Austin home, instead of the inside.
How to Repair Water Damage Resulting from Your HVAC Unit
If you find that your HVAC system is experiencing minor leaks, you may be able to tackle the problem on your own, but if it appears to be a long-term problem, then you’ll probably need some outside help. Slight damage to walls and small puddles may be easily repaired, but if your walls show increasing moisture, they you may have to resort to cutting them open to find the root of the damage. Your floorboards, sub floors and ceilings can also be affected, and if they start to sag from excessive water damage, they also will have to be dried and possibly removed and replaced.
Once water damage occurs, you’ll most likely have to deal with mold. Minor patches of mold may be easy to remove to stop it in its tracks…but depending on how extreme the water damage is, you may find mold growing on your walls, under your floors and in the bones of your Austin home’s structure.
Here’s where heavy cleaning and sanitizing of your home may be needed, so please don’t try to tackle this type of mold remediation on your own: contact an Austin mold remediation company, like our SERVPRO team instead.
What You Can Do To Prevent Leaks in Your HVAC Unit
While you may have a trusted HVAC system, it’s always best to do routine checks to prevent any possible water damage. Here are a few ideas.
1. Check and Clean the Condensation Line Frequently
You should always check your condensation line for moisture and possible clogs. The line should be cleaned every 3 to 6 months, to ensure that there’s no extra moisture of clogs.
2. Replace Your HVAC filter
Your filter can draw in tons of dust and dirt, which can greatly affect the performance of your unit. Your filter should be replaced every 3 months, to keep airflow consistent and to prevent clogs.
3. Air Duct Cleaning and Inspections, Cleaning & Maintenance of Your Overall HVAC System
It's always a good idea to have a regular inspection of your HVAC system to ensure that it's running properly. Our SERVPRO team can help by routinely inspecting and maintaining your HVAC system to help prevent the possibility of leaks and water damage from occurring. You won't always need an air duct cleaning Austin done, but should it be necessary, we can help with that as well.
4. Check Your HVAC Refrigerant Levels
The refrigerant is the ingredient used to keep the air in your air conditioner cool. If it’s low, then it can affect the performance of your HVAC, which may cause water to leak and cause subsequent water damage. Check the refrigerant levels regularly.
Call Our SERVPRO Office 24/7 Should You Have a Water Damage Emergency
If your water damage is extensive from your HVAC unit, don't try and tackle water damage removal and restoration and mold remediation by yourself. Our SERVPRO company is here for you. We're trained & certified professionals who are available 24/7 in order to assist you with your water damage Austin needs.
We specialize in water damage restoration, mold remediation, HVAC and air duct cleaning and more. We’ll work to properly restore your property in the aftermath of water damage from Austin storms, floods, leaks and/or issues with your HVAC unit. We use state of the art extraction equipment and scientific drying principles so that the water restoration process goes smoothly and is as stress free as possible.
We’re a locally owned Austin SERVPRO company that is proud to serve our community. We’re here for you should your Austin TX property experience any type of water damage.
Small Leaks Can Mean Major Water Damage in Your Austin Home
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
How a Small Leak in Your Austin Home Can Quickly Turn into a Major Water Damage Problem
A leak in your Austin TX home should never be ignored. Even the most miniscule leak can cause extreme water damage, and it’s often these types of leaks that people fail to notice. Minor leaks can affect carpeting, walls, and damage to your subfloors, as well as creating a major problem for your internal plumbing and pipes.
The best way to notice and stop any potential leaks is to do inspections every month. By using basic leak detection, you can uncover if you have any issues with moisture and humidity, as unexpected moisture that could be caused by leaks that can lead to potential structural damage. But how do you actually identify these potential problems?
Performing Leak Detection in Your Austin Home or Business
First, you should go through your Austin property, checking the inside and the outside at least once a month.
Inspect your property for traces of water or any kind of moisture that appears to be resulting from water damage Austin. Pipes often tend to be the culprit, but you should also look into crawl spaces in your basement, if you have one. In many cases moisture isn’t all that easy to identify, so you may be surprised if you overlook something and then find mold starting to grow.
If mold sets in, it can lead to a variety of other issues, including affecting your health. If you do see mold, make sure you act quickly by getting a mold inspection done. It's likely you might also need mold remediation Austin.
If you’re unable to find the leaks on your own, you may want to consult with a plumber. If you don’t have a regular plumber whose services you use, consult with a few plumbers regarding estimates and length of time to fix your leak. And if you need water damage restoration, our SERVPRO team can help.
Detecting if Mold Growth Has Begun
Active mold growth can often be detected by smell alone. If you smell anything musty or just flat out funky, then you might have mold growing somewhere. Even if you can’t see it, try to pinpoint where it may be coming from.
Areas where you’re likely to find moisture, such as bathrooms and showers can breed mold if not cleaned regularly. If excessive moisture exists in your Austin TX home, then you may need to bring in a dehumidifier and exhaust fans and get a mold inspection done.
An increase in mold can be caused by poor ventilation. Make sure all of your potentially damp spaces (basements, attics, crawl spaces, etc.) are well ventilated so that moisture can escape.
Always check on your air conditioner and HVAC system. Change your filters monthly and check all pipes for clogs, which can cause all kinds of problems. A properly working system can help drastically reduce humidity.
The Damage that Leaks Really Cause
It’s estimated that a small leak can cause a home to lose anywhere from 2,000 to 20,000 gallons of water per year. If this derived from a leaky kitchen faucet, it can usually be repaired pretty quickly, either by yourself or with the assistance of a plumber. Other leaks may be more difficult to find and may go undetected for longer periods of time, which can cause you massive water damage problems in the end.
Structural Damage Resulting from Leaks and Water Damage
Structural damage is another common issue resulting from leaks. Structural damage can be just as much of a headache as water damage to your Austin TX home, and just as costly. You’ll find that in addition to cosmetic issues, like water stains in the walls and ceilings, you’ll actually need to investigate if the water damage is more extreme. As a leak can develop over time, at the first sight of staining on your floors, walls, ceiling, etc., you should call in plumbers.
Bending and warping drywall can be a major issue once these materials begin to absorb water from a leak. The same can happen with wood floors, which will also hamper your home’s structural integrity. Support beams can also be affected, if the affected area isn’t tended to right away. Warped walls should be removed to access the leak in question and to prevent further water damage and mold; the growth of such problems can lead to your home becoming uninhabitable.
Lost Property Values as a Result of Water Damage in Austin
One thing to take into account is that if your home has recurring leaks and water damage, it can greatly affect the value of your home, especially if you ‘re trying to sell it. Once water damage is repaired, there may be traces of it that are left behind. That's one of the reasons why you'll want to contact a water damage restoration company, like our SERVPRO office. We specialize in making it "Like it never even happened."
If your water damage is excessive, and should traces of water damage remain, you’ll find that you may have to reduce your selling price.
Why Leak Prevention is Important
Conquering a water leak, regardless of its size, is something that should be handled by a plumber. A good plumber will be meticulous in researching, analyzing and restoring the numerous causes of water leaks and water damage. Plumbers are extremely knowledgeable and can help in stopping a water leak that will cause damage to your Austin home.
How SERVPRO of East Central Austin Can Help in the Event of Water Damage
If your Austin-based home or business has experienced water damage from a pesky leak that you can’t control, be sure to reach out to a plumber… But if water damage cleanup Austin is needed, you should contact a professional water damage and restoration company.
SERVPRO of East Central Austin will take every effort to restore your Austin TX home after you experience water damage. We can help you evaluate the overall scope of your water damage repairs, and we use only top of the line water extraction equipment to provide a seamless restoration process.
We’re a locally owned Austin company, and we understand how overwhelming it can be if your Austin property has experienced water damage. We’re highly trained water restoration experts, and our trained and certified professionals can help 24/7 with your water restoration and repairs.
Flooding in Austin: How to Protect Your Austin Home or Business from Flood Damage
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
A Guide to Preventing Your Austin TX Property from Flooding
Flooding is something that no one should ever have to deal with, but it does happen. Austin is no stranger to flooding; the downtown area has experienced numerous floods throughout the years, with some being very severe and costing hundreds of lives and millions of dollars in flood damage restoration and repairs.
Aside from its somewhat hilly terrain, Austin remains a very flood prone area, as it has the potential for run off, which can cause flash flooding as well. In fact, flash floods are probably the biggest disaster threat to the Austin TX area.
When flooding occurs in your Austin home or business, you can end up with an extensive amount of water damage, and you'll likely need water extraction done, along with water damage restoration Austin.
The quicker the flooding problem is addressed, the better off you'll be, as the longer you wait to contact a flood restoration company, the better chance there is that mold and bacteria will begin forming.
If you've experienced flooding in your Austin property, it would be a good idea to have a mold inspection done; if it turns out mold has begun to grow, you could need mold remediation done. This is one of the reasons why it's very important to address any type of flood damage quickly. This guide on the common types of mold in Austin and their various levels of danger may help you in figuring out if mold has begun growing on your property.
When your Austin property has already been the victim of flooding, a company that specializes in water restoration and mold removal/remediation in Austin, like our SERVPRO team, can guide you on the necessary steps and provide the various services needed.
But how do you prevent flooding before it even happens in your property? Well, here are some tips on doing just that, as well as helping you understand why Austin TX can often be very prone to flooding and flood damage in general.
Why Is Austin Prone to Floods?
Austin’s topography is what makes the city a prime candidate for flooding. For example, the Balcones Fault is a cliff formation that runs from Del Rio in Val Verde County up towards Dallas. Part of it is situated in the Texas Hill Country and it serves as a gateway of sorts for passing weather systems that travel through the Gulf of Mexico. When an air mass changes its altitude (called an Orographic Lift), clouds and precipitation can develop which eventually leads to heavy rain and resulting storm damage in areas, like Austin TX, that lie west of the fault.
On average, Austin gets up to 34.25 inches of rain per year. However, with less rain, the soil in the surrounding areas becomes dry and it becomes more difficult for the soil to accept so much water. And that's when the flooding begins.
Some Notorious Austin Floods
Throughout the years, Austin has experienced many serious floods that have caused extensive damage and loss of life. Here are just a few examples of severe storms that greatly affected the Austin TX area and led to extensive flooding:
In July 1869, Austin experienced 64 hours of continuous rain, which caused the Colorado River to rise up to 51 feet.
In 1900, the Austin Dam, which was built in 1893, burst due to excessive rain. The Dam’s powerhouse was flooded by a 40-foot wave after which downtown Austin was immersed with water with creeks reaching levels of 20 feet.
Heavy rains caused numerous floods in 1935, 1936 and 1938; each flood caused the Colorado River to overflow, which resulted in extensive flood damage in Central Austin.
One of the worst storms to hit Austin was during Memorial Day, 1981. Ten inches of rain fell in a four hour timeframe, causing Downtown Austin to flood severely. Thirteen people died during the storm, which also left more than $35 million in damages.
The Memorial Day flood of 2015 greatly affected Central Texas. Heavy rain caused many flooded streets, falling trees and extensive loss of power for many in the Austin area. Flash flood warnings were issued and residents were instructed to stay indoors and off the roads. Water levels in Barton Creek and Lady Bird Lake quickly rose due to the extensive water. Interstate 35 was flooded, as was downtown Austin later that day. Fourteen people died during the course of the flood.
What You Can Do to Lessen Your Chances of Flood Damage in Austin
Flooding is not restricted to any one particular area. It can happen anywhere, and when it’s least expected, which is why certain types of flooding are called ‘flash floods.’
While you may not know when a flood is coming, it’s important to be prepared. If you get weather alerts on your cell phone, then you may have ample time to protect your personal items and prevent major damage from a flood.
If you know you're in a flood zone, one way you can safeguard against water damage caused by flooding is to elevate your personal items above the floor. Even one inch of water inside your home or business can create a major headache, and cause significant damage to your property.
If you’re not sure how high the water can reach in your area, you can check flood levels and maps for your area through the Federal Emergency Management System's (FEMA) Flood Map portal on their website, or check with your insurance agent if you're in a flood zone. Certain parts of Austin are more prone to flooding than others.
Even if your Austin home or business is located at a high elevation, it doesn't always mean you're in the clear, so here are some protective measures to minimize flood damage in your Austin home or business.
1. Protect Your Electrical Systems
Any electrical switches, circuit breakers, sockets, and wires should be raised at least one foot above the anticipated flood level. Should any water get into these systems, it can cause major problems.
You should also raise, if you can, your water heater and furnace so that they are also situated above the flood levels to avoid being saturated by floodwater. Please note:You should never, ever try to do any of this yourself. Reach out to a contractor or an electrician to adjust the levels of these systems.
2. Elevate Any Outdoor Equipment
Any type of external fuel tanks, AC units, and generators, should not remain at ground level. These should be raised up to one foot above your base flood elevation and anchored to prevent any kind of flooding. If these aren’t properly secured, they can become loose, and cause contamination to your yard, as well as the surrounding area. If they become immersed with water, they will more or less be useless and unable to be repaired.
3. Check Your Water Valves
If your sewer becomes flooded during a storm, it can cause sewage to back up into your house, with disastrous consequences. Installing an interior or exterior backflow valve will help prevent a build up of unwanted waste from coming into your Austin home or business.
Backflow valves are designed to help protect potable water from contamination from backflow. A flap valve is designed to operate under low heads of water and basically provide the same function as a backflow valve. Check valves are formatted to allow liquid, such as water to pass in only one direction; there are many different varieties of check valves, which are also known as clack valves, non-return valves, reflux valves and gravity brakes.
If you don’t have any of these types of valves currently installed in your Austin property, then you should consult with a specialist on what type you should install to allow water to escape and prevent backflow from coming in.
4. Check Water Distribution and Your Austin Property's Structure
One way to affect the flow of water around your home or business in the event of a flood is to check and possibly alter the grading or sloping of your property. By angling the ground, you can actually shift how water comes in contact with your property. Of course this can be problematic if your house wasn’t originally built with this in mind. Still, if this does pose a problem, you can reach out to your county planning office to determine the grading of your property and find alternative methods for preventing flood water from making contact and managing water flow.
Creating a slight moat around your home or business in certain areas can also help, as can creating better irrigation for your property in general.
5. Some Effective, but Costly Measures to Protect Your Austin Home or Business from Flooding
If you have frequent flooding in your home, but you don't want to move to another home, there are a few more involved alternatives to prevent flooding, but they are quite costly.
Elevate your entire home: Many homes in coastal areas are elevated on columns that clear the flood level. If you have consistent flooding, this might be one option, but it can be very costly.
Believe it or not, you can actually wet proof your house. How? You can install foundation vents, which allow water to travel through your home, instead of accumulating inside and destroying your property. This would help prevent against possible flood damage. For example: if you had a house of 1,000 square feet, you’d need around 7 square feet of flood venting to protect your property.
One preventive method is to dry proof your Austin home or business. Plastic sheeting or any kind of waterproof film can be applied to exterior walls fairly easily to prevent flooding, but should be removed once any flooding or water damage is remediated. Any openings or cracks in walls should be remedied with a waterproof sealant to prevent any seepage from floodwater. Plastic sheeting can be used to seal up windows and create a barrier for any minor cracks that can cause drafts. Check and reinforce your walls to make sure that they can take on heavy amounts of water and miscellaneous debris. These measures, while a bit time-consuming can help keep water out of your house during a flood.
6. Additional Measures that Can Be Taken to Help Prevent Flood Damage to Your Property
Here are some additional ways to help protect your property in the event of an impending flood.
Clean out your gutters, drains and downspouts. Leaves and foreign objects cannot only prevent water flow, they can also cause run off down the side of your home and help initiate water damage.
If you have a second floor, move all of your furniture, rugs, electronics and anything else of value and importance upstairs as a safety precaution.
Turn off your electricity via your breaker panel.
Major appliances such as washers, dryers, stoves, etc., should all be lifted on to cinderblocks, if possible. This will help prevent them from being saturated with water.
We can’t emphasize enough how extremely dangerous floods can be. And while these preventive measures can help, it’s best not to tackle them on your own. If heavy equipment or electrical manipulation is involved, please contact a professional instead of tackling this on your own.
While these ideas can certainly help to prevent damage to your home or business during a flood, it should also be noted that any type of water ranging from heavy rain to a minor leak, could lead to extensive damage.
If your home or business experiences a flood and you have water damage and mold as a result, there is a chance that you can make minor repairs on your own. But if severe water damage has occurred, it makes sense to contact an outside source to help in the clean up and remediation.
Our SERVPRO Team Can Help With Austin Flood Damage Restoration & Repairs
If you need assistance with the flood damage you've experienced, then a flood damage restoration company like SERVPRO of East Central Austin can help. We're a team of trained & certified professionals, who are available around the clock to help with your flood, storm and water damage Austin needs.
Our goal is to properly restore your property (and make it "Like it never even happened."). Damage from Austin storms and floods can be a stressful experience. We'll help you review the scope of your flood repairs, and utilizing state of the art equipment and scientific principles, we'll make the flood restoration process as painless as possible.
If you’ve experienced a flood in your Austin property and require flood damage repairs and restoration, remember, our SERVPRO team is available 24/7 to help.
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
Mold in Austin: What to Do When You Discover Mold in Your Austin Home or Business
If your Austin home or business experiences unusual moisture in the air, or has experienced extensive water damage, then you can expect mold to make an appearance in the near future. Mold often appears in environments that consist of poorly ventilated spaces and high humidity. Flooding and ongoing leaks are also a major culprit of mold in Austin.
If you own a home or business in Austin, you may find that you’re dealing with serious mold issues, and you could have mold removal and mold remediation costs in the aftermath of flood a heavy storm, and/or after suffering from ongoing water damage.
While mold can be stopped, it’s virtually impossible to fully eliminate all mold spores inside a home or business, as mold is actually a naturally growing substance in the environment. However you can work to stop the spread of mold spores by controlling your Austin home or business’s moisture levels.
Austin Mold: A Growing Problem with Moisture and Humidity
Mold is microscopic, and can pretty much grow on anything, including paper, wood, drywall, food and carpets. If your home or business is properly vented, and if you use air conditioners and dehumidifiers, you can greatly reduce moisture buildup and improve ventilation to alleviate the presence of mold.
Different Types of Mold in Austin and Their Levels of Danger
Nobody likes mold, so if you’re a homeowner, or business owner in Austin, there are several kinds of indoor mold with strains that can cause great structural damage as well as health effects. Of course it’s best to remove these types (or any type of mold for that matter) when they first appear.
There are many strains of mold in existence, but these are the four types of mold that most commonly appear in Austin homes and businesses.
One of the most common types of indoor mold is Cladosporium. As the spores are often found on outdoor plants, they are so microscopic that they can find their way indoors. Cladosporium has been known to be less harmful to humans than other types of mold (it tends to be pretty stinky), but if untreated, it can cause health effects. It can appear in a variety of colors, such as olive green, black and brown.
While the antibiotic penicillin has helped millions fight bacterial infections, it derives from a form of mold called Penicillium. If you seen spoiled food in your refrigerator, then you’ve evidently encountered this type of mold, which grows indoors in low humidity and in places where there’s sufficient moisture.
If you have health effects, then you might have been exposed to Alternaria: This type of fungi can grow on skin as well as in your mucous membranes and eyes. They also grow in colonies that are usually black, gray or grey.
You will often find Aspergillus in high oxygen environments and on foods such as vegetables and bread. There are a variety of different strains of this particular mold. Some can cause health effects, while others are used in the fermentation of alcoholic drinks.
Stachybotrys chartarum: This specific mold is most commonly associated with water damage Austin. This black mold needs high moisture in order for it grow. It’s often found in building materials, such as wet gypsum and wallpaper. Not only can Stachybotrys chartarum affect your health, it can also be detrimental to the safety of your pets. As dangerous as this mold is, it should only be removed by mold remediation professionals.
If you know you have mold, but are unsure of what type of mold you have, you may want to start by having a professional mold inspection Austin.
Stopping Mold Before It Starts in Your Austin Home or Business
As potentially harmful as mold can be, how do we prevent it? One way is to prevent the spread of humid air in your home or office, by using a dehumidifier and making sure that there is proper ventilation, especially when furniture is involved. Believe it or not, a couch leaning against a wall can actually prevent the flow of air, which in turn can cause mold to develop, especially if the air is humid.
If you have small problems with mold creeping in, it can be eliminated with regular cleaning of your home or office. Keep areas where there is moisture clean on a regular basis, like a shower or bathroom, and even the kitchen. The same goes for keeping your air ducts and vents clean, to avoid any moisture from settling in and creating problems: clean your vents frequently and change your AC filters once a month.
In addition to individual rooms in your home or business, your refrigerator is also not immune to the world of mold. If you have a well-stocked fridge, it’s inevitable that something will be overlooked and start to rot; this is especially true of fruit, which has a short shelf life, and if it’s ignored, it can dry out or begin to get moldy. Once any food in the fridge has passed it spoiling point, decomposition begins, and brings on mycotoxins. So, keep track of what's in your fridge, and if it starts to spoil, toss it out.
The problem with many older homes is that poor ventilation can bring about excessive mold if it’s not addressed. While most homes have central air conditioning, some older homes may not, and if the environment tends to be humid, without a dehumidifier or cross ventilation, there is a greater chance for humidity and mold to make an unwelcome appearance.
Most new and modern construction projects also use drywall, which can be extremely vulnerable to moisture. If not properly treated, the gypsum in drywall will eventually soften over time, and attract mold spores, which will be more difficult to clean over time.
In addition to internal mold issues, you should check the outside of your business or home for leaks in your roof, as well as making sure your gutters are properly cleaned out.
A leaky roof, if undetected for long periods of time, will eventually cause water to spread, and can lead to very costly repair and roof replacement. Cleaning out your gutters can also help prevent water from running down the side of your structure, which can affect the quality of your foundation.
Combustion appliances, such as furnaces, gas water heaters, fireplaces, space heaters, gas ranges, ovens, clothes dryers, and wood or coal-burning stoves should be inspected to make sure that they are properly vented.
Basic Mold Cleanup Procedures
Regardless of the cause, if you do experience any kind of water damage, you will need to clean and dry the areas quickly. Do not let the water damage continue, as a 24-48 hour window to clean and dry the areas in question is likely all you have before mold begins to grow and spread. If you have any standing water, be sure to have water extraction done in your Austin home or business if it is too much for you to remove on your own.
In most cases, minor mold spots can be removed with water and detergent, followed by letting it fully dry out. Carpeting, furniture and ceiling tiles, may not be as easy to remedy; in fact, you may have to dispose of them if the damage is too extreme. Eliminate any puddles of standing water that you come across; this not only can help spread mold, but it’s also a breeding ground for a variety of bugs and bacteria.
If mold removal becomes too much of a conquest for you to handle on your own, then you should contact a mold remediation specialist, like SERVPRO of East Central Austin, who can help in getting rid of the spread of mold, so that it’s no longer an issue.
Water Extraction and Water Damage Restoration in Austin: Tips and Tricks
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
Major Problems Connected with Water Damage
Believe it or not, there are many problems you can face while attempting water damage cleanup yourself; therefore, we must stress that you need to be cautious before even embarking on these procedures. When attempting water damage restoration & water extraction on your own, here are some issues that you may have to confront, with some tips on how to resolve them:
Water Damage in Austin Resulting in Electrical Problems
You can never be too careful when it comes to electricity once a flood or serious water damage has occurred in your Austin property. You need to check that all of your gas and electricity has been turned off prior to engaging in any type water extraction or any type of cleaning procedure revolving around water damage Austin.
Make sure that all of your circuits and switches are disconnected. The covers to your electrical outlets should also be removed to let the wiring dry out; also do this with your fuses and breakers to prevent any issues such as fires and smoldering. Once everything has dried, bring in an electrician to fully inspect all of the circuits for proper voltage, grounding and to be sure that they’re safe before you reconnect everything,
Our Austin SERVPRO company uses top-quality drying equipment for our water damage cleanup jobs. Keep in mind that if you're not entirely sure of the extent of your damage (remember, some effects of water damage may not be noticeable right away) then you should be safe and contact a professional water extraction and water damage restoration company, like our local SERVPRO team.
Mud: A Messy Contributor
Sadly, flooding can be a common occurrence in Austin, particularly in certain parts of Austin; you may find after a flood has invaded your home or business, that you're the victim of not just excessive amounts of water, but also mud. Heavy periods of rain can soak the ground causing dirt to loosen and be carried away, leaving mud as a result. Once mud begins to loosen it can grab everything within its reach and has a tendency to be very destructive. And yes, that means as a result of a flood here in Austin, you can be the victim of mudflow.
Should you have an encounter with mud in your Austin home or business, be very careful as it may be contaminated (mud can host a variety of animals and larva, which along with random debris that it gathers during its journey, can be very unsanitary).
All mud should be properly extracted before you even begin to embark on the cleaning process. Mud is extremely destructive, as it can damage homes as well as roads and it can also clog sewers.
Can you Save Your Furniture After Water Damage?
Here is where you’ll have to consider whether your furniture is a loss after water damage, especially if it appears pretty dire in terms of saving. If you have upholstered furniture or any mattresses that have been affected by water damage, you should get rid of them right away to prevent contamination from spreading.
Sometimes we all feel tied to things. If you have pieces of furniture that have a sentimental value or antiques and you just can’t bear to part with them, here are some tips on dealing with those.
If they are upholstered pieces, removing all of the upholstery and stuffing may be your best bet. This will allow you to clean the frame of your furniture, so that it can be reupholstered. You should be able to save most plastic, wood and metal furniture, but make sure that it is properly cleaned.
Carpets can be another major issue, and if they’ve had sufficient water damage then unfortunately they may have to go as well. Contaminants from the water can get deeply soaked into your carpet’s fibers, and they can be harmful. If you feel a carpet is worth saving, then give cleaning it a try. If your home or business has wall-to-wall carpeting, you should remove not just the carpet but the carpet pads as well, so that the floors can properly dry. If you use a carpet pad, that will also need to be discarded.
You may be able to save items such as blankets, throw rugs and miscellaneous bedding, if they’re easy to clean. The best way to do this is to bring them outside and clean them with soapy water, or another cleaning solution that you think might work, and use the power of the hot Austin sun to air-dry them.
Flooding and Water Damage can Greatly Impact Your Austin Food and Water Quality
Water: Once your property has had a flood or any other kind of water damage, you should be aware that you may have issues with your home water system. Never go in thinking that your water is safe and ready to use. As a precaution, you should contact your water company and the public health department, and let them investigate whether or not your water is safe. Contaminated water is not safe to drink and should not be used for washing and cooking under any circumstances.
Bacterial infections tend to be a high occurrence in the aftermath of a water damage disaster, so you may have to boil water before use it initially, until you remedy all problems. If you don't take these precautions, the water from your system can be heavily contaminated, which in turn can be extremely dangerous, so check with the public health department regarding any contaminants.
Food: In the aftermath of serious water damage, you have to assess how safe your food is. It’s not advisable to keep anything perishable. However, if you have canned goods and they haven’t come into contact with any contaminated water, then you might still be able to use them.
One way to save your canned goods, if they’ve not been affected, is to peel off the labels, and then wash the cans in a mix of bleach and potable water (you can use 1TB of bleach per gallon of water), which will basically kill any potential contaminants and help to disinfect items.
Once dry, re-label each can with a permanent marker, and add the expiration date as some canned goods can last for a few years. If you have food in plastic or foil pouches (known as retort pouches, similar to the Army’s ready to eat meals), you may find that these are safe, as long as the pouches aren’t broken or compromised in any way.
If your cooking utensils have been contaminated, then you should definitely throw them out. Any utensils and items made out of wood or plastic should be trashed. This includes bottles, cutting boards, spatulas, cups, spoons, etc., But not all is lost: the good thing is that kitchen utensils made out of metal, and items made out of glass or porcelain, can also be saved in soaked if the aforementioned bleach and water solution.
Water Damage in Austin and Repairing Your Floors
If you've coated the floors of your Austin home or business with polyurethane (or any other similar coating), be aware that they can still experience water damage. Some varnishes do protect wood to some degree, but they shouldn't be considered as an impenetrable wall that will protect your wood floors forever. Even an outside deck that has been continuously treated and been through years of rain may deteriorate over time, allowing for rot to set in.
Every drying procedure is different, and drying procedures can vary in length after water damage, with much of it based on how much damage has taken place. Floors need extra special care and attention when this happens. Don’t rush the restoration process, because then you'll have to deal with wooden planks that may buckle, bend and even crack if they’re not properly dried. If you’re thinking of attempting to renovate your wood floors, make sure that they’re completely dry before beginning any repairs.
Vinyl floors can also fall victim to excessive water damage. Vinyl floors come as either large sheets, that you’d find in a kitchen, or they are interlocking planks that resemble wood. Once vinyl gets wet, it can buckle and crack and needs to be replaced…which will also help your subfloor to completely dry out. Don’t reuse the vinyl; just replace it; after water damage, vinyl won’t be salvageable.
Preventing the Spread of Water Damage in the Walls of Your Austin Home or Business
Should floodwater severe water damage affect your Austin property, there’s a chance that your walls may also experience water damage. In the event that this happens, you’ll probably have to cut your walls open in order to dry them out. Wet walls can accumulate mold or rot if not properly ventilated and dried.
While cutting your walls open will be time consuming, it’s the best way to properly ventilate them. Even the smallest amount of water damage can spread and cause problems, and the last thing you want is a room full of mold, so this will help to prevent it from spreading. And be sure to remove any and all insulation, as it can also be contaminated.
If you have walls without insulation and you don’t want to cut them open, try drilling holes in the walls to help air get through. You should also remove baseboards if they become waterlogged, and be sure to remove any wet drywall, which can replaced once everything is dry.
Your walls will not dry overnight. In many cases, it may take up to a month for them to be fully dried out. Using humidifiers and fans will definitely help move the process along and may help cut the time in half. You should also open all of your windows, if possible, to allow for cross-ventilation. After everything dries out, you should use more durable materials such as wood paneling, foam insulation, and tiles, all of which can withstand excessive water.
Other Problems That Can Result from Water Damage Austin
As we've focused on floors, furniture and walls in this section, you should also be aware of how water damage can cause problems for your air conditioning and heating system, your air ducts, your sewage system, your water well (if you have one on your property), your foundation and your roof. Excessive water saturation and water damage can impact the overall condition of these elements of your home or office, if you've experienced a flood or a storm.
Be very careful not to use your heat or air conditioning until it's dry and safe to use. Make sure that the electricity is turned off and your system is disconnected, prior to having it inspected for any water damage. If you find water has gotten into your air ducts, you’ll need to have those cleaned and aired out as well.
Remember that any type of water, including floods, heavy rain, or even a minor leak if unchecked, can cause a major headache and extensive water damage. In many cases, if the damage is minor, you may be able to remedy the situation on your own. This is not always the case, however, and sometimes the situation is far more extreme and requires professional assistance. Attempting to remedy a potentially hazardous situation on your own, especially if you’re not prepared, can be disastrous for you, your business or your family.
Are You in Need of Help with Your Water Extraction and Water Damage Restoration?
Give Our Austin SERVPRO Team a Call
If you’re not sure that you can tackle the water extraction & water damage restoration by yourself, then a water extraction & water damage restoration company like our local SERVPRO team is there for you. Our employees are a group of dedicated, trained & certified professionals available 24/7 in order to assist you with your water damage Austin needs.
We specialize in water damage removal and restoration, and we will take every effort to properly restore your property in the aftermath of water damage from Austin storms, floods, leaks or whatever your particular situation.
We'll help you review the magnitude of your water damage repairs along with an advance water damage inspection and state of the art extraction equipment that will make the restoration process a stress free experience.
As a locally owned Austin company, our focus is on the community that we serve. We understand how stressful this experience can be when your Austin property has experienced water damage.
Our SERVPRO Austin Team consists of highly trained water restoration technicians who are able to provide guidance and much needed resources, and there is no job too big or small for our Austin team.
We are trained and certified professionals ready and willing to help with your water restoration repairs. If you require water damage repairs and restoration, contact our local SERVPRO company today.
Water Extraction and Water Damage Cleanup: Should You Attempt This on Your Own?
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
Water Extraction and Water Damage Cleanup in Austin
If your Austin home or business has experienced a flood or extensive water damage, you’ll need sufficient time to review the damage and determine what you’ve lost. Whether or not the restoration is something you can handle on your own will likely weigh on whether the water damage is minimal or excessive, and if you require water extraction.
If you do require water extraction, then you may not want to tackle this on your own, especially if your Austin home or business is severely flooded. In that case it's best to reach out to a water extraction and water damage restoration company like our local SERVPRO office.
If you have minor water damage it may not be difficult to handle the cleanup on your own, but you should be cautious, especially if you come across mold or other issues typically related to water damage.
While you’re determining if this is something that you can handle on your own, you need to be aware of the impact and long-term effects that extensive water damage can have on your health, safety and your home or business. If you’re up for the challenge and are sure that you can take this on by yourself, please be aware of the following risks and be prepared:
Assessing and Preparing for Water Damage Cleanup & Water Extraction
Before getting started with any type of water damage cleanup or extraction, it’s important to follow some basic safety procedures:
First, you have to be sure that your home or business is safe to enter. Electrical problems can be tricky, so if there is damage that might have caused electrical problems, like downed or exposed wires, or if there is so much water and you need water extraction and you’re not sure that you should go in, then don’t risk it. Best thing to do is to get in touch with an electrician, who will check if your power lines and circuits are secured before you begin. If it looks as if too much damage has occurred, they you may clearly have electrical problems.
Be sure that that there are no potential gas leaks or additional fire hazards. Be sure to have a battery-powered flashlight with you at all times. Never use a lighter or matches if there’s even the slightest chance of a leak. A spark from a match or a lighter can ignite a fire, so be very careful.
As there are a variety of cleaning solutions out there, you should be cautious when selecting the right one. Pure chlorine bleach works, but so does ammonia and vinegar…however, you should never mix any of these together, as they can create an extremely toxic and harmful chlorine gas. Do some investigative work to see which one is the best for this type of project and use only that one.
It’s important, before you begin, that you have plenty of protective clothing, such as goggles, boots, rubber gloves and especially a respirator, because some the air may be toxic. You should be fully protected as any floodwater water damaged material may be riddled with contaminants.
Keep a look out for animals. All kinds of insects and other creatures can be attracted by Austin floodwater. Snakes, fire ants and mosquitoes are just of the few that can be drawn to water…so be careful.
It’s no secret that cleaning is a very crucial part of the water damage cleanup process; it’s not something that can be done overnight. Many of the items in your Austin home or business may in fact be salvageable, but you may find that some things just have to go. In this case it’s best to reach out to a water damage specialist, otherwise you may find yourself doing all of the cleaning, water extraction and repairs on your own.
Of course, you may feel that you need to get right in and start cleaning right away, but before you embark on any type of cleaning or cleanup, you’ll need to make sure that all the water is removed and that all the relative elements of your Austin property are properly dried out.
Let’s look at wood floors: if you have wood floors, and it turns out that they’re fully soaked, they’ll have to properly dry out before you can do any type of water damage restoration. You may actually have to remove and replace all of the floors if it’s that bad. Venturing into new construction, before the structure is completely dry, will also be problematic as you may encounter mold, which over time will cause your property to deteriorate. It’s very important to make sure that everything is dried out before you even begin moving forward.
Our local SERVPRO company uses top-quality drying equipment for our water damage cleanup & restoration jobs. Keep in mind that if you're not entirely sure of the extent of your damage, or whether you're really capable of cleaning it up properly on your own (remember, some effects of water damage may not be all that noticeable at first) then you should be safe and contact a professional water extraction and water damage restoration company, like our Austin-based SERVPRO company.
Other issues, such as mud, food and water safety, home furnishing restoration, and how to deal with wet floors and walls, among others will be covered in Part 2 of this article, Tips on Dealing with Major Water Damage Issues.
Tips for Preventing Fire Damage in Your Austin Home or Business
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
Keeping Your Austin Property Safe from a Fire
Austin residents and business owners often don't realize the many steps they can take to prevent their home or business from becoming the victim of a fire. Here's are some helpful tips, explaining how to better protect your home or business from possible fire hazards.
If you've already experienced a fire, and aren't sure what to expect in terms of fire damage repairs and cleanup.
1. Fireplaces and Chimneys: If you have a fireplace or wood burning stove in Austin, it’s highly recommended that your chimney be cleaned regularly by a professional at least once a year. Creosote buildup from excessive use can start a hazardous chimney fire, and you can suffer a good amount of damage before you realize a chimney fire has begun.
Have your chimney cleaned by a professional at least once a year. Don't rely on creosote-reducing logs to clean your chimney for you. These logs are seen as a quick fix, but they will not be able to remove all of the creosote, nor should they in any manner be a replacement for a professional chimney sweep and maintenance.
Ongoing basic maintenance of your fireplace or stove, will greatly improve its performance and will help prevent chimney fires and other types of fire damage repairs from being needed in the future.
When using a wood burning stove or fireplace, you'll also want to make sure you never dump your ashes in the trash, as the ashes can smolder for long periods of time. When disposing of ashes, be sure to take them outside directly and dispose of them in a safe manner.
2. Dryers and Lint: Many people don't realize that lint can be a strong fire hazard. It's important to remove lint from your dyer every time you use it. Lint is combustible, and when heat builds up in the dryer vents, a spark can occur if the flow of air is restricted.
The lint can catch fire. In addition to removing the lint out of your filter, be sure to also check your dryer duct tubes for any lint buildup.
3. Fire Hazards that Stem from Outside the Home: Austin is known to experience grass fires and wildfires every once in a while. If you have a firewood pile near your home, you should move it and any other potential burnable items, such as twigs and leaves.
If wood and leaves are dry and next to your property, they can go up in flames fairly quickly, causing major fire damage. In the kitchen, flammable items, such as dishrags, paper bags and other flammables should be kept away from your stove and oven. And it goes without saying, if you’re a smoker, try not to smoke inside, and be careful when you do smoke.
4. Surge Protectors, a Worthy Investment: Not every property has abundant electrical outlets to run our gadgets, computers, and stereos. If this is the case, then a surge protector can be very beneficial in the long run.
Surge protectors are designed to replace outdated multi outlet power strips in the event of a power spike or a shut off during an electric storm or power outage. If you have an old style power strip with so many cords sticking out of it that it looks like an octopus, then you know it’s time to upgrade.
Surge protectors are worthy investments, because most power strips are often cheaply made and can overload your circuits, leading to fires and fire damage.
5. Upgrade with New Extension Cords: We all have extension cords in cabinets, drawers or in the garage. However, some of them may be quite old and not as functional as they once were. It's important to use extension cords that are durable and high quality.
If you have extension cords that are more than a few years old, you should replace them with new ones of durable quality. Frayed and mangled cords are unreliable; they can spark, go up in smoke and can lead to fire damage.
6. Smoke Outside: We know that smoking isn't good for us, and we're not here to sell you on quitting smoking. But if you are a smoker, do your best to smoke outside.
And keep yourself a slight distance from your property. Smoldering cigars and cigarettes can fall and start a fire regardless if you’re inside or outside.
Make sure you don't smoke while in bed. Many fires are started by individuals who fall asleep while smoking…do as much as you can to prevent this from happening.
7. Lightning: While lightning is natural occurrence, and something that we can't control, you can take certain preventative measures to keep your Austin home or business from being hit by lightning. This guide by the national Lightning Safety Institute offers some helpful ideas on how to lightning-proof your property.
8. Check Your Electrical Wiring: Like anything else, time takes its toll on electrical wiring within your home or business. It's important to have your electrical wiring checked regularly by an electrician to avoid electrical fires from occurring in your Austin property.
How Our Local SERVPRO Office Can Help in the Event of Fire Damage
If your Austin-based home or business has suffered from fire damage, it’s important to quickly repair and restore as much of your property as possible.
A fire can be devastating, and the additional damage from a fire can include smoke damage, water damage, mold and more. SERVPRO of East Central Austin will take every effort to remediate and restore your property after a fire. We’re here to help you evaluate the overall scope of your fire damage repairs and provide the proper equipment and expertise to ensure a smooth restoration process.
We’re a locally owned Austin company, and we care about the community that we serve. We recognize how overwhelmed you're likely to be after experiencing a fire. We have the resources to help guide you through this time, and our employees are trained and certified professionals, who have the experience and know-how to handle your fire damage repairs. If you’re in need of fire damage restoration, call our local Austin SERVPRO office today: 512-420-9886.
How to Handle Fire Damage in Your Austin Home or Business
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
Having your property be victim to a fire is probably one of the scariest things a person can experience. Although there are different types of fires, any fire can wreak havoc on your Austin based home or business, leaving you with extensive fire damage repairs. A small fire may not be as severe; you may be able to make some of these repairs on your own. But if the fire damage is extreme, you’ll need to reach out to a professional fire damage restoration company.
Here are some tips that will help you understand the different types of fire damage, how they can affect your property, and how you can take certain actions to prevent fires before they begin.
What Should You Do if a Fire Occurs in Your Austin based Home or Business?
A fire occurs and you manage to get everyone out of the house/building… Once the fire is out, the first thing you’ll want to do is review all of the fire damage. It may be extreme or it may be minimal, but you’ll need to act quickly in determining the extent of the damage, and deciphering if professional fire damage restoration will be needed to fix your Austin property.
Minor damage may be easy to fix on your own, extreme damage will most likely be beyond your ability to repair it. There’s a possibility you’ll need to replace your furniture if it’s been severely damaged, as well as your cabinets, doors, walls and even floorboards.
Even your roof can be subject to fire damage, requiring repair. Should your roof suffer damage, you’ll have to protect the rest of your home or business from not just foreign objects, like falling branches, but also high winds and rainstorms, which happen quite often in Austin. Theft and looting is also a problem, so while assessing the damage to your property, you also need to secure it as best as possible…you shouldn’t have to be vandalized while trying to perform fire damage repairs.
Smoke Damage: An Inevitable Symptom of a Fire
While a fire has the tendency to lead to destruction, depending on its severity, smoke is one lingering effect that in some cases can be even worse, because it’s so difficult to clean. Should you have a small fire with limited fire damage repairs, smoke residue may be one of the most problematic elements. If the smoke residue isn't tackled quickly, you may find yourself dealing with persistent foul odors in your Austin property, as well as stained furniture, carpets walls and floors.
Believe it or not, there are several different types of smoke damage. Some are easy to remedy, while others need professional attention.
Dry Smoke occurs when a fire burns hot and fast. However, it’s often one of the easier types to clean, as the smoke is often quite dry and has a powdery texture.
Wet Smoke is often associated with smoldering fires at low temperatures. This has a tendency to leave strong odors and heavy smearing once the fire is put out. The smearing makes it difficult to clean.
Protein Residue: Paints and varnishes, like polyurethane can become discolored during a fire, and hard to clean.Elements such as this will most likely requires more intense fire damage repairs.
Oil residue results from fires in which petroleum products, such as propane, gasoline and diesel fuel, among others, are involved. The residue is often very sticky, making it time consuming to clean.
Water Damage: The Other Effect of Fire Damage
Water damage can play an integral role in a fire. While you may think that your pipes are safe, some of them are not quite as heat tolerant as others, depending on the material. Metal pipes tend to take the heat well, while plastic pipes usually don’t. If you have a fire, there’s a strong possibility that your pipes may burst from the heat, causing major water leaks and flooding in your Austin home or business.
Depending on the intensity of the fire, water will be needed to actually put it out, therefore causing another layer of damage to your property -water damage. It’s best to remove as much water as you can immediately. If left alone, the affected areas can fall victim to the spread of mold, and they will need to be properly cleaned, dried and remediated.
If you suffer from a large fire, you may find yourself overwhelmed and unable to tackle any repairs on your own. If you need fire damage repairs and/or smoke damage cleanup and water extraction in the Austin and Manor area, and the situation is beyond your control, SERVPRO of East Central Austin can help.
Additional Issues that Can Result from Fire Damage
Electrical wiring, plumbing and appliances can also be subject to fire damage. Even the tiniest amount of smoke can cause problems with your household appliances, since they’re manufactured to take limited amounts of heat. Smoke is also quite corrosive, which can cause appliances to overheat, cause a spark or break down in the process.
If your appliances experience problems, give them a thorough inspection, so they don’t cause problems down the road. In certain situations, you may actually spend less money replacing them than having them repaired.
Another potential problem you could face is if your Austin home or business has tight insulation. Tight insulation has the potential to create a heavy smoke buildup in the vent of a fire. The insulation can exacerbate the increase in temperature, which adds to the internal pressure. If extreme heat persists, the amount of pressure can cause windows and even doors to explode, leading to more repairs.
If you find yourself in a situation that is too much to handle on your own, with extensive fire damage repairs needed, and smoke and water damage cleanup as well, calling a professional fire damage restoration company like SERVPRO of East Central Austin will certainly be your best bet.
Our professionally trained and certified SERVPRO team can lead you through the process, and help make your Austin fire damage "Like it never even happened."
10 Great Tips for Preventing Water Damage in Austin
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
Stop Water Damage Before It Starts in Your Austin Home or Business
The thought of water damage to your Austin home or business got you down? Water damage occurs frequently in Austin, but the good news is there are some preventative tips you can take to help prevent or stop water damage before it progresses.
Leaky pipes and faulty hoses are often guilty culprits that should not be ignored. While easily replaceable, if you don't regularly check for leaks in these items, you might find yourself getting into a situation with extensive and costly water damage to your Austin home or business that could be difficult to repair.
However, there are some steps you can take to prevent any kind of water damage to your Austin home or business. It’s as easy as checking all of your leaky pipes, hoses and appliances.
Internal Household Water Damage Problems and Solutions
1. Your Appliances Can Be Your Enemy
We hate to put it that way, but it's true. And while we all have a need for household appliances, they also need to be taken care of over time. If these appliances should have leaky pipes and hoses, then take note, severe water damage is not that far away.
When you take into account all the water that’s being used by your washing machine and dishwasher, it's understandable how little leaks can quickly turn into messy situations, and if this goes on unattended, you may find that professional water extraction may be necessary. A small tear in a hose or pipe can expand if left alone and leak up to 200 gallons of water daily.
Your refrigerator can also be a guilty party, especially if it has an ice maker, which, let's face it, most modern refrigerators do. Many refrigerators with ice makers have copper pipes that funnel water to help produce the ice.
Should these pipes bend or crack, or if they aren’t fastened properly, then you’ll likely be dealing with a water leak. Copper pipes have a tendency to bend, so give your refrigerator a space of a few inches, so that the pipes don't get crushed, and you should alleviate your chances of water damage issues.
Think of how much water goes through your dishwasher. Gallons of water actually pass through its supply and discharge pipes…now imagine a leak in those pipes and the amount of water damage if the pipes aren't checked regularly? It’s not a pretty picture, your entire kitchen can be filled with soapy water.
While cracks in the pipes can often be the cause of this, you should also keep the pipes clear of food, which can break off during the wash cycle and clog your pipes. Be sure to always wash and rinse your dishes, cups and silverware before running your dishwasher, and make sure your dishwasher is full before you start it. Making sure it's full will use the water more effectively and help to prevent any possible flooding.
2. Give Your Water Main an Inspection
Locating where your water main is can also help prevent water damage. While Austin is usually warm, we do occasionally experience freezing temps in the winter. If the weather goes below freezing and stays there for a while, this can affect the integrity of your plumbing. Freezing temperatures and frost in Austin can cause damage to your plumbing and water main, especially if your outdoor spigots start to leak.
If you suspect leaks, the first test is to find your water main and turn it off, so you can check for any leaking pipes inside and outside. If you see any unexpected water leakage, such as a puddle on the floor or water stained walls, you may have a problem and if it's a real problem, you could require water extraction by SERVPRO . If it hasn't gone on too long, you may be able to remedy this with changing some pipes and hoses, but if it persists, then you should call a professional for more investigative work.
3. Upgrade Your Washing Machine Hoses to Prevent Increased Chances of Water Damage
If your washing machine has a leaky hose or a broken supply line, you could face major flooding. Washing machines hoses are actually a leading cause of water damage, because they’re used so frequently that they have a greater tendency to leak and break over multiple uses. This is why it’s important to inspect your washing machine hoses several times throughout the year for any kind of leaks as well as wear and tear. Another way to help determine if your washer has a leak is to install an automatic shut off valve, which will shut off the machine if pools of water should appear.
Shut-off valves vary in price, depending on what type you get, but can actually save you a bundle if you use them as a preventive measure against flooding and water damage.
4. Keep an Eye on Water Pressure in Your Austin home or Business
Another issue that can cause water damage Austin is if your water pressure is set too high. Checking the water pressure can help reduce the overall flow of water in your home or business. Using a water pressure gauge will help determine the correct flow through your hoses and pipes; they can be purchased at most hardware stores and are easy to operate. Simply attach the gauge to an outdoor faucet, turn on the water at full force and you’ll see the reading.
Standard water pressure should usually be between 40 to 70 psi. If you find that the pressure is, in fact, at too high a level, it can greatly affect your pipes and hoses. If your pressure exceeds 100 psi, then you’ll probably need a pressure regulator, which can help bring the pressure down.
5. Water Detectors: A Worthy Investment
Water detectors can be extremely helpful if you’re unable to check your hoses and pipes on a frequent basis. They are definitely helpful in identifying water leaks and preventing water damage Austin in addition to mold.
They are fairly affordable electronic devices that detect low moisture levels and alert you when water or moisture makes an unwanted appearance. They’re important in that they help find leaks and water spots that are often missed. It's recommended to get several of these to place near appliances, such as toilets, dishwashers, washing machines, water heaters, and sump pumps.
6. Check Your Water Bill
Another useful way to determine if you have leaks or pressure issues is to check your water bill. If your bill is pretty consistent, but then suddenly you notice a massive rise in cost, you may have a problem that needs further investigation to discover if you have leaks in your Austin business or home. Don’t ignore a rise in your water bill. You should thoroughly investigate places such as crawlspaces (some exist in Austin as well), under cabinets, walls, hoses and all of your indoor and outdoor plumbing for water damage. It may be inconvenient to check everything, but it’s better to be thorough, than to face the results of extensive water damage.
7. If You Live in Austin and Have a Leak, Get It Fixed
Any leak, even the smallest and most insignificant one, should be immediately addressed. While many leaks can be remedied with a simple repair, such as replacing a hose, others may require more extensive work and can become more serious if neglected. A burst pipe can cause major water damage, leading to the need for water extraction and water damage cleanup.
If the area is not properly cleaned, you’ll begin to see the spread of mold, mildew and dry rot.
Preventing External Water Damage Problems in Austin
8. Keep Track of Your Garden/Lawn Hoses
Whether you like to garden or you occasionally water the plants in the backyard, we often leave our garden hoses attached to the outdoor spigot. While it’s common to do this in Austin, where it’s usually warm, it’s not advisable in colder weather. Granted, Austin doesn't have a typical winter like the northeast and midwest, but it does get cold here, and if you leave your hoses connected when there’s a freeze, then there can be problems. There is actually a very substantial risk for water damage if you leave your hoses connected during a freeze.
Standing water in a hose can be a big problem as the water, once it freezes, can create a chunk of ice that gets lodged and prevents the flow of water. There is a high risk your pipes will burst if this type of blockage occurs, which can be expensive to remedy. Burst pipes can wreak havoc on your floors, walls and even your foundation. So always be sure to disconnect your hoses in the winter in Austin.
9. Clogged Gutters and Downspouts: Another Potential Water Damage Problem in Austin
If you ignore your gutters, and don't clean them often, you can face potential water damage. With leaves and branches flying all over the place, it’s inevitable that they will find their way into your gutters and get stuck. Once they get stuck, then the proper flow of water is restricted, and water can splatter all over your walls, causing not just problems with your gutters, but also with your foundation over time.
Gutters should be cleaned roughly twice a year to ensure that there’s a proper flow with no blockages. You should also check your roof if possible for any standing water; not only can these breed mosquitoes, but if the water just sits there, it can damage your roof, and those repairs are expensive.
In addition to your gutters, check your downspouts, which can also become blocked if neglected. Always point them away from your structure, so that water doesn't come in contact with your foundation. This will help prevent water damage Austin as the water is relocated away from your walls and flows into your yard.
10. Trees and Vegetation Can Affect your Pipes
If you have underground plumbing, utility pipes or a sprinkler system in your backyard, then there will be potential for your trees and shrubs to come into contact with your pipes. If not monitored, the roots of the trees and shrubs can become problematic. Their roots can actually grow deep into the ground and wrap themselves around your pipes. If you find you have problems with your utility pipes in Austin, then the roots may in fact be strangling them. If this is the case, then you may have to dig up and move trees, shrubs or other types of vegetation to get to the root of the problem (no pun intended).
How SERVPRO of East Central Austin Can Help
If you experience water damage and your damage is beyond something you can remedy on your own, SERVPRO of East Central Austin provides 24-hour emergency service for water damage needs. Our highly trained technicians will respond immediately to your residential or commercial emergency.
We can help with all aspects of water damage Austin, including water extraction, water damage cleanup and water damage restoration. We use only top of the line equipment for our cleanup services, and we make it "Like it never even happened."
Need help with your water damage issues? Call us at SERVPRO today at (512) 420- 9886.
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
Some of the biggest causes of water damage in Austin are excessive rain, floods, and storms. However, water damage can occur in a variety of other ways as well –from leaky pipes, broken hoses, faulty vents and clogged toilets in your home or commercial property. All of these can create a multitude of problems.
Consider this: If you have a small pipe in your Austin home or office, and there’s even a hairline crack in it, you could be leaking up to 200 gallons of water a day. Annual routine inspections of your pipes and appliances that use water, such as dishwashers, sinks, bathroom plumbing, washing machines, refrigerators, as well as replacing any hoses that are problematic will help prevent leaks before they happen or get out of hand.
While minor leak repair can save you a lot in the end, nothing can really prepare you for excessive flooding, especially in cities like Austin, Texas that are prone to heavy periods of rain and flooding. If you experience heavy water damage, flood and water damage to your home or business, then water damage restoration by a commercial cleaning service will be a necessity.
Harmful Types of Water Damage
The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), states that there are three different types of water that can be harmful, because of their potential contaminants. These classifications often have no relation to storms or floods.
1) Clean Water: Clean water is often the result of an appliance that leaks or eventually breaks down. Overall, it’s not as dangerous as #s 2 & 3, but it shouldn't be ignored, as this type of water can cause problems down the road.
2) Grey Water: Grey water is wastewater without the fecal contamination, but that doesn't mean it’s not contaminated. Grey water derives from plumbing problems, including leaks, seepage, clogged dishwashers, washing machines and toilets that overflow. If not addressed, grey water can contain a large amount of biological contaminants that will make you sick, especially if you have asthma, allergies or respiratory problems.
3) Black Water: This type of water damage is considered extremely dangerous as it can host harmful bacteria derived from sewage backup, floodwater and backed up toilets. The abundance of contaminated waste in black water should not be taken lightly, as the waste and pathogens can produce harmful bacteria that can be detrimental to your health if not remediated immediately.
The Four Classes of Water Damage in Austin
While water can greatly damage a home or business, in most cases it’s the time frame of how the water evaporates that’s responsible for different levels of damage. The longer the evaporation, the more harmful the damage will likely be.
According to the IICRC, there are four different classes of water damage, all of which are based on their levels of toxicity. Porosity also plays a large role in the extent of the damage. If an Austin home or business uses materials with low porosity, then it’s likely that the materials will absorb a minimum of the overall moisture. Minor floods can cause damage to carpets, but if ignored, then the water will eventually seep into the walls and can weaken the stability of the structure. Temperature and the time frame in which the damage is cleaned can greatly impact the spread of toxins, including mold. This is why it’s crucial to immediately address and remediate any type of water damage, so that it doesn't gestate and cause further problems.
Class 1 is characterized by a slow rate of evaporation that usually affects building materials with low porosity. This means that the materials can actually absorb the water, which is usually a limited amount impacting a small part of a room, or even larger rooms with materials that can take in limited moisture.
Larger amounts of water can be ranked as Class 2. Here, the amount of water can impact an entire room, leaving carpeting and furniture at risk. Signs include water creeping up walls and staining them, causing damage to most structural materials.
Class 3 involves the greatest amount of water damage, with water soaked ceilings, walls, insulation and carpeting. In most cases, an entire room or house has fallen victim to the water damage.
Class 4 mainly revolves around the extent of drying time and if any building materials are salvageable. Of course this all depends on the overall extent of the damage. If your Austin home or business is made of materials with low or no porosity (brick, concrete, plaster, stone and wood), then there’s a greater chance that it will be harder to properly remediate the water damage. The materials may have experienced such saturation that it will take low specific humidity to prevent further issues.
Additional Water Damage Problems
Wood Damage
While materials such as sheet rock, plaster and insulation can be affected by water damage, wood is also susceptible. If you have an older structure, largely constructed out of wood, water damage can affect the ceiling beams and floorboards. Excess water if not properly remediated, can waterlog beams and cause extensive damage and sagging from the excess weight. If the damage is extreme, them beams and floorboards, including the subfloor, may have to be replaced. In addition to the possibility of wood sagging for the water, beams and floorboards can also become warped and bring on mold and mildew. If caught early and properly dehumidified, the wood can be properly dried out and not have to be replaced.
Some Ideas on Preventing Water Damage
As Austin is particularly susceptible to flooding, you should prepare yourself and your property from any potential water damage that flooding can cause.
Gutters: Most people don’t regularly clean their gutters. Leaves, twigs and other objects land in your gutters and just sit there. When a storm occurs, all of those objects will most likely stay there and clog the downspouts. With nowhere to go, all that water can run down the side of your house and business and seep into the foundation, walls and floors, leading to water damage and mold. Keep your gutters clean and if you have downspouts, position them at least ten feet from your structure, so that the water doesn't have contact with your structure.
Sump Pumps: If your Austin home has a basement, you should always check your sump pump to make sure that it’s working, especially when inclement weather is on the rise.
Fixing Leaks: It’s important to maintain the quality of hoses and pipes, by repairing any leaks that you may find. Pipes can leak through sealant and caulk if it’s old. Check for dark spots around pipes, as well as on the ceiling. Replace any damaged or loose shingles on your roof; this can help stop leaks and also prevent your roof from rotting in the future.
By taking some routine steps to prevent water damage, your home or business should be able to withstand a flood or rainstorm. However if you should experience water damage, and are not able to remedy it on your own, you will need to call a professional cleaning service, like SERVPRO of East Central Austin, to take care of it for you.
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
Restoring Your Austin Property after Water Damage
Have you recently had water damage in your Austin home or business, and are not sure how to handle it? You're not alone, many people are unsure of the steps they should take after having a water damage event, and how they should go about having their home or business properly restored after the damage occurs.
There are a variety of issues that can cause your Austin TX home or business to suffer from water damage. These can include a flood, burst pipe, sewage backup and more. These issues can occur without any type of warning and gravely affect your Austin home or business.
It's stressful and many times you don't know what to do or who to call. When your home or business suffers from water damage, even an extra hour can significantly worsen the damage, so it's important to call water damage professionals immediately to handle your issue. SERVPRO of East Central Austin can help immediately to stop the damage from worsening and restore your property and belongings to make it like it never happened. Our SERVPRO professionals are highly trained and certified Austin water damage restoration technicians, and we can handle all your water damage restorationwater extraction needs.
The first step to restoring your Austin TX home or business after a water damage event is to act quickly. Acting quickly can help immensely in salvaging and restoring your belongings and property, including the drywall and flooring that's in your Austin home. It's important to note how quickly water can permanently damage organic material. Unfortunately, it's only a matter of hours before your property can be left with irreversible water damage. If our certified SERVPRO technicians are called immediately, we can respond quickly and often save and restore water damage and lesson the chance of secondary issues such as mold growth.
If mold does begin to grow in your Austin home or business, you may need to have mold remediation as well.
Your first step to restoring your home or business is to call SERVPRO of East Central Austin so that we can respond to your emergency as quickly as possible. After arriving, our technicians will do a thorough inspection with our moisture readers to determine the extent of and where there is potential for water damage and how far the moisture has traveled. Once assessed, our production team will use heavy duty water extractors (powerful pumps and vacuum units) capable of removing hundreds or thousands of gallons of water to pump out standing water and areas of property saturated with water.
Next, our technicians use room measurements, temperatures from various locations and relative humidity to determine the appropriate number of air movers and dehumidifiers needed to dry your home or business. Our air movers are strategically placed to evaporate excess moisture from belongings and property while dehumidifiers reduce the moisture content of the air, hastening the drying process. Once dry SERVPRO of East Central Austin uses cleaning techniques to provide sanitizing, deodorization and disposal to decrease the possibility of microbial growth.
Odor Removal and Deodorization
We are trained to identify and deodorize offensive odors when necessary. Our technical expertise and industrial grade air scrubbers and fogging equipment go well beyond simply masking odors and other shortcuts that don’t work when your odor problem is serious or persistent.
Sanitizing Treatments
Depending on the scenario, we may use antimicrobial, antibacterial, or disinfectant treatments to clean your property.
Disposal
We will remove and dispose of damaged materials with guidance from you and your insurance adjuster.
Restoring Your Austin Commercial Property After A Water Damage Event
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
Flooding and water damage events at Austin commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large scale event, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. In many instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.
Our professionals are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.
About SERVPRO of East Central Austin
SERVPRO of East Central Austin specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.
When Storms or Floods hit the Austin area, SERVPRO is ready!
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
SERVPRO of East Central Austin specializes in storm and flood damage restoration. Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.
Faster Response
Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.
Resources to Handle Floods and Storms
When storms hit the Austin area, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of East Central Austin provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays.
Faster To Any Size Disaster
Flooding and water damage is very invasive. Water quickly spreads throughout your home and gets absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, and more. SERVPRO of East Central Austin arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs.
Need Emergency Service? Call Us 24/7 – 512-420-9886
Water Damage Timeline
Within Minutes
Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path.
Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery, and belongings.
Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets.
Photographs, books, and other paper goods start to swell and warp.
Hours 1 - 24:
Drywall begins to swell and break down.
Metal surfaces begin to tarnish.
Furniture begins to swell and crack.
Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain.
A musty odor appears.
48 Hours to 1 Week:
Mold and mildew may grow and spread.
Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp.
Metal begins to rust and corrode.
Furniture warps and shows signs of mold.
Paint begins to blister.
Wood flooring swells and warps.
Serious biohazard contamination is possible.
More Than 1 Week:
Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive.
Structural safety, mold growth, and biohazard contaminants pose serious risks to occupants.
About SERVPRO of East Central Austin
SERVPRO of East Central Austin specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.
SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.
SERVPRO of East Central Austin is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, large or small. When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage.
We Answer the Phone Ready to Help Call Today - (512) 420-9886
We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO of East Central Austin has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.
What to Expect
When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed.
Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:
Your name and contact information
Your insurance information (if applicable)
The street address of the water-damaged home or business
When did the flooding or water damage occur?
What caused the water damage (if known)?
Is there electricity available (on-site)?
About SERVPRO of East Central Austin
SERVPRO of East Central Austin specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.
24/7 Emergency Service
SERVPRO of East Central Austin
