Archived Blog Posts
What is Water Damage?
4/24/2023 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills dispatches technicians 24 hours a day to every size of water damage emergency.
Water Damage Definition
Water damage is a term used to describe any harm resulting from water flow into a structure. Water damage is a common issue caused by a variety of events, such as:
- Malfunctioning pipes or pipe bursts
- Heavy rainfall or flooding
- Faulty home appliances and plumbing fixtures
- Damaged or leaking roofs
- Restricted drainage systems
- Sewage backups
- Cracks and leaks within the foundation
- Humidity & condensation
Water damage restoration is a necessary measure that homeowners and property owners may initiate when facing water damage consequences. Water damage claims are the second highest among insurance claims filed in the United States, accounting for 20% of all claims, per the Insurance Information Institute.
Consider our top five damage prevention tips to help prevent water damage in your home.
Top 5 Water Damage Prevention Tips
- Keep a strong foundation along with sealed doors and windows.
Homeowners can prevent water damage by inspecting their foundation for vulnerabilities in windows, doors, or other areas prone to water damage. Indicators such as cracking walls or floors, sloping or uneven floors, and widening gaps signal foundation issues. Signs like water or moisture collection, drafts, or increased energy bills can detect a leak in a window or door.
Downspouts should be directed away from the house to avert water damage. During rainfall, gutters accumulate water from the roof and channel it into downspouts. If downspouts are not connected to proper drainage or oriented toward the house's foundation, water seepage into the soil may weaken the foundation. In addition, excess water may cause soil erosion, weakening the foundation's stability over time.
2. Direct downspouts away from your property.
Redirecting downspouts away from the house is a practical measure that thwarts water damage and safeguards one's valuable investment. This technique guarantees durability and precludes soil erosion in regions with abundant rainfall. Excess water may cause damage to a home's foundation, leading to costly repairs and decreased property value.
Homeowners can protect their investment by verifying downspouts are correctly installed and functionary. Even small amounts of water that seep into the foundation can cause damage.
3. Install shut-off valves.
An automatic shut-off valve fitted on a washing machine is engineered to diagnose water leaks and automatically discontinue the water supply, mitigating considerable damage. For this purpose, this valve is commonly installed at the washing machine water hose connection points, which are at risk of leaks or burst hoses due to constant use. This mechanism is also viable for dishwashers, ensuring water leakage is detected promptly, averting profound residential damages.
4. Install sump pumps.
A sump pump is an instrument designed to prevent water damage in the basement or crawlspace of a house. Typically installed in a sump basin, water flows into the pump naturally or through a drainage system. Once the water level reaches the set point, the sump pump removes it and disposes of it through a designated drainage system.
Installing a sump pump in areas with high water tables or frequent flooding is advisable. Rainfall, melting snow, or other sources may cause severe damage to the house's foundation, mold growth, and related health concerns.
With varying power sources available – electric or battery backup – sump pumps typically have alarms or sensors that alert homeowners to potential problems with the pump or flooding events. Homeowners looking to protect their properties from water damage should consider the long-term benefits of investing in a sump pump. The instrument saves extensive repair costs and ensures the durability of a building's foundation and structural elements.
5. Check appliances that use water, plus tubs, sinks, and showers, for leaks regularly.
If you believe your toilet, sink, shower, or tub might leak, it's crucial to watch for various signs. You may observe water pooling around the base or on the adjacent floor, which could signal a leakage. Additionally, if your water bill suddenly shoots up without explanation, it often indicates a leak somewhere in your home, with the tub being a possible suspect.
Multiple factors contribute to the leaking of a tub. One prevalent issue is poor caulking around the base of the tub. Caulking dries out and cracks over time, allowing water seepage and resulting in leaks. Another possible cause for leaks is the overflow gasket in the tub's overflow drain. If this gasket becomes loose or deteriorates, it can lead to leakage.
Timely resolution of leaks is critical to prevent further damage to your home. Over time, undetected water can seep into walls and flooring, leading to structural damage and mold growth. It's advisable to have a certified plumber thoroughly examine your plumbing system for leaks and conduct prompt repairs where necessary. In the meantime, wipe surfaces around your tub dry after use and stay alert to any signs of moisture or leaks.
Calling a Water Damage Restoration Company When Prevention Fails
Even the best-kept property experience water damage. When this happens, a water damage restoration company is the right first call t make. Damage restoration companies are professional entities specializing in repairing and restoring water-damaged properties.
Skilled and trained technicians assess and mitigate water damage to reinstate the property to its pre-damage condition. They employ advanced restoration techniques encompassing water extraction, drying, dehumidification, mold remediation, structural drying, sanitation, and damage repair services. Ideally, water damage restoration services are started within 24-48 hours of water damage occurrence to mitigate further damage and minimize restoration expenses.
The collaboration between water damage restoration companies and insurance providers facilitates a seamless claims process, including providing damage documentation, working with adjusters, and providing estimates for repairs and restoration.
Selecting an accredited water damage restoration company is imperative, as they hold experience, expertise, licensing, and certification from reputable industry organizations like the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC).
What is SERVPRO?
SERVPRO remains a renowned and trusted commercial water damage restoration company with over 50 years of industry experience.
SERVPRO offers extensive professional services, including water damage restoration, fire damage restoration, mold remediation, and related services, with a workforce of over 1800 franchised entities across the US and Canada. Certified SERVPRO technicians undergo rigorous training programs from SERVPRO University and possess certifications from reputable institutions like the IICRC, making them the preferred choice for property owners or businesses requiring water restoration services.
SERVPRO offers comprehensive water damage restoration services, encompassing every stage, from assessment and mitigation to repair and rebuilding. With their 24/7 emergency response, they minimize damage and overall costs associated with water damage. Additionally, they collaborate with major insurance companies to facilitate claims and optimize client coverage.
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills's Water Damage Team
Calling SERVPRO of North Richland Hills brings several advantages when dealing with water damage restoration.
- Nearly 40 years of experience from a family-owned and operated franchise. We are one of the longest-tenured SERVPRO franchisees in the nation.
- We offer full-service restoration. We do it all--cleaning, restoration, and construction.
- We accept all insurance claims. And we will assign a dedicated Project Coordinator to walk you through every step of your insurance claim.
SERVPRO technicians have the specialized equipment and technical expertise necessary to effectively evaluate the extent of the damage and develop a comprehensive restoration plan, leading to efficient and effective restoration, often preventing further damage such as mold growth.
Safety is crucial at SERVPRO of North Richland Hills; our technicians prioritize safety during water-related events, ensuring your property and occupants remain safe. EPA-registered disinfectant ensures that affected areas are effectively and safely cleaned and disinfected, leaving no harmful contaminants behind.
In addition to our restoration services, SERVPRO of North Richland Hills also offers construction services. Any necessary repairs to structures or systems are completed quickly and efficiently, reducing the time the property is open to vulnerabilities.
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills provides comprehensive documentation detailing all findings and takes detailed photographs of the affected items and rooms to validate the claim with your insurance adjuster; prompt and fair compensation for any losses is ensured.
Contact SERVPRO of North Richland Hills. Our team is always ready and committed to providing the best professional water damage restoration services.
Signs of Mold Infestation
4/24/2023 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of NRH is a Texas-licensed mold remediation contractor. Call us anytime for mold removal help.
What is Mold?
Mold, a fungus that prospers indoors and outdoors, rapidly spreads through air-borne spores in moist conditions. It progressively weakens the structures it grows on and generates foul odors.
Though a natural and unpreventable aspect of the environment, mold can become problematic when it proliferates excessively inside buildings. We recommend familiarizing yourself with sure telltale signs of mold growth in buildings and other indoor zones to quickly identify and address the issue.
Signs of Mold Infestation
One noticeable sign of mold growth is a musty or unpleasant odor. The scent of mold is unique and has typically been described as damp, earthy, or stale. Even when mold is not visible, its pungent odor emanates due to the exudation of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from the microbial activities of molds.
Discoloration or staining on walls, roofs, or floors highlights another unmistakable sign of mold growth. Usually manifesting as clusters of black, brown, or green spots, mold may also cause fuzzy or cotton-like textures on surfaces, further indicating its existence. It is also seen that molds cause discolorations and staining on fabrics such as curtains and upholstery.
Investigating for signs of mold growth after experiencing water damage like leaks or flooding is essential, and such scenarios provide conducive conditions for molds to thrive. In such cases, it is necessary to engage professional water-damage cleaning services to minimize mold harboring promptly.
Suppose any of the above signs of mold growth are evident. In that case, it is advisable to immediately seek the services of professional mold remediation specialists to examine, contain, and eradicate them wherever necessary.
Who to Call for Mold Remediation
Mold remediation contractors are professionals with specialized expertise who are entrusted with removing mold from indoor environments and buildings. These specialists possess extensive knowledge of how different types of mold thrive in moist surroundings and have the necessary equipment and materials to efficiently and promptly mitigate mold-related problems.
In Texas, mold remediation contractors must be licensed to perform mold removal services, and technicians present during the mold remediation process must also be certified. This emphasis on certification ensures that mold remediation professionals have undergone the required training to effectively carry out their work and offer their clients a high level of service.
Notably, any mold that extends over an area of 25 contiguous square feet should be reported to the relevant Texas authorities. It is imperative to select a contractor with expertise and experience in the remediating mold of this size, and they should agree to handle all required paperwork.
Choosing a qualified mold contractor necessitates thorough consideration beyond licensing and certification. Verify that state licenses are in place, ensure that certified technicians are present, and remember to take advantage of a contractor's knowledge in navigating state and local paperwork related to mold remediation. Ensure the contractor can act as a partner, assisting you in navigating the remediation process while dealing with all mold-related paperwork.
SERVPRO of North Richland Hill's Mold Remediation Process
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills is a highly professional mold remediation contractor that employs a comprehensive process for identifying sources of mold growth. We conduct a rigorous visual inspection of the property to detect all signs of visible mold growth. SERVPRO meticulously examines every aspect of the property to identify even the most subtle trace of mold growth.
To further support our inspections, SERVPRO employs advanced equipment and techniques to identify and detect mold growth sources that are not visible. For instance, moisture meters are utilized to detect moisture levels in a suspected area, as high moisture levels generally indicate the presence of mold. Similarly, infrared cameras capture images of temperature differences, and variations in temperature or wet spots are telltale signs of hidden mold growth, which we can detect and isolate quickly.
Once mold growth sources are located, we devise a customized plan to remove the mold. This plan considers all potential causes of mold growth, and one critical step in the program is reducing moisture levels in the affected area. This may involve installing dehumidifiers, air movers, and specialized drying equipment to remove excess moisture from the air and surfaces, ensuring the indoor environment is dry and unfavorable for mold growth.
Our SERVPRO mold team may suggest modifications to your HVAC system or ventilation, as these can significantly influence the ability to maintain proper moisture levels inside your property. Good airflow inside the property can help prevent moisture buildup and reduce the risk of mold growth.
Then, we will implement measures to isolate the affected area and seal it off from the rest of the property. This involves covering floors and walls with plastic sheeting while sealing all openings. It is imperative to prevent mold spores from spreading to other parts of the property, and this tactic achieves this goal.
Next, we dispose of any porous materials contaminated with mold, such as insulation or drywall, because cleaning these effectively is impossible. Conversely, disinfecting non-porous materials such as metal, tile, and concrete is practicable.
After eliminating contaminated materials, our contractors initiate a rigorous cleaning process using special HEPA vacuums and air filtration devices. This removes mold spores from both surfaces and the air, after which we use a biocide solution to kill any surviving mold spores, creating a barrier between cleaned surfaces and mold, thwarting further spread.
It is vital to remember that covering or painting over mold growth is not a solution, and such attempts are short-lived and will not prevent mold from growing. For this reason, we ensure all our mold remediation work meets rigorous guidelines and industry standards to sanitize the property correctly.
At SERVPRO of North Richland Hills, we use cutting-edge technological solutions for remediation work, such as dry ice blasting. This method uses dry ice pellets to extract mold spores from surfaces without damaging the underlying material.
We are a remediation contractor and licensed Esporta Wash Operator, which means we can sanitize and restore mold-infested textiles like plush animals, blankets, shoes, and more. Even though mold-infected contents can be restored, they are packed and sent to our cleaning facilities before returning.
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills remediation contractors not only eliminate mold growth but also investigate potential future water intrusion problems and other sources of water damage. This critical step is needed to prevent mold growth recurrence and ensure the property's safety.
To investigate potential water intrusion issues, we inspect the property's exterior for visible signs of water damage, such as leaks, cracks, or foundation damage. We repair any identified problems to prevent further water intrusion.
Mold growth due to faulty plumbing or drainage issues is a possibility that should not be taken lightly. Our mold remediation team uses inspection techniques such as camera technology to detect leaks or damages in plumbing systems. Such sources are then repaired, preventing further infiltration, water damage, or mold growth. This repair process may involve fixing damaged pipes, unblocking drainage systems, repairing damaged roofs, or sealing cracks.
The next critical step in our mold remediation process is to identify any possible entry points for water (a mold growth promoter) and prevent moisture buildup by sealing them off. This involves detailed property inspections to detect penetrations, cracks, or gaps vulnerable to water infiltration. Water entry points are sealed using various techniques such as sealants, caulks, patches, or plugs, creating a water barrier to prevent mold growth.
To further prevent mold and water damage on the property, waterproof membranes shield vulnerable surfaces, including walls and floors, from water intrusion. SERVPRO, through identifying vulnerability points and sealing penetrations, can eliminate current mold issues and reduce the risk of future occurrences.
Call Today for a Complimentary Mold Bid
Call SERVPRO of North Richland Hills for a complimentary mold remediation bid. Our team of mold experts and ready and Here to Help.
How to Handle a Fire Damage
4/24/2023 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of NRH has nearly 40 years of experience in fire damage restoration. Call us today for a complimentary fire cleanup consultation.
Calling 911 is the first step when a fire occurs on your property. Many of our clients tell us that as the firefighters battled the blaze, they realized they didn't know what was to come.
Fire damage is often overwhelming, an event that is never forgotten. In the event of fire damage in North Richland Hills, three vital phases must be addressed:
- firefighting efforts
- cleaning, restoration, and construction
- fire damage insurance claims.
During the firefighting stage, trained firefighters work tirelessly to contain and prevent the blaze from spreading. When the fire has been subdued, the subsequent stage aims to restore the affected property to its pre-fire condition. This process typically involves debris cleaning, repairing, or replacing damaged structures. Finally, insurance claims cover the expenses incurred during the restoration process and aid in any additional assistance required after the fire.
Fire Suppression
Firefighting is crucial in fire suppression, and mastering the art is critical in high-rise buildings. The response of firefighters is a function of many factors, such as the location, size, and intensity of the fire, the type of materials in the building, and weather conditions at the time.
Water remains a vital firefighting tool, deployed through powerful hoses to extinguish or prevent the spread of the flames. However, water can do more harm than good in some situations (e.g., when electrical equipment is involved). Firefighters can turn to specialized fire suppression agents where water cannot be safely used.
Carbon dioxide is a colorless, odorless gas used for fire suppression by displacing oxygen to suffocate the fire. Dry chemical agents, such as ammonium phosphate and potassium bicarbonate, interrupt the chemical reaction of fire. Foam agents, such as protein and synthetic foam, create a blanket covering the fuel, depriving the flames of oxygen needed to survive. Lastly, halon is a chemical gas that reacts with the fire chemically to stop the reaction.
The choice of suppression agent is a critical decision, with firefighters choosing based on the fire's characteristics, the materials involved, and the location of the blaze. By selecting the appropriate agent, the firefighters can successfully extinguish the flames and prevent the fire from spreading further.
Ventilation is equally essential in firefighting; a clear path for escaping dangerous smoke and gases is required. This can involve breaking windows, creating ventilation holes in the roof, or specialized fans drawing air out of the building. In high-rise buildings, ventilation can be more complex due to narrow staircases and the location of the fire. Nevertheless, ensuring proper ventilation is essential to preserving life and minimizing property damage.
After Firefighting, Call a Fire Damage Restoration Company
When selecting a fire damage restoration firm, consider their expertise in the following restoration services:
Fire Damage Assessment
During fire damage assessment, a fire damage restoration company conducts an exhaustive inspection of the property to evaluate the extent of damage caused by the fire. The assessment process comprises identifying the areas of the property impacted by the fire, assessing the severity of the destruction, and creating a restoration plan.
Initially, the property undergoes a comprehensive visual inspection to identify the areas highly entrenched by the fire. This procedure aims to determine the extent of damage, scrutinizing the walls, ceilings, floors, roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems to ensure they are functioning appropriately and not jeopardized.
Afterward, the restoration team utilizes specialized equipment, including thermal imaging cameras, that can detect heat, moisture, and moisture meters to identify areas of damage not visible to the naked eye. The moisture meter assesses moisture levels in materials like drywall and wood, signaling areas prone to mold growth if left unaddressed.
Having completed the assessment, the fire damage restoration team then develops a restoration plan outlining the procedures needed to return the property to its initial state. The steps may involve:
- Boarding up damaged doors and windows.
- Eliminating impacted materials.
- Sanitizing affected areas.
- Reconstructing damaged structural components.
Board-Up Services
A primary objective of board-up services is to secure and protect the property from unauthorized entry, vandalism, theft, or further damage caused by inclement weather. A fire damage restoration firm may utilize plywood sheets to cover damaged windows, doors, or walls. Doing this prevents unauthorized entry into the property, minimizing further destruction risk.
Tarping Services
Tarping services help prevent water from seeping through holes created due to fire damage. The tarp material is waterproof and durable, protecting the property from natural weather elements, mainly rain. Restoration firms can carry out tarping to protect the property from water damage.
Temporary Security Fencing
In cases where board-up services cannot be immediately implemented due to weather or other circumstances, a professional restoration company can construct a temporary security fence to prevent intrusion. The wall would be erected as a secure perimeter around the damaged area, and security guards may be deployed to provide an added layer of protection during wall installation.
Content Salvaging
Restoration experts comprehend the significance of salvaging a property's contents after a fire disaster. Successful content salvaging includes assessing personal belongings, furnishings, and valuable items within the property and determining what can be retrieved.
The restoration team will meticulously sort through the property's contents, distinguishing damaged items from those that can be saved. The restoration process may include restoring damaged items through cleaning and sanitizing or necessitating a total replacement.
Ultrasonic cleaning machines and ozone generators are implemented to restore items determined to be salvageable. Ultrasonic cleaning entails submerging items in a tank containing a cleaning solution and exposing them to high-frequency sound waves to eliminate dirt and debris. Ozone generators produce ozone gas, eradicating odor-causing particles and sanitizing affected items.
The restoration team may also implement techniques such as freeze-drying and document restoration to retrieve essential documents and electronics. Freeze-drying entails removing moisture from materials such as photographs and books to prevent further harm, while document restoration utilizes specialized equipment to restore and protect important documents.
Content salvaging is an intrinsic aspect of fire damage restoration, as it reinstates normalcy to those affected by the fire. By retrieving personal belongings and valuable items, the restoration team can facilitate the return of the property to its pre-fire condition faster.
Demolition
The demolition phase is vital to fire damage restoration as it prepares the property for rebuilding. A fire damage restoration company may determine whether specific structural components must be demolished due to the severity of the damage. The restoration team will secure the area by removing salvageable items and boarding up all openings to ensure safety.
Once the demolition area is secured, protective gear, including respirators and gloves, is worn to provide safety for the restoration team. Damaged materials are safely removed using specialized equipment such as saws, drills, and excavators. Large-scale demolition projects may require heavy machinery like cranes.
During demolition, negative air machines, along with HEPA filters, are used to control dust and debris. Such devices create a vacuum that captures airborne particles, filtered by HEPA filters that remove 99% of particles down to 0.3 microns in size.
Once the damaged structural components are removed, the property is prepared for the rebuilding phase of the restoration. The restoration team uses specialized techniques and materials to repair it safely and effectively. Careful planning and execution are critical to safely removing damaged components and paving the way for a successful restoration project.
Cleaning and Restoration
In the aftermath of a fire, recovery efforts can begin after eradicating hazardous materials. This process involves clearing the residue of the extinguishing agents (e.g., water, soot) to proceed with the cleanup.
An established fire restoration firm employs a meticulous process for cleaning the affected items and commodities, ensuring that they are moved to a secure location and thoroughly disinfected to remove all pollutants and odors.
The fire restoration team typically prepares an inventory of the affected items. It sorts them for identification purposes before packing and transporting them to a secure site for cleaning and restoration. They use specialized equipment, including dollies, carts, and boxes, to transport materials, vigilantly avoiding additional damages.
At the restoration site, the team evaluates the degree of harm and uses state-of-the-art tools and techniques to clean items of varying sizes and materials. The restoration company may use ultrasonic, dry, or wet cleaning processes based on the material and the severity of the damage.
For instance, ultrasonic machines, which involve immersing objects in a tank full of cleaning agents that use high-frequency sound waves to detach debris, are often used for soft contents such as clothes and fabrics. Similarly, dry cleaning methods may use a gentle bristle vacuum and dry sponges to remove dust and dirt. Wet cleaning may require applying cleaning agents, rinsing with water, and drying the likewise cleaned surfaces.
Ozone generators are an essential tool when addressing structural and odor problems. These tools are adept at producing ozone gas, eradicating odor-causing contaminants, and sanitizing affected items, even those that have absorbed pungent smoke smells.
Acknowledging that certain items are unsalvageable, extensive fire damage may necessitate proper disposal. Furthermore, irrecoverable items play a role in insurance claim settlements filed by the fire damage restoration service.
In addition to sanitization and cleansing, essential document and electronics salvage can be achieved by utilizing restoration techniques such as freeze-drying and document restoration. Freeze-drying effectively removes moisture from books, photographs, and other materials to prevent further damage. Document restoration uses specialized equipment to protect and restore critical documents.
The restoration process must pay careful attention to air quality. The restoration team resorts to HEPA filters and negative air machines to limit airborne particles and dust. Dehumidifiers and air movers are necessary to prevent mold growth and dry out water damage.
Reconstruction
Reconstruction becomes necessary in the event of significant damage to a structure caused by fire or the need to replace specific features to restore functionality. In this case, a restoration company would collaborate with insurance adjusters and other professionals to gauge the damage's extent and the reconstruction required.
A reconstruction project may involve removing damaged structural elements such as walls, ceilings, and floors. The team would also address damaged electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems.
Adherence to codes and meeting all applicable safety standards are crucial aspects of the reconstruction process. Structural changes might be mandated, while safety features such as sprinkler systems, smoke detectors, and fire alarms may require installation.
The restoration team works closely with the property owner throughout the reconstruction process to ensure their preferences are considered. The team diligently communicates progress updates and any changes to the project timeline or budget to the owner.
Filing a Fire Damage Insurance Claim
When filing for an insurance property claim following fire damage, it is crucial to comply with specific procedures to receive compensation. First and foremost, contact your insurance company and report the occurrence while providing your policy number and pertinent details.
An assigned adjuster will schedule a visit to assess the damage. It is essential to document the damages before the adjuster's visit and record all damaged items, visible or not. By providing as much detail as possible, the adjuster can determine your policy's coverage.
The adjuster should explain the claim procedure and identify the deductible necessary to resolve the issue. Once the assessment is complete, the insurance company sends a proof-of-loss form, requiring complete documentation of the estimated value of each damaged item.
Occasionally, the insurance company will engage an independent adjuster to assess severe damage or in cases of coverage disputes. In some cases, advances are provided to cover immediate expenses.
Once approved, the insurance company issues a settlement check or directly pays the restoration company responsible for repairs. Nevertheless, it is essential to note that not all replacement costs may be fully covered, and the process may be lengthy and stressful. Maintaining proper communication records and partnering with an experienced restoration company can significantly ease the burden of settling the issue after a fire.
SERVPRO of North Richland Hill's Fire Damage Cleanup Team
The industry-leading fire damage restoration team at SERVPRO of North Richland Hills stands ready to offer our professional assistance. We have served for nearly four decades and earned a reputation for excellence.
Our operational workflow is based on meticulousness and structured protocols, which we have shaved to perfection over the decades. First, we thoroughly evaluate the extent of fire damage, creating an itemized list of all required repairs. Next, we work closely with our clients to ensure that insurance claims are accurately processed, and all necessary documentation is fulfilled. We advocate for our clients, ensuring a fair settlement amount.
Our team of highly trained and accredited professionals employs an array of advanced equipment, such as ultrasonic technologies, the Esporta Wash System, and ozone techniques, to ensure that your property is cleaned and restored to preloss condition. This includes the removal of smoke and soot damage, eliminating any residual odors, and repairing structural damage.
In addition to our unparalleled experience in the industry, our adept and highly-trained technical team possesses the technical knowledge necessary to restore your property effectively. We also recognize that experiencing a fire can devastate your personal and professional life. Our team focuses on compassionate customer service, taking additional time to address our client's concerns and questions throughout the process.
Contact SERVPRO of North Richland Hills today to schedule a fire damage consultation with our highly skilled team of professionals.
We're Here to Help.
What Does SERVPRO Do?
4/24/2023 (Permalink)
SERVPRO is a cleaning, restoration, and construction company. Call SERVPRO of NRH for any water and fire damage needs. We're Here to Help.
SERVPRO is America's most trusted commercial damage restoration company. We restore any damage to your home or office and make it "Like it never even happened."
With over 50 years of experience, we have become experts at handling all kinds of emergencies. Here are some of the services we offer:
- We clean up after water and fire damage.
- We reconstruct all types of properties after damage restoration.
- We remediate mold.
- We clean biohazards and offer disinfection.
- We do HVAC and duct cleaning.
- We keep your carpets and upholstery clean.
- We rid items of bad smells.
- We clean up textiles like jackets, blankets, or stuffed animals using the Esporta Wash System.
At SERVPRO, we are friendly and professional. We understand your family's importance to you, so we'll take care of everything so you can return to what matters.
How SERVPRO Handles Water Damage Restoration
Water damage can be frustrating and worrisome, especially when it affects families with kids. Our water damage restoration process is designed to help you overcome flooding, leaks, or other water-related damage. We understand the risk to your property and your family's health and are prepared to help you through every step of the process.
With specialized equipment and 50 years of experience, we can handle any water damage regardless of the cause. Our process starts with a thorough assessment to determine the extent of the damage, followed by water removal and drying using powerful dehumidifiers and air movers. We also offer mold remediation services, crucial to preventing mold growth and keeping your family safe.
At SERVPRO, we know that water damage can happen at any time, and that's why we offer 24/7 emergency services, so you can rest assured that you'll get help when you need it the most.
Fire Damage Restoration with SERVPRO
Fire damage can be incredibly stressful. Seeing a favorite toy or family photo damaged by the flames may seem overwhelming. SERVPRO is always here to help. We specialize in restoring properties damaged by fire, so your family can return to normal as quickly as possible.
Our team understands how devastating a fire can be, so we work hard to make the restoration process as stress-free as possible. We assess the damage and create a personalized plan to restore your property. This could include removing debris, purifying the air, drying the area, and sanitizing everything the fire affects.
As you work with us, you may notice lingering unpleasant odors caused by the smoke. We've got you covered. Our equipment and techniques are designed to remove these odors, so you can return to life as you knew before the fire.
Mold Removal
Mold remediation is the process of finding and removing mold from inside your home. Mold is a fungus that can grow in damp and humid environments and cause health problems if not addressed. It can grow in many places, like your walls, floors, ceiling, and HVAC system.
If left untreated, mold can quickly spread and damage your home's structure, making the air inside your home less healthy. SERVPRO of North Richland Hills is Here to Help. We're licensed Texas Mold Remediation Contractors, and our experts are trained to identify and remove mold from your home safely and effectively.
Keeping your family safe is our top priority, so we take all necessary precautions to protect ourselves and others while working in contaminated areas. We follow strict standards and regulations the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets, ensuring everyone is safe while we remove mold.
It's important to remember that mold remediation is not a DIY project and should only be done by professionals like us with the proper equipment and training. Please don't attempt to remove mold on your own, as this can cause it to spread even further.
In addition to removing mold, we can also work with you to help prevent future mold growth in your home. So if you think you have mold, contact us immediately, and we'll take care of everything.
SERVPRO Construction
We provide construction services that cover various capabilities, such as reconstruction, remodeling, and renovation. Our team of experts has honed their skills in all aspects of construction, from framing to finishing.
We know each property is unique, so we approach every project with a customized and personal touch. Our team works alongside you to assess your needs and create a plan tailored to your specific requirements and budget. We offer various construction services, including minor repairs, large-scale remodels, and renovations. Whether you need to install new drywall or rebuild a whole floor, we have the skills and experience to do the job right.
We understand that a home construction project can feel overwhelming, so we offer ongoing support and guidance. We'll work closely with you so that you're involved every step of the way. Our goal is to meet and exceed your expectations and ensure your property is restored to its preloss condition.
Biohazard Cleaning and Disinfection
Disinfection is eliminating harmful microorganisms are essential, and it helps prevent the spread of diseases. Whether you are getting your home restored after water or fire damage, disinfection is crucial to get things back to normal.
At SERVPRO, we use effective, EPA-approved disinfectants and follow strict protocols while cleaning up. Our crew wears personal protective equipment (PPE) while using specialized chemicals and equipment to kill harmful bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens.
Biohazardous materials, such as hazardous chemicals, infectious diseases, etc., can threaten health. SERVPRO biohazard cleaning services help with a crime scene or meth lab cleanup, sewage backup, and hoarding. We are equipped with advanced cleaning agents and tools, and our technicians are professional and knowledgeable about the industry's guidelines and regulations.
Air Duct Cleaning
Regarding HVAC cleaning, families with kids like to ensure their indoor air quality is healthy. This can be done by removing dust, debris, and other contaminants from air ducts and HVAC systems. Doing so can help boost energy efficiency and make the air cleaner and fresher.
SERVPRO has a four-step process that includes inspection, cleaning, sanitizing/restoration, and review--all done by skilled pros. We look for stuff like mold that might make your air less than ideal and take extra steps to ensure your home is safe and healthy for your family.
Commercial Services
If you're looking for cleaning and restoration services tailored to meet commercial and industrial spaces' unique needs, SERVPRO can help. We understand how important it is to keep your workplace safe and healthy for your employees and customers, so we offer a range of specialized services just for you and your business.
Our commercial services cover everything from disinfection and biohazardous waste cleanup to HVAC/duct cleaning and fire damage repair. We also offer emergency response and restoration services, so you can rely on us when you need help the most. And we work with various industries, including healthcare, hospitality, education, manufacturing, and more.
We understand that every minute counts. That's why we offer 24/7 emergency response services to our commercial clients, ensuring that we are always available when you need us. We aim to get your business back up and running quickly and safely.
Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning
Cleaning carpets and upholstery is essential to keeping your home clean and healthy for your family, especially if you have little ones running around. Even regular cleaning can't eliminate all the dirt and dust that accumulates, which can cause wear and tear and shorten the lifespan of your furniture.
We use the latest equipment and techniques to ensure your carpets and upholstery are perfectly clean, sanitized, and safe for kids to play on. Plus, our four-step cleaning process is thorough and careful. First, we inspect your carpets and upholstery and identify areas requiring special attention. Then, we pre-treat any stains or high-traffic areas to ensure the best possible cleaning results.
Next, we use either hot water extraction or dry cleaning methods, depending on what is best for your carpets and furniture. Our hot water extraction method is excellent for getting deep into the fibers and removing dirt and allergens, and the dry cleaning method is gentler and reduces the risk of water damage or mold growth.
Finally, we inspect your carpets and upholstery to ensure everything has been thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. Our technicians take pride in their work and are dedicated to ensuring you are delighted with our service.
Odor Removal and Deodorization
Are you struggling with unpleasant smells? Pets, mold, smoke, cooking, and more can cause stubborn odors that refuse to go away. Our team of experts uses state-of-the-art equipment, like moisture detectors and thermal foggers, to find the odor's origin and determine the problem's extent. Once we know what we're dealing with, we create a personalized plan to eliminate the odor.
We use various techniques to remove the smell, including air filters, ozone treatment, and thermal fogging. Our experts carefully ensure that our deodorizing agents are safe for your family and your environment.
Textile Sanitization
Thanks to the Esporta Wash System, our textile sanitization services are super effective. It's a high-tech washing technology that can remove bacteria, mold, and viruses from clothes, towels, bedding, and even sports gear, like hockey pads and football helmets. This is incredibly useful for families who want to stay healthy, active, and fresh-smelling.
Its patented hydraulic process sets our technology apart, which uses harmless detergents and high-pressure water to penetrate deep into fibers. This means we can remove up to 99% of all contaminants, making it one of the most effective methods, perfect for busy families. Plus, it can help you save money in the long run by restoring your clothes that would have otherwise had to be replaced.
After we're done with the washing, our technicians dry the textiles quickly and thoroughly to ensure zero damage. Plus, we offer a final inspection to double-check that everything is successfully sanitized and odor-free.
Is SERVPRO Available 24/7?
Yes, SERVPRO is always here to help you, 24/7, for emergencies, even on holidays - call us! We understand that accidents happen, so we provide quick responses to lessen the damage and stress caused by disasters.
What Makes SERVPRO Different from Other Restoration Companies?
Did you know that SERVPRO of NRH accepts all insurance claims? We work directly with insurance adjusters to help you navigate the insurance process, ensuring you receive the compensation needed to restore your home correctly. Our restoration process covers everything you need, including construction services.
We also have a National Response Team to respond to the nation's largest restoration projects. Our team has traveled throughout the United States to respond to natural disasters like hurricanes, wildfires, and derechos. We want to ensure you and your family are safe, so we don't turn down any calls for help.
At SERVPRO, we understand that each home is unique, so we pride ourselves on offering a custom approach to every restoration project. You'll receive the highest professionalism, expertise, and customer service when you partner with us.
Our technicians are extensively trained, and we always have backup when needed. In a matter of hours, we can grow our certified technician staff to respond to disasters of any size.
When life throws a challenge your way, we've got your back. No restoration company can even come close to matching our resources. We have proprietary chemicals designed by SERVPRO chemists that are safe for kids and effective for every damage.
Our staff goes through SERVPRO University, the most advanced training program, and curriculum for damage restoration. And we have independent training and certification by the IICRC, so that you can trust our expertise.
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills is certified to operate the Esporta Wash System, one of just a handful of franchises in DFW. We can disinfect textiles after category three water damage, fire and soot damage, and mold infestation. The Esporta machine is specially designed to give us the highest rate of textile restoration success, easily beating dry cleaning.
SERVPRO of NRH Accepts All Insurance Claims
We accept insurance claims and are happy to team up with insurance companies and adjusters to make the process smooth.
Your family will be assigned to work with one of our super nice and friendly Project Coordinators. They'll help you through the restoration process, including your insurance claim.
What is SERVPRO University?
Our team of restoration specialists is the best in the industry, and we make sure that every staff member goes through SERVPRO University's extensive training program. Our training program makes sure our team has the knowledge and skills necessary for the latest techniques and technologies for cleaning, restoration, and construction.
Our curriculum covers everything from cleaning and disinfection to safety training and customer service.
We know how hard it can be during difficult times, so we prioritize our customer service and communication skills training. Our staff is trained to be empathetic and understanding, ensuring the customer and the insurance adjusters are informed and satisfied during restoration.
We also send our team to be certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), and everyone undergoes yearly continuing education classes.
SERVPRO of NRH
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills is open 24 hours a day. Call us anytime.
We're Here to Help.
How to Store and Protect Precious Metals
3/15/2022 (Permalink)
However, if your precious metals have sustained damage in a fire, our Fort Worth Fire Damage Restoration can help you recover and restore them.
Like real estate, precious metals are a valuable commodity that can be a reliable hedge to combat inflation. However, precious metals need proper storage and protection. If you are a collector or an investor interested in purchasing precious metals, make sure you have ample knowledge of how to protect and store them properly.
Precious metals like silver and gold must be stored safely in a dry place away from excessive sunlight. But that’s not all. Here are some ways to store and protect precious metals like bullion or gold and silver jewellery.
Put Your Precious Metals In A Bank Vault
Storing metals in a vault at the local bank or in a safe deposit box ensures long-term protection delivered by advanced security at these financial institutions.
The fact of the matter is that banks provide a level of security and safety that most homes simply cannot. But, there are some drawbacks.
For example, you won’t have 24/7 access to your precious metals since the bank likely only works from 9 to 5. Also, if there is a robbery at the bank, your deposits will be lost forever.
Still, this is the most reliable way to ensure that their bullion remains safe for many people.
Build a Safe at Home to Safeguard Bullion
Safes are a great place to store your precious metals, whether inside the office, home, or elsewhere. Presuming it’s big enough, safes are a very secure resource for storing and protecting as these allow you to lock and open them only with a key, a passcode, a fingerprint, or a combination. Additionally, rated safes can protect physical bullion from water and fire damage in case of disaster.
A sturdy, password-protected safe can cost you several thousand dollars. But irrespective of its cost, a safe is a significant investment to protect your precious metals.
Try Depositories To Safekeep Your Gold and Silver
Precious metal depositories provide peace of mind and security when protecting physical bullion. These offer ample storage space, extremely high-security levels, and climate control.
Armed guards, limited access, and video are hallmarks of precious metal depositories that cater to investors who buy large quantities of bullion and need unbeatable security to keep their investments safe.
Precious metals can be a substantial asset in the fight to mitigate inflation and to store value. So make sure you find a reliable way to safeguard them.
Hire SERVPRO to Recover Your Precious Metals from Fire Damage
While storing your precious metals may seem daunting, implementing a well-thought-out strategy can go a long way in safeguarding your belongings.
However, if your precious metals have sustained damage in a fire, our Fort Worth Fire Damage Restoration can help you recover and restore them.
Contact SERVPRO of North Richland Hills at (817) 589-1499 to learn more.
What Happens to Gold in a House Fire?
3/15/2022 (Permalink)
We’re the number one cleaning and restoration service provider in Fort Worth.
Of all fires reported in the US, more than 25 percent were residential fires, according to the Red Cross. It's time to change those numbers and know how to safeguard your home from fires.
Once you are sure of the safety of your loved ones after a house fire, then you start to wonder about your valuables and belongings like passports, cash, and precious metals such as silver or gold jewelry.
So, what happens to gold in a fire? Is gold fireproof, or is it lost forever?
No need to worry, as gold is fireproof — to a degree. Chances are, your bullion can survive a house fire unscathed.
Get in touch with us at SERVPRO of North Richland Hills for fast, reliable Fort Worth Fire Damage Restoration services to recover your valuable possessions after a house fire.
Gold Flammability
Thankfully, gold isn't flammable, but it can melt at extremely high temperatures. Gold is one of the least reactive materials and it won’t ignite or otherwise burst into flames, no matter how hot the flames get.
However, the melting point of gold is 1947.52 Fahrenheit, whereas most house fires generate an average temperature of 1200 to 1700 Fahrenheit. It is likely that if your house did suffer a fire, any gold in your possession will be okay.
Securing and Saving Undamaged Possessions
Always put your gold in a fireproof safe, or a concealed floor safe, far from areas that catch fire quickly. This way, your gold is safe from fire as well as burglars.
A restoration company like SERVPRO of North Richland Hills can help you sort out your possessions after a fire and recover as much as possible. Usually, there are plenty of salvageable items in the wreckage, particularly silver and gold jewelry and bullion, safe boxes, etc.
If your gold was in packaging that catches fire, then could have created temperatures high enough to melt the precious metal.
But, if you take adequate precautions in storing your gold, then our restoration experts can more easily find your precious metals and restore your jewelry to its former luster.
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills: Call Today for Gold Restoration Services
Our damage restoration technicians offer a wide range of restoration services for fire-damaged residential and commercial properties. Besides this, we also provide mold remediation, air duct cleaning, roof tarping, specialty cleaning, and much more throughout all the major cities in the DFW area.
We’re the number one cleaning and restoration service provider in Fort Worth. Contact us anytime day or night for a free consultation at (817) 589-1499.
4 Silent Signs of Water Damage in Your Home
3/15/2022 (Permalink)
If your property has sustained water damage due to a leaking pipe, a natural disaster, or any other event, connect with SERVPRO ASAP.
Water damage can be a significant safety concern as it can endanger the structural integrity of a house. That is why it is essential to spot water damage symptoms before they turn into a big and expensive problem.
While the damage might be slow and silent, there are some signs that can clearly indicate water damage. Let's explore these indicators in further detail.
#1. Changes to Floors, Walls, or Ceilings
Peeling and bubbling wallpaper or paint are among the earliest signs of water damage. Paint and wallpaper can also start to bloat and warp as time passes. But if you still leave the cause of water damage untreated, it could become more severe than just crooked wallpaper patterns.
In some cases, walls and ceilings may get so soaked with water that if you touch them, you may find them spongy to the touch. If this occurs, the wall is at risk of collapsing.
Additionally, water can start seeping into the subfloor, which changes how your floor usually looks. The leaking pipes may saturate your foundation and alter the floor's structure.
Once you've had the water damaged repaired, there are several prevention tips to follow to ensure it doesn't happen again.
#2. Musty Odors in the House
You might notice a pungent must, moldy, or stale smell in parts of your home that are sustaining water damage out of your sight. Musty odors with no discernable source are a strong indicator of a water leak somewhere in your house.
Usually, this smell occurs from mildews, which cause a horrible smell as they build up and release foul gas. Moreover, humid air could also be a potential cause of the musty smell.
Only fixing the water damage can help you remove the mold and the musty smell altogether. That way, your home will begin to smell fresh again.
#3. Visible Stains and Discolorations
Visible stains and discolorations on walls, ceilings, or floors are another significant indicator of hidden leaks.
You might even catch sight of grayish lines on walls, brown rings on ceilings and floors, and other discolored areas. It is essential to inspect appropriately to ensure that the problem is resolved before further structural damage occurs.
Our technicians of SERVPRO of North Richland Hills can assist in pinpointing the exact source of the leak and fixing it quickly.
#4. Sagging Ceilings and Walls
Another way to recognize water damage is when the ceilings and walls start sagging. This is an incredibly dangerous sign of water damage. When the water saturates ceiling material or drywall, the weight of the soaked materials ends up weakening the materials and they could collapse.
The water leak might not even be severe. Sometimes minor leaks can cause the wall to swell and bow over time.
Hire Us to Restore Your House and Fix Water Damage
If your property has sustained water damage due to a leaking pipe, a natural disaster, or any other event, connect with SERVPRO ASAP. We can help repair any leaky pipe through our exceptional Fort Worth Water Damage Restoration services.
Connect with us online or call our North Richland Hills franchise at (817) 589-1499. We’re available 24/7 for your immediate needs.
SERVPRO is the First to Return Your Call in an Emergency
3/15/2022 (Permalink)
Homeowners in North Richland Hills can rely on us for immediate assistance whenever disaster strikes.
Disasters have absolutely no sense of timing, right? Anything that can go wrong will go wrong, and at the worst time too.
A flood, tornado, heavy rainfall, or plumbing issue like clogged sewer lines, broken water pipe, cracks in valves, etc., lead to water pouring down the ceilings and walls and pooling in your basement. When not taken care of instantly, mold and mildew take root.
If you’re dealing with any type of home emergency, whether it’s damage from a grease fire, mold growth, or ceiling leak, all you want is a quick response.
When tragedy strikes, you can count on SERVPRO of North Richland Hills.
With more than 50 years of combined experience in cleanup, repair, and restoration services, we’re a top-rated company with a proven record of satisfied clients. At SERVPRO, we’re always the first to return your call.
Act Now: Call Our Fort Worth Mold Remediation Service
Mold growth is one of the greatest unseen hazards for homes in Fort Worth. The uncontrolled growth results in poor indoor air quality and can weaken the home's structure. Moreover, mold can quickly spread to other areas of your home if not contained in time. And if you’re looking to sell your home, mold issues can severely impact your ability to sell it quickly and for top dollar.
Call a full-service remediation company to stop mold in its musty tracks. And no one’s better at remediating mold like SERVPRO. Our technicians understand mold and offer proper mold removal services instead of simply covering it up.
From customer Kelly M:
During one the most difficult times of our lives, SERVPRO showed up and helped us navigate through the wreckage the tornado created to our brand new home in Preston Hollow. We are so thankful for the professionalism and swiftness of Rebecca, Melanie and Robert. Team ServoPro made an amazing difference during a trying time for our family. Thank you!
Mold Inspection and Abatement Process
Mold remediation involves identifying location, the extent of damage, safe removal, and finally, sanitation of the space. In cases where moisture has penetrated within the structure or where the material can’t be dried thoroughly, it's essential to tear out the moldy parts and then perform a repair or restoration.
It isn’t a DIY job because it requires trained expertise that SERVPRO mold specialists can deliver. Our services include mold cleaning, sanitization, mold odor removal, and restoration.
From customer Stephanie M:
Arthur and Patrick ROCKED setting everything up and ensuring the process would save the flooring if possible. Not only were they good at their jobs, they were friendly, polite, and courteous--things lacking in today's customer service industry. Hands down, I will absolutely speak praises for SERVPRO NRH, especially in regards to Arthur and Patrick and Jeremy.
Call Now for 24-Hour Mold Removal and Remediation
Fast, decisive action is the key to mitigating the damage caused by mold.
Homeowners in North Richland Hills can rely on us for immediate assistance whenever disaster strikes.
Timing and quality of service matter, which is why SERVPRO is offering 24/7 Fort Worth Mold Remediation and restoration services. Call us anytime day or night for your free consultation.
How to Store and Protect Precious Metals
3/15/2022 (Permalink)
However, if your precious metals have sustained damage in a fire, our Fort Worth Fire Damage Restoration can help you recover and restore them.
Like real estate, precious metals are a valuable commodity that can be a reliable hedge to combat inflation. However, precious metals need proper storage and protection. If you are a collector or an investor interested in purchasing precious metals, make sure you have ample knowledge of how to protect and store them properly.
Precious metals like silver and gold must be stored safely in a dry place away from excessive sunlight. But that’s not all. Here are some ways to store and protect precious metals like bullion or gold and silver jewellery.
Put Your Precious Metals In A Bank Vault
Storing metals in a vault at the local bank or in a safe deposit box ensures long-term protection delivered by advanced security at these financial institutions.
The fact of the matter is that banks provide a level of security and safety that most homes simply cannot. But, there are some drawbacks.
For example, you won’t have 24/7 access to your precious metals since the bank likely only works from 9 to 5. Also, if there is a robbery at the bank, your deposits will be lost forever.
Still, this is the most reliable way to ensure that their bullion remains safe for many people.
Build a Safe at Home to Safeguard Bullion
Safes are a great place to store your precious metals, whether inside the office, home, or elsewhere. Presuming it’s big enough, safes are a very secure resource for storing and protecting as these allow you to lock and open them only with a key, a passcode, a fingerprint, or a combination. Additionally, rated safes can protect physical bullion from water and fire damage in case of disaster.
A sturdy, password-protected safe can cost you several thousand dollars. But irrespective of its cost, a safe is a significant investment to protect your precious metals.
Try Depositories To Safekeep Your Gold and Silver
Precious metal depositories provide peace of mind and security when protecting physical bullion. These offer ample storage space, extremely high-security levels, and climate control.
Armed guards, limited access, and video are hallmarks of precious metal depositories that cater to investors who buy large quantities of bullion and need unbeatable security to keep their investments safe.
Precious metals can be a substantial asset in the fight to mitigate inflation and to store value. So make sure you find a reliable way to safeguard them.
Hire SERVPRO to Recover Your Precious Metals from Fire Damage
While storing your precious metals may seem daunting, implementing a well-thought-out strategy can go a long way in safeguarding your belongings.
However, if your precious metals have sustained damage in a fire, our Fort Worth Fire Damage Restoration can help you recover and restore them.
Contact SERVPRO of North Richland Hills at (817) 589-1499 to learn more.
What Happens to Gold in a House Fire?
3/15/2022 (Permalink)
We’re the number one cleaning and restoration service provider in Fort Worth.
Of all fires reported in the US, more than 25 percent were residential fires, according to the Red Cross. It's time to change those numbers and know how to safeguard your home from fires.
Once you are sure of the safety of your loved ones after a house fire, then you start to wonder about your valuables and belongings like passports, cash, and precious metals such as silver or gold jewelry.
So, what happens to gold in a fire? Is gold fireproof, or is it lost forever?
No need to worry, as gold is fireproof — to a degree. Chances are, your bullion can survive a house fire unscathed.
Get in touch with us at SERVPRO of North Richland Hills for fast, reliable Fort Worth Fire Damage Restoration services to recover your valuable possessions after a house fire.
Gold Flammability
Thankfully, gold isn't flammable, but it can melt at extremely high temperatures. Gold is one of the least reactive materials and it won’t ignite or otherwise burst into flames, no matter how hot the flames get.
However, the melting point of gold is 1947.52 Fahrenheit, whereas most house fires generate an average temperature of 1200 to 1700 Fahrenheit. It is likely that if your house did suffer a fire, any gold in your possession will be okay.
Securing and Saving Undamaged Possessions
Always put your gold in a fireproof safe, or a concealed floor safe, far from areas that catch fire quickly. This way, your gold is safe from fire as well as burglars.
A restoration company like SERVPRO of North Richland Hills can help you sort out your possessions after a fire and recover as much as possible. Usually, there are plenty of salvageable items in the wreckage, particularly silver and gold jewelry and bullion, safe boxes, etc.
If your gold was in packaging that catches fire, then could have created temperatures high enough to melt the precious metal.
But, if you take adequate precautions in storing your gold, then our restoration experts can more easily find your precious metals and restore your jewelry to its former luster.
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills: Call Today for Gold Restoration Services
Our damage restoration technicians offer a wide range of restoration services for fire-damaged residential and commercial properties. Besides this, we also provide mold remediation, air duct cleaning, roof tarping, specialty cleaning, and much more throughout all the major cities in the DFW area.
We’re the number one cleaning and restoration service provider in Fort Worth. Contact us anytime day or night for a free consultation at (817) 589-1499.
4 Silent Signs of Water Damage in Your Home
3/15/2022 (Permalink)
If your property has sustained water damage due to a leaking pipe, a natural disaster, or any other event, connect with SERVPRO ASAP.
Water damage can be a significant safety concern as it can endanger the structural integrity of a house. That is why it is essential to spot water damage symptoms before they turn into a big and expensive problem.
While the damage might be slow and silent, there are some signs that can clearly indicate water damage. Let's explore these indicators in further detail.
#1. Changes to Floors, Walls, or Ceilings
Peeling and bubbling wallpaper or paint are among the earliest signs of water damage. Paint and wallpaper can also start to bloat and warp as time passes. But if you still leave the cause of water damage untreated, it could become more severe than just crooked wallpaper patterns.
In some cases, walls and ceilings may get so soaked with water that if you touch them, you may find them spongy to the touch. If this occurs, the wall is at risk of collapsing.
Additionally, water can start seeping into the subfloor, which changes how your floor usually looks. The leaking pipes may saturate your foundation and alter the floor's structure.
Once you've had the water damaged repaired, there are several prevention tips to follow to ensure it doesn't happen again.
#2. Musty Odors in the House
You might notice a pungent must, moldy, or stale smell in parts of your home that are sustaining water damage out of your sight. Musty odors with no discernable source are a strong indicator of a water leak somewhere in your house.
Usually, this smell occurs from mildews, which cause a horrible smell as they build up and release foul gas. Moreover, humid air could also be a potential cause of the musty smell.
Only fixing the water damage can help you remove the mold and the musty smell altogether. That way, your home will begin to smell fresh again.
#3. Visible Stains and Discolorations
Visible stains and discolorations on walls, ceilings, or floors are another significant indicator of hidden leaks.
You might even catch sight of grayish lines on walls, brown rings on ceilings and floors, and other discolored areas. It is essential to inspect appropriately to ensure that the problem is resolved before further structural damage occurs.
Our technicians of SERVPRO of North Richland Hills can assist in pinpointing the exact source of the leak and fixing it quickly.
#4. Sagging Ceilings and Walls
Another way to recognize water damage is when the ceilings and walls start sagging. This is an incredibly dangerous sign of water damage. When the water saturates ceiling material or drywall, the weight of the soaked materials ends up weakening the materials and they could collapse.
The water leak might not even be severe. Sometimes minor leaks can cause the wall to swell and bow over time.
Hire Us to Restore Your House and Fix Water Damage
If your property has sustained water damage due to a leaking pipe, a natural disaster, or any other event, connect with SERVPRO ASAP. We can help repair any leaky pipe through our exceptional Fort Worth Water Damage Restoration services.
Connect with us online or call our North Richland Hills franchise at (817) 589-1499. We’re available 24/7 for your immediate needs.
SERVPRO is the First to Return Your Call in an Emergency
3/15/2022 (Permalink)
Homeowners in North Richland Hills can rely on us for immediate assistance whenever disaster strikes.
Disasters have absolutely no sense of timing, right? Anything that can go wrong will go wrong, and at the worst time too.
A flood, tornado, heavy rainfall, or plumbing issue like clogged sewer lines, broken water pipe, cracks in valves, etc., lead to water pouring down the ceilings and walls and pooling in your basement. When not taken care of instantly, mold and mildew take root.
If you’re dealing with any type of home emergency, whether it’s damage from a grease fire, mold growth, or ceiling leak, all you want is a quick response.
When tragedy strikes, you can count on SERVPRO of North Richland Hills.
With more than 50 years of combined experience in cleanup, repair, and restoration services, we’re a top-rated company with a proven record of satisfied clients. At SERVPRO, we’re always the first to return your call.
Act Now: Call Our Fort Worth Mold Remediation Service
Mold growth is one of the greatest unseen hazards for homes in Fort Worth. The uncontrolled growth results in poor indoor air quality and can weaken the home's structure. Moreover, mold can quickly spread to other areas of your home if not contained in time. And if you’re looking to sell your home, mold issues can severely impact your ability to sell it quickly and for top dollar.
Call a full-service remediation company to stop mold in its musty tracks. And no one’s better at remediating mold like SERVPRO. Our technicians understand mold and offer proper mold removal services instead of simply covering it up.
From customer Kelly M:
During one the most difficult times of our lives, SERVPRO showed up and helped us navigate through the wreckage the tornado created to our brand new home in Preston Hollow. We are so thankful for the professionalism and swiftness of Rebecca, Melanie and Robert. Team ServoPro made an amazing difference during a trying time for our family. Thank you!
Mold Inspection and Abatement Process
Mold remediation involves identifying location, the extent of damage, safe removal, and finally, sanitation of the space. In cases where moisture has penetrated within the structure or where the material can’t be dried thoroughly, it's essential to tear out the moldy parts and then perform a repair or restoration.
It isn’t a DIY job because it requires trained expertise that SERVPRO mold specialists can deliver. Our services include mold cleaning, sanitization, mold odor removal, and restoration.
From customer Stephanie M:
Arthur and Patrick ROCKED setting everything up and ensuring the process would save the flooring if possible. Not only were they good at their jobs, they were friendly, polite, and courteous--things lacking in today's customer service industry. Hands down, I will absolutely speak praises for SERVPRO NRH, especially in regards to Arthur and Patrick and Jeremy.
Call Now for 24-Hour Mold Removal and Remediation
Fast, decisive action is the key to mitigating the damage caused by mold.
Homeowners in North Richland Hills can rely on us for immediate assistance whenever disaster strikes.
Timing and quality of service matter, which is why SERVPRO is offering 24/7 Fort Worth Mold Remediation and restoration services. Call us anytime day or night for your free consultation.
Is it Safe to Use Baking Paper Under the Grill?
2/10/2022 (Permalink)
Baking paper is generally not used for grilling because it doesn’t withstand extremely high temperatures.
Baking paper is useful when cooking to prevent food from sticking to baking trays and grill grates. Usually, baking paper or parchment paper is used when roasting vegetables or fish in the oven. And you can also use it to line baking tins so that cakes, bread, brownies, and cookies don’t stick.
But what about using baking paper if you are grilling meat or vegetables? Is it safe to use baking paper under the grill? After all, paper ignites easily, and you don’t want to risk starting a fire in your kitchen when using an indoor grill.
What is Baking Paper?
Baking paper is a grease-proof paper that is heat-resistant and creates a non-stick surface to bake on. The paper is processed and coated with silicone to develop resistance to heat, grease and create a non-stick surface. Baking paper is typically used for baking, roasting, and steaming.
Using Baking Paper Under the Grill — Is it Safe?
In some circumstances, you can use baking paper under the grill. This is because baking paper can withstand temperatures of 450°F. However, there’s a risk of hot grill temperatures causing the baking paper to catch fire. So if you use it for grilling, you must ensure the baking paper is well away from hot coals.
To prevent the risk of fire, it’s generally best to stay away from using baking paper for grilling.
Tips for Using Baking Paper Under the Grill
Are there safe ways to use baking paper under the grill? Remember that baking paper is safe up to temperatures of 450°F. So, to be on the safe side, you should never cook with temperatures above 400°F. Also, direct heat such as a flame or glowing coals will ignite the paper instantly.
Here are a few tips on using baking paper when grilling food.
- Use baking paper to create a wrapping parcel to cook delicate ingredients like vegetables or potatoes. However, always remember to keep the parcel away from direct flames or burning coals.
- Use baking paper to cover ingredients if you use a frying pan on the grill.
- Always avoid using baking paper for lengthy roasting in the oven or grilling. When under high heat for a long time, the baking paper turns black and breaks down, impacting the flavor of food.
Alternatives to Grilling with Baking Paper
Baking paper is generally not used for grilling because it doesn’t withstand extremely high temperatures. Therefore, to prevent food from sticking to grates and pans, you can spray oil on the grates before firing up the grill. Alternatively, you can use aluminum foil to protect meat and vegetables from extremely high heat.
Due to the risk of fire damage in the home, baking paper is not recommended for use under a grill. However, if your home has been damaged by fire, contact SERVPRO of North Richland Hills today at (817) 589-1499 to learn about our Fort Worth fire damage restoration services.
Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid when Using Humidifiers
2/10/2022 (Permalink)
A high level of water vapor in the air can create the perfect environment for mold spores to multiply.
Humidifiers are helpful appliances to increase moisture levels in the air. Household air is typically extremely dry and cranking up the heating in winter reduces humidity even more. Many people like to increase indoor humidity levels if they suffer from allergies, dry coughs, dry skin, or have flu symptoms. In addition, water vapor from humidifiers creates a suitable indoor environment if you care for many tropical houseplants.
However, humidifiers are only good if you use them properly. Unfortunately, common mistakes when using humidifiers can cause issues. For example, stagnant water can develop bacterial growths, and overly humid environments can cause mold in rooms.
Mistake #1: Not Changing Water Often Enough
It’s a mistake to leave water in a humidifier for too long. Stagnant water can become breeding grounds for mold and bacteria. This means that dirty water could release toxins into the air the next time you use the steam unit. To avoid this mistake, always empty the unit after use.
Mistake #2: Not Paying Attention to Humidity Levels
When using a humidifier, don’t make the mistake of ignoring relative household humidity levels. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends the ideal humidity level is between 30 and 50 percent. So, before switching on a humidifier, use a humidity meter to ensure the air is not too dry or too damp.
Mistake #3: Using Tap Water in a Humidifier
Some humidifiers like ultrasonic humidifiers require using purified or distilled water in the unit. For example, using tap water to humidify a room could create white dust from the mineral particles in the water. This dirty mist can clog filters and cause a white film to form on furniture.
Mistake #4: Not Cleaning the Humidifier Often
A common mistake is to forget to clean the humidifier. Admittedly, cleaning the enclosed tank can be a chore. However, doctors from the Mayo Clinic say that a dirty unit allows allergens, mildew, mold, and bacteria to accumulate. Therefore, the recommendation is to clean the unit weekly. After cleaning, rinse it with water to remove any chemical residue.
Mistake #5: Not Placing a Humidifier on a Flat Surface
Placing your humidifier on an even surface is essential because it could easily tip over and spill. A humidifier only works efficiently when the unit is placed correctly on a raised, flat, stable surface.
One issue when using a room humidifier is that it can encourage mold growth. A high level of water vapor in the air can create the perfect environment for mold spores to multiply. The result is musty air and unsightly black patches on carpets, walls, floors, and upholstery.
What should you do if you notice mold growth in your home? It’s vital to act without delay to remove the mold and the cause of excess household humidity or moisture. Contact SERVPRO at (817) 589-1499 to learn about our Fort Worth mold remediation services.
How to Prevent Damage from Frozen Pipes
2/10/2022 (Permalink)
After stopping the water flow, it’s vital to call in water damage restoration experts.
Frozen water pipes can cause disruption to your household and a tremendous amount of damage. Apart from blocking the water flow, a frozen pipe can burst when the ice blockage thaws. This can spew gallons of water into your home, resulting in extensive water damage. In addition, if you ignore water damage restoration, you could face severe mold problems in your home.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends hiring a water damage restoration professional who can also deal with mold remediation.
There are several steps you can take to prevent damage from frozen pipes. First, it’s a good idea to learn what happens when water freezes in a pipe. Then you should take steps to prevent water pipes from freezing. And lastly, it’s necessary to know how to thaw a frozen water line safely.
Simple Ways to Prevent Damage from Frozen Pipes
Here are some ways to avoid property damage that can occur if plumbing pipes freeze in winter.
1. Identify Pipes at Risk of Freezing
The most common pipes that freeze when temperature plummets are outdoor hose bibs, water sprinkler lines, and swimming pool supply lines. Indoors, uninsulated water pipes in basements, attics, crawl spaces, and garages are also at risk of freezing.
When the water in pipes freezes, two things can cause them to burst. First, water expands when it turns to ice, and this can cause cracks in plastic and metal piping. Second, pressure on pipes builds behind the blockage.
2. Insulate Water Supply Lines and Indoor Spaces
The best way to prevent plumbing damage from frozen lines is to insulate hot and cold water pipes. Pipe insulation is relatively inexpensive compared to paying for costly water damage restoration. In addition, it’s crucial to add insulation to basements, crawl spaces, and attics.
Not only will insulation prevent pipes from freezing, but you will save money on energy costs.
3. Drain Outdoor Supply Lines During Winter
A simple way to prevent outdoor pipes from freezing is to drain water from them. First, close the supply valve to sprinkler systems, garden hoses, and hose bibs. Then open the bibs to let water drain.
4. Take Steps to Prevent Frozen Pipes
During a particularly cold snap, it’s vital to ensure indoor areas are warm enough. Keep the thermostat at least 65°F day and night. It is also a good idea to open internal doors and kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors. This allows warmer air to circulate throughout the house and keep pipes warm.
Another handy tip to prevent pipes from freezing is to run a trickle of water from faucets when there is a risk of a hard freeze.
5. Learn How to Unfreeze Pipes
If a water pipe freezes, it’s vital to thaw the ice blockage gently to prevent extensive damage. Here is what to do:
- Shut off the main supply of water
- Open the faucet to allow the thawing water to flow freely.
- Locate the frozen section of the pipe.
- Apply heat using a hair dryer, electric heating pad, or portable space heater.
- Continue applying gentle heat until regular water pressure returns.
What happens if the pipe bursts and causes a flood? After stopping the water flow, it’s vital to call in water damage restoration experts. In Dallas, SERVPRO has years of experience restoring properties after a flood. Contact us today at (817) 589-1499 to find out about our Fort Worth water damage restoration services.
Call SERVPRO of North Richland Hills for Odor Removal
2/10/2022 (Permalink)
A professional odor removal service like SERVPRO knows how to safely get rid of unpleasant odors.
Odor removal is one of the most challenging aspects of damage restoration. Foul stenches can linger for a long time after a fire or flood. The problem with getting rid of bad odors after a disaster is that the source of the unpleasant smell is not always apparent. In these cases, you should call SERVPRO — your local experts in odor removal.
Getting rid of foul odors isn’t connected with water damage or fire damage restoration. Instead, a pungent smell or malodor can result from rodent infestations, pet urine, gas, blocked sewer lines, cigarette smoke residue, or mold growth.
In some cases, the presence of rancid or funky odors can indicate the air is unhealthy to breathe. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that large mold infestations can cause a stale, musty smell. A report in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives warned that if you see or smell mold, you must clean it out immediately.
Your Trusted Odor Removal Experts
There are several reasons to call SERVPRO if you live in North Richland Hills and require odor removal. Here are three reasons to choose us if your home has a severe odor problem related to an emergency.
1. Save Money
First, trusting professionals to handle odor removal is cheaper in the long run. You could waste money on various cleaning agents, only to have the foul smell remain. Also, you may have to buy more chemicals than you need to remedy the odor issue.
2. Eliminate Odors for Good
Our trained professional technicians have experience in knowing how to remove stubborn household odors at the source. For example, we don’t use masking methods like air fresheners to deodorize a building. Instead, we only use high-quality absorption, adsorption, disinfectants, and sanitizers to eliminate foul smells at the source.
3. Avoid Handling Toxic Chemicals
Extreme care is necessary when handling certain chemicals for odor removal. Additionally, it’s vital to have the required protective gear and equipment to protect your health. Also, cleaning up toxic waste after a flood can be risky when dealing with unknown biohazards. A professional odor removal service like SERVPRO knows how to safely get rid of unpleasant odors.
Four-Step Odor Removal Process
You can rely on SERVPRO for water and fire damage restoration because our odor removal techniques use a trusted four-step process:
- Remove the odor at the source and improve air quality.
- Clean all surfaces from contaminants.
- Use odor penetration techniques to deodorize porous materials and remove bad smells.
- Seal surfaces to prevent offensive odors when removing them is impractical or too expensive.
Odor removal is a part of our Fort Worth fire damage restoration services. If your property has been damaged by fire, you can call us on (817) 589-1499 for a free inspection and no-obligation quote. Or contact us online. Additionally, SERVPRO also specializes in all types of odor removal, whatever the source.
Is it Safe to Use Baking Paper Under the Grill?
2/10/2022 (Permalink)
Baking paper is generally not used for grilling because it doesn’t withstand extremely high temperatures.
Baking paper is useful when cooking to prevent food from sticking to baking trays and grill grates. Usually, baking paper or parchment paper is used when roasting vegetables or fish in the oven. And you can also use it to line baking tins so that cakes, bread, brownies, and cookies don’t stick.
But what about using baking paper if you are grilling meat or vegetables? Is it safe to use baking paper under the grill? After all, paper ignites easily, and you don’t want to risk starting a fire in your kitchen when using an indoor grill.
What is Baking Paper?
Baking paper is a grease-proof paper that is heat-resistant and creates a non-stick surface to bake on. The paper is processed and coated with silicone to develop resistance to heat, grease and create a non-stick surface. Baking paper is typically used for baking, roasting, and steaming.
Using Baking Paper Under the Grill — Is it Safe?
In some circumstances, you can use baking paper under the grill. This is because baking paper can withstand temperatures of 450°F. However, there’s a risk of hot grill temperatures causing the baking paper to catch fire. So if you use it for grilling, you must ensure the baking paper is well away from hot coals.
To prevent the risk of fire, it’s generally best to stay away from using baking paper for grilling.
Tips for Using Baking Paper Under the Grill
Are there safe ways to use baking paper under the grill? Remember that baking paper is safe up to temperatures of 450°F. So, to be on the safe side, you should never cook with temperatures above 400°F. Also, direct heat such as a flame or glowing coals will ignite the paper instantly.
Here are a few tips on using baking paper when grilling food.
- Use baking paper to create a wrapping parcel to cook delicate ingredients like vegetables or potatoes. However, always remember to keep the parcel away from direct flames or burning coals.
- Use baking paper to cover ingredients if you use a frying pan on the grill.
- Always avoid using baking paper for lengthy roasting in the oven or grilling. When under high heat for a long time, the baking paper turns black and breaks down, impacting the flavor of food.
Alternatives to Grilling with Baking Paper
Baking paper is generally not used for grilling because it doesn’t withstand extremely high temperatures. Therefore, to prevent food from sticking to grates and pans, you can spray oil on the grates before firing up the grill. Alternatively, you can use aluminum foil to protect meat and vegetables from extremely high heat.
Due to the risk of fire damage in the home, baking paper is not recommended for use under a grill. However, if your home has been damaged by fire, contact SERVPRO of North Richland Hills today at (817) 589-1499 to learn about our Fort Worth fire damage restoration services.
Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid when Using Humidifiers
2/10/2022 (Permalink)
A high level of water vapor in the air can create the perfect environment for mold spores to multiply.
Humidifiers are helpful appliances to increase moisture levels in the air. Household air is typically extremely dry and cranking up the heating in winter reduces humidity even more. Many people like to increase indoor humidity levels if they suffer from allergies, dry coughs, dry skin, or have flu symptoms. In addition, water vapor from humidifiers creates a suitable indoor environment if you care for many tropical houseplants.
However, humidifiers are only good if you use them properly. Unfortunately, common mistakes when using humidifiers can cause issues. For example, stagnant water can develop bacterial growths, and overly humid environments can cause mold in rooms.
Mistake #1: Not Changing Water Often Enough
It’s a mistake to leave water in a humidifier for too long. Stagnant water can become breeding grounds for mold and bacteria. This means that dirty water could release toxins into the air the next time you use the steam unit. To avoid this mistake, always empty the unit after use.
Mistake #2: Not Paying Attention to Humidity Levels
When using a humidifier, don’t make the mistake of ignoring relative household humidity levels. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends the ideal humidity level is between 30 and 50 percent. So, before switching on a humidifier, use a humidity meter to ensure the air is not too dry or too damp.
Mistake #3: Using Tap Water in a Humidifier
Some humidifiers like ultrasonic humidifiers require using purified or distilled water in the unit. For example, using tap water to humidify a room could create white dust from the mineral particles in the water. This dirty mist can clog filters and cause a white film to form on furniture.
Mistake #4: Not Cleaning the Humidifier Often
A common mistake is to forget to clean the humidifier. Admittedly, cleaning the enclosed tank can be a chore. However, doctors from the Mayo Clinic say that a dirty unit allows allergens, mildew, mold, and bacteria to accumulate. Therefore, the recommendation is to clean the unit weekly. After cleaning, rinse it with water to remove any chemical residue.
Mistake #5: Not Placing a Humidifier on a Flat Surface
Placing your humidifier on an even surface is essential because it could easily tip over and spill. A humidifier only works efficiently when the unit is placed correctly on a raised, flat, stable surface.
One issue when using a room humidifier is that it can encourage mold growth. A high level of water vapor in the air can create the perfect environment for mold spores to multiply. The result is musty air and unsightly black patches on carpets, walls, floors, and upholstery.
What should you do if you notice mold growth in your home? It’s vital to act without delay to remove the mold and the cause of excess household humidity or moisture. Contact SERVPRO at (817) 589-1499 to learn about our Fort Worth mold remediation services.
How to Prevent Damage from Frozen Pipes
2/10/2022 (Permalink)
After stopping the water flow, it’s vital to call in water damage restoration experts.
Frozen water pipes can cause disruption to your household and a tremendous amount of damage. Apart from blocking the water flow, a frozen pipe can burst when the ice blockage thaws. This can spew gallons of water into your home, resulting in extensive water damage. In addition, if you ignore water damage restoration, you could face severe mold problems in your home.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends hiring a water damage restoration professional who can also deal with mold remediation.
There are several steps you can take to prevent damage from frozen pipes. First, it’s a good idea to learn what happens when water freezes in a pipe. Then you should take steps to prevent water pipes from freezing. And lastly, it’s necessary to know how to thaw a frozen water line safely.
Simple Ways to Prevent Damage from Frozen Pipes
Here are some ways to avoid property damage that can occur if plumbing pipes freeze in winter.
1. Identify Pipes at Risk of Freezing
The most common pipes that freeze when temperature plummets are outdoor hose bibs, water sprinkler lines, and swimming pool supply lines. Indoors, uninsulated water pipes in basements, attics, crawl spaces, and garages are also at risk of freezing.
When the water in pipes freezes, two things can cause them to burst. First, water expands when it turns to ice, and this can cause cracks in plastic and metal piping. Second, pressure on pipes builds behind the blockage.
2. Insulate Water Supply Lines and Indoor Spaces
The best way to prevent plumbing damage from frozen lines is to insulate hot and cold water pipes. Pipe insulation is relatively inexpensive compared to paying for costly water damage restoration. In addition, it’s crucial to add insulation to basements, crawl spaces, and attics.
Not only will insulation prevent pipes from freezing, but you will save money on energy costs.
3. Drain Outdoor Supply Lines During Winter
A simple way to prevent outdoor pipes from freezing is to drain water from them. First, close the supply valve to sprinkler systems, garden hoses, and hose bibs. Then open the bibs to let water drain.
4. Take Steps to Prevent Frozen Pipes
During a particularly cold snap, it’s vital to ensure indoor areas are warm enough. Keep the thermostat at least 65°F day and night. It is also a good idea to open internal doors and kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors. This allows warmer air to circulate throughout the house and keep pipes warm.
Another handy tip to prevent pipes from freezing is to run a trickle of water from faucets when there is a risk of a hard freeze.
5. Learn How to Unfreeze Pipes
If a water pipe freezes, it’s vital to thaw the ice blockage gently to prevent extensive damage. Here is what to do:
- Shut off the main supply of water
- Open the faucet to allow the thawing water to flow freely.
- Locate the frozen section of the pipe.
- Apply heat using a hair dryer, electric heating pad, or portable space heater.
- Continue applying gentle heat until regular water pressure returns.
What happens if the pipe bursts and causes a flood? After stopping the water flow, it’s vital to call in water damage restoration experts. In Dallas, SERVPRO has years of experience restoring properties after a flood. Contact us today at (817) 589-1499 to find out about our Fort Worth water damage restoration services.
Call SERVPRO of North Richland Hills for Odor Removal
2/10/2022 (Permalink)
A professional odor removal service like SERVPRO knows how to safely get rid of unpleasant odors.
Odor removal is one of the most challenging aspects of damage restoration. Foul stenches can linger for a long time after a fire or flood. The problem with getting rid of bad odors after a disaster is that the source of the unpleasant smell is not always apparent. In these cases, you should call SERVPRO — your local experts in odor removal.
Getting rid of foul odors isn’t connected with water damage or fire damage restoration. Instead, a pungent smell or malodor can result from rodent infestations, pet urine, gas, blocked sewer lines, cigarette smoke residue, or mold growth.
In some cases, the presence of rancid or funky odors can indicate the air is unhealthy to breathe. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that large mold infestations can cause a stale, musty smell. A report in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives warned that if you see or smell mold, you must clean it out immediately.
Your Trusted Odor Removal Experts
There are several reasons to call SERVPRO if you live in North Richland Hills and require odor removal. Here are three reasons to choose us if your home has a severe odor problem related to an emergency.
1. Save Money
First, trusting professionals to handle odor removal is cheaper in the long run. You could waste money on various cleaning agents, only to have the foul smell remain. Also, you may have to buy more chemicals than you need to remedy the odor issue.
2. Eliminate Odors for Good
Our trained professional technicians have experience in knowing how to remove stubborn household odors at the source. For example, we don’t use masking methods like air fresheners to deodorize a building. Instead, we only use high-quality absorption, adsorption, disinfectants, and sanitizers to eliminate foul smells at the source.
3. Avoid Handling Toxic Chemicals
Extreme care is necessary when handling certain chemicals for odor removal. Additionally, it’s vital to have the required protective gear and equipment to protect your health. Also, cleaning up toxic waste after a flood can be risky when dealing with unknown biohazards. A professional odor removal service like SERVPRO knows how to safely get rid of unpleasant odors.
Four-Step Odor Removal Process
You can rely on SERVPRO for water and fire damage restoration because our odor removal techniques use a trusted four-step process:
- Remove the odor at the source and improve air quality.
- Clean all surfaces from contaminants.
- Use odor penetration techniques to deodorize porous materials and remove bad smells.
- Seal surfaces to prevent offensive odors when removing them is impractical or too expensive.
Odor removal is a part of our Fort Worth fire damage restoration services. If your property has been damaged by fire, you can call us on (817) 589-1499 for a free inspection and no-obligation quote. Or contact us online. Additionally, SERVPRO also specializes in all types of odor removal, whatever the source.
Three Myths About Water Damage Cleanup in Fort Worth
1/6/2022 (Permalink)
If you find yourself in need of professional Fort Worth water damage restoration services, then look no further than SERVPRO.
Homeowners can save about 10 percent on their water bills when they quickly fix water leaks. But fixing the leak is one thing. Often, the bigger issue is the water damage left behind.
Regardless of the severity of the water damage, you should always call for local Fort Worth water damage restoration services. SERVPRO will ensure that your property is quickly restored, fresh-smelling, and mold-free after a plumbing leak.
Below are three myths about water damage cleanup you should know.
Myth #1: You Can DIY It
DIY has become a popular solution for many issues today, the main reason being that people can easily save money just by doing it themselves. The problem with this, however, is that DIY-ing can’t solve all issues. In fact, trying to DIY something can often make water damage worse.
In the case of water damage, trying to perform restoration yourself will only cause further problems. For this reason, it’s always highly recommended that you hire professional Fort Worth water damage restoration services.
Myth #2: It’s No Big Deal
Many people tend to think that water damage is only a matter of just drying up the moisture and the problem is resolved. Truth be told, there are deeper problems with water damage that most property owners don’t realize.
When water damage occurs, dehumidification will be needed to completely dry the area. And this can only be done with state-of-the-art equipment that most professional services carry. Also, knowing what is salvageable is something that only the experts can determine.
Without professional help, your property can suffer from mold growth and structural collapse. Fort Worth water damage restoration services will ensure that no such issues persist.
Myth #3: Insurance Won’t Cover It
In most cases, property owners think because their water damage is minor, the insurance company won’t help pay for the damages. This, however, is not always true as your insurance company may decide to cover all damages.
Each situation is different, though, and your provider won’t always offer coverage for all damages. SERVPRO will work with your insurance provider to make sure you save as much as possible on water damage restoration.
What You Should Do Instead
Given the information above, if water damage has occurred on your property, don’t hesitate at all in contacting Fort Worth water damage restoration services.
Such services have industry experts who are trained to restore salvageable items and areas of a property that were afflicted with water damage.
Get Water Damage Restoration From SERVPRO Today
If you find yourself in need of professional Fort Worth water damage restoration services, then look no further than SERVPRO. With our 35+ years of experience, we feel confident we can help you.
For any inquiries, call us at (817) 589-1499. Or visit our contact page.
Protect Important Documents from Disasters with Our Safety Tips
1/6/2022 (Permalink)
Natural disasters can occur at any given time, sometimes, even without warning. If one has damaged your home, don’t hesitate in calling SERVPRO.
Since 1980, the US has sustained 308 weather and climate disasters, causing many losses for American citizens. And while these losses included property damage and certain valuables, some of the most devastating amongst them were important documents.
We rely on certain documents to carry important information and prove our identities. So when they’re destroyed in a natural disaster, it can be stressful trying to recover lost data.
But if you’re worried about important information being damaged from a flood or a hurricane, don’t worry.
SERVPRO can provide you with the best Fort Worth fire damage restoration around. But moreover, they also have the best tips you can follow to protect important documents from disasters.
Tip #1: Create Backups
In today’s advanced technological age, it’s much easier to protect your important documents than ever before. This is mostly due to the invention of digital backups, allowing people to save files with crucial data in the Cloud or other devices.
If you possess important information that’s sealed within digital documents, you should consider making backups if you haven’t already. Doing so will guarantee an extra measure of security in the event that your computer or other storage device has been damaged due to a natural disaster.
Tip #2: Purchase a Strong File Cabinet
If your important documents are actual physical copies, you should invest in a strong filing cabinet if you haven’t yet. Filing cabinets are a great way to protect important documents and keep things organized.
Don’t just purchase any filing cabinet though. Buy one that is highly durable. Remember, you want to protect your physical copies as much as possible in the event of a natural disaster, so don’t get a cheap or flimsy filing cabinet.
If you own a durable filing cabinet that has been damaged by a fire recently, call SERVPRO right away. Our Fort Worth fire damage restoration team will save your filing cabinet if it’s still salvageable.
Tip #3: Make Copies
Backups are truly a lifesaver in many situations. But if you want that extra measure of protection, make copies of your important documents. Create extra files on your PC and place them in another storage device that’s safe from harm’s way. Also, make physical copies and place them in your filing cabinet or another form of storage.
When making physical copies, place them somewhere where you think they will be most safe from floods, fires, or other natural disasters.
Has a Natural Disaster Devastated Your Home? Call SERVPRO
Natural disasters can occur at any given time, sometimes, even without warning. If one has damaged your home, don’t hesitate at all in calling SERVPRO. We’re known far and wide for our Fort Worth fire damage restoration. But besides that, we can also help with water damage and mold remediation.
Call us at (817) 589-1499 or visit our contact page.
Roof Repairs and Replacements with SERVPRO
1/6/2022 (Permalink)
If your roof has suffered damage lately, has leaks, or just needs a replacement, pick up the phone and call the experts over at SERVPRO.
Out of every component of your home or business, your roof probably takes the worst beating of them all. Roofs are designed to take on the strongest of the elements, whether it be the pounding of heavy rainfall or extensive exposure to the sun’s rays.
No matter what it is, in due time, your roof will become damaged to the point where repairs — or even a total replacement — will be needed. And when you’re in need of quality repairs or a replacement, look no further than SERVPRO of North Richland Hills.
SERVPRO has been providing its services for 35+ years, making us one of the most established businesses around. Regardless of whether you need Fort Worth water damage restoration or fire damage restoration, you can best believe that we’ll get the job done to your liking.
Why Trust SERVPRO?
For 35+ years, SERVPRO has been providing its quality services to numerous patrons of North Richland Hills. And this is mostly thanks to our team of industry experts.
SERVPRO is a highly established damage restoration company, which is why many look to us for our roofing services. But besides our many years of operation, SERVPRO also houses a staff of professionals who are completely devoted to helping each and every single one of our clients. No matter the time of day, we are always readily available to assist you with our 24/7 emergency services.
We carry an amazing track record of reversing the damage done to roofs as well as restoring them to pristine condition. Since 1980, 308 weather and climate disasters have afflicted the US. And while we haven’t been able to help all property owners, we’ve certainly done our part in helping restore our community.
How Can SERVPRO Help Your Roof?
At SERVPRO, we’re recognized for our myriad of reliable, efficient damage restoration services. While we’re widely known for our Fort Worth fire damage restoration, we also offer work in water damage and even mold remediation.
When we visit and inspect your property, we will apply different damage restoration methods tailored to your unique situation. Generally, though, we will always inspect, clean, and restore whatever is salvageable.
When it comes to your roof, you can trust that you’ll be in good hands. We’ve repaired and replaced countless roofs in our years of business and we feel confident that we can do the same for yours as well.
Restore Your Roof Today with SERVPRO
If your roof has suffered damage lately, has leaks, or just needs a replacement, pick up the phone and call the experts over at SERVPRO. With our expert’s handiwork and professionalism, you can trust that you will be in good hands.
For any inquiries, you can call us at (817) 589-1499 or visit our contact page.
24/7 Emergency Services for Those Experiencing Disaster in Fort Worth
1/6/2022 (Permalink)
Disasters can come and go at any given moment, sometimes even without warning, often leaving behind a trail of devastation and financial strife. Since 1980, in fact, damage costs have exceeded $1 billion from the 308 natural disasters the US has sustained.
But while it can be frustrating to deal with the aftermath of natural disasters, you can still make it easier on yourself with the professional services of a local damage restoration company.
SERVPRO is known far and wide for our Fort Worth water damage restoration as well as a myriad of other services. And the best part is, you can always count on us any time of day as we’re always readily available 24/7. Whether a fire, flood, or mold has damaged your home or commercial building, SERVPRO is your one-stop-shop for all disaster restoration.
SERVPRO is Available 24/7
SERVPRO is devoted to helping each and every single one of our clients get through tough times. We understand how devastating it is to deal with damage dealt to your property, which is why we waste no time in assisting in any way we can. And that means offering our work whenever possible.
Accidents — let alone, disasters — occur randomly, and at the least convenient or expected times. With that being said, if one occurs on your property, whether it be day or night, don’t hesitate at all in contacting us.
Our team will arrive at your property in a timely fashion and will be ready to provide the damage restoration you need. Even if it’s something as destructive as a fire, SERVPRO will gladly provide you with its Fort Worth fire damage restoration services.
How Does SERVPRO Help?
SERVPRO applies different methods of restoration to each unique situation we work with. For each job we’re hired for, though, we will always apply the following procedures:
Inspection and Assessment
When we arrive at your property, the first thing our team will do is thoroughly inspect and assess the damage. In most cases, the damage that has occurred is more severe than it appears. By doing a proper inspection, we can determine which methods and tools to use.
Cleaning and Sanitization
Cleaning and sanitization are incredibly important parts of the restoration process. No matter if we’re dealing with smoke or flood damage, we will apply every bit of our power to ensure the valuables and components of your property are pristine.
Restoration
We will take whatever is salvageable, such as carpets and pads, and restore these damaged items to the best of our ability. With our expertise, we feel confident that we can restore just about anything you own to pristine condition.
Burdened With an Emergency? Call SERVPRO Right Away
If you should ever be burdened with the aftermath of a natural disaster, you can count on SERVPRO to help you.
If you’re in need of Fort Worth fire damage restoration, you can call us at (817) 589-1499. Or visit our contact page for immediate assistance.
Three Myths About Water Damage Cleanup in Fort Worth
1/6/2022 (Permalink)
If you find yourself in need of professional Fort Worth water damage restoration services, then look no further than SERVPRO.
Homeowners can save about 10 percent on their water bills when they quickly fix water leaks. But fixing the leak is one thing. Often, the bigger issue is the water damage left behind.
Regardless of the severity of the water damage, you should always call for local Fort Worth water damage restoration services. SERVPRO will ensure that your property is quickly restored, fresh-smelling, and mold-free after a plumbing leak.
Below are three myths about water damage cleanup you should know.
Myth #1: You Can DIY It
DIY has become a popular solution for many issues today, the main reason being that people can easily save money just by doing it themselves. The problem with this, however, is that DIY-ing can’t solve all issues. In fact, trying to DIY something can often make water damage worse.
In the case of water damage, trying to perform restoration yourself will only cause further problems. For this reason, it’s always highly recommended that you hire professional Fort Worth water damage restoration services.
Myth #2: It’s No Big Deal
Many people tend to think that water damage is only a matter of just drying up the moisture and the problem is resolved. Truth be told, there are deeper problems with water damage that most property owners don’t realize.
When water damage occurs, dehumidification will be needed to completely dry the area. And this can only be done with state-of-the-art equipment that most professional services carry. Also, knowing what is salvageable is something that only the experts can determine.
Without professional help, your property can suffer from mold growth and structural collapse. Fort Worth water damage restoration services will ensure that no such issues persist.
Myth #3: Insurance Won’t Cover It
In most cases, property owners think because their water damage is minor, the insurance company won’t help pay for the damages. This, however, is not always true as your insurance company may decide to cover all damages.
Each situation is different, though, and your provider won’t always offer coverage for all damages. SERVPRO will work with your insurance provider to make sure you save as much as possible on water damage restoration.
What You Should Do Instead
Given the information above, if water damage has occurred on your property, don’t hesitate at all in contacting Fort Worth water damage restoration services.
Such services have industry experts who are trained to restore salvageable items and areas of a property that were afflicted with water damage.
Get Water Damage Restoration From SERVPRO Today
If you find yourself in need of professional Fort Worth water damage restoration services, then look no further than SERVPRO. With our 35+ years of experience, we feel confident we can help you.
For any inquiries, call us at (817) 589-1499. Or visit our contact page.
Protect Important Documents from Disasters with Our Safety Tips
1/6/2022 (Permalink)
Natural disasters can occur at any given time, sometimes, even without warning. If one has damaged your home, don’t hesitate in calling SERVPRO.
Since 1980, the US has sustained 308 weather and climate disasters, causing many losses for American citizens. And while these losses included property damage and certain valuables, some of the most devastating amongst them were important documents.
We rely on certain documents to carry important information and prove our identities. So when they’re destroyed in a natural disaster, it can be stressful trying to recover lost data.
But if you’re worried about important information being damaged from a flood or a hurricane, don’t worry.
SERVPRO can provide you with the best Fort Worth fire damage restoration around. But moreover, they also have the best tips you can follow to protect important documents from disasters.
Tip #1: Create Backups
In today’s advanced technological age, it’s much easier to protect your important documents than ever before. This is mostly due to the invention of digital backups, allowing people to save files with crucial data in the Cloud or other devices.
If you possess important information that’s sealed within digital documents, you should consider making backups if you haven’t already. Doing so will guarantee an extra measure of security in the event that your computer or other storage device has been damaged due to a natural disaster.
Tip #2: Purchase a Strong File Cabinet
If your important documents are actual physical copies, you should invest in a strong filing cabinet if you haven’t yet. Filing cabinets are a great way to protect important documents and keep things organized.
Don’t just purchase any filing cabinet though. Buy one that is highly durable. Remember, you want to protect your physical copies as much as possible in the event of a natural disaster, so don’t get a cheap or flimsy filing cabinet.
If you own a durable filing cabinet that has been damaged by a fire recently, call SERVPRO right away. Our Fort Worth fire damage restoration team will save your filing cabinet if it’s still salvageable.
Tip #3: Make Copies
Backups are truly a lifesaver in many situations. But if you want that extra measure of protection, make copies of your important documents. Create extra files on your PC and place them in another storage device that’s safe from harm’s way. Also, make physical copies and place them in your filing cabinet or another form of storage.
When making physical copies, place them somewhere where you think they will be most safe from floods, fires, or other natural disasters.
Has a Natural Disaster Devastated Your Home? Call SERVPRO
Natural disasters can occur at any given time, sometimes, even without warning. If one has damaged your home, don’t hesitate at all in calling SERVPRO. We’re known far and wide for our Fort Worth fire damage restoration. But besides that, we can also help with water damage and mold remediation.
Call us at (817) 589-1499 or visit our contact page.
Roof Repairs and Replacements with SERVPRO
1/6/2022 (Permalink)
If your roof has suffered damage lately, has leaks, or just needs a replacement, pick up the phone and call the experts over at SERVPRO.
Out of every component of your home or business, your roof probably takes the worst beating of them all. Roofs are designed to take on the strongest of the elements, whether it be the pounding of heavy rainfall or extensive exposure to the sun’s rays.
No matter what it is, in due time, your roof will become damaged to the point where repairs — or even a total replacement — will be needed. And when you’re in need of quality repairs or a replacement, look no further than SERVPRO of North Richland Hills.
SERVPRO has been providing its services for 35+ years, making us one of the most established businesses around. Regardless of whether you need Fort Worth water damage restoration or fire damage restoration, you can best believe that we’ll get the job done to your liking.
Why Trust SERVPRO?
For 35+ years, SERVPRO has been providing its quality services to numerous patrons of North Richland Hills. And this is mostly thanks to our team of industry experts.
SERVPRO is a highly established damage restoration company, which is why many look to us for our roofing services. But besides our many years of operation, SERVPRO also houses a staff of professionals who are completely devoted to helping each and every single one of our clients. No matter the time of day, we are always readily available to assist you with our 24/7 emergency services.
We carry an amazing track record of reversing the damage done to roofs as well as restoring them to pristine condition. Since 1980, 308 weather and climate disasters have afflicted the US. And while we haven’t been able to help all property owners, we’ve certainly done our part in helping restore our community.
How Can SERVPRO Help Your Roof?
At SERVPRO, we’re recognized for our myriad of reliable, efficient damage restoration services. While we’re widely known for our Fort Worth fire damage restoration, we also offer work in water damage and even mold remediation.
When we visit and inspect your property, we will apply different damage restoration methods tailored to your unique situation. Generally, though, we will always inspect, clean, and restore whatever is salvageable.
When it comes to your roof, you can trust that you’ll be in good hands. We’ve repaired and replaced countless roofs in our years of business and we feel confident that we can do the same for yours as well.
Restore Your Roof Today with SERVPRO
If your roof has suffered damage lately, has leaks, or just needs a replacement, pick up the phone and call the experts over at SERVPRO. With our expert’s handiwork and professionalism, you can trust that you will be in good hands.
For any inquiries, you can call us at (817) 589-1499 or visit our contact page.
24/7 Emergency Services for Those Experiencing Disaster in Fort Worth
1/6/2022 (Permalink)
Disasters can come and go at any given moment, sometimes even without warning, often leaving behind a trail of devastation and financial strife. Since 1980, in fact, damage costs have exceeded $1 billion from the 308 natural disasters the US has sustained.
But while it can be frustrating to deal with the aftermath of natural disasters, you can still make it easier on yourself with the professional services of a local damage restoration company.
SERVPRO is known far and wide for our Fort Worth water damage restoration as well as a myriad of other services. And the best part is, you can always count on us any time of day as we’re always readily available 24/7. Whether a fire, flood, or mold has damaged your home or commercial building, SERVPRO is your one-stop-shop for all disaster restoration.
SERVPRO is Available 24/7
SERVPRO is devoted to helping each and every single one of our clients get through tough times. We understand how devastating it is to deal with damage dealt to your property, which is why we waste no time in assisting in any way we can. And that means offering our work whenever possible.
Accidents — let alone, disasters — occur randomly, and at the least convenient or expected times. With that being said, if one occurs on your property, whether it be day or night, don’t hesitate at all in contacting us.
Our team will arrive at your property in a timely fashion and will be ready to provide the damage restoration you need. Even if it’s something as destructive as a fire, SERVPRO will gladly provide you with its Fort Worth fire damage restoration services.
How Does SERVPRO Help?
SERVPRO applies different methods of restoration to each unique situation we work with. For each job we’re hired for, though, we will always apply the following procedures:
Inspection and Assessment
When we arrive at your property, the first thing our team will do is thoroughly inspect and assess the damage. In most cases, the damage that has occurred is more severe than it appears. By doing a proper inspection, we can determine which methods and tools to use.
Cleaning and Sanitization
Cleaning and sanitization are incredibly important parts of the restoration process. No matter if we’re dealing with smoke or flood damage, we will apply every bit of our power to ensure the valuables and components of your property are pristine.
Restoration
We will take whatever is salvageable, such as carpets and pads, and restore these damaged items to the best of our ability. With our expertise, we feel confident that we can restore just about anything you own to pristine condition.
Burdened With an Emergency? Call SERVPRO Right Away
If you should ever be burdened with the aftermath of a natural disaster, you can count on SERVPRO to help you.
If you’re in need of Fort Worth fire damage restoration, you can call us at (817) 589-1499. Or visit our contact page for immediate assistance.
Common Sump Pump Problems Homeowners Face
12/9/2021 (Permalink)
With the dangers that can happen with a broken sump pump, it’s very likely that water damage will occur in your home.
Between 1996 to 1999, 99% of US counties suffered a flooding event. In Fort Worth, Texas alone, nearly 600 flooding events have devastated the city during this time period. While sump pumps in homes have helped to ease the issue of basement floods, some homeowners were likely burdened with common issues pertaining to sump pump problems.
Sump pumps serve as the first line of defense against basement floods. But if they have faulty functioning, then you might end up with a destroyed basement that will require Fort Worth water damage restoration.
To get familiar with common sump pump problems, continue reading below.
Why do Sump Pumps Fail?
Before you learn about the common sump pump problems, it’s important you understand why your sump pump is failing to begin with.
Sump pumps are composed of many intricate parts that are prone to malfunctioning. And because there are many different models and types sold on the market, it’s probable that you will own one that’s cheaply made. Also, besides use and brand type, improper installation can also cause a sump pump to break.
So What Are the Common Sump Pump Problems?
There are quite a few common issues that can occur with sump pumps. They include:
Overwhelmed Pumps
No matter their design, a single sump pump is not powerful enough to take on a flooded basement. Because of this, they can be overwhelmed due to the large amounts of water pouring in.
No Water Entering the Pump
If your sump pump isn’t taking in any water, this is often a sign that your pump wasn’t installed correctly. Or it can even be because your sump pump isn’t linked to a drainage system.
Clogged Pump
It’s important that your sump pump has a lid. Without one, it will become clogged and dirty over time. Eventually, your pump will become slow or it will stop working entirely.
Power Loss
A sump pump that loses power can leave your basement vulnerable.
When a powerful rainstorm happens, it has the potential to knock down power lines. As a result, your home loses power and your sump pump will not function.
Sump Pump is Continuously Running
If your sump pump is running too much, no matter how harsh the weather, you should consider hiring a professional right away for assistance. An overworked pump can burn out due to consistent flooding or because of a broken or missing valve.
Frozen or Clogged Discharge Lines
Discharge lines are what allow a sump pump to function properly as they dispel collected water. When these lines are frozen or clogged, your pump’s system will begin failing.
Call SERVPRO for Our Fort Worth Water Damage Restoration Services
With the dangers that can happen with a broken sump pump, it’s very likely that water damage will occur in your home. But don’t worry, SERVPRO is more than happy to provide its Fort Worth water damage restoration services. With our 35+ years of experience, we feel more than confident that we can help you.
Call us today at (817) 589-1499. Or fill out our online form.
What Can Cause Commercial Fire Damage?
12/9/2021 (Permalink)
SERVPRO is always available to provide the Fort Worth fire damage restoration you need.
Fires can cause tremendous losses for property owners. In fact, 2020 saw an estimated $21.9 billion loss from fires in the US. But while this is a significant number, this doesn’t mean you have to succumb to the problems of fire damage as well.
Understanding what can cause commercial fire damages will serve as the fine line between saving your property and paying a lot of money for repairs.
While our Fort Worth fire damage restoration services are cost-effective, we always do our best to help clients know how they can stay safe. Continue reading below to know what causes commercial fire damage and how you can prevent them.
What Causes Commercial Fires?
Fires can be caused by just about anything these days. For commercial fires, however, the most common causes include:
Cooking
Some commercial properties are designed with cooking areas for employees or other occupants to whip up a meal. During the day, when cooking something, it’s likely that some individuals will leave the stove or oven to tend to something else.
When that happens, the possibility of a fire starting increases exponentially. So, you should always advise your occupants to be mindful when cooking and to never leave food unattended.
Electrical Malfunctions
While they are the least likely to cause commercial fires, electrical malfunctions are still common in commercial properties. These can occur due to faulty wiring or overloaded circuits.
On a regular basis, make sure to inspect the wiring in your commercial property. Even better, hire a professional to inspect for you. They will provide you with a list of areas you should address.
Smoking
If anybody in your building is smoking a cigarette or a cigar, make sure to dispose of those items properly. It’s common for employees to want to take a smoke break, but make sure they’re aware of how to safely extinguish and throw away their smoking materials.
Typically, ashtrays are the best way to dispose of smoking items. So, you may want to have some available at your business if your property isn’t a smoke-free facility.
Heating Equipment
Some commercial property owners will use heating equipment depending on the surrounding climate, including:
Regardless of their design, these types of equipment can overheat from time to time, which can cause a fire.
The best way to prevent heating equipment fires is just to simply maintain them and turn them off from time to time. Also, it’s best to keep combustible items far away from heating equipment.
What Should I Do After a Commercial Fire Occurs?
The aftermath of a fire can be devastating. Fire damage can destroy expensive merchandise, furniture, walls, floors, and even textiles. But the damage can be corrected when you hire Fort Worth fire damage restoration services.
Such services can provide the restoration you need. And after their work is done, your commercial property will look as good as new.
In Need of Damage Restoration? You Can Trust SERVPRO
SERVPRO is always available to provide the Fort Worth fire damage restoration you need. When you’re in need of our service, call us at (817) 589-1499. Or visit our contact page.
Choosing Cleanup and Restoration Company: Top 3 Tips
12/9/2021 (Permalink)
If you’re in need of the best cleanup and restoration company in North Richland Hills, look no further than to SERVPRO.
According to the EPA, the average household’s leaks can cause a near waste of 10,000 gallons of water every year. With such leaks occurring in a home, it’s vital that homeowners are aware of the potential dangers of water damage — even after the leak is fixed.
Water damage can devastate a home’s structure and weaken its foundation. Just as much (if not even more destructive), is the occurrence of fire damage as well. But no matter the issue at hand, you can always rely on the professional service of a cleanup and restoration company. The only problem is knowing which company to choose.
How Do I Know Which Company to Choose?
Finding the right restoration company can be difficult. When water damage occurs, choosing a Fort Worth water damage restoration company can become a mission in and of itself.
For this reason, SERVPRO has provided three tips below for you to keep in mind when looking for the right contractor.
1. Experience
Experience is probably the most important factor you have to look out for when choosing a cleanup and restoration company. Experience will show you how well a business has thrived due to their services as well as how knowledgeable they are.
Say you’ve found two different Fort Worth fire damage restoration companies. But one has been in operation longer than the other. You would likely choose the one that’s been operating for longer. As you’re looking for a cleanup and restoration company, however, you shouldn’t just look at how long they’ve been in business.
Make sure to also look into what services they provide and how often they provide those services.
2. Pricing
When it comes to the price, you don’t want to end up with a company that’s too expensive. On the flip side of that coin, you also don’t want to choose a company that’s priced too low.
While you do want to save money, choosing a cleanup and restoration company that’s priced too low can turn out to be a mistake. Low prices are often an indication that certain companies won’t provide the best work. With that being said, be on the lookout for a company that offers its services at a reasonable price.
SERVPRO always offers its services at reasonable rates when it comes to Fort Worth water damage restoration. Give us a call today at (817) 589-1499 to find out.
3. Client Testimonials
What is arguably the most important thing to look out for in a cleanup and restoration company are client testimonials.
Testimonials will provide insight into how well a company treats its clients. More so, they will also explain how exemplary a certain company will perform a specific job.
If, for example, you find yourself needing Fort Worth fire damage restoration, looking into reviews and testimonials for a company you found can show you how well they perform their job.
Looking For The Right Contractor? Look No Further
If you’re in need of the best cleanup and restoration company in North Richland Hills, look no further than to SERVPRO. We’ve been in business for 35+ years and offer a myriad of services ranging from fire to Fort Worth water damage restoration.
If you wish to inquire about our services, call us at (817) 589-1499. Or visit our contact page.
Common Sump Pump Problems Homeowners Face
12/9/2021 (Permalink)
With the dangers that can happen with a broken sump pump, it’s very likely that water damage will occur in your home.
Between 1996 to 1999, 99% of US counties suffered a flooding event. In Fort Worth, Texas alone, nearly 600 flooding events have devastated the city during this time period. While sump pumps in homes have helped to ease the issue of basement floods, some homeowners were likely burdened with common issues pertaining to sump pump problems.
Sump pumps serve as the first line of defense against basement floods. But if they have faulty functioning, then you might end up with a destroyed basement that will require Fort Worth water damage restoration.
To get familiar with common sump pump problems, continue reading below.
Why do Sump Pumps Fail?
Before you learn about the common sump pump problems, it’s important you understand why your sump pump is failing to begin with.
Sump pumps are composed of many intricate parts that are prone to malfunctioning. And because there are many different models and types sold on the market, it’s probable that you will own one that’s cheaply made. Also, besides use and brand type, improper installation can also cause a sump pump to break.
So What Are the Common Sump Pump Problems?
There are quite a few common issues that can occur with sump pumps. They include:
Overwhelmed Pumps
No matter their design, a single sump pump is not powerful enough to take on a flooded basement. Because of this, they can be overwhelmed due to the large amounts of water pouring in.
No Water Entering the Pump
If your sump pump isn’t taking in any water, this is often a sign that your pump wasn’t installed correctly. Or it can even be because your sump pump isn’t linked to a drainage system.
Clogged Pump
It’s important that your sump pump has a lid. Without one, it will become clogged and dirty over time. Eventually, your pump will become slow or it will stop working entirely.
Power Loss
A sump pump that loses power can leave your basement vulnerable.
When a powerful rainstorm happens, it has the potential to knock down power lines. As a result, your home loses power and your sump pump will not function.
Sump Pump is Continuously Running
If your sump pump is running too much, no matter how harsh the weather, you should consider hiring a professional right away for assistance. An overworked pump can burn out due to consistent flooding or because of a broken or missing valve.
Frozen or Clogged Discharge Lines
Discharge lines are what allow a sump pump to function properly as they dispel collected water. When these lines are frozen or clogged, your pump’s system will begin failing.
Call SERVPRO for Our Fort Worth Water Damage Restoration Services
With the dangers that can happen with a broken sump pump, it’s very likely that water damage will occur in your home. But don’t worry, SERVPRO is more than happy to provide its Fort Worth water damage restoration services. With our 35+ years of experience, we feel more than confident that we can help you.
Call us today at (817) 589-1499. Or fill out our online form.
What Can Cause Commercial Fire Damage?
12/9/2021 (Permalink)
SERVPRO is always available to provide the Fort Worth fire damage restoration you need.
Fires can cause tremendous losses for property owners. In fact, 2020 saw an estimated $21.9 billion loss from fires in the US. But while this is a significant number, this doesn’t mean you have to succumb to the problems of fire damage as well.
Understanding what can cause commercial fire damages will serve as the fine line between saving your property and paying a lot of money for repairs.
While our Fort Worth fire damage restoration services are cost-effective, we always do our best to help clients know how they can stay safe. Continue reading below to know what causes commercial fire damage and how you can prevent them.
What Causes Commercial Fires?
Fires can be caused by just about anything these days. For commercial fires, however, the most common causes include:
Cooking
Some commercial properties are designed with cooking areas for employees or other occupants to whip up a meal. During the day, when cooking something, it’s likely that some individuals will leave the stove or oven to tend to something else.
When that happens, the possibility of a fire starting increases exponentially. So, you should always advise your occupants to be mindful when cooking and to never leave food unattended.
Electrical Malfunctions
While they are the least likely to cause commercial fires, electrical malfunctions are still common in commercial properties. These can occur due to faulty wiring or overloaded circuits.
On a regular basis, make sure to inspect the wiring in your commercial property. Even better, hire a professional to inspect for you. They will provide you with a list of areas you should address.
Smoking
If anybody in your building is smoking a cigarette or a cigar, make sure to dispose of those items properly. It’s common for employees to want to take a smoke break, but make sure they’re aware of how to safely extinguish and throw away their smoking materials.
Typically, ashtrays are the best way to dispose of smoking items. So, you may want to have some available at your business if your property isn’t a smoke-free facility.
Heating Equipment
Some commercial property owners will use heating equipment depending on the surrounding climate, including:
Regardless of their design, these types of equipment can overheat from time to time, which can cause a fire.
The best way to prevent heating equipment fires is just to simply maintain them and turn them off from time to time. Also, it’s best to keep combustible items far away from heating equipment.
What Should I Do After a Commercial Fire Occurs?
The aftermath of a fire can be devastating. Fire damage can destroy expensive merchandise, furniture, walls, floors, and even textiles. But the damage can be corrected when you hire Fort Worth fire damage restoration services.
Such services can provide the restoration you need. And after their work is done, your commercial property will look as good as new.
In Need of Damage Restoration? You Can Trust SERVPRO
SERVPRO is always available to provide the Fort Worth fire damage restoration you need. When you’re in need of our service, call us at (817) 589-1499. Or visit our contact page.
Choosing Cleanup and Restoration Company: Top 3 Tips
12/9/2021 (Permalink)
If you’re in need of the best cleanup and restoration company in North Richland Hills, look no further than to SERVPRO.
According to the EPA, the average household’s leaks can cause a near waste of 10,000 gallons of water every year. With such leaks occurring in a home, it’s vital that homeowners are aware of the potential dangers of water damage — even after the leak is fixed.
Water damage can devastate a home’s structure and weaken its foundation. Just as much (if not even more destructive), is the occurrence of fire damage as well. But no matter the issue at hand, you can always rely on the professional service of a cleanup and restoration company. The only problem is knowing which company to choose.
How Do I Know Which Company to Choose?
Finding the right restoration company can be difficult. When water damage occurs, choosing a Fort Worth water damage restoration company can become a mission in and of itself.
For this reason, SERVPRO has provided three tips below for you to keep in mind when looking for the right contractor.
1. Experience
Experience is probably the most important factor you have to look out for when choosing a cleanup and restoration company. Experience will show you how well a business has thrived due to their services as well as how knowledgeable they are.
Say you’ve found two different Fort Worth fire damage restoration companies. But one has been in operation longer than the other. You would likely choose the one that’s been operating for longer. As you’re looking for a cleanup and restoration company, however, you shouldn’t just look at how long they’ve been in business.
Make sure to also look into what services they provide and how often they provide those services.
2. Pricing
When it comes to the price, you don’t want to end up with a company that’s too expensive. On the flip side of that coin, you also don’t want to choose a company that’s priced too low.
While you do want to save money, choosing a cleanup and restoration company that’s priced too low can turn out to be a mistake. Low prices are often an indication that certain companies won’t provide the best work. With that being said, be on the lookout for a company that offers its services at a reasonable price.
SERVPRO always offers its services at reasonable rates when it comes to Fort Worth water damage restoration. Give us a call today at (817) 589-1499 to find out.
3. Client Testimonials
What is arguably the most important thing to look out for in a cleanup and restoration company are client testimonials.
Testimonials will provide insight into how well a company treats its clients. More so, they will also explain how exemplary a certain company will perform a specific job.
If, for example, you find yourself needing Fort Worth fire damage restoration, looking into reviews and testimonials for a company you found can show you how well they perform their job.
Looking For The Right Contractor? Look No Further
If you’re in need of the best cleanup and restoration company in North Richland Hills, look no further than to SERVPRO. We’ve been in business for 35+ years and offer a myriad of services ranging from fire to Fort Worth water damage restoration.
If you wish to inquire about our services, call us at (817) 589-1499. Or visit our contact page.
How to Keep Your Furniture from Molding in Self-storage Units
11/12/2021 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills mold remediation experts are more than happy to provide these services.
Mold is a home and business owner’s worst enemy that grows practically anywhere year-round. And the worst thing about mold is that you can never eliminate it entirely.
Mold spores and particles are always present in the atmosphere. No matter how much maintenance or restoration you do, there will still be some deposits lingering in your home or commercial business. More so, there will always be some lingering on your furniture that you put in self-storage units.
It’s easy to forget about your belongings once they’re safely tucked away in storage units, simply because we tend to think they’re protected from the elements.
The truth, however, is that your furniture can be susceptible to damage in ways you may not think possible inside a storage unit. In some cases, that damage can include mold. Before you realize it, it will spread all across your stored furniture. By then, you’ll need to hire someone for Fort Worth mold remediation.
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills mold remediation experts are more than happy to provide these services. But to make sure mold will never strike again, continue reading below to see how you can keep your furniture from molding in self-storage units.
How Do You Control Mold?
It’s said that you can’t really control Mother Nature. But that’s not necessarily true. When it comes to mold, you just need to control the moisture inside your storage unit to prevent its growth.
Moisture is what allows mold to develop and spread. When moisture is in your storage unit, mold will easily grow across your furniture. So, to prevent mold from growing, keeping a dry environment in the unit is a must.
How Do You Control Moisture in a Self-Storage Unit?
There are a few things you can do to control the moisture in your storage unit. They include:
Installing a Moisture Barrier
You can add extra protection to your furniture when you install a moisture barrier inside your storage unit.
By just placing a tarp or plastic sheet on the floor, you provide a barrier that prevents moisture in the floor from seeping into your belongings.
Use Moisture-Absorbing Products
Certain products can absorb moisture from the air and surfaces, such as charcoal briquettes and silica gel packs.
By taking these products and placing them in a fabric pocket, you can place them around the storage unit where they will absorb moisture and help prevent mold growth. Remember to change them periodically, though.
Further Steps You Can Take
Besides controlling the moisture, other steps you can take involve cleaning your furniture and drying it before storage.
You can also store your furniture away from the door and walls since moisture will likely seep in through small crevices under doorways and cracks.
Lastly, another way you can prevent molding on your furniture is by placing items in a way that allows optimal airflow. When choosing a storage unit, choose one that’s fairly big enough and provides enough airflow around your furniture pieces.
Molded Furniture? Call SERVPRO Right Away
If your furniture has too much mold for you to handle, let our professionals take care of it. Our staff is trained to provide expert Fort Worth mold remediation services and when we’re done, we feel confident you’ll be satisfied with our work.
Call us today at (817) 589-1499 or visit our contact page to schedule a free consultation.
How to Keep Your Furniture from Molding in Self-storage Units
11/12/2021 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills mold remediation experts are more than happy to provide these services.
Mold is a home and business owner’s worst enemy that grows practically anywhere year-round. And the worst thing about mold is that you can never eliminate it entirely.
Mold spores and particles are always present in the atmosphere. No matter how much maintenance or restoration you do, there will still be some deposits lingering in your home or commercial business. More so, there will always be some lingering on your furniture that you put in self-storage units.
It’s easy to forget about your belongings once they’re safely tucked away in storage units, simply because we tend to think they’re protected from the elements.
The truth, however, is that your furniture can be susceptible to damage in ways you may not think possible inside a storage unit. In some cases, that damage can include mold. Before you realize it, it will spread all across your stored furniture. By then, you’ll need to hire someone for Fort Worth mold remediation.
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills mold remediation experts are more than happy to provide these services. But to make sure mold will never strike again, continue reading below to see how you can keep your furniture from molding in self-storage units.
How Do You Control Mold?
It’s said that you can’t really control Mother Nature. But that’s not necessarily true. When it comes to mold, you just need to control the moisture inside your storage unit to prevent its growth.
Moisture is what allows mold to develop and spread. When moisture is in your storage unit, mold will easily grow across your furniture. So, to prevent mold from growing, keeping a dry environment in the unit is a must.
How Do You Control Moisture in a Self-Storage Unit?
There are a few things you can do to control the moisture in your storage unit. They include:
Installing a Moisture Barrier
You can add extra protection to your furniture when you install a moisture barrier inside your storage unit.
By just placing a tarp or plastic sheet on the floor, you provide a barrier that prevents moisture in the floor from seeping into your belongings.
Use Moisture-Absorbing Products
Certain products can absorb moisture from the air and surfaces, such as charcoal briquettes and silica gel packs.
By taking these products and placing them in a fabric pocket, you can place them around the storage unit where they will absorb moisture and help prevent mold growth. Remember to change them periodically, though.
Further Steps You Can Take
Besides controlling the moisture, other steps you can take involve cleaning your furniture and drying it before storage.
You can also store your furniture away from the door and walls since moisture will likely seep in through small crevices under doorways and cracks.
Lastly, another way you can prevent molding on your furniture is by placing items in a way that allows optimal airflow. When choosing a storage unit, choose one that’s fairly big enough and provides enough airflow around your furniture pieces.
Molded Furniture? Call SERVPRO Right Away
If your furniture has too much mold for you to handle, let our professionals take care of it. Our staff is trained to provide expert Fort Worth mold remediation services and when we’re done, we feel confident you’ll be satisfied with our work.
Call us today at (817) 589-1499 or visit our contact page to schedule a free consultation.
How to Prevent Mold in Your Attic
10/29/2021 (Permalink)
In Fort Worth, storm season brings increased moisture into homes which can sometimes lead to mold. Here's how to prevent it.
After storm season in Fort Worth, water and moisture in walls can sometimes lead to concerns about mold in your home. The idea of mold in your attic can lead to immediate concerns about what this means for your home and your family.
The good news is that it doesn't mean you have to live with mold for the rest of your life. There are certain steps you need to take in order to get rid of the problem once and for all.
At SERVPRO of North Richland Hills, we want you to feel safe and happy in your home, which is why we have prepared the following information you need to know about mold.
What is Mold?
To sum up, mold is a type of fungus that grows on wet surfaces and releases spores into the air.
How Do I Recognize it?
Even though mold can appear in various colors, usually, it is black, grey or green. It should be noted that you might find it on other objects as well, because mold can affect many parts of your house.
What to Do When I Find Mold in My Attic Space?
First of all, you need to find the source of humidity. The best way would be to identify and repair possible leaks in your home – roof, windows, etc.
Mold damage can be identified by the presence of visible mold on surfaces or discoloration.
It is important to act quickly because mold can damage your walls and floors, making them weak. Moreover, if your home is left untreated for an extended period of time, it might lead to serious complications in the long term.
If the problem is not eliminated yet, we recommend that you call our professional mold removal service and ask for help.
How is Mold Treated?
There are many ways to get rid of mold. First, you might want to get rid of the source that causes humidity. For example, if there is a leak in your roof, you need to get it fixed as soon as possible.
Secondly, you should use dehumidifiers and air conditioners to remove the excess moisture in the air. Also, make sure you use fans if it is possible!
If the problem persists, we recommend that you contact our local professional mold removal and odor removal specialists for help.
Just like every other type of treatment, know that there are two methods used by SERVPRO franchises:
Air Spore Treatment (AST). It includes unique equipment that diffuses a microbial agent during the process of mold growth. The best part is that the spores don't damage your property or furniture!
A Life-Cycle Mold Treatment (LCMT). It implies small holes in the drywall and filling them with a sealing compound. If there are bigger damages, you might need to replace some parts of the wall.
While mold can be a serious issue, rest assured that there are ways to remediate any problem areas in your home. Whether you need an initial mold inspection or are ready for remediation services, you can rely on our professional Fort Worth Mold Remediation service team to take care of it so that you can enjoy a healthy and safe living environment. We offer a variety of services, including water damage restoration as well as fire and smoke damage repair. Call (817) 589-1499.
How to Prevent Mold in Your Attic
10/29/2021 (Permalink)
In Fort Worth, storm season brings increased moisture into homes which can sometimes lead to mold. Here's how to prevent it.
After storm season in Fort Worth, water and moisture in walls can sometimes lead to concerns about mold in your home. The idea of mold in your attic can lead to immediate concerns about what this means for your home and your family.
The good news is that it doesn't mean you have to live with mold for the rest of your life. There are certain steps you need to take in order to get rid of the problem once and for all.
At SERVPRO of North Richland Hills, we want you to feel safe and happy in your home, which is why we have prepared the following information you need to know about mold.
What is Mold?
To sum up, mold is a type of fungus that grows on wet surfaces and releases spores into the air.
How Do I Recognize it?
Even though mold can appear in various colors, usually, it is black, grey or green. It should be noted that you might find it on other objects as well, because mold can affect many parts of your house.
What to Do When I Find Mold in My Attic Space?
First of all, you need to find the source of humidity. The best way would be to identify and repair possible leaks in your home – roof, windows, etc.
Mold damage can be identified by the presence of visible mold on surfaces or discoloration.
It is important to act quickly because mold can damage your walls and floors, making them weak. Moreover, if your home is left untreated for an extended period of time, it might lead to serious complications in the long term.
If the problem is not eliminated yet, we recommend that you call our professional mold removal service and ask for help.
How is Mold Treated?
There are many ways to get rid of mold. First, you might want to get rid of the source that causes humidity. For example, if there is a leak in your roof, you need to get it fixed as soon as possible.
Secondly, you should use dehumidifiers and air conditioners to remove the excess moisture in the air. Also, make sure you use fans if it is possible!
If the problem persists, we recommend that you contact our local professional mold removal and odor removal specialists for help.
Just like every other type of treatment, know that there are two methods used by SERVPRO franchises:
Air Spore Treatment (AST). It includes unique equipment that diffuses a microbial agent during the process of mold growth. The best part is that the spores don't damage your property or furniture!
A Life-Cycle Mold Treatment (LCMT). It implies small holes in the drywall and filling them with a sealing compound. If there are bigger damages, you might need to replace some parts of the wall.
While mold can be a serious issue, rest assured that there are ways to remediate any problem areas in your home. Whether you need an initial mold inspection or are ready for remediation services, you can rely on our professional Fort Worth Mold Remediation service team to take care of it so that you can enjoy a healthy and safe living environment. We offer a variety of services, including water damage restoration as well as fire and smoke damage repair. Call (817) 589-1499.
How to Prevent Space Heater Fires
10/11/2021 (Permalink)
If you don’t have a space heater already but want to buy one, consider getting one with an auto shut-off feature.
According to the NFPA, heating is the second leading cause of home fires in the United States. Your space heater could likely cause a fire more than anything else in your home. We implore you to continue reading below so that you know how to prevent space heater fires.
Whenever a fire occurs in your home, contact the experts over at SERVPRO of North Richland Hills. Our team can provide you with reliable and fast fire damage restoration services in Fort Worth.
Inspect Your Heater’s Power Cord
Examine your space heater’s power cord and look closely at the rubber casing wrapped around the wiring. Also, look for any signs of fraying at the cord and do not touch any exposed wires without protective gear (i.e. rubber gloves).
Check Your Power Supply
Take a close look at the electrical socket that’s used to power your space heater. If there are any signs of damage, charring, or discoloration on the socket, don’t use it to power your heater.
A damaged outlet may have a technical fault that will cause space heater fires and can be a shock hazard.
Refuel Your Space Heater Outside
Some space heaters will need fuel — such as kerosene — to operate. When you need to refuel your space heater, do it outside and away from your home. Even better, refuel your heater in an area with no flammable objects nearby.
As you are fueling, always wear thick gloves and a mask so you don’t inhale any harmful fumes.
If a fire does occur and damage is dealt to your property, call us right away for our fire damage restoration services.
Buy a Space Heater With Auto Shut-off
If you don’t have a space heater already but want to buy one, consider getting one with an auto shut-off feature.
The best way to prevent a space heater fire is to get one that will recognize the potential danger. Space heaters with an auto shut-off feature will activate when overheating or a malfunction occurs.
Give Your Space Heater Some Room
Keep your space heater away from clutter and with plenty of space around it.
While your space heater’s exterior plastic will protect it from burning, flammable objects nearby can be set ablaze. For this reason, it’s best you keep your space heater away from anything even remotely flammable.
Use a Space Heater Appropriately to Prevent Fires
Each space heater model is designed to operate differently. Besides following the aforementioned tips, the best thing to prevent a space heater fire is to learn how your unique device works. Thoroughly read the instruction manual so that you know how to operate your heater correctly to prevent fires.
If your home has been damaged in a fire, call SERVPRO of North Richland Hills at (817) 589-1499. With our expertise, we can provide you with the fire damage restoration services you need.
Quick Tips for Storm Safety in DFW
10/11/2021 (Permalink)
By following these tips, you'll be able to stay safe during any storm DFW throws your way.
Storms are a natural part of life, but they can also cause lots of damage to your home. You might be able to get through a hurricane or tornado safely, but that doesn't mean you're in the clear yet.
If you live in or near North Richland Hills, TX, SERVPRO is here to help you with any water damage restoration issues that may arise from a storm. We have been serving this community since 2006 and we're proud of our A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Here are some tips for staying safe during the next storm in DFW!
Tip #1: Find shelter
One of the most important things you can do during a storm is getting to safety. If you're at home, go to an interior room on the lowest level that doesn't have any windows - like your laundry room or small bathroom. If you're working or just don't have access to one of those rooms, head for an interior room on the first floor with no windows. Keep in mind that a second-story room is even safer if you have access to it.
If you're outside during a storm, stay away from trees and telephone poles, as the strong winds could cause them to fall over. Finally, remember that high water areas are dangerous - if you see water rising around you, move to higher ground immediately.
Tip #2: Turn off your power
It may seem like common sense, but you need to shut down all electronic devices before the storm hits if you want to avoid water damage. Even if it's sunny outside, leave your electronics unplugged until everything has dried out. That includes your lights, television, radio, computer, and whatever else you have in your home.
Any device that gets wet should be unplugged immediately. Generally speaking, if it's plugged into an outlet or connected to a power cord - leave it alone until you're absolutely sure the storm is over.
Tip #3: Move your car
If you have a garage, try to park your car inside. If that's not possible, move it as close to the house as you can during the storm. The last thing you want is for it to get damaged by debris or flooding!
Tip #4: Use a disaster relief kit
In the event of a storm, you want to have everything you need right in front of you so it's easy to grab and go. SERVPRO recommends having a disaster relief kit filled with necessary supplies for your family. Remember that you can't replace sentimental items - but if they've been damaged, call SERVPRO anyway and we can help you work around that.
You should have a disaster relief kit that includes water and non-perishable foods, cash and credit cards, first aid supplies, blankets or sleeping bags, a flashlight and extra batteries, copies of important documents in a waterproof container, prescription medicine if needed, pet food and leashes or carriers for your animals, and copies of family contact information.
By following these tips, you'll be able to stay safe during any storm DFW throws your way. Get in touch with SERVPRO Fort Worth Water Damage Restoration experts if you notice any water damage after the storm has passed! Call us today at (817) 589-1499 for more information on our restoration services.
How to Prevent Space Heater Fires
10/11/2021 (Permalink)
If you don’t have a space heater already but want to buy one, consider getting one with an auto shut-off feature.
According to the NFPA, heating is the second leading cause of home fires in the United States. Your space heater could likely cause a fire more than anything else in your home. We implore you to continue reading below so that you know how to prevent space heater fires.
Whenever a fire occurs in your home, contact the experts over at SERVPRO of North Richland Hills. Our team can provide you with reliable and fast fire damage restoration services in Fort Worth.
Inspect Your Heater’s Power Cord
Examine your space heater’s power cord and look closely at the rubber casing wrapped around the wiring. Also, look for any signs of fraying at the cord and do not touch any exposed wires without protective gear (i.e. rubber gloves).
Check Your Power Supply
Take a close look at the electrical socket that’s used to power your space heater. If there are any signs of damage, charring, or discoloration on the socket, don’t use it to power your heater.
A damaged outlet may have a technical fault that will cause space heater fires and can be a shock hazard.
Refuel Your Space Heater Outside
Some space heaters will need fuel — such as kerosene — to operate. When you need to refuel your space heater, do it outside and away from your home. Even better, refuel your heater in an area with no flammable objects nearby.
As you are fueling, always wear thick gloves and a mask so you don’t inhale any harmful fumes.
If a fire does occur and damage is dealt to your property, call us right away for our fire damage restoration services.
Buy a Space Heater With Auto Shut-off
If you don’t have a space heater already but want to buy one, consider getting one with an auto shut-off feature.
The best way to prevent a space heater fire is to get one that will recognize the potential danger. Space heaters with an auto shut-off feature will activate when overheating or a malfunction occurs.
Give Your Space Heater Some Room
Keep your space heater away from clutter and with plenty of space around it.
While your space heater’s exterior plastic will protect it from burning, flammable objects nearby can be set ablaze. For this reason, it’s best you keep your space heater away from anything even remotely flammable.
Use a Space Heater Appropriately to Prevent Fires
Each space heater model is designed to operate differently. Besides following the aforementioned tips, the best thing to prevent a space heater fire is to learn how your unique device works. Thoroughly read the instruction manual so that you know how to operate your heater correctly to prevent fires.
If your home has been damaged in a fire, call SERVPRO of North Richland Hills at (817) 589-1499. With our expertise, we can provide you with the fire damage restoration services you need.
Quick Tips for Storm Safety in DFW
10/11/2021 (Permalink)
By following these tips, you'll be able to stay safe during any storm DFW throws your way.
Storms are a natural part of life, but they can also cause lots of damage to your home. You might be able to get through a hurricane or tornado safely, but that doesn't mean you're in the clear yet.
If you live in or near North Richland Hills, TX, SERVPRO is here to help you with any water damage restoration issues that may arise from a storm. We have been serving this community since 2006 and we're proud of our A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Here are some tips for staying safe during the next storm in DFW!
Tip #1: Find shelter
One of the most important things you can do during a storm is getting to safety. If you're at home, go to an interior room on the lowest level that doesn't have any windows - like your laundry room or small bathroom. If you're working or just don't have access to one of those rooms, head for an interior room on the first floor with no windows. Keep in mind that a second-story room is even safer if you have access to it.
If you're outside during a storm, stay away from trees and telephone poles, as the strong winds could cause them to fall over. Finally, remember that high water areas are dangerous - if you see water rising around you, move to higher ground immediately.
Tip #2: Turn off your power
It may seem like common sense, but you need to shut down all electronic devices before the storm hits if you want to avoid water damage. Even if it's sunny outside, leave your electronics unplugged until everything has dried out. That includes your lights, television, radio, computer, and whatever else you have in your home.
Any device that gets wet should be unplugged immediately. Generally speaking, if it's plugged into an outlet or connected to a power cord - leave it alone until you're absolutely sure the storm is over.
Tip #3: Move your car
If you have a garage, try to park your car inside. If that's not possible, move it as close to the house as you can during the storm. The last thing you want is for it to get damaged by debris or flooding!
Tip #4: Use a disaster relief kit
In the event of a storm, you want to have everything you need right in front of you so it's easy to grab and go. SERVPRO recommends having a disaster relief kit filled with necessary supplies for your family. Remember that you can't replace sentimental items - but if they've been damaged, call SERVPRO anyway and we can help you work around that.
You should have a disaster relief kit that includes water and non-perishable foods, cash and credit cards, first aid supplies, blankets or sleeping bags, a flashlight and extra batteries, copies of important documents in a waterproof container, prescription medicine if needed, pet food and leashes or carriers for your animals, and copies of family contact information.
By following these tips, you'll be able to stay safe during any storm DFW throws your way. Get in touch with SERVPRO Fort Worth Water Damage Restoration experts if you notice any water damage after the storm has passed! Call us today at (817) 589-1499 for more information on our restoration services.
Suspect Mold? Follow These Mold Safety Tips for Your Fort Worth Home
9/23/2021 (Permalink)
Sometimes, the only way to get rid of a mold problem is to reach out to a professional mold removal contractor.
Mold doesn’t need perfect environmental conditions to get started and is very common in and outside homes. Supplied with just a little warmth, water, or moisture, it can quickly begin to spread throughout your house. And, once it gets started, safely removing mold can be challenging. The three tips we’ll share with you will help you deal with mold without putting your health in danger. Use Proper Equipment When Cleaning
When removing mold, use a half-face respirator paired with a proper mold filter. As you remove mold from your walls, spores will get into the air and your lungs unless you wear a mask. Wearing the appropriate mask and filter can eliminate up to 99.9% of mold particles.
If you want to go a step further, you can purchase a full-face mask, but this is a more expensive and often unnecessary choice. Additional protective equipment includes rubber gloves, protective eyewear, and full-body clothing.
Inspect Your HVAC System Before Cleaning the Mold
When cleaning the mold, especially with harsh chemicals like bleach, you want to have proper ventilation. That said, don’t use your HVAC system unless you are entirely sure that it’s not contaminated with mold.
In mold-infested households, HVAC systems are seldom free from mold. Most often, mold appears near the intake to the system. So, before cleaning the mold or applying any harsh chemicals, check if your HVAC can run without potentially spreading mold throughout your entire household.
Don’t Vacuum the Mold.
Vacuuming can temporarily increase your exposure to mold spores. As the spores can pass through an ordinary vacuum bag, they’ll instantaneously end up in the air and can stay there for hours, sometimes days. Only vacuum the mold if you have a central vacuum that vents outside or a regular vacuum with HEPA filters that trap mold spores.
Need a Mold Specialist? Contact Us Today
Sometimes, the only way to get rid of a mold problem is to reach out to a professional mold removal contractor. If you’ve found yourself in such a situation, the mold removal experts at SERVPRO North Richland Hills can help you tackle your mold problem.
With extensive mold removal experience and the latest equipment, our professionals can take care of your mold problems and restore your home to a healthy, mold-free condition.
Don’t expose yourself to the detrimental effects mold can have on your health. Contact us today at (817) 589-1499 for prompt and efficient mold removal.
Suspect Mold? Follow These Mold Safety Tips for Your Fort Worth Home
9/23/2021 (Permalink)
Sometimes, the only way to get rid of a mold problem is to reach out to a professional mold removal contractor.
Mold doesn’t need perfect environmental conditions to get started and is very common in and outside homes. Supplied with just a little warmth, water, or moisture, it can quickly begin to spread throughout your house. And, once it gets started, safely removing mold can be challenging. The three tips we’ll share with you will help you deal with mold without putting your health in danger. Use Proper Equipment When Cleaning
When removing mold, use a half-face respirator paired with a proper mold filter. As you remove mold from your walls, spores will get into the air and your lungs unless you wear a mask. Wearing the appropriate mask and filter can eliminate up to 99.9% of mold particles.
If you want to go a step further, you can purchase a full-face mask, but this is a more expensive and often unnecessary choice. Additional protective equipment includes rubber gloves, protective eyewear, and full-body clothing.
Inspect Your HVAC System Before Cleaning the Mold
When cleaning the mold, especially with harsh chemicals like bleach, you want to have proper ventilation. That said, don’t use your HVAC system unless you are entirely sure that it’s not contaminated with mold.
In mold-infested households, HVAC systems are seldom free from mold. Most often, mold appears near the intake to the system. So, before cleaning the mold or applying any harsh chemicals, check if your HVAC can run without potentially spreading mold throughout your entire household.
Don’t Vacuum the Mold.
Vacuuming can temporarily increase your exposure to mold spores. As the spores can pass through an ordinary vacuum bag, they’ll instantaneously end up in the air and can stay there for hours, sometimes days. Only vacuum the mold if you have a central vacuum that vents outside or a regular vacuum with HEPA filters that trap mold spores.
Need a Mold Specialist? Contact Us Today
Sometimes, the only way to get rid of a mold problem is to reach out to a professional mold removal contractor. If you’ve found yourself in such a situation, the mold removal experts at SERVPRO North Richland Hills can help you tackle your mold problem.
With extensive mold removal experience and the latest equipment, our professionals can take care of your mold problems and restore your home to a healthy, mold-free condition.
Don’t expose yourself to the detrimental effects mold can have on your health. Contact us today at (817) 589-1499 for prompt and efficient mold removal.
The 5 Levels of Hoarding and How to Recognize the Disorder
8/2/2021 (Permalink)
Depending on the severity, hoarding can impact a person’s physical and emotional health, relationships, financial and legal stability.
An estimated two to six percent of the US population suffers from hoarding disorder. Hoarding can create unsafe conditions for people and pets who live in the household.
At SERVPRO of North Richland Hills, our cleaning and restoration professionals understand the sensitive situations involved in hoarding. Contact us day or night for a free estimate on our emergency cleaning services at (817) 589-1499.
What Are the Levels of Hoarding?
People with hoarding disorder have a compulsive drive to find and keep objects, animals, and even trash — regardless of need or the item’s value. Some of the most commonly hoarded things are:
- Magazines and newspapers
- Photos
- Clothing
- Boxes
- Food
- Paper
- Bags
- Furniture
- Appliances and electronics
Depending on the severity, hoarding can impact a person’s physical and emotional health, relationships, financial and legal stability. The disorder is categorized into five levels, with five the severest manifestation of the condition.
Level 1 Hoarding
Hoarding level one is the least severe form of the disorder and can be difficult to recognize until it reaches more severe levels. At this level, you’ll find:
- Some clutter and no discernable odors
- Doors and stairways are accessible
- Three or fewer areas with animal waste in the home
The lack of odors and clutter can be misleading. But in this level of hoarding, the individual may have trouble throwing away items and excessively shop.
Level 2 Hoarding
At this level, there is more visible clutter, odor, and grime in the home.
- Light odor
- Animal waste on the floor
- Evidence of rodent or insect infestation
- Overflowing trash bins
- Unclean food preparation surfaces
- At least one blocked exit
- Non-working appliance for at least six months
Hoarding level 2 sufferers are often embarrassed at the state of their home and avoid visitors. They may also be anxious or depressed.
Level 3 Hoarding
Level 3 hoarding involves clutter outdoors, typically broken appliances and furniture.
- At least one unusable bedroom or bathroom
- Spills and stains on floors and surfaces
- Excessive dust and debris
- Dirty towels, clothing, and sheets
- Tangled cords from blocked electrical outlets
- Noticeable odor
- Pest infestations
- Animal feces throughout the home
Poor personal hygiene is often present in level 3 hoarding.
Level 4 Hoarding
Homes in this hoarding level will have noticeable mold and odor, along with structural damage. Sewage backup is also a possibility. Animal hoarding may also be an issue with hoarding level 4.
- Rotting and expired food
- No clean dishes or eating utensils
- Rodents and bugs
- Unusable bedrooms and bathrooms
- No clean bed sheets or no bedding present
- More than one blocked doorway and blocked exits
- Unsafe substances stored in living areas
- Excessive odor
- Noticeable animal waste
Sadly, people with level 4 hoarding will often experience health problems related to unsafe and unhygienic living situations. They may not bathe or shower for weeks and have worsening mental health.
Level 5 Hoarding
Structural damage to the house is typically present in the most severe manifestations of hoarding disorder. Lack of electricity and running water, and fire hazards are also common in level 5 hoarding.
In addition to the signs present in level 4 hoarding, other symptoms may include:
- Animal and human waste throughout the home
- Clutter throughout the house, resulting in narrow pathways
- Unusable kitchens, bedrooms, and bathrooms
- Non-working appliances, including HVAC and refrigeration
People with level 5 hoarding can also suffer from clinical depression.
Hoarding Aftermath
Hoarding is a severe disorder, and homes in these conditions typically require professional biohazard cleanup and restoration.
At SERVPRO of North Richland Hills, we can repair and restore homes to livable condition. Contact our Fort Worth at (817) 589-1499 24/7 for a free cleaning bid on our Biohazard Cleaning Services.
The 5 Levels of Hoarding and How to Recognize the Disorder
8/2/2021 (Permalink)
Depending on the severity, hoarding can impact a person’s physical and emotional health, relationships, financial and legal stability.
An estimated two to six percent of the US population suffers from hoarding disorder. Hoarding can create unsafe conditions for people and pets who live in the household.
At SERVPRO of North Richland Hills, our cleaning and restoration professionals understand the sensitive situations involved in hoarding. Contact us day or night for a free estimate on our emergency cleaning services at (817) 589-1499.
What Are the Levels of Hoarding?
People with hoarding disorder have a compulsive drive to find and keep objects, animals, and even trash — regardless of need or the item’s value. Some of the most commonly hoarded things are:
- Magazines and newspapers
- Photos
- Clothing
- Boxes
- Food
- Paper
- Bags
- Furniture
- Appliances and electronics
Depending on the severity, hoarding can impact a person’s physical and emotional health, relationships, financial and legal stability. The disorder is categorized into five levels, with five the severest manifestation of the condition.
Level 1 Hoarding
Hoarding level one is the least severe form of the disorder and can be difficult to recognize until it reaches more severe levels. At this level, you’ll find:
- Some clutter and no discernable odors
- Doors and stairways are accessible
- Three or fewer areas with animal waste in the home
The lack of odors and clutter can be misleading. But in this level of hoarding, the individual may have trouble throwing away items and excessively shop.
Level 2 Hoarding
At this level, there is more visible clutter, odor, and grime in the home.
- Light odor
- Animal waste on the floor
- Evidence of rodent or insect infestation
- Overflowing trash bins
- Unclean food preparation surfaces
- At least one blocked exit
- Non-working appliance for at least six months
Hoarding level 2 sufferers are often embarrassed at the state of their home and avoid visitors. They may also be anxious or depressed.
Level 3 Hoarding
Level 3 hoarding involves clutter outdoors, typically broken appliances and furniture.
- At least one unusable bedroom or bathroom
- Spills and stains on floors and surfaces
- Excessive dust and debris
- Dirty towels, clothing, and sheets
- Tangled cords from blocked electrical outlets
- Noticeable odor
- Pest infestations
- Animal feces throughout the home
Poor personal hygiene is often present in level 3 hoarding.
Level 4 Hoarding
Homes in this hoarding level will have noticeable mold and odor, along with structural damage. Sewage backup is also a possibility. Animal hoarding may also be an issue with hoarding level 4.
- Rotting and expired food
- No clean dishes or eating utensils
- Rodents and bugs
- Unusable bedrooms and bathrooms
- No clean bed sheets or no bedding present
- More than one blocked doorway and blocked exits
- Unsafe substances stored in living areas
- Excessive odor
- Noticeable animal waste
Sadly, people with level 4 hoarding will often experience health problems related to unsafe and unhygienic living situations. They may not bathe or shower for weeks and have worsening mental health.
Level 5 Hoarding
Structural damage to the house is typically present in the most severe manifestations of hoarding disorder. Lack of electricity and running water, and fire hazards are also common in level 5 hoarding.
In addition to the signs present in level 4 hoarding, other symptoms may include:
- Animal and human waste throughout the home
- Clutter throughout the house, resulting in narrow pathways
- Unusable kitchens, bedrooms, and bathrooms
- Non-working appliances, including HVAC and refrigeration
People with level 5 hoarding can also suffer from clinical depression.
Hoarding Aftermath
Hoarding is a severe disorder, and homes in these conditions typically require professional biohazard cleanup and restoration.
At SERVPRO of North Richland Hills, we can repair and restore homes to livable condition. Contact our Fort Worth at (817) 589-1499 24/7 for a free cleaning bid on our Biohazard Cleaning Services.
What’s the Difference Between Mold Removal and Mold Remediation?
7/26/2021 (Permalink)
Mold is a pervasive organism that can be tough to remove but not impossible.
Uh oh. Those aren’t stars you’re seeing. They’re mold spots on the wall. Mold is a pervasive organism that can be tough to remove but not impossible. If you’re looking for professional help to get rid of stubborn mold, you’ve probably come across the terms mold remediation and mold removal in your search.
So, what’s the difference? And how will it impact your wallet and time spent waiting for a mold-free building? We’ll explore the difference between mold removal and mold remediation below.
Let’s Get This Mold Myth Out of the Way First
Mold is everywhere. It plays an important role in the breakdown of organic material. So the bottom line is, you can never completely get rid of mold in the environment.
If a company tells you they will completely get rid of the mold, and it will never return, they’re not being entirely honest with you. Mold is all around us. If you have mold professionally cleaned and removed from your property, you have to do your part to ensure that it doesn’t regrow.
What Mold Needs to Grow
Mold needs high humidity levels and an organic food source to grow. You’ll need to keep humidity levels below 50% to prevent mold from forming a colony and impacting your indoor air quality.
Spills, leaks, and floods must be cleaned asap — within 48 hours — to prevent mold from forming. Unfortunately, mold also likes to munch on paint. Use a mold-killing primer to stop mold from growing on the walls.
The bottom line is, a professional company like SERVPRO North Richland Hills can clean and remove mold from your home or commercial building. But if you don’t keep humidity levels low, then the mold will return.
The Main Difference Between Mold Remediation and Mold Removal
These terms are often used interchangeably in the restoration and construction industry. But essentially, mold removal is the physical process of removing mold spots and colonies. Mold remediation focuses on returning mold to normal levels that don't impact air quality.
Bear in mind that complete removal of mold spores is impossible. This is because spores are microscopic and are prolific in indoor and outdoor air. But keeping humidity levels at an acceptable level will prevent the mold spores from taking hold and forming spots and colonies where they start to break down materials, causing further damage to your property.
Professional Mold Remediation and Removal
If you were to contact a professional company for mold remediation and removal, what they’ll do is engage in the process of cleaning the mold, restoring any damaged materials, and returning the mold to acceptable levels.
This may include disaster cleanup after a flood or water damage from extinguishing a fire. Or cleanup from plumbing and roof leaks.
Mold Remediation in North Richland Hills
Are you dealing with unsightly mold spots in your home or commercial building? Our professional mold remediation services can get your building restored to a mold-free state in a jiffy.
We’re available 24/7. Give us a call at (817) 589-1499 for a free estimate.
Top Tips for Removing Cigarette Odor from Your Home for Good
7/26/2021 (Permalink)
Tobacco smoke is a stubborn and stinky villain that can make a home unpleasant.
If you or someone who previously lived in your house smoked, removing that stubborn cigarette odor can seem overwhelming. But you can do it with these top tips for removing cigarette odor from your home.
Why is Cigarette Odor so Pervasive and Stubborn?
Smells are molecules. And smoke smells are some of the smallest odor molecules in the world. So removing them can be difficult. In addition, these tiny molecules can dig deep into porous materials like wood and upholstery, making them incredibly difficult to eliminate, but not impossibly so.
To permanently and effectively remove cigarette and smoke odors, you have to attack them on a molecular level. Burning candles and essential oils will only mask the smell temporarily. Ventilating a house can dilute the odor, but again, that’s not a permanent solution.
Key Tips:
- Don’t use odor-masking cleaners. Use disinfectant cleaners that actually kill the smoke molecules.
- If you can’t stand the smell of white vinegar, mix a few drops of lavender essential oil in it.
- Baking soda will naturally remove odors. Sprinkle it liberally on textiles, mattresses, and wood furniture. Let sit for at least 24 hours, then vacuum. You can also place bowls of baking soda throughout the home to absorb odors.
- Placing activated charcoal around the house can also absorb the odors.
Tips for Removing Cigarette Odor From Your Home
- Wash and scrub the walls and windows, including screens, with a white vinegar solution.
- If your budget allows, prime the freshly washed walls with an odor-killing primer and paint.
- Wash all interior, hard surfaces, such as countertops, tiles, backsplashes, trim, etc., with mild soap and then rinse with a vinegar solution. Remember to tackle the insides of cabinets and drawers.
- Wash all clothing and drapery. Add one cup of white vinegar to the wash to help remove lingering smoke odors in the fabric.
- Wash and clean all decorations and knick-knacks with a vinegar solution.
- Disinfect and deodorize all textiles, such as carpets, furniture, and mattresses with steam or other cleaning equipment.
- If your budget allows, remove carpets and replace them. Don't replace it with new carpeting until the smoke odor is effectively removed. Otherwise, the new carpet will trap the odors and begin to smell too.
- Have all ductwork and HVAC equipment professionally cleaned. Change filters once per month for one year.
Removing Cigarette Smoke Odor FAQs
I cleaned my wood furniture, but the smell keeps returning. What should I do?
Wood is a very porous material and absorbs odors like a sponge. When it's hot and humid, the wood will expand and release any smoke molecules trapped inside. Unfortunately, it can take a long time for these odors to completely dissipate.
Consider sealing the wood furniture with a clear primer designed for odor removal to trap the smell inside.
Can spraying Febreze remove smoke smells?
Yes. Febreze includes a chemical called cyclodextrin, which is effective at absorbing odors.
Should I use an ozone generator to remove cigarette odor?
An ozone generator can reduce smoke smells in the home. But these are pricey products, and if you misuse them, they can be dangerous. So it’s worth it to pay a professional who is trained in using ozone generators if your DIY smoke removal hasn’t worked.
Removing Cigarette Odor from Your Home: Key Takeaways
Tobacco smoke is a stubborn and stinky villain that can make a home unpleasant. If you’re looking to sell your house, then you’ll want to do your best to remove any lingering odors, so you protect its value and get it off the market quickly.
It’s not a matter of using one odor-killing product and washing walls. Instead, you’ll need to use all of the tips on this list to thoroughly remove the smoke.
We’re always here and happy to help. If you don’t have the time or energy to tackle smoke smells, we’re here for you.
Contact us today at SERVPRO North Richland Hills at (817) 589-1499 for a free estimate on our full suite of cleaning and odor removal services.
Preparing for Summer Storms in Texas: Top Tips from the Pros
7/26/2021 (Permalink)
Texas is the second-largest state in the US, and summer is the peak storm season in the Lone Star State.
Texas is the second-largest state in the US, and summer is the peak storm season in the Lone Star State. Such a large area means a diverse climate that can cause wind, hail storms, hurricanes, wildfires, and tornadoes. With that said, here are our top tips for preparing for summer storms in Texas.
Preparing for Severe Thunderstorms and Lightning in Texas
Before a severe storm hits, think about where you would seek shelter.
- Shelter in a sturdy building
- Stay inside and away from windows and glass doors.
- Do not drive on roads covered in water
- Steer clear of metal objects, wiring, and any surfaces that conduct electricity
Preparing for Hurricanes
June to December is hurricane season in Texas. Take these tips to prepare if a hurricane heads your way.
- Board up and shutter windows and doors
- Make sure you have your emergency kit or bug-out bag ready to go.
- Turn off and secure your utilities and electronics.
- Know where to evacuate and how to get there safely
- Stay away from flood-prone areas.
- Shelter in a sturdy building away from windows until the storm passes
Preparing for a Texas Hailstorm
Severe Texas storms can bring on hail. Prepare for a hailstorm with these tips:
- Stay inside and away from the windows and glass doors.
- Park your vehicles in a garage
- If you don’t have access to a garage, shelter in a parking garage.
- Do not park under a bridge or an overpass to protect your car from hail. These areas do not protect from the strong winds seen in hailstorms.
Preparing for Tornadoes and Strong Winds
On average, 132 tornadoes hit Texas every year.
- Secure outdoor objects before the tornado hits
- Seek shelter in a sturdy building asap. Do not shelter in a mobile office or a trailer.
- Shelter in an interior room on the lowest level of the building.
- Typically, closets and bathrooms are the safest places to shelter.
- Don’t shelter under a bridge or overpass.
Tips for Preparing for Droughts and Wildfires
Unfortunately, all areas in Texas are at risk of drought. When droughts occur, wildfires are a severe risk for Texas residents. Keep these top preparation tips in mind if a drought or wildfire occurs.
- Keep landscaping and decking five feet or more away from your house or business. This creates a wildfire barrier.
- Make sure fire hydrants are located 250 feet or less away from your building. Install a cistern or water storage tank on your property if you don’t have access to a fire hydrant.
- If renovating, use fire-resistant materials
- Keep a fire extinguisher in your house handy at all times.
Preparing for Summer Storms in Texas: The Bottom Line
Summer is a time for fairs, amusement parks, vacations, and fun. But volatile summer weather can also bring dangerous storms. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Adequately prepare your property and keep your loved ones safe with these top tips.
Has your commercial building or home been damaged in a flood, fire, or storm? We’re available 24/7 to assist.
Contact us at (972) 690-1414 day or night for a free estimate on your damage restoration services.
What’s the Difference Between Mold Removal and Mold Remediation?
7/26/2021 (Permalink)
Mold is a pervasive organism that can be tough to remove but not impossible.
Uh oh. Those aren’t stars you’re seeing. They’re mold spots on the wall. Mold is a pervasive organism that can be tough to remove but not impossible. If you’re looking for professional help to get rid of stubborn mold, you’ve probably come across the terms mold remediation and mold removal in your search.
So, what’s the difference? And how will it impact your wallet and time spent waiting for a mold-free building? We’ll explore the difference between mold removal and mold remediation below.
Let’s Get This Mold Myth Out of the Way First
Mold is everywhere. It plays an important role in the breakdown of organic material. So the bottom line is, you can never completely get rid of mold in the environment.
If a company tells you they will completely get rid of the mold, and it will never return, they’re not being entirely honest with you. Mold is all around us. If you have mold professionally cleaned and removed from your property, you have to do your part to ensure that it doesn’t regrow.
What Mold Needs to Grow
Mold needs high humidity levels and an organic food source to grow. You’ll need to keep humidity levels below 50% to prevent mold from forming a colony and impacting your indoor air quality.
Spills, leaks, and floods must be cleaned asap — within 48 hours — to prevent mold from forming. Unfortunately, mold also likes to munch on paint. Use a mold-killing primer to stop mold from growing on the walls.
The bottom line is, a professional company like SERVPRO North Richland Hills can clean and remove mold from your home or commercial building. But if you don’t keep humidity levels low, then the mold will return.
The Main Difference Between Mold Remediation and Mold Removal
These terms are often used interchangeably in the restoration and construction industry. But essentially, mold removal is the physical process of removing mold spots and colonies. Mold remediation focuses on returning mold to normal levels that don't impact air quality.
Bear in mind that complete removal of mold spores is impossible. This is because spores are microscopic and are prolific in indoor and outdoor air. But keeping humidity levels at an acceptable level will prevent the mold spores from taking hold and forming spots and colonies where they start to break down materials, causing further damage to your property.
Professional Mold Remediation and Removal
If you were to contact a professional company for mold remediation and removal, what they’ll do is engage in the process of cleaning the mold, restoring any damaged materials, and returning the mold to acceptable levels.
This may include disaster cleanup after a flood or water damage from extinguishing a fire. Or cleanup from plumbing and roof leaks.
Mold Remediation in North Richland Hills
Are you dealing with unsightly mold spots in your home or commercial building? Our professional mold remediation services can get your building restored to a mold-free state in a jiffy.
We’re available 24/7. Give us a call at (817) 589-1499 for a free estimate.
Top Tips for Removing Cigarette Odor from Your Home for Good
7/26/2021 (Permalink)
Tobacco smoke is a stubborn and stinky villain that can make a home unpleasant.
If you or someone who previously lived in your house smoked, removing that stubborn cigarette odor can seem overwhelming. But you can do it with these top tips for removing cigarette odor from your home.
Why is Cigarette Odor so Pervasive and Stubborn?
Smells are molecules. And smoke smells are some of the smallest odor molecules in the world. So removing them can be difficult. In addition, these tiny molecules can dig deep into porous materials like wood and upholstery, making them incredibly difficult to eliminate, but not impossibly so.
To permanently and effectively remove cigarette and smoke odors, you have to attack them on a molecular level. Burning candles and essential oils will only mask the smell temporarily. Ventilating a house can dilute the odor, but again, that’s not a permanent solution.
Key Tips:
- Don’t use odor-masking cleaners. Use disinfectant cleaners that actually kill the smoke molecules.
- If you can’t stand the smell of white vinegar, mix a few drops of lavender essential oil in it.
- Baking soda will naturally remove odors. Sprinkle it liberally on textiles, mattresses, and wood furniture. Let sit for at least 24 hours, then vacuum. You can also place bowls of baking soda throughout the home to absorb odors.
- Placing activated charcoal around the house can also absorb the odors.
Tips for Removing Cigarette Odor From Your Home
- Wash and scrub the walls and windows, including screens, with a white vinegar solution.
- If your budget allows, prime the freshly washed walls with an odor-killing primer and paint.
- Wash all interior, hard surfaces, such as countertops, tiles, backsplashes, trim, etc., with mild soap and then rinse with a vinegar solution. Remember to tackle the insides of cabinets and drawers.
- Wash all clothing and drapery. Add one cup of white vinegar to the wash to help remove lingering smoke odors in the fabric.
- Wash and clean all decorations and knick-knacks with a vinegar solution.
- Disinfect and deodorize all textiles, such as carpets, furniture, and mattresses with steam or other cleaning equipment.
- If your budget allows, remove carpets and replace them. Don't replace it with new carpeting until the smoke odor is effectively removed. Otherwise, the new carpet will trap the odors and begin to smell too.
- Have all ductwork and HVAC equipment professionally cleaned. Change filters once per month for one year.
Removing Cigarette Smoke Odor FAQs
I cleaned my wood furniture, but the smell keeps returning. What should I do?
Wood is a very porous material and absorbs odors like a sponge. When it's hot and humid, the wood will expand and release any smoke molecules trapped inside. Unfortunately, it can take a long time for these odors to completely dissipate.
Consider sealing the wood furniture with a clear primer designed for odor removal to trap the smell inside.
Can spraying Febreze remove smoke smells?
Yes. Febreze includes a chemical called cyclodextrin, which is effective at absorbing odors.
Should I use an ozone generator to remove cigarette odor?
An ozone generator can reduce smoke smells in the home. But these are pricey products, and if you misuse them, they can be dangerous. So it’s worth it to pay a professional who is trained in using ozone generators if your DIY smoke removal hasn’t worked.
Removing Cigarette Odor from Your Home: Key Takeaways
Tobacco smoke is a stubborn and stinky villain that can make a home unpleasant. If you’re looking to sell your house, then you’ll want to do your best to remove any lingering odors, so you protect its value and get it off the market quickly.
It’s not a matter of using one odor-killing product and washing walls. Instead, you’ll need to use all of the tips on this list to thoroughly remove the smoke.
We’re always here and happy to help. If you don’t have the time or energy to tackle smoke smells, we’re here for you.
Contact us today at SERVPRO North Richland Hills at (817) 589-1499 for a free estimate on our full suite of cleaning and odor removal services.
Preparing for Summer Storms in Texas: Top Tips from the Pros
7/26/2021 (Permalink)
Texas is the second-largest state in the US, and summer is the peak storm season in the Lone Star State.
Texas is the second-largest state in the US, and summer is the peak storm season in the Lone Star State. Such a large area means a diverse climate that can cause wind, hail storms, hurricanes, wildfires, and tornadoes. With that said, here are our top tips for preparing for summer storms in Texas.
Preparing for Severe Thunderstorms and Lightning in Texas
Before a severe storm hits, think about where you would seek shelter.
- Shelter in a sturdy building
- Stay inside and away from windows and glass doors.
- Do not drive on roads covered in water
- Steer clear of metal objects, wiring, and any surfaces that conduct electricity
Preparing for Hurricanes
June to December is hurricane season in Texas. Take these tips to prepare if a hurricane heads your way.
- Board up and shutter windows and doors
- Make sure you have your emergency kit or bug-out bag ready to go.
- Turn off and secure your utilities and electronics.
- Know where to evacuate and how to get there safely
- Stay away from flood-prone areas.
- Shelter in a sturdy building away from windows until the storm passes
Preparing for a Texas Hailstorm
Severe Texas storms can bring on hail. Prepare for a hailstorm with these tips:
- Stay inside and away from the windows and glass doors.
- Park your vehicles in a garage
- If you don’t have access to a garage, shelter in a parking garage.
- Do not park under a bridge or an overpass to protect your car from hail. These areas do not protect from the strong winds seen in hailstorms.
Preparing for Tornadoes and Strong Winds
On average, 132 tornadoes hit Texas every year.
- Secure outdoor objects before the tornado hits
- Seek shelter in a sturdy building asap. Do not shelter in a mobile office or a trailer.
- Shelter in an interior room on the lowest level of the building.
- Typically, closets and bathrooms are the safest places to shelter.
- Don’t shelter under a bridge or overpass.
Tips for Preparing for Droughts and Wildfires
Unfortunately, all areas in Texas are at risk of drought. When droughts occur, wildfires are a severe risk for Texas residents. Keep these top preparation tips in mind if a drought or wildfire occurs.
- Keep landscaping and decking five feet or more away from your house or business. This creates a wildfire barrier.
- Make sure fire hydrants are located 250 feet or less away from your building. Install a cistern or water storage tank on your property if you don’t have access to a fire hydrant.
- If renovating, use fire-resistant materials
- Keep a fire extinguisher in your house handy at all times.
Preparing for Summer Storms in Texas: The Bottom Line
Summer is a time for fairs, amusement parks, vacations, and fun. But volatile summer weather can also bring dangerous storms. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Adequately prepare your property and keep your loved ones safe with these top tips.
Has your commercial building or home been damaged in a flood, fire, or storm? We’re available 24/7 to assist.
Contact us at (972) 690-1414 day or night for a free estimate on your damage restoration services.
How to Prepare for Hurricane Season in Fort Worth: Our Top 5 Steps
7/8/2021 (Permalink)
At SERVPRO North Richland Hills, we help people clean up disasters and restore their buildings to clean, safe conditions.
June to November is hurricane season in the US. For Fort Worth property owners, there are several things you can do to prepare your property for a hurricane. Failing to get your home or commercial building adequately prepared for high-force winds, rain, and falling debris can seriously damage your property and cost thousands.
At SERVPRO North Richland Hills, we’ve been helping people clean up disasters and restore their buildings to clean, safe conditions. Give us a call today at (817) 589-1499 for a free estimate on our storm and Water Damage Restoration Services.
Preparing for a Hurricane
Step #1: Stock Your Emergency Kit
If you haven’t yet, get your emergency kit stocked with the essentials. Include:
- Drinking water
- Flashlights
- Non-perishable foods
- First-aid supplies
- Extra batteries/external battery pack
- Phone chargers
- A radio
- Several days worth of medication for each family member
Step #2: Devise Your Emergency Plan
When a hurricane hits, where will everyone go? Who’s in charge of the pets? Make sure you devise a plan, so everyone in the family knows what to do, where to go, and when.
Step #3: Secure Important Documents
Collect and secure your important documents, such as:
- Birth certificates
- IDs and passports
- Marriage licenses
- Deeds
- Insurance policies
- Mortgage statements
- Medical files
Also, consider gathering and securing family heirlooms and other valuables such as jewelry or antiques. Store everything in a safety deposit box or a fire and water-proof safe.
Be sure to include in your emergency plan the steps you’ll take to move your valuables and who’s job that is if a hurricane strikes.
Step #4: Check-in with the Emergency Management Agency
Know where to go if the area gets evacuated. The American Red Cross offers a free app you can download to keep informed and connected with your loved ones during a natural disaster. FEMA also has an app with information on free resources you can use if a hurricane hits Fort Worth.
Step #5: Secure Your Building
Hurricane-force winds can knock down gutters and blow loose items around your yard, damaging your house and even shattering windows and glass doors. So, remove loose furniture, ornaments, and other items from your yard and store them in a secure place.
Do a last-minute check of your gutters and remove debris that could become water-logged and tear away from the house during a storm.
We’re Ready 24/7 When Disaster Strikes.
Hurricanes move fast, and usually, you have between 24 to 36 hours to get ready before the storm makes landfall. That’s not the time to be heading to the store, securing your valuables, and devising your emergency plan. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best, and do it long before a hurricane starts forming.
At SERVPRO Fort Worth, we’re faster to any size disaster. Hurricanes can cause severe wind damage and flooding to your commercial building or home. We’re ready and available 24/7 to clean the mess, fix the damage, and restore your property to its former condition.
Contact us online or call us at (817) 589-1499 for a free consultation.
4 Fire-Safety Tips for Preventing Holiday Fires
7/8/2021 (Permalink)
Has your property been damaged in a fire? At SERVPRO Richardson, our Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration experts are always here and happy to help, 24/7
Nothing says Happy Holidays like a festive fireworks display, cozy hearth, or colorful Christmas tree. If you're looking to get into the holiday spirit, you want to do it safely. Here are our top tips for preventing holiday fires.
Has your property been damaged in a fire? At SERVPRO Richardson, our Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration experts are always here and happy to help, 24/7. Give us a call at (972) 690-1414 for a free estimate.
Fireworks Safety
Fireworks are a staple for New Years' and Independence Day celebrations. If you'll be lighting fireworks at home, keep those tips in mind for fire safety:
- Choose a location far away from buildings, brush, and trees
- Be sure that pets and children stand back from the fireworks
- Keep a supply of water or a fire extinguisher nearby
If there's a drought, consider doing something else to celebrate that doesn't involve a flame. A stray spark landing on parched grass and leaves can get out of control fast.
Fireplaces
Nothing illuminates the gloom of long, winter days and nights like a lighted hearth. Keep these fire safety tips in mind for fireplaces:
- Get the fireplace and chimney inspected
- Keep flammable items at least three feet away from open flames
- Install a fire screen to keep embers and sparks where they belong
- Be sure to extinguish all embers before leaving or going to bed
Also, refrain from burning wrapping paper in the fireplace. These items burn quickly and intensely and can start a flash fire. Only burn seasoned wood in the fireplace.
Christmas Trees
If you prefer a real tree, be sure to water it every day. Dry needles and wood can quickly spark and become an out-of-control house fire.
Do not plug in more than three light strings to each other. Use a power strip and throw out broken or old light strings. Never leave the lights on if no one will be home.
Candles
Keep all flammable items, such as curtains or holiday decor, at least three feet away from an open candle flame. Put the candles on non-flammable surfaces. And be sure to include a tray or aluminum foil-lined dish underneath that will collect the wax.
Keep the candles out of reach of curious pets and small children, and do not leave a burning candle unattended.
Preventing Electrical Fires
Faulty wiring causes an estimated 51,000 fires every year. Keep these holiday fire safety tips in mind to prevent a devastating electrical fire:
- Always use extension cords for their intended use
- Plug outdoor lights into circuits protected with GFCIs
- Secure outdoor lights to supports that keep them from blowing in high winds
- Keep extension cords free of snow and water
- Do not pinch extension cords in doorways or windows
- Turn off all holiday light decorations when leaving
- Stay at least 10 feet away from power lines when hanging holiday decorations
- Don't overload the outlet with too many decorations
Fire Damage and Restoration: We're Here 24/7
A stray spark can quickly become a raging fire in a matter of minutes. At SERVPRO Richardson, we've been cleaning and restoring fire-damaged buildings for decades. We're here 24/7 for your damage and restoration needs.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
How to Prepare for Hurricane Season in Fort Worth: Our Top 5 Steps
7/8/2021 (Permalink)
At SERVPRO North Richland Hills, we help people clean up disasters and restore their buildings to clean, safe conditions.
June to November is hurricane season in the US. For Fort Worth property owners, there are several things you can do to prepare your property for a hurricane. Failing to get your home or commercial building adequately prepared for high-force winds, rain, and falling debris can seriously damage your property and cost thousands.
At SERVPRO North Richland Hills, we’ve been helping people clean up disasters and restore their buildings to clean, safe conditions. Give us a call today at (817) 589-1499 for a free estimate on our storm and Water Damage Restoration Services.
Preparing for a Hurricane
Step #1: Stock Your Emergency Kit
If you haven’t yet, get your emergency kit stocked with the essentials. Include:
- Drinking water
- Flashlights
- Non-perishable foods
- First-aid supplies
- Extra batteries/external battery pack
- Phone chargers
- A radio
- Several days worth of medication for each family member
Step #2: Devise Your Emergency Plan
When a hurricane hits, where will everyone go? Who’s in charge of the pets? Make sure you devise a plan, so everyone in the family knows what to do, where to go, and when.
Step #3: Secure Important Documents
Collect and secure your important documents, such as:
- Birth certificates
- IDs and passports
- Marriage licenses
- Deeds
- Insurance policies
- Mortgage statements
- Medical files
Also, consider gathering and securing family heirlooms and other valuables such as jewelry or antiques. Store everything in a safety deposit box or a fire and water-proof safe.
Be sure to include in your emergency plan the steps you’ll take to move your valuables and who’s job that is if a hurricane strikes.
Step #4: Check-in with the Emergency Management Agency
Know where to go if the area gets evacuated. The American Red Cross offers a free app you can download to keep informed and connected with your loved ones during a natural disaster. FEMA also has an app with information on free resources you can use if a hurricane hits Fort Worth.
Step #5: Secure Your Building
Hurricane-force winds can knock down gutters and blow loose items around your yard, damaging your house and even shattering windows and glass doors. So, remove loose furniture, ornaments, and other items from your yard and store them in a secure place.
Do a last-minute check of your gutters and remove debris that could become water-logged and tear away from the house during a storm.
We’re Ready 24/7 When Disaster Strikes.
Hurricanes move fast, and usually, you have between 24 to 36 hours to get ready before the storm makes landfall. That’s not the time to be heading to the store, securing your valuables, and devising your emergency plan. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best, and do it long before a hurricane starts forming.
At SERVPRO Fort Worth, we’re faster to any size disaster. Hurricanes can cause severe wind damage and flooding to your commercial building or home. We’re ready and available 24/7 to clean the mess, fix the damage, and restore your property to its former condition.
Contact us online or call us at (817) 589-1499 for a free consultation.
4 Fire-Safety Tips for Preventing Holiday Fires
7/8/2021 (Permalink)
Has your property been damaged in a fire? At SERVPRO Richardson, our Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration experts are always here and happy to help, 24/7
Nothing says Happy Holidays like a festive fireworks display, cozy hearth, or colorful Christmas tree. If you're looking to get into the holiday spirit, you want to do it safely. Here are our top tips for preventing holiday fires.
Has your property been damaged in a fire? At SERVPRO Richardson, our Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration experts are always here and happy to help, 24/7. Give us a call at (972) 690-1414 for a free estimate.
Fireworks Safety
Fireworks are a staple for New Years' and Independence Day celebrations. If you'll be lighting fireworks at home, keep those tips in mind for fire safety:
- Choose a location far away from buildings, brush, and trees
- Be sure that pets and children stand back from the fireworks
- Keep a supply of water or a fire extinguisher nearby
If there's a drought, consider doing something else to celebrate that doesn't involve a flame. A stray spark landing on parched grass and leaves can get out of control fast.
Fireplaces
Nothing illuminates the gloom of long, winter days and nights like a lighted hearth. Keep these fire safety tips in mind for fireplaces:
- Get the fireplace and chimney inspected
- Keep flammable items at least three feet away from open flames
- Install a fire screen to keep embers and sparks where they belong
- Be sure to extinguish all embers before leaving or going to bed
Also, refrain from burning wrapping paper in the fireplace. These items burn quickly and intensely and can start a flash fire. Only burn seasoned wood in the fireplace.
Christmas Trees
If you prefer a real tree, be sure to water it every day. Dry needles and wood can quickly spark and become an out-of-control house fire.
Do not plug in more than three light strings to each other. Use a power strip and throw out broken or old light strings. Never leave the lights on if no one will be home.
Candles
Keep all flammable items, such as curtains or holiday decor, at least three feet away from an open candle flame. Put the candles on non-flammable surfaces. And be sure to include a tray or aluminum foil-lined dish underneath that will collect the wax.
Keep the candles out of reach of curious pets and small children, and do not leave a burning candle unattended.
Preventing Electrical Fires
Faulty wiring causes an estimated 51,000 fires every year. Keep these holiday fire safety tips in mind to prevent a devastating electrical fire:
- Always use extension cords for their intended use
- Plug outdoor lights into circuits protected with GFCIs
- Secure outdoor lights to supports that keep them from blowing in high winds
- Keep extension cords free of snow and water
- Do not pinch extension cords in doorways or windows
- Turn off all holiday light decorations when leaving
- Stay at least 10 feet away from power lines when hanging holiday decorations
- Don't overload the outlet with too many decorations
Fire Damage and Restoration: We're Here 24/7
A stray spark can quickly become a raging fire in a matter of minutes. At SERVPRO Richardson, we've been cleaning and restoring fire-damaged buildings for decades. We're here 24/7 for your damage and restoration needs.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
Business Interruption Insurance in Fort Worth, TX: What You Need to Know
7/2/2021 (Permalink)
Business interruption insurance covers you from financial losses incurred during, well, a business interruption.
Insurance from natural disasters, fires, and floods should be enough to protect your commercial property from monetary losses fully, right? But unfortunately, commercial property insurance isn’t always the most robust safety net.
What about the money you’d lose while you wait to get back on your feet and operations running again? That’s where business interruption insurance comes in.
Business interruption insurance covers you from financial losses incurred during, well, a business interruption. So, for example, while commercial property insurance would pay for roof repairs from hurricane damage, it wouldn’t cover the money you'd lose waiting for the roof to get repaired.
That’s where business interruption insurance comes in.
Here's what else you need to know about business interruption insurance in Fort Worth, TX.
How Business Interruption Insurance Protects Your Fort Worth Company
Commercial property insurance pays out claims for direct damage to your property. Say your business was flooded, and you have damaged equipment that needs replacing. The insurer would cover the costs of replacing the equipment. But the policy wouldn’t cover your losses from waiting for that equipment to arrive and employees to learn how it works and operate it.
While it’s essential to carry a commercial property insurance policy, this type of insurance wouldn’t help you recover losses from interruptions to your operations.
Business interruption insurance would protect you from these types of financial setbacks:
- It covers profits you’d have earned during a temporary closure
- Pays for operating expenses (wages, utilities, maintenance, repairs, etc.)
- Covers training costs for staff that need to learn how to use replaced equipment
Also, business interruption insurance in Fort Worth protects your finances from disruptions that aren’t the result of property damage. For example, a business interruption policy would pay for your operating expenses and profits lost from forced closures, like street closures from public events or evacuations from natural disasters.
How Long Does Business Interruption Insurance Last?
This particular type of insurance policy is not meant to cover long-term financial losses. Usually, a business interruption policy lasts for a few weeks or months. The policy is intended to help businesses weather a temporary interruption and isn't designed to carry a company during an economic downturn.
What’s Typically Covered in a Business Interruption Policy?
Most business interruption insurance policies cover the following financial losses:
- Losses from sudden, personal incapacitation
- Losses from unforeseen natural disasters or local government mandates (e.g., flood and fire damage, storms, road closures)
- Monetary losses from theft or vandalism
- Disruptions from technological failures
Unlike other types of commercial property insurance, business interruption insurance doesn’t insure tangible goods. Therefore, for an accurate assessment of potential losses due to business interruptions, you’ll need a firm and quantifiable grasp of how much your company earns.
Fully Protect Your Commercial Property and Business From the Unforeseen
A robust business owner's policy that includes coverage for business operations can fully protect your company from financial setbacks due to disasters and forced closures.
At SERVPRO North Richland Hills, we’ve been helping commercial property owners restore their buildings to pristine, safe conditions after fires, floods, and storms. If your business has been damaged, contact us today or call us at (817) 985-4815 for a free estimate on our Damage Restoration Services.
Business Interruption Insurance in Fort Worth, TX: What You Need to Know
7/2/2021 (Permalink)
Business interruption insurance covers you from financial losses incurred during, well, a business interruption.
Insurance from natural disasters, fires, and floods should be enough to protect your commercial property from monetary losses fully, right? But unfortunately, commercial property insurance isn’t always the most robust safety net.
What about the money you’d lose while you wait to get back on your feet and operations running again? That’s where business interruption insurance comes in.
Business interruption insurance covers you from financial losses incurred during, well, a business interruption. So, for example, while commercial property insurance would pay for roof repairs from hurricane damage, it wouldn’t cover the money you'd lose waiting for the roof to get repaired.
That’s where business interruption insurance comes in.
Here's what else you need to know about business interruption insurance in Fort Worth, TX.
How Business Interruption Insurance Protects Your Fort Worth Company
Commercial property insurance pays out claims for direct damage to your property. Say your business was flooded, and you have damaged equipment that needs replacing. The insurer would cover the costs of replacing the equipment. But the policy wouldn’t cover your losses from waiting for that equipment to arrive and employees to learn how it works and operate it.
While it’s essential to carry a commercial property insurance policy, this type of insurance wouldn’t help you recover losses from interruptions to your operations.
Business interruption insurance would protect you from these types of financial setbacks:
- It covers profits you’d have earned during a temporary closure
- Pays for operating expenses (wages, utilities, maintenance, repairs, etc.)
- Covers training costs for staff that need to learn how to use replaced equipment
Also, business interruption insurance in Fort Worth protects your finances from disruptions that aren’t the result of property damage. For example, a business interruption policy would pay for your operating expenses and profits lost from forced closures, like street closures from public events or evacuations from natural disasters.
How Long Does Business Interruption Insurance Last?
This particular type of insurance policy is not meant to cover long-term financial losses. Usually, a business interruption policy lasts for a few weeks or months. The policy is intended to help businesses weather a temporary interruption and isn't designed to carry a company during an economic downturn.
What’s Typically Covered in a Business Interruption Policy?
Most business interruption insurance policies cover the following financial losses:
- Losses from sudden, personal incapacitation
- Losses from unforeseen natural disasters or local government mandates (e.g., flood and fire damage, storms, road closures)
- Monetary losses from theft or vandalism
- Disruptions from technological failures
Unlike other types of commercial property insurance, business interruption insurance doesn’t insure tangible goods. Therefore, for an accurate assessment of potential losses due to business interruptions, you’ll need a firm and quantifiable grasp of how much your company earns.
Fully Protect Your Commercial Property and Business From the Unforeseen
A robust business owner's policy that includes coverage for business operations can fully protect your company from financial setbacks due to disasters and forced closures.
At SERVPRO North Richland Hills, we’ve been helping commercial property owners restore their buildings to pristine, safe conditions after fires, floods, and storms. If your business has been damaged, contact us today or call us at (817) 985-4815 for a free estimate on our Damage Restoration Services.
Hurricane Categories and Disaster Restoration in Fort Worth
6/28/2021 (Permalink)
If your home or commercial building sustains water damage during hurricane-induced flooding, we’re here to help.
Fortunately, Fort Worth is in a low-risk zone for hurricanes, but they do still occur. Knowing the different hurricane categories can inform your disaster restoration needs.
At SERVPRO in North Richland Hills, we’ve been restoring flood and hurricane-damaged properties in the area for decades. Contact us today at (817) 589-1499 for a free estimate on our disaster restoration services.
How are Hurricanes Categorized?
In 1971, civil engineer Herbert Saffir and meteorologist Robert Simpson developed the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. The scale acts as a rating system and establishes five categories of hurricane strength based on sustained wind speed.
How is the Saffir-Simpson Scale used?
Meteorologists use the scale to estimate how much impact the hurricane will have on a given area and the type of damage likely to occur from it. The rating system gives meteorologists examples of damage that can occur from different wind intensities.
Do the Different Hurricane Categories Estimate Flood Damage?
The Saffir-Simpson Scale only estimates damage from wind intensity. The hurricane categories do not assess things like flood damage or storm surges.
What the Hurricane Categories Mean
Category 1 Hurricanes
A Category 1 hurricane has wind speeds between 74 and 95 mph and will cause minor damage to roofs, gutters, and siding of frame houses. Small trees can be uprooted, and tree branches snapped.
Power outages are also common in this hurricane category. Falling debris can lead to injuries, and unanchored mobile homes are at risk of toppling. Coastal flooding is also a risk in Category 1 hurricanes.
Category 2 Hurricanes
In a category 2 hurricane, all the damage present in a Category 1 hurricane applies, but the damage is more extensive. Serious injury is also a risk, and flooding in low-lying areas is likely to occur.
Category 3 Hurricanes
Wind speeds measure 111 to 129 mph, with significant property damage and injuries to people and animals present in a Category 3 hurricane. Sometimes, a total loss of power for several weeks can result. Safe drinking water is often hard to find, and available water is usually contaminated after these storms hit.
Category 4 Hurricanes
Even homes built to withstand a hurricane can be severely damaged in a Category 4 storm. Category 4 hurricanes have wind speeds from 130 to 156 mph. Significant flooding, water damage, power outages, and road blockages are commonplace in Category 4. Mobile homes and poorly built structures can collapse.
Category 5 Hurricanes
These storms are the most powerful and destructive on the Saffir-Simpson scale. In a Category 5 storm, wind speeds are 157 mph or above. Significant life loss and property damage often result in a Category 5 hurricane.
Roofs fail, and walls collapse, with most buildings entirely destroyed. Water shortages and power outages can last for months after the storm passes.
Hurricane Disaster Restoration
Even a Category 1 hurricane can result in severe damage and flooding to structures. If your home or commercial building sustains water damage during hurricane-induced flooding, we’re here to help.
Contact us 24/7 for a free estimate on our hurricane disaster restoration services.
Hurricane Categories and Disaster Restoration in Fort Worth
6/28/2021 (Permalink)
If your home or commercial building sustains water damage during hurricane-induced flooding, we’re here to help.
Fortunately, Fort Worth is in a low-risk zone for hurricanes, but they do still occur. Knowing the different hurricane categories can inform your disaster restoration needs.
At SERVPRO in North Richland Hills, we’ve been restoring flood and hurricane-damaged properties in the area for decades. Contact us today at (817) 589-1499 for a free estimate on our disaster restoration services.
How are Hurricanes Categorized?
In 1971, civil engineer Herbert Saffir and meteorologist Robert Simpson developed the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. The scale acts as a rating system and establishes five categories of hurricane strength based on sustained wind speed.
How is the Saffir-Simpson Scale used?
Meteorologists use the scale to estimate how much impact the hurricane will have on a given area and the type of damage likely to occur from it. The rating system gives meteorologists examples of damage that can occur from different wind intensities.
Do the Different Hurricane Categories Estimate Flood Damage?
The Saffir-Simpson Scale only estimates damage from wind intensity. The hurricane categories do not assess things like flood damage or storm surges.
What the Hurricane Categories Mean
Category 1 Hurricanes
A Category 1 hurricane has wind speeds between 74 and 95 mph and will cause minor damage to roofs, gutters, and siding of frame houses. Small trees can be uprooted, and tree branches snapped.
Power outages are also common in this hurricane category. Falling debris can lead to injuries, and unanchored mobile homes are at risk of toppling. Coastal flooding is also a risk in Category 1 hurricanes.
Category 2 Hurricanes
In a category 2 hurricane, all the damage present in a Category 1 hurricane applies, but the damage is more extensive. Serious injury is also a risk, and flooding in low-lying areas is likely to occur.
Category 3 Hurricanes
Wind speeds measure 111 to 129 mph, with significant property damage and injuries to people and animals present in a Category 3 hurricane. Sometimes, a total loss of power for several weeks can result. Safe drinking water is often hard to find, and available water is usually contaminated after these storms hit.
Category 4 Hurricanes
Even homes built to withstand a hurricane can be severely damaged in a Category 4 storm. Category 4 hurricanes have wind speeds from 130 to 156 mph. Significant flooding, water damage, power outages, and road blockages are commonplace in Category 4. Mobile homes and poorly built structures can collapse.
Category 5 Hurricanes
These storms are the most powerful and destructive on the Saffir-Simpson scale. In a Category 5 storm, wind speeds are 157 mph or above. Significant life loss and property damage often result in a Category 5 hurricane.
Roofs fail, and walls collapse, with most buildings entirely destroyed. Water shortages and power outages can last for months after the storm passes.
Hurricane Disaster Restoration
Even a Category 1 hurricane can result in severe damage and flooding to structures. If your home or commercial building sustains water damage during hurricane-induced flooding, we’re here to help.
Contact us 24/7 for a free estimate on our hurricane disaster restoration services.
Commercial Air Duct Cleaning in Fort Worth
6/24/2021 (Permalink)
Our Commercial Air Duct Cleaning Services are available 24/7.
The average person spends 90% of their time indoors. Unfortunately, harmful contaminants in indoor air can be 5X higher than in outdoor air. For commercial building managers and owners, ensuring a clean and safe environment is a top priority.
It’s one of our top priorities, too. At SERVPRO North Richland Hills, we’ve been leveling up the indoor air quality of Fort Worth businesses for many years. Our Commercial Air Duct Cleaning Services are available 24/7.
Give us a call today at (817) 985-4815 for a free estimate.
Why Poor Indoor Air Quality is a Serious Health Issue
Your HVAC system works hard all day and year-round to keep your building a comfortable environment for customers and employees. Unfortunately, dirty air ducts can wreck the party and spoil the atmosphere.
Air ducts can trap many contaminants and irritants. When the HVAC is running, dirty air ducts move pollutants around the building, kicking up allergy-inducing dust, pollen, dander, and unpleasant odors.
Indoor air pollutants and particulate matter can cause the following:
- Itchy eyes, nose, and scratchy throat
- Coughing, sneezing, watery eyes
- Headaches, dizziness, and fatigue
For occupants with asthma, unclean air ducts that move pollutants around the building can trigger attacks.
To prevent health effects and keep occupants safe and comfortable, we recommend Commercial Air Duct Cleaning Services for your Fort Worth building every three years. For facilities where occupants smoke inside or house pets, we recommend more frequent cleanings.
What if Your Building is Being Restored?
If your building has been damaged in a fire or a flood, we highly recommend air duct cleaning as well.
Smoke particulates and mold from water damage can become trapped inside the air ducts. Turn those on once you’re open for business, and you’re inadvertently pumping harmful contaminants into the building and people’s airways.
While you’ll want to conduct a regular, routine air duct cleaning about every three years, you’ll need to clean the air ducts after damage occurs.
If your building is undergoing mold remediation, we also recommend additional air duct cleaning. Mold spores hang out in air ducts and use them to travel throughout your building.
How Long Does Commercial Air Duct Cleaning Take?
For extensive damage from fires or flooding, commercial air duct cleaning can take several days. In these cases, the HVAC system can not be turned on until fire and flood damage are remediated. In mold infestation cases, air duct cleaning typically takes one day.
We’re available 24/7
We understand that cash flow is a top priority for our commercial partners. Our SERVPRO North Richland Hills Air Duct Cleaning Services are designed to work around your schedule, so you can continue operations.
We’re available:
- Overnight
- Weekends
- Holidays
- 24/7
Is Your Facility Due for Commercial Air Duct Cleaning?
Servicing your air duct units will result in a cleaner environment and healthier indoor air, among other benefits:
- Improves energy efficiency
- Reduces and prevents mold growth
- Eliminates offensive odors
Call us anytime, day or night, at (817) 985-4815 for a free estimate on your commercial air duct cleaning.
Commercial Air Duct Cleaning in Fort Worth
6/24/2021 (Permalink)
Our Commercial Air Duct Cleaning Services are available 24/7.
The average person spends 90% of their time indoors. Unfortunately, harmful contaminants in indoor air can be 5X higher than in outdoor air. For commercial building managers and owners, ensuring a clean and safe environment is a top priority.
It’s one of our top priorities, too. At SERVPRO North Richland Hills, we’ve been leveling up the indoor air quality of Fort Worth businesses for many years. Our Commercial Air Duct Cleaning Services are available 24/7.
Give us a call today at (817) 985-4815 for a free estimate.
Why Poor Indoor Air Quality is a Serious Health Issue
Your HVAC system works hard all day and year-round to keep your building a comfortable environment for customers and employees. Unfortunately, dirty air ducts can wreck the party and spoil the atmosphere.
Air ducts can trap many contaminants and irritants. When the HVAC is running, dirty air ducts move pollutants around the building, kicking up allergy-inducing dust, pollen, dander, and unpleasant odors.
Indoor air pollutants and particulate matter can cause the following:
- Itchy eyes, nose, and scratchy throat
- Coughing, sneezing, watery eyes
- Headaches, dizziness, and fatigue
For occupants with asthma, unclean air ducts that move pollutants around the building can trigger attacks.
To prevent health effects and keep occupants safe and comfortable, we recommend Commercial Air Duct Cleaning Services for your Fort Worth building every three years. For facilities where occupants smoke inside or house pets, we recommend more frequent cleanings.
What if Your Building is Being Restored?
If your building has been damaged in a fire or a flood, we highly recommend air duct cleaning as well.
Smoke particulates and mold from water damage can become trapped inside the air ducts. Turn those on once you’re open for business, and you’re inadvertently pumping harmful contaminants into the building and people’s airways.
While you’ll want to conduct a regular, routine air duct cleaning about every three years, you’ll need to clean the air ducts after damage occurs.
If your building is undergoing mold remediation, we also recommend additional air duct cleaning. Mold spores hang out in air ducts and use them to travel throughout your building.
How Long Does Commercial Air Duct Cleaning Take?
For extensive damage from fires or flooding, commercial air duct cleaning can take several days. In these cases, the HVAC system can not be turned on until fire and flood damage are remediated. In mold infestation cases, air duct cleaning typically takes one day.
We’re available 24/7
We understand that cash flow is a top priority for our commercial partners. Our SERVPRO North Richland Hills Air Duct Cleaning Services are designed to work around your schedule, so you can continue operations.
We’re available:
- Overnight
- Weekends
- Holidays
- 24/7
Is Your Facility Due for Commercial Air Duct Cleaning?
Servicing your air duct units will result in a cleaner environment and healthier indoor air, among other benefits:
- Improves energy efficiency
- Reduces and prevents mold growth
- Eliminates offensive odors
Call us anytime, day or night, at (817) 985-4815 for a free estimate on your commercial air duct cleaning.
SERVPRO Specializes in Fort Worth Commercial Restoration and Reconstruction
4/5/2021 (Permalink)
Our team of professionals at SERVPRO of Fort Worth is here to support you in your commercial restoration and reconstruction project.
Any disruption of business comes at a cost. For every hour your business is shut down because of damage to your facilities, you lose revenue and your workers lose hourly pay. Fort Worth SERVPRO understands how every precious second counts until your operations are stabilized. We leverage our decades of experience to get Fort Worth’s businesses up and running as soon as possible.
One way we save time and costs is to have one team handle various aspects of the recovery. Rather than hire several contractors and commercial services (which you will need to keep track of), hire just one commercial restoration and reconstruction company to handle it all!
Comprehensive Cleaning
Even if you have a cleaning staff, that’s not always enough to cope with emergency cleanup. Cleaning crews are limited on what they can do for a number of reasons such as set work hours, being unqualified to handle biohazard waste, etc.
In many cases, we can clean your facility from floor-to-ceiling in a fraction of the time than your cleaning crew. You need your cleaning staff for maintenance, but we’re here to support you for those urgent matters that may arise from time to time.
We clean all surfaces (floors, walls, and everything in between), HVAC systems, and perform mold remediation, and attend to COVID-19 exposure. Our goal is to leave it better than how we found it.
Water Restoration
We use water to clean our hands, dishes, bathrooms, and so much more, but water does make a huge mess sometimes. Our team of water damage specialists know how to quickly assess a water damage situation and come up with the most efficient attack plan.
Water damage emergency management starts with finding the source of the problem. We work tirelessly to make sure no more water gets in to cause further damage. Next, we use high-powered extraction equipment to get every ounce of water out of your facility. We use forceful equipment and advanced drying techniques to rid your pace of any moisture.
We restore your facility to preloss condition be it a replacement of carpet, cleaning of soft goods in our Esporta wash system, or a reconstruction of construction material too soaked to save.
Among our very top priorities is making sure your facility is free of toxic mold. Mold begins to colonize within the first 48 hours of a flooding event, so we get to work to remove moisture so mold doesn’t have a chance to take root.
Fire Restoration
Fires are rare, but they come on unexpectedly and can decimate a structure in under an hour. Whether it’s a little bit of damage or a lot, fire damage restoration Fort Worth works best when a team of professionals can respond.
We work to remove all damaged objects and materials from the facility. Soot and smoke damage are removed from all surfaces with industrial-grade cleaners to remove all damage from the environment. We replace what can’t be salvaged with brand new materials through commercial reconstruction.
Storms and Major Events
Many storms blow through North Texas, especially during the summer months. SERVPRO is ready to respond immediately to disasters caused by strong winds, flooding, tornadoes, and the rarer fire by lightning strike. Commercial water damage restoration and fire damage restoration action steps will be provided accordingly.
Contact SERVPRO For Your Commercial Property Restoration Needs
Whether it’s a one-time emergency or an ongoing issue, SERVPRO of Fort Worth is here to support our local businesses (read our testimonials). We work around the clock to work around your schedule to minimize interruption. Call us 24 hours a day, 365 days per year with your questions, or for a free estimate at (817) 589-1499.
Fort Worth Commercial Property Damage Restoration After Water Damages
4/5/2021 (Permalink)
When your commercial property floods, call the experts at SERVPRO of Fort Worth to get your business back to normal ASAP.
Every day you walk into a clean and dry workspace, but sometimes mishaps and emergencies happen that have you asking, “Where did we put the yellow caution signs?” Fort Worth SERVPRO is here to clean up after any flooding or water damage event whether it’s from a plumbing problem or a natural disaster.
We understand that disruption of your operations easily leads to revenue loss. That’s why we’re always available to support businesses in Fort Worth, Texas get back to normal as soon as possible. Our team of IICRC Certified Technicians is on standby around the clock, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Fully Equipped
Buckets and mops can only handle so much. SERVPRO steps in with the best tools in the industry to make the space clean and dry faster and more thoroughly than can be done with consumer-grade supplies.
Step 1: Locate the Source of the Water Damage
If the source of the water damage has not yet been resolved, we are prepared to mitigate any further damage by solving the issue on the spot. We must make sure the water source is contained before we proceed with cleaning.
Being a full-service restoration team, we can do many repairs to plumbing, appliances, and other water systems.
Step 2: Remove the Water
We evict gallons of water from your facility in no time by using powerful submersible pumps along with industrial-strength wet vacuums. Also at our disposal are truck-mounted and portable extraction units.
When the area is carpeted, we inspect it to see if it can be saved with our thorough drying process or if it needs to be replaced. The more carpet is soaked, the more likely it is that it should be replaced (especially when the padding is drenched). If not, mold and bacteria will move in and make your floors unsanitary.
Step 3: Complete Drying
Using high-powered fans and scientifically-proven drying techniques we make sure every ounce of moisture is eradicated. This is how we prevent secondary damage and stop mold from taking root. The last thing property owners want to deal with is ongoing mold and mildew problems.
To treat the space for lingering moisture, we use desiccants, moisture detectors, hygrometers, and other meters. We look for “hidden” water behind walls and ceilings with the aid of infrared cameras.
Step 4: Cleaning
Just because an area is completely dry doesn’t mean that it’s clean. We use EPA-registered industrial cleaners to disinfect and deodorize the entire affected area.
We’ll also monitor for biohazardous material that may have entered the premises by way of storm waters. We have the expertise and the appropriate personal protective equipment needed to approach hazardous waste so that you won’t have to.
As for fabrics such as drapes or furniture, we restore these to preloss condition using our upholstery cleaning expertise. Our Esporta Wash System is state of the art and cleans all soft goods to food-grade cleanliness.
Step 5: Reconstruction
Our goal with any job site is to make it, “Like it never even happened.” To save you money and the pain of loss, we work tirelessly to restore rather than replace, but sometimes materials are too warped or contaminated to salvage. No need to hire a contractor as our reconstruction team will replace construction and flooring with the closest matching materials available.
Call SERVPRO When Your Facility Floods
SERVPRO is here to support your business and get you back to normal ASAP with our full-service commercial Fort Worth water damage restoration services. We work around your schedule so you have minimal downtime. We even work directly with your insurance company on your behalf. Save our number and call us at (817) 589-1499 when you have a water damage emergency.
24/7 Emergency Water Damage Restoration Services in Fort Worth
4/5/2021 (Permalink)
Recieve 24/7 service with our Fort Worth team of experienced professionals. We will restore and repair water damage so you're back to normal ASAP!
Being in the restoration business for over 30 years, we’ve seen every kind of water damage you can imagine. Any space can become flooded within minutes, and there is only so much recovery you can do with a mop and bucket.
If you encounter water damage to your property we have one very important piece of advice: act quickly. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that secondary damage will develop such as toxic mold growth.
Your Fort Worth SERVPRO is here to restore any size property to its original clean and dry condition.
Water Damage Timeline
How soon does damage happen after contact with water and moisture? It progresses faster than you may think.
Within The First Few Minutes
Water rushes through the space and rapidly saturates everything. Walls, flooring, upholstery, photos, documents, and personal belongings are now soaked and incur minor to severe damage.
Within 24 Hours
Water seems harmless most of the time, but it can severely damage things within a 24-hour cycle.
- Construction materials like drywall swell and deteriorate.
- Metal surfaces and electronics are altered.
- Wooden furniture swells and may crack.
- Dyes and inks on cloth or paper bleed and stain.
Between 48 Hours & 1 Week
The longer water saturates materials, the more damage incurs.
- Mold and mildew disseminate and cause a musty odor and reduced air quality.
- Wooden structures such as doors, window frames, and wall studs begin to swell and warp.
- Corrosion develops on metals and electronics. Furniture progresses with warping and mold growth.
- Wood flooring becomes misshapen with swelling and warping. Paint blisters and peels.
- If the water has mixed with biohazardous material, the contamination worsens to make the living environment increasingly toxic.
In Excess of One Week
The extent of damage has now multiplied and restoration time and costs are likely to be significant as compared to the first day of the water damage event. In many cases, the environment is no longer structurally safe or healthy to dwell in.
Full-Service Restoration
SERVPRO’s Fort Worth water damage restoration process is all-inclusive, including reconstruction (when necessary). Our goal is always to make it, “Like it never even happened.”
While no two property damage scenarios are alike, our team of IICRC Certified Technicians applies the same steps consistently to ensure we don’t miss a single detail of water damage recovery.
Our 6-Step Water Damage Restoration Process
Click each of the links below for details about each step of our comprehensive water damage recovery process.
Step 1: Emergency Contact
Step 2: Inspection and Damage Assessment
Step 3: Water Removal/Water Extraction
Step 4: Drying and Dehumidification
Step 5: Cleaning and Sanitizing
Step 6: Restoration
Don’t Delay, Call SERVPRO of Fort Worth Today
Property owners in Fort Worth, Texas should know that the longer they wait to address water damage, the more costly it will be. If you wait several days you’ll have significant damage on your hands, and when you turn to your insurance company for help, they may deny your claim because you allowed secondary damage to happen.
SERVPRO works directly with your insurance company on your behalf to ensure that the recovery process is smooth and hassle-free. Call us at (817) 589-1499 with any questions you have and for free pricing.
SERVPRO Specializes in Fort Worth Commercial Restoration and Reconstruction
4/5/2021 (Permalink)
Our team of professionals at SERVPRO of Fort Worth is here to support you in your commercial restoration and reconstruction project.
Any disruption of business comes at a cost. For every hour your business is shut down because of damage to your facilities, you lose revenue and your workers lose hourly pay. Fort Worth SERVPRO understands how every precious second counts until your operations are stabilized. We leverage our decades of experience to get Fort Worth’s businesses up and running as soon as possible.
One way we save time and costs is to have one team handle various aspects of the recovery. Rather than hire several contractors and commercial services (which you will need to keep track of), hire just one commercial restoration and reconstruction company to handle it all!
Comprehensive Cleaning
Even if you have a cleaning staff, that’s not always enough to cope with emergency cleanup. Cleaning crews are limited on what they can do for a number of reasons such as set work hours, being unqualified to handle biohazard waste, etc.
In many cases, we can clean your facility from floor-to-ceiling in a fraction of the time than your cleaning crew. You need your cleaning staff for maintenance, but we’re here to support you for those urgent matters that may arise from time to time.
We clean all surfaces (floors, walls, and everything in between), HVAC systems, and perform mold remediation, and attend to COVID-19 exposure. Our goal is to leave it better than how we found it.
Water Restoration
We use water to clean our hands, dishes, bathrooms, and so much more, but water does make a huge mess sometimes. Our team of water damage specialists know how to quickly assess a water damage situation and come up with the most efficient attack plan.
Water damage emergency management starts with finding the source of the problem. We work tirelessly to make sure no more water gets in to cause further damage. Next, we use high-powered extraction equipment to get every ounce of water out of your facility. We use forceful equipment and advanced drying techniques to rid your pace of any moisture.
We restore your facility to preloss condition be it a replacement of carpet, cleaning of soft goods in our Esporta wash system, or a reconstruction of construction material too soaked to save.
Among our very top priorities is making sure your facility is free of toxic mold. Mold begins to colonize within the first 48 hours of a flooding event, so we get to work to remove moisture so mold doesn’t have a chance to take root.
Fire Restoration
Fires are rare, but they come on unexpectedly and can decimate a structure in under an hour. Whether it’s a little bit of damage or a lot, fire damage restoration Fort Worth works best when a team of professionals can respond.
We work to remove all damaged objects and materials from the facility. Soot and smoke damage are removed from all surfaces with industrial-grade cleaners to remove all damage from the environment. We replace what can’t be salvaged with brand new materials through commercial reconstruction.
Storms and Major Events
Many storms blow through North Texas, especially during the summer months. SERVPRO is ready to respond immediately to disasters caused by strong winds, flooding, tornadoes, and the rarer fire by lightning strike. Commercial water damage restoration and fire damage restoration action steps will be provided accordingly.
Contact SERVPRO For Your Commercial Property Restoration Needs
Whether it’s a one-time emergency or an ongoing issue, SERVPRO of Fort Worth is here to support our local businesses (read our testimonials). We work around the clock to work around your schedule to minimize interruption. Call us 24 hours a day, 365 days per year with your questions, or for a free estimate at (817) 589-1499.
Fort Worth Commercial Property Damage Restoration After Water Damages
4/5/2021 (Permalink)
When your commercial property floods, call the experts at SERVPRO of Fort Worth to get your business back to normal ASAP.
Every day you walk into a clean and dry workspace, but sometimes mishaps and emergencies happen that have you asking, “Where did we put the yellow caution signs?” Fort Worth SERVPRO is here to clean up after any flooding or water damage event whether it’s from a plumbing problem or a natural disaster.
We understand that disruption of your operations easily leads to revenue loss. That’s why we’re always available to support businesses in Fort Worth, Texas get back to normal as soon as possible. Our team of IICRC Certified Technicians is on standby around the clock, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Fully Equipped
Buckets and mops can only handle so much. SERVPRO steps in with the best tools in the industry to make the space clean and dry faster and more thoroughly than can be done with consumer-grade supplies.
Step 1: Locate the Source of the Water Damage
If the source of the water damage has not yet been resolved, we are prepared to mitigate any further damage by solving the issue on the spot. We must make sure the water source is contained before we proceed with cleaning.
Being a full-service restoration team, we can do many repairs to plumbing, appliances, and other water systems.
Step 2: Remove the Water
We evict gallons of water from your facility in no time by using powerful submersible pumps along with industrial-strength wet vacuums. Also at our disposal are truck-mounted and portable extraction units.
When the area is carpeted, we inspect it to see if it can be saved with our thorough drying process or if it needs to be replaced. The more carpet is soaked, the more likely it is that it should be replaced (especially when the padding is drenched). If not, mold and bacteria will move in and make your floors unsanitary.
Step 3: Complete Drying
Using high-powered fans and scientifically-proven drying techniques we make sure every ounce of moisture is eradicated. This is how we prevent secondary damage and stop mold from taking root. The last thing property owners want to deal with is ongoing mold and mildew problems.
To treat the space for lingering moisture, we use desiccants, moisture detectors, hygrometers, and other meters. We look for “hidden” water behind walls and ceilings with the aid of infrared cameras.
Step 4: Cleaning
Just because an area is completely dry doesn’t mean that it’s clean. We use EPA-registered industrial cleaners to disinfect and deodorize the entire affected area.
We’ll also monitor for biohazardous material that may have entered the premises by way of storm waters. We have the expertise and the appropriate personal protective equipment needed to approach hazardous waste so that you won’t have to.
As for fabrics such as drapes or furniture, we restore these to preloss condition using our upholstery cleaning expertise. Our Esporta Wash System is state of the art and cleans all soft goods to food-grade cleanliness.
Step 5: Reconstruction
Our goal with any job site is to make it, “Like it never even happened.” To save you money and the pain of loss, we work tirelessly to restore rather than replace, but sometimes materials are too warped or contaminated to salvage. No need to hire a contractor as our reconstruction team will replace construction and flooring with the closest matching materials available.
Call SERVPRO When Your Facility Floods
SERVPRO is here to support your business and get you back to normal ASAP with our full-service commercial Fort Worth water damage restoration services. We work around your schedule so you have minimal downtime. We even work directly with your insurance company on your behalf. Save our number and call us at (817) 589-1499 when you have a water damage emergency.
24/7 Emergency Water Damage Restoration Services in Fort Worth
4/5/2021 (Permalink)
Recieve 24/7 service with our Fort Worth team of experienced professionals. We will restore and repair water damage so you're back to normal ASAP!
Being in the restoration business for over 30 years, we’ve seen every kind of water damage you can imagine. Any space can become flooded within minutes, and there is only so much recovery you can do with a mop and bucket.
If you encounter water damage to your property we have one very important piece of advice: act quickly. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that secondary damage will develop such as toxic mold growth.
Your Fort Worth SERVPRO is here to restore any size property to its original clean and dry condition.
Water Damage Timeline
How soon does damage happen after contact with water and moisture? It progresses faster than you may think.
Within The First Few Minutes
Water rushes through the space and rapidly saturates everything. Walls, flooring, upholstery, photos, documents, and personal belongings are now soaked and incur minor to severe damage.
Within 24 Hours
Water seems harmless most of the time, but it can severely damage things within a 24-hour cycle.
- Construction materials like drywall swell and deteriorate.
- Metal surfaces and electronics are altered.
- Wooden furniture swells and may crack.
- Dyes and inks on cloth or paper bleed and stain.
Between 48 Hours & 1 Week
The longer water saturates materials, the more damage incurs.
- Mold and mildew disseminate and cause a musty odor and reduced air quality.
- Wooden structures such as doors, window frames, and wall studs begin to swell and warp.
- Corrosion develops on metals and electronics. Furniture progresses with warping and mold growth.
- Wood flooring becomes misshapen with swelling and warping. Paint blisters and peels.
- If the water has mixed with biohazardous material, the contamination worsens to make the living environment increasingly toxic.
In Excess of One Week
The extent of damage has now multiplied and restoration time and costs are likely to be significant as compared to the first day of the water damage event. In many cases, the environment is no longer structurally safe or healthy to dwell in.
Full-Service Restoration
SERVPRO’s Fort Worth water damage restoration process is all-inclusive, including reconstruction (when necessary). Our goal is always to make it, “Like it never even happened.”
While no two property damage scenarios are alike, our team of IICRC Certified Technicians applies the same steps consistently to ensure we don’t miss a single detail of water damage recovery.
Our 6-Step Water Damage Restoration Process
Click each of the links below for details about each step of our comprehensive water damage recovery process.
Step 1: Emergency Contact
Step 2: Inspection and Damage Assessment
Step 3: Water Removal/Water Extraction
Step 4: Drying and Dehumidification
Step 5: Cleaning and Sanitizing
Step 6: Restoration
Don’t Delay, Call SERVPRO of Fort Worth Today
Property owners in Fort Worth, Texas should know that the longer they wait to address water damage, the more costly it will be. If you wait several days you’ll have significant damage on your hands, and when you turn to your insurance company for help, they may deny your claim because you allowed secondary damage to happen.
SERVPRO works directly with your insurance company on your behalf to ensure that the recovery process is smooth and hassle-free. Call us at (817) 589-1499 with any questions you have and for free pricing.
SERVPRO is a Reputable Company for Fort Worth Damage Restoration
3/16/2021 (Permalink)
SERVPRO is one of the top-recognized brands in the damage restoration industry.
These days, people are smarter than ever about doing their research before making a decision. We sincerely appreciate this trend. As many businesses are acting in good faith, some care more about making fast money than building long-term relationships with customers. SERVPRO believes that trust is earned.
SERVPRO - A Big Name in Restoration
SERVPRO is one of the few top-recognized brands in the cleaning and restoration industry. Though we’ve earned our place, we don’t take this for granted. We got here through consistent and reliable service and our commitment to this has not wavered.
Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned
Fort Worth businesses have done their best to keep their facilities safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, but sometimes a staff member comes up positive for the virus, and with contact tracing, they discover that several people have been infected.
The public can be apprehensive about coming into a business where there have been recent cases of COVID-19. SERVPRO works to restore public confidence by doing a complete commercial cleaning.
When the job is complete, businesses can post on social media that their facility is now Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned and display the SERVPRO shield on the premises.
The Reviews Are In
SERVPRO is the leading provider of:
This, plus many more professional cleaning and restoration services, including reconstruction.
After decades of service in the Fort Worth area, we’ve accumulated several positive customer reviews (both Yelp and Facebook) and testimonials. It’s always nice to hear a “thank you” at the end of a job, but when our customers take time out of their day to leave us this feedback, we know we’ve fulfilled our mission in a meaningful way.
The Choice of Top Insurance Carriers
Insurance companies are very meticulous about the property loss process and for good reason. Insurance companies have the burden of needing to allocate resources wisely so that they can best serve all of their customers.
One of the ways to ensure that claims are properly managed is to steer their clients toward the most reputable cleaning companies and contractors. Because SERVPRO has built a solid relationship with many top insurance companies, we get many referrals from them.
Why Is SERVPRO Reputable?
How did SERVPRO become a trusted name in cleaning and restoration?
- Accreditation - SERVPRO holds several certifications including IICRC. We are also licensed and bonded.
- Fast response - We are here around the clock, every day of the year to respond to any emergency. We live up to this motto: “Faster to any size disaster.”
- Superior service - We streamlined the process to make it easier and more cost-effective for our customers. With SERVPRO you don’t have to keep a list of numbers. You get one point of contact for updates and communication.
- Thoroughness - We do a comprehensive inspection and testing so we can best address each situation. We create an action plan specific to the needs of each job and don’t stop until we’ve done every task.
- Continuous education - SERVPRO provides advanced instruction on the latest cleaning techniques.
- Commitment - We believe so strongly in the role that the restoration industry plays in public health that we work to recruit the next generation of restoration specialists. We visit schools to share what we do with young minds.
Fort Worth Flood and House Water Damage Repair
3/16/2021 (Permalink)
It's important to address water damage in your home as soon as you notice it. Contact SERVPRO for water damage restoration services in Fort Worth.
From the accumulation of water from a leaking appliance to the deluge of full-force flooding, SERVPRO is here for any water damage emergency. We are faster to any size disaster and are on call to assist you around the clock, every day of the year - including weekends and holidays.
Common Causes of Water Damage in Fort Worth
We spend so much time in dry spaces that it’s easy to forget that water damage happens. Using water is a part of everyday life, but when water ends up in the wrong places, it quickly ruins materials and personal belongings. Common causes of water damage include:
- Storms, rain, and humidity.
- Firehoses and fire sprinklers used to douse flames.
- A sewage backup into the home or business.
- Plumbing problems (overflow from toilets, bathtubs, and sinks or leaking or bursting pipes).
- HVAC system problems.
- Leaky or broken dishwashers, water heaters, sump pumps, etc.
After three decades of serving the Fort Worth area, we have extensive experience with all the above scenarios and more. Having the best equipment and the best-trained staff available at all times allows us to swiftly tackle any water damage problem.
What do the Signs of Water Damage Look Like?
While some scenarios are obvious like a ceiling caving in or rising waters on the floor, other signs of water damage are understated. Below are other things to watch for around your home or business.
- Pools or puddles under out-of-the-way appliances like a water heater or around a basement sump pump.
- Walls and ceilings are discolored or spotty.
- The floor beneath your feet feels spongy or squeaks.
- Sounds of dripping water behind walls or the ceiling.
- Appearance or smell of mold and mildew
- Sewage smell.
- An unexpected spike in your water bill
Our team of water damage experts knows where to look for hidden water damage. Our thorough inspection will uncover how extensive the water damage is so that we can carry out a thorough restoration.
SERVPRO’s Water Damage Restoration Process
With SERVPRO’s Fort Worth water damage restoration, there is a difference. We use advanced drying methods to eliminate moisture faster and more thoroughly.
Our technicians are specialized in mold remediation and biohazard cleanup. We get close to toxic material so that you don’t have to.
Our restoration process prioritizes preservation over replacement. We work to salvage as much as possible and replace what cannot be saved.
Our 6-step plan is structured, yet flexible to fully accommodate any water damage scenario. This plan includes:
Step 1: Emergency Contact
Step 2: Inspection and Damage Assessment
Step 3: Water Removal/Water Extraction
Step 4: Drying and Dehumidification
Step 5: Cleaning and Repair
Step 6: Restoration
Contact SERVPRO of Fort Worth Today
In all honesty, the longer you wait to address water damage, the more the situation will deteriorate. Rotting materials and mold growth are examples of the secondary damage you can expect from lingering water saturation.
Also to keep in mind is that secondary damage from the original water damage event jeopardizes your insurance claim. The coverage may be fully or partially declined if the property owner doesn’t act quickly.
Call (817) 589-1499 to get started on your water damage recovery. We are always here to take your call - even in the middle of the night, even on holidays.
Dealing with the Aftermath: Winter Storm Damage Repair
3/16/2021 (Permalink)
In the aftermath of a winter storm, call our Fort Worth SERVPRO location for professional winter storm damage restoration services.
Being in the “Sunbelt” Texas has never been known for winter weather. However, the longer you live in Texas, the more likely it is that you will see ice and even snow, especially in North Texas.
The news media usually advises us on what to do before a winter storm such as dripping faucets, wrapping outdoor spigots, covering plants, and bringing pets inside. What we don’t hear much about is what to do after a winter weather event.
SERVPRO is all about being prepared for any size disaster. Today, we’ll briefly cover how to cope with the aftermath of a winter storm event.
Winter Storm Water Damage
Perhaps the most common kind of water damage that happens with a winter storm is from broken pipes. Once frozen pipes begin to warm up again as the surrounding temperature increases, the pressure builds up causing the pipe to burst. When this happens, you’ll need to find the main water shut-off valve as soon as possible to stop the flooding.
Water damage happens to the roof of a structure because of ice dams. This happens when the snow melts, then refreezes to create a barrier so the water gets trapped and soaks through roofing and construction material. The roof will need to be repaired as soon as possible.
Winter Storm Fire Damage
A fireplace or gas-fueled appliances help us keep warm on frigid nights. We do our best to be safe with flames burning indoors, but accidents do happen. To avoid injury and illness, you should avoid severely damaged rooms. The more damage there is to a structure, the more likely it is you will need to relocate to temporary housing until repairs can be made.
Winter Storm Wind & Tree Damage
During a winter storm, gusts of wind push snow and sleet around, but it also pushes loos materials around. Roof shingles, roof flashing, and siding are all vulnerable to damage from wind and impact from debris.
Fallen trees also cause damage to structures. Accumulation of ice adds more weight than a tree can withstand, so the trunk and main limbs eventually buckle causing the entire tree to collapse. Roofs, fences, windows, and even utility lines can be damaged from fallen trees. If you spot downed powerlines, stay away and dial 911.
Make the Right Call
Once you’ve inspected your home for winter storm damage, it’s time to call your insurance company and share your findings. Waiting to initiate a claim risks denial of coverage by your insurer.
Next, you’ll need a reliable company to complete either Fort Worth water damage restoration or in some cases, fire damage restoration. SERVPRO dispatches to your property immediately to assess the damage and set up protections to prevent secondary damage.
We work with your insurance company on your behalf to make the recovery process as smooth as possible. Call (817) 589-1499 for emergency contact 24 hours a day, 365 days per year - even weekends and holidays.
SERVPRO is a Reputable Company for Fort Worth Damage Restoration
3/16/2021 (Permalink)
SERVPRO is one of the top-recognized brands in the damage restoration industry.
These days, people are smarter than ever about doing their research before making a decision. We sincerely appreciate this trend. As many businesses are acting in good faith, some care more about making fast money than building long-term relationships with customers. SERVPRO believes that trust is earned.
SERVPRO - A Big Name in Restoration
SERVPRO is one of the few top-recognized brands in the cleaning and restoration industry. Though we’ve earned our place, we don’t take this for granted. We got here through consistent and reliable service and our commitment to this has not wavered.
Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned
Fort Worth businesses have done their best to keep their facilities safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, but sometimes a staff member comes up positive for the virus, and with contact tracing, they discover that several people have been infected.
The public can be apprehensive about coming into a business where there have been recent cases of COVID-19. SERVPRO works to restore public confidence by doing a complete commercial cleaning.
When the job is complete, businesses can post on social media that their facility is now Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned and display the SERVPRO shield on the premises.
The Reviews Are In
SERVPRO is the leading provider of:
This, plus many more professional cleaning and restoration services, including reconstruction.
After decades of service in the Fort Worth area, we’ve accumulated several positive customer reviews (both Yelp and Facebook) and testimonials. It’s always nice to hear a “thank you” at the end of a job, but when our customers take time out of their day to leave us this feedback, we know we’ve fulfilled our mission in a meaningful way.
The Choice of Top Insurance Carriers
Insurance companies are very meticulous about the property loss process and for good reason. Insurance companies have the burden of needing to allocate resources wisely so that they can best serve all of their customers.
One of the ways to ensure that claims are properly managed is to steer their clients toward the most reputable cleaning companies and contractors. Because SERVPRO has built a solid relationship with many top insurance companies, we get many referrals from them.
Why Is SERVPRO Reputable?
How did SERVPRO become a trusted name in cleaning and restoration?
- Accreditation - SERVPRO holds several certifications including IICRC. We are also licensed and bonded.
- Fast response - We are here around the clock, every day of the year to respond to any emergency. We live up to this motto: “Faster to any size disaster.”
- Superior service - We streamlined the process to make it easier and more cost-effective for our customers. With SERVPRO you don’t have to keep a list of numbers. You get one point of contact for updates and communication.
- Thoroughness - We do a comprehensive inspection and testing so we can best address each situation. We create an action plan specific to the needs of each job and don’t stop until we’ve done every task.
- Continuous education - SERVPRO provides advanced instruction on the latest cleaning techniques.
- Commitment - We believe so strongly in the role that the restoration industry plays in public health that we work to recruit the next generation of restoration specialists. We visit schools to share what we do with young minds.
Fort Worth Flood and House Water Damage Repair
3/16/2021 (Permalink)
It's important to address water damage in your home as soon as you notice it. Contact SERVPRO for water damage restoration services in Fort Worth.
From the accumulation of water from a leaking appliance to the deluge of full-force flooding, SERVPRO is here for any water damage emergency. We are faster to any size disaster and are on call to assist you around the clock, every day of the year - including weekends and holidays.
Common Causes of Water Damage in Fort Worth
We spend so much time in dry spaces that it’s easy to forget that water damage happens. Using water is a part of everyday life, but when water ends up in the wrong places, it quickly ruins materials and personal belongings. Common causes of water damage include:
- Storms, rain, and humidity.
- Firehoses and fire sprinklers used to douse flames.
- A sewage backup into the home or business.
- Plumbing problems (overflow from toilets, bathtubs, and sinks or leaking or bursting pipes).
- HVAC system problems.
- Leaky or broken dishwashers, water heaters, sump pumps, etc.
After three decades of serving the Fort Worth area, we have extensive experience with all the above scenarios and more. Having the best equipment and the best-trained staff available at all times allows us to swiftly tackle any water damage problem.
What do the Signs of Water Damage Look Like?
While some scenarios are obvious like a ceiling caving in or rising waters on the floor, other signs of water damage are understated. Below are other things to watch for around your home or business.
- Pools or puddles under out-of-the-way appliances like a water heater or around a basement sump pump.
- Walls and ceilings are discolored or spotty.
- The floor beneath your feet feels spongy or squeaks.
- Sounds of dripping water behind walls or the ceiling.
- Appearance or smell of mold and mildew
- Sewage smell.
- An unexpected spike in your water bill
Our team of water damage experts knows where to look for hidden water damage. Our thorough inspection will uncover how extensive the water damage is so that we can carry out a thorough restoration.
SERVPRO’s Water Damage Restoration Process
With SERVPRO’s Fort Worth water damage restoration, there is a difference. We use advanced drying methods to eliminate moisture faster and more thoroughly.
Our technicians are specialized in mold remediation and biohazard cleanup. We get close to toxic material so that you don’t have to.
Our restoration process prioritizes preservation over replacement. We work to salvage as much as possible and replace what cannot be saved.
Our 6-step plan is structured, yet flexible to fully accommodate any water damage scenario. This plan includes:
Step 1: Emergency Contact
Step 2: Inspection and Damage Assessment
Step 3: Water Removal/Water Extraction
Step 4: Drying and Dehumidification
Step 5: Cleaning and Repair
Step 6: Restoration
Contact SERVPRO of Fort Worth Today
In all honesty, the longer you wait to address water damage, the more the situation will deteriorate. Rotting materials and mold growth are examples of the secondary damage you can expect from lingering water saturation.
Also to keep in mind is that secondary damage from the original water damage event jeopardizes your insurance claim. The coverage may be fully or partially declined if the property owner doesn’t act quickly.
Call (817) 589-1499 to get started on your water damage recovery. We are always here to take your call - even in the middle of the night, even on holidays.
Dealing with the Aftermath: Winter Storm Damage Repair
3/16/2021 (Permalink)
In the aftermath of a winter storm, call our Fort Worth SERVPRO location for professional winter storm damage restoration services.
Being in the “Sunbelt” Texas has never been known for winter weather. However, the longer you live in Texas, the more likely it is that you will see ice and even snow, especially in North Texas.
The news media usually advises us on what to do before a winter storm such as dripping faucets, wrapping outdoor spigots, covering plants, and bringing pets inside. What we don’t hear much about is what to do after a winter weather event.
SERVPRO is all about being prepared for any size disaster. Today, we’ll briefly cover how to cope with the aftermath of a winter storm event.
Winter Storm Water Damage
Perhaps the most common kind of water damage that happens with a winter storm is from broken pipes. Once frozen pipes begin to warm up again as the surrounding temperature increases, the pressure builds up causing the pipe to burst. When this happens, you’ll need to find the main water shut-off valve as soon as possible to stop the flooding.
Water damage happens to the roof of a structure because of ice dams. This happens when the snow melts, then refreezes to create a barrier so the water gets trapped and soaks through roofing and construction material. The roof will need to be repaired as soon as possible.
Winter Storm Fire Damage
A fireplace or gas-fueled appliances help us keep warm on frigid nights. We do our best to be safe with flames burning indoors, but accidents do happen. To avoid injury and illness, you should avoid severely damaged rooms. The more damage there is to a structure, the more likely it is you will need to relocate to temporary housing until repairs can be made.
Winter Storm Wind & Tree Damage
During a winter storm, gusts of wind push snow and sleet around, but it also pushes loos materials around. Roof shingles, roof flashing, and siding are all vulnerable to damage from wind and impact from debris.
Fallen trees also cause damage to structures. Accumulation of ice adds more weight than a tree can withstand, so the trunk and main limbs eventually buckle causing the entire tree to collapse. Roofs, fences, windows, and even utility lines can be damaged from fallen trees. If you spot downed powerlines, stay away and dial 911.
Make the Right Call
Once you’ve inspected your home for winter storm damage, it’s time to call your insurance company and share your findings. Waiting to initiate a claim risks denial of coverage by your insurer.
Next, you’ll need a reliable company to complete either Fort Worth water damage restoration or in some cases, fire damage restoration. SERVPRO dispatches to your property immediately to assess the damage and set up protections to prevent secondary damage.
We work with your insurance company on your behalf to make the recovery process as smooth as possible. Call (817) 589-1499 for emergency contact 24 hours a day, 365 days per year - even weekends and holidays.
Why SERVPRO is the Leader in Fort Worth Water Damage Restoration
3/11/2021 (Permalink)
SERVPRO offers professional water damage restoration services to residents and businesses in the Fort Worth area.
Water damage recovery easily becomes an overwhelming responsibility for property owners. Aside from the gallons of water spread over the square footage of your space, you also have drywall, flooring, personal belongings, and sometimes electronics damaged from being soaked.
If you feel like you’re in over your head, you’re not alone. Many Fort Worth property owners come to the realization that they need the help of a professional to cope with the aftermath of a flood event.
SERVPRO has been helping home and business owners recover from water damage for decades. Time and time again, our team makes it, “Like it never even happened.” We work tirelessly to achieve three things: restore the property to preloss condition, prevent secondary damage (like mold growth), and do the entire job with efficiency so you get back to life as usual as soon as possible. The money we save by being efficient is passed on to the customer.
What Makes SERVPRO Different?
You do have your pick from several Fort Worth water damage restoration companies, so why are you in the best hands with SERVPRO?
- Round-the-clock service - Emergencies don’t take a day off and neither do we. Our emergency contact staff are available year-round, 24 hours a day to take your call - even on weekends and holidays.
- Trusted Leader in the industry - We’ve worked tirelessly to become the top brand in cleaning and restoration. When the public sees a Certified SERVPRO Cleaned sign, they can rest assured that the business is safe and has been thoroughly cleaned.
- Expert Specialists - While it’s helpful to have decades of experience doing this, that’s not all you need to do the job right. Our staff is trained on the latest scientifically-based moisture management methods. We are expert mold fighters.
- Comprehensive restoration - Typically, a property owner has to hire more than one service to manage flood damage: at least one company to do the cleaning and another to recover the damage. With SERVPRO you get both. We do a thorough cleaning, mold mitigation, salvage what we can, and repair the rest. No need to hire additional contractors. We do it all.
- Insurance approved - We’ve build a relationship with so many insurance companies because of how many we’ve worked with over the years. We are the preferred restoration company for many insurance carriers out there. We even work directly with the insurance company on your behalf to streamline the process.
Contact SERVPRO for Fort Worth Water Damage Restoration
We want customers to have peace of mind when they hire a water damage restoration company. That’s why we are here to answer any questions you have about the process and provide you a free no-obligation quote. Contact us at (817) 589-1499 any time.
How to Choose a Water Restoration Company in Fort Worth
3/11/2021 (Permalink)
If you find signs of water damage in your Fort Worth home or business, contact the experts at SERVPRO for professional water damage restoration.
When you first discover water damage, it’s best to act on it soon. The longer you wait to have repairs done, the more secondary damage there could be (such as rotting materials and mold growth).
But even with this urgency, you want to take some time to make sure that you partner with the right water restoration company. Those that lure you with cheap quotes are likely to be cutting corners, and this costs you more money in the long run.
SERVPRO is here to help Fort Worth citizens protect their property investments by advising them to hire trustworthy services. We’ve put together a quick guide to help you navigate the process.
5 Signs a Water Restoration Company is Reliable
Here’s an overview of what to look for when choosing a Fort Worth water damage restoration company.
1. Availability
More often than not, a reliable water damage service is on call 24/7. How well can a business complete a water damage recovery if they aren’t available? Also important is proximity to your property. A nearby business is able to respond faster and be timely with recovery daily tasks.
2. Transparency
An accurate estimate is based on a complete walkthrough of the damage. The quote should be in writing and include a cost breakdown with an expected timeline of the repairs. When a service makes a point to be detailed in their estimate and clearly communicate what you can expect, this is a sign that they can be counted on to follow through.
3. Credentials & Endorsements
Some ask friends and family for referrals before they search for service companies on their own. Also, reviews online can be useful but not all feedback is objective, so read these critically and watch for responses to customers from the business.
Ask businesses if they are insured and bonded. More specifically for water damage restoration, ask if they have ANSI/IICRC certifications as these businesses have met industry standards.
4. Professionalism
Presentation is everything. A reputable restoration company has updated and sanitary equipment, industrial-grade cleaning products, and sufficient personal protective wear.
Prompt responses and handling your concerns efficiently show that you matter as a customer. SERVPRO assigns our clients a single point of contact so they aren’t passed around from person to person.
5. Insurance
A water restoration company that understands the insurance process makes all the difference. SERVPRO has extensive experience working with insurance companies and we work on your behalf to make the claims process go as smoothly as possible.
SERVPRO Earns Your Trust
For decades, homeowners and businesses in Fort Worth have relied on SERVPRO for dependable and timely service. When it comes to water damage restoration, we meet all of the above-outlined criteria. (See testimonials.)
You should have peace of mind when you hire a water damage restoration company. That’s why we are transparent and available with any questions or concerns you have about the process. Contact us at (817) 589-1499 any time.
How to Find Your Pipes in a Winter Storm
3/11/2021 (Permalink)
When a winter storm damages your Fort Worth home or business, contact the experts at SERVPRO for professional restoration services.
When a freeze warning is issued, one of the first things we do is wrap pipes outdoor pipes. Many Fort Worth homeowners experienced pipe damage during the recent winter storms. Some now realize that it’s just as important to know where the pipes are for indoor plumbing.
Because we are used to a warmer client, many Texans are caught off guard by extreme cold. Part of winter weather preparedness is knowing where to locate pipes so you can monitor for problems, so we put together this quick guide!
How to Prepare for Pipe Freezing
We have no control over the weather, but we can take measures to prevent common plumbing issues caused by the cold.
- Disconnect garden hoses and wrap outdoor pipes and spigots.
- Add insulation to areas where pipes are more exposed to the cold (attics, plumbing at exterior walls, etc.) Apply heat tape to the most vulnerable pipes.
- Let faucets drip when temps are below freezing for prolonged periods.
- Keep the house warm and the cabinets open under sinks to allow heat to enter the space underneath.
- Know where your main shut-off valve is and how to shut it off.
How to Locate Frozen Pipes
We can get a rough idea of how plumbing routes by locating where the water supply enters the house, then how it distributes among the kitchen, bathrooms, water heater, utility room, basement, etc.
One sign of frozen pipes is low water pressure from the tap. First, confirm that water flow issues aren’t isolated to just your property. If the flow is abnormal due to a community water outage, the problems will be difficult to diagnose.
Locating frozen pipes is a process of elimination. First look for ice or frost on pipes that are located in the most unsheltered areas (outside walls, outside walls, crawlspaces, attics, basements, etc.)
Next, turn on faucets. If some have a stronger flow while others don’t, this narrows down where the freeze could be. If all faucets are affected, freezing may be at the main water source for the house.
The hope is that the pipes will thaw out without incident. It’s best for pipes to thaw out gradually and slowly from warm air. Some experts recommend leaving taps open to regulate pressure and allow warm air to melt the ice in pipes.
SERVPRO is Always On Call
Fingers crossed that your pipes survive the winter unscathed, but if they do leak or burst, it’s vitally important that you shut off the main water supply to prevent further damage.
In addition to property recovery, SERVPRO of Fort Worth water damage restoration addresses repairs at the source of the problem. Don’t wait! Call us at (817) 589-1499.
Preparing Your Business for a Winter Storm
3/11/2021 (Permalink)
If your business is damaged in a winter storm, contact our Fort Worth SERVPRO location for commercial restoration services.
When severe winter weather is imminent, the media tends to focus on how it affects homes. But what should you do to prepare in a business setting? While damage to your home affects your personal life, damage to business property interferes with your ability to keep your operations afloat.
As the restoration team known for being “Faster to any size disaster,” SERVPRO of Fort Worth is all about helping the community be best prepared for any weather event. This quick guide gives you tips on how to prepare your business for a winter storm event.
Be Winter Storm Ready
Here are some select tips for business owners who have a goal in mind to protect their assets, protect people, and mitigate interruption of operations.
- Take a risk inventory - As a business owner, you are all too familiar with risk factors. What could go wrong and how likely is it that it will happen?
- Assess liability - Who is responsible for damage to your property, both inside and outside including potential injuries on the premises? Do you need better insurance coverage for these risk factors?
- Have a contingency plan - For scenarios that seem likely to happen, have a plan in place with your support staff well informed on what you plan to do should these hypotheticals occur.
- Communication plan - Who’s responsibility is it to keep staff updated and instructed? What should they know ahead of time and what information needs to be relayed during the event?
- Do a safety inventory - What needs to be done inside and outside of your facility to make things safer? Do you and your staff need a refresher on safety training and OSHA rules?
- Safety and backup supplies - Acquire items for and replenish your emergency supplies kit for business.
While the above list will help you get started, we recommend that you consult both the Emergency Preparedness Checklist for Small Businesses from the Red Cross and the Winter Weather Preparedness Checklist from the Small Business Administration.
Consider SERVPRO of Fort Worth
Even the most ironclad plans are no match for extreme weather circumstances. We highly recommend you have a Fort Worth water damage restoration and storm recovery service in mind in advance.
SERVPRO has helped many Fort Worth area businesses get back to normal. Our goal is to minimize any interruption to your operations and because we have 24-hour operation, we work around your schedule. Give us a call (817) 589-1499 to go over our commercial services for storm recovery. We’re prepared to be your point of contact for your contingency plan.
Why SERVPRO is the Leader in Fort Worth Water Damage Restoration
3/11/2021 (Permalink)
SERVPRO offers professional water damage restoration services to residents and businesses in the Fort Worth area.
Water damage recovery easily becomes an overwhelming responsibility for property owners. Aside from the gallons of water spread over the square footage of your space, you also have drywall, flooring, personal belongings, and sometimes electronics damaged from being soaked.
If you feel like you’re in over your head, you’re not alone. Many Fort Worth property owners come to the realization that they need the help of a professional to cope with the aftermath of a flood event.
SERVPRO has been helping home and business owners recover from water damage for decades. Time and time again, our team makes it, “Like it never even happened.” We work tirelessly to achieve three things: restore the property to preloss condition, prevent secondary damage (like mold growth), and do the entire job with efficiency so you get back to life as usual as soon as possible. The money we save by being efficient is passed on to the customer.
What Makes SERVPRO Different?
You do have your pick from several Fort Worth water damage restoration companies, so why are you in the best hands with SERVPRO?
- Round-the-clock service - Emergencies don’t take a day off and neither do we. Our emergency contact staff are available year-round, 24 hours a day to take your call - even on weekends and holidays.
- Trusted Leader in the industry - We’ve worked tirelessly to become the top brand in cleaning and restoration. When the public sees a Certified SERVPRO Cleaned sign, they can rest assured that the business is safe and has been thoroughly cleaned.
- Expert Specialists - While it’s helpful to have decades of experience doing this, that’s not all you need to do the job right. Our staff is trained on the latest scientifically-based moisture management methods. We are expert mold fighters.
- Comprehensive restoration - Typically, a property owner has to hire more than one service to manage flood damage: at least one company to do the cleaning and another to recover the damage. With SERVPRO you get both. We do a thorough cleaning, mold mitigation, salvage what we can, and repair the rest. No need to hire additional contractors. We do it all.
- Insurance approved - We’ve build a relationship with so many insurance companies because of how many we’ve worked with over the years. We are the preferred restoration company for many insurance carriers out there. We even work directly with the insurance company on your behalf to streamline the process.
Contact SERVPRO for Fort Worth Water Damage Restoration
We want customers to have peace of mind when they hire a water damage restoration company. That’s why we are here to answer any questions you have about the process and provide you a free no-obligation quote. Contact us at (817) 589-1499 any time.
How to Choose a Water Restoration Company in Fort Worth
3/11/2021 (Permalink)
If you find signs of water damage in your Fort Worth home or business, contact the experts at SERVPRO for professional water damage restoration.
When you first discover water damage, it’s best to act on it soon. The longer you wait to have repairs done, the more secondary damage there could be (such as rotting materials and mold growth).
But even with this urgency, you want to take some time to make sure that you partner with the right water restoration company. Those that lure you with cheap quotes are likely to be cutting corners, and this costs you more money in the long run.
SERVPRO is here to help Fort Worth citizens protect their property investments by advising them to hire trustworthy services. We’ve put together a quick guide to help you navigate the process.
5 Signs a Water Restoration Company is Reliable
Here’s an overview of what to look for when choosing a Fort Worth water damage restoration company.
1. Availability
More often than not, a reliable water damage service is on call 24/7. How well can a business complete a water damage recovery if they aren’t available? Also important is proximity to your property. A nearby business is able to respond faster and be timely with recovery daily tasks.
2. Transparency
An accurate estimate is based on a complete walkthrough of the damage. The quote should be in writing and include a cost breakdown with an expected timeline of the repairs. When a service makes a point to be detailed in their estimate and clearly communicate what you can expect, this is a sign that they can be counted on to follow through.
3. Credentials & Endorsements
Some ask friends and family for referrals before they search for service companies on their own. Also, reviews online can be useful but not all feedback is objective, so read these critically and watch for responses to customers from the business.
Ask businesses if they are insured and bonded. More specifically for water damage restoration, ask if they have ANSI/IICRC certifications as these businesses have met industry standards.
4. Professionalism
Presentation is everything. A reputable restoration company has updated and sanitary equipment, industrial-grade cleaning products, and sufficient personal protective wear.
Prompt responses and handling your concerns efficiently show that you matter as a customer. SERVPRO assigns our clients a single point of contact so they aren’t passed around from person to person.
5. Insurance
A water restoration company that understands the insurance process makes all the difference. SERVPRO has extensive experience working with insurance companies and we work on your behalf to make the claims process go as smoothly as possible.
SERVPRO Earns Your Trust
For decades, homeowners and businesses in Fort Worth have relied on SERVPRO for dependable and timely service. When it comes to water damage restoration, we meet all of the above-outlined criteria. (See testimonials.)
You should have peace of mind when you hire a water damage restoration company. That’s why we are transparent and available with any questions or concerns you have about the process. Contact us at (817) 589-1499 any time.
How to Find Your Pipes in a Winter Storm
3/11/2021 (Permalink)
When a winter storm damages your Fort Worth home or business, contact the experts at SERVPRO for professional restoration services.
When a freeze warning is issued, one of the first things we do is wrap pipes outdoor pipes. Many Fort Worth homeowners experienced pipe damage during the recent winter storms. Some now realize that it’s just as important to know where the pipes are for indoor plumbing.
Because we are used to a warmer client, many Texans are caught off guard by extreme cold. Part of winter weather preparedness is knowing where to locate pipes so you can monitor for problems, so we put together this quick guide!
How to Prepare for Pipe Freezing
We have no control over the weather, but we can take measures to prevent common plumbing issues caused by the cold.
- Disconnect garden hoses and wrap outdoor pipes and spigots.
- Add insulation to areas where pipes are more exposed to the cold (attics, plumbing at exterior walls, etc.) Apply heat tape to the most vulnerable pipes.
- Let faucets drip when temps are below freezing for prolonged periods.
- Keep the house warm and the cabinets open under sinks to allow heat to enter the space underneath.
- Know where your main shut-off valve is and how to shut it off.
How to Locate Frozen Pipes
We can get a rough idea of how plumbing routes by locating where the water supply enters the house, then how it distributes among the kitchen, bathrooms, water heater, utility room, basement, etc.
One sign of frozen pipes is low water pressure from the tap. First, confirm that water flow issues aren’t isolated to just your property. If the flow is abnormal due to a community water outage, the problems will be difficult to diagnose.
Locating frozen pipes is a process of elimination. First look for ice or frost on pipes that are located in the most unsheltered areas (outside walls, outside walls, crawlspaces, attics, basements, etc.)
Next, turn on faucets. If some have a stronger flow while others don’t, this narrows down where the freeze could be. If all faucets are affected, freezing may be at the main water source for the house.
The hope is that the pipes will thaw out without incident. It’s best for pipes to thaw out gradually and slowly from warm air. Some experts recommend leaving taps open to regulate pressure and allow warm air to melt the ice in pipes.
SERVPRO is Always On Call
Fingers crossed that your pipes survive the winter unscathed, but if they do leak or burst, it’s vitally important that you shut off the main water supply to prevent further damage.
In addition to property recovery, SERVPRO of Fort Worth water damage restoration addresses repairs at the source of the problem. Don’t wait! Call us at (817) 589-1499.
Preparing Your Business for a Winter Storm
3/11/2021 (Permalink)
If your business is damaged in a winter storm, contact our Fort Worth SERVPRO location for commercial restoration services.
When severe winter weather is imminent, the media tends to focus on how it affects homes. But what should you do to prepare in a business setting? While damage to your home affects your personal life, damage to business property interferes with your ability to keep your operations afloat.
As the restoration team known for being “Faster to any size disaster,” SERVPRO of Fort Worth is all about helping the community be best prepared for any weather event. This quick guide gives you tips on how to prepare your business for a winter storm event.
Be Winter Storm Ready
Here are some select tips for business owners who have a goal in mind to protect their assets, protect people, and mitigate interruption of operations.
- Take a risk inventory - As a business owner, you are all too familiar with risk factors. What could go wrong and how likely is it that it will happen?
- Assess liability - Who is responsible for damage to your property, both inside and outside including potential injuries on the premises? Do you need better insurance coverage for these risk factors?
- Have a contingency plan - For scenarios that seem likely to happen, have a plan in place with your support staff well informed on what you plan to do should these hypotheticals occur.
- Communication plan - Who’s responsibility is it to keep staff updated and instructed? What should they know ahead of time and what information needs to be relayed during the event?
- Do a safety inventory - What needs to be done inside and outside of your facility to make things safer? Do you and your staff need a refresher on safety training and OSHA rules?
- Safety and backup supplies - Acquire items for and replenish your emergency supplies kit for business.
While the above list will help you get started, we recommend that you consult both the Emergency Preparedness Checklist for Small Businesses from the Red Cross and the Winter Weather Preparedness Checklist from the Small Business Administration.
Consider SERVPRO of Fort Worth
Even the most ironclad plans are no match for extreme weather circumstances. We highly recommend you have a Fort Worth water damage restoration and storm recovery service in mind in advance.
SERVPRO has helped many Fort Worth area businesses get back to normal. Our goal is to minimize any interruption to your operations and because we have 24-hour operation, we work around your schedule. Give us a call (817) 589-1499 to go over our commercial services for storm recovery. We’re prepared to be your point of contact for your contingency plan.
Why You Can Trust SERVPRO for Your All In One Fort Worth Emergency Restoration Services
2/26/2021 (Permalink)
Our Fort Worth SERVPRO offers comprehensive and professional restoration services to help repair your damaged property.
You have plenty of restoration companies to choose from in Fort Worth, but not all are reputable, and not all are fully equipped. SERVPRO is a trusted name and leader in the cleaning and restoration industry because of our commitment to efficiency, superior service, and having the best-trained staff in town.
Get the SERVPRO Advantage
Every customer deserves to get back to life as normal quickly without losing out on quality. That’s why SERVPRO of North Richland Hills put a system in place that delivers restoration services efficiently without cutting corners.
Comprehensive Restoration Services
Our SERVPRO team of experts cleans and repairs just about everything in every situation.
- Water damage restoration
- Fire damage restoration
- Storm damage restoration
- Biohazard waste cleanup
- Clean up after death
- Vandalism cleanup
- Hoarding cleanup
- COVID-19 and C-Diff cleanup
Not only do we show up prepared to do all of the above, but we also recover damaged items and carry out reconstruction. We do our best to salvage what is left and work tirelessly to bring the property back to preloss condition. This means replacing damaged materials like carpet or rebuilding the structure.
Fully Equipped
When you don’t have access to industrial equipment, cleaning supplies, and personal protective equipment you’re in luck! We’ll bring ours.
We’re stocked with the best equipment and cleaning solutions in the industry to deliver the best clean every time. Having the right personal protective equipment allows us to get close to toxic messes so you don’t have to.
Extensive Training and Advanced Techniques
We’ve been around for decades so we’ve seen exciting changes in cleaning technology. The way people cleaned 50 years ago is very different than today, and this is a good thing!
Giving our customers the best results means we keep our staff of specialists trained on the latest technology and practices. For example, as the leader in Fort Worth mold removal, moisture is our biggest nemesis so we keep up on the latest scientific advancements for drying techniques.
Having all the right tools and training is how we make it "Like it never even happened."
SERVPRO of Fort Worth is the One to Call
Our service is second to none. For all the services we offer (including working with your insurance company on your behalf) there is only one call to make - a single point of contact. No list of numbers to keep up with, one person gives you all the updates.
We offer a free consultation for all of our services including Fort Worth water damage restoration. Call us today (817) 589-1499. We’re always here to take your call, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Preparing for Storm Season in Fort Worth, Texas
2/26/2021 (Permalink)
If your property has been damaged in a recent storm, contact our Fort Worth SERVPRO for professional storm damage restoration services.
Fort Worth is no stranger to severe weather. Our part of Texas is known as a hotspot for tornado activity during the warmer months and can be an icy mess during the winter. By the time a storm hits, it’s already too late to prepare.
What should you do now to be ready for the next major event? At SERVPRO we are always prepared for an emergency, and we want our community to be as well. This guide helps you level up your preparedness.
Emergency Supplies
Do you have a reserve of items needed to get by should you need to hunker down for a while? This includes bottled water, food, batteries, battery pack (or power bank) flashlights, a radio, a first aid kit, etc.
If you’ve had to borrow certain items from your stash over the last year, take this opportunity to replenish before you forget.
We also recommend that you keep important documents and family photos in a waterproof and fireproof storage compartment.
For a complete list of emergency supplies, visit ready.gov.
Repairs and Weatherproofing
While even the strongest structures may succumb to the fiercest tornadoes, there are things you can do to your home or business to prepare for tornado season.
- Roof - A shingle roof should be replaced every 20 years. Consider upgrading your roof material to class H asphalt shingles (tolerates up to 150 mph winds), metal, or tile. Ask the roofer about putting in hurricane straps or clips.
- Doors and garage doors - To fortify entry points, you can install more secure deadbolts, garage door braces, or even a storm door.
- Windows - Consider upgrading to wind-resistant windows, and installing storm shutters or storm panels.
- Siding - Upgrade to impact-resistant and wind-resistant siding.
- Pipes - Is your outdoor and indoor plumbing protected from a drastic drop in temperature? Those who live in a mobile home are even more vulnerable to frozen pipes.
Tree Trimming
When was the last time you had your trees pruned and trimmed? Overgrown trees can fall on your home or down power lines. With the help of a tree service, you can weed out tree branch risks.
Insurance Policy
Do you have the appropriate coverage for the risks associated with your property? Considering the severe storm activity here, it’s a good idea for Fort Worth property owners to secure comprehensive storm coverage.
Find out if your property is in a flood zone. Insurance policies usually don’t include flood coverage, so you’ll need to purchase additional coverage when there is a flood risk.
Contact SERVPRO of Fort Worth for Storm Damage Recovery
As prepared as a homeowner or business owner is, properties might still incur damage during a storm.
SERVPRO is “Faster to any size disaster” and here when you need us most for storm damage recovery, fire damage restoration, or Fort Worth water damage restoration. Call us 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at (817) 589-1499.
24 Hr Fort Worth Water Damage Restoration Service from SERVPRO
2/26/2021 (Permalink)
Contact the experts at our Fort Worth SERVPRO for professional water damage restoration services.
Possibly the most shocking thing about flooding is how fast it comes on with little to no warning. Suddenly, you’re grabbing up anything in the way that could be damaged: mail, books, family photos, electronics, etc.
At SERVPRO of Fort Worth, we know that water damage can happen at any given moment, so we are here around the clock to help property owners cope and recover. Weekends and holidays are no exception. We are always here.
SERVPRO’s 6-Step Water Damage Recovery Plan
Dependability begins with the consistent execution of a structured action plan. Our team of water damage specialists follow a thorough process and make adjustments as needed for your particular situation.
Our goal is to eliminate all traces of water and moisture to minimize the risk of secondary damage (such as rotting wood and toxic mold growth).
Step 1: Emergency Contact
Water damage specialists dispatch right away to stop the source of the flooding. We also take documentation photos and do a preliminary search to map out all the affected areas.
Step 2: Inspection and Damage Assessment
We dive deeper into the nature of the damage. We determine if the water present is toxic (like blackwater). We survey all the damage, assess moisture levels and spread, separate furniture from wet carpet, and do a complete safety inspection.
Step 3: Water Removal/Water Extraction
We deploy high-powered water extraction equipment to remove every gallon and ounce of water from your home or business. We work diligently to salvage carpet and furniture. Oversaturated carpet is replaced to prevent mold growth.
Step 4: Drying and Dehumidification
Moisture must be eliminated to prevent mold growth, so we create a drying plan tailored to your situation. We use advanced drying techniques along with the best moisture-detection and drying equipment available to ensure that your spaces are dry as can be.
Step 5: Cleaning and Repair
Just because the area is dry does not mean that it’s clean. We thoroughly clean and deodorize the entire contents of the affected are. We use professional-grade products and equipment as well as the Esporta Wash System to launder contaminated fabrics and soft goods.
Step 6: Restoration
What cannot be salvaged will be repaired with the same kind of work you would get from a contractor.
Contact SERVPRO of Fort Worth for 24-Hour Response
SERVPRO is equipped to handle 100% of your property’s restoration needs. Because our Fort Worth water damage restoration services are more comprehensive than most, we are the preferred restoration company by many insurance companies. We even work directly with your insurance company on your behalf.
When flooding happens, you need to act fast. The longer you wait, the worse it gets as mold begins to grow as soon as 48 hours after a flood event. Call us (817) 589-1499. We are available 24/7 for emergency contact.
Why You Can Trust SERVPRO for Your All In One Fort Worth Emergency Restoration Services
2/26/2021 (Permalink)
Our Fort Worth SERVPRO offers comprehensive and professional restoration services to help repair your damaged property.
You have plenty of restoration companies to choose from in Fort Worth, but not all are reputable, and not all are fully equipped. SERVPRO is a trusted name and leader in the cleaning and restoration industry because of our commitment to efficiency, superior service, and having the best-trained staff in town.
Get the SERVPRO Advantage
Every customer deserves to get back to life as normal quickly without losing out on quality. That’s why SERVPRO of North Richland Hills put a system in place that delivers restoration services efficiently without cutting corners.
Comprehensive Restoration Services
Our SERVPRO team of experts cleans and repairs just about everything in every situation.
- Water damage restoration
- Fire damage restoration
- Storm damage restoration
- Biohazard waste cleanup
- Clean up after death
- Vandalism cleanup
- Hoarding cleanup
- COVID-19 and C-Diff cleanup
Not only do we show up prepared to do all of the above, but we also recover damaged items and carry out reconstruction. We do our best to salvage what is left and work tirelessly to bring the property back to preloss condition. This means replacing damaged materials like carpet or rebuilding the structure.
Fully Equipped
When you don’t have access to industrial equipment, cleaning supplies, and personal protective equipment you’re in luck! We’ll bring ours.
We’re stocked with the best equipment and cleaning solutions in the industry to deliver the best clean every time. Having the right personal protective equipment allows us to get close to toxic messes so you don’t have to.
Extensive Training and Advanced Techniques
We’ve been around for decades so we’ve seen exciting changes in cleaning technology. The way people cleaned 50 years ago is very different than today, and this is a good thing!
Giving our customers the best results means we keep our staff of specialists trained on the latest technology and practices. For example, as the leader in Fort Worth mold removal, moisture is our biggest nemesis so we keep up on the latest scientific advancements for drying techniques.
Having all the right tools and training is how we make it "Like it never even happened."
SERVPRO of Fort Worth is the One to Call
Our service is second to none. For all the services we offer (including working with your insurance company on your behalf) there is only one call to make - a single point of contact. No list of numbers to keep up with, one person gives you all the updates.
We offer a free consultation for all of our services including Fort Worth water damage restoration. Call us today (817) 589-1499. We’re always here to take your call, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Preparing for Storm Season in Fort Worth, Texas
2/26/2021 (Permalink)
If your property has been damaged in a recent storm, contact our Fort Worth SERVPRO for professional storm damage restoration services.
Fort Worth is no stranger to severe weather. Our part of Texas is known as a hotspot for tornado activity during the warmer months and can be an icy mess during the winter. By the time a storm hits, it’s already too late to prepare.
What should you do now to be ready for the next major event? At SERVPRO we are always prepared for an emergency, and we want our community to be as well. This guide helps you level up your preparedness.
Emergency Supplies
Do you have a reserve of items needed to get by should you need to hunker down for a while? This includes bottled water, food, batteries, battery pack (or power bank) flashlights, a radio, a first aid kit, etc.
If you’ve had to borrow certain items from your stash over the last year, take this opportunity to replenish before you forget.
We also recommend that you keep important documents and family photos in a waterproof and fireproof storage compartment.
For a complete list of emergency supplies, visit ready.gov.
Repairs and Weatherproofing
While even the strongest structures may succumb to the fiercest tornadoes, there are things you can do to your home or business to prepare for tornado season.
- Roof - A shingle roof should be replaced every 20 years. Consider upgrading your roof material to class H asphalt shingles (tolerates up to 150 mph winds), metal, or tile. Ask the roofer about putting in hurricane straps or clips.
- Doors and garage doors - To fortify entry points, you can install more secure deadbolts, garage door braces, or even a storm door.
- Windows - Consider upgrading to wind-resistant windows, and installing storm shutters or storm panels.
- Siding - Upgrade to impact-resistant and wind-resistant siding.
- Pipes - Is your outdoor and indoor plumbing protected from a drastic drop in temperature? Those who live in a mobile home are even more vulnerable to frozen pipes.
Tree Trimming
When was the last time you had your trees pruned and trimmed? Overgrown trees can fall on your home or down power lines. With the help of a tree service, you can weed out tree branch risks.
Insurance Policy
Do you have the appropriate coverage for the risks associated with your property? Considering the severe storm activity here, it’s a good idea for Fort Worth property owners to secure comprehensive storm coverage.
Find out if your property is in a flood zone. Insurance policies usually don’t include flood coverage, so you’ll need to purchase additional coverage when there is a flood risk.
Contact SERVPRO of Fort Worth for Storm Damage Recovery
As prepared as a homeowner or business owner is, properties might still incur damage during a storm.
SERVPRO is “Faster to any size disaster” and here when you need us most for storm damage recovery, fire damage restoration, or Fort Worth water damage restoration. Call us 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at (817) 589-1499.
24 Hr Fort Worth Water Damage Restoration Service from SERVPRO
2/26/2021 (Permalink)
Contact the experts at our Fort Worth SERVPRO for professional water damage restoration services.
Possibly the most shocking thing about flooding is how fast it comes on with little to no warning. Suddenly, you’re grabbing up anything in the way that could be damaged: mail, books, family photos, electronics, etc.
At SERVPRO of Fort Worth, we know that water damage can happen at any given moment, so we are here around the clock to help property owners cope and recover. Weekends and holidays are no exception. We are always here.
SERVPRO’s 6-Step Water Damage Recovery Plan
Dependability begins with the consistent execution of a structured action plan. Our team of water damage specialists follow a thorough process and make adjustments as needed for your particular situation.
Our goal is to eliminate all traces of water and moisture to minimize the risk of secondary damage (such as rotting wood and toxic mold growth).
Step 1: Emergency Contact
Water damage specialists dispatch right away to stop the source of the flooding. We also take documentation photos and do a preliminary search to map out all the affected areas.
Step 2: Inspection and Damage Assessment
We dive deeper into the nature of the damage. We determine if the water present is toxic (like blackwater). We survey all the damage, assess moisture levels and spread, separate furniture from wet carpet, and do a complete safety inspection.
Step 3: Water Removal/Water Extraction
We deploy high-powered water extraction equipment to remove every gallon and ounce of water from your home or business. We work diligently to salvage carpet and furniture. Oversaturated carpet is replaced to prevent mold growth.
Step 4: Drying and Dehumidification
Moisture must be eliminated to prevent mold growth, so we create a drying plan tailored to your situation. We use advanced drying techniques along with the best moisture-detection and drying equipment available to ensure that your spaces are dry as can be.
Step 5: Cleaning and Repair
Just because the area is dry does not mean that it’s clean. We thoroughly clean and deodorize the entire contents of the affected are. We use professional-grade products and equipment as well as the Esporta Wash System to launder contaminated fabrics and soft goods.
Step 6: Restoration
What cannot be salvaged will be repaired with the same kind of work you would get from a contractor.
Contact SERVPRO of Fort Worth for 24-Hour Response
SERVPRO is equipped to handle 100% of your property’s restoration needs. Because our Fort Worth water damage restoration services are more comprehensive than most, we are the preferred restoration company by many insurance companies. We even work directly with your insurance company on your behalf.
When flooding happens, you need to act fast. The longer you wait, the worse it gets as mold begins to grow as soon as 48 hours after a flood event. Call us (817) 589-1499. We are available 24/7 for emergency contact.
How SERVPRO Helps with a Smooth Commercial Restoration Project
2/12/2021 (Permalink)
For a smooth commercial restoration, contact our Fort Worth SERVPRO. We'll help you get your business back to normal as soon as possible.
Fort Worth businesses encounter emergencies and other unexpected situations all the time. The longer you have to keep your building shuttered, the more revenue you stand to lose. SERVPRO is here to streamline the recovery process so you can resume normal operations as soon as possible.
Instead of hiring several different services to do commercial restoration, hire SERVPRO to do it all. Since we are a full-service cleaning and restoration company, we coordinate multiple issues at once: biohazardous material cleanup, crime scene management, graffiti removal, fire damage, water damage, mold infestation, etc.
Comprehensive Cleaning
Sometimes businesses don’t have enough staff or the necessary equipment for deep cleaning. We sanitize the facility from floor to ceiling - even the HVAC system! Our team of experts goes to work to leave it better than we found it.
We’re also equipped to handle COVID-19 and biohazard cleanup with the best EPA-registered cleaning products available.
Once the project is complete, you can display our branded signage to let the public know your business has been professionally cleaned by a trusted brand!
Water Restoration
Thousands of businesses count on us for Fort Worth water damage restoration. We’re prepared to go to work immediately to remove all the water and repair the water damage. The area is dried thoroughly to prevent mold growth.
If a mold problem has already developed in your building, we are equipped to do complete mold remediation.
Fire Restoration
Fire damage restoration can be a long and complex process. Because we are equipped to handle all the aspects (including reconstruction) the recovery time is as efficient as possible.
Storms and Major Events
Flash floods, tornadoes, and criminal activity can hit a business at any time. That’s why we’re here 24/7 for emergency contact. We work quickly to make it “Like it never even happened.”
Contact SERVPRO for a Free Commercial Restoration Project Quote!
Our top priority is to have your business back to normal as soon as possible. Because of our extensive experience in commercial restoration and our capability to handle all the different aspects of it at once, the downtime of your business is minimal. The cost savings of our efficient process is passed on to you!
We also work around your business hours so we won’t be in the way of the operation you have in place. Crews can be scheduled overnight and on weekends - whatever works best for you.
It all begins with a free consultation. Let us put together a custom plan that works best for your situation. Call (817) 589-1499 today to get started!
Preventing Kitchen Fire: Tips for Your Fort Worth Home
2/12/2021 (Permalink)
Contact the experts at our Fort Worth SERVPRO for professional fire damage restoration services.
Most residential fires begin in the kitchen. The safer your habits are in the kitchen, the more you reduce your risk of a house fire.
At SERVPRO of Fort Worth, we’ve seen our share of housefires and how the loss takes an emotional toll (especially when it could have been prevented). Though we are always available for Fort Worth fire damage restoration, we’d rather they didn’t happen in the first place.
We want to do our share toward preventing kitchen fires. In this guide, we’ll share how to be safe in the kitchen.
Kitchen Safety Checklist
An organized kitchen safety plan is a list of action items. Preventing kitchen fires is about maintaining everyday habits. How many of these do you already know about?
- Have at least one fire extinguisher in the kitchen (especially around the stove and oven) and have it tested every six years.
- When a pan fire happens, be careful not to discharge it directly at the pan as this will spread the grease which causes the fire to spread.
- Keep cooking areas clean and clear of combustibles such as oil spills, grease splatters, towels, paper, etc. Avoid wearing clothing that could catch fire (such as bathrobe sleeves that would drape over the stove).
- Don’t cook with fats in a pan or pot that is too small.
- Never leave cooking unattended.
- Keep pets and children away from heating elements. Keep the pot handles turned inward so they are not bumped by accident or reached by tiny hands.
- Keep the lid nearby so if a small grease fire starts in a pan, you can slide the lid over the pan to snuff out the fire. Never pour water on a grease fire.
- If a fire starts in the microwave or toaster oven, unplug it and do not open the door. Wait for the flames to die from a lack of oxygen.
- Have an escape plan and makes sure everyone in the house knows what to do when it’s time to evacuate.
- If you can’t quickly get it under control, call 911 for help.
Having heightened awareness in the kitchen goes a long way toward preventing kitchen fires.
Contact SERVPRO for Fire Damage Recovery
Sometimes no matter how careful you are, house fires still happen. SERVPRO is here 24/7 for emergency contact - even on weekends and holidays.
Once everyone is safe and you’ve contacted your insurance company, give us a call at (817) 589-1499! We’ll get started right away on fire damage recovery and smoke removal.
3 Main Storm Safety Tips to Prepare for a Fort Worth Storm
2/12/2021 (Permalink)
If your property has been damaged by a recent storm, contact our Fort Worth SERVPRO team for professional restoration services.
Fort Worth is a tornado hotspot. Do you have a plan in place for when the next big storm hits? SERVPRO is prepared for any disaster and we want you to be too. The safety of our citizens is the most important thing, so here are our top storm safety tips.
1. Have a Plan and Supplies
If you don’t have a storm shelter or basement, you should designate a sturdy-framed room in your home or business that has no windows like a central bathroom, pantry or closet.
Have on hand a stash of emergency supplies: bottled water, non-perishable foods, candles, lighters, flashlights, batteries, battery-powered radio (for updates), a camera, and comfort items like blankets or pillows. A portable battery pack or small generator keeps your phone charged.
When a powerful tornado hits, it’s good to shield yourself with something thick for coverage from debris if the roof peels off (such as a mattress).
2. Heed Warnings and Advisories
If the power goes out, a battery-powered device like a radio or a cell phone comes in handy so you can still receive information about tornado warnings. Take shelter immediately when advised to do so and remain there until you have the all-clear.
During electrical storms, stay away from bodies of water and don’t use electronics that are plugged into the wall.
3. Brave the Aftermath
When it’s time to move out of your shelter, watch your head and your step. Debris could still be falling, and there is likely to be a lot of glass on the ground (or other sharp objects).
Seek medical attention for any injuries in your party. Once everyone is safe and accounted for, use your camera or cell phone to take pictures of the damage. Next, contact your insurance company to initiate a claim.
Do not reenter the property until it has been deemed safe to do so by the authorities. If your insurance policy offers no provisions for temporary housing, and you have no one else to stay with, contact the Red Cross for assistance.
Contact SERVPRO for Storm Damage Recovery
Our final piece of advice: hire a reputable restoration company for property recovery. SERVPRO is a preferred vendor by many insurance companies for Fort Worth water damage restoration and storm damage.
We even work directly with your insurance company on your behalf and board it up as we wait for repair approval (to protect property from further damage). Call us for emergency contact 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at (817) 589-1499.
How SERVPRO Helps with a Smooth Commercial Restoration Project
2/12/2021 (Permalink)
For a smooth commercial restoration, contact our Fort Worth SERVPRO. We'll help you get your business back to normal as soon as possible.
Fort Worth businesses encounter emergencies and other unexpected situations all the time. The longer you have to keep your building shuttered, the more revenue you stand to lose. SERVPRO is here to streamline the recovery process so you can resume normal operations as soon as possible.
Instead of hiring several different services to do commercial restoration, hire SERVPRO to do it all. Since we are a full-service cleaning and restoration company, we coordinate multiple issues at once: biohazardous material cleanup, crime scene management, graffiti removal, fire damage, water damage, mold infestation, etc.
Comprehensive Cleaning
Sometimes businesses don’t have enough staff or the necessary equipment for deep cleaning. We sanitize the facility from floor to ceiling - even the HVAC system! Our team of experts goes to work to leave it better than we found it.
We’re also equipped to handle COVID-19 and biohazard cleanup with the best EPA-registered cleaning products available.
Once the project is complete, you can display our branded signage to let the public know your business has been professionally cleaned by a trusted brand!
Water Restoration
Thousands of businesses count on us for Fort Worth water damage restoration. We’re prepared to go to work immediately to remove all the water and repair the water damage. The area is dried thoroughly to prevent mold growth.
If a mold problem has already developed in your building, we are equipped to do complete mold remediation.
Fire Restoration
Fire damage restoration can be a long and complex process. Because we are equipped to handle all the aspects (including reconstruction) the recovery time is as efficient as possible.
Storms and Major Events
Flash floods, tornadoes, and criminal activity can hit a business at any time. That’s why we’re here 24/7 for emergency contact. We work quickly to make it “Like it never even happened.”
Contact SERVPRO for a Free Commercial Restoration Project Quote!
Our top priority is to have your business back to normal as soon as possible. Because of our extensive experience in commercial restoration and our capability to handle all the different aspects of it at once, the downtime of your business is minimal. The cost savings of our efficient process is passed on to you!
We also work around your business hours so we won’t be in the way of the operation you have in place. Crews can be scheduled overnight and on weekends - whatever works best for you.
It all begins with a free consultation. Let us put together a custom plan that works best for your situation. Call (817) 589-1499 today to get started!
Preventing Kitchen Fire: Tips for Your Fort Worth Home
2/12/2021 (Permalink)
Contact the experts at our Fort Worth SERVPRO for professional fire damage restoration services.
Most residential fires begin in the kitchen. The safer your habits are in the kitchen, the more you reduce your risk of a house fire.
At SERVPRO of Fort Worth, we’ve seen our share of housefires and how the loss takes an emotional toll (especially when it could have been prevented). Though we are always available for Fort Worth fire damage restoration, we’d rather they didn’t happen in the first place.
We want to do our share toward preventing kitchen fires. In this guide, we’ll share how to be safe in the kitchen.
Kitchen Safety Checklist
An organized kitchen safety plan is a list of action items. Preventing kitchen fires is about maintaining everyday habits. How many of these do you already know about?
- Have at least one fire extinguisher in the kitchen (especially around the stove and oven) and have it tested every six years.
- When a pan fire happens, be careful not to discharge it directly at the pan as this will spread the grease which causes the fire to spread.
- Keep cooking areas clean and clear of combustibles such as oil spills, grease splatters, towels, paper, etc. Avoid wearing clothing that could catch fire (such as bathrobe sleeves that would drape over the stove).
- Don’t cook with fats in a pan or pot that is too small.
- Never leave cooking unattended.
- Keep pets and children away from heating elements. Keep the pot handles turned inward so they are not bumped by accident or reached by tiny hands.
- Keep the lid nearby so if a small grease fire starts in a pan, you can slide the lid over the pan to snuff out the fire. Never pour water on a grease fire.
- If a fire starts in the microwave or toaster oven, unplug it and do not open the door. Wait for the flames to die from a lack of oxygen.
- Have an escape plan and makes sure everyone in the house knows what to do when it’s time to evacuate.
- If you can’t quickly get it under control, call 911 for help.
Having heightened awareness in the kitchen goes a long way toward preventing kitchen fires.
Contact SERVPRO for Fire Damage Recovery
Sometimes no matter how careful you are, house fires still happen. SERVPRO is here 24/7 for emergency contact - even on weekends and holidays.
Once everyone is safe and you’ve contacted your insurance company, give us a call at (817) 589-1499! We’ll get started right away on fire damage recovery and smoke removal.
3 Main Storm Safety Tips to Prepare for a Fort Worth Storm
2/12/2021 (Permalink)
If your property has been damaged by a recent storm, contact our Fort Worth SERVPRO team for professional restoration services.
Fort Worth is a tornado hotspot. Do you have a plan in place for when the next big storm hits? SERVPRO is prepared for any disaster and we want you to be too. The safety of our citizens is the most important thing, so here are our top storm safety tips.
1. Have a Plan and Supplies
If you don’t have a storm shelter or basement, you should designate a sturdy-framed room in your home or business that has no windows like a central bathroom, pantry or closet.
Have on hand a stash of emergency supplies: bottled water, non-perishable foods, candles, lighters, flashlights, batteries, battery-powered radio (for updates), a camera, and comfort items like blankets or pillows. A portable battery pack or small generator keeps your phone charged.
When a powerful tornado hits, it’s good to shield yourself with something thick for coverage from debris if the roof peels off (such as a mattress).
2. Heed Warnings and Advisories
If the power goes out, a battery-powered device like a radio or a cell phone comes in handy so you can still receive information about tornado warnings. Take shelter immediately when advised to do so and remain there until you have the all-clear.
During electrical storms, stay away from bodies of water and don’t use electronics that are plugged into the wall.
3. Brave the Aftermath
When it’s time to move out of your shelter, watch your head and your step. Debris could still be falling, and there is likely to be a lot of glass on the ground (or other sharp objects).
Seek medical attention for any injuries in your party. Once everyone is safe and accounted for, use your camera or cell phone to take pictures of the damage. Next, contact your insurance company to initiate a claim.
Do not reenter the property until it has been deemed safe to do so by the authorities. If your insurance policy offers no provisions for temporary housing, and you have no one else to stay with, contact the Red Cross for assistance.
Contact SERVPRO for Storm Damage Recovery
Our final piece of advice: hire a reputable restoration company for property recovery. SERVPRO is a preferred vendor by many insurance companies for Fort Worth water damage restoration and storm damage.
We even work directly with your insurance company on your behalf and board it up as we wait for repair approval (to protect property from further damage). Call us for emergency contact 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at (817) 589-1499.
Professional Fort Worth Warehouse and Industrial Cleaning Services
2/11/2021 (Permalink)
Contact our Fort Worth SERVPRO for professional warehouse and industrial cleaning services
Many Fort Worth area facilities find it difficult to cope with cleaning demands: not enough staff coverage, time constraints, inadequate equipment, shortage of personal protective equipment, etc. Others need a periodic deep cleaning to maintain standards or comply with industry regulations.
That’s where SERVPRO comes in. We have the proper equipment and the highly-trained staff needed to support all your warehouse or industrial facility cleaning needs.
We understand that warehouses and industrial facilities have compliance issues, so we’re here to handle the tasks appropriately so you can check this off your to-do list.
SERVPRO’s 3 C’s
SERVPRO of Fort Worth is equipped to clean any size facility from floor to ceiling - even the HVAC systems. We can scale any of our cleaning services, including Fort Worth fire damage restoration.
We deliver unparalleled warehouse cleaning services by consistently following these foundational principles:
Consult: Every warehouse or industrial facility has its own unique set of circumstances. By way of a comprehensive consultation, we customize a bespoke cleaning program to suit the needs of each individual facility.
Clean: We deep clean surfaces with our proprietary EPA-approved hospital-grade cleaning treatments. We understand the regulatory issues surrounding industrial sites, so we adhere to our own high standards that include CDC cleaning and decontamination guidelines. We are also equipped to properly clean up biohazardous material.
Certify: When you display our branded signage on your facility, the public is assured that your facility has been properly cleaned a trusted leader in the restoration industry.
Yet another “C” has arrived - COVID-19. Coronavirus maintenance is a challenge to keep up with, so we are here to support Fort Worth facilities that need help structuring or implementing a COVID-19 cleaning plan. We address the public health needs of each scenario such as schools, nursing homes, fully-staffed warehouses, retailers, etc.
Contact SERVPRO for All Your Warehouse and Industrial Cleaning Needs in Fort Worth
SERVPRO is a reputable industrial cleaning service. Many Fort Worth warehouse and industrial facility managers have trusted us to carry out specific cleaning procedures according to each unique circumstance.
Not all cleaning companies have the capacity to meet your facility’s needs. A trustworthy cleaning company will be honest and transparent about its abilities. We won’t start on the work until we have a sustainable action plan in place.
Confidently established service agreements begin with a free consultation. Call us today at (817) 589-1499 to set up a meeting.
SERVPRO Provides Professional Cigarette Smoke Removal in Fort Worth
2/11/2021 (Permalink)
Restore and refresh your property with professional cigarette smoke removal services from our Fort Worth SERVPRO.
While not as common as it was decades ago, cigarette smoking is still a part of American life. Smokers may be “nose blind” to the odor that cigarettes leave behind, but most people are used to smoke-free air.
Whether you are prepping a house for sale or an apartment for rent in Fort Worth, you need to have the air clear of cigarette smoke so that even the most sensitive of noses won’t detect it.
With SERVPRO cigarette smoke removal, the new inhabitants will never know a smoker was ever there. We make it "Like it never even happened."
How SERVPRO Gets Rid of Stubborn Cigarette Odor
The longer smoking goes on indoors, the more it penetrates through the air ducts and fibrous materials (furniture, drywall, curtains, etc.). Sometimes it even stains materials in the room with a yellow tinge.
Below are the core components of SERVPRO cigarette smoke removal.
- Evaluate - We start out by doing a thorough assessment of the affected space so we can account for all the areas that have become a source of the odor.
- Cleaning - We thoroughly clean upholstery, carpet, furniture, curtains, blinds, walls, countertops, etc. with our industrial-strength cleaners.
Fabrics and soft-goods with stubborn stains and odors are restored in our state-of-the-art Esporta Wash System.
- Air duct remediation - The longer a home or building has been smoked in, the more likely it is that the HVAC system will harbor cigarette smoke remnants.
We clean out the air ducts so that you can run the air conditioner cycling the odors.
- Air scrubbing and deodorization - As a finishing touch, we use HEPA vacuums and air scrubbers to grab airborne cigarette odors.
We also apply industrial-grade deodorizer treatments to anything in the room that is still harboring cigarette odor.
By the time we have finished, no one would guess that a smoker was there. The work is not complete until the room and the air are neutralized and smell completely fresh.
Contact SERVPRO for Cigarette Smoke Odor Elimination in Fort Worth
Restore and refresh any property with cigarette smoke odor removal. We apply our Fort Worth fire damage restoration professional techniques to rid your spaces of cigarette smoke once and for all!
We are here to take your call 24/7 at (817) 589-1499. Set up a free consultation today!
Why Fort Worth Home Owners Call Our SERVPRO for Water Damage Restoration
2/11/2021 (Permalink)
Contact our Fort Worth SERVPRO for professional water damage restoration services.
Water damage restoration is a core service we’ve had the pleasure of providing to our community for over 40 years. SERVPRO is known for consistent and dependable service.
We understand that water damage is a frustrating problem to deal with, so our staff of water damage specialists is here to make your life easier with powerful equipment and expertise that comes from experience.
What Homeowners Get with Our Water Damage Restoration Services
There is a difference with SERVPRO. Our goal is to make the water damage restoration process stress-free for our customers. We’re here to relieve you of the burden of any water emergency.
Commitment to Timeliness
We are “Faster to any size disaster.” A water emergency can happen at any time, so our lines are open 24 hours a day to take your call - even on weekends and holidays! We are ready to dispatch our crew whenever you need us.
Dedicated Thoroughness and Expertise
Water damage is often more than meets the eye. Our team of specialists checks everything to make sure that all water damage has been accounted for. Our IICRC-certified technicians receive extensive and updated training.
SERVPRO has it down to a science - literally. Our teams are trained on the latest advancements in restoration technology and water damage techniques.
Restoration Over Replacement
SERVPRO understands how upsetting loss is. Our goal is to salvage as much as possible by repairs and restoration versus replacement.
Whatever construction cannot be fixed is replaced with new materials that match the original as closely as possible. No need to hire a contractor - we’ve got it covered.
Unparalleled Efficiency
Being a full-service restoration company means we streamline the entire project by coordinating every aspect of the process, including reconstruction. The money saved by efficiency is passed onto the customer.
Exceptional Customer Service
SERVPRO customers have a single point of contact. We even work directly with your insurance company. This means you have just one call to make to keep track of the progress of your case.
Our technicians are prompt, efficient, and will answer any questions you have before they start the work. We’re here to give you peace of mind and get you back to life as usual as soon as possible.
Contact SERVPRO for Full Service Water Restoration in Fort Worth
Water damage cleanup is burdensome for Fort Worth property owners. Water creeps through all the layers and ruins everything. We’re here to take care of the mess and fully restore your property to preloss condition.
Our team of IICRC certified technicians is equipped with the experience, knowledge, and training needed to complete Fort Worth water damage restoration with excellence.
Don't wait for water damage to your property to worsen or become a mold risk. Call the experts anytime at (817) 589-1499.
What to Do After a Flood in Your Fort Worth House
2/11/2021 (Permalink)
What do you do when you have gallons of water trapped in your house? Perhaps your instinct is to grab a bucket and start scooping it all out, but that’s not necessarily the best thing to do first.
While severe weather floods the insides of homes and businesses in Fort Worth, the most common cause of internal flooding is plumbing failure. In this guide, we’ll share what to do after a flood step by step.
What To Do After A Flood in 7 Steps
Floods are stressful, and unfortunately, there aren’t any shortcuts in the recovery process. He’s what to do after a flood in seven steps.
- Be Safe - Here are safety tips to follow:
- Heed evacuation advisories.
- Seek alternative shelter if the structure is hazardous.
- Turn off the main power to the house even if there is a power outage. Note: For your safety, only do this if you can without walking through the water.
- Do not make contact with contaminated water without adequate personal protective equipment. Blackwater contains potentially life-threatening toxins.
- Call for Help - Sometimes the only way to manage a water emergency is to call for help. Here are some examples of who to call:
- 911 - You are in a dangerous situation, someone needs medical attention, someone is lost, etc.
- Emergency electrician - You cannot safely turn off the power.
- City - Water main break, sewage spill beyond your property line.
- Emergency plumber - Water is gushing, and you can’t turn it off.
- SERVPRO - Contaminated water has entered your home, and it’s unsafe to clean up.
- Insurance/warranty company - If you have coverage for water damage or water emergencies.
- Stop the Flooding - If the water source is internal (from plumbing, appliances, etc.), shut off the main water valve. When floodwaters are coming in from the outside (from a storm, city sewer, water main break), contact city services for assistance.
- Document - If it’s safe to approach and reenter the property, take plenty of photos, videos, and notes to pass along to the insurance company or home protection organization.
- Clean Up - Water must be extracted from the structure, and all contaminated objects must be carefully bagged up or disposed of.
- Prevent Mold - Mold begins to grow about 48 hours after a flooding event. The home or building must be completely dry to prevent mold from growing inside and outside the structure.
- Prevent Future Floods - Inspect the home for potential plumbing problems that need preventative repair. Consider installing a flood alarm in places that might flood without forewarning (for example, the basement).
Contact SERVPRO of Fort Worth for Flood Damage Restoration
SERVPRO has been a trusted provider of Fort Worth water damage restoration for decades. We remove gallons of water from structures with high-powered extractors and use advanced techniques to prevent mold growth.
If you have coverage, we are the preferred restoration company for many top insurance companies, plus we work directly with them on your behalf. Call us 24/7 for emergency contact at (817) 589-1499.
How to Remove Soot from Fabric
2/11/2021 (Permalink)
During a fire, soot can cover the fabrics inside your home. Contact SERVPRO in Fort Worth for fire damage restoration including fabric recovery.
Not only is fire destructive by reducing things to a pile of ash, but the soot left behind is also damaging. Soot is acidic and known to cause corrosion and discoloration.
Soot stains because it is oily. If you have an heirloom quilt, a designer suit, or a favorite dress that is peppered with soot, is it worth trying to save? Before you toss it out, try these tips.
Steps for Removing Soot from Clothing
To keep the stain from getting worse, follow these steps for how to remove soot from fabric.
- Remove loose soot - Shake off the excess soot before it has a chance to add more to the stains. Be careful not to shake the soot onto other materials that might stain. Take it outdoors or shake it into a trash bag (or another disposable plastic item).
- Flush out the soot - Using cold water, rinse both sides of the fabric to force the soot out. High-pressure water can be more effective with this.
- Pretreat - Mix a solution of water and stain remover like sodium percarbonate (Oxiclean). Submerge the fabric and leave it to soak.
- Wash - Without rinsing out the pretreatment, put the item into the washing machine by itself. Launder the item on the highest temperature setting. You may use laundry detergent and bleach for white items (or color-safe bleach as needed). Borax and washing soda are also effective at fighting stubborn stains in the washing machine cycle.
- Observe - After the wash cycle is complete, remove the item and examine it. If the stain is still there, do not place it in the dryer as this will set the stain. Instead, use these other treatments:
- Alcohol - dab the stain with rubbing alcohol using the sponge. Avoid rubbing the stain as this pushes the soot further in. You’ll want to extract the stain with a dabbing motion.
- Salt - Pour salt over the stain and let it sit for several hours. The salt soaks up some of the soot.
- Formula 409 - Douse the material with Formula 409 to dissolve the soot.
- Wash again - After applying one of these methods, launder the item in the washing machine again.
- Check again - Once no signs of soot or stains appear on the fabric, you may dry it in the clothes dryer.
Contact SERVPRO for Fabric and Soft Goods Restoration
If nothing else works, there is still hope! Our Esporta Wash System recovers fabrics and other soft goods (like stuffed animals) as part of our water restoration or fire damage restoration Fort Worth process. Our state of the art industrial washing machine restores materials back to food-grade cleanliness. Call SERVPRO of Fort Worth any time at (817) 589-1499.
How to Fix a Toilet that Keeps Clogging Up
2/11/2021 (Permalink)
If a clogged toilet has made a mess in your house, contact the experts at SERVPRO in Fort Worth for professional water damage restoration services.
It seems that you use the plunger so often that you may as well leave it by the toilet.
So, why is the toilet getting backed up so often and how do you fix a toilet that keeps clogging up?
Reasons Why a Toilet Keeps Clogging Up
It could be the age of the toilet, plumbing issues, or user error. Below are the common causes of toilet backups.
- The toilet is old - First-generation low-flow toilets manufactured in the 1990s don’t flush materials as well.
- Materials - Not all toilets and not all plumbing can cope with “flushable” wipes, baby wipes, feminine hygiene products, paper towels, cotton balls, hair, or dental floss.
- Fill valve malfunction – The fill valve controls how much water collects in the tank, so there is enough water for the next flush. Without enough water to thoroughly flush the toilet, it becomes clogged.
- Blockage in the pipes - The toilet isn’t clogging, but a blockage in the pipe(s) causes a backup.
- Sewer line issues - The problem is not above ground with the toilet or plumbing, but below with a blockage in the sewer line.
- Plumbing vent damage – The plumbing vent is compromised, and this throws off the pressure needed for movement through the pipes.
Solutions for a Toilet that Keeps Clogging Up
Wondering how to fix a toilet that keeps clogging up? Here are things to try when your toilet backs up.
- Replace the toilet - If you have a low-flow toilet from the 1990s, upgrade to a newer one with an updated design.
- House rules - Make a habit of only flushing a reasonable amount of toilet paper. Everyone using the toilet should be made aware that flushing anything other than toilet paper could cause a backup.
- Check the fill valve - It could be that your toilet tank isn’t refilling properly. Open up the tank and check if there is enough water in the tank and check if the fill valve appears to be broken. Repair as needed.
- Call a professional - If you’ve tried everything to fix the toilet itself and there are still backups, there may be a problem with the plumbing or sewer line. These issues need to be diagnosed by a professional plumbing or sewer line service in Fort Worth.
Contact SERVPRO for Bathroom Water Damage Restoration
If toilet backups left a nasty mess, call SERVPRO for Fort Worth water damage restoration. Not only will we thoroughly clean up the wastewater, but we also use professional drying techniques to prevent mold growth.
In the case of a sewer backup, we get close to the contamination with personal protective equipment so that you don’t have to.
We can also help with many household repairs including plumbing. We’re here to take your call 24/7 at (817) 589-1499.
Professional Fort Worth Warehouse and Industrial Cleaning Services
2/11/2021 (Permalink)
Contact our Fort Worth SERVPRO for professional warehouse and industrial cleaning services
Many Fort Worth area facilities find it difficult to cope with cleaning demands: not enough staff coverage, time constraints, inadequate equipment, shortage of personal protective equipment, etc. Others need a periodic deep cleaning to maintain standards or comply with industry regulations.
That’s where SERVPRO comes in. We have the proper equipment and the highly-trained staff needed to support all your warehouse or industrial facility cleaning needs.
We understand that warehouses and industrial facilities have compliance issues, so we’re here to handle the tasks appropriately so you can check this off your to-do list.
SERVPRO’s 3 C’s
SERVPRO of Fort Worth is equipped to clean any size facility from floor to ceiling - even the HVAC systems. We can scale any of our cleaning services, including Fort Worth fire damage restoration.
We deliver unparalleled warehouse cleaning services by consistently following these foundational principles:
Consult: Every warehouse or industrial facility has its own unique set of circumstances. By way of a comprehensive consultation, we customize a bespoke cleaning program to suit the needs of each individual facility.
Clean: We deep clean surfaces with our proprietary EPA-approved hospital-grade cleaning treatments. We understand the regulatory issues surrounding industrial sites, so we adhere to our own high standards that include CDC cleaning and decontamination guidelines. We are also equipped to properly clean up biohazardous material.
Certify: When you display our branded signage on your facility, the public is assured that your facility has been properly cleaned a trusted leader in the restoration industry.
Yet another “C” has arrived - COVID-19. Coronavirus maintenance is a challenge to keep up with, so we are here to support Fort Worth facilities that need help structuring or implementing a COVID-19 cleaning plan. We address the public health needs of each scenario such as schools, nursing homes, fully-staffed warehouses, retailers, etc.
Contact SERVPRO for All Your Warehouse and Industrial Cleaning Needs in Fort Worth
SERVPRO is a reputable industrial cleaning service. Many Fort Worth warehouse and industrial facility managers have trusted us to carry out specific cleaning procedures according to each unique circumstance.
Not all cleaning companies have the capacity to meet your facility’s needs. A trustworthy cleaning company will be honest and transparent about its abilities. We won’t start on the work until we have a sustainable action plan in place.
Confidently established service agreements begin with a free consultation. Call us today at (817) 589-1499 to set up a meeting.
SERVPRO Provides Professional Cigarette Smoke Removal in Fort Worth
2/11/2021 (Permalink)
Restore and refresh your property with professional cigarette smoke removal services from our Fort Worth SERVPRO.
While not as common as it was decades ago, cigarette smoking is still a part of American life. Smokers may be “nose blind” to the odor that cigarettes leave behind, but most people are used to smoke-free air.
Whether you are prepping a house for sale or an apartment for rent in Fort Worth, you need to have the air clear of cigarette smoke so that even the most sensitive of noses won’t detect it.
With SERVPRO cigarette smoke removal, the new inhabitants will never know a smoker was ever there. We make it "Like it never even happened."
How SERVPRO Gets Rid of Stubborn Cigarette Odor
The longer smoking goes on indoors, the more it penetrates through the air ducts and fibrous materials (furniture, drywall, curtains, etc.). Sometimes it even stains materials in the room with a yellow tinge.
Below are the core components of SERVPRO cigarette smoke removal.
- Evaluate - We start out by doing a thorough assessment of the affected space so we can account for all the areas that have become a source of the odor.
- Cleaning - We thoroughly clean upholstery, carpet, furniture, curtains, blinds, walls, countertops, etc. with our industrial-strength cleaners.
Fabrics and soft-goods with stubborn stains and odors are restored in our state-of-the-art Esporta Wash System.
- Air duct remediation - The longer a home or building has been smoked in, the more likely it is that the HVAC system will harbor cigarette smoke remnants.
We clean out the air ducts so that you can run the air conditioner cycling the odors.
- Air scrubbing and deodorization - As a finishing touch, we use HEPA vacuums and air scrubbers to grab airborne cigarette odors.
We also apply industrial-grade deodorizer treatments to anything in the room that is still harboring cigarette odor.
By the time we have finished, no one would guess that a smoker was there. The work is not complete until the room and the air are neutralized and smell completely fresh.
Contact SERVPRO for Cigarette Smoke Odor Elimination in Fort Worth
Restore and refresh any property with cigarette smoke odor removal. We apply our Fort Worth fire damage restoration professional techniques to rid your spaces of cigarette smoke once and for all!
We are here to take your call 24/7 at (817) 589-1499. Set up a free consultation today!
Why Fort Worth Home Owners Call Our SERVPRO for Water Damage Restoration
2/11/2021 (Permalink)
Contact our Fort Worth SERVPRO for professional water damage restoration services.
Water damage restoration is a core service we’ve had the pleasure of providing to our community for over 40 years. SERVPRO is known for consistent and dependable service.
We understand that water damage is a frustrating problem to deal with, so our staff of water damage specialists is here to make your life easier with powerful equipment and expertise that comes from experience.
What Homeowners Get with Our Water Damage Restoration Services
There is a difference with SERVPRO. Our goal is to make the water damage restoration process stress-free for our customers. We’re here to relieve you of the burden of any water emergency.
Commitment to Timeliness
We are “Faster to any size disaster.” A water emergency can happen at any time, so our lines are open 24 hours a day to take your call - even on weekends and holidays! We are ready to dispatch our crew whenever you need us.
Dedicated Thoroughness and Expertise
Water damage is often more than meets the eye. Our team of specialists checks everything to make sure that all water damage has been accounted for. Our IICRC-certified technicians receive extensive and updated training.
SERVPRO has it down to a science - literally. Our teams are trained on the latest advancements in restoration technology and water damage techniques.
Restoration Over Replacement
SERVPRO understands how upsetting loss is. Our goal is to salvage as much as possible by repairs and restoration versus replacement.
Whatever construction cannot be fixed is replaced with new materials that match the original as closely as possible. No need to hire a contractor - we’ve got it covered.
Unparalleled Efficiency
Being a full-service restoration company means we streamline the entire project by coordinating every aspect of the process, including reconstruction. The money saved by efficiency is passed onto the customer.
Exceptional Customer Service
SERVPRO customers have a single point of contact. We even work directly with your insurance company. This means you have just one call to make to keep track of the progress of your case.
Our technicians are prompt, efficient, and will answer any questions you have before they start the work. We’re here to give you peace of mind and get you back to life as usual as soon as possible.
Contact SERVPRO for Full Service Water Restoration in Fort Worth
Water damage cleanup is burdensome for Fort Worth property owners. Water creeps through all the layers and ruins everything. We’re here to take care of the mess and fully restore your property to preloss condition.
Our team of IICRC certified technicians is equipped with the experience, knowledge, and training needed to complete Fort Worth water damage restoration with excellence.
Don't wait for water damage to your property to worsen or become a mold risk. Call the experts anytime at (817) 589-1499.
What to Do After a Flood in Your Fort Worth House
2/11/2021 (Permalink)
What do you do when you have gallons of water trapped in your house? Perhaps your instinct is to grab a bucket and start scooping it all out, but that’s not necessarily the best thing to do first.
While severe weather floods the insides of homes and businesses in Fort Worth, the most common cause of internal flooding is plumbing failure. In this guide, we’ll share what to do after a flood step by step.
What To Do After A Flood in 7 Steps
Floods are stressful, and unfortunately, there aren’t any shortcuts in the recovery process. He’s what to do after a flood in seven steps.
- Be Safe - Here are safety tips to follow:
- Heed evacuation advisories.
- Seek alternative shelter if the structure is hazardous.
- Turn off the main power to the house even if there is a power outage. Note: For your safety, only do this if you can without walking through the water.
- Do not make contact with contaminated water without adequate personal protective equipment. Blackwater contains potentially life-threatening toxins.
- Call for Help - Sometimes the only way to manage a water emergency is to call for help. Here are some examples of who to call:
- 911 - You are in a dangerous situation, someone needs medical attention, someone is lost, etc.
- Emergency electrician - You cannot safely turn off the power.
- City - Water main break, sewage spill beyond your property line.
- Emergency plumber - Water is gushing, and you can’t turn it off.
- SERVPRO - Contaminated water has entered your home, and it’s unsafe to clean up.
- Insurance/warranty company - If you have coverage for water damage or water emergencies.
- Stop the Flooding - If the water source is internal (from plumbing, appliances, etc.), shut off the main water valve. When floodwaters are coming in from the outside (from a storm, city sewer, water main break), contact city services for assistance.
- Document - If it’s safe to approach and reenter the property, take plenty of photos, videos, and notes to pass along to the insurance company or home protection organization.
- Clean Up - Water must be extracted from the structure, and all contaminated objects must be carefully bagged up or disposed of.
- Prevent Mold - Mold begins to grow about 48 hours after a flooding event. The home or building must be completely dry to prevent mold from growing inside and outside the structure.
- Prevent Future Floods - Inspect the home for potential plumbing problems that need preventative repair. Consider installing a flood alarm in places that might flood without forewarning (for example, the basement).
Contact SERVPRO of Fort Worth for Flood Damage Restoration
SERVPRO has been a trusted provider of Fort Worth water damage restoration for decades. We remove gallons of water from structures with high-powered extractors and use advanced techniques to prevent mold growth.
If you have coverage, we are the preferred restoration company for many top insurance companies, plus we work directly with them on your behalf. Call us 24/7 for emergency contact at (817) 589-1499.
How to Remove Soot from Fabric
2/11/2021 (Permalink)
During a fire, soot can cover the fabrics inside your home. Contact SERVPRO in Fort Worth for fire damage restoration including fabric recovery.
Not only is fire destructive by reducing things to a pile of ash, but the soot left behind is also damaging. Soot is acidic and known to cause corrosion and discoloration.
Soot stains because it is oily. If you have an heirloom quilt, a designer suit, or a favorite dress that is peppered with soot, is it worth trying to save? Before you toss it out, try these tips.
Steps for Removing Soot from Clothing
To keep the stain from getting worse, follow these steps for how to remove soot from fabric.
- Remove loose soot - Shake off the excess soot before it has a chance to add more to the stains. Be careful not to shake the soot onto other materials that might stain. Take it outdoors or shake it into a trash bag (or another disposable plastic item).
- Flush out the soot - Using cold water, rinse both sides of the fabric to force the soot out. High-pressure water can be more effective with this.
- Pretreat - Mix a solution of water and stain remover like sodium percarbonate (Oxiclean). Submerge the fabric and leave it to soak.
- Wash - Without rinsing out the pretreatment, put the item into the washing machine by itself. Launder the item on the highest temperature setting. You may use laundry detergent and bleach for white items (or color-safe bleach as needed). Borax and washing soda are also effective at fighting stubborn stains in the washing machine cycle.
- Observe - After the wash cycle is complete, remove the item and examine it. If the stain is still there, do not place it in the dryer as this will set the stain. Instead, use these other treatments:
- Alcohol - dab the stain with rubbing alcohol using the sponge. Avoid rubbing the stain as this pushes the soot further in. You’ll want to extract the stain with a dabbing motion.
- Salt - Pour salt over the stain and let it sit for several hours. The salt soaks up some of the soot.
- Formula 409 - Douse the material with Formula 409 to dissolve the soot.
- Wash again - After applying one of these methods, launder the item in the washing machine again.
- Check again - Once no signs of soot or stains appear on the fabric, you may dry it in the clothes dryer.
Contact SERVPRO for Fabric and Soft Goods Restoration
If nothing else works, there is still hope! Our Esporta Wash System recovers fabrics and other soft goods (like stuffed animals) as part of our water restoration or fire damage restoration Fort Worth process. Our state of the art industrial washing machine restores materials back to food-grade cleanliness. Call SERVPRO of Fort Worth any time at (817) 589-1499.
How to Fix a Toilet that Keeps Clogging Up
2/11/2021 (Permalink)
If a clogged toilet has made a mess in your house, contact the experts at SERVPRO in Fort Worth for professional water damage restoration services.
It seems that you use the plunger so often that you may as well leave it by the toilet.
So, why is the toilet getting backed up so often and how do you fix a toilet that keeps clogging up?
Reasons Why a Toilet Keeps Clogging Up
It could be the age of the toilet, plumbing issues, or user error. Below are the common causes of toilet backups.
- The toilet is old - First-generation low-flow toilets manufactured in the 1990s don’t flush materials as well.
- Materials - Not all toilets and not all plumbing can cope with “flushable” wipes, baby wipes, feminine hygiene products, paper towels, cotton balls, hair, or dental floss.
- Fill valve malfunction – The fill valve controls how much water collects in the tank, so there is enough water for the next flush. Without enough water to thoroughly flush the toilet, it becomes clogged.
- Blockage in the pipes - The toilet isn’t clogging, but a blockage in the pipe(s) causes a backup.
- Sewer line issues - The problem is not above ground with the toilet or plumbing, but below with a blockage in the sewer line.
- Plumbing vent damage – The plumbing vent is compromised, and this throws off the pressure needed for movement through the pipes.
Solutions for a Toilet that Keeps Clogging Up
Wondering how to fix a toilet that keeps clogging up? Here are things to try when your toilet backs up.
- Replace the toilet - If you have a low-flow toilet from the 1990s, upgrade to a newer one with an updated design.
- House rules - Make a habit of only flushing a reasonable amount of toilet paper. Everyone using the toilet should be made aware that flushing anything other than toilet paper could cause a backup.
- Check the fill valve - It could be that your toilet tank isn’t refilling properly. Open up the tank and check if there is enough water in the tank and check if the fill valve appears to be broken. Repair as needed.
- Call a professional - If you’ve tried everything to fix the toilet itself and there are still backups, there may be a problem with the plumbing or sewer line. These issues need to be diagnosed by a professional plumbing or sewer line service in Fort Worth.
Contact SERVPRO for Bathroom Water Damage Restoration
If toilet backups left a nasty mess, call SERVPRO for Fort Worth water damage restoration. Not only will we thoroughly clean up the wastewater, but we also use professional drying techniques to prevent mold growth.
In the case of a sewer backup, we get close to the contamination with personal protective equipment so that you don’t have to.
We can also help with many household repairs including plumbing. We’re here to take your call 24/7 at (817) 589-1499.
What to do After a Storm Causes Property Damage
2/8/2021 (Permalink)
If your property has been damaged by a storm, contact the Fort Worth storm damage repair experts at SERVPRO now.
Fort Worth, TX is among the top 20 Texas cities with the highest tornado index while the highest-ranking towns are immediately south of here. Because the Fort Worth area is such a hot spot for severe storm activity it’s necessary to have a plan in place for what to do after the next storm blows through.
The hope is that your home or business will be spared storm damage, but the reality is that property damage is a real possibility during the warmer months. Being prepared for a major storm event means you’ve secured adequate property damage coverage and that you know what steps to take when storm damage happens.
SERVPRO of Fort Worth is “Faster to any size disaster” and we want members of our community to be prepared as well. Read this guide to help you put your own action plan together.
What is Property Damage?
Property damage is any destructive alteration of a structure (like a house) or belongings (like a car) to the point that it needs repair, reconstruction, or replacement. The typical causes of damage to properties are negligence, willful destruction (like vandalism), or an act of nature.
The cause of the damage matters, because it determines property damage liability. For example, if you are in a car accident and it’s the other person’s fault, they are on the hook for the repairs.
Property damage from weather events are not the fault of any party, so responsibility usually falls on the insurance company of the insured (when coverage allows).
SERVPRO Restoration Services for Storm Damage
Not all storm damage is the same with all the variables at play. You have the age of the property, plus the kind of storm that happened (tornado, flash flood, electrical, etc.)
One property may have more wind damage than flood damage and vice versa. Some properties may catch on fire from rare factors like a tree falling on a power line.
Because of these different factors, the steps involved in the restoration process will be adjusted accordingly. Below are the core components of our storm damage recovery process, including Fort Worth water damage restoration.
24-hour service - Bad weather can happen at any time, so we are always here and ready to assist.
IICRC Certified Managers and Storm Technicians - We send teams to the scene who are specially trained for storm event cleanup and restoration.
Water removal and water damage restoration - High-powered water extractors remove gallons of water from your property, followed by complete moisture removal to prevent rot and mold growth.
Fire Damage Restoration - If fire damage results from the storm, we fully clean and restore the property.
Roof tarping and board-up - Severe storm damage leaves property vulnerable to theft, vandalism, and additional damage from natural elements, so we secure the property with tarping and board-up.
Storm debris cleanup - We collect and properly dispose of all storm debris on site.
Temporary fencing - For lengtheir projects, we will set up a fence and security to protect the worksite from theft and trespassing.
Moving services and long-term storage - We carefully store your personal effects and property content while the restoration is underway.
Clothing sanitization - We use our industrial-grade Esporta Wash System to remove smoke and floodwater contamination from fabrics, textiles, and soft goods.
What Types of Storm Damage are Under Insurance Coverage?
Generally, storm and hail damage are covered by insurance. However, if the insurance adjuster finds that the damage is due to neglect, they may decline part or all of the claim.
Property insurance coverage doesn’t usually cover flood damage either. If your property is at risk for flooding, you should secure supplemental coverage.
Steps to Take after Storm Damage to Your Property
Storm damage transforms a property in the blink of an eye. In such chaotic aftermath, where do you even begin? As a professional restoration company with decades of experience in the DFW area, here are the steps SERVPRO recommends and in the order you should do them.
- Assess the Property Damage
- Contact Your Insurance Company
- Prevent Additional Property Damage
- Choose the Best Restoration Service for Your Home
Assess the Property Damage
It’s human nature to want to reenter property as soon as possible after an event to understand how much loss there is, but, the structure may not be safe to enter. It’s best to get clearance from the authorities first (like the fire department)
Once you can safely reenter, take plenty of photos and video. Document everything that may have been lost or damaged. Missing roof tiles, ripped rain gutters, damage to the glass, lost siding, etc.
Contact Your Insurance Company
As soon as you have all the damage documented, contact your insurance company. Do your best to determine the monetary value for the items that were lost.
Some insurance policies may offer reimbursement for your temporary housing needs. Keep receipts for temporary housing (like a hotel), replacement clothing, and personal care items so you can be reimbursed for these expenses.
Once your insurance company receives your property damage claim, an insurance adjuster conducts an assessment. From there, the insurance company will either grant or deny your claim (or partially deny the claim), which results in repairs paid for by the insurance company, or reimbursement for the total loss of the property.
Prevent Additional Property Damage
We strongly recommend that you do your best to secure the property with shields from secondary damage, like tarping or board up. Insurance companies may deny coverage for further damage that should have been prevented. SERVPRO is prepared to set up these safeguards (such as roof tarping and board up)
Choose the Best Restoration Service for Your Home
Does it matter which storm damage restoration company you go with? Don’t they all do the same thing? While all restoration companies should deliver the same results, the truth is that some may cut corners or give poor service. Read up on a company before securing their services.
After you make contact with your insurance company, you’ll want to get a reputable storm damage restoration company lined up right away. The sooner crews come out and work on the damage, the more secondary damage can be averted like mold growth or further breakdown of construction.
Certified Dallas SERVPRO Experts Ready to Help With Property Damage Restoration
As mentioned in the previous section, not all restoration companies are equal. What makes SERVPRO different is that we handle all aspects of restoration in one streamlined process. This means you don’t have to hire one company to do debris removal, one to clean up the water damage, and then a contractor to rebuild. We handle it all, including mold remediation.
SERVPRO of Fort Worth is a preferred vendor by many insurance companies and we work directly with your insurance company on your behalf. We have extensive experience working with insurance carriers, so we have the process down to a science with efficiency.
And with a single point of contact managing your property restoration, that means you have just one call to make for updates - to your SERVPRO case manager. No list of phone numbers to toggle. One call to us and you can track and be part of the process.
When it comes to storm damage recovery, you call the shots.
- First, call emergency services and make sure everyone is safe.
- Next, call your insurance company to get the claims process going right away - don’t put this off.
- Finally, call SERVPRO for emergency contact. We’re faster to any size disaster and will get started on the process for you ASAP! We are never closed. We are always here to answer the call 24/7.
We also offer free estimates. Call SERVPRO of North Richland Hills (817) 589-1499 any time.
What to do After a Storm Causes Property Damage
2/8/2021 (Permalink)
If your property has been damaged by a storm, contact the Fort Worth storm damage repair experts at SERVPRO now.
Fort Worth, TX is among the top 20 Texas cities with the highest tornado index while the highest-ranking towns are immediately south of here. Because the Fort Worth area is such a hot spot for severe storm activity it’s necessary to have a plan in place for what to do after the next storm blows through.
The hope is that your home or business will be spared storm damage, but the reality is that property damage is a real possibility during the warmer months. Being prepared for a major storm event means you’ve secured adequate property damage coverage and that you know what steps to take when storm damage happens.
SERVPRO of Fort Worth is “Faster to any size disaster” and we want members of our community to be prepared as well. Read this guide to help you put your own action plan together.
What is Property Damage?
Property damage is any destructive alteration of a structure (like a house) or belongings (like a car) to the point that it needs repair, reconstruction, or replacement. The typical causes of damage to properties are negligence, willful destruction (like vandalism), or an act of nature.
The cause of the damage matters, because it determines property damage liability. For example, if you are in a car accident and it’s the other person’s fault, they are on the hook for the repairs.
Property damage from weather events are not the fault of any party, so responsibility usually falls on the insurance company of the insured (when coverage allows).
SERVPRO Restoration Services for Storm Damage
Not all storm damage is the same with all the variables at play. You have the age of the property, plus the kind of storm that happened (tornado, flash flood, electrical, etc.)
One property may have more wind damage than flood damage and vice versa. Some properties may catch on fire from rare factors like a tree falling on a power line.
Because of these different factors, the steps involved in the restoration process will be adjusted accordingly. Below are the core components of our storm damage recovery process, including Fort Worth water damage restoration.
24-hour service - Bad weather can happen at any time, so we are always here and ready to assist.
IICRC Certified Managers and Storm Technicians - We send teams to the scene who are specially trained for storm event cleanup and restoration.
Water removal and water damage restoration - High-powered water extractors remove gallons of water from your property, followed by complete moisture removal to prevent rot and mold growth.
Fire Damage Restoration - If fire damage results from the storm, we fully clean and restore the property.
Roof tarping and board-up - Severe storm damage leaves property vulnerable to theft, vandalism, and additional damage from natural elements, so we secure the property with tarping and board-up.
Storm debris cleanup - We collect and properly dispose of all storm debris on site.
Temporary fencing - For lengtheir projects, we will set up a fence and security to protect the worksite from theft and trespassing.
Moving services and long-term storage - We carefully store your personal effects and property content while the restoration is underway.
Clothing sanitization - We use our industrial-grade Esporta Wash System to remove smoke and floodwater contamination from fabrics, textiles, and soft goods.
What Types of Storm Damage are Under Insurance Coverage?
Generally, storm and hail damage are covered by insurance. However, if the insurance adjuster finds that the damage is due to neglect, they may decline part or all of the claim.
Property insurance coverage doesn’t usually cover flood damage either. If your property is at risk for flooding, you should secure supplemental coverage.
Steps to Take after Storm Damage to Your Property
Storm damage transforms a property in the blink of an eye. In such chaotic aftermath, where do you even begin? As a professional restoration company with decades of experience in the DFW area, here are the steps SERVPRO recommends and in the order you should do them.
- Assess the Property Damage
- Contact Your Insurance Company
- Prevent Additional Property Damage
- Choose the Best Restoration Service for Your Home
Assess the Property Damage
It’s human nature to want to reenter property as soon as possible after an event to understand how much loss there is, but, the structure may not be safe to enter. It’s best to get clearance from the authorities first (like the fire department)
Once you can safely reenter, take plenty of photos and video. Document everything that may have been lost or damaged. Missing roof tiles, ripped rain gutters, damage to the glass, lost siding, etc.
Contact Your Insurance Company
As soon as you have all the damage documented, contact your insurance company. Do your best to determine the monetary value for the items that were lost.
Some insurance policies may offer reimbursement for your temporary housing needs. Keep receipts for temporary housing (like a hotel), replacement clothing, and personal care items so you can be reimbursed for these expenses.
Once your insurance company receives your property damage claim, an insurance adjuster conducts an assessment. From there, the insurance company will either grant or deny your claim (or partially deny the claim), which results in repairs paid for by the insurance company, or reimbursement for the total loss of the property.
Prevent Additional Property Damage
We strongly recommend that you do your best to secure the property with shields from secondary damage, like tarping or board up. Insurance companies may deny coverage for further damage that should have been prevented. SERVPRO is prepared to set up these safeguards (such as roof tarping and board up)
Choose the Best Restoration Service for Your Home
Does it matter which storm damage restoration company you go with? Don’t they all do the same thing? While all restoration companies should deliver the same results, the truth is that some may cut corners or give poor service. Read up on a company before securing their services.
After you make contact with your insurance company, you’ll want to get a reputable storm damage restoration company lined up right away. The sooner crews come out and work on the damage, the more secondary damage can be averted like mold growth or further breakdown of construction.
Certified Dallas SERVPRO Experts Ready to Help With Property Damage Restoration
As mentioned in the previous section, not all restoration companies are equal. What makes SERVPRO different is that we handle all aspects of restoration in one streamlined process. This means you don’t have to hire one company to do debris removal, one to clean up the water damage, and then a contractor to rebuild. We handle it all, including mold remediation.
SERVPRO of Fort Worth is a preferred vendor by many insurance companies and we work directly with your insurance company on your behalf. We have extensive experience working with insurance carriers, so we have the process down to a science with efficiency.
And with a single point of contact managing your property restoration, that means you have just one call to make for updates - to your SERVPRO case manager. No list of phone numbers to toggle. One call to us and you can track and be part of the process.
When it comes to storm damage recovery, you call the shots.
- First, call emergency services and make sure everyone is safe.
- Next, call your insurance company to get the claims process going right away - don’t put this off.
- Finally, call SERVPRO for emergency contact. We’re faster to any size disaster and will get started on the process for you ASAP! We are never closed. We are always here to answer the call 24/7.
We also offer free estimates. Call SERVPRO of North Richland Hills (817) 589-1499 any time.
How to Safely Dispose of Biohazard Waste in Fort Worth, TX
2/5/2021 (Permalink)
If you're unsure of how to properly dispose of biohazard waste, call the experienced biohazard cleanup professionals at SERVPRO in Fort Worth.
Did you know that the official website for Fort Worth, TX features a waste sorting game? This game reminds citizens that not all waste goes to the same place.
While accidentally putting a banana peel in the recycling bin is a harmless mistake, placing biohazard waste where it doesn’t belong is not only illegal but also threatens public health.
Unless you have experience dealing with biohazard waste and access to the proper supplies, you should refrain from doing biohazard cleanup. For your safety and the safety of others, it’s best to leave biologically hazardous waste alone so that the professionals can handle it.
What is the Definition of Biohazardous Waste?
Biohazards are any biological material that poses a threat to animals or humans. Biohazards can be present in any environment.
Biohazard waste is any refuse that contains biologically toxic materials or substances that may be infectious (like blood). Because of the risk of disease associated with biohazard waste, any biohazard cleanup should be handled vigilantly.
What is Considered Medical Biohazardous Waste?
Because clinics, hospitals, and labs must obtain and analyze specimens from humans and animals, they will generate medical waste. Not all medical waste qualifies as a biohazard, but some may assume that it is.
For medical waste to be a biohazard, it would have to be infectious or potentially infectious. This means that materials made contact with blood, bodily fluids, or human cell lines.
Medical waste that is classified as biohazardous poses a threat to the environment and public health. Below are some examples of biohazardous medical waste:
- “Sharps” - hypodermic needles, blades, or slides.
- Cultures, Petri dishes, and other culture flasks that are biologically contaminated.
- Any biologically infectious agents.
- Some bacteria
- Some viruses
- Some spores
- Live or attenuated vaccines.
- Materials that made contact with excretion, exudates, or secretions from bodies infected with an illness.
- Any paper products or wipes that have become contaminated by biohazardous materials.
- Human or animal blood, blood elements, fluids, or semi-fluids.
- Specimens from the human body.
- Animal carcasses or body parts that are considered dangerous.
Medical facilities are equipped with the appropriate receptacles marked for biohazard waste disposal.
Examples of Biohazardous Waste
Understanding the nature of biohazardous waste helps you better understand how to best handle its disposal.
Biohazardous waste usually falls into one of the following categories:
- Blood - Blood from humans or tissue that contains human blood.
- Animal - The whole or a part of a decaying animal carcass.
- Bodily fluids - Fluids and secretions from the human body.
- Microbiological - Lab materials such as specimen cultures, culture dishes, viruses, and any devices used for the transfer or mixing of cultures.
- Pathological - Medical biopsy materials, or anatomical parts that were removed via medical procedures.
- “Sharps” - As described earlier, any sharp materials that make contact with biological materials such as blood.
Four Levels of Biohazard Waste
Just as someone would need to know the type of biohazard material they are dealing with, they would also need to understand the level of risk.
Four levels of biohazard waste have been established so that those who are tasked with handling biohazardous materials understand how much caution is warranted. This helps with training those who do biohazard waste disposal on a routine basis.
- Biohazard Level I: Considered to be a minimal threat, but nonetheless, any biological agent that would bring harm to humans or the environment. Examples: E. coli., Bacillus subtilis, or Naegleria gruberi.
- Biohazard Level II: Considered to be a moderate threat, any biological agent that has the potential to cause severe illness in humans. Such disease would be transmitted through direct contact with the infected material. Examples: Hepatitis B, HIV, or Salmonella.
- Biohazard Level III: Considered to be a contagious threat, any pathogen that has the tendency to become airborne and would cause severe illness or disease. Examples: Tuberculosis, Coxiella burnetii, etc.
- Biohazard Level IV: Considered to be the highest risk to living beings, any pathogen known to cause a life-threatening disease for which there is no cure. Examples: Ebola virus, Lassa virus, etc.
The greater the level of risk, the more important it is for a well-trained professional to approach the biohazardous materials.
How to Dispose of Biohazard Waste
Two elements are needed to dispose of biohazardous waste properly: persons who are trained on best practices for biohazard disposal, and access to adequate biohazard disposal supplies on hand.
- Solid waste - Any material that makes contact with human or animal specimens that is not a “sharp.”
Examples: Linens, towels, or used personal protective equipment. This waste is disposed of as regular medical waste and will be sent to a special landfill. Healthcare workers dispose of these in a designated container lined with an autoclave bag with each marked with a biohazard symbol. - Liquid waste - Body fluids or blood that may carry an infectious agent. These are placed in a leakproof container (specified by a hazard label) installed securely so it won’t fall over. For added security, these are sometimes placed into an additional container. Autoclaving or bleach treatment may be applied in the presence of a liquid biohazard (except for body fluids or chemical waste).
- “Sharps” waste - Medical instruments are thought to be infectious but are also sharp enough to pierce through a plastic bag (needles, microscope slides, scalpels, and broken glass vials). To protect people and animals from injury, these are kept in a container that is resistant to puncture, leakproof, and properly labeled. “Sharps” receptacles will be picked up by a medical waste service provider to be transported to an incineration facility.
- Pathological waste - Organs, tissues, and body parts that were removed from a human or animal (such as biopsy material) and may contain infectious agents. To prevent leaks, this waste should be double-bagged and then stored in a secondary container. These are also bound for the incinerator.
- Microbiological waste - Culture dishes and specimen cultures, discarded viruses, or devices used to mix cultures from a laboratory that would possibly contain infectious agents or other pathogenic organisms. These materials can be either sanitized onsite by trained personnel or properly disposed of in a storage area designated for biohazard waste.
Biohazard waste receptacles should be marked with the appropriate symbols so they aren’t mixed in with or mistaken for other kinds of refuse. These marked bags and containers are then picked up by a professional medical waste company.
The final destination of biohazard waste is an industrial incinerator where these materials can be destroyed so they will no longer pose a threat to life and health. In many cases, incineration is required by health mandate, but some materials are allowed to be remediated with disinfection, chemical treatment, or autoclaving.
Contact SERVPRO for Fort Worth Biohazard Cleanup and Disposal
When in doubt, do not attempt to clean up biohazard waste on your own. The greater the risk level associated with the materials, the more likely it is that trained professionals are needed to ensure the safety and well being of everyone involved.
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills has extensive experience with Fort Worth biohazard cleaning scenarios. Our trained technicians know how to approach biohazardous and infectious waste and will dispose of these toxic materials safely and securely.
We specialize in the following biohazard situations:
- Crime scene cleanup or unattended death (Examples: homicides, suicides, accidental death, meth labs, tear gas, etc.).
- Cases of C Diff
- Homes affected by hoarding
- Residential or commercial sewage backup or chemical spills
- Property contamination from animals (such as a rodent infestation).
Many of the above scenarios are of a sensitive nature. We understand why clients would not want attention drawn to their property in these situations, so we are prepared to carry out biohazard cleaning services with discretion. One of the ways we do this is to schedule the cleaning for overnight when it’s least likely to be noticed.
If you have an overwhelming biohazard situation on your hands, don’t risk it. We have the right training and all the materials needed to handle the biohazard situation so that everyone remains safe and sound. Call SERVPRO of North Richland Hills for 24/7 emergency contact at (817) 589-1499.
How to Safely Dispose of Biohazard Waste in Fort Worth, TX
2/5/2021 (Permalink)
If you're unsure of how to properly dispose of biohazard waste, call the experienced biohazard cleanup professionals at SERVPRO in Fort Worth.
Did you know that the official website for Fort Worth, TX features a waste sorting game? This game reminds citizens that not all waste goes to the same place.
While accidentally putting a banana peel in the recycling bin is a harmless mistake, placing biohazard waste where it doesn’t belong is not only illegal but also threatens public health.
Unless you have experience dealing with biohazard waste and access to the proper supplies, you should refrain from doing biohazard cleanup. For your safety and the safety of others, it’s best to leave biologically hazardous waste alone so that the professionals can handle it.
What is the Definition of Biohazardous Waste?
Biohazards are any biological material that poses a threat to animals or humans. Biohazards can be present in any environment.
Biohazard waste is any refuse that contains biologically toxic materials or substances that may be infectious (like blood). Because of the risk of disease associated with biohazard waste, any biohazard cleanup should be handled vigilantly.
What is Considered Medical Biohazardous Waste?
Because clinics, hospitals, and labs must obtain and analyze specimens from humans and animals, they will generate medical waste. Not all medical waste qualifies as a biohazard, but some may assume that it is.
For medical waste to be a biohazard, it would have to be infectious or potentially infectious. This means that materials made contact with blood, bodily fluids, or human cell lines.
Medical waste that is classified as biohazardous poses a threat to the environment and public health. Below are some examples of biohazardous medical waste:
- “Sharps” - hypodermic needles, blades, or slides.
- Cultures, Petri dishes, and other culture flasks that are biologically contaminated.
- Any biologically infectious agents.
- Some bacteria
- Some viruses
- Some spores
- Live or attenuated vaccines.
- Materials that made contact with excretion, exudates, or secretions from bodies infected with an illness.
- Any paper products or wipes that have become contaminated by biohazardous materials.
- Human or animal blood, blood elements, fluids, or semi-fluids.
- Specimens from the human body.
- Animal carcasses or body parts that are considered dangerous.
Medical facilities are equipped with the appropriate receptacles marked for biohazard waste disposal.
Examples of Biohazardous Waste
Understanding the nature of biohazardous waste helps you better understand how to best handle its disposal.
Biohazardous waste usually falls into one of the following categories:
- Blood - Blood from humans or tissue that contains human blood.
- Animal - The whole or a part of a decaying animal carcass.
- Bodily fluids - Fluids and secretions from the human body.
- Microbiological - Lab materials such as specimen cultures, culture dishes, viruses, and any devices used for the transfer or mixing of cultures.
- Pathological - Medical biopsy materials, or anatomical parts that were removed via medical procedures.
- “Sharps” - As described earlier, any sharp materials that make contact with biological materials such as blood.
Four Levels of Biohazard Waste
Just as someone would need to know the type of biohazard material they are dealing with, they would also need to understand the level of risk.
Four levels of biohazard waste have been established so that those who are tasked with handling biohazardous materials understand how much caution is warranted. This helps with training those who do biohazard waste disposal on a routine basis.
- Biohazard Level I: Considered to be a minimal threat, but nonetheless, any biological agent that would bring harm to humans or the environment. Examples: E. coli., Bacillus subtilis, or Naegleria gruberi.
- Biohazard Level II: Considered to be a moderate threat, any biological agent that has the potential to cause severe illness in humans. Such disease would be transmitted through direct contact with the infected material. Examples: Hepatitis B, HIV, or Salmonella.
- Biohazard Level III: Considered to be a contagious threat, any pathogen that has the tendency to become airborne and would cause severe illness or disease. Examples: Tuberculosis, Coxiella burnetii, etc.
- Biohazard Level IV: Considered to be the highest risk to living beings, any pathogen known to cause a life-threatening disease for which there is no cure. Examples: Ebola virus, Lassa virus, etc.
The greater the level of risk, the more important it is for a well-trained professional to approach the biohazardous materials.
How to Dispose of Biohazard Waste
Two elements are needed to dispose of biohazardous waste properly: persons who are trained on best practices for biohazard disposal, and access to adequate biohazard disposal supplies on hand.
- Solid waste - Any material that makes contact with human or animal specimens that is not a “sharp.”
Examples: Linens, towels, or used personal protective equipment. This waste is disposed of as regular medical waste and will be sent to a special landfill. Healthcare workers dispose of these in a designated container lined with an autoclave bag with each marked with a biohazard symbol. - Liquid waste - Body fluids or blood that may carry an infectious agent. These are placed in a leakproof container (specified by a hazard label) installed securely so it won’t fall over. For added security, these are sometimes placed into an additional container. Autoclaving or bleach treatment may be applied in the presence of a liquid biohazard (except for body fluids or chemical waste).
- “Sharps” waste - Medical instruments are thought to be infectious but are also sharp enough to pierce through a plastic bag (needles, microscope slides, scalpels, and broken glass vials). To protect people and animals from injury, these are kept in a container that is resistant to puncture, leakproof, and properly labeled. “Sharps” receptacles will be picked up by a medical waste service provider to be transported to an incineration facility.
- Pathological waste - Organs, tissues, and body parts that were removed from a human or animal (such as biopsy material) and may contain infectious agents. To prevent leaks, this waste should be double-bagged and then stored in a secondary container. These are also bound for the incinerator.
- Microbiological waste - Culture dishes and specimen cultures, discarded viruses, or devices used to mix cultures from a laboratory that would possibly contain infectious agents or other pathogenic organisms. These materials can be either sanitized onsite by trained personnel or properly disposed of in a storage area designated for biohazard waste.
Biohazard waste receptacles should be marked with the appropriate symbols so they aren’t mixed in with or mistaken for other kinds of refuse. These marked bags and containers are then picked up by a professional medical waste company.
The final destination of biohazard waste is an industrial incinerator where these materials can be destroyed so they will no longer pose a threat to life and health. In many cases, incineration is required by health mandate, but some materials are allowed to be remediated with disinfection, chemical treatment, or autoclaving.
Contact SERVPRO for Fort Worth Biohazard Cleanup and Disposal
When in doubt, do not attempt to clean up biohazard waste on your own. The greater the risk level associated with the materials, the more likely it is that trained professionals are needed to ensure the safety and well being of everyone involved.
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills has extensive experience with Fort Worth biohazard cleaning scenarios. Our trained technicians know how to approach biohazardous and infectious waste and will dispose of these toxic materials safely and securely.
We specialize in the following biohazard situations:
- Crime scene cleanup or unattended death (Examples: homicides, suicides, accidental death, meth labs, tear gas, etc.).
- Cases of C Diff
- Homes affected by hoarding
- Residential or commercial sewage backup or chemical spills
- Property contamination from animals (such as a rodent infestation).
Many of the above scenarios are of a sensitive nature. We understand why clients would not want attention drawn to their property in these situations, so we are prepared to carry out biohazard cleaning services with discretion. One of the ways we do this is to schedule the cleaning for overnight when it’s least likely to be noticed.
If you have an overwhelming biohazard situation on your hands, don’t risk it. We have the right training and all the materials needed to handle the biohazard situation so that everyone remains safe and sound. Call SERVPRO of North Richland Hills for 24/7 emergency contact at (817) 589-1499.
5 Steps to Take If Your Bathroom Floods
1/26/2021 (Permalink)
Flooded bathroom? Contact SERVPRO of North Richland Hills today for professional water damage restoration in the Fort Worth area.
Toilets, sinks, bathtubs, and showers all offer opportunities for a bathroom to flood. We use the bathroom so often that we take for granted that water will shut off and drain properly.
Until one day we are met with a scene that looks more like a waterpark than a bathroom. Some may think that bathroom floods are a bigger problem than they can handle. However, even if you plan to call for someone skilled to help, there are still things you should do on your own to manage the situation. For starters, you should stop the water flow by locating and shutting off the water valve.
SERVPRO of Fort Worth is all about being prepared to take action in a water emergency. We put together this quick and easy guide to address bathroom floods.
Common Causes of Bathroom Flooding
Perhaps you have an old house where the plumbing is starting to fall apart. Even those who live in newer properties may run into some bathroom flooding events. How many types of bathroom floods have you encountered?
- Tub or sink flooding when there is a clog that prevents draining.
- Toilet floods are flushed several times with a stubborn blockage.
- Burst pipes from freezing cold weather or old plumbing.
- Faucet left on.
No matter the reason for a flooded bathroom, you’ll need to find the cause quickly so you can stop it from getting worse.
How to Stop Bathroom Flooding
Water all over the place can cause a bit of panic. What do you do first when a bathroom floods? Grab a mop and bucket?
Below are the steps you should take in the order you should do them. It begins with stopping the water at its source.
1. Shut off the Water Valves
The first thing you should do is to shut off the water. This could be the faucet, the external valve of the toilet, a valve under the sink, or the main water supply into the house (in the case of a burst pipe situation.
Plan to leave the water off until the source of the flooding is resolved. If you turn it back on too soon, there will be more flooding which leads to increased potential for damage.
If it’s the toilet that is overflowing, avoid flushing it until the issue is resolved. Flushing when there is a clog is one of the main causes for a toilet to overflow. Use a plunger to release the clog. Once the toilet bowl drains, you can try flushing the toilet again to check if the blockage has been successfully removed.
2. Remove Standing Water
Clearing out bathroom floods is a big job, but the sooner you remove the water the better. Standing water can be damaging, unhygienic, and creates a safety issue if it makes contact with electricity.
Using a bucket or other container, scoop out the water and empty where it can drain (kitchen sink, tub in another bathroom, dump it outdoors, etc.)
Once most of the water has been removed, use an absorbent mop or a thirsty towel to soak up as much water as possible. Have a bucket nearby to wring out saturated mops and rags.
Use a wet/dry shop vac to assist you with water removal (if available) but be careful not to let cords make contact with water puddles.
3. Open Windows and Bring in Fans
Even the most aggressive water removal tactics aren’t enough to get rid of all water. It’s likely there will still be some streaks and dampness lingering here and there.
The way to move all moisture out of the bathroom to make it completely dry is to use the force of air. The air will evaporate and leave the space via airflow.
Using high-powered fans you can dry out the area effectively. This works even better when you have a window to open in the bathroom. Again, be careful not to let electrical components make contact with water puddles.
The idea is to promote as much airflow as possible so that remaining dampness and moisture will be eliminated. Lingering water and moisture lead to mold growth and potential wood rot (cabinets, baseboards, subfloor, etc).
4. Find and Fix the Source of the Problem
You’ve worked so hard to get your bathroom dry again. Now it’s time to be proactive so that it doesn’t happen again.
This involves preventing clogs in plumbing, repairing plumbing, or coaching members of your household to not leave the water running. If there is a recurring problem of someone (like a child) leaving the water on, you might consider installing sink faucets that are designed to shut off after a few minutes or install water level alarms.
If after examination of the bathroom, you still can’t find the cause of the damage or if the source is in a place you can’t easily access, your best bet is to contact a professional.
A plumber may be the first thing that comes to your mind, but SERVPRO in Fort Worth, TX is also skilled at locating and addressing the source of water damage problems.
5. Document the Damage
If you believe the damage is substantial enough to warrant an insurance or home warranty claim, you’ll want to take photos and video as proof of the damage. It’s important not to procrastinate here because the conditions will change over time. You should capture evidence at the onset of the damage.
How Long Does it Take for Water Damage to Show?
Signs of water damage will appear as soon as 24 hours after the water has been extracted. Some damage may not show up for a few weeks.
- Discoloration (stains on drywall, ceilings, etc.)
- Change of texture on surfaces or materials
- Wood warping, buckling, sagging, sinking, swelling (usually from toilet or bathtub flooding).
- Appearance or smell of mold or mildew.
The potential for mold growth is a chief reason to address water damage right away. Mold spores begin to colonize as soon as 48 hours after a bathroom floods. Some species of mold are toxic and damaging. However, it may take several more days before you see or smell the mold.
How to Prevent Bathroom Flooding
The more your bathroom floods, the greater the potential there is for water damage and mold growth. To avoid the constant hassle of wet messes, here are some tips to prevent bathroom flooding
- Drain guard - To avoid clogs, catch hair and other potential clogs with a strainer that properly fits the drains of your bath, shower, or sink drains.
- Watch what you flush - Wipes and some hygiene products are said to be okay to flush, but not all plumbing systems allow these to pass through. Also, keep an eye on small children who may try to flush toys and other objects down the toilet. Keep bathtub toys out of reach when not in use.
- Plumbing repairs - If your plumbing shows various signs of failure, or if you know that these are aging, it’s time to invest in repairs. The older a house is, the more likely it is that pipes, faucets, or toilets need to be replaced. Fixing these before they become a problem can save you the headache of a flooded bathroom.
- Install prevention mechanisms - This could be a drain in the floor of the bathroom or a flood stop device.
- Keep it dry - For areas that frequently collect water, use absorbent mats, a mop, and an exhaust fan to clear the bathroom of moisture after taking a bath or shower.
- Communicate - Ask household members to remember to turn off the water after use, and keep things out of drains and toilets that could cause a flood. Explain to them that bathroom floods cause water and mold damage. Children may need supervision in the bathroom as they learn how to use the sink, toilet, bathtub, etc. appropriately.
Contact SERVPRO for Fort Worth Water and Flood Damage Repair
Bathroom floods are infrequent, but you can be proactive to either keep these from happening in the first place or take action right away when it does.
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills is always ready to take action on any flooding situation, big or small. Not only do we Fort Worth water damage restoration for both commercial and residential properties, but we can also handle common household repairs. We work directly with your insurance company should you need to file a claim.
Should you walk into a messy bathroom flooding situation, we’re here to help. Call us at (817) 589-1499 for emergency contact 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
5 Steps to Take If Your Bathroom Floods
1/26/2021 (Permalink)
Flooded bathroom? Contact SERVPRO of North Richland Hills today for professional water damage restoration in the Fort Worth area.
Toilets, sinks, bathtubs, and showers all offer opportunities for a bathroom to flood. We use the bathroom so often that we take for granted that water will shut off and drain properly.
Until one day we are met with a scene that looks more like a waterpark than a bathroom. Some may think that bathroom floods are a bigger problem than they can handle. However, even if you plan to call for someone skilled to help, there are still things you should do on your own to manage the situation. For starters, you should stop the water flow by locating and shutting off the water valve.
SERVPRO of Fort Worth is all about being prepared to take action in a water emergency. We put together this quick and easy guide to address bathroom floods.
Common Causes of Bathroom Flooding
Perhaps you have an old house where the plumbing is starting to fall apart. Even those who live in newer properties may run into some bathroom flooding events. How many types of bathroom floods have you encountered?
- Tub or sink flooding when there is a clog that prevents draining.
- Toilet floods are flushed several times with a stubborn blockage.
- Burst pipes from freezing cold weather or old plumbing.
- Faucet left on.
No matter the reason for a flooded bathroom, you’ll need to find the cause quickly so you can stop it from getting worse.
How to Stop Bathroom Flooding
Water all over the place can cause a bit of panic. What do you do first when a bathroom floods? Grab a mop and bucket?
Below are the steps you should take in the order you should do them. It begins with stopping the water at its source.
1. Shut off the Water Valves
The first thing you should do is to shut off the water. This could be the faucet, the external valve of the toilet, a valve under the sink, or the main water supply into the house (in the case of a burst pipe situation.
Plan to leave the water off until the source of the flooding is resolved. If you turn it back on too soon, there will be more flooding which leads to increased potential for damage.
If it’s the toilet that is overflowing, avoid flushing it until the issue is resolved. Flushing when there is a clog is one of the main causes for a toilet to overflow. Use a plunger to release the clog. Once the toilet bowl drains, you can try flushing the toilet again to check if the blockage has been successfully removed.
2. Remove Standing Water
Clearing out bathroom floods is a big job, but the sooner you remove the water the better. Standing water can be damaging, unhygienic, and creates a safety issue if it makes contact with electricity.
Using a bucket or other container, scoop out the water and empty where it can drain (kitchen sink, tub in another bathroom, dump it outdoors, etc.)
Once most of the water has been removed, use an absorbent mop or a thirsty towel to soak up as much water as possible. Have a bucket nearby to wring out saturated mops and rags.
Use a wet/dry shop vac to assist you with water removal (if available) but be careful not to let cords make contact with water puddles.
3. Open Windows and Bring in Fans
Even the most aggressive water removal tactics aren’t enough to get rid of all water. It’s likely there will still be some streaks and dampness lingering here and there.
The way to move all moisture out of the bathroom to make it completely dry is to use the force of air. The air will evaporate and leave the space via airflow.
Using high-powered fans you can dry out the area effectively. This works even better when you have a window to open in the bathroom. Again, be careful not to let electrical components make contact with water puddles.
The idea is to promote as much airflow as possible so that remaining dampness and moisture will be eliminated. Lingering water and moisture lead to mold growth and potential wood rot (cabinets, baseboards, subfloor, etc).
4. Find and Fix the Source of the Problem
You’ve worked so hard to get your bathroom dry again. Now it’s time to be proactive so that it doesn’t happen again.
This involves preventing clogs in plumbing, repairing plumbing, or coaching members of your household to not leave the water running. If there is a recurring problem of someone (like a child) leaving the water on, you might consider installing sink faucets that are designed to shut off after a few minutes or install water level alarms.
If after examination of the bathroom, you still can’t find the cause of the damage or if the source is in a place you can’t easily access, your best bet is to contact a professional.
A plumber may be the first thing that comes to your mind, but SERVPRO in Fort Worth, TX is also skilled at locating and addressing the source of water damage problems.
5. Document the Damage
If you believe the damage is substantial enough to warrant an insurance or home warranty claim, you’ll want to take photos and video as proof of the damage. It’s important not to procrastinate here because the conditions will change over time. You should capture evidence at the onset of the damage.
How Long Does it Take for Water Damage to Show?
Signs of water damage will appear as soon as 24 hours after the water has been extracted. Some damage may not show up for a few weeks.
- Discoloration (stains on drywall, ceilings, etc.)
- Change of texture on surfaces or materials
- Wood warping, buckling, sagging, sinking, swelling (usually from toilet or bathtub flooding).
- Appearance or smell of mold or mildew.
The potential for mold growth is a chief reason to address water damage right away. Mold spores begin to colonize as soon as 48 hours after a bathroom floods. Some species of mold are toxic and damaging. However, it may take several more days before you see or smell the mold.
How to Prevent Bathroom Flooding
The more your bathroom floods, the greater the potential there is for water damage and mold growth. To avoid the constant hassle of wet messes, here are some tips to prevent bathroom flooding
- Drain guard - To avoid clogs, catch hair and other potential clogs with a strainer that properly fits the drains of your bath, shower, or sink drains.
- Watch what you flush - Wipes and some hygiene products are said to be okay to flush, but not all plumbing systems allow these to pass through. Also, keep an eye on small children who may try to flush toys and other objects down the toilet. Keep bathtub toys out of reach when not in use.
- Plumbing repairs - If your plumbing shows various signs of failure, or if you know that these are aging, it’s time to invest in repairs. The older a house is, the more likely it is that pipes, faucets, or toilets need to be replaced. Fixing these before they become a problem can save you the headache of a flooded bathroom.
- Install prevention mechanisms - This could be a drain in the floor of the bathroom or a flood stop device.
- Keep it dry - For areas that frequently collect water, use absorbent mats, a mop, and an exhaust fan to clear the bathroom of moisture after taking a bath or shower.
- Communicate - Ask household members to remember to turn off the water after use, and keep things out of drains and toilets that could cause a flood. Explain to them that bathroom floods cause water and mold damage. Children may need supervision in the bathroom as they learn how to use the sink, toilet, bathtub, etc. appropriately.
Contact SERVPRO for Fort Worth Water and Flood Damage Repair
Bathroom floods are infrequent, but you can be proactive to either keep these from happening in the first place or take action right away when it does.
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills is always ready to take action on any flooding situation, big or small. Not only do we Fort Worth water damage restoration for both commercial and residential properties, but we can also handle common household repairs. We work directly with your insurance company should you need to file a claim.
Should you walk into a messy bathroom flooding situation, we’re here to help. Call us at (817) 589-1499 for emergency contact 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Homes of Fort Worth - How to Get Rid of Attic Mold
1/5/2021 (Permalink)
If you find or suspect mold in your attic, contact SERVPRO in fort worth for professional mold remediation services.
You wouldn’t expect an attic to have the freshest of air, but one day you climb the ladder to retrieve your holiday decorations from this lofty storage and notice it’s more than just dusty. The attic smells musty.
Attic mold isn’t necessarily a health hazard as the living space air doesn’t usually mix with that in the attic, but mold in the attic is no less destructive. Black mold in the attic may destroy construction materials such as rafters and insulation. Depending on the cause, the mold may spread through the ceiling.
Because we rarely go up to the attic, finding mold up there comes as a surprise. Does mold found in the attic during a home inspection affect the value of the home? Some may wonder if they should buy or sell a home with attic mold issues.
Attic mold remediation is something you should certainly do sooner than later, but it doesn’t mean a house is unfit to be sold. SERVPRO Fort Worth is here to keep homes and businesses mold-free. Read on to learn about how mold develops in the attic and what to do about it.
Causes of Mold in the Attic
Mold likes to grow where it’s damp and dark. Below are common causes of mold in the attic:
- Moisture is trapped in construction materials. Say the timber for the rafter wood was rained on. If it doesn’t dry thoroughly, mold might grow there.
- Condensation forms in the attic space cold air from outdoors meets warm air from indoors (or vice versa, perhaps). One solution for this is improved insulation.
- Mold grows where wood construction is dampened because ventilation is insufficient or blocked. There should be about one square foot of venting per 100 square feet of space.
- Moisture can enter the attic if there are exhaust system leaks from bathroom fans or appliances that pass through the attic space.
- Discoloration or water stains on rafters, sheathing, joists, fascia boards, or flashings indicate a roof leak. Mold grows from the rainwater that enters the attic this way.
Mold needs moisture to thrive so a dry attic is a mold-free attic. Check the roofing, the vents, the perimeter of attic windows, plumbing stacks, chimneys, etc. for where moisture becomes trapped in the attic.
Is Mold in Attic Common?
How often do you go up to the attic? Most people may not go up to the attic but once a year, if that. How rare it is for human eyes and ears to observe the attic makes it more likely that a moisture issue won’t be caught in time before mold starts to form.
Mold and mildew in the attic are more common than you might think. Mold is likely to grow in dark, out-of-the-way places with plenty of moisture and cellulose material to consume. Just add water, and an attic is a perfect place for mold to grow.
How Much is Mold Remediation in Attic?
Fort Worth mold remediation costs depend on the extent of the mold damage including square footage of the affected area, and to what degree the mold has ravaged materials.
Compare Home Advisor local rates to the national average costs.
Cost Range of Mold Remediation for the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex
- Average total: $2,167
- Typical total: $1,355 - $3,357
- Low-end cost: $525
- High-end cost: $5,700
National Average Cost Range of Mold Remediation
- Average total: $2,220
- Typical total: $1,116 - $3,330
- Low-end cost: $375
- High-end cost: $6,000
The above figures are from an outside source and do not necessarily reflect the attic mold remediation costs for SERVPRO of Fort Worth. Call us any time for pricing information!
Should I Buy a House With Mold in the Attic?
Mold in the home is a concern for anyone looking to acquire property. Mold growth isolated to the attic isn’t necessarily a reason to pass on a house, but the source of the problem must be addressed.
When mold is found in the attic is during a home inspection, simply removing the infected materials isn’t enough to resolve the problem. Without finding and repairing the cause of water and moisture problems, the mold problem will continue to resurface.
How to Remove Mold in Attic
Attic mold remediation is more than just removing mold that is visible. The issues that allowed the mold to grow in the first place must be addressed, otherwise, the mold will just grow back.
Finding the source of the problem of moisture or water getting trapped in the attic begins with some troubleshooting. Having the trained eye of a professional helps to accurately diagnose the problem.
Where is the mold showing? Using a bright flashlight, mark all of the places where you see mold growth. Is it directly under the roof? Is it near any plumbing? Or by a place where a bathroom fan or kitchen appliance’s exhaust path is? Where are puddles or dampness?
Depending on where you find these problems, this is where you would investigate first. The roof, exhaust systems, or plumbing issues would need to be repaired.
If you suspect a moisture trap problem, then the ventilation set up needs some review. Do you have enough vents? Are the existing vents blocked? Soffit vents should be clear to optimize airflow. All vents need to be oriented to flow outside of the attic and remain unobstructed.
Other issues that may be allowing moisture, condensation, and water into the attic are clogged rain gutters or attic window issues.
Sources of trapped moisture and causes of water puddles may be difficult to pinpoint. There might also be multiple issues that contribute to mold growth. Hiring a professional to diagnose the issue is usually the best way to resolve the issues and that will keep your attic dry. Mold remediation steps may vary, but below is a general outline of SERVPRO’s procedures:
- Inspection and mold damage assessment: We’re equipped to identify different types of mold and comb over the areas where mold likes to hide.
- Mold containment: We seal off the area so as to properly manage the remediation process.
- Air filtration: We vacuum the air for purifications. Mold spores exist naturally in the air, so they can’t all be removed, but we remove as much toxic mold as we can.
- Removing mold and mold-infested materials: We use industrial cleaning agents to remove mold from surfaces. We also discard items that are severely contaminated. We safely remove your storage items from the attic during the remediation process.
- Cleaning contents and belongings: Our goal is to preserve rather than replace, so we salvage whatever possible. Contaminated soft goods can be restored to food-grade cleanliness in our industrial Esporta Wash System.
- Restoration: If we have to disassemble and remove construction materials in the attic space during the remediation, we bring it back to its preloss state by replacing these with new materials.
Mold Remediation Experts Ready in Fort Worth
Mold removal from the attic is a combination of resolving issues so you can maintain a dry space while eradicating existing mold colonies. Once these things are under control, your attic goes back to being something you don’t think about.
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills has been fighting mold in spaces of all sizes for decades. Our years of experience allow us to quickly pinpoint sources of moisture and dampness that cause your mold issues - even in dark and cramped places like your attic.
If you’re buying a home, selling a property, or just want to solve an attic moisture problem before a mold issue develops, call SERVPRO for attic mold remediation consultation and pricing information at (817) 589-1499.
Homes of Fort Worth - How to Get Rid of Attic Mold
1/5/2021 (Permalink)
If you find or suspect mold in your attic, contact SERVPRO in fort worth for professional mold remediation services.
You wouldn’t expect an attic to have the freshest of air, but one day you climb the ladder to retrieve your holiday decorations from this lofty storage and notice it’s more than just dusty. The attic smells musty.
Attic mold isn’t necessarily a health hazard as the living space air doesn’t usually mix with that in the attic, but mold in the attic is no less destructive. Black mold in the attic may destroy construction materials such as rafters and insulation. Depending on the cause, the mold may spread through the ceiling.
Because we rarely go up to the attic, finding mold up there comes as a surprise. Does mold found in the attic during a home inspection affect the value of the home? Some may wonder if they should buy or sell a home with attic mold issues.
Attic mold remediation is something you should certainly do sooner than later, but it doesn’t mean a house is unfit to be sold. SERVPRO Fort Worth is here to keep homes and businesses mold-free. Read on to learn about how mold develops in the attic and what to do about it.
Causes of Mold in the Attic
Mold likes to grow where it’s damp and dark. Below are common causes of mold in the attic:
- Moisture is trapped in construction materials. Say the timber for the rafter wood was rained on. If it doesn’t dry thoroughly, mold might grow there.
- Condensation forms in the attic space cold air from outdoors meets warm air from indoors (or vice versa, perhaps). One solution for this is improved insulation.
- Mold grows where wood construction is dampened because ventilation is insufficient or blocked. There should be about one square foot of venting per 100 square feet of space.
- Moisture can enter the attic if there are exhaust system leaks from bathroom fans or appliances that pass through the attic space.
- Discoloration or water stains on rafters, sheathing, joists, fascia boards, or flashings indicate a roof leak. Mold grows from the rainwater that enters the attic this way.
Mold needs moisture to thrive so a dry attic is a mold-free attic. Check the roofing, the vents, the perimeter of attic windows, plumbing stacks, chimneys, etc. for where moisture becomes trapped in the attic.
Is Mold in Attic Common?
How often do you go up to the attic? Most people may not go up to the attic but once a year, if that. How rare it is for human eyes and ears to observe the attic makes it more likely that a moisture issue won’t be caught in time before mold starts to form.
Mold and mildew in the attic are more common than you might think. Mold is likely to grow in dark, out-of-the-way places with plenty of moisture and cellulose material to consume. Just add water, and an attic is a perfect place for mold to grow.
How Much is Mold Remediation in Attic?
Fort Worth mold remediation costs depend on the extent of the mold damage including square footage of the affected area, and to what degree the mold has ravaged materials.
Compare Home Advisor local rates to the national average costs.
Cost Range of Mold Remediation for the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex
- Average total: $2,167
- Typical total: $1,355 - $3,357
- Low-end cost: $525
- High-end cost: $5,700
National Average Cost Range of Mold Remediation
- Average total: $2,220
- Typical total: $1,116 - $3,330
- Low-end cost: $375
- High-end cost: $6,000
The above figures are from an outside source and do not necessarily reflect the attic mold remediation costs for SERVPRO of Fort Worth. Call us any time for pricing information!
Should I Buy a House With Mold in the Attic?
Mold in the home is a concern for anyone looking to acquire property. Mold growth isolated to the attic isn’t necessarily a reason to pass on a house, but the source of the problem must be addressed.
When mold is found in the attic is during a home inspection, simply removing the infected materials isn’t enough to resolve the problem. Without finding and repairing the cause of water and moisture problems, the mold problem will continue to resurface.
How to Remove Mold in Attic
Attic mold remediation is more than just removing mold that is visible. The issues that allowed the mold to grow in the first place must be addressed, otherwise, the mold will just grow back.
Finding the source of the problem of moisture or water getting trapped in the attic begins with some troubleshooting. Having the trained eye of a professional helps to accurately diagnose the problem.
Where is the mold showing? Using a bright flashlight, mark all of the places where you see mold growth. Is it directly under the roof? Is it near any plumbing? Or by a place where a bathroom fan or kitchen appliance’s exhaust path is? Where are puddles or dampness?
Depending on where you find these problems, this is where you would investigate first. The roof, exhaust systems, or plumbing issues would need to be repaired.
If you suspect a moisture trap problem, then the ventilation set up needs some review. Do you have enough vents? Are the existing vents blocked? Soffit vents should be clear to optimize airflow. All vents need to be oriented to flow outside of the attic and remain unobstructed.
Other issues that may be allowing moisture, condensation, and water into the attic are clogged rain gutters or attic window issues.
Sources of trapped moisture and causes of water puddles may be difficult to pinpoint. There might also be multiple issues that contribute to mold growth. Hiring a professional to diagnose the issue is usually the best way to resolve the issues and that will keep your attic dry. Mold remediation steps may vary, but below is a general outline of SERVPRO’s procedures:
- Inspection and mold damage assessment: We’re equipped to identify different types of mold and comb over the areas where mold likes to hide.
- Mold containment: We seal off the area so as to properly manage the remediation process.
- Air filtration: We vacuum the air for purifications. Mold spores exist naturally in the air, so they can’t all be removed, but we remove as much toxic mold as we can.
- Removing mold and mold-infested materials: We use industrial cleaning agents to remove mold from surfaces. We also discard items that are severely contaminated. We safely remove your storage items from the attic during the remediation process.
- Cleaning contents and belongings: Our goal is to preserve rather than replace, so we salvage whatever possible. Contaminated soft goods can be restored to food-grade cleanliness in our industrial Esporta Wash System.
- Restoration: If we have to disassemble and remove construction materials in the attic space during the remediation, we bring it back to its preloss state by replacing these with new materials.
Mold Remediation Experts Ready in Fort Worth
Mold removal from the attic is a combination of resolving issues so you can maintain a dry space while eradicating existing mold colonies. Once these things are under control, your attic goes back to being something you don’t think about.
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills has been fighting mold in spaces of all sizes for decades. Our years of experience allow us to quickly pinpoint sources of moisture and dampness that cause your mold issues - even in dark and cramped places like your attic.
If you’re buying a home, selling a property, or just want to solve an attic moisture problem before a mold issue develops, call SERVPRO for attic mold remediation consultation and pricing information at (817) 589-1499.
Understanding Landlord Responsibilities After a Fire in Fort Worth, TX
12/15/2020 (Permalink)
If you've experienced a fire at your rental property, contact the Fort Worth fire damage restoration experts at SERVPRO for guidance and free pricing.
Rental properties are perhaps the most sought after financial assets these days. But with assets come liabilities. Gains become a loss when a Fort Worth, TX property sustains severe damage such as flooding, tornado, or a fire.
As with any big business decision, investors should weigh the risks before entering into a rental property venture. Full awareness of these risks includes understanding landlord responsibilities after a fire.
SERVPRO in Fort Worth is all about preparedness for a disaster. In this guide, we share essential information about landlord obligations so that you can be proactive in protecting your investment.
What Is A Landlord Responsible For?
Because maintaining a rental property is a lot of work, property management is a lucrative industry. Rental property owners intend for this investment to bring in passive income, and they can make it so by handing off most of the landlord's responsibilities to a management company.
The core responsibilities of a landlord are to draw up a proper lease agreement, comply with fair housing (anti-discrimination) laws, follow proper eviction and rent collection procedure, and return cash deposits in a timely manner.
Fort Worth landlords are also responsible for maintaining a certain level of living conditions and maintaining insurance on the property. They are on the hook for aspects of the property that "materially affects the physical health or safety of an ordinary tenant." If a tenant takes the recourse of reporting unlivable conditions to the authorities, a landlord is forbidden from retaliatory actions.
Landlord’s Responsibilities After a Fire
One of the downsides of being a landlord is not having control over the actions of tenants who live their lives privately in the property you own. According to a FEMA report on multifamily residential building fires, cooking is the leading cause of these fires (74%).
So when a landlord gets the call that a fire has happened at one of their properties, what are the responsibilities of a landlord? What should a landlord do first? If you have staff at the property, they can act on your behalf with clear instructions concerning what to do if a fire happens.
Immediately After the Fire
Below is a list of landlord responsibilities after a fire immediately after the event has occurred.
- Do not attempt to enter the scene where the fire occurred. Authorized personnel such as a fire marshall or the fire department will need to do an investigation and ensure the area is safe for others to enter again.
- Either the landlord or those working on behalf of the property should check on the tenants. Be prepared to direct those displaced on where they can go for alternative places to stay (such as the Red Cross).
- While you communicate with the tenants, try to piece together what the cause of the damage was. The details of these accounts should be documented by either the landlord or their representatives.
- Contact your insurance company to discuss if a claim should be filed or not.
- Even if the official investigation is not yet complete, you can still call fire damage restoration companies in Fort Worth. SERVPRO’s local franchises have substantial experience working with insurance companies to make the process as efficient as possible.
- Get in touch with the fire department to find out when it will be clear for people to reenter. At this time, the landlord can personally assess the damage, and tenants can salvage what’s left of their belongings.
With landlord responsibilities after a fire, communication and coordination are the top priority. The landlord should keep in touch with everyone involved and document everything.
Days After the Fire
Until the property has been investigated and clear for people to re-enter, all a landlord can do is follow up with all involved parties: the tenants, staff, fire department, insurance representatives, and perhaps the restoration company as well.
Once the property is ready for you to enter, here are some of the steps a landlord would take:
- Document the damage by doing a walk-through of the damaged unit (and those surrounding units if it’s a multi-family property). It helps to take photos and videos of everything.
- At this phase, no one who enters the property should attempt to clean it up until the insurance company has given the go-ahead. No one should use the utilities until the fire department says it’s okay.
- List an inventory of everything damaged: both the interior and the exterior fixtures. Make note of damaged appliances and include brand names and model information as best you can. The personal items of the tenant are not typically involved in the claim as this is not one of the landlord’s responsibilities after a fire.
- After a walk-through of the fire scene is complete, the property should be closed off to trespassers and the elements with either board up or tarping. This is SERVPRO’s first step in the fire restoration process. The insurance company will want to know that measures were taken to prevent additional liabilities, and board up and tarping is a proactive measure.
- Communicate with your tenants about lease cancellation or rent abatement. Use wise discretion on whether to continue collecting rent. When appropriate, a landlord can suggest the tenant file a claim with their renter’s insurance policy.
- Hire a restoration company and stay in communication with your point of contact regularly. SERVPRO has one point of contact with property owners who are ready to provide clients with any updates.
Who Pays for Fire Damages?
Typically, the landlord’s insurance is supposed to cover the costs of restoration to bring it back to preloss and habitable conditions. Renter’s insurance normally covers the tenant’s personal items like clothing, electronics, furniture, etc. However, if the fire was due to landlord neglect, they may be liable for the tenant’s belongings.
With kitchen fires being the leading cause of apartment fires, it’s ideal that tenants have a renter’s insurance policy for the duration of the lease term. Before requiring renter’s insurance as a lease term, the landlord should consult a legal expert.
Unfortunately, what cannot be covered with insurance or by being awarded damages through the courts is on the property owner. They will need to decide if they are willing to reinvest in the property with out-of-pocket restoration costs.
Restoring Property Into a Habitable State
The landlord is responsible for providing safe and habitable housing, and they want to earn money from the investment rather than lose out. So, it’s within the property owner’s interests to recover the unit(s) as soon as possible.
SERVPRO is set up to manage the entire fire damage to the rental property. Being able to handle it all is how we effectively organize all the restoration process efficiently. Our Fort Worth ceiling repair and full-service fire restoration services include:
- Roof tarp, board-up, and live security
- Fire cleanup
- Fire smoke odor deodorization
- Moving services and long-term storage
- Clothing sanitization
- Sanitization of all belongings
- Electronic restoration services
- Reconstruction
Depending on local laws, a landlord may need to apply for a certificate of occupancy before units can be lived in again.
What Happens While the Property Is Uninhabitable?
If the damage is minor, tenants may be able to stay in the unit while the property while repairs are being done. If the unit is not safe to live in during the restoration process, they will either secure temporary housing through insurance coverage payout or other reasons.
For liability reasons, no one should live in the unit until it’s deemed safe. Tenants may be able to work with non-profit organizations like the Red Cross if they have nowhere else to stay.
Sometimes the severity of fire damage is extensive to the point that it’s no longer safe to live in. At this point, tenants should be relieved of rent payment obligations. Being let out of a lease may be up to the courts where it is proven that the property is no longer habitable.
Professional Fire Restoration Experts in Fort Worth, Texas
Landlord responsibilities after a fire include prompt action, documentation of what happened and what was damaged, ongoing communication with all involved parties, helping tenants find other living arrangements, and hiring the best Fort Worth fire damage restoration company.
SERVPRO has been restoring fire-damaged properties for decades. Our experienced technicians make it "Like it never even happened." We are available 24/7 for emergency contact, and we communicate with the insurance company on your behalf to help the process run smoothly.
If a fire damages your rental property, protect your investment. First, call your insurance company, then call SERVPRO of North Richland Hills at (817) 589-1499 any time for guidance and free pricing. We are ready to help you around the clock, 365 days a year.
Understanding Landlord Responsibilities After a Fire in Fort Worth, TX
12/15/2020 (Permalink)
If you've experienced a fire at your rental property, contact the Fort Worth fire damage restoration experts at SERVPRO for guidance and free pricing.
Rental properties are perhaps the most sought after financial assets these days. But with assets come liabilities. Gains become a loss when a Fort Worth, TX property sustains severe damage such as flooding, tornado, or a fire.
As with any big business decision, investors should weigh the risks before entering into a rental property venture. Full awareness of these risks includes understanding landlord responsibilities after a fire.
SERVPRO in Fort Worth is all about preparedness for a disaster. In this guide, we share essential information about landlord obligations so that you can be proactive in protecting your investment.
What Is A Landlord Responsible For?
Because maintaining a rental property is a lot of work, property management is a lucrative industry. Rental property owners intend for this investment to bring in passive income, and they can make it so by handing off most of the landlord's responsibilities to a management company.
The core responsibilities of a landlord are to draw up a proper lease agreement, comply with fair housing (anti-discrimination) laws, follow proper eviction and rent collection procedure, and return cash deposits in a timely manner.
Fort Worth landlords are also responsible for maintaining a certain level of living conditions and maintaining insurance on the property. They are on the hook for aspects of the property that "materially affects the physical health or safety of an ordinary tenant." If a tenant takes the recourse of reporting unlivable conditions to the authorities, a landlord is forbidden from retaliatory actions.
Landlord’s Responsibilities After a Fire
One of the downsides of being a landlord is not having control over the actions of tenants who live their lives privately in the property you own. According to a FEMA report on multifamily residential building fires, cooking is the leading cause of these fires (74%).
So when a landlord gets the call that a fire has happened at one of their properties, what are the responsibilities of a landlord? What should a landlord do first? If you have staff at the property, they can act on your behalf with clear instructions concerning what to do if a fire happens.
Immediately After the Fire
Below is a list of landlord responsibilities after a fire immediately after the event has occurred.
- Do not attempt to enter the scene where the fire occurred. Authorized personnel such as a fire marshall or the fire department will need to do an investigation and ensure the area is safe for others to enter again.
- Either the landlord or those working on behalf of the property should check on the tenants. Be prepared to direct those displaced on where they can go for alternative places to stay (such as the Red Cross).
- While you communicate with the tenants, try to piece together what the cause of the damage was. The details of these accounts should be documented by either the landlord or their representatives.
- Contact your insurance company to discuss if a claim should be filed or not.
- Even if the official investigation is not yet complete, you can still call fire damage restoration companies in Fort Worth. SERVPRO’s local franchises have substantial experience working with insurance companies to make the process as efficient as possible.
- Get in touch with the fire department to find out when it will be clear for people to reenter. At this time, the landlord can personally assess the damage, and tenants can salvage what’s left of their belongings.
With landlord responsibilities after a fire, communication and coordination are the top priority. The landlord should keep in touch with everyone involved and document everything.
Days After the Fire
Until the property has been investigated and clear for people to re-enter, all a landlord can do is follow up with all involved parties: the tenants, staff, fire department, insurance representatives, and perhaps the restoration company as well.
Once the property is ready for you to enter, here are some of the steps a landlord would take:
- Document the damage by doing a walk-through of the damaged unit (and those surrounding units if it’s a multi-family property). It helps to take photos and videos of everything.
- At this phase, no one who enters the property should attempt to clean it up until the insurance company has given the go-ahead. No one should use the utilities until the fire department says it’s okay.
- List an inventory of everything damaged: both the interior and the exterior fixtures. Make note of damaged appliances and include brand names and model information as best you can. The personal items of the tenant are not typically involved in the claim as this is not one of the landlord’s responsibilities after a fire.
- After a walk-through of the fire scene is complete, the property should be closed off to trespassers and the elements with either board up or tarping. This is SERVPRO’s first step in the fire restoration process. The insurance company will want to know that measures were taken to prevent additional liabilities, and board up and tarping is a proactive measure.
- Communicate with your tenants about lease cancellation or rent abatement. Use wise discretion on whether to continue collecting rent. When appropriate, a landlord can suggest the tenant file a claim with their renter’s insurance policy.
- Hire a restoration company and stay in communication with your point of contact regularly. SERVPRO has one point of contact with property owners who are ready to provide clients with any updates.
Who Pays for Fire Damages?
Typically, the landlord’s insurance is supposed to cover the costs of restoration to bring it back to preloss and habitable conditions. Renter’s insurance normally covers the tenant’s personal items like clothing, electronics, furniture, etc. However, if the fire was due to landlord neglect, they may be liable for the tenant’s belongings.
With kitchen fires being the leading cause of apartment fires, it’s ideal that tenants have a renter’s insurance policy for the duration of the lease term. Before requiring renter’s insurance as a lease term, the landlord should consult a legal expert.
Unfortunately, what cannot be covered with insurance or by being awarded damages through the courts is on the property owner. They will need to decide if they are willing to reinvest in the property with out-of-pocket restoration costs.
Restoring Property Into a Habitable State
The landlord is responsible for providing safe and habitable housing, and they want to earn money from the investment rather than lose out. So, it’s within the property owner’s interests to recover the unit(s) as soon as possible.
SERVPRO is set up to manage the entire fire damage to the rental property. Being able to handle it all is how we effectively organize all the restoration process efficiently. Our Fort Worth ceiling repair and full-service fire restoration services include:
- Roof tarp, board-up, and live security
- Fire cleanup
- Fire smoke odor deodorization
- Moving services and long-term storage
- Clothing sanitization
- Sanitization of all belongings
- Electronic restoration services
- Reconstruction
Depending on local laws, a landlord may need to apply for a certificate of occupancy before units can be lived in again.
What Happens While the Property Is Uninhabitable?
If the damage is minor, tenants may be able to stay in the unit while the property while repairs are being done. If the unit is not safe to live in during the restoration process, they will either secure temporary housing through insurance coverage payout or other reasons.
For liability reasons, no one should live in the unit until it’s deemed safe. Tenants may be able to work with non-profit organizations like the Red Cross if they have nowhere else to stay.
Sometimes the severity of fire damage is extensive to the point that it’s no longer safe to live in. At this point, tenants should be relieved of rent payment obligations. Being let out of a lease may be up to the courts where it is proven that the property is no longer habitable.
Professional Fire Restoration Experts in Fort Worth, Texas
Landlord responsibilities after a fire include prompt action, documentation of what happened and what was damaged, ongoing communication with all involved parties, helping tenants find other living arrangements, and hiring the best Fort Worth fire damage restoration company.
SERVPRO has been restoring fire-damaged properties for decades. Our experienced technicians make it "Like it never even happened." We are available 24/7 for emergency contact, and we communicate with the insurance company on your behalf to help the process run smoothly.
If a fire damages your rental property, protect your investment. First, call your insurance company, then call SERVPRO of North Richland Hills at (817) 589-1499 any time for guidance and free pricing. We are ready to help you around the clock, 365 days a year.
How to Clean a Clogged Dryer Vent
12/4/2020 (Permalink)
Prevent a fire in your home - contact SERVPRO in Fort Worth for professional cleaning of your clogged dryer vents.
Clothes dryers work overtime when you spend the whole day getting caught up on laundry. Doing several loads of laundry in a row may uncover issues with the appliance.
If you find that your clothes need more time to dry than usual, the dryer is hot to the touch, the laundry is very hot after being removed from the dryer, or even a burning smell these are all signs of a dryer problem that could be related to a clogged dryer vent.
SERVPRO of Fort Worth is committed to public safety. As a major Fort Worth fire damage restoration company, we’ve seen much fire damage that could have been prevented.
Clothes dryers are the culprit of thousands of house fires annually. Today, we’ll share some tips on how to keep your dryer vent clean and clear so you can mitigate the risk of fire damage to your home.
What Happens When the Dryer Vent is Blocked?
Dryer exhaust vent blockage occurs when hot air cannot escape as designed. Dryers generate a lot of heat, so for the dryer to work properly there must be a way for this excess to escape.
Aside from being a common cause of house fires, a blocked dryer vent causes the appliance to run inefficiently and could incur higher energy costs.
Reasons Dryer Vents Get Clogged
So how does a dryer go from normal to overheating and under drying? Below are the common causes of a clogged dryer vent.
Mechanical: Such as a kink in the vent duct or a stuck vent flap/blocked vent cover. Lint can get caught on sharp corners.
Natural: If a rodent or a bird creates a nest in the duct, this causes a blockage.
Accumulation: Lint traps collect all the excess lint for easy removal. Lint that escapes or other debris builds up in the duct/vent over time. Residue from fabric softener sheets may also contribute to this. If your lint screen is damaged or if you have forgotten to remove the lint from the trap, this could be your problem.
Remember to clean out your lint trap before each use.
If you’ve ruled out a mechanical issue, we’ll guide you through how to unclog and clean out a blocked dryer vent.
How to Clean a Dryer Vent
Before you do anything to your dryer, consult your product warranty. Make sure that none of the actions involved in the dryer vent cleaning will void your warranty. You may need to have an authorized repair service come out to clean your vents depending on your warranty details.
If your setup is complex, or you think your ventilation wasn’t set up correctly, you might consider calling a professional.
For a thorough DIY dryer vent cleaning, you’ll need basic home improvement tools, some experience using these tools (like a drill), and 1-2 hours to complete the process. Let’s go through these steps toward getting your dryer back to efficiency and more importantly, back to safety.
Step 1: Locate The Duct
To clean the duct, you’ll need to find it. Your standard exhaust duct is 4 inches in diameter and routes the exhaust from the dryer output all the way to the home’s exterior wall vent.
The longer the route from the appliance to the external outlet, the more length there will be to clean.
Step 2: Safely Disconnect the Dryer
For this step, you’ll need a screwdriver (usually a Phillips). Carefully pull the dryer away from the wall. If your dryer is gas-powered, be very careful not to disrupt the gas connection as a gas leak will cause a bigger problem.
Electric dryers are pretty straightforward to disconnect. You’ll simply unplug from the electrical outlet. Then you detach the exhaust pipe from the back of the dryer by loosening and removing the screws.
For gas dryers, you’d usually unplug the electrical cord, then wait about half an hour until you disconnect the gas. You’d want to make sure no more gas is still in the dryer before attempting to turn off and then disconnect the gas supply to the dryer. Consult your manual for gas dryer disconnection instructions.
Step 3: Clean, Clean, Clean
For this step, you’d use a dryer vent cleaning kit, a drill, and a vacuum cleaner (such as a shop vac). The kit should include an auger brush. You’ll need a brush to clear out the vent. For long vent pipes, you’ll most likely need an auger brush with extension attachments to clean the length of the pipe.
Next, go out to the external hood. If you have an exterior pest screen, you’ll clear out any debris from this first. Then you’ll either remove the hood by loosening the screws or clip the flap out of the way to keep it open.
You’ll use the vacuum to collect lint and debris as you brush it away. It helps to put the vacuum hose inside the exhaust path as you use the auger brush. With the auger brush connected to the drill and extensions, push it through the vent with the vacuum hose alongside it. Turn on the vacuum. Carefully run the drill in a clockwise direction moving the auger brush in a back and forth sweeping motion through the exhaust.
The idea is to sweep the vent as far in as you can with the vacuum collecting the debris. The vacuum may need to be emptied a few times during this process.
Step 4: Tidy Up, Reconnect Everything
Vacuum up any excess debris or lint both inside the utility room and at the outside hood.
Outside, you’ll reattach the vent hood (or unclip the flap) and reattach the exterior pest screen. Inside, reattach the vent piping to the back of the dryer, plug the dryer back into the electrical outlet, or carefully reattach the gas (if applicable).
If there is a soft foil-style vent connecting to the wall duct, consider replacing it with aluminum elbows as these hoses are a known fire risk.
Step 5: Do a Trial Run
Once everything is securely reconnected (with any necessary precautions for a gas dryer), it’s time to test it out.
Do a load of laundry. When it’s time to dry the clothes, make observations to ensure that things are running smoothly. Are the problems you had before still happening, like a burning smell, the dryer still running hot, or the clothes needing more than one pass to dry?
Next, check to see if the flap on the external hood is moving freely. This will indicate that there is a decent amount of airflow. If problems persist, it’s probably time to call a professional.
How Often Should Dryer Vents Be Cleaned?
- Daily: Clean out your dryer traps between each use.
- Monthly: Clear out any buildup any debris on the pest screen and external hood.
- Annually: Do a dryer duct cleaning once or twice a year depending on the amount of laundry. Large or multiple-family use may need up to three cleanings per year.
SERVPRO Is Ready to Help Fort Worth Residents With All Your Appliance Needs
Keeping vents clear allows your dryer to run efficiently and greatly reduces the risk of fire. With common home improvement tools and some elbow grease, you can usually clean out a clogged dryer vent on your own.
Remember to be careful with gas systems, and replace outdated soft foil-style vent material. Keep the venting path clear of anything lint could snag on and become attached to. The goal is to keep the vent clear of debris.
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills has seen hundreds of fire-damaged properties. While we’re honored to be the top choice for fire damage restoration in Fort Worth, we’d rather help prevent fires before they happen.
We can fix dryers and do a thorough cleaning of the venting, both for commercial and residential situations. We will inspect for any problems that need to be addressed so that all runs safely and smoothly. Call us at (817) 589-1499 anytime with appliance questions or for free pricing!
How to Clean a Clogged Dryer Vent
12/4/2020 (Permalink)
Prevent a fire in your home - contact SERVPRO in Fort Worth for professional cleaning of your clogged dryer vents.
Clothes dryers work overtime when you spend the whole day getting caught up on laundry. Doing several loads of laundry in a row may uncover issues with the appliance.
If you find that your clothes need more time to dry than usual, the dryer is hot to the touch, the laundry is very hot after being removed from the dryer, or even a burning smell these are all signs of a dryer problem that could be related to a clogged dryer vent.
SERVPRO of Fort Worth is committed to public safety. As a major Fort Worth fire damage restoration company, we’ve seen much fire damage that could have been prevented.
Clothes dryers are the culprit of thousands of house fires annually. Today, we’ll share some tips on how to keep your dryer vent clean and clear so you can mitigate the risk of fire damage to your home.
What Happens When the Dryer Vent is Blocked?
Dryer exhaust vent blockage occurs when hot air cannot escape as designed. Dryers generate a lot of heat, so for the dryer to work properly there must be a way for this excess to escape.
Aside from being a common cause of house fires, a blocked dryer vent causes the appliance to run inefficiently and could incur higher energy costs.
Reasons Dryer Vents Get Clogged
So how does a dryer go from normal to overheating and under drying? Below are the common causes of a clogged dryer vent.
Mechanical: Such as a kink in the vent duct or a stuck vent flap/blocked vent cover. Lint can get caught on sharp corners.
Natural: If a rodent or a bird creates a nest in the duct, this causes a blockage.
Accumulation: Lint traps collect all the excess lint for easy removal. Lint that escapes or other debris builds up in the duct/vent over time. Residue from fabric softener sheets may also contribute to this. If your lint screen is damaged or if you have forgotten to remove the lint from the trap, this could be your problem.
Remember to clean out your lint trap before each use.
If you’ve ruled out a mechanical issue, we’ll guide you through how to unclog and clean out a blocked dryer vent.
How to Clean a Dryer Vent
Before you do anything to your dryer, consult your product warranty. Make sure that none of the actions involved in the dryer vent cleaning will void your warranty. You may need to have an authorized repair service come out to clean your vents depending on your warranty details.
If your setup is complex, or you think your ventilation wasn’t set up correctly, you might consider calling a professional.
For a thorough DIY dryer vent cleaning, you’ll need basic home improvement tools, some experience using these tools (like a drill), and 1-2 hours to complete the process. Let’s go through these steps toward getting your dryer back to efficiency and more importantly, back to safety.
Step 1: Locate The Duct
To clean the duct, you’ll need to find it. Your standard exhaust duct is 4 inches in diameter and routes the exhaust from the dryer output all the way to the home’s exterior wall vent.
The longer the route from the appliance to the external outlet, the more length there will be to clean.
Step 2: Safely Disconnect the Dryer
For this step, you’ll need a screwdriver (usually a Phillips). Carefully pull the dryer away from the wall. If your dryer is gas-powered, be very careful not to disrupt the gas connection as a gas leak will cause a bigger problem.
Electric dryers are pretty straightforward to disconnect. You’ll simply unplug from the electrical outlet. Then you detach the exhaust pipe from the back of the dryer by loosening and removing the screws.
For gas dryers, you’d usually unplug the electrical cord, then wait about half an hour until you disconnect the gas. You’d want to make sure no more gas is still in the dryer before attempting to turn off and then disconnect the gas supply to the dryer. Consult your manual for gas dryer disconnection instructions.
Step 3: Clean, Clean, Clean
For this step, you’d use a dryer vent cleaning kit, a drill, and a vacuum cleaner (such as a shop vac). The kit should include an auger brush. You’ll need a brush to clear out the vent. For long vent pipes, you’ll most likely need an auger brush with extension attachments to clean the length of the pipe.
Next, go out to the external hood. If you have an exterior pest screen, you’ll clear out any debris from this first. Then you’ll either remove the hood by loosening the screws or clip the flap out of the way to keep it open.
You’ll use the vacuum to collect lint and debris as you brush it away. It helps to put the vacuum hose inside the exhaust path as you use the auger brush. With the auger brush connected to the drill and extensions, push it through the vent with the vacuum hose alongside it. Turn on the vacuum. Carefully run the drill in a clockwise direction moving the auger brush in a back and forth sweeping motion through the exhaust.
The idea is to sweep the vent as far in as you can with the vacuum collecting the debris. The vacuum may need to be emptied a few times during this process.
Step 4: Tidy Up, Reconnect Everything
Vacuum up any excess debris or lint both inside the utility room and at the outside hood.
Outside, you’ll reattach the vent hood (or unclip the flap) and reattach the exterior pest screen. Inside, reattach the vent piping to the back of the dryer, plug the dryer back into the electrical outlet, or carefully reattach the gas (if applicable).
If there is a soft foil-style vent connecting to the wall duct, consider replacing it with aluminum elbows as these hoses are a known fire risk.
Step 5: Do a Trial Run
Once everything is securely reconnected (with any necessary precautions for a gas dryer), it’s time to test it out.
Do a load of laundry. When it’s time to dry the clothes, make observations to ensure that things are running smoothly. Are the problems you had before still happening, like a burning smell, the dryer still running hot, or the clothes needing more than one pass to dry?
Next, check to see if the flap on the external hood is moving freely. This will indicate that there is a decent amount of airflow. If problems persist, it’s probably time to call a professional.
How Often Should Dryer Vents Be Cleaned?
- Daily: Clean out your dryer traps between each use.
- Monthly: Clear out any buildup any debris on the pest screen and external hood.
- Annually: Do a dryer duct cleaning once or twice a year depending on the amount of laundry. Large or multiple-family use may need up to three cleanings per year.
SERVPRO Is Ready to Help Fort Worth Residents With All Your Appliance Needs
Keeping vents clear allows your dryer to run efficiently and greatly reduces the risk of fire. With common home improvement tools and some elbow grease, you can usually clean out a clogged dryer vent on your own.
Remember to be careful with gas systems, and replace outdated soft foil-style vent material. Keep the venting path clear of anything lint could snag on and become attached to. The goal is to keep the vent clear of debris.
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills has seen hundreds of fire-damaged properties. While we’re honored to be the top choice for fire damage restoration in Fort Worth, we’d rather help prevent fires before they happen.
We can fix dryers and do a thorough cleaning of the venting, both for commercial and residential situations. We will inspect for any problems that need to be addressed so that all runs safely and smoothly. Call us at (817) 589-1499 anytime with appliance questions or for free pricing!
Most Common Causes of House Fires in Fort Worth, TX
11/19/2020 (Permalink)
Contact the Fort Worth fire damage restoration experts at SERVPRO if you've experienced a house fire.
A house that has stood for decades can be destroyed by fire in a matter of minutes. Because of how devastating house fires can be, we as humans have made great strides in fire prevention. Understanding the causes of house fires is one of the most effective ways we can combat such occurrences.
However, despite our best efforts to mitigate the common causes of house fires, fires can and will happen. This is why homeowners cover their property with insurance. When you have a quality fire insurance policy plus a reputable fire restoration company, fire damage can be wiped away.
While SERVPRO is honored to be the trusted brand for fire damage restoration in Fort Worth, we'd rather that home fires didn’t start in the first place. This guide is to raise awareness about the most common causes of house fires so that you might be better prepared.
How Common Are House Fires in Fort Worth?
If you hear a fire truck siren or drive by a house with significant fire damage in Fort Worth, you might wonder how often fires happen here.
In 2019, of the 2192 fires Fort Worth fire department responded to, 618 of these events were residential fires.
In Texas, it is estimated that a house fire happens every 32 minutes. From 2014-2016, Tarrant County was ranked number 3 for most cases of structural fires in Texas. Houston and Dallas have more fires annually than Fort Worth.
Where Do Fires Start in Houses?
Where do most house fires start? This is the first thing we ask when approaching the common causes of house fires. The first thing we ask when we look for ways to stop the causes of fires at the source is: When a fire investigation happens, the source of the fire is sought. Documenting how fires start helps us find opportunities to improve on things.
5 Top Causes of House Fires
While it is possible for a fire can start externally through arson, a lightning strike, or a wildfire, these incidents are rare. We’ll focus on the internal causes of house fires so that we can be proactive to prevent this.
1. Electrical Equipment
Over the last century, we’ve become more and more dependent on electricity. Innovation has answered the call to make circuitry safer. Despite the modern safeguards now in place, house fires that occurred due to wiring and related equipment are at around 7%.
What causes electrical fires in homes? Wires overheat from an overloaded current. Short circuits will spark, and this is tinder for building materials. This could be happening behind a wall, and you wouldn’t know it until the fire had already grown.
Old homes that do not meet current building standards or wiring components that fail after decades of use are the most vulnerable to cause fires. For this, you’ll need the help of a qualified electrician - this includes inspection of old wiring, or investigating circuit problems (like a breaker that constantly trips).
2. Cooking Equipment
Of the top fire causes, most are related to the kitchen, and all too often these fires could have been prevented. Unattended stoves with pots and pans cooking, oven mishaps, and combustibles that are too close to the heating elements are what cause fires in the kitchen. Pressure cookers are also known to explode when not used properly.
There are times of the year when we cook more than usual such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. Remember to keep an eye on cooking, especially when using high heat for frying, boiling, and broiling.
3. Candles
According to the National Fire Protection Association, candles caused an average of 7,610
house fires per year. Candles are used for eliminating odors, relaxation, and holiday decoration for Christmas and New Year's Eve. When left unattended, candles could tip over, the glass casing could break, or the flames could set nearby items on fire.
4. Smoking
Of all the causes of house fires, smoking is the most deadly. People smoke to relax. If you relax to the point of dozing off, you are then unable to respond quickly to a cigarette that has fallen from your hands. When the embers of a cigarette make contact with bed linens, carpet, clothing, upholstered furniture, etc. a house fire can easily start. If you must smoke indoors, please do so standing or sitting up (especially when you’re very tired).
5. Heating
Despite our state reputation for being warm, it does get cold here, in north Texas especially. For a short period, we’ll have freezing temperatures with ice and the occasional snow. For places that don’t have central heating, such as a garage, we use space heaters to keep warm.
Among the common causes of house fires, heaters come in second. Some heaters are designed with safety features, but it’s up to us to use them with caution. Don’t keep them running while you’re away from home and don’t use them to heat or dry fabrics.
Does Insurance Cover Fire Damage Restoration?
Homeowners’ insurance is all about the what-ifs. Generally, fire damage is covered by an insurance policy, but it’s best to call your agent for confirmation. We’ll go over the common kinds of coverage.
- Dwelling - Covers fire damage to the structure of the home.
- Personal property - Covers the contents and personal property inside the home.
- Loss of use - Covers the expense of living elsewhere either temporarily or permanently.
- Personal liability - Pays for damage to the property of others that was caused by your house fire.
Extensive wildfires in the US have made the news in the last few years, so this should prompt you to check in with your insurance agent and ask about what you can expect for fire coverage. You might consider increasing coverage for damage to your neighbor’s property or other peripheral issues (for example, damage to an automobile in the garage).
House Fire Prevention Tips
The best way to address the common causes of house fires is to be prepared. Make your checklist with the following actions.
- Test your smoke alarms. Many people use daylight savings time changes as a reminder to test the batteries twice per year.
- Inspect your heating apparatuses. Are there signs of electrical issues? When was the last time your furnace was checked by a professional?
- Be careful in the kitchen. Keep your oven and stove clean - wipe up oil spills or food particles that could catch on fire. Don’t leave cooking unattended in the kitchen. Refrain from using your stove to heat your home.
- Check your dryer vents. Lint can cause a fire with a clothes dryer. Clean out your lint traps and make sure the exhaust vent is clear of lint build-up.
- Mind your power cords. If a cord has been frayed or chewed, discontinue use of the item. Keep cords away from carpets and fabrics.
- Store flammables safely. Keep aerosols and other flammable chemicals away from heat.
- Be careful with candles, fireplaces, and cigarettes. We use these to relax, but we must remain alert enough so that these don’t start a house fire. Keep combustibles such as fabrics away from the flames. Use extra caution when pets or children are around and don’t leave matches or lighters out.
- Have fire extinguishers on hand (especially in the kitchen). Make sure yourself and other members of your household know where the fire extinguisher is and how to use it. Read the instruction label carefully.
SERVPRO Is Here to Assist With Any Fort Worth Fire Damage
As we approach the end of the year, we use more heat in the form of holiday candles, preparing holiday food in the kitchen, and staying warm in cold months. We should keep common causes of house fires top of mind year-round, but especially during the fall and winter months.
Sometimes despite proactive efforts, homeowners will end up in a fire damage situation. SERVPRO Fort Worth is here 24/7 to respond to any fire issues from isolated damage to a total loss. We do it all from the preliminary tarping and board up to a complete reconstruction. We work with insurance companies so that the process is as efficient as can be. Contact us any time at (817) 589-1499 with questions or for a free estimate for services.
Most Common Causes of House Fires in Fort Worth, TX
11/19/2020 (Permalink)
Contact the Fort Worth fire damage restoration experts at SERVPRO if you've experienced a house fire.
A house that has stood for decades can be destroyed by fire in a matter of minutes. Because of how devastating house fires can be, we as humans have made great strides in fire prevention. Understanding the causes of house fires is one of the most effective ways we can combat such occurrences.
However, despite our best efforts to mitigate the common causes of house fires, fires can and will happen. This is why homeowners cover their property with insurance. When you have a quality fire insurance policy plus a reputable fire restoration company, fire damage can be wiped away.
While SERVPRO is honored to be the trusted brand for fire damage restoration in Fort Worth, we'd rather that home fires didn’t start in the first place. This guide is to raise awareness about the most common causes of house fires so that you might be better prepared.
How Common Are House Fires in Fort Worth?
If you hear a fire truck siren or drive by a house with significant fire damage in Fort Worth, you might wonder how often fires happen here.
In 2019, of the 2192 fires Fort Worth fire department responded to, 618 of these events were residential fires.
In Texas, it is estimated that a house fire happens every 32 minutes. From 2014-2016, Tarrant County was ranked number 3 for most cases of structural fires in Texas. Houston and Dallas have more fires annually than Fort Worth.
Where Do Fires Start in Houses?
Where do most house fires start? This is the first thing we ask when approaching the common causes of house fires. The first thing we ask when we look for ways to stop the causes of fires at the source is: When a fire investigation happens, the source of the fire is sought. Documenting how fires start helps us find opportunities to improve on things.
5 Top Causes of House Fires
While it is possible for a fire can start externally through arson, a lightning strike, or a wildfire, these incidents are rare. We’ll focus on the internal causes of house fires so that we can be proactive to prevent this.
1. Electrical Equipment
Over the last century, we’ve become more and more dependent on electricity. Innovation has answered the call to make circuitry safer. Despite the modern safeguards now in place, house fires that occurred due to wiring and related equipment are at around 7%.
What causes electrical fires in homes? Wires overheat from an overloaded current. Short circuits will spark, and this is tinder for building materials. This could be happening behind a wall, and you wouldn’t know it until the fire had already grown.
Old homes that do not meet current building standards or wiring components that fail after decades of use are the most vulnerable to cause fires. For this, you’ll need the help of a qualified electrician - this includes inspection of old wiring, or investigating circuit problems (like a breaker that constantly trips).
2. Cooking Equipment
Of the top fire causes, most are related to the kitchen, and all too often these fires could have been prevented. Unattended stoves with pots and pans cooking, oven mishaps, and combustibles that are too close to the heating elements are what cause fires in the kitchen. Pressure cookers are also known to explode when not used properly.
There are times of the year when we cook more than usual such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. Remember to keep an eye on cooking, especially when using high heat for frying, boiling, and broiling.
3. Candles
According to the National Fire Protection Association, candles caused an average of 7,610
house fires per year. Candles are used for eliminating odors, relaxation, and holiday decoration for Christmas and New Year's Eve. When left unattended, candles could tip over, the glass casing could break, or the flames could set nearby items on fire.
4. Smoking
Of all the causes of house fires, smoking is the most deadly. People smoke to relax. If you relax to the point of dozing off, you are then unable to respond quickly to a cigarette that has fallen from your hands. When the embers of a cigarette make contact with bed linens, carpet, clothing, upholstered furniture, etc. a house fire can easily start. If you must smoke indoors, please do so standing or sitting up (especially when you’re very tired).
5. Heating
Despite our state reputation for being warm, it does get cold here, in north Texas especially. For a short period, we’ll have freezing temperatures with ice and the occasional snow. For places that don’t have central heating, such as a garage, we use space heaters to keep warm.
Among the common causes of house fires, heaters come in second. Some heaters are designed with safety features, but it’s up to us to use them with caution. Don’t keep them running while you’re away from home and don’t use them to heat or dry fabrics.
Does Insurance Cover Fire Damage Restoration?
Homeowners’ insurance is all about the what-ifs. Generally, fire damage is covered by an insurance policy, but it’s best to call your agent for confirmation. We’ll go over the common kinds of coverage.
- Dwelling - Covers fire damage to the structure of the home.
- Personal property - Covers the contents and personal property inside the home.
- Loss of use - Covers the expense of living elsewhere either temporarily or permanently.
- Personal liability - Pays for damage to the property of others that was caused by your house fire.
Extensive wildfires in the US have made the news in the last few years, so this should prompt you to check in with your insurance agent and ask about what you can expect for fire coverage. You might consider increasing coverage for damage to your neighbor’s property or other peripheral issues (for example, damage to an automobile in the garage).
House Fire Prevention Tips
The best way to address the common causes of house fires is to be prepared. Make your checklist with the following actions.
- Test your smoke alarms. Many people use daylight savings time changes as a reminder to test the batteries twice per year.
- Inspect your heating apparatuses. Are there signs of electrical issues? When was the last time your furnace was checked by a professional?
- Be careful in the kitchen. Keep your oven and stove clean - wipe up oil spills or food particles that could catch on fire. Don’t leave cooking unattended in the kitchen. Refrain from using your stove to heat your home.
- Check your dryer vents. Lint can cause a fire with a clothes dryer. Clean out your lint traps and make sure the exhaust vent is clear of lint build-up.
- Mind your power cords. If a cord has been frayed or chewed, discontinue use of the item. Keep cords away from carpets and fabrics.
- Store flammables safely. Keep aerosols and other flammable chemicals away from heat.
- Be careful with candles, fireplaces, and cigarettes. We use these to relax, but we must remain alert enough so that these don’t start a house fire. Keep combustibles such as fabrics away from the flames. Use extra caution when pets or children are around and don’t leave matches or lighters out.
- Have fire extinguishers on hand (especially in the kitchen). Make sure yourself and other members of your household know where the fire extinguisher is and how to use it. Read the instruction label carefully.
SERVPRO Is Here to Assist With Any Fort Worth Fire Damage
As we approach the end of the year, we use more heat in the form of holiday candles, preparing holiday food in the kitchen, and staying warm in cold months. We should keep common causes of house fires top of mind year-round, but especially during the fall and winter months.
Sometimes despite proactive efforts, homeowners will end up in a fire damage situation. SERVPRO Fort Worth is here 24/7 to respond to any fire issues from isolated damage to a total loss. We do it all from the preliminary tarping and board up to a complete reconstruction. We work with insurance companies so that the process is as efficient as can be. Contact us any time at (817) 589-1499 with questions or for a free estimate for services.
How to Find a Water Leak
10/27/2020 (Permalink)
Think you have a water leak in your home? Contact SERVPRO in Fort Worth for professional water damage restoration services.
The EPA estimates that 3,000 gallons per year can go to waste from a leak at the rate of one drip per second. Aside from wasting a precious resource, water leaks also impact your budget. Whether you put the water to good use or not, you’ll be charged by the meter’s gallon count.
Another way water leaks will cost you is with water damage accumulation. Fort Worth property owners may not notice faulty plumbing or malfunctioning appliances in tucked-away places (like a water heater) until nearby items and construction have already been ruined.
If the amount due on your water bill is surprisingly high and your utility company can’t explain why then it’s time to look around your property for answers. Today, we’ll walk you through how to find a water leak.
How to Find a Water Leak in Your Home
Some water leaks in the house are obvious (like drips under the sink or behind the toilet. If you discover a problem and fix it, does it stop there? Perhaps not. There could be other leaks that are still wasting water.
Why not take the time to do a full inspection of your property to make sure there are no other problems? A thorough search for water leaks could save you in the long run - both with utilities and damage repair costs.
Examine Fixtures and Appliances
How to find a water leak in your house begins inside with a high-level inspection. This includes checking all the fixtures and appliances that the plumbing routes to.
- Toilets: Look over the toilet’s tank parts for wear or weaknesses (especially the flapper valve).
- Bathtubs and showers: Check bathtubs and showers for drips or puddles around the bases of toilets, tubs, and separate showers.
- Sinks and cabinets: Look under kitchen and bathroom sinks for signs and smells of water. Check each cabinet near a water usage area to make sure everything is dry.
- Clothes washer and dishwasher: Run the washer to check for malfunctions. Pull out the appliances to check the connection hoses for leaks. Also, check for puddles around the washer.
- Water heater: Examine water heater for connection hose leaks or water collecting below. Since water heaters are usually out of sight and out of mind, you might consider fitting it with a moisture sensor alarm, so you’ll immediately know if it springs a leak.
If you come across any puddles, shut off the water supply to the associated appliance or fixture and contact a plumber for further assistance.
Observe Your Water Meter
How to detect water leaks begins with water meter leaks confirmation.This is a surefire way to know if you have an unresolved water leak with your property.
A water meter is usually found near the road where the utility company can access it without intruding on your property. Look for a covered box or a covered manhole.
If you have trouble locating the water meter, contact your utility company to ask where it is. Once you find the meter, follow the four steps below.
- Stop all running water by turning off all water faucets, the washing machine, or the dishwasher. They will need to remain off for the duration of the test. Ask members of the household to cooperate with this by not using any sinks, tubs, showers, toilets, or water-using appliances until the test is complete.
- Go to the water meter and copy down the number on the counter.
- After some time has passed, check to see if the numbers have changed:
- If after a few minutes, you see the number has increased, there is likely a fast-moving leak.
- Check again in an hour or two. If the number goes up, then there is likely a slow leak. If the number still hasn’t changed after two hours, then it’s not likely that there are any leaks.
- Once you detect a leak by meter confirmation, you can rule out if the leak is happening with outdoor functions. You’ll do this by shutting off the house’s main water supply.
Keep all water turned off as mentioned in the above steps, but then shut off the water supply to the house itself. This control may be in your basement or utility room. Write down the meter’s counter number. Check again after an hour to see if the number on the counter has changed. If it hasn’t, the leak is inside the home.
Monitor Your Water Bill
How much water use is considered excessive? For a household with four members, a bill that reflects a usage total of more than 12,000 gallons in a given month is too much. A spike like this could mean that there is a leak somewhere.
You can track changes in usage by comparing billing statements over several months. If you see that there is an abrupt change in the amount due (or in the total gallon count), you’re likely being charged for water you haven’t really used.
Unless someone is somehow stealing water from you, this change can probably be blamed on water leak problem(s). The water leak issues could be complex or underground.
Be Aware Of Leaking Clues
Once you’ve checked the areas where leaks commonly occur, you’re ready to go a bit deeper in your search for any peripheral issues.
Water leaks can be inaudible or invisible when behind walls or ceilings. If these leaks go on for some time, they eventually make themselves known by showing signs of damage. Here’s what to look for:
- Wall or ceiling discoloration: Water stains signal that a water leak from pipes or a faulty roof has been going on long enough that the wall and ceiling material is now becoming saturated with water. These marks are typically a yellowish or brownish color.
- Dripping sounds: It can be hard to hear dripping water behind a wall or ceiling, so if you do hear dripping sounds, this signals that the problem may have progressed into an urgent matter.
- Deformed walls: Walls and ceilings should be flat and smooth. Any bubbling, bulging, swelling, or warping of paint, drywall, or wallpaper is a sign that water has accumulated so much that it is soaking through the materials.
- Seeing or smelling mold: Mold can be discovered by its musty odor or dark and speckled spots. This means that water damage has been sitting long enough for mold spores to take root and colonize.
Water ends up where it doesn’t belong by way of failures with plumbing, appliances, fixtures, or structure (such as the roof or windows). Awareness of how water leaks make themselves known can help you spot trouble right away.
Food Coloring in Your Toilet
How to find where a leak is coming from can be done with a clever color test. This lets you know if your toilet is faulty.
Put a few drops of dye or food coloring in the toilet tank. Do not flush the toilet. Wait for 10-20 minutes. If you see the water in the toilet bowl is tinted with the color you used, this indicates a leak.
This kind of toilet leak happens when the flapper (rubber stopper) in the toilet tank wears down over time. A weakened flapper allows water to bypass the seal. To solve this water wasting issue, replace the flapper with a new one (appropriate for your commode).
Water Leak Outside Your Home
Once you’ve ticked all the boxes for indoor inspection, you can check the rest of your property. Take recent weather into account. If it has recently rained, then it’s uncertain if the puddles or saturated ground is due to a water leak.
Even when finding a water leak outdoors was ruled out by the meter test, you can still check the external water functions for signs of wear (that may lead to future problems). Here’s how to find a water leak outside.
Inspect Your Shut Off Valve
The outdoor shut-off valve is usually located around the water meter. Look for nearby puddles or signs of water saturation around the shut-off valve and any exposed supply lines.
Greener Patches of Grass
How to find a water leak underground can be as simple as looking out over the lawn. Are there patches of grass that are a brighter green than the rest? This could be a sign that some parts are getting more water than others because of a water leak.
One possible cause is a fault with the irrigation system. If the leak is severe, puddles may form on the surface near the watering system.
Don’t forget to check outdoor spigots, hoses, gaskets, and connection pieces for breakage or aging. Turn on the water to check for weaknesses. Apply the appropriate repair methods to these problems or contact a plumber.
Becoming aware of what seems to be wearing down now helps anticipate future water problems.
Contact the SERVPRO Professionals of Fort Worth Water Damage Restoration
Being on the lookout for signs of water leaks could mean saving lots of money in repairs and utility bills. Those who own properties that are older than 20 years should especially be observant of breakdowns from years of wear and tear. It’s a good idea to schedule routine inspections and maintenance for your home.
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills has successfully resolved water leak issues and repaired water damage for countless properties in Fort Worth, Texas. We have the expertise on how to find a water leak and quickly stop the problem at its source.
Our water damage restoration Fort Worth services response team is trained on the latest industry advancements, and we send them out with the best equipment in the industry.
Don’t let a water leak issue get out of control. We’re here to help you solve the root causes of water leaks and do the necessary fixes to prevent secondary damage (like wood rot or mold growth). Call us at (817) 589-1499 today!
How to Find a Water Leak
10/27/2020 (Permalink)
Think you have a water leak in your home? Contact SERVPRO in Fort Worth for professional water damage restoration services.
The EPA estimates that 3,000 gallons per year can go to waste from a leak at the rate of one drip per second. Aside from wasting a precious resource, water leaks also impact your budget. Whether you put the water to good use or not, you’ll be charged by the meter’s gallon count.
Another way water leaks will cost you is with water damage accumulation. Fort Worth property owners may not notice faulty plumbing or malfunctioning appliances in tucked-away places (like a water heater) until nearby items and construction have already been ruined.
If the amount due on your water bill is surprisingly high and your utility company can’t explain why then it’s time to look around your property for answers. Today, we’ll walk you through how to find a water leak.
How to Find a Water Leak in Your Home
Some water leaks in the house are obvious (like drips under the sink or behind the toilet. If you discover a problem and fix it, does it stop there? Perhaps not. There could be other leaks that are still wasting water.
Why not take the time to do a full inspection of your property to make sure there are no other problems? A thorough search for water leaks could save you in the long run - both with utilities and damage repair costs.
Examine Fixtures and Appliances
How to find a water leak in your house begins inside with a high-level inspection. This includes checking all the fixtures and appliances that the plumbing routes to.
- Toilets: Look over the toilet’s tank parts for wear or weaknesses (especially the flapper valve).
- Bathtubs and showers: Check bathtubs and showers for drips or puddles around the bases of toilets, tubs, and separate showers.
- Sinks and cabinets: Look under kitchen and bathroom sinks for signs and smells of water. Check each cabinet near a water usage area to make sure everything is dry.
- Clothes washer and dishwasher: Run the washer to check for malfunctions. Pull out the appliances to check the connection hoses for leaks. Also, check for puddles around the washer.
- Water heater: Examine water heater for connection hose leaks or water collecting below. Since water heaters are usually out of sight and out of mind, you might consider fitting it with a moisture sensor alarm, so you’ll immediately know if it springs a leak.
If you come across any puddles, shut off the water supply to the associated appliance or fixture and contact a plumber for further assistance.
Observe Your Water Meter
How to detect water leaks begins with water meter leaks confirmation.This is a surefire way to know if you have an unresolved water leak with your property.
A water meter is usually found near the road where the utility company can access it without intruding on your property. Look for a covered box or a covered manhole.
If you have trouble locating the water meter, contact your utility company to ask where it is. Once you find the meter, follow the four steps below.
- Stop all running water by turning off all water faucets, the washing machine, or the dishwasher. They will need to remain off for the duration of the test. Ask members of the household to cooperate with this by not using any sinks, tubs, showers, toilets, or water-using appliances until the test is complete.
- Go to the water meter and copy down the number on the counter.
- After some time has passed, check to see if the numbers have changed:
- If after a few minutes, you see the number has increased, there is likely a fast-moving leak.
- Check again in an hour or two. If the number goes up, then there is likely a slow leak. If the number still hasn’t changed after two hours, then it’s not likely that there are any leaks.
- Once you detect a leak by meter confirmation, you can rule out if the leak is happening with outdoor functions. You’ll do this by shutting off the house’s main water supply.
Keep all water turned off as mentioned in the above steps, but then shut off the water supply to the house itself. This control may be in your basement or utility room. Write down the meter’s counter number. Check again after an hour to see if the number on the counter has changed. If it hasn’t, the leak is inside the home.
Monitor Your Water Bill
How much water use is considered excessive? For a household with four members, a bill that reflects a usage total of more than 12,000 gallons in a given month is too much. A spike like this could mean that there is a leak somewhere.
You can track changes in usage by comparing billing statements over several months. If you see that there is an abrupt change in the amount due (or in the total gallon count), you’re likely being charged for water you haven’t really used.
Unless someone is somehow stealing water from you, this change can probably be blamed on water leak problem(s). The water leak issues could be complex or underground.
Be Aware Of Leaking Clues
Once you’ve checked the areas where leaks commonly occur, you’re ready to go a bit deeper in your search for any peripheral issues.
Water leaks can be inaudible or invisible when behind walls or ceilings. If these leaks go on for some time, they eventually make themselves known by showing signs of damage. Here’s what to look for:
- Wall or ceiling discoloration: Water stains signal that a water leak from pipes or a faulty roof has been going on long enough that the wall and ceiling material is now becoming saturated with water. These marks are typically a yellowish or brownish color.
- Dripping sounds: It can be hard to hear dripping water behind a wall or ceiling, so if you do hear dripping sounds, this signals that the problem may have progressed into an urgent matter.
- Deformed walls: Walls and ceilings should be flat and smooth. Any bubbling, bulging, swelling, or warping of paint, drywall, or wallpaper is a sign that water has accumulated so much that it is soaking through the materials.
- Seeing or smelling mold: Mold can be discovered by its musty odor or dark and speckled spots. This means that water damage has been sitting long enough for mold spores to take root and colonize.
Water ends up where it doesn’t belong by way of failures with plumbing, appliances, fixtures, or structure (such as the roof or windows). Awareness of how water leaks make themselves known can help you spot trouble right away.
Food Coloring in Your Toilet
How to find where a leak is coming from can be done with a clever color test. This lets you know if your toilet is faulty.
Put a few drops of dye or food coloring in the toilet tank. Do not flush the toilet. Wait for 10-20 minutes. If you see the water in the toilet bowl is tinted with the color you used, this indicates a leak.
This kind of toilet leak happens when the flapper (rubber stopper) in the toilet tank wears down over time. A weakened flapper allows water to bypass the seal. To solve this water wasting issue, replace the flapper with a new one (appropriate for your commode).
Water Leak Outside Your Home
Once you’ve ticked all the boxes for indoor inspection, you can check the rest of your property. Take recent weather into account. If it has recently rained, then it’s uncertain if the puddles or saturated ground is due to a water leak.
Even when finding a water leak outdoors was ruled out by the meter test, you can still check the external water functions for signs of wear (that may lead to future problems). Here’s how to find a water leak outside.
Inspect Your Shut Off Valve
The outdoor shut-off valve is usually located around the water meter. Look for nearby puddles or signs of water saturation around the shut-off valve and any exposed supply lines.
Greener Patches of Grass
How to find a water leak underground can be as simple as looking out over the lawn. Are there patches of grass that are a brighter green than the rest? This could be a sign that some parts are getting more water than others because of a water leak.
One possible cause is a fault with the irrigation system. If the leak is severe, puddles may form on the surface near the watering system.
Don’t forget to check outdoor spigots, hoses, gaskets, and connection pieces for breakage or aging. Turn on the water to check for weaknesses. Apply the appropriate repair methods to these problems or contact a plumber.
Becoming aware of what seems to be wearing down now helps anticipate future water problems.
Contact the SERVPRO Professionals of Fort Worth Water Damage Restoration
Being on the lookout for signs of water leaks could mean saving lots of money in repairs and utility bills. Those who own properties that are older than 20 years should especially be observant of breakdowns from years of wear and tear. It’s a good idea to schedule routine inspections and maintenance for your home.
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills has successfully resolved water leak issues and repaired water damage for countless properties in Fort Worth, Texas. We have the expertise on how to find a water leak and quickly stop the problem at its source.
Our water damage restoration Fort Worth services response team is trained on the latest industry advancements, and we send them out with the best equipment in the industry.
Don’t let a water leak issue get out of control. We’re here to help you solve the root causes of water leaks and do the necessary fixes to prevent secondary damage (like wood rot or mold growth). Call us at (817) 589-1499 today!
How to Get Rid of Mold Mites
10/16/2020 (Permalink)
Contact SERVPRO for professional mold remediation services in Fort Worth.
How many living things are inside your house? Of course, you count your family and your pets, but microorganisms and sometimes pests find their way inside to share the dwelling.
As the expert mold fighters in Fort Worth, Texas, SERVPRO has a thorough understanding of how mold behaves. Here are a few facts about mold:
- What mold eats: Mold likes to hang around in a building or house because of the abundance of cellulose materials it can consume like drywall, paper, fabrics, carpet, wood, etc.
- What eats mold: Mold is a part of a grand life cycle. Mold consumes matter, and in turn, other living things consume mold like fungus gnats, booklice, and mold mites. Slugs, roaches, camel crickets, and millipedes are attracted to mold because they want the organic matter that mold breaks down.
So several creatures use mold as a food source, but today we’ll focus on mold mites. When you remove mold colonies from your home, you are likely to remove numerous mold mites that gather to feast on it.
What Are Mold Mites?
The formal name for mold mites is tyophagus putescentiae. Other names for these tiny critters are cheese mites, “putrid cheese eater,” meat mites, flour mites, or computer mites. While they resemble insects, they are not. Mold mites are arthropods and are related to ticks.
Mold mites are hairy and white or tan in color. They are very hard to see as they are no larger than a crumb. Speaking of small bits, thousands of mold mites will congregate on a very small piece of mold. When they cluster together, it’s easier to spot them. If you spot mold, chances are there are mold mites present.
How to Identify Mold Mite Bites
Something bit you. Was it a mold mite? If a mite bit you, it was more likely a chigger than a mold mite. Mold mites do not bite humans, but you might end up with a rash, or red bumps from them (that could be mistaken for mold mite bite). Their long hairs irritate the skin of those who are allergy-prone and may feel like a bite.
If you spend enough time in a mold-infested environment, you may end up with some stinging and itching from mold mites. This is an adverse reaction rather than a bite.
How to Get Rid of Mold Mites
Mold mites rarely come into contact with humans or bother them, but even so, many homeowners are bothered by any insect-like creature being indoors.
Mold and bugs both thrive in warm, humid areas. Moisture finds its way into your home in many different ways such as faulty roofs, leaky pipes, unventilated bathrooms, spills, drafts, or through the crawlspace. Mold needs a relative humidity of 70 percent or higher at temperatures below 60 degrees to flourish.
Like any pest, the most effective mold mite treatment is to take away what brought them inside in the first place - mold. By taking away their food source, mold mites won’t have a reason to come back. Stop attracting mold mites with the prevention tips below.
- Remove or clean mold-infested items in all areas of your home.
- Open your windows to let some light and fresh air in. Ventilation and sunlight inhibit mold growth.
- Purge your pantry and fridge of expired food.
- Wipe down surfaces with hot water and soap. Make sure to dry surfaces thoroughly. Follow up with a disinfectant and go by the instruction label exactly. Some products must sit for a while before being wiped away.
- Pull excess moisture from the air by using a dehumidifier.
- Remove any dead or dying plants in or around your home. Remember, mold is a natural decomposer, so dying organic material is a prime target.
How to get rid of mold mites in your house is as simple as removing their food source so they stick to finding sources of mold out in nature instead.
Flooding and Mold Mites
If a home or building doesn’t have a mold problem already, a water emergency (such as flooding) creates an opportunity for mold to take root. Mold will start to grow in a flood-affected structure within 24-48 hours of the incident.
As we said earlier, measures taken to eliminate mold remove the conditions that invite mold mites to move in. The best way to avoid toxic mold growth is to do a complete and thorough water damage cleanup.
The more extensive the water damage and saturation, the more likely it is that you’ll need professional water damage recovery services. If you’re in the middle of a water emergency mess and you’re not sure what to do, call us at SERVPRO. We’ll answer your questions on how to proceed, and we’ll even do a free consultation.
Professional Cleaning Services & Mold Removal in Fort Worth
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills is not a pest control service, but we can remove the mold that attracted these mites in the first place. We offer complete water damage restoration to prevent mold growth, or a thorough mold remediation if mold is discovered. With our technicians donning the proper personal protective equipment we can get close to the mold so you don’t have to.
SERVPRO is a trusted brand in professional cleaning for Fort Worth properties. We have advanced equipment, industrial-grade cleaners, and the best technician training in the industry. When you encounter water damage, or you suspect there may be mold, call us at (817) 589-1499 for a complimentary quote!
How to Get Rid of Mold Mites
10/16/2020 (Permalink)
Contact SERVPRO for professional mold remediation services in Fort Worth.
How many living things are inside your house? Of course, you count your family and your pets, but microorganisms and sometimes pests find their way inside to share the dwelling.
As the expert mold fighters in Fort Worth, Texas, SERVPRO has a thorough understanding of how mold behaves. Here are a few facts about mold:
- What mold eats: Mold likes to hang around in a building or house because of the abundance of cellulose materials it can consume like drywall, paper, fabrics, carpet, wood, etc.
- What eats mold: Mold is a part of a grand life cycle. Mold consumes matter, and in turn, other living things consume mold like fungus gnats, booklice, and mold mites. Slugs, roaches, camel crickets, and millipedes are attracted to mold because they want the organic matter that mold breaks down.
So several creatures use mold as a food source, but today we’ll focus on mold mites. When you remove mold colonies from your home, you are likely to remove numerous mold mites that gather to feast on it.
What Are Mold Mites?
The formal name for mold mites is tyophagus putescentiae. Other names for these tiny critters are cheese mites, “putrid cheese eater,” meat mites, flour mites, or computer mites. While they resemble insects, they are not. Mold mites are arthropods and are related to ticks.
Mold mites are hairy and white or tan in color. They are very hard to see as they are no larger than a crumb. Speaking of small bits, thousands of mold mites will congregate on a very small piece of mold. When they cluster together, it’s easier to spot them. If you spot mold, chances are there are mold mites present.
How to Identify Mold Mite Bites
Something bit you. Was it a mold mite? If a mite bit you, it was more likely a chigger than a mold mite. Mold mites do not bite humans, but you might end up with a rash, or red bumps from them (that could be mistaken for mold mite bite). Their long hairs irritate the skin of those who are allergy-prone and may feel like a bite.
If you spend enough time in a mold-infested environment, you may end up with some stinging and itching from mold mites. This is an adverse reaction rather than a bite.
How to Get Rid of Mold Mites
Mold mites rarely come into contact with humans or bother them, but even so, many homeowners are bothered by any insect-like creature being indoors.
Mold and bugs both thrive in warm, humid areas. Moisture finds its way into your home in many different ways such as faulty roofs, leaky pipes, unventilated bathrooms, spills, drafts, or through the crawlspace. Mold needs a relative humidity of 70 percent or higher at temperatures below 60 degrees to flourish.
Like any pest, the most effective mold mite treatment is to take away what brought them inside in the first place - mold. By taking away their food source, mold mites won’t have a reason to come back. Stop attracting mold mites with the prevention tips below.
- Remove or clean mold-infested items in all areas of your home.
- Open your windows to let some light and fresh air in. Ventilation and sunlight inhibit mold growth.
- Purge your pantry and fridge of expired food.
- Wipe down surfaces with hot water and soap. Make sure to dry surfaces thoroughly. Follow up with a disinfectant and go by the instruction label exactly. Some products must sit for a while before being wiped away.
- Pull excess moisture from the air by using a dehumidifier.
- Remove any dead or dying plants in or around your home. Remember, mold is a natural decomposer, so dying organic material is a prime target.
How to get rid of mold mites in your house is as simple as removing their food source so they stick to finding sources of mold out in nature instead.
Flooding and Mold Mites
If a home or building doesn’t have a mold problem already, a water emergency (such as flooding) creates an opportunity for mold to take root. Mold will start to grow in a flood-affected structure within 24-48 hours of the incident.
As we said earlier, measures taken to eliminate mold remove the conditions that invite mold mites to move in. The best way to avoid toxic mold growth is to do a complete and thorough water damage cleanup.
The more extensive the water damage and saturation, the more likely it is that you’ll need professional water damage recovery services. If you’re in the middle of a water emergency mess and you’re not sure what to do, call us at SERVPRO. We’ll answer your questions on how to proceed, and we’ll even do a free consultation.
Professional Cleaning Services & Mold Removal in Fort Worth
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills is not a pest control service, but we can remove the mold that attracted these mites in the first place. We offer complete water damage restoration to prevent mold growth, or a thorough mold remediation if mold is discovered. With our technicians donning the proper personal protective equipment we can get close to the mold so you don’t have to.
SERVPRO is a trusted brand in professional cleaning for Fort Worth properties. We have advanced equipment, industrial-grade cleaners, and the best technician training in the industry. When you encounter water damage, or you suspect there may be mold, call us at (817) 589-1499 for a complimentary quote!
How to Clean House After C-Diff Infection
9/16/2020 (Permalink)
After dealing with a C. diff infection, it's important to thoroughly clean your home. Call the Fort Worth biohazard cleanup experts at SERVPRO today.
By now, the term “coronavirus” is a household name. The pandemic has elevated concerns about communicable diseases and has raised awareness of the importance of hygiene in prevention.
C. diff (clostridioides difficile) causes bacterial infections such as colitis or diarrhea. Because of how contagious and drug-resistant it is, C. diff is considered a public health concern by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
SERVPRO is committed to safeguarding the Fort Worth community from viruses and harmful bacteria. We’ll instruct you on how to clean a house after C Diff infection. We’re also on call to assist with infectious disease emergencies year-round - even on weekends and holidays.
What is C. Diff?
C. diff is bacteria that can be found in fecal matter, soil, water, surfaces, and sometimes in food. This bacteria is part of the natural flora of a normal digestive system but does have the potential to become toxic.
Antibiotics can throw the body system off balance by killing off beneficial bacteria. Beneficial bacteria deficiency allows clostridioides difficile (C. diff) to overpopulate and become infectious. Spores from toxic C. diff that exit the body can make others ill.
C. diff causes colitis (inflammation of the colon). Bacterial toxins attack the lining of the intestines and cause illness. Symptoms begin to surface after a few days (or up to a few weeks) from the start of the infection.
Diarrhea for several days is the main symptom, but other signs of C. diff are fever, loss of appetite, nausea, or abdominal tenderness and pain. This infection has the potential to cause permanent colon damage and could become fatal.
Once a patient’s lab results come back positive for C. diff, the patient will be put on antibiotics for 10 days. Once the symptoms clear up, a patient may still be carrying the infected bacteria making them contagious or subject to reinfection.
In rare cases, surgery or fecal transplants may be necessary to treat those with repeat infections.
How Does C. Diff Spread?
Like other communicable diseases, C. diff spreads without adequate hygiene. The infectious bacteria exit the body through fecal matter. When particles from human waste end up on hands, objects, or land on surfaces they cause contamination that will make others sick.
The spread of C. diff can be mitigated by hand washing, disposing of contaminated materials, and communication between healthcare workers. Consistent and proper use of PPE is also a proactive measure to prevent the spread of infectious bacteria.
C. diff is a common biohazard found in healthcare facilities such as hospitals. Infected patients produce loose stools that allow the bacteria to scatter.
Because of how contagious this condition can be, it’s important to know how to clean a house after a C-diff infection.
C Diff Cleaning Procedures at Home
While this bacteria is known to be resistant to antibiotics and cleaners, there are steps you can take in disinfecting your house from C. diff.
C. diff can live on surfaces for up to five months. With this in mind, maintain proactive hygiene habits when someone in the home has been ill with C. diff. Continue to clean after the person has recovered.
Thoroughly clean the bathrooms or any other area of the house where an “accident” happened. As for C. diff cleaning products, hydrogen peroxide is considered to be most effective against clostridioides difficile bacteria.
Carefully dispose of soiled linens, clothing, etc. These items are contaminated and must be removed. Use PPE such as gloves to safely discard contaminated items.
Everyone in the household must wash their hands frequently. The bacteria may be lingering on surfaces. Handwashing is even more important when handling food.
Cleaning Recommendations to Prevent C-Diff Transmission
Because this infectious bacteria is so aggressive, it’s important to be consistent. Here are state agency recommendations for disinfecting your house from C. diff:
- Schedule routine cleaning and disinfection of all surfaces and materials plus air vents and carpets.
- Use an EPA-approved disinfectant from EPA List K.
- Using the appropriate dilution, apply cleaners with a clean cloth or spray bottle.
- When cleaning floors, replace mop water regularly.
- C. diff cleaning procedures for laundry include regular detergent but with the use of hot water (25 minutes wash at 160 °F). Bleach is optional.
Healthcare facilities should take additional sanitation precautions with shared equipment and when preparing rooms for new patients.
Contact the SERVPRO Professionals for Fort Worth for C-Diff Cleaning and Other Viruses
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills is your expert team for Fort Worth biohazard cleaning! Our technicians are specially trained to perform thorough and safe cleanup according to state and federal guidelines. In addition to C. diff cases, we’ve handled biohazardous situations involving:
- COVID-19
- Bloodborne pathogens
- Infectious disease
- Rodent infestation
- Trauma and Crime Scene Cleanup
- Suicide
- Unattended death
We are prepared to respond to any biohazardous emergency in the Fort Worth, Texas area. How to clean house after c-diff infection properly includes the appropriate personal protective equipment and the proper EPA-registered cleaners. Households may not have access to all the supplies needed, but we do! We’ll do a thorough and professional cleaning.
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills offers free consultations or free bids (completely confidential) for commercial properties. Make the first step in preventing the spread of C. diff now and call us at (817) 589-1499. We’re available 24/7.
How to Clean House After C-Diff Infection
9/16/2020 (Permalink)
After dealing with a C. diff infection, it's important to thoroughly clean your home. Call the Fort Worth biohazard cleanup experts at SERVPRO today.
By now, the term “coronavirus” is a household name. The pandemic has elevated concerns about communicable diseases and has raised awareness of the importance of hygiene in prevention.
C. diff (clostridioides difficile) causes bacterial infections such as colitis or diarrhea. Because of how contagious and drug-resistant it is, C. diff is considered a public health concern by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
SERVPRO is committed to safeguarding the Fort Worth community from viruses and harmful bacteria. We’ll instruct you on how to clean a house after C Diff infection. We’re also on call to assist with infectious disease emergencies year-round - even on weekends and holidays.
What is C. Diff?
C. diff is bacteria that can be found in fecal matter, soil, water, surfaces, and sometimes in food. This bacteria is part of the natural flora of a normal digestive system but does have the potential to become toxic.
Antibiotics can throw the body system off balance by killing off beneficial bacteria. Beneficial bacteria deficiency allows clostridioides difficile (C. diff) to overpopulate and become infectious. Spores from toxic C. diff that exit the body can make others ill.
C. diff causes colitis (inflammation of the colon). Bacterial toxins attack the lining of the intestines and cause illness. Symptoms begin to surface after a few days (or up to a few weeks) from the start of the infection.
Diarrhea for several days is the main symptom, but other signs of C. diff are fever, loss of appetite, nausea, or abdominal tenderness and pain. This infection has the potential to cause permanent colon damage and could become fatal.
Once a patient’s lab results come back positive for C. diff, the patient will be put on antibiotics for 10 days. Once the symptoms clear up, a patient may still be carrying the infected bacteria making them contagious or subject to reinfection.
In rare cases, surgery or fecal transplants may be necessary to treat those with repeat infections.
How Does C. Diff Spread?
Like other communicable diseases, C. diff spreads without adequate hygiene. The infectious bacteria exit the body through fecal matter. When particles from human waste end up on hands, objects, or land on surfaces they cause contamination that will make others sick.
The spread of C. diff can be mitigated by hand washing, disposing of contaminated materials, and communication between healthcare workers. Consistent and proper use of PPE is also a proactive measure to prevent the spread of infectious bacteria.
C. diff is a common biohazard found in healthcare facilities such as hospitals. Infected patients produce loose stools that allow the bacteria to scatter.
Because of how contagious this condition can be, it’s important to know how to clean a house after a C-diff infection.
C Diff Cleaning Procedures at Home
While this bacteria is known to be resistant to antibiotics and cleaners, there are steps you can take in disinfecting your house from C. diff.
C. diff can live on surfaces for up to five months. With this in mind, maintain proactive hygiene habits when someone in the home has been ill with C. diff. Continue to clean after the person has recovered.
Thoroughly clean the bathrooms or any other area of the house where an “accident” happened. As for C. diff cleaning products, hydrogen peroxide is considered to be most effective against clostridioides difficile bacteria.
Carefully dispose of soiled linens, clothing, etc. These items are contaminated and must be removed. Use PPE such as gloves to safely discard contaminated items.
Everyone in the household must wash their hands frequently. The bacteria may be lingering on surfaces. Handwashing is even more important when handling food.
Cleaning Recommendations to Prevent C-Diff Transmission
Because this infectious bacteria is so aggressive, it’s important to be consistent. Here are state agency recommendations for disinfecting your house from C. diff:
- Schedule routine cleaning and disinfection of all surfaces and materials plus air vents and carpets.
- Use an EPA-approved disinfectant from EPA List K.
- Using the appropriate dilution, apply cleaners with a clean cloth or spray bottle.
- When cleaning floors, replace mop water regularly.
- C. diff cleaning procedures for laundry include regular detergent but with the use of hot water (25 minutes wash at 160 °F). Bleach is optional.
Healthcare facilities should take additional sanitation precautions with shared equipment and when preparing rooms for new patients.
Contact the SERVPRO Professionals for Fort Worth for C-Diff Cleaning and Other Viruses
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills is your expert team for Fort Worth biohazard cleaning! Our technicians are specially trained to perform thorough and safe cleanup according to state and federal guidelines. In addition to C. diff cases, we’ve handled biohazardous situations involving:
- COVID-19
- Bloodborne pathogens
- Infectious disease
- Rodent infestation
- Trauma and Crime Scene Cleanup
- Suicide
- Unattended death
We are prepared to respond to any biohazardous emergency in the Fort Worth, Texas area. How to clean house after c-diff infection properly includes the appropriate personal protective equipment and the proper EPA-registered cleaners. Households may not have access to all the supplies needed, but we do! We’ll do a thorough and professional cleaning.
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills offers free consultations or free bids (completely confidential) for commercial properties. Make the first step in preventing the spread of C. diff now and call us at (817) 589-1499. We’re available 24/7.
What to Do After a House Fire in Fort Worth: 7 Tips
9/3/2020 (Permalink)
If you've experienced a house fire, contact the Fort Worth fire damage restoration professionals at SERVPRO. We're available 24/7 to help.
Few things can bring a house to ruin faster than fire. For communities who have been devastated by wildfires, they know all too well how rapidly fires will consume homes. Then there are isolated incidents that cause a single home house fire: faulty wiring, cooking, candles, falling asleep while smoking, lightning strikes, arson, etc.
In emergencies like these, we try to keep our wits about us as we face hardship. In this article share advice on how to manage this unfortunate event along with actionable tips on what to do after a house fire.
What Not to Do After a House Fire
When reeling from house fire aftermath, the homeowner may not be thinking clearly. Below are things to avoid after a house fire, even when they seem harmless at the time.
- Don’t re-enter the home: Property owners may be anxious to re-enter the home to take account of possessions and look over the damage. It's best that you wait until the fire marshall or the insurance company has given you the go-ahead to go back into the property. Going back inside too soon could impact your insurance claim.
- Don’t turn on utilities: Fire damage may compromise the safe operation of water and gas connections in the home. It is best to leave utilities off during the recovery process.
- Don’t attempt to start or move a fire-damaged vehicle: After a fire damage loss, you are likely to be pooling all your remaining resources together (including transportation). It is best that you do not attempt to drive a vehicle once it’s been damaged by fire. This may not be safe and it could interfere with your insurance claim.
- Don’t do your own fire damage cleanup: After dealing with a house fire loss, there is that urge to get back to normal. It seems productive to get started with cleaning, but it's unsafe. With extensive fire damage, professional clean up services are necessary.
Aside from the above rules, other questions may come up about what to do after a fire in your home. When in doubt contact your insurance company or SERVPRO for guidance. SERVPRO in Fort Worth is available 24/7 to assist you with any inquires on what to do after a house fire.
What to Do After a House Fire: 7 Tips
When a home is destroyed by fire, the house may be all that you can think about. These tips on what to do after a house fire remind you to prioritize personal welfare matters.
1. Tend to Your Loved Ones
Getting everyone out of a structure engulfed with flames is only the beginning of a long process.
Once everyone is settled, you’ll want to check on the welfare of those who live with you including any pets that you have been able to rescue.
Medical treatment should be sought for any medical concerns (such as smoke inhalation), especially for pets who are unable to verbalize symptoms. People with special needs will need a physician’s evaluation for the same reason.
Also important is the mental welfare of those affected by the event. Lean on one another during this time and help secure counseling for those who are struggling emotionally.
2. Find a Safe Place to Stay
Once immediate medical issues are addressed, it’s time to seek temporary shelter. Reach out to family and friends to ask who might be able to offer a place to stay.
Booking a hotel room or an Airbnb are also options. Some homeowner insurance policies may reimburse you for temporary housing expenses.
However, some may be low on funds or unable to front the money until insurance claims are approved. In that case, you may be able to turn to churches or disaster relief agencies like the American Red Cross or Salvation Army for free temporary shelter.
Emergency Services may provide trauma assistance that includes housing assistance. Additionally, in the event of fire damage due to a wildfire, you may be able to apply for Fire Management Assistance. Check with fire and EMS on the scene about places that can help after a home fire.
3. Contact Insurance Agent
Once you’ve taken care of your family's immediate needs, the next most important thing to do is to contact the insurance company for your homeowner’s policy to start a claim. The sooner you initiate the claim, the sooner you can collect upon the policy’s benefits.
The insurance agent will guide you through the post-fire recovery process. Ask your agent any questions you have about what actions you should take and also what the insurance company’s actions will be. You may be required to provide documentation to the insurance company such as a fire report or photos of the damage as part of the claims process.
You’ll also want to look into securing "loss of use" cash if you are eligible for it. This covers expenses incurred from displacement. Save your receipts as the insurance might ask for this later.
The insurance company also assists in securing abatement and cleaning services. At SERVPRO we work directly with the insurance company to make the process more efficient for our clients.
4. Take Inventory
Perhaps what homeowners look forward to the most is taking inventory to recoup and salvageable possessions. This involves sorting through the contents of the home to determine what can be saved and what cannot.
Items you wish to save go into two categories: what is in good condition and what needs fire damage treatment. Good condition items can be put into storage and fire damaged items will be handed off to cleaning specialists (like SERVPRO).
Once you've gathered everything you wish to save, Items that have made it through unscathed can be moved to storage, and damaged items that you wish to recover should be in a separate collection for fire damage.
There is consolation in finding items that we're spared. Another benefit of clearing out possessions is to make way for cleaning crews or potential abatement services. Just remember to wait until the property has been deemed safe for re-entry.
This is also the time to replace important documents like identification documents, passports, etc. Contact the appropriate agencies to order duplicates.
Now for the unpleasant part: itemizing your lost valuables and possessions. As part of your insurance claim, you will need to provide a complete list of items that could not be recovered. Make this list as you walk around the property to help you remember things that may have slipped your mind.
5. Address Your Finances
While it may feel like the world has stopped during a house fire recovery, unfortunately, expenses won't. If debit cards or personal checks perished in the fire, arrange replacements for these through your bank.
Mortgage and car payments also continue to be due through the post-loss process. Your insurance policy or any supplemental coverage you may have might cover some of these payments.
Stopping utilities such as water, electricity, gas, internet, trash collection, etc. saves money as you recover.
This is also the time to start calculating other post-loss related expenses incurred during this time such as new clothing or other personal items.
6. Contact a Cleanup Crew
You've done your part. Now it’s the cleaning crew’s turn. SERVPRO’s goal is to make it like it never happened with our complete cleaning and fire restoration services.
SERVPRO in Fort Worth is equipped to handle more than one recovery project at a time. In addition to fire damage restoration, we do Esporta wash system textile recovery, water damage restoration, and reconstruction of the house.
One company managing several necessary recovery tasks saves time and makes the process more efficient. If you hire specialized companies individually, the process could take longer, especially when insurance approval is needed.
When we work directly with the insurance company, we consolidate the work to make the process more efficient. Our goal is to complete the recovery process quickly so that homeowners get back to normal as soon as possible.
7. Destress!
On top of having to deal with all the stress of your house burning, there are so many action items to manage and address. Remember to pace yourself as you go and take breaks between tasks when you need to.
Take it easy on yourself and turn to your favorite destressing activities. Stress relief activities are a nature walk, getting a massage, watching your favorite movie or TV show, or getting a family together for a fun activity. With all you've been through, it's important to gain relief through doing the things you enjoy.
SERVPRO is here to take some of that burden from your shoulders. For fire damage restoration in Fort Worth, we are faster to any size disaster. Call us any time 24/7 at (817) 589-1499 for emergency contact and assistance.
Contact SERVPRO North Richland Hills Today for Fort Worth Fire Damage Restoration
SERVPRO’s Fort Worth fire restoration services are at the ready to respond when disaster strikes. After our customer care agents ask you important intake questions, we dispatch our IICRC certified crew right away.
What our crews do:
- Roof tarping and board-up
- Content cleaning
- Clothing and textile sanitization
- Electronic service restoration
- Moving services and storage
- Fire and smoke odor deodorization
- Roof replacement
- Repairs and reconstruction
For over 30 years, we’ve been helping Fort Worth, TX homeowners through the house fire recovery process step by step. This includes working directly with your insurance company to ensure that the process goes as smoothly and efficiently as possible. We’re in your corner! Check out our before and after Fort Worth property fire damage restoration photos.
Call us as soon as possible, 24/7, at (817) 589-1499 for emergency contact so we can get started on your recovery process right away!
What to Do After a House Fire in Fort Worth: 7 Tips
9/3/2020 (Permalink)
If you've experienced a house fire, contact the Fort Worth fire damage restoration professionals at SERVPRO. We're available 24/7 to help.
Few things can bring a house to ruin faster than fire. For communities who have been devastated by wildfires, they know all too well how rapidly fires will consume homes. Then there are isolated incidents that cause a single home house fire: faulty wiring, cooking, candles, falling asleep while smoking, lightning strikes, arson, etc.
In emergencies like these, we try to keep our wits about us as we face hardship. In this article share advice on how to manage this unfortunate event along with actionable tips on what to do after a house fire.
What Not to Do After a House Fire
When reeling from house fire aftermath, the homeowner may not be thinking clearly. Below are things to avoid after a house fire, even when they seem harmless at the time.
- Don’t re-enter the home: Property owners may be anxious to re-enter the home to take account of possessions and look over the damage. It's best that you wait until the fire marshall or the insurance company has given you the go-ahead to go back into the property. Going back inside too soon could impact your insurance claim.
- Don’t turn on utilities: Fire damage may compromise the safe operation of water and gas connections in the home. It is best to leave utilities off during the recovery process.
- Don’t attempt to start or move a fire-damaged vehicle: After a fire damage loss, you are likely to be pooling all your remaining resources together (including transportation). It is best that you do not attempt to drive a vehicle once it’s been damaged by fire. This may not be safe and it could interfere with your insurance claim.
- Don’t do your own fire damage cleanup: After dealing with a house fire loss, there is that urge to get back to normal. It seems productive to get started with cleaning, but it's unsafe. With extensive fire damage, professional clean up services are necessary.
Aside from the above rules, other questions may come up about what to do after a fire in your home. When in doubt contact your insurance company or SERVPRO for guidance. SERVPRO in Fort Worth is available 24/7 to assist you with any inquires on what to do after a house fire.
What to Do After a House Fire: 7 Tips
When a home is destroyed by fire, the house may be all that you can think about. These tips on what to do after a house fire remind you to prioritize personal welfare matters.
1. Tend to Your Loved Ones
Getting everyone out of a structure engulfed with flames is only the beginning of a long process.
Once everyone is settled, you’ll want to check on the welfare of those who live with you including any pets that you have been able to rescue.
Medical treatment should be sought for any medical concerns (such as smoke inhalation), especially for pets who are unable to verbalize symptoms. People with special needs will need a physician’s evaluation for the same reason.
Also important is the mental welfare of those affected by the event. Lean on one another during this time and help secure counseling for those who are struggling emotionally.
2. Find a Safe Place to Stay
Once immediate medical issues are addressed, it’s time to seek temporary shelter. Reach out to family and friends to ask who might be able to offer a place to stay.
Booking a hotel room or an Airbnb are also options. Some homeowner insurance policies may reimburse you for temporary housing expenses.
However, some may be low on funds or unable to front the money until insurance claims are approved. In that case, you may be able to turn to churches or disaster relief agencies like the American Red Cross or Salvation Army for free temporary shelter.
Emergency Services may provide trauma assistance that includes housing assistance. Additionally, in the event of fire damage due to a wildfire, you may be able to apply for Fire Management Assistance. Check with fire and EMS on the scene about places that can help after a home fire.
3. Contact Insurance Agent
Once you’ve taken care of your family's immediate needs, the next most important thing to do is to contact the insurance company for your homeowner’s policy to start a claim. The sooner you initiate the claim, the sooner you can collect upon the policy’s benefits.
The insurance agent will guide you through the post-fire recovery process. Ask your agent any questions you have about what actions you should take and also what the insurance company’s actions will be. You may be required to provide documentation to the insurance company such as a fire report or photos of the damage as part of the claims process.
You’ll also want to look into securing "loss of use" cash if you are eligible for it. This covers expenses incurred from displacement. Save your receipts as the insurance might ask for this later.
The insurance company also assists in securing abatement and cleaning services. At SERVPRO we work directly with the insurance company to make the process more efficient for our clients.
4. Take Inventory
Perhaps what homeowners look forward to the most is taking inventory to recoup and salvageable possessions. This involves sorting through the contents of the home to determine what can be saved and what cannot.
Items you wish to save go into two categories: what is in good condition and what needs fire damage treatment. Good condition items can be put into storage and fire damaged items will be handed off to cleaning specialists (like SERVPRO).
Once you've gathered everything you wish to save, Items that have made it through unscathed can be moved to storage, and damaged items that you wish to recover should be in a separate collection for fire damage.
There is consolation in finding items that we're spared. Another benefit of clearing out possessions is to make way for cleaning crews or potential abatement services. Just remember to wait until the property has been deemed safe for re-entry.
This is also the time to replace important documents like identification documents, passports, etc. Contact the appropriate agencies to order duplicates.
Now for the unpleasant part: itemizing your lost valuables and possessions. As part of your insurance claim, you will need to provide a complete list of items that could not be recovered. Make this list as you walk around the property to help you remember things that may have slipped your mind.
5. Address Your Finances
While it may feel like the world has stopped during a house fire recovery, unfortunately, expenses won't. If debit cards or personal checks perished in the fire, arrange replacements for these through your bank.
Mortgage and car payments also continue to be due through the post-loss process. Your insurance policy or any supplemental coverage you may have might cover some of these payments.
Stopping utilities such as water, electricity, gas, internet, trash collection, etc. saves money as you recover.
This is also the time to start calculating other post-loss related expenses incurred during this time such as new clothing or other personal items.
6. Contact a Cleanup Crew
You've done your part. Now it’s the cleaning crew’s turn. SERVPRO’s goal is to make it like it never happened with our complete cleaning and fire restoration services.
SERVPRO in Fort Worth is equipped to handle more than one recovery project at a time. In addition to fire damage restoration, we do Esporta wash system textile recovery, water damage restoration, and reconstruction of the house.
One company managing several necessary recovery tasks saves time and makes the process more efficient. If you hire specialized companies individually, the process could take longer, especially when insurance approval is needed.
When we work directly with the insurance company, we consolidate the work to make the process more efficient. Our goal is to complete the recovery process quickly so that homeowners get back to normal as soon as possible.
7. Destress!
On top of having to deal with all the stress of your house burning, there are so many action items to manage and address. Remember to pace yourself as you go and take breaks between tasks when you need to.
Take it easy on yourself and turn to your favorite destressing activities. Stress relief activities are a nature walk, getting a massage, watching your favorite movie or TV show, or getting a family together for a fun activity. With all you've been through, it's important to gain relief through doing the things you enjoy.
SERVPRO is here to take some of that burden from your shoulders. For fire damage restoration in Fort Worth, we are faster to any size disaster. Call us any time 24/7 at (817) 589-1499 for emergency contact and assistance.
Contact SERVPRO North Richland Hills Today for Fort Worth Fire Damage Restoration
SERVPRO’s Fort Worth fire restoration services are at the ready to respond when disaster strikes. After our customer care agents ask you important intake questions, we dispatch our IICRC certified crew right away.
What our crews do:
- Roof tarping and board-up
- Content cleaning
- Clothing and textile sanitization
- Electronic service restoration
- Moving services and storage
- Fire and smoke odor deodorization
- Roof replacement
- Repairs and reconstruction
For over 30 years, we’ve been helping Fort Worth, TX homeowners through the house fire recovery process step by step. This includes working directly with your insurance company to ensure that the process goes as smoothly and efficiently as possible. We’re in your corner! Check out our before and after Fort Worth property fire damage restoration photos.
Call us as soon as possible, 24/7, at (817) 589-1499 for emergency contact so we can get started on your recovery process right away!
Found Mold in Your Dishwasher? Here's What the Fort Worth Experts Say to Do.
8/19/2020 (Permalink)
If you have stubborn mold in your dishwasher, contact the Fort Worth mold remediation professionals at SERVPRO.
When we think about dishwasher appliances we think clean and sanitary. We trust it to do a better job than handwashing.
The truth is, a dishwasher is the perfect place for mold to grow. Steam from the humidity, ample moisture from the water cycle, darkness, and food particles are everything mold spores need to thrive.
So, why is there mold in your dishwasher? Wouldn’t a hot drying cycle and potent detergents kill off microbes? Not exactly. Mold can live through repeated dishwashing cycles. Mold likes the heat the dishwasher gives off and the detergent may be an unintended food source for the mold.
Mold is an unwelcome guest in your cleaning apparatuses. You wouldn’t want it anywhere around items you want to be sanitary, so you should be aware and proactive to keep mold in a dishwasher at bay.
At SERVPRO in Fort Worth, we are the mold experts. We’ll show you what to do when you discover you have a moldy dishwasher.
Why Is There Mold in My Dishwasher?
Mold makes its presence known with a pungent and musty smell or dark mold spots appear.
A dishwasher has all the right conditions for mold growth. This environment collects bits of food, is dark, warm, and has ample moisture.
Mold likes to grow on food that is left near the drain area and hides in places like crevices and rubber parts. To be specific, these areas are seals around the door, drain covers, and gaskets.
Mold spores end up trapped inside the dishwasher and make themselves at home in its Goldilocks environment.
Common Causes of a Moldy Dishwasher
The design that keeps water inside for the cleaning process is also a primary factor in mold growth. For the water to stay inside the dishwasher, the door must be sealed, and because it’s sealed off, it doesn’t get adequate ventilation.
Airflow is needed to keep mold spores from settling. Once the mold spores are trapped in the apparatus, there is the opportunity for mold to grow.
Clogged drains, leaks around hoses, and a lack of cleaning care also contribute to mold growth.
Dishwashers are designed to clean, not all are self-cleaning. Just like a clothes washer, they need regular cleaning.
How to Get Rid of Mold in Your Dishwasher
An appliance that is intended to keep things clean should also be kept clean. When you see mold spots or an odor indicates mildew is in the dishwasher, it’s due for a cleaning. Here is how to clean mold in the dishwasher.
Note: Bleach is commonly used to clean mold, but it’s not appropriate for cleaning the dishwasher (because it can damage the parts). We recommend you opt for vinegar or soap and water when cleaning a moldy dishwasher. Lemon juice works well as a deodorizer.
- Pull out the removable parts: racks, utensils holder, drain strainer, rotor, etc. (anything that is designed to be removed from the inside). Clean them with hot, soapy water, rinse, and air dry.
- Next, scrub the inside of the dishwasher (especially hiding places for molds such as the drain opening, rubber seals, crevices, and the seal around the door). Vinegar mixed with hot water and toothbrush works well for scrubbing these areas.
- Wipe down the sides with a sponge or rag soaked in the vinegar/hot water mixture.
- Run the dishwasher empty for a complete cleaning cycle either using a bowl of vinegar placed in the top rack or a product intended for dishwasher cleaning.
- Once the cycle is complete, leave the dishwasher open to dry completely.
- Recheck the areas for mold. If you see any mold left, spot clean it with hot water and vinegar. If you do end up doing some touch-up cleaning, allow these areas to dry completely as well.
- Enjoy your sparkling clean dishwasher!
Dishwashers for home-use are fairly easy to clean, however, if you have an industrial-sized dishwasher this process won’t apply. You may need professional cleaning and SERVPRO is always available for commercial cleaning services in Fort Worth.
How to Prevent Mold From Returning
Because the dishwasher is an ideal habitat for mold, homeowners need to be proactive to prevent mold growth. Here are some tips on how to avoid mold in the dishwasher.
- Thoroughly clean the dishwasher monthly. Don’t wait for mold to show up for it to be cleaned and maintain a cleaning schedule.
- Periodically check those trouble spots for mold growth such as the crevices, rubber parts, and seal around the door.
- Remove food particles from collection areas between uses (such as the drain area).
- Keep the dishwasher slightly open between uses. This allows for ventilation.
- Run your garbage disposal before you run the dishwasher. Most dishwashers use the same drain as the garbage disposal.
- Make regular use of any self-cleaning features the dishwasher has such as a sanitization cycle.
- Address high-humidity issues in the kitchen with a dehumidifier or added ventilation.
Mold needs the right conditions to thrive. When you mitigate these conditions, mold doesn’t have an opportunity to grow.
Reach Out to Our SERVPRO Fort Worth Mold Remediation Specialists
Keeping up with mold can be a real chore, especially when you have an industrial-sized dishwasher for foodservice. SERVPRO offers professional Fort Worth Commercial Mold Removal services to keep your dishwashing systems as clean as can be!
We’re also here to help homeowners with appliance cleaning when you don’t have the time or are experiencing challenges with cleaning it.
Reach out to the experts at SERVPRO of North Richland Hills for Fort Worth mold remediation and set up a free consultation about your mold in dishwasher issues. We’re here to answer the call 24/7 at (817) 589-1499 or fill out our convenient contact form.
Found Mold in Your Dishwasher? Here's What the Fort Worth Experts Say to Do.
8/19/2020 (Permalink)
If you have stubborn mold in your dishwasher, contact the Fort Worth mold remediation professionals at SERVPRO.
When we think about dishwasher appliances we think clean and sanitary. We trust it to do a better job than handwashing.
The truth is, a dishwasher is the perfect place for mold to grow. Steam from the humidity, ample moisture from the water cycle, darkness, and food particles are everything mold spores need to thrive.
So, why is there mold in your dishwasher? Wouldn’t a hot drying cycle and potent detergents kill off microbes? Not exactly. Mold can live through repeated dishwashing cycles. Mold likes the heat the dishwasher gives off and the detergent may be an unintended food source for the mold.
Mold is an unwelcome guest in your cleaning apparatuses. You wouldn’t want it anywhere around items you want to be sanitary, so you should be aware and proactive to keep mold in a dishwasher at bay.
At SERVPRO in Fort Worth, we are the mold experts. We’ll show you what to do when you discover you have a moldy dishwasher.
Why Is There Mold in My Dishwasher?
Mold makes its presence known with a pungent and musty smell or dark mold spots appear.
A dishwasher has all the right conditions for mold growth. This environment collects bits of food, is dark, warm, and has ample moisture.
Mold likes to grow on food that is left near the drain area and hides in places like crevices and rubber parts. To be specific, these areas are seals around the door, drain covers, and gaskets.
Mold spores end up trapped inside the dishwasher and make themselves at home in its Goldilocks environment.
Common Causes of a Moldy Dishwasher
The design that keeps water inside for the cleaning process is also a primary factor in mold growth. For the water to stay inside the dishwasher, the door must be sealed, and because it’s sealed off, it doesn’t get adequate ventilation.
Airflow is needed to keep mold spores from settling. Once the mold spores are trapped in the apparatus, there is the opportunity for mold to grow.
Clogged drains, leaks around hoses, and a lack of cleaning care also contribute to mold growth.
Dishwashers are designed to clean, not all are self-cleaning. Just like a clothes washer, they need regular cleaning.
How to Get Rid of Mold in Your Dishwasher
An appliance that is intended to keep things clean should also be kept clean. When you see mold spots or an odor indicates mildew is in the dishwasher, it’s due for a cleaning. Here is how to clean mold in the dishwasher.
Note: Bleach is commonly used to clean mold, but it’s not appropriate for cleaning the dishwasher (because it can damage the parts). We recommend you opt for vinegar or soap and water when cleaning a moldy dishwasher. Lemon juice works well as a deodorizer.
- Pull out the removable parts: racks, utensils holder, drain strainer, rotor, etc. (anything that is designed to be removed from the inside). Clean them with hot, soapy water, rinse, and air dry.
- Next, scrub the inside of the dishwasher (especially hiding places for molds such as the drain opening, rubber seals, crevices, and the seal around the door). Vinegar mixed with hot water and toothbrush works well for scrubbing these areas.
- Wipe down the sides with a sponge or rag soaked in the vinegar/hot water mixture.
- Run the dishwasher empty for a complete cleaning cycle either using a bowl of vinegar placed in the top rack or a product intended for dishwasher cleaning.
- Once the cycle is complete, leave the dishwasher open to dry completely.
- Recheck the areas for mold. If you see any mold left, spot clean it with hot water and vinegar. If you do end up doing some touch-up cleaning, allow these areas to dry completely as well.
- Enjoy your sparkling clean dishwasher!
Dishwashers for home-use are fairly easy to clean, however, if you have an industrial-sized dishwasher this process won’t apply. You may need professional cleaning and SERVPRO is always available for commercial cleaning services in Fort Worth.
How to Prevent Mold From Returning
Because the dishwasher is an ideal habitat for mold, homeowners need to be proactive to prevent mold growth. Here are some tips on how to avoid mold in the dishwasher.
- Thoroughly clean the dishwasher monthly. Don’t wait for mold to show up for it to be cleaned and maintain a cleaning schedule.
- Periodically check those trouble spots for mold growth such as the crevices, rubber parts, and seal around the door.
- Remove food particles from collection areas between uses (such as the drain area).
- Keep the dishwasher slightly open between uses. This allows for ventilation.
- Run your garbage disposal before you run the dishwasher. Most dishwashers use the same drain as the garbage disposal.
- Make regular use of any self-cleaning features the dishwasher has such as a sanitization cycle.
- Address high-humidity issues in the kitchen with a dehumidifier or added ventilation.
Mold needs the right conditions to thrive. When you mitigate these conditions, mold doesn’t have an opportunity to grow.
Reach Out to Our SERVPRO Fort Worth Mold Remediation Specialists
Keeping up with mold can be a real chore, especially when you have an industrial-sized dishwasher for foodservice. SERVPRO offers professional Fort Worth Commercial Mold Removal services to keep your dishwashing systems as clean as can be!
We’re also here to help homeowners with appliance cleaning when you don’t have the time or are experiencing challenges with cleaning it.
Reach out to the experts at SERVPRO of North Richland Hills for Fort Worth mold remediation and set up a free consultation about your mold in dishwasher issues. We’re here to answer the call 24/7 at (817) 589-1499 or fill out our convenient contact form.
Mold Removal Fort Worth - Mold Remediation Services
8/12/2020 (Permalink)
If you find or suspect mold on your property, call the Fort Worth mold remediation experts at SERVPRO.
How would you describe mold? Perhaps dark and patchy? “Black mold” (Stachybotrys) is a common species of mold growth. While black mold is predominant and easy to spot, there are other kinds of toxic mold found in both light and dark shades.
When maintaining a property that is prone to wetness exposure, it’s important to remember that damp conditions are a prime spot for mold growth. In such situations where mold growth is more likely to occur, you’ll need to keep an eye out for it because mold is unhealthy and damaging.
Mold likes to colonize in dark, forgotten-about areas with little ventilation, but you might also find it in areas out in the open (such as a building exterior).
Mold remediation is necessary to maintain a healthy environment and prevent further mold contamination for properties throughout the community.
You shouldn’t have to live with mold. Our Fort Worth mold remediation experts at SERVPRO offer a full range of services to help you deal with your mold problem. We’ll identify the kinds of mold that are present, pinpoint the cause(s), and then apply the most effective solutions.
What is Mold Remediation?
When solving mold problems, SERVPRO applies mold remediation rather than mold removal in Fort Worth. We do remove mold contamination, but remediation does more than that.
We should also note that because mold spores exist as part of the natural environment, complete mold removal isn’t possible. It’s always present, but proactive measures prevent spores from taking root and colonizing.
Mold remediation is the removal of toxic mold growth followed by restoration of the affected area. At SERVPRO in Fort Worth, we are the mold remediation experts!
The SERVPRO Mold Restoration Process
Our goal is to remove any and all contamination to restore the property back to its preloss condition. We consistently apply methods to ensure that each job is completed thoroughly. Here’s what you can expect with a complete restoration.
Step 1: Make Contact with Your Local SERVPRO
Our agents at SERVPRO in Fort Worth are available 24 hours a day, 7 days per week to answer your call. During the intake process, we gather information about your circumstances to determine what all is needed for your situation. This ensures that we send out the appropriate team members, equipment, and resources.
Step 2: Mold Damage Assessment and Inspection
SERVPRO’s team of mold experts thoroughly inspects the property for signs of mold. We know where mold likes to hide and what species of toxic mold to search for. We use special tools and mold testing technology to find hidden water sources and detect traces of mold.
Step 3: Prevent Further Spread of Mold
Once we’ve determined where the mold growth is happening, we take measures to keep the mold spores from spreading during the cleaning process.
Measures may include:
- Isolating the contaminated area with physical barriers and negative air pressure.
- Shutting off fans and HVAC systems.
Step 4: Air Filtration
Our Fort Worth SERVPRO location not only removes mold from visibly contaminated areas but we also work to remove invisible spores.
Our team of professionals uses filtration equipment, HEPA vacuums, and air scrubbers to collect mold spores from the air. This step in the mold remediation process prevents more mold growth.
Step 5: Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials
Perhaps the most important step of mold remediation is removing mold-infested materials. We remove and dispose of contaminated porous materials such as carpet and drywall when they cannot be restored. We eliminate mold colonies and prevent new ones from forming by using professional-grade antifungal and antimicrobial treatments.
Step 6: Cleaning Contents and Belongings
The SERVPRO team takes special care of your clothing, drapes, furniture, and other possessions touched by mold. We work to clean and sanitize these items to restore them back to preloss condition.
Our goal is to make it "Like it never even happened," so we use fogging equipment to eliminate any odors mold might leave behind.
Step 7: Restoration
In some cases, contaminated materials cannot be recovered and have to be disposed of. SERVPRO replaces such items as drywall, carpet, subflooring, etc. along with painting the surfaces.
Sometimes the damage is extensive and entails a reconstruction of the area. Be it a small touch up or a big repair, we’re prepared to do what it takes to bring the property back to its original state. We make it "Like it never even happened."
Do I Need a Mold Specialist?
With so many mold products on the shelf at the store, you might think that mold removal is DIY. For minor and infrequent mold growth, this is fine.
In the case of extensive mold growth or a mold problem that seems to come back frequently, this is a matter best handled by the mold experts at SERVPRO.
The bigger the mold growth, the more likely it is that there is more mold lurking in hidden areas and within the air. Our staff is trained to identify various species of toxic mold and use professional equipment to rid your space of toxic mold.
Extensive growth of mold or an ongoing mold problem is likely to continue to infect your property if you don’t find the root cause(s). Our mold experts will figure out why toxic mold is growing in your space so that you can prevent a relapse in the future.
Commercial and Household Mold Remediation Services
Commercial and residential properties have different needs but they should both be mold-free. Our services tend to the particular needs of both residential and commercial mold removal.
Having work done on your home can be rather inconvenient. Our residential service goal is to have the process completed as quickly as possible so there will be minimal disruption to your daily life.
For commercial cleaning, we have the utmost consideration of your operations in mind. Our 24/7 operations allow us to work on the mold issue when customers and employees aren’t around.
We’re highly experienced in mold remediation for both residential and commercial properties.
Contact SERVPRO Today for Professional Fort Worth Mold Removal
Let the mold experts at SERVPRO of North Richland Hills tackle your mold problem. When our professional cleaning crew comes out to your property, we take care of it so you don’t have to come in contact with toxic mold.
We’ll identify the types of mold present in the space, determine the contributing factors to the mold growth, and apply the best solutions to the problem including restoration.
Don’t live with mold another day! Call SERVPRO of North Richland Hills today at (817) 589-1499 or fill out our convenient contact form.
Mold Removal Fort Worth - Mold Remediation Services
8/12/2020 (Permalink)
If you find or suspect mold on your property, call the Fort Worth mold remediation experts at SERVPRO.
How would you describe mold? Perhaps dark and patchy? “Black mold” (Stachybotrys) is a common species of mold growth. While black mold is predominant and easy to spot, there are other kinds of toxic mold found in both light and dark shades.
When maintaining a property that is prone to wetness exposure, it’s important to remember that damp conditions are a prime spot for mold growth. In such situations where mold growth is more likely to occur, you’ll need to keep an eye out for it because mold is unhealthy and damaging.
Mold likes to colonize in dark, forgotten-about areas with little ventilation, but you might also find it in areas out in the open (such as a building exterior).
Mold remediation is necessary to maintain a healthy environment and prevent further mold contamination for properties throughout the community.
You shouldn’t have to live with mold. Our Fort Worth mold remediation experts at SERVPRO offer a full range of services to help you deal with your mold problem. We’ll identify the kinds of mold that are present, pinpoint the cause(s), and then apply the most effective solutions.
What is Mold Remediation?
When solving mold problems, SERVPRO applies mold remediation rather than mold removal in Fort Worth. We do remove mold contamination, but remediation does more than that.
We should also note that because mold spores exist as part of the natural environment, complete mold removal isn’t possible. It’s always present, but proactive measures prevent spores from taking root and colonizing.
Mold remediation is the removal of toxic mold growth followed by restoration of the affected area. At SERVPRO in Fort Worth, we are the mold remediation experts!
The SERVPRO Mold Restoration Process
Our goal is to remove any and all contamination to restore the property back to its preloss condition. We consistently apply methods to ensure that each job is completed thoroughly. Here’s what you can expect with a complete restoration.
Step 1: Make Contact with Your Local SERVPRO
Our agents at SERVPRO in Fort Worth are available 24 hours a day, 7 days per week to answer your call. During the intake process, we gather information about your circumstances to determine what all is needed for your situation. This ensures that we send out the appropriate team members, equipment, and resources.
Step 2: Mold Damage Assessment and Inspection
SERVPRO’s team of mold experts thoroughly inspects the property for signs of mold. We know where mold likes to hide and what species of toxic mold to search for. We use special tools and mold testing technology to find hidden water sources and detect traces of mold.
Step 3: Prevent Further Spread of Mold
Once we’ve determined where the mold growth is happening, we take measures to keep the mold spores from spreading during the cleaning process.
Measures may include:
- Isolating the contaminated area with physical barriers and negative air pressure.
- Shutting off fans and HVAC systems.
Step 4: Air Filtration
Our Fort Worth SERVPRO location not only removes mold from visibly contaminated areas but we also work to remove invisible spores.
Our team of professionals uses filtration equipment, HEPA vacuums, and air scrubbers to collect mold spores from the air. This step in the mold remediation process prevents more mold growth.
Step 5: Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials
Perhaps the most important step of mold remediation is removing mold-infested materials. We remove and dispose of contaminated porous materials such as carpet and drywall when they cannot be restored. We eliminate mold colonies and prevent new ones from forming by using professional-grade antifungal and antimicrobial treatments.
Step 6: Cleaning Contents and Belongings
The SERVPRO team takes special care of your clothing, drapes, furniture, and other possessions touched by mold. We work to clean and sanitize these items to restore them back to preloss condition.
Our goal is to make it "Like it never even happened," so we use fogging equipment to eliminate any odors mold might leave behind.
Step 7: Restoration
In some cases, contaminated materials cannot be recovered and have to be disposed of. SERVPRO replaces such items as drywall, carpet, subflooring, etc. along with painting the surfaces.
Sometimes the damage is extensive and entails a reconstruction of the area. Be it a small touch up or a big repair, we’re prepared to do what it takes to bring the property back to its original state. We make it "Like it never even happened."
Do I Need a Mold Specialist?
With so many mold products on the shelf at the store, you might think that mold removal is DIY. For minor and infrequent mold growth, this is fine.
In the case of extensive mold growth or a mold problem that seems to come back frequently, this is a matter best handled by the mold experts at SERVPRO.
The bigger the mold growth, the more likely it is that there is more mold lurking in hidden areas and within the air. Our staff is trained to identify various species of toxic mold and use professional equipment to rid your space of toxic mold.
Extensive growth of mold or an ongoing mold problem is likely to continue to infect your property if you don’t find the root cause(s). Our mold experts will figure out why toxic mold is growing in your space so that you can prevent a relapse in the future.
Commercial and Household Mold Remediation Services
Commercial and residential properties have different needs but they should both be mold-free. Our services tend to the particular needs of both residential and commercial mold removal.
Having work done on your home can be rather inconvenient. Our residential service goal is to have the process completed as quickly as possible so there will be minimal disruption to your daily life.
For commercial cleaning, we have the utmost consideration of your operations in mind. Our 24/7 operations allow us to work on the mold issue when customers and employees aren’t around.
We’re highly experienced in mold remediation for both residential and commercial properties.
Contact SERVPRO Today for Professional Fort Worth Mold Removal
Let the mold experts at SERVPRO of North Richland Hills tackle your mold problem. When our professional cleaning crew comes out to your property, we take care of it so you don’t have to come in contact with toxic mold.
We’ll identify the types of mold present in the space, determine the contributing factors to the mold growth, and apply the best solutions to the problem including restoration.
Don’t live with mold another day! Call SERVPRO of North Richland Hills today at (817) 589-1499 or fill out our convenient contact form.
Does Mold Die When It Dries Out in Your Fort Worth Home?
8/5/2020 (Permalink)
Have you found mold in your home? Our Fort Worth SERVPRO location provides expert mold remediation services.
On the cleaning aisle of any retailer, you’ll find an assortment of products that promise to get rid of mold and mildew. When we use these cleaning solutions (like standard bleach), does mold die when it dries out?
After bringing in a cleaning service or scrubbing away at the mold yourself, the hope is that you’ll be rid of the mold once and for all. Is a deep cleaning enough to keep mold from showing up again?
We at SERVPRO are the expert mold fighters here in Fort Worth, Texas. We’re here to offer mold solutions to property owners for a healthier living environment. We’re publishing this information so the Fort Worth community can be more proactive about mold issues.
Common Moisture Problems in Fort Worth that Cause Mold
Mold thrives in a moist environment. Standing water or trapped water vapor in the air are the chief causes of moisture problems in or on structures.
Specific examples of what causes this are humidity, leaky appliances, bathrooms, etc. Adequate ventilation is needed so that moisture dries out rather than settling into areas where they make contact with mold spores.
A huge patch of mold is a sign that water or moisture has collected with no way to escape or dry out. So if too much moisture is the problem, will mold die when dry?
Will Mold Grow Without Moisture?
Assuming you do everything in your power to keep moisture from building up, can mold grow without moisture? As a rule, mold cannot develop without some amount of moisture. How much is needed depends on the species. Some get by with very little moisture.
For example, Stachybotrys (common black mold) needs substantial saturation to germinate. We’re talking at least a 90% humidity level to activate, then around 70% humidity to continue to thrive.
So at what humidity does mold die? Is there a threshold at which mold growth becomes unlikely? Humidity occurs when the air is warm enough to soak up water vapor like a sponge. Mold thrives in a warm atmosphere as the air contains plenty of moisture.
Humans will usually detect humidity with physical discomfort. It’s often described as being “stuffy” or “muggy.” So if it feels humid, chances are there is significant vapor in the room.
The sweet spot for humidity is between 30% and 50%. Moisture-rich air with nowhere to go settles into areas where mold will begin to colonize.
The key to managing humidity is ventilation. Extra vents, fans, opening a window, or using a dehumidifier are all helpful for improving the air quality. Reducing the air temperature with AC also reverses humidity.
What Happens to Mold When It Dries Out?
Does mold die when it dries out completely? If we were to make the environment completely sterile and arid as a desert, will mold die without moisture?
Mold needs moisture to thrive. Without it, mold spores do dry out eventually and become dormant. In this inactive state, the mold spores aren’t dead, they just stop flourishing.
Mold spores are never completely eliminated as they are a natural part of the ecosystem. Once these spores make contact with moisture again, they reactivate within a day or two to reboot the germination process.
How to Prevent Future Mold Growth
Will mold die on its own? We know mold spores to be abundant and very successful at survival.
To tackle a mold problem, you have to remove what is contaminated and modify problem areas. Here are some pointers on how to take care of current mold growth and keep dried mold from resurging.
- Identify the areas where mold growth seems to happen most often and determine the cause. Troubleshoot why to eradicate the contributing factors.
- Manage interior humidity with improved climate control. Areas that get hot or steamy are susceptible to humidity. The goal is to keep the humidity level under 50%.
- Ensure areas have adequate ventilation and free airflow. Fans, vents, windows, and AC help. An HVAC company can do a tune-up and check for any leaks in the system.
- Look for leaks. Water could be trickling from appliances, faulty pipes, broken toilets, loose faucets, or walls and ceilings when it rains.
- Take action during flood events. Mold starts growing within the first 48 hours of flood damage. Hire SERVPRO for water damage restoration in Fort Worth. We’ll make sure contaminated items are removed and that the affected areas dry completely.
- Remove and dispose of mold-contaminated objects (like bathroom caulk). Some things could be salvageable, but if it’s porous and covered in mold, it’s best to discard it. Our Fort Worth mold remediation service will determine what items can be saved or not.
- Remove soggy carpet. If carpet dampness is a common occurrence, switch to alternative flooring.
- Use mold inhibitors on surfaces. When replacing a mold-infested wall, it could very well get that way again. Add mold inhibitors to the paint.
- Keep areas dry and clean. Use anti-mold cleaning products. Clean and thoroughly dry items that are exposed to moisture like towels, bathing suits, and shower curtains.
This list is just to cover some basics. There may be other factors unique to your situation that aren’t mentioned here. The trick is to understand how mold behaves and why it’s growing in certain areas of your space. Mold likes moist, dark places with plenty of cellulose materials to consume like paper, fabric, dust, etc.
SERVPRO’s Fort Worth mold removal services will not only identify any species of toxic mold present (well beyond black mold), but we’ll also be able to point out the factors that made it grow there in the first place. We can help you manage your mold issue.
Fort Worth Mold Remediation and Removal Experts Ready 24/7
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills is Fort Worth’s locally owned and operated provider of expert mold solutions. We’ve done meticulous inspections and thorough residential and commercial mold remediation for many years.
Trying to solve a mold problem at its root source can be like solving a puzzle. With our expertise, we accurately pinpoint and efficiently apply the best solutions.
Our goal is to make it "Like it never even happened." We want the healthiest environment for our customers, so our certified technicians do a thorough remediation to remove toxic mold.
When you have a mold problem on your hands, call our mold experts anytime at (817) 589-1499 or fill out our convenient contact form.
Does Mold Die When It Dries Out in Your Fort Worth Home?
8/5/2020 (Permalink)
Have you found mold in your home? Our Fort Worth SERVPRO location provides expert mold remediation services.
On the cleaning aisle of any retailer, you’ll find an assortment of products that promise to get rid of mold and mildew. When we use these cleaning solutions (like standard bleach), does mold die when it dries out?
After bringing in a cleaning service or scrubbing away at the mold yourself, the hope is that you’ll be rid of the mold once and for all. Is a deep cleaning enough to keep mold from showing up again?
We at SERVPRO are the expert mold fighters here in Fort Worth, Texas. We’re here to offer mold solutions to property owners for a healthier living environment. We’re publishing this information so the Fort Worth community can be more proactive about mold issues.
Common Moisture Problems in Fort Worth that Cause Mold
Mold thrives in a moist environment. Standing water or trapped water vapor in the air are the chief causes of moisture problems in or on structures.
Specific examples of what causes this are humidity, leaky appliances, bathrooms, etc. Adequate ventilation is needed so that moisture dries out rather than settling into areas where they make contact with mold spores.
A huge patch of mold is a sign that water or moisture has collected with no way to escape or dry out. So if too much moisture is the problem, will mold die when dry?
Will Mold Grow Without Moisture?
Assuming you do everything in your power to keep moisture from building up, can mold grow without moisture? As a rule, mold cannot develop without some amount of moisture. How much is needed depends on the species. Some get by with very little moisture.
For example, Stachybotrys (common black mold) needs substantial saturation to germinate. We’re talking at least a 90% humidity level to activate, then around 70% humidity to continue to thrive.
So at what humidity does mold die? Is there a threshold at which mold growth becomes unlikely? Humidity occurs when the air is warm enough to soak up water vapor like a sponge. Mold thrives in a warm atmosphere as the air contains plenty of moisture.
Humans will usually detect humidity with physical discomfort. It’s often described as being “stuffy” or “muggy.” So if it feels humid, chances are there is significant vapor in the room.
The sweet spot for humidity is between 30% and 50%. Moisture-rich air with nowhere to go settles into areas where mold will begin to colonize.
The key to managing humidity is ventilation. Extra vents, fans, opening a window, or using a dehumidifier are all helpful for improving the air quality. Reducing the air temperature with AC also reverses humidity.
What Happens to Mold When It Dries Out?
Does mold die when it dries out completely? If we were to make the environment completely sterile and arid as a desert, will mold die without moisture?
Mold needs moisture to thrive. Without it, mold spores do dry out eventually and become dormant. In this inactive state, the mold spores aren’t dead, they just stop flourishing.
Mold spores are never completely eliminated as they are a natural part of the ecosystem. Once these spores make contact with moisture again, they reactivate within a day or two to reboot the germination process.
How to Prevent Future Mold Growth
Will mold die on its own? We know mold spores to be abundant and very successful at survival.
To tackle a mold problem, you have to remove what is contaminated and modify problem areas. Here are some pointers on how to take care of current mold growth and keep dried mold from resurging.
- Identify the areas where mold growth seems to happen most often and determine the cause. Troubleshoot why to eradicate the contributing factors.
- Manage interior humidity with improved climate control. Areas that get hot or steamy are susceptible to humidity. The goal is to keep the humidity level under 50%.
- Ensure areas have adequate ventilation and free airflow. Fans, vents, windows, and AC help. An HVAC company can do a tune-up and check for any leaks in the system.
- Look for leaks. Water could be trickling from appliances, faulty pipes, broken toilets, loose faucets, or walls and ceilings when it rains.
- Take action during flood events. Mold starts growing within the first 48 hours of flood damage. Hire SERVPRO for water damage restoration in Fort Worth. We’ll make sure contaminated items are removed and that the affected areas dry completely.
- Remove and dispose of mold-contaminated objects (like bathroom caulk). Some things could be salvageable, but if it’s porous and covered in mold, it’s best to discard it. Our Fort Worth mold remediation service will determine what items can be saved or not.
- Remove soggy carpet. If carpet dampness is a common occurrence, switch to alternative flooring.
- Use mold inhibitors on surfaces. When replacing a mold-infested wall, it could very well get that way again. Add mold inhibitors to the paint.
- Keep areas dry and clean. Use anti-mold cleaning products. Clean and thoroughly dry items that are exposed to moisture like towels, bathing suits, and shower curtains.
This list is just to cover some basics. There may be other factors unique to your situation that aren’t mentioned here. The trick is to understand how mold behaves and why it’s growing in certain areas of your space. Mold likes moist, dark places with plenty of cellulose materials to consume like paper, fabric, dust, etc.
SERVPRO’s Fort Worth mold removal services will not only identify any species of toxic mold present (well beyond black mold), but we’ll also be able to point out the factors that made it grow there in the first place. We can help you manage your mold issue.
Fort Worth Mold Remediation and Removal Experts Ready 24/7
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills is Fort Worth’s locally owned and operated provider of expert mold solutions. We’ve done meticulous inspections and thorough residential and commercial mold remediation for many years.
Trying to solve a mold problem at its root source can be like solving a puzzle. With our expertise, we accurately pinpoint and efficiently apply the best solutions.
Our goal is to make it "Like it never even happened." We want the healthiest environment for our customers, so our certified technicians do a thorough remediation to remove toxic mold.
When you have a mold problem on your hands, call our mold experts anytime at (817) 589-1499 or fill out our convenient contact form.
Fort Worth Fire Damage Restoration Process
7/30/2020 (Permalink)
If you've experienced fire damage to your home, call the Fort Worth fire damage restoration experts at SERVPRO.
Fires can happen to anyone and at any time. 80 fire departments in or surrounding the Fort Worth, TX area are prepared to respond when houses and businesses need help.
Did you experience fire damage this year? Maybe a kitchen mishap, 4th of July fireworks on the roof, or (heaven forbid) an electrical fire? Even when the fire happened to the property next door, there may still be damage to yours.
From counting your blessings that the loss wasn’t worse, to reeling from extensive damage, you must address the damage right away. Smoke and soot are damaging to property and must be dealt with as soon as possible.
Whether it’s sharing our best fire damage tips or coming out to the property for a free evaluation, our SERVPRO franchise in Fort Worth is here for you. We’re with you every step of the way through the fire damage restoration process.
How Long Does Fire Damage Restoration Take?
How long a complete fire restoration takes depends on the size of the property, the extent of the damage, and the amount of belongings that need to be recovered.
A smaller dwelling project with moderate damage (like an apartment) takes about a week to complete. However, a home around 3,000 Sq. Ft. (also with moderate damage) needs a few weeks to finish.
During the restoration process, we work to clean and restore your belongings. How many items there are to treat determines how long it takes to get the job done.
For businesses and larger homes, the process can take about a month. Situations with significant loss (like those requiring reconstruction) may need longer than a month and typically involve an insurance claim. When an insurance adjuster is involved, this adds another 2-3 days to the timeline.
Working with a full-service restoration company like SERVPRO has the advantage of a more efficient process. This means we can coordinate the cleaning alongside the reconstruction (when applicable) to minimize the time needed to complete the restoration.
SERVPRO’s goal is to get your life back to normal as soon as possible, so we aim to keep the recovery process no longer than a month.
What Does a Fort Worth Fire Damage Restoration Company Do?
External fire damage leaves the structure exposed to further harm from the elements. For instance, rain leads to rotting and mold that make matters worse.
Internally, fires create problems by burning construction materials. The release of toxic chemicals makes the interior environment unhealthy. Then, acid soot seeps into porous surfaces causing permanent discoloration. Damage is also caused by lingering smoke (to electronics, for example).
SERVPRO’s Fort Worth area fire damage service professionals are “faster to any disaster.” We’re here 24/7 to respond immediately after the fire department leaves. The sooner you call, the sooner we can get started to protect your property and its valuable contents from further destruction.
Our Fort Worth Fire Damage Restoration professionals are highly-trained specialists who have the proper equipment to restore your property back to preloss condition.
Our Team of Specialists:
- Fire & Smoke Restoration Technician
- Odor Control Technician
- Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning Technician
- Water Damage Restoration Technician
We have a “restore first” mission. So we use specialized equipment and cleaning techniques to recover damaged property so replacement isn’t needed. We’re glad to know that we’ve recovered irreplaceable items, so we do our best to make it "Like it never even happened.”
Our Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration Process
SERVPRO is upfront about what to expect during the fire damage restoration process. Below is what a typical fire damage procedure entails.
Step 1: First Point of Contact
Fire damage restoration begins when our Customer Care Specialist takes your call at our 24/7 dispatch center.
On this call, we begin the intake process. We ask questions about the event so we can send out our Fort Worth fire damage experts - equipped with everything needed to perform a complete restoration.
Step 2: Inspect and Assess the Fire Damage
To properly outline the necessary fire restoration procedures for your property, we do a complete inspection. Our team is specially trained to assess the true extent of the damage from fire, smoke, and soot. Once we’ve identified everything that needs attention, we create a plan that addresses every inch of damage.
Step 3: Immediate Protection with Board-Up and Roof-Tarp Service
Should you lose a window, wall, or some of the roof from fire damage, we won’t leave your property exposed to the elements or trespassers.
We’ll either board up or tarp these areas as soon as possible to prevent an unfortunate situation from becoming worse.
Step 4: Water Removal and Drying (When Water Damage Is Present)
Sometimes restoring property with fire damage involves water removal and drying. Water from fire hoses, fire sprinklers, or attempts by the occupant to snuff the flames will leave a water mess behind.
First, we extract excess water from the property. Then we remove additional water and moisture from the environment with dehumidifiers and ventilation helpers so the entire area is completely dry.
Step 5: Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces
The most important step in repairing fire-damaged homes and buildings is the thorough and complete removal of smoke and soot, both externally and internally.
We use specialized equipment and expert technique to rid roofs, ceilings, walls, belongings, etc. of the damaging remnants of a fire (including the recovery of documents and photos).
Step 6: Cleaning and Sanitizing
Soot and smoke make everything dirty. That’s why we use our expert fire damage cleaning techniques to clean and sanitize it all.
Smoke also leaves a stench behind. We use industrial air scrubbers and fogging to remove smoke and its odor from the environment. You shouldn’t have to live with the smell and you won’t have to.
Step 7: Restoration
SERVPRO’s fire damage services go beyond mere recovery - our goal is full restoration.
We do the necessary repairs to bring the property back to its pre-fire state. This may include drywall replacement, carpet replacement, painting, or major reconstruction. Our team does whatever it takes to make it good as new.
Contact SERVPRO of North Richland Hills Today for Fort Worth Fire Damage Restoration
For over 30 years, SERVPRO of North Richland Hills has carried out complete fire damage repair and restoration numerous times.
Our team is “faster to any size disaster” for fire-damaged homes and businesses. It matters to us that your environment is healthy and comfortable. So our goal is to use our expertise, specialized equipment, and resources to make it "Like it never even happened.”
If fire damage happens to your property or the one next door, call us right away at (817) 589-1499. We’re here to answer the phone 24/7. The sooner we can get started on the fire damage restoration process, the better. Let’s get started today so you can get on with your life ASAP!
Fort Worth Fire Damage Restoration Process
7/30/2020 (Permalink)
If you've experienced fire damage to your home, call the Fort Worth fire damage restoration experts at SERVPRO.
Fires can happen to anyone and at any time. 80 fire departments in or surrounding the Fort Worth, TX area are prepared to respond when houses and businesses need help.
Did you experience fire damage this year? Maybe a kitchen mishap, 4th of July fireworks on the roof, or (heaven forbid) an electrical fire? Even when the fire happened to the property next door, there may still be damage to yours.
From counting your blessings that the loss wasn’t worse, to reeling from extensive damage, you must address the damage right away. Smoke and soot are damaging to property and must be dealt with as soon as possible.
Whether it’s sharing our best fire damage tips or coming out to the property for a free evaluation, our SERVPRO franchise in Fort Worth is here for you. We’re with you every step of the way through the fire damage restoration process.
How Long Does Fire Damage Restoration Take?
How long a complete fire restoration takes depends on the size of the property, the extent of the damage, and the amount of belongings that need to be recovered.
A smaller dwelling project with moderate damage (like an apartment) takes about a week to complete. However, a home around 3,000 Sq. Ft. (also with moderate damage) needs a few weeks to finish.
During the restoration process, we work to clean and restore your belongings. How many items there are to treat determines how long it takes to get the job done.
For businesses and larger homes, the process can take about a month. Situations with significant loss (like those requiring reconstruction) may need longer than a month and typically involve an insurance claim. When an insurance adjuster is involved, this adds another 2-3 days to the timeline.
Working with a full-service restoration company like SERVPRO has the advantage of a more efficient process. This means we can coordinate the cleaning alongside the reconstruction (when applicable) to minimize the time needed to complete the restoration.
SERVPRO’s goal is to get your life back to normal as soon as possible, so we aim to keep the recovery process no longer than a month.
What Does a Fort Worth Fire Damage Restoration Company Do?
External fire damage leaves the structure exposed to further harm from the elements. For instance, rain leads to rotting and mold that make matters worse.
Internally, fires create problems by burning construction materials. The release of toxic chemicals makes the interior environment unhealthy. Then, acid soot seeps into porous surfaces causing permanent discoloration. Damage is also caused by lingering smoke (to electronics, for example).
SERVPRO’s Fort Worth area fire damage service professionals are “faster to any disaster.” We’re here 24/7 to respond immediately after the fire department leaves. The sooner you call, the sooner we can get started to protect your property and its valuable contents from further destruction.
Our Fort Worth Fire Damage Restoration professionals are highly-trained specialists who have the proper equipment to restore your property back to preloss condition.
Our Team of Specialists:
- Fire & Smoke Restoration Technician
- Odor Control Technician
- Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning Technician
- Water Damage Restoration Technician
We have a “restore first” mission. So we use specialized equipment and cleaning techniques to recover damaged property so replacement isn’t needed. We’re glad to know that we’ve recovered irreplaceable items, so we do our best to make it "Like it never even happened.”
Our Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration Process
SERVPRO is upfront about what to expect during the fire damage restoration process. Below is what a typical fire damage procedure entails.
Step 1: First Point of Contact
Fire damage restoration begins when our Customer Care Specialist takes your call at our 24/7 dispatch center.
On this call, we begin the intake process. We ask questions about the event so we can send out our Fort Worth fire damage experts - equipped with everything needed to perform a complete restoration.
Step 2: Inspect and Assess the Fire Damage
To properly outline the necessary fire restoration procedures for your property, we do a complete inspection. Our team is specially trained to assess the true extent of the damage from fire, smoke, and soot. Once we’ve identified everything that needs attention, we create a plan that addresses every inch of damage.
Step 3: Immediate Protection with Board-Up and Roof-Tarp Service
Should you lose a window, wall, or some of the roof from fire damage, we won’t leave your property exposed to the elements or trespassers.
We’ll either board up or tarp these areas as soon as possible to prevent an unfortunate situation from becoming worse.
Step 4: Water Removal and Drying (When Water Damage Is Present)
Sometimes restoring property with fire damage involves water removal and drying. Water from fire hoses, fire sprinklers, or attempts by the occupant to snuff the flames will leave a water mess behind.
First, we extract excess water from the property. Then we remove additional water and moisture from the environment with dehumidifiers and ventilation helpers so the entire area is completely dry.
Step 5: Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces
The most important step in repairing fire-damaged homes and buildings is the thorough and complete removal of smoke and soot, both externally and internally.
We use specialized equipment and expert technique to rid roofs, ceilings, walls, belongings, etc. of the damaging remnants of a fire (including the recovery of documents and photos).
Step 6: Cleaning and Sanitizing
Soot and smoke make everything dirty. That’s why we use our expert fire damage cleaning techniques to clean and sanitize it all.
Smoke also leaves a stench behind. We use industrial air scrubbers and fogging to remove smoke and its odor from the environment. You shouldn’t have to live with the smell and you won’t have to.
Step 7: Restoration
SERVPRO’s fire damage services go beyond mere recovery - our goal is full restoration.
We do the necessary repairs to bring the property back to its pre-fire state. This may include drywall replacement, carpet replacement, painting, or major reconstruction. Our team does whatever it takes to make it good as new.
Contact SERVPRO of North Richland Hills Today for Fort Worth Fire Damage Restoration
For over 30 years, SERVPRO of North Richland Hills has carried out complete fire damage repair and restoration numerous times.
Our team is “faster to any size disaster” for fire-damaged homes and businesses. It matters to us that your environment is healthy and comfortable. So our goal is to use our expertise, specialized equipment, and resources to make it "Like it never even happened.”
If fire damage happens to your property or the one next door, call us right away at (817) 589-1499. We’re here to answer the phone 24/7. The sooner we can get started on the fire damage restoration process, the better. Let’s get started today so you can get on with your life ASAP!
Signs of Black Mold In Air Vents
7/2/2020 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills Provides Professional Mold Remediation for Black Mold in Air Vents
Most of us are in the habit of tossing food products at the first sign of mold. We wouldn’t even consider eating moldy food, so it follows that it’s also unhealthy for us to breathe mold in the air. When mold grows in air vents and HVAC systems, it mixes with the circulating air we breathe.
Air quality issues (such as black mold in air vents) should be addressed. It’s especially urgent for those who are vulnerable to illness (babies, little children, the elderly, and people who are immunocompromised.)
Do you notice a mold problem in your vents or somewhere in your HVAC system? Here at SERVPRO of North Richland Hills, we are the Fort Worth mold remediation specialists and here to answer the call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
What is Black Mold?
The formal name for common black mold is Stachybotrys Chartarum.
While black mold is the most noticeable kind of mold, keep in mind…
- Mold coexists with us in the natural environment. Only unhealthy molds are the problem.
- Not all black mold is Stachybotrys. Other types of mold are also black. To know what kind it is, testing must be done. Our mold specialists can identify what IS toxic.
Noticeable signs of mold:
- A sweet but musky smell.
- Illness (particularly allergy symptoms).
- The increasing appearance of spotting (black or other colors).
What is unseen are the spores. Microscopic spores travel through the air that enters through windows, and make their way into hair, fibers, or HVAC systems. Mold collection within your air conditioning systems and vents may be where the source of the spores is hiding.
Because mold spores thrive on moisture and quickly reproduce in damp conditions, sources of water must be addressed. In water damage events, mold growth starts in as little as 48 hours.
What Causes Black Mold in HVAC Air Ducts?
How does mold find its way deep into ductwork? Mold makes itself at home in warm and moist temperatures (humid climates). Anywhere moisture gets trapped is the ideal breeding ground for mold.
HVAC Issues to Address:
- Oversized unit: If an AC unit is too big for the square footage, it doesn’t cycle properly. This causes accumulation of excess moisture that doesn’t have the chance to dry up so moisture gets trapped in the ductwork.
- Very cool temperatures: Mold does grow in warm temperatures, but when the AC is producing air that is too cold, this creates condensation. This happens when cold air meets warm air. Condensation is another opportunity for mold growth.
- Leaks: Cracks in the ducts let moisture and warm air in. Both factors trap moisture in the HVAC air ducts.
Damp and dark places are where mold grows. Ductwork is dark, so mold grows when moisture is trapped there.
What are the Signs of Black Mold in Air Vents?
Sometimes dark areas on the vent surface or between the cracks are just dust, paint, or rust. Does it smell funny around the vent? Are there signs of mold around the air vents?
Relieved that it was just some dust or fuzz? Keep in mind that dust is food for mold. Keep mold at bay by removing dust in vents and keeping them moisture-free.
Does Mold in AC Vents Need to Be Cleaned Out?
Killing black mold in air vents and other accessible AC areas does help keep some mold out of the air. However the deeper the problem is, the more likely you are to need help from professionals. Without solving the root cause, mold in ac vents just grows back.
Steps For Cleaning Your AC:
- Shut off the HVAC system.
- Wear an N-95 respirator
- Dispose of and double bag anything porous that is water damaged.
- Thoroughly remove black mold in air vents with a bleach solution or baking soda and detergent solution.
- Use a wet vac to remove standing water.
- Apply an EPA registered disinfectant labeled for HVAC non-porous surfaces. Use this to kill mold on all surfaces(ductwork, coils, plenums, pans, etc). It helps to pinch off a section at a time to keep spores from spreading through the ductwork.
- Use a mold and mildew inhibitor (for HVAC and EPA registered) to all components of the HVAC systems.
While all of the above is progress toward fighting air quality problems, the EPA recommends professional mold treatment help.
Our team at SERVPRO of North Richland Hills is specialized in mold remediation and we have the right personal protection equipment to do the job safely (including N95 respirators).
Reach Out to a Black Mold Remediation Specialist
For decades, SERVPRO of North Richland Hills has provided expert mold remediation in the North Richland Hills and Fort Worth areas including commercial mold removal.
Molds exist naturally and cannot be 100% removed and mold remediation is about removing the toxic molds.
What We Do:
- Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment
- Mold Containment
- Air Filtration
- Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials
- Cleaning Contents and Belongings
- Restoration
- Strictly adhere to Texas mold safety laws
- We’re faster to any disaster and we make it like it never happened!
- 24/7 service
If you see signs of black mold in air vents or smell mold, the time to act is now! Mold spreads quickly when left untreated.
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills has the training, experience, and equipment needed to swiftly contain the mold infestation and return the AC or furnace to preloss condition. We provide professional mold remediation services to Fort Worth, North Richland Hills, Hurst, Watauga, Richland Hills, Smithfield, and surrounding communities..
Restore your property to a healthy environment and call our mold experts anytime at (817) 589-1499 or fill out our convenient contact form.
Signs of Black Mold In Air Vents
7/2/2020 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills Provides Professional Mold Remediation for Black Mold in Air Vents
Most of us are in the habit of tossing food products at the first sign of mold. We wouldn’t even consider eating moldy food, so it follows that it’s also unhealthy for us to breathe mold in the air. When mold grows in air vents and HVAC systems, it mixes with the circulating air we breathe.
Air quality issues (such as black mold in air vents) should be addressed. It’s especially urgent for those who are vulnerable to illness (babies, little children, the elderly, and people who are immunocompromised.)
Do you notice a mold problem in your vents or somewhere in your HVAC system? Here at SERVPRO of North Richland Hills, we are the Fort Worth mold remediation specialists and here to answer the call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
What is Black Mold?
The formal name for common black mold is Stachybotrys Chartarum.
While black mold is the most noticeable kind of mold, keep in mind…
- Mold coexists with us in the natural environment. Only unhealthy molds are the problem.
- Not all black mold is Stachybotrys. Other types of mold are also black. To know what kind it is, testing must be done. Our mold specialists can identify what IS toxic.
Noticeable signs of mold:
- A sweet but musky smell.
- Illness (particularly allergy symptoms).
- The increasing appearance of spotting (black or other colors).
What is unseen are the spores. Microscopic spores travel through the air that enters through windows, and make their way into hair, fibers, or HVAC systems. Mold collection within your air conditioning systems and vents may be where the source of the spores is hiding.
Because mold spores thrive on moisture and quickly reproduce in damp conditions, sources of water must be addressed. In water damage events, mold growth starts in as little as 48 hours.
What Causes Black Mold in HVAC Air Ducts?
How does mold find its way deep into ductwork? Mold makes itself at home in warm and moist temperatures (humid climates). Anywhere moisture gets trapped is the ideal breeding ground for mold.
HVAC Issues to Address:
- Oversized unit: If an AC unit is too big for the square footage, it doesn’t cycle properly. This causes accumulation of excess moisture that doesn’t have the chance to dry up so moisture gets trapped in the ductwork.
- Very cool temperatures: Mold does grow in warm temperatures, but when the AC is producing air that is too cold, this creates condensation. This happens when cold air meets warm air. Condensation is another opportunity for mold growth.
- Leaks: Cracks in the ducts let moisture and warm air in. Both factors trap moisture in the HVAC air ducts.
Damp and dark places are where mold grows. Ductwork is dark, so mold grows when moisture is trapped there.
What are the Signs of Black Mold in Air Vents?
Sometimes dark areas on the vent surface or between the cracks are just dust, paint, or rust. Does it smell funny around the vent? Are there signs of mold around the air vents?
Relieved that it was just some dust or fuzz? Keep in mind that dust is food for mold. Keep mold at bay by removing dust in vents and keeping them moisture-free.
Does Mold in AC Vents Need to Be Cleaned Out?
Killing black mold in air vents and other accessible AC areas does help keep some mold out of the air. However the deeper the problem is, the more likely you are to need help from professionals. Without solving the root cause, mold in ac vents just grows back.
Steps For Cleaning Your AC:
- Shut off the HVAC system.
- Wear an N-95 respirator
- Dispose of and double bag anything porous that is water damaged.
- Thoroughly remove black mold in air vents with a bleach solution or baking soda and detergent solution.
- Use a wet vac to remove standing water.
- Apply an EPA registered disinfectant labeled for HVAC non-porous surfaces. Use this to kill mold on all surfaces(ductwork, coils, plenums, pans, etc). It helps to pinch off a section at a time to keep spores from spreading through the ductwork.
- Use a mold and mildew inhibitor (for HVAC and EPA registered) to all components of the HVAC systems.
While all of the above is progress toward fighting air quality problems, the EPA recommends professional mold treatment help.
Our team at SERVPRO of North Richland Hills is specialized in mold remediation and we have the right personal protection equipment to do the job safely (including N95 respirators).
Reach Out to a Black Mold Remediation Specialist
For decades, SERVPRO of North Richland Hills has provided expert mold remediation in the North Richland Hills and Fort Worth areas including commercial mold removal.
Molds exist naturally and cannot be 100% removed and mold remediation is about removing the toxic molds.
What We Do:
- Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment
- Mold Containment
- Air Filtration
- Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials
- Cleaning Contents and Belongings
- Restoration
- Strictly adhere to Texas mold safety laws
- We’re faster to any disaster and we make it like it never happened!
- 24/7 service
If you see signs of black mold in air vents or smell mold, the time to act is now! Mold spreads quickly when left untreated.
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills has the training, experience, and equipment needed to swiftly contain the mold infestation and return the AC or furnace to preloss condition. We provide professional mold remediation services to Fort Worth, North Richland Hills, Hurst, Watauga, Richland Hills, Smithfield, and surrounding communities..
Restore your property to a healthy environment and call our mold experts anytime at (817) 589-1499 or fill out our convenient contact form.
Water Damage Restoration in Fort Worth, TX
6/16/2020 (Permalink)
Water Damage Restoration in Fort Worth
Every year we see dramatic weather changes in Fort Worth. From freezing rain to severe summer thunderstorms, the weather brings water with it. Seasons have the potential to impact homes with burst pipes in the winter or flood damage in the summer.
Your water emergency is our emergency - natural disasters and otherwise. SERVPRO of North Richland Hills is here to assist you with water damage events around the clock.
For 24/7 Water Damage Restoration in Fort Worth and North Richland Hills
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills is a locally owned and operated home and commercial restoration company. Over the last 30 years, we’ve dealt with every kind of water damage scenario. We are the experts on water damage restoration and mold removal in Fort Worth!
Who we are:
- 24-hour emergency service, 7 days a week
- We live by our motto: “Faster to Any Size Disaster.”
- A staff of highly trained Water Restoration Technicians.
- A trusted leader in the Water Restoration Industry.
- Provider of advanced water inspection, extraction, and drying equipment.
You can count on us to provide timely and thorough water removal and flood damage cleanup services at the time you need it most.
What Causes Water Damage in Fort Worth?
Water emergencies come in all kinds from torrential downpours to plumbing failures. However the water gets in, it’s likely to cause damage and problems. While basement flooding is common in some parts of the country, it isn’t in our area.
Here are some potential scenarios Fort Worth and North Richland Hills residents may experience.
- Flooding or storm damage from severe weather.
- Flooding from firefighting operations.
- Overflowing gutters.
- Water seepage into attics and crawl spaces.
- A sewage backup into the home or business.
- Pipes burst or leak.
- Plumbing system issues.
- Overflow from toilets, bathtubs, and sinks.
- HVAC system problems.
- Leaking from appliances, water heaters, plumbing, etc.
Water mitigation remedies can be made to prevent the above issues from happening. But when these situations happen regardless, timely water damage restoration may be necessary.
The cornerstone of our business is professional water damage services. For this purpose, we have our technicians on-call and ready to dispatch to the property when you need us.
Upon arrival at the scene, we are fully prepared and equipped to get started on the water damage restoration process immediately. We are the leader in the restoration industry because we are reliable and consistent.
What Are Signs of Water Damage?
Too much water exposure leaves signs of water damage. The sooner you discover them, the quicker you can act to prevent mold problems with proactive cleaning and remediation.
- Trapped water - Water accumulates in pools or puddles or accumulates by several inches of water with flooding.
- Discoloration or spotting - Conspicuous discolored or dark areas on floors, ceilings, or walls. These might also appear around pipes, sinks, toilets, etc. Also, check inside cabinets and closets. Peeling or cracking paint or drywall may also be a sign that water damage occurred.
- The floor feels squishy or squeaks as you walk.
- The sounds of rushing water when no outlets are turned on.
- Mold can be seen.
- The presence of mildew - The room smells or feels musty. Mildew may also be accompanied by humidity.
- Sewage smell.
- A spike in the utility bill.
If you observe any of the above, take action. Being proactive prevents things from getting worse and allows you to restore the space back to its original state.
Our Water Damage Restoration Process
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills’ thorough water damage restoration process is the best in the Fort Worth area. We understand that no two situations are alike, so we approach our inspections with this goal in mind - to determine the best restoration and cleaning solutions for your particular circumstances.
What we do:
- Water removal: We extract all standing water from the affected areas. This includes sewage cleanup.
- Water clean up: We clean everything that comes into contact with water. We make sure the property is thoroughly cleaned and dried to prevent mold growth. When necessary, this process includes disinfection and complete carpet cleaning.
- Mold inspection: Our top priority is preventing a mold health hazard. We carefully inspect for mold as part of our cleaning process. Several of our staff are Texas certified mold technicians trained for thorough mold remediation during the restoration process.
- Water damage repairs: What cannot be salvaged during our cleaning process will be replaced or rebuilt.
Our expert cleaning and restoration procedure consists of these 6 steps:
Step 1: Emergency Contact
Step 2: Inspection and Damage Assessment
Step 3: Water Removal/Water Extraction
Step 4: Drying and Dehumidification
Step 5: Cleaning and Repair
Step 6: Restoration
Our cleaning process is customized according to the extent of the damage and the contamination levels we find on-site. Each step will be planned according to the particular restoration needs for your property damage.
This thorough process prevents the growth of mold, bacteria, and other toxic microorganisms that have the potential to cause further damage and create potential health risks.
Contact SERVPRO NRH Today for Water Damage Restoration in the Fort Worth Area
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills has this goal in mind - make it "Like it never even happened."
Our IICRC certified technicians are equipped with the experience, knowledge, and the training needed to deliver a complete restoration and cleaning that is well worth the investment.
Our company has served the Fort Worth area for more than 40 years providing residential and commercial cleaning services. We’re ready to act at the time of your call.
Don’t wait for the water damage to get worse or become a mold health hazard. Call the experts anytime at (817) 589-1499. You may also submit your inquiry by using our quick and easy contact form anytime.
Water Damage Restoration in Fort Worth, TX
6/16/2020 (Permalink)
Water Damage Restoration in Fort Worth
Every year we see dramatic weather changes in Fort Worth. From freezing rain to severe summer thunderstorms, the weather brings water with it. Seasons have the potential to impact homes with burst pipes in the winter or flood damage in the summer.
Your water emergency is our emergency - natural disasters and otherwise. SERVPRO of North Richland Hills is here to assist you with water damage events around the clock.
For 24/7 Water Damage Restoration in Fort Worth and North Richland Hills
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills is a locally owned and operated home and commercial restoration company. Over the last 30 years, we’ve dealt with every kind of water damage scenario. We are the experts on water damage restoration and mold removal in Fort Worth!
Who we are:
- 24-hour emergency service, 7 days a week
- We live by our motto: “Faster to Any Size Disaster.”
- A staff of highly trained Water Restoration Technicians.
- A trusted leader in the Water Restoration Industry.
- Provider of advanced water inspection, extraction, and drying equipment.
You can count on us to provide timely and thorough water removal and flood damage cleanup services at the time you need it most.
What Causes Water Damage in Fort Worth?
Water emergencies come in all kinds from torrential downpours to plumbing failures. However the water gets in, it’s likely to cause damage and problems. While basement flooding is common in some parts of the country, it isn’t in our area.
Here are some potential scenarios Fort Worth and North Richland Hills residents may experience.
- Flooding or storm damage from severe weather.
- Flooding from firefighting operations.
- Overflowing gutters.
- Water seepage into attics and crawl spaces.
- A sewage backup into the home or business.
- Pipes burst or leak.
- Plumbing system issues.
- Overflow from toilets, bathtubs, and sinks.
- HVAC system problems.
- Leaking from appliances, water heaters, plumbing, etc.
Water mitigation remedies can be made to prevent the above issues from happening. But when these situations happen regardless, timely water damage restoration may be necessary.
The cornerstone of our business is professional water damage services. For this purpose, we have our technicians on-call and ready to dispatch to the property when you need us.
Upon arrival at the scene, we are fully prepared and equipped to get started on the water damage restoration process immediately. We are the leader in the restoration industry because we are reliable and consistent.
What Are Signs of Water Damage?
Too much water exposure leaves signs of water damage. The sooner you discover them, the quicker you can act to prevent mold problems with proactive cleaning and remediation.
- Trapped water - Water accumulates in pools or puddles or accumulates by several inches of water with flooding.
- Discoloration or spotting - Conspicuous discolored or dark areas on floors, ceilings, or walls. These might also appear around pipes, sinks, toilets, etc. Also, check inside cabinets and closets. Peeling or cracking paint or drywall may also be a sign that water damage occurred.
- The floor feels squishy or squeaks as you walk.
- The sounds of rushing water when no outlets are turned on.
- Mold can be seen.
- The presence of mildew - The room smells or feels musty. Mildew may also be accompanied by humidity.
- Sewage smell.
- A spike in the utility bill.
If you observe any of the above, take action. Being proactive prevents things from getting worse and allows you to restore the space back to its original state.
Our Water Damage Restoration Process
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills’ thorough water damage restoration process is the best in the Fort Worth area. We understand that no two situations are alike, so we approach our inspections with this goal in mind - to determine the best restoration and cleaning solutions for your particular circumstances.
What we do:
- Water removal: We extract all standing water from the affected areas. This includes sewage cleanup.
- Water clean up: We clean everything that comes into contact with water. We make sure the property is thoroughly cleaned and dried to prevent mold growth. When necessary, this process includes disinfection and complete carpet cleaning.
- Mold inspection: Our top priority is preventing a mold health hazard. We carefully inspect for mold as part of our cleaning process. Several of our staff are Texas certified mold technicians trained for thorough mold remediation during the restoration process.
- Water damage repairs: What cannot be salvaged during our cleaning process will be replaced or rebuilt.
Our expert cleaning and restoration procedure consists of these 6 steps:
Step 1: Emergency Contact
Step 2: Inspection and Damage Assessment
Step 3: Water Removal/Water Extraction
Step 4: Drying and Dehumidification
Step 5: Cleaning and Repair
Step 6: Restoration
Our cleaning process is customized according to the extent of the damage and the contamination levels we find on-site. Each step will be planned according to the particular restoration needs for your property damage.
This thorough process prevents the growth of mold, bacteria, and other toxic microorganisms that have the potential to cause further damage and create potential health risks.
Contact SERVPRO NRH Today for Water Damage Restoration in the Fort Worth Area
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills has this goal in mind - make it "Like it never even happened."
Our IICRC certified technicians are equipped with the experience, knowledge, and the training needed to deliver a complete restoration and cleaning that is well worth the investment.
Our company has served the Fort Worth area for more than 40 years providing residential and commercial cleaning services. We’re ready to act at the time of your call.
Don’t wait for the water damage to get worse or become a mold health hazard. Call the experts anytime at (817) 589-1499. You may also submit your inquiry by using our quick and easy contact form anytime.
Church Cleaning and Sanitation Services for Places of Worship
5/26/2020 (Permalink)
Cleaning Services for Churches and Places of Worship
More than ever, the people in the DFW area need a place for healing. For centuries, places of worship have served as a place to be spiritually fed and where the downtrodden can go for support.
Churches, temples, and synagogues are pillars of the community as they comfort the suffering through prayer and togetherness as well as providing basic necessities like food and shelter.
Because faith-based organizations are so important to our communities, SERVPRO of North Richland Hills is here to support our places of worship so that they may continue to serve their members and neighbors.
We offer disinfection and sanitization guidance as well as complete church cleaning services for faith communities in our area so you may all worship together once again!
How to Clean Your Place of Worship
Your cleaning plan consists of both daily cleaning and scheduled routine cleanings. This accounts for every square foot of the worship center with special attention directed to those areas most frequently used by those who work, regularly attend, or visit the church.
Germ Prone Areas of the Church
- Lobby and entrances
- Nave and Sanctuary
- Fellowship Hall
- Kitchen or Food Service Areas
- Staff and Administrative Offices
- Classrooms
- Nurseries
- Restrooms
- Basement Storage Areas
- Baptismal area
- Choir and orchestral areas
- Pulpit, stage, and seating areas on stage
- HVAC Systems
Having a complete sanitation maintenance plan is fundamental to instill confidence in your member base about the cleanliness and safety of your church.
This plan starts with an inventory of what should be cleaned, what needs to be disinfected, and what equipment is required to safely clean your religious facility.
If your church has been closed for some time (at least seven days) the facility will need a thorough cleaning and disinfection before reopening. There needs to be special attention given to the “high touch” areas but also cleaning of areas that are rarely or never touched.
It helps to map out the entire church property to account for all spaces. Mark off those areas where human activity and contact most commonly occurs. Areas that are frequently touched and thus germ-prone are known as “high touch” areas.
Examples of Common High Touch Areas:
- Countertops
- Desks
- Door handles
- Faucets and sinks
- Toilets and bathroom fixtures
- Pews and chairs
- Safety rails
- Keyboards and tablets
- Touch screens
- Light switches
- Phones
- Tables
Once all cleaning areas have been mapped out, they are ready to receive priority and be part of your church cleaning checklists. “Hot spots” should receive an increase in cleanings.
Go over all areas inside and outside for surfaces that look dingy, grimy, or otherwise unclean. For best effectiveness, all of these surfaces with soap and water before applying disinfectants.
Porous materials such as textiles, rugs, seats, etc., should also be cleaned and disinfected using the appropriate methods. Launder cloth items according to label instructions with the right strength of detergent and the warmest water temperature possible. Fabrics and rugs are to be completely dried before using them again.
Consult the health and safety directives from regional organizations specific to your denomination and meet with leadership to determine how to create the best action plan.
Use of Disinfectants
Disinfectants should be used throughout the properties, but more frequently on high touch areas. Cleansing with soap and water first makes disinfectants more effective as it removes most of the germs and exposes remaining germs so the disinfectant can finish the job.
We highly recommend using EPA-approved disinfectants for regular sanitation. (Refer to the EPA guide and list of SARS-CoV-2 disinfectants).
For any disinfectant product, read the directions thoroughly before use. Some may require prepping the surfaces, use of PPE (personal protective equipment), or ventilation.
Products with at least 70% of alcohol or bleach solutions may be used as alternative disinfectants proactive toward fighting against the Coronavirus.
Make sure the bleach product is appropriate for disinfection (some laundry bleaches are not) and that the bleach is not expired. Bleach solutions should sit for at least one minute to sanitize surfaces. As with all cleaning products, read the directions carefully before use and wear the appropriate PPE.
Bleach Solution:
4 teaspoons bleach to a quart of water
OR
5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach to a gallon of water.
For some cleaning solutions and procedures, special PPE or gloves may be required. Fumigants or fogs may need special equipment or trained specialists to safely use these products.
Our SERVPRO of North Richland Hills team is qualified to properly use such industrial disinfectants.
Ensure that your church cleaning crew is properly trained to follow label directions exactly. They should wear the appropriate PPE when mandated, maintain proper ventilation, and most importantly thoroughly wash their hands after handling disinfectant products.
How to Handle Persons Who Are Sick
While worshiping with those who share your faith is like medicine for the soul, it’s important to remind members that those who are sick should remain at home until they are well again (symptom-free for 10 days without the use of fever-reducing medication).
Remain vigilant about symptoms specific to COVID-19:
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Losing the ability to taste or smell
- Difficulty breathing
- Chills/shaking with chills
- Muscle aches
- Headache
- Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100F
- Diarrhea
- Close contact with a person confirmed to have COVID-19. Those who have been in contact with someone who is likely to have COVID-19 or is a confirmed case of such should self-quarantine for 14 days before leaving the house again)
Should an affected person enter your facility, you do not need to necessarily close the entire building down. Block off any area the sick person has been in contact with. Once those areas have been closed off for 24 hours, you may thoroughly clean and disinfect the surfaces and items.
If feasible, restrict airflow out of the affected area by turning off HVAC systems.
Establishing and implementing policies that promote health and safety reassures your congregation that your place of worship is safe and is concerned about their well being.
We do this by faithfully fulfilling the set cleaning procedure (daily is best), encouraging social distancing, and enforcing policies that only allow well people to attend services.
Resources for Current Advisories and Religious Facility Operations Guidance
Expert Religious Facility & Church Cleaning Service in Fort Worth, TX
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills understands that our community leaders want the safest environment for their community.
Professional cleaning reassures the church staff, congregation, and visitors that you’ve taken proactive steps to ensure that your place of worship is safe and secure.
What We Offer:
- SERVPRO performs all cleanup and bioremediation in accordance with guidelines set in place by the CDC and local authorities.
- SERVPRO’s proprietary cleaning agent, SERVPROXIDE, is an EPA-certified, hospital-grade disinfectant that has demonstrated effectiveness against viruses similar to Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19) on hard, non-porous surfaces.
- HVAC and air duct cleaning to improve and ensure air quality
- Trained cleaning experts who have experience in attending situations involving positive cases of coronavirus who also use the proper PPE and equipment to handle COVID-19 situations.
Free Consultation Plus Free Religious Facility Cleaning Plan
We understand that each place of worship is sacred and unique.
With our free consultation service, a sanitation specialist meets with you on site to put a customized plan together that is respectful to your faith. We tailor this plan to the specific needs of your facility at no additional cost.
This plan may include the following:
- Cleaning and decontamination of non-porous surfaces such as pews, chairs, tables, etc.
- Our detergent cleaner eliminates all of the dust and grime.
- We then decontaminate these surfaces by applying sanitizer either with a ulv fogger or a sprayer.
- We thoroughly clean carpets and upholstery by vacuuming and/or deep washing. We follow up with applying sanitizer to these porous surfaces.
- We use SERVPROXIDE (SERVPRO’s proprietary cleaning agent). This is an EPA-certified, hospital-grade disinfectant that has demonstrated effectiveness against viruses similar to Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19) on hard (non-porous) surfaces.
- HEPA air scrubbing and air duct cleaning with new A/C filters
Call us at (817) 589-1499 to get started on your free church cleaning services plan or submit a request with our quick and easy contact form.
Why Choose SERVPRO for Church Cleaning in Fort Worth, Tx?
SERVPRO North Richland Hills is prepared to thoroughly and conscientiously provide complete church cleaning services. We are a top provider of Fort Worth carpet cleaning services and more!
- 34 years of reliable and superior commercial cleaning services in the Dallas Fort Worth area.
- 24/7 availability means we respond to emergencies (such as confirmed cases of COVID-19 on the premises) and have the flexibility to clean whenever the church is vacant. Since your facilities peak times are likely only a few days a week, we can easily work around your schedule.
- Reverent consideration for sensitive issues concerning your sacred spaces and religious practices.
- Our IICRC trained technicians and industrial disinfectants have been trusted by international airports and federal agencies to prepare spaces for safe and sound use. Our effective disinfecting services meet the needs of any sized facility in any kind of situation. We work around your specific needs.
- Our uncompromising safety and hygiene standards mean our cleaning professionals are trained to adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards. We ensure that our technicians use the proper PPE during cleanings. Some cleaning companies save money by skimping on PPE, but we insist our techs use it when on site. At SERVPRO of North Richland Hills, it’s always safety first!
- Present to the public a certificate that your place of worship has been completely cleaned by SERVPRO - the leading trusted brand in commercial cleaning.
- Social media announcement from us announcing your religious facility has been completely cleaned by us and is safe to worship in!
We’re here to support people of faith in our Fort Worth community! We want to help you provide a safe and secure environment where your congregation will feel at ease as they seek spiritual comfort.
Contact us today with any questions you may have about pricing, COVID-19 sanitation procedures, cleaning products, disinfectant use, etc. We’re here to serve you!
Call us at (817) 589-1499 with your questions for our complimentary consultation. You may also submit your inquiry by filling out our contact form anytime.
Cleaning Services and Coronavirus Disinfection for Dallas-Fort Worth Hotels
5/26/2020 (Permalink)
Cleaning Services for Hotels
Businesses across the state are gradually reopening after lockdown due to public health measures to stop the spread of COVID-19. The Governor’s office has identified lodging an “essential service.”
Even with the governor’s blessing, some Texas hotels have perhaps opted to close or partially close their buildings to guests in compliance with local government orders or directives from corporate headquarters.
Whether a hotel remained open all along or plans to reopen soon, enhancing property cleaning and disinfection procedures is necessary to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.
Like airports, hotels bring in people from all over who may unknowingly carry the virus. Unlike retailers where patrons shop and go, hotel guests stay for 24 hours or longer increasing the chances of spreading germs.
Because lodging operations experience increased exposure, it’s important to have effective hotel cleaning services. SERVPRO of North Richland Hills is here to support proactive health and safety measures for your properties with advice and commercial cleaning services.
Basic Hotel Infection Prevention Measures
Hotels are known for the art of hospitality including comprehensive housekeeping practices, so you likely already have a rigorous cleaning regimen.
With added Coronavirus concerns, it is important to modify your current standard operating procedure by adopting recommendations from authoritative agencies such as the CDC and American Hotel and Lodging Association.
Recommendation Summary
- Promote increased handwashing by employees and guests with signage.
- Post reminders of respiratory etiquette (cover coughs and sneezes).
(Multilanguage notices are helpful for a diverse clientele.)
- Provide tissues and touch-free hand sanitizer dispensers for the public in key areas of the property. (Product should contain at least 60% alcohol.)
- Outline “stay at home” and self-quarantine policies for sick employees.
- Discourage employees from sharing devices and equipment wherever possible.
- Remove or reduce courtesy phones. Regularly disinfect the remaining phones.
- Increase guest turnover time to allow more time for thorough cleaning.
Even the cleanest of properties with stellar hotel cleaning services should adjust their practices to mitigate the spread of the virus. Consult the available resources and confer with your staff to create a plan that works best for the special needs of your properties.
Increased Safety Procedures
Additional Precautions
- Make the reception desk as contact-free as possible. Use whatever available technology you have to minimize employee-customer proximity.
- Raise awareness of your proactive measures including indications that items in the room have been sanitized.
- Increased cleaning of “high touch” areas. “Last cleaned” charts will help keep track of this.
- Post reminders of social distancing practices.
- If pools and gyms remain open, post what your guests can do to keep those areas sanitary. (Temporary closure of these amenities may be better.)
- Buffets and banquets are prone to germs and cross-contamination. Consider putting these configurations on a hold temporarily. Provide individually served and packaged items instead. (“Grab and go.”)
Social Distancing Efforts for Dallas-Fort Worth Hotels
Social distancing continues to be a primary proactive measure against the spread of the Coronavirus. Below are some suggestions on how to maximize efforts.
- Limit how many people can occupy rooms at a time.
- Close or limit occupancy for meeting rooms.
- Encourage guests to keep their distance from staff and use automated check-in methods instead.
- Stagger worker schedules and have employees work remotely whenever possible. Discourage personnel from lingering after shifts and remind them to maintain distance as much as possible.
- Promote contactless room deliveries and coordinate the hotel cleaning staff to have minimal contact with guests and wear PPE (personal protective equipment) as needed.
How to Clean and Disinfect a Hotel Room
Customers staying on the premises longer than they would other businesses (like retailers) means enhanced cleaning procedures are needed.
Below are some cleaning guidelines to consider adding to your protocol.
Hotel Room
- Prep dirty surfaces by first cleaning them with soap and water. This removes excess germs and exposes remaining germs so that the disinfectant can be most effective.
- Use EPA-registered household disinfectants that are effective against the class of viruses related to COVID-19. (Be sure to completely read and follow label instructions for each product).
- Bleach or alcohol solutions may be used as an alternative disinfectant.
- Expired or some laundry bleach products will not be effective as a disinfectant.
- Dilute the bleach as directed, and use in a ventilated area.
- Do not combine bleach with other cleaners.
- Leave bleach solution on surfaces for at least one full minute.
- Regularly clean “soft surfaces” (carpets, rugs, and drapes) by removing visible soiling and then apply the appropriate cleaners.
- Make sure electronic devices in rooms are regularly sanitized according to manufacturer instructions or with alcohol-based wipes/sprays that contain at least 70% alcohol to disinfect “high touch” surfaces. Make sure these surfaces are completely dried.
Hotel Laundry
Laundry items are prone to harboring germs, so it’s important to enhance washing practices.
- Avoid shaking out linens. This will release germs into the air.
- Wash items according to manufacturer’s instructions with the appropriate detergents. Wash with the warmest water setting allowed and allow items to dry completely before use.
- Hampers and laundry carts should also be regularly cleaned and disinfected.
Should you ever have a special case of soft material contamination, SERVPRO of North Richland Hills offers bioremediation laundry cleaning services with our advanced technology Esporta system.
Choose Our Experts for Hotel Cleaning Services in Dallas-Fort Worth
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills is here to support you with hotel cleaning services including Fort Worth carpet cleaning services and professional air duct cleaning.
- We are a trusted name in commercial cleaning for the DFW area with 34 years of superior cleaning and sanitation services.
- 24/7 operations to respond to emergencies (confirmed case of COVID-19 on-site) and flexibility to work around your operating schedule.
- We have attended sites with confirmed COVID-19 cases and professionally cleaned thousands of square feet affected by the virus. Our IICRC trained technicians and industrial disinfectants are trusted by first responders, airports, homes, and many types of businesses (shipping, manufacturing, healthcare, etc.). We’re fully prepared to be your hotel cleaning company.
- SERVPROXIDE (SERVPRO’s proprietary cleaning agent) is an EPA-certified, hospital-grade disinfectant that has demonstrated effectiveness against viruses similar to Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19) on hard (non-porous) surfaces.
- Facility refresh services include:
- Air duct cleaning with new A/C filters
- HEPA air scrubbing
- Upholstery cleaning
- Carpet cleaning
We’re here to answer any questions you may have about the special needs of your properties, cleaning products, and procedures related to COVID-19. We also offer a complimentary consultation!
Call us anytime at (817) 589-1499. You may also submit your inquiry by using our quick and easy contact form anytime.
Church Cleaning and Sanitation Services for Places of Worship
5/26/2020 (Permalink)
Cleaning Services for Churches and Places of Worship
More than ever, the people in the DFW area need a place for healing. For centuries, places of worship have served as a place to be spiritually fed and where the downtrodden can go for support.
Churches, temples, and synagogues are pillars of the community as they comfort the suffering through prayer and togetherness as well as providing basic necessities like food and shelter.
Because faith-based organizations are so important to our communities, SERVPRO of North Richland Hills is here to support our places of worship so that they may continue to serve their members and neighbors.
We offer disinfection and sanitization guidance as well as complete church cleaning services for faith communities in our area so you may all worship together once again!
How to Clean Your Place of Worship
Your cleaning plan consists of both daily cleaning and scheduled routine cleanings. This accounts for every square foot of the worship center with special attention directed to those areas most frequently used by those who work, regularly attend, or visit the church.
Germ Prone Areas of the Church
- Lobby and entrances
- Nave and Sanctuary
- Fellowship Hall
- Kitchen or Food Service Areas
- Staff and Administrative Offices
- Classrooms
- Nurseries
- Restrooms
- Basement Storage Areas
- Baptismal area
- Choir and orchestral areas
- Pulpit, stage, and seating areas on stage
- HVAC Systems
Having a complete sanitation maintenance plan is fundamental to instill confidence in your member base about the cleanliness and safety of your church.
This plan starts with an inventory of what should be cleaned, what needs to be disinfected, and what equipment is required to safely clean your religious facility.
If your church has been closed for some time (at least seven days) the facility will need a thorough cleaning and disinfection before reopening. There needs to be special attention given to the “high touch” areas but also cleaning of areas that are rarely or never touched.
It helps to map out the entire church property to account for all spaces. Mark off those areas where human activity and contact most commonly occurs. Areas that are frequently touched and thus germ-prone are known as “high touch” areas.
Examples of Common High Touch Areas:
- Countertops
- Desks
- Door handles
- Faucets and sinks
- Toilets and bathroom fixtures
- Pews and chairs
- Safety rails
- Keyboards and tablets
- Touch screens
- Light switches
- Phones
- Tables
Once all cleaning areas have been mapped out, they are ready to receive priority and be part of your church cleaning checklists. “Hot spots” should receive an increase in cleanings.
Go over all areas inside and outside for surfaces that look dingy, grimy, or otherwise unclean. For best effectiveness, all of these surfaces with soap and water before applying disinfectants.
Porous materials such as textiles, rugs, seats, etc., should also be cleaned and disinfected using the appropriate methods. Launder cloth items according to label instructions with the right strength of detergent and the warmest water temperature possible. Fabrics and rugs are to be completely dried before using them again.
Consult the health and safety directives from regional organizations specific to your denomination and meet with leadership to determine how to create the best action plan.
Use of Disinfectants
Disinfectants should be used throughout the properties, but more frequently on high touch areas. Cleansing with soap and water first makes disinfectants more effective as it removes most of the germs and exposes remaining germs so the disinfectant can finish the job.
We highly recommend using EPA-approved disinfectants for regular sanitation. (Refer to the EPA guide and list of SARS-CoV-2 disinfectants).
For any disinfectant product, read the directions thoroughly before use. Some may require prepping the surfaces, use of PPE (personal protective equipment), or ventilation.
Products with at least 70% of alcohol or bleach solutions may be used as alternative disinfectants proactive toward fighting against the Coronavirus.
Make sure the bleach product is appropriate for disinfection (some laundry bleaches are not) and that the bleach is not expired. Bleach solutions should sit for at least one minute to sanitize surfaces. As with all cleaning products, read the directions carefully before use and wear the appropriate PPE.
Bleach Solution:
4 teaspoons bleach to a quart of water
OR
5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach to a gallon of water.
For some cleaning solutions and procedures, special PPE or gloves may be required. Fumigants or fogs may need special equipment or trained specialists to safely use these products.
Our SERVPRO of North Richland Hills team is qualified to properly use such industrial disinfectants.
Ensure that your church cleaning crew is properly trained to follow label directions exactly. They should wear the appropriate PPE when mandated, maintain proper ventilation, and most importantly thoroughly wash their hands after handling disinfectant products.
How to Handle Persons Who Are Sick
While worshiping with those who share your faith is like medicine for the soul, it’s important to remind members that those who are sick should remain at home until they are well again (symptom-free for 10 days without the use of fever-reducing medication).
Remain vigilant about symptoms specific to COVID-19:
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Losing the ability to taste or smell
- Difficulty breathing
- Chills/shaking with chills
- Muscle aches
- Headache
- Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100F
- Diarrhea
- Close contact with a person confirmed to have COVID-19. Those who have been in contact with someone who is likely to have COVID-19 or is a confirmed case of such should self-quarantine for 14 days before leaving the house again)
Should an affected person enter your facility, you do not need to necessarily close the entire building down. Block off any area the sick person has been in contact with. Once those areas have been closed off for 24 hours, you may thoroughly clean and disinfect the surfaces and items.
If feasible, restrict airflow out of the affected area by turning off HVAC systems.
Establishing and implementing policies that promote health and safety reassures your congregation that your place of worship is safe and is concerned about their well being.
We do this by faithfully fulfilling the set cleaning procedure (daily is best), encouraging social distancing, and enforcing policies that only allow well people to attend services.
Resources for Current Advisories and Religious Facility Operations Guidance
Expert Religious Facility & Church Cleaning Service in Fort Worth, TX
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills understands that our community leaders want the safest environment for their community.
Professional cleaning reassures the church staff, congregation, and visitors that you’ve taken proactive steps to ensure that your place of worship is safe and secure.
What We Offer:
- SERVPRO performs all cleanup and bioremediation in accordance with guidelines set in place by the CDC and local authorities.
- SERVPRO’s proprietary cleaning agent, SERVPROXIDE, is an EPA-certified, hospital-grade disinfectant that has demonstrated effectiveness against viruses similar to Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19) on hard, non-porous surfaces.
- HVAC and air duct cleaning to improve and ensure air quality
- Trained cleaning experts who have experience in attending situations involving positive cases of coronavirus who also use the proper PPE and equipment to handle COVID-19 situations.
Free Consultation Plus Free Religious Facility Cleaning Plan
We understand that each place of worship is sacred and unique.
With our free consultation service, a sanitation specialist meets with you on site to put a customized plan together that is respectful to your faith. We tailor this plan to the specific needs of your facility at no additional cost.
This plan may include the following:
- Cleaning and decontamination of non-porous surfaces such as pews, chairs, tables, etc.
- Our detergent cleaner eliminates all of the dust and grime.
- We then decontaminate these surfaces by applying sanitizer either with a ulv fogger or a sprayer.
- We thoroughly clean carpets and upholstery by vacuuming and/or deep washing. We follow up with applying sanitizer to these porous surfaces.
- We use SERVPROXIDE (SERVPRO’s proprietary cleaning agent). This is an EPA-certified, hospital-grade disinfectant that has demonstrated effectiveness against viruses similar to Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19) on hard (non-porous) surfaces.
- HEPA air scrubbing and air duct cleaning with new A/C filters
Call us at (817) 589-1499 to get started on your free church cleaning services plan or submit a request with our quick and easy contact form.
Why Choose SERVPRO for Church Cleaning in Fort Worth, Tx?
SERVPRO North Richland Hills is prepared to thoroughly and conscientiously provide complete church cleaning services. We are a top provider of Fort Worth carpet cleaning services and more!
- 34 years of reliable and superior commercial cleaning services in the Dallas Fort Worth area.
- 24/7 availability means we respond to emergencies (such as confirmed cases of COVID-19 on the premises) and have the flexibility to clean whenever the church is vacant. Since your facilities peak times are likely only a few days a week, we can easily work around your schedule.
- Reverent consideration for sensitive issues concerning your sacred spaces and religious practices.
- Our IICRC trained technicians and industrial disinfectants have been trusted by international airports and federal agencies to prepare spaces for safe and sound use. Our effective disinfecting services meet the needs of any sized facility in any kind of situation. We work around your specific needs.
- Our uncompromising safety and hygiene standards mean our cleaning professionals are trained to adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards. We ensure that our technicians use the proper PPE during cleanings. Some cleaning companies save money by skimping on PPE, but we insist our techs use it when on site. At SERVPRO of North Richland Hills, it’s always safety first!
- Present to the public a certificate that your place of worship has been completely cleaned by SERVPRO - the leading trusted brand in commercial cleaning.
- Social media announcement from us announcing your religious facility has been completely cleaned by us and is safe to worship in!
We’re here to support people of faith in our Fort Worth community! We want to help you provide a safe and secure environment where your congregation will feel at ease as they seek spiritual comfort.
Contact us today with any questions you may have about pricing, COVID-19 sanitation procedures, cleaning products, disinfectant use, etc. We’re here to serve you!
Call us at (817) 589-1499 with your questions for our complimentary consultation. You may also submit your inquiry by filling out our contact form anytime.
Cleaning Services and Coronavirus Disinfection for Dallas-Fort Worth Hotels
5/26/2020 (Permalink)
Cleaning Services for Hotels
Businesses across the state are gradually reopening after lockdown due to public health measures to stop the spread of COVID-19. The Governor’s office has identified lodging an “essential service.”
Even with the governor’s blessing, some Texas hotels have perhaps opted to close or partially close their buildings to guests in compliance with local government orders or directives from corporate headquarters.
Whether a hotel remained open all along or plans to reopen soon, enhancing property cleaning and disinfection procedures is necessary to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.
Like airports, hotels bring in people from all over who may unknowingly carry the virus. Unlike retailers where patrons shop and go, hotel guests stay for 24 hours or longer increasing the chances of spreading germs.
Because lodging operations experience increased exposure, it’s important to have effective hotel cleaning services. SERVPRO of North Richland Hills is here to support proactive health and safety measures for your properties with advice and commercial cleaning services.
Basic Hotel Infection Prevention Measures
Hotels are known for the art of hospitality including comprehensive housekeeping practices, so you likely already have a rigorous cleaning regimen.
With added Coronavirus concerns, it is important to modify your current standard operating procedure by adopting recommendations from authoritative agencies such as the CDC and American Hotel and Lodging Association.
Recommendation Summary
- Promote increased handwashing by employees and guests with signage.
- Post reminders of respiratory etiquette (cover coughs and sneezes).
(Multilanguage notices are helpful for a diverse clientele.)
- Provide tissues and touch-free hand sanitizer dispensers for the public in key areas of the property. (Product should contain at least 60% alcohol.)
- Outline “stay at home” and self-quarantine policies for sick employees.
- Discourage employees from sharing devices and equipment wherever possible.
- Remove or reduce courtesy phones. Regularly disinfect the remaining phones.
- Increase guest turnover time to allow more time for thorough cleaning.
Even the cleanest of properties with stellar hotel cleaning services should adjust their practices to mitigate the spread of the virus. Consult the available resources and confer with your staff to create a plan that works best for the special needs of your properties.
Increased Safety Procedures
Additional Precautions
- Make the reception desk as contact-free as possible. Use whatever available technology you have to minimize employee-customer proximity.
- Raise awareness of your proactive measures including indications that items in the room have been sanitized.
- Increased cleaning of “high touch” areas. “Last cleaned” charts will help keep track of this.
- Post reminders of social distancing practices.
- If pools and gyms remain open, post what your guests can do to keep those areas sanitary. (Temporary closure of these amenities may be better.)
- Buffets and banquets are prone to germs and cross-contamination. Consider putting these configurations on a hold temporarily. Provide individually served and packaged items instead. (“Grab and go.”)
Social Distancing Efforts for Dallas-Fort Worth Hotels
Social distancing continues to be a primary proactive measure against the spread of the Coronavirus. Below are some suggestions on how to maximize efforts.
- Limit how many people can occupy rooms at a time.
- Close or limit occupancy for meeting rooms.
- Encourage guests to keep their distance from staff and use automated check-in methods instead.
- Stagger worker schedules and have employees work remotely whenever possible. Discourage personnel from lingering after shifts and remind them to maintain distance as much as possible.
- Promote contactless room deliveries and coordinate the hotel cleaning staff to have minimal contact with guests and wear PPE (personal protective equipment) as needed.
How to Clean and Disinfect a Hotel Room
Customers staying on the premises longer than they would other businesses (like retailers) means enhanced cleaning procedures are needed.
Below are some cleaning guidelines to consider adding to your protocol.
Hotel Room
- Prep dirty surfaces by first cleaning them with soap and water. This removes excess germs and exposes remaining germs so that the disinfectant can be most effective.
- Use EPA-registered household disinfectants that are effective against the class of viruses related to COVID-19. (Be sure to completely read and follow label instructions for each product).
- Bleach or alcohol solutions may be used as an alternative disinfectant.
- Expired or some laundry bleach products will not be effective as a disinfectant.
- Dilute the bleach as directed, and use in a ventilated area.
- Do not combine bleach with other cleaners.
- Leave bleach solution on surfaces for at least one full minute.
- Regularly clean “soft surfaces” (carpets, rugs, and drapes) by removing visible soiling and then apply the appropriate cleaners.
- Make sure electronic devices in rooms are regularly sanitized according to manufacturer instructions or with alcohol-based wipes/sprays that contain at least 70% alcohol to disinfect “high touch” surfaces. Make sure these surfaces are completely dried.
Hotel Laundry
Laundry items are prone to harboring germs, so it’s important to enhance washing practices.
- Avoid shaking out linens. This will release germs into the air.
- Wash items according to manufacturer’s instructions with the appropriate detergents. Wash with the warmest water setting allowed and allow items to dry completely before use.
- Hampers and laundry carts should also be regularly cleaned and disinfected.
Should you ever have a special case of soft material contamination, SERVPRO of North Richland Hills offers bioremediation laundry cleaning services with our advanced technology Esporta system.
Choose Our Experts for Hotel Cleaning Services in Dallas-Fort Worth
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills is here to support you with hotel cleaning services including Fort Worth carpet cleaning services and professional air duct cleaning.
- We are a trusted name in commercial cleaning for the DFW area with 34 years of superior cleaning and sanitation services.
- 24/7 operations to respond to emergencies (confirmed case of COVID-19 on-site) and flexibility to work around your operating schedule.
- We have attended sites with confirmed COVID-19 cases and professionally cleaned thousands of square feet affected by the virus. Our IICRC trained technicians and industrial disinfectants are trusted by first responders, airports, homes, and many types of businesses (shipping, manufacturing, healthcare, etc.). We’re fully prepared to be your hotel cleaning company.
- SERVPROXIDE (SERVPRO’s proprietary cleaning agent) is an EPA-certified, hospital-grade disinfectant that has demonstrated effectiveness against viruses similar to Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19) on hard (non-porous) surfaces.
- Facility refresh services include:
- Air duct cleaning with new A/C filters
- HEPA air scrubbing
- Upholstery cleaning
- Carpet cleaning
We’re here to answer any questions you may have about the special needs of your properties, cleaning products, and procedures related to COVID-19. We also offer a complimentary consultation!
Call us anytime at (817) 589-1499. You may also submit your inquiry by using our quick and easy contact form anytime.
Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned for Fort Worth
5/21/2020 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills is a full-service cleaning and restoration company in Fort Worth, Texas. Contact us to get Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.
“Clean” Has a New Definition
The Coronavirus pandemic has resulted in employees and customers demanding a new, higher standard of cleaning and sanitation for worksites and stores.
COVID-19 has forever changed what it means to be “clean”.
Clean isn’t enough anymore. Today, we want to know we are safe.
Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned answers the new demand for a higher standard of cleaning services. Our program is a proactive cleaning service that proactively targets viral pathogens. We combine cleaning and sanitization to help create a safe environment.
Before Coronavius arrived in North Texas, SERVPRO of North Richland Hills was already a leader in biohazard cleaning in Fort Worth. When COVID-19 cleaning became a necessary and daily part of our life, we took our 30+ years of experience and shifted to become one of the leading COVID-19 cleaning companies in Fort Worth and the Mid-Cities. We’ve honed a process to clean and sanitize buildings over the last few months, and now we are helping elevate the standard of cleanliness for commercial properties in DFW.
Complimentary Cleaning Plans Custom-Made for You
Your building and its specific needs are unlike any other. There is no such thing as a blanket cleaning plan that truly meets each property owner’s needs.
We understand that, and that’s why we create a plan that is made especially to meet your needs and wishes.
Contact us today to schedule your Cleaning Protocol Consultant to visit your property and start creating your building’s cleaning protocol.
The Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned Process
1 - Consult
Every Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program starts with a free consultation. A custom cleaning protocol isn’t useful unless we really understand your needs and your property.
Each of our clients is assigned a Cleaning Protocol Specialist. They will:
- Be your one-point contact there for you when you need them.
- Get to know you and your building to create the perfect cleaning plan for you.
- Keep you updated on the latest federal and local guidelines to make sure your cleaning plan continues to meet regulations.
- Work with you on any changes or adjustments your plan needs as you work to increase your capacity and get back to normal levels of traffic.
Your Cleaning Protocol Specialist will take many different factors into consideration when creating a cleaning protocol for you, like:
- Cleaning frequency: one-time, daily, weekly, etcetera.
- The surfaces in your building that are high-touch points.
- Cleaning needs for different types of surface e.g. office spaces versus industrial kitchens versus dining rooms, etcetera.
- A cleaning schedule made to prevent business disruption.
- And more.
2 - Clean
After your cleaning protocol is finalized, we’ll take care of the rest.
It’s that simple.
We will:
- Visit your property on the assigned date(s) and times and provide the cleaning services listed on your custom cleaning plan. Your cleaning schedule can include:
- After-hours
- Overnight
- Weekends
- Holidays
- Always adhere to the latest safety guidelines and protocols set by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and governments.
- Utilize the most detergents and disinfectants that best suit your needs.
When and where we clean will be custom to you, but almost every cleaning plan will involve the following:
- Cleaning of porous surfaces. These are areas that allow absorption of moisture, like carpets and upholstery. These types of surfaces are usually vacuumed and, when needed, deep washed.
- Cleaning of non-porous surfaces. These are areas that do not readily allow absorption of moisture, like stainless steel. These are cleaned by wiping off dust and debris with a detergent cleaner.
- Disinfecting non-porous surfaces using a disinfectant.
- Our technicians will use the right equipment, like ULV Foggers and Electrostatic Sprayers.
SERVPROXIDE is our disinfectant of choice. It is proprietary to SERVPRO, EPA-registered, and is certified by the National Sanitation Foundation for direct food and contact use.
3 - Certify
Let everyone know you now have a higher standard of clean.
We’ll help you promote your building’s cleanliness and sanitation by:
- Providing you with a Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned badge which will be installed on a front-facing window.
- Give you content like social media posts and email newsletters.
- Promote your business information on our franchise social media channels. If your business is open to the public and is re-opening, we’ll even post your re-opening date, business hours, and location.
Automatically Join our Damage Restoration Priority List
Every Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned client of ours is automatically added to our Damage Restoration Priority List. This will give you:
- 24-hour emergency dispatch for any emergency restoration need, like fire or water damage.
- Priority dispatch during high-demand times, such as major storm events.
Because we’ll know your building layout and contents, we’ll also know how to respond should you ever have a fire or water damage. Before anything happens, we’ll already have a plan in place to help.
COVID-19 Cleaning in Forth Worth and the Mid-Cities
Our family of SERVPRO franchises has cleaned over 1 million square feet of property after positive COVID-19 diagnosis. We are one of the most experienced Coronavirus cleaning companies in DFW.
For our Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned clients, this means that:
- You will have a trusted, experienced company to help you in case of a suspected or confused COVID-19 case.
- We can dispatch immediately, 24-hours a day, every day of the year.
Dallas Fort Worth is our home, and helping our neighbors has always been our mission. When Coronavirus cleaning became a necessary part of daily life, our franchise wanted to make sure we were available to help everyone in need.
We are committed to continuing to clean after COVID-19 to keep our homes and businesses safe. In the last few months, we have cleaned:
- First Responder Headquarters
- Ambulances, Police Vehicles, and Fire Trucks
- Airports
- Shipping Warehouses
- Doctors’ Offices
- Retail Stores
- Restaurants
- Office Buildings
- Car Repair Shops
- Construction Sites
- Industrial Machinery
- Thousands of pounds of clothing and other textiles
Cleaning Consultations are Free. Schedule Yours Today
We’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule a visit for your Cleaning Protocol Specialist.
We’re a Cleanup and Restoration Company Near You
With the Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned badge on your window, you are reassuring your employees and customers that you understand the necessity for a new standard of clean.
SERVPRO is the #1 choice in cleanup and restoration. Partnering with our company to provide professional, proactive viral pathogen cleanup for your building will lend you our decades of experience and expertise.
Are you ready to get started?
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills has been serving Fort Worth and the Mid-Cities for over 30 years.
Call us today.
We are Here to Help.
Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned for Fort Worth
5/21/2020 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills is a full-service cleaning and restoration company in Fort Worth, Texas. Contact us to get Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.
“Clean” Has a New Definition
The Coronavirus pandemic has resulted in employees and customers demanding a new, higher standard of cleaning and sanitation for worksites and stores.
COVID-19 has forever changed what it means to be “clean”.
Clean isn’t enough anymore. Today, we want to know we are safe.
Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned answers the new demand for a higher standard of cleaning services. Our program is a proactive cleaning service that proactively targets viral pathogens. We combine cleaning and sanitization to help create a safe environment.
Before Coronavius arrived in North Texas, SERVPRO of North Richland Hills was already a leader in biohazard cleaning in Fort Worth. When COVID-19 cleaning became a necessary and daily part of our life, we took our 30+ years of experience and shifted to become one of the leading COVID-19 cleaning companies in Fort Worth and the Mid-Cities. We’ve honed a process to clean and sanitize buildings over the last few months, and now we are helping elevate the standard of cleanliness for commercial properties in DFW.
Complimentary Cleaning Plans Custom-Made for You
Your building and its specific needs are unlike any other. There is no such thing as a blanket cleaning plan that truly meets each property owner’s needs.
We understand that, and that’s why we create a plan that is made especially to meet your needs and wishes.
Contact us today to schedule your Cleaning Protocol Consultant to visit your property and start creating your building’s cleaning protocol.
The Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned Process
1 - Consult
Every Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program starts with a free consultation. A custom cleaning protocol isn’t useful unless we really understand your needs and your property.
Each of our clients is assigned a Cleaning Protocol Specialist. They will:
- Be your one-point contact there for you when you need them.
- Get to know you and your building to create the perfect cleaning plan for you.
- Keep you updated on the latest federal and local guidelines to make sure your cleaning plan continues to meet regulations.
- Work with you on any changes or adjustments your plan needs as you work to increase your capacity and get back to normal levels of traffic.
Your Cleaning Protocol Specialist will take many different factors into consideration when creating a cleaning protocol for you, like:
- Cleaning frequency: one-time, daily, weekly, etcetera.
- The surfaces in your building that are high-touch points.
- Cleaning needs for different types of surface e.g. office spaces versus industrial kitchens versus dining rooms, etcetera.
- A cleaning schedule made to prevent business disruption.
- And more.
2 - Clean
After your cleaning protocol is finalized, we’ll take care of the rest.
It’s that simple.
We will:
- Visit your property on the assigned date(s) and times and provide the cleaning services listed on your custom cleaning plan. Your cleaning schedule can include:
- After-hours
- Overnight
- Weekends
- Holidays
- Always adhere to the latest safety guidelines and protocols set by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and governments.
- Utilize the most detergents and disinfectants that best suit your needs.
When and where we clean will be custom to you, but almost every cleaning plan will involve the following:
- Cleaning of porous surfaces. These are areas that allow absorption of moisture, like carpets and upholstery. These types of surfaces are usually vacuumed and, when needed, deep washed.
- Cleaning of non-porous surfaces. These are areas that do not readily allow absorption of moisture, like stainless steel. These are cleaned by wiping off dust and debris with a detergent cleaner.
- Disinfecting non-porous surfaces using a disinfectant.
- Our technicians will use the right equipment, like ULV Foggers and Electrostatic Sprayers.
SERVPROXIDE is our disinfectant of choice. It is proprietary to SERVPRO, EPA-registered, and is certified by the National Sanitation Foundation for direct food and contact use.
3 - Certify
Let everyone know you now have a higher standard of clean.
We’ll help you promote your building’s cleanliness and sanitation by:
- Providing you with a Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned badge which will be installed on a front-facing window.
- Give you content like social media posts and email newsletters.
- Promote your business information on our franchise social media channels. If your business is open to the public and is re-opening, we’ll even post your re-opening date, business hours, and location.
Automatically Join our Damage Restoration Priority List
Every Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned client of ours is automatically added to our Damage Restoration Priority List. This will give you:
- 24-hour emergency dispatch for any emergency restoration need, like fire or water damage.
- Priority dispatch during high-demand times, such as major storm events.
Because we’ll know your building layout and contents, we’ll also know how to respond should you ever have a fire or water damage. Before anything happens, we’ll already have a plan in place to help.
COVID-19 Cleaning in Forth Worth and the Mid-Cities
Our family of SERVPRO franchises has cleaned over 1 million square feet of property after positive COVID-19 diagnosis. We are one of the most experienced Coronavirus cleaning companies in DFW.
For our Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned clients, this means that:
- You will have a trusted, experienced company to help you in case of a suspected or confused COVID-19 case.
- We can dispatch immediately, 24-hours a day, every day of the year.
Dallas Fort Worth is our home, and helping our neighbors has always been our mission. When Coronavirus cleaning became a necessary part of daily life, our franchise wanted to make sure we were available to help everyone in need.
We are committed to continuing to clean after COVID-19 to keep our homes and businesses safe. In the last few months, we have cleaned:
- First Responder Headquarters
- Ambulances, Police Vehicles, and Fire Trucks
- Airports
- Shipping Warehouses
- Doctors’ Offices
- Retail Stores
- Restaurants
- Office Buildings
- Car Repair Shops
- Construction Sites
- Industrial Machinery
- Thousands of pounds of clothing and other textiles
Cleaning Consultations are Free. Schedule Yours Today
We’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule a visit for your Cleaning Protocol Specialist.
We’re a Cleanup and Restoration Company Near You
With the Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned badge on your window, you are reassuring your employees and customers that you understand the necessity for a new standard of clean.
SERVPRO is the #1 choice in cleanup and restoration. Partnering with our company to provide professional, proactive viral pathogen cleanup for your building will lend you our decades of experience and expertise.
Are you ready to get started?
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills has been serving Fort Worth and the Mid-Cities for over 30 years.
Call us today.
We are Here to Help.
Reopening Day Coronavirus Cleaning: What Businesses Should Know
5/5/2020 (Permalink)
Reopening After Coronavirus
Texas is gradually yet cautiously reopening businesses after many weeks of statewide closures due to the Coronavirus. We look forward to easing back into our familiar activities and habits, but we must do so in a way that avoids a spike in COVID-19 cases.
If and when they are ready, the following businesses are allowed to reopen starting May 1st (per phase one of Governor Abbott’s reopening plan): retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters, and malls at 25% capacity. The next phase will allow additional categories of businesses to reopen.
Public use spaces are of the utmost concern when assessing the risk of viral spread. Since areas where people congregate are most susceptible to spreading the virus, we must ensure these places are properly managed.
Examples Of Businesses With Communal Area Risk:
- Restaurant dining areas
- Churches
- Hotels
- Venues
- Theaters
- Daycare centers
- Private schools
- Bars
- Gyms
- Arcades
- Bowling alleys
Implementing standard operating procedures that are proactive against the spread of disease improves the chances of businesses reopening and remaining open. We do so by abiding by standard practices set in place by the CDC reopening directives.
Working together as a community to make reopening efforts a success, we must continue to abide by health and safety practices such as social distancing, staying home when ill, frequent handwashing, etc.
We’re amazed to see how our local businesses have been able to adapt to a new normal. We are here to do our part to help businesses safely and confidently prepare for reopening.
Steps to Create an Effective Cleaning Guideline for Your Business
1. Develop Your Plan
A complete and thorough plan accounts for every square foot of the business facility with special emphasis on areas most frequently used by humans - both workers and customers.
Having a comprehensive hygiene and safety plan in place is essential to a successful reopening. This consists of both the cleaning process before opening as well as ongoing sanitary maintenance.
As staff and patrons acclimate into a new normal, having a solid plan in place that includes thorough cleaning guidelines and best practices are essential. Your plan is fundamental in reestablishing confidence in resuming the use of your space.
We begin this plan with an inventory of what needs to be cleaned, what requires disinfection, and what equipment is needed to promote safe operations.
Determine What Needs to Be Cleaned
Businesses that have been shut down for a while will need a thorough top to bottom cleaning - especially the “high touch” areas but also areas that are rarely or never touched.
It may help to print out a map of your entire facility including the exterior property. Mark off the places where most human activity and contact occurs.
A map allows you to account for all areas of the premises to ensure that each and every section has been clean. Then you can refer to the specially marked hot spots that need more concentrated attention for sanitation.
The CDC put together an at-a-glance cleaning and disinfection decision tool for national reopening operations. It provides core cleaning guidelines and instructions for properties in general.
Refer to guides specific to your industry and consult with your colleagues to get a complete cleaning plan together.
Determine What Needs to Be Disinfected
Surfaces should be cleaned with EPA approved disinfectants that are specifically intended to combat COVID-19. Closely follow the product directions for maximum effectiveness. (Refer to the EPA guide and list of SARS-CoV-2 disinfectants).
The CDC advises the public to be mindful of “the high touch areas” when it comes to public spaces. Frequent contact with these areas requires increased sanitation for both routing surface cleaning and persistent hand washing.
Examples of Common High Touch Areas:
- ATM machines
- Countertops
- Desks
- Doorknobs
- Faucets and sinks
- Gas pump handles
- Handles
- Keyboards
- Light switches
- Phones
- Tables
- Toilets
- Touch screens
Seek checklists specific to your business type and consult with your staff to account for all areas that are known for harboring germs and what ought to be sanitized most frequently.
Determine What Equipment and Items are Needed
Once you understand what needs to be clean, double-check that you have everything you need to complete a thorough job.
For some cleaning solutions and procedures, it’s necessary to use special PPE (personal protective equipment) or gloves. When the use of fumigants or fogs is required, this may require special equipment or specialists trained to safely use such products.
Our SERVPRO team is equipped and has the professional expertise to conduct a thorough commercial cleaning (including processes that require complete PPE).
Unsure if you have everything you need? Give us a call at (817) 589-1499. We are happy to answer any questions you have about supplies and procedures.
2. Implement Your Plan
Once you’ve integrated all the necessary information to finalize your complete plan and cleaning guidelines, it’s time to execute your reopening plan.
We start this procedure by cleaning areas that appear to be dirty and use the appropriate cleaning products.
Clean Visibility Dirty Surfaces
Inspect all areas inside and outside for surfaces that look dingy, grimy, or otherwise unclean.
To prepare for the disinfectant application, clean all of these surfaces with soap and water.
Remember to properly clean porous materials such as textiles, rugs, seats, etc., using the appropriate methods.
For example, launder cloth products according to washing instructions with the appropriate strength of detergent at the warmest temperature possible. Make sure fabrics and rugs are completely dried.
Remember to use proper PPE and thoroughly wash your hands after you’ve finished cleaning.
Use Appropriate Disinfectant and Cleaning Products
Once the dirty surfaces have been washed and dried, we can begin using disinfectants on these same surfaces.
Read the complete cleaning instructions for the proper use of the disinfectant including the use of proper PPE.
Train your staff to use the disinfectant as explicitly directed by the instruction details. This ensures worker safety and optimal effectiveness. Remember to use proper ventilation when using chemicals.
Remind your staff to wash their hands thoroughly after handling disinfectant and cleanse any skin that may come in contact with the disinfectant.
Carefully use disinfectant wherever needed and per the directions safeguards staff and patrons from hazards (both germs and cleaning products).
3. Maintain and Revise Plan
New habits are created through repetition and accountability. These efforts stem from a commitment to consistently follow through with the new standard operating procedure.
Auditing your process with daily checklists, inspections, and training drills will help solidify the new policies that work to prevent the spread of viruses.
Health and safety practices should also include stay at home policies for sick employees and customers. Be proactive to ensure that symptomatic employees and customers are promptly directed away from public spaces.
CDC guidelines advise that employees with symptoms of COVID should self-isolate for 7 days, and return to work once they have been symptom-free for at least 3 days (without medication).
But we remember that because of COVID-19 so much changed practically overnight. Texas businesses have already adapted to change, but we must remain vigilant and flexible to emerging issues.
Be resolute with your best practices, but also prepared to modify these plans when necessary.
Follow National and Local Government Guidance
One very important reason to be ready for plan modifications is the possibility of policy change at the city, county, state, and national levels.
Monitor the following websites for updates:
Other regulatory organizations specific to your industry may be of high relevance to your business practices. Stay up to date with those resources as well.
Signing up for alerts and following social media accounts is also helpful to keep up with urgent announcements.
Coronavirus Cleaning and Decontamination Services for Reopening
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills has been promoting public health in the Dallas Fort Worth area with 34 years of superior industrial cleaning services including biohazard cleanup.
We’re honored to put our decades of experience to good use by cleaning hundreds of thousands of square feet in areas affected by confirmed cases of COVID-19.
We’ve come to the aid of homeowners, first responders, airports, as well as many types of businesses including shipping, manufacturing, healthcare, etc.
Some cleaning companies may charge less for services and this is typically due to workers not using proper PPE. Because health and safety are our highest priority, we don’t cut corners on protection equipment for our frontline workers. We ensure that our technicians have sufficient protective equipment.
Our professional technicians have everything they need to perform complete bioremediation services that thoroughly clean, disinfect, and sanitize properties.
What We Have To Offer Our Local Businesses:
- 24/7 emergency cleaning services. This means we work around your hours of operation. If it works best for you to have the job done overnight, we make it happen.
- SERVPRO continues to be the most renowned cleaning, decontamination, and restoration brand in the country. International airports and federal agency operations have trusted our IICRC trained technicians and industrial-grade disinfectant to properly sanitize affected properties.
- No matter the size of the job site, we have the right services and equipment to see it through.
- Effective and professional bioremediation services will completely clean, disinfect, and sanitize the job site.
- Perform the work with uncompromising safety and hygiene standards.
- We apply CDC-recommended & EPA-registered disinfectants to all porous and non-porous surfaces, such as walls up to 8 feet.
- We are cautious with moisture-sensitive surfaces and carefully wipe such items with a disinfectant-wet towelette.
- Wipe down high-touch surfaces.
- Issue a certification that your property was professionally cleaned by SERVPRO of North Richland Hills.
- Social media announcement to inform the public that your business was cleaned by SERVPRO of North Richland Hills and is ready to re-open to patrons.
- Our refresh services include:
- Air duct cleaning with new a/c filters
- Carpet cleaning
- HEPA air scrubbing
- Upholstery cleaning
Our SERVPRO of North Richland Hills mission is to support our local businesses in adapting to the new normal and in reopening their facilities in a safe and conscientious way.
Our goal is to empower your business to reopen with confidence! The staff and the patrons may be a bit unsure about returning to a business that has been closed for a while, but we believe that a thoroughly cleaned premises with a proactive maintenance plan in place goes a long way in bringing peace of mind for all involved.
We’re here to support you in your reopening! Call us today with your questions at (817) 589-1499 or complete our quick and easy contact form anytime.
Reopening Day Coronavirus Cleaning: What Businesses Should Know
5/5/2020 (Permalink)
Reopening After Coronavirus
Texas is gradually yet cautiously reopening businesses after many weeks of statewide closures due to the Coronavirus. We look forward to easing back into our familiar activities and habits, but we must do so in a way that avoids a spike in COVID-19 cases.
If and when they are ready, the following businesses are allowed to reopen starting May 1st (per phase one of Governor Abbott’s reopening plan): retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters, and malls at 25% capacity. The next phase will allow additional categories of businesses to reopen.
Public use spaces are of the utmost concern when assessing the risk of viral spread. Since areas where people congregate are most susceptible to spreading the virus, we must ensure these places are properly managed.
Examples Of Businesses With Communal Area Risk:
- Restaurant dining areas
- Churches
- Hotels
- Venues
- Theaters
- Daycare centers
- Private schools
- Bars
- Gyms
- Arcades
- Bowling alleys
Implementing standard operating procedures that are proactive against the spread of disease improves the chances of businesses reopening and remaining open. We do so by abiding by standard practices set in place by the CDC reopening directives.
Working together as a community to make reopening efforts a success, we must continue to abide by health and safety practices such as social distancing, staying home when ill, frequent handwashing, etc.
We’re amazed to see how our local businesses have been able to adapt to a new normal. We are here to do our part to help businesses safely and confidently prepare for reopening.
Steps to Create an Effective Cleaning Guideline for Your Business
1. Develop Your Plan
A complete and thorough plan accounts for every square foot of the business facility with special emphasis on areas most frequently used by humans - both workers and customers.
Having a comprehensive hygiene and safety plan in place is essential to a successful reopening. This consists of both the cleaning process before opening as well as ongoing sanitary maintenance.
As staff and patrons acclimate into a new normal, having a solid plan in place that includes thorough cleaning guidelines and best practices are essential. Your plan is fundamental in reestablishing confidence in resuming the use of your space.
We begin this plan with an inventory of what needs to be cleaned, what requires disinfection, and what equipment is needed to promote safe operations.
Determine What Needs to Be Cleaned
Businesses that have been shut down for a while will need a thorough top to bottom cleaning - especially the “high touch” areas but also areas that are rarely or never touched.
It may help to print out a map of your entire facility including the exterior property. Mark off the places where most human activity and contact occurs.
A map allows you to account for all areas of the premises to ensure that each and every section has been clean. Then you can refer to the specially marked hot spots that need more concentrated attention for sanitation.
The CDC put together an at-a-glance cleaning and disinfection decision tool for national reopening operations. It provides core cleaning guidelines and instructions for properties in general.
Refer to guides specific to your industry and consult with your colleagues to get a complete cleaning plan together.
Determine What Needs to Be Disinfected
Surfaces should be cleaned with EPA approved disinfectants that are specifically intended to combat COVID-19. Closely follow the product directions for maximum effectiveness. (Refer to the EPA guide and list of SARS-CoV-2 disinfectants).
The CDC advises the public to be mindful of “the high touch areas” when it comes to public spaces. Frequent contact with these areas requires increased sanitation for both routing surface cleaning and persistent hand washing.
Examples of Common High Touch Areas:
- ATM machines
- Countertops
- Desks
- Doorknobs
- Faucets and sinks
- Gas pump handles
- Handles
- Keyboards
- Light switches
- Phones
- Tables
- Toilets
- Touch screens
Seek checklists specific to your business type and consult with your staff to account for all areas that are known for harboring germs and what ought to be sanitized most frequently.
Determine What Equipment and Items are Needed
Once you understand what needs to be clean, double-check that you have everything you need to complete a thorough job.
For some cleaning solutions and procedures, it’s necessary to use special PPE (personal protective equipment) or gloves. When the use of fumigants or fogs is required, this may require special equipment or specialists trained to safely use such products.
Our SERVPRO team is equipped and has the professional expertise to conduct a thorough commercial cleaning (including processes that require complete PPE).
Unsure if you have everything you need? Give us a call at (817) 589-1499. We are happy to answer any questions you have about supplies and procedures.
2. Implement Your Plan
Once you’ve integrated all the necessary information to finalize your complete plan and cleaning guidelines, it’s time to execute your reopening plan.
We start this procedure by cleaning areas that appear to be dirty and use the appropriate cleaning products.
Clean Visibility Dirty Surfaces
Inspect all areas inside and outside for surfaces that look dingy, grimy, or otherwise unclean.
To prepare for the disinfectant application, clean all of these surfaces with soap and water.
Remember to properly clean porous materials such as textiles, rugs, seats, etc., using the appropriate methods.
For example, launder cloth products according to washing instructions with the appropriate strength of detergent at the warmest temperature possible. Make sure fabrics and rugs are completely dried.
Remember to use proper PPE and thoroughly wash your hands after you’ve finished cleaning.
Use Appropriate Disinfectant and Cleaning Products
Once the dirty surfaces have been washed and dried, we can begin using disinfectants on these same surfaces.
Read the complete cleaning instructions for the proper use of the disinfectant including the use of proper PPE.
Train your staff to use the disinfectant as explicitly directed by the instruction details. This ensures worker safety and optimal effectiveness. Remember to use proper ventilation when using chemicals.
Remind your staff to wash their hands thoroughly after handling disinfectant and cleanse any skin that may come in contact with the disinfectant.
Carefully use disinfectant wherever needed and per the directions safeguards staff and patrons from hazards (both germs and cleaning products).
3. Maintain and Revise Plan
New habits are created through repetition and accountability. These efforts stem from a commitment to consistently follow through with the new standard operating procedure.
Auditing your process with daily checklists, inspections, and training drills will help solidify the new policies that work to prevent the spread of viruses.
Health and safety practices should also include stay at home policies for sick employees and customers. Be proactive to ensure that symptomatic employees and customers are promptly directed away from public spaces.
CDC guidelines advise that employees with symptoms of COVID should self-isolate for 7 days, and return to work once they have been symptom-free for at least 3 days (without medication).
But we remember that because of COVID-19 so much changed practically overnight. Texas businesses have already adapted to change, but we must remain vigilant and flexible to emerging issues.
Be resolute with your best practices, but also prepared to modify these plans when necessary.
Follow National and Local Government Guidance
One very important reason to be ready for plan modifications is the possibility of policy change at the city, county, state, and national levels.
Monitor the following websites for updates:
Other regulatory organizations specific to your industry may be of high relevance to your business practices. Stay up to date with those resources as well.
Signing up for alerts and following social media accounts is also helpful to keep up with urgent announcements.
Coronavirus Cleaning and Decontamination Services for Reopening
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills has been promoting public health in the Dallas Fort Worth area with 34 years of superior industrial cleaning services including biohazard cleanup.
We’re honored to put our decades of experience to good use by cleaning hundreds of thousands of square feet in areas affected by confirmed cases of COVID-19.
We’ve come to the aid of homeowners, first responders, airports, as well as many types of businesses including shipping, manufacturing, healthcare, etc.
Some cleaning companies may charge less for services and this is typically due to workers not using proper PPE. Because health and safety are our highest priority, we don’t cut corners on protection equipment for our frontline workers. We ensure that our technicians have sufficient protective equipment.
Our professional technicians have everything they need to perform complete bioremediation services that thoroughly clean, disinfect, and sanitize properties.
What We Have To Offer Our Local Businesses:
- 24/7 emergency cleaning services. This means we work around your hours of operation. If it works best for you to have the job done overnight, we make it happen.
- SERVPRO continues to be the most renowned cleaning, decontamination, and restoration brand in the country. International airports and federal agency operations have trusted our IICRC trained technicians and industrial-grade disinfectant to properly sanitize affected properties.
- No matter the size of the job site, we have the right services and equipment to see it through.
- Effective and professional bioremediation services will completely clean, disinfect, and sanitize the job site.
- Perform the work with uncompromising safety and hygiene standards.
- We apply CDC-recommended & EPA-registered disinfectants to all porous and non-porous surfaces, such as walls up to 8 feet.
- We are cautious with moisture-sensitive surfaces and carefully wipe such items with a disinfectant-wet towelette.
- Wipe down high-touch surfaces.
- Issue a certification that your property was professionally cleaned by SERVPRO of North Richland Hills.
- Social media announcement to inform the public that your business was cleaned by SERVPRO of North Richland Hills and is ready to re-open to patrons.
- Our refresh services include:
- Air duct cleaning with new a/c filters
- Carpet cleaning
- HEPA air scrubbing
- Upholstery cleaning
Our SERVPRO of North Richland Hills mission is to support our local businesses in adapting to the new normal and in reopening their facilities in a safe and conscientious way.
Our goal is to empower your business to reopen with confidence! The staff and the patrons may be a bit unsure about returning to a business that has been closed for a while, but we believe that a thoroughly cleaned premises with a proactive maintenance plan in place goes a long way in bringing peace of mind for all involved.
We’re here to support you in your reopening! Call us today with your questions at (817) 589-1499 or complete our quick and easy contact form anytime.
Shocking Facts About Lightning
3/13/2020 (Permalink)
Lightning is one of the leading causes of weather-related fatalities.
As the weather begins to warm up, we know that means summer storm will soon be approaching.
Lightning is one of the leading causes of weather-related fatalities. Though the odds of being struck by lightning in a given year are only around 1 in 500,000, some factors can put you at greater risk for being struck. Here are a few lightning safety tips.
Be aware. Check the forecast before participating in outdoor activities. If it calls for thunderstorms, postpone your trip or activity, or make sure adequate safe shelter is available.
Go indoors. Remember the phrase, “When thunder roars, go indoors.” Find a safe enclosed shelter when you hear thunder. Safe shelters include homes, offices, shopping centers, and hard-top vehicles with the windows rolled up.
Avoid windows, doors, porches, and concrete. Do not lie on concrete floors and avoid leaning on concrete walls. Lightning can travel through any metal wires or bars that are in the concrete walls or flooring.
Avoid water. Do not bathe, shower, wash dishes, or have any other contact with water during a thunderstorm because lightning can travel through a building’s plumbing.
If a major storm causes storm damage or flooding in your home or business, reach out to SERVPRO of North Richland Hills for Fort Worth water damage restoration and storm damage repair services. Our team has years of experience handling natural disaster building reconstruction, water removal, and mold remediation services in the area.
Shocking Facts About Lightning
3/13/2020 (Permalink)
Lightning is one of the leading causes of weather-related fatalities.
As the weather begins to warm up, we know that means summer storm will soon be approaching.
Lightning is one of the leading causes of weather-related fatalities. Though the odds of being struck by lightning in a given year are only around 1 in 500,000, some factors can put you at greater risk for being struck. Here are a few lightning safety tips.
Be aware. Check the forecast before participating in outdoor activities. If it calls for thunderstorms, postpone your trip or activity, or make sure adequate safe shelter is available.
Go indoors. Remember the phrase, “When thunder roars, go indoors.” Find a safe enclosed shelter when you hear thunder. Safe shelters include homes, offices, shopping centers, and hard-top vehicles with the windows rolled up.
Avoid windows, doors, porches, and concrete. Do not lie on concrete floors and avoid leaning on concrete walls. Lightning can travel through any metal wires or bars that are in the concrete walls or flooring.
Avoid water. Do not bathe, shower, wash dishes, or have any other contact with water during a thunderstorm because lightning can travel through a building’s plumbing.
If a major storm causes storm damage or flooding in your home or business, reach out to SERVPRO of North Richland Hills for Fort Worth water damage restoration and storm damage repair services. Our team has years of experience handling natural disaster building reconstruction, water removal, and mold remediation services in the area.
We Sell “Peace of Mind” When it Comes to Handling Your Residential Fire
3/10/2020 (Permalink)
If the unthinkable happens and a fire strikes your business or home, give the experts at SERVPRO of North Richland Hills a call.
Did you know cooking equipment is the leading cause of residential fires? As you find yourself in the kitchen from time to time, fire precautions should be top of mind.
A property owner experiences a flood of emotions when a fire ravages their business or home. Fear, uncertainty, stress, and doubt about the future of the property and their livelihood can be overwhelming to a property owner long after the flames have been extinguished and the smoke has cleared. After the first wave of heroes have rescued the property, let SERVPRO of North Richland Hills help you restore it to its preloss condition. Combining rapid response, the utmost professionalism, and open communication throughout the entire job process, we strive to restore not only the home or business structure, but also the customer’s peace of mind.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) offers the following eye-opening statistics on structure fires.
- 482,030 structure fires were reported in the United States in 2018.
- These fires caused $9.9 billion in property damages.
- One structure fire was reported every 48 seconds.
If the unthinkable happens and a fire strikes your business or home, give the experts at SERVPRO of North Richland Hills a call. We will help make it "Like it never even happened."
We Sell “Peace of Mind” When it Comes to Handling Your Residential Fire
3/10/2020 (Permalink)
If the unthinkable happens and a fire strikes your business or home, give the experts at SERVPRO of North Richland Hills a call.
Did you know cooking equipment is the leading cause of residential fires? As you find yourself in the kitchen from time to time, fire precautions should be top of mind.
A property owner experiences a flood of emotions when a fire ravages their business or home. Fear, uncertainty, stress, and doubt about the future of the property and their livelihood can be overwhelming to a property owner long after the flames have been extinguished and the smoke has cleared. After the first wave of heroes have rescued the property, let SERVPRO of North Richland Hills help you restore it to its preloss condition. Combining rapid response, the utmost professionalism, and open communication throughout the entire job process, we strive to restore not only the home or business structure, but also the customer’s peace of mind.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) offers the following eye-opening statistics on structure fires.
- 482,030 structure fires were reported in the United States in 2018.
- These fires caused $9.9 billion in property damages.
- One structure fire was reported every 48 seconds.
If the unthinkable happens and a fire strikes your business or home, give the experts at SERVPRO of North Richland Hills a call. We will help make it "Like it never even happened."
CORONAVIRUS: Preventative Methods
3/9/2020 (Permalink)
Coronavirus - Preventative Methods in your North Texas facilities
Any business in the North Texas area that receives shipments from overseas is extremely likely to be exposed to the most recent outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic. If you have employees that have recently traveled out of the country, the chance of them bringing it back with them is very likely. Our teams have recently been trained on how to properly decontaminate an area that could be/has been affected by COVID-19.
There are 3 categories of treatment that SERVPRO of North Richland Hills offers.
To learn more about what we can do to help prevent a COVID-19 outbreak in your facility, call our office today.
Visit our SERVPRO of North Richland Hills Facebook page or Instagram page to learn more about the categories of threat.
CDC Coronavirus information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html
CORONAVIRUS: Preventative Methods
3/9/2020 (Permalink)
Coronavirus - Preventative Methods in your North Texas facilities
Any business in the North Texas area that receives shipments from overseas is extremely likely to be exposed to the most recent outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic. If you have employees that have recently traveled out of the country, the chance of them bringing it back with them is very likely. Our teams have recently been trained on how to properly decontaminate an area that could be/has been affected by COVID-19.
There are 3 categories of treatment that SERVPRO of North Richland Hills offers.
To learn more about what we can do to help prevent a COVID-19 outbreak in your facility, call our office today.
Visit our SERVPRO of North Richland Hills Facebook page or Instagram page to learn more about the categories of threat.
CDC Coronavirus information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html
Call the Cleanup Team that is Faster to Any Size Disaster
3/6/2020 (Permalink)
Be ready for the worst, with the very best.
The first 48 hours after a fire damage can make the difference between restoring versus replacing damaged property and personal belongings. Rapid response and timely mitigation can help prevent fire damage from creating long-term problems.
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills understands that returning to normal is your primary concern. SERVPRO response team employees are trained in caring for both you and your property. By responding quickly with a full line of fire cleanup and restoration services, SERVPRO of NRH can help you get your home or business back up and running quickly and help protect your property and belongings.
If your home or business suffers a fire damage, contact SERVPRO of NRH to help make it "Like it never even happened."
When fire or water damage puts the things that matter most to you on the lines, you need the very best help on the line, as well. That’s why knowing the easiest ways to connect to your local franchise is so important. Just go to SERVPROnorthrichlandhills.com or call 817-589-1499. We are a leader in giving control back to the homeowners, property managers, and even entire communities after the ravaging effects of water or fire. So whether you are responsible for 1,000 square feet or 100,000--be ready for the worst, with the very best.
Call the Cleanup Team that is Faster to Any Size Disaster
3/6/2020 (Permalink)
Be ready for the worst, with the very best.
The first 48 hours after a fire damage can make the difference between restoring versus replacing damaged property and personal belongings. Rapid response and timely mitigation can help prevent fire damage from creating long-term problems.
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills understands that returning to normal is your primary concern. SERVPRO response team employees are trained in caring for both you and your property. By responding quickly with a full line of fire cleanup and restoration services, SERVPRO of NRH can help you get your home or business back up and running quickly and help protect your property and belongings.
If your home or business suffers a fire damage, contact SERVPRO of NRH to help make it "Like it never even happened."
When fire or water damage puts the things that matter most to you on the lines, you need the very best help on the line, as well. That’s why knowing the easiest ways to connect to your local franchise is so important. Just go to SERVPROnorthrichlandhills.com or call 817-589-1499. We are a leader in giving control back to the homeowners, property managers, and even entire communities after the ravaging effects of water or fire. So whether you are responsible for 1,000 square feet or 100,000--be ready for the worst, with the very best.
Catch Appliance Leaks Before Water Damage Occurs
2/12/2020 (Permalink)
All household appliances that utilize water are prone to leaks in one way or another, but if these leaks are not caught early, water damage can begin.
All household appliances that utilize water are prone to leaks in one way or another, but if these leaks are not caught early on, water damage can begin.
Because many appliances are not moved or inspected with frequency, this water damage can be harbored for ages before homeowners are made aware—this is why regular inspections are so important for prevention.
Inspect These Appliances for Leaks Often
Hot Water Heater
The lifetime of a hot water heater will typically span 10 to 15 years, but leaks can start much earlier than this. The seals and pipes connected to the hot water heater can often break down, so keeping an eye out for any accumulation both during and after use is a smart move.
Refrigerator
The rarity with which refrigerators are moved can lead to secret water damage that festers for ages before it is brought to light. A refrigerator’s water lines are typically made from a soft plastic that can easily fail, so checking for leaks behind and under the fridge as part of your annual home maintenance is wise.
Dishwasher
A dishwasher’s tubing is just as problematic as a refrigerator, but is even more isolated and utilizes far more water. Additionally, homeowner’s insurance often does not cover water damage caused by older models of dishwashers, so regular checks are extremely important to keep up with.
Washing Machine
Washing machine hoses are some of the most common sources of leaks. Because they are notorious for this, it is recommended that they are inspected at least once a month by homeowners so you can be sure no issues have arisen. In addition to these regular checks, they should be fully replaced every five years in order to prevent hidden deterioration.
Air Conditioner
The drain in your HVAC unit is designed to keep condensation from pooling in and around the unit, but if this drain malfunctions, water damage can quickly be caused. Reference your manufacturer’s manual to determine how often your unit should be inspected and serviced—having a professional technician evaluate your machine is the best defense against HVAC-created water damage.
If your home or business is affected by an appliance leak, call SERVPRO of North Richland Hills! Our teams handle Fort Worth water damage restoration and are here to help.
Catch Appliance Leaks Before Water Damage Occurs
2/12/2020 (Permalink)
All household appliances that utilize water are prone to leaks in one way or another, but if these leaks are not caught early, water damage can begin.
All household appliances that utilize water are prone to leaks in one way or another, but if these leaks are not caught early on, water damage can begin.
Because many appliances are not moved or inspected with frequency, this water damage can be harbored for ages before homeowners are made aware—this is why regular inspections are so important for prevention.
Inspect These Appliances for Leaks Often
Hot Water Heater
The lifetime of a hot water heater will typically span 10 to 15 years, but leaks can start much earlier than this. The seals and pipes connected to the hot water heater can often break down, so keeping an eye out for any accumulation both during and after use is a smart move.
Refrigerator
The rarity with which refrigerators are moved can lead to secret water damage that festers for ages before it is brought to light. A refrigerator’s water lines are typically made from a soft plastic that can easily fail, so checking for leaks behind and under the fridge as part of your annual home maintenance is wise.
Dishwasher
A dishwasher’s tubing is just as problematic as a refrigerator, but is even more isolated and utilizes far more water. Additionally, homeowner’s insurance often does not cover water damage caused by older models of dishwashers, so regular checks are extremely important to keep up with.
Washing Machine
Washing machine hoses are some of the most common sources of leaks. Because they are notorious for this, it is recommended that they are inspected at least once a month by homeowners so you can be sure no issues have arisen. In addition to these regular checks, they should be fully replaced every five years in order to prevent hidden deterioration.
Air Conditioner
The drain in your HVAC unit is designed to keep condensation from pooling in and around the unit, but if this drain malfunctions, water damage can quickly be caused. Reference your manufacturer’s manual to determine how often your unit should be inspected and serviced—having a professional technician evaluate your machine is the best defense against HVAC-created water damage.
If your home or business is affected by an appliance leak, call SERVPRO of North Richland Hills! Our teams handle Fort Worth water damage restoration and are here to help.
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills | Here to Help Recover from Storm Damages
2/10/2020 (Permalink)
Storm damage is often a multifaceted problem, involving structural and water damage that homeowners must contend with.
Storms are a common occurrence, but that does not make them any less destructive. In 2018, storm-related damages and losses cost homeowners in the range of 2 billion dollars. For homeowners, it is important to have a plan in place for how to recover.
Making advance plans for how to deal with storm damage is a smart way to protect your investment, and it is important to choose a restoration company that will be on your side. That is why when it comes to damage restoration after a storm, we are the right choice.
Why Our Storm Damage Approach Sets Us Apart
We Are Specialized in Multiple Types of Damage
Storm damage is often a multifaceted problem, involving structural and water damage that homeowners must contend with. To provide our customers with the highest level of service, we make sure that we are fully qualified and trained in all types of damage restoration—this way when you call us, you can be assured that all your damage will be handled.
We Invest in Our Technicians
The technicians who are on the ground doing your restoration are extremely important to the process—which is why we invest heavily in our team. We make sure everyone is trained according to industry standards from the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification, and we provide ample opportunity for continued education and career development.
We Have a Local Presence and National Resources
We are proud to be a local member of the Dallas/Fort Worth community, but we are also grateful that we have national resources to help the community in times of need. When destructive storms roll through, we can call upon other SERVPRO® locations across the country to provide extra resources and ensure that everyone gets the restoration they need.
By Upholding Our Positive Reputation
Communities are vulnerable after destructive storms move through, giving rise to unscrupulous restoration scams designed to take advantage of the victims. Because we have a long-standing reputation as leaders in the restoration industry, you can rest assured that we are a legitimate business that is here to work for you and the entire community.
Call SERVPRO of North Richland Hills, your trusted restoration team, members of your community.
SERVPRO of North Richland Hills | Here to Help Recover from Storm Damages
2/10/2020 (Permalink)
Storm damage is often a multifaceted problem, involving structural and water damage that homeowners must contend with.
Storms are a common occurrence, but that does not make them any less destructive. In 2018, storm-related damages and losses cost homeowners in the range of 2 billion dollars. For homeowners, it is important to have a plan in place for how to recover.
Making advance plans for how to deal with storm damage is a smart way to protect your investment, and it is important to choose a restoration company that will be on your side. That is why when it comes to damage restoration after a storm, we are the right choice.
Why Our Storm Damage Approach Sets Us Apart
We Are Specialized in Multiple Types of Damage
Storm damage is often a multifaceted problem, involving structural and water damage that homeowners must contend with. To provide our customers with the highest level of service, we make sure that we are fully qualified and trained in all types of damage restoration—this way when you call us, you can be assured that all your damage will be handled.
We Invest in Our Technicians
The technicians who are on the ground doing your restoration are extremely important to the process—which is why we invest heavily in our team. We make sure everyone is trained according to industry standards from the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification, and we provide ample opportunity for continued education and career development.
We Have a Local Presence and National Resources
We are proud to be a local member of the Dallas/Fort Worth community, but we are also grateful that we have national resources to help the community in times of need. When destructive storms roll through, we can call upon other SERVPRO® locations across the country to provide extra resources and ensure that everyone gets the restoration they need.
By Upholding Our Positive Reputation
Communities are vulnerable after destructive storms move through, giving rise to unscrupulous restoration scams designed to take advantage of the victims. Because we have a long-standing reputation as leaders in the restoration industry, you can rest assured that we are a legitimate business that is here to work for you and the entire community.
Call SERVPRO of North Richland Hills, your trusted restoration team, members of your community.
Making Sure You Are Ready to Start Rebuilding After Water Damage in your Commercial Building
2/7/2020 (Permalink)
Call SERVPRO of North Richland Hills if your business has suffered from water damage!
Once waters from flood or leaks recede and clean up has been done, most folks just want to get back into their business office and start rebuilding. However, one problem is that materials submerged in water have probably absorbed a large amount of water. Rebuilding or renovating too quickly after a flood can cause continuing problems like mold growth, insect infestations, and the deterioration of walls, flooring, wood and wall coverings. Flood waters are not going to be clean, either. Therefore, most porous building materials must be removed and replaced with new materials.
Here is a checklist to refer to if your office experiences water damage:
Safety first!
- Inspect for outside structural and electrical damage to determine if it is safe to enter. Fire hazards and gas leaks will need to be identified, as well. Use battery-powered light sources.
- Wear sturdy shoes, rubber gloves, and eye protection. Watch for fire ants, snakes, or other animals.
- If mold is present, wear a respirator that can filter spores.
Next steps:
- Contact your insurance adjuster immediately.
- Begin cleanup, salvage, and drying as soon as possible, and be sure to take photos for use for inventory. All steps suggested on this page can be taken before an adjuster arrives. Keep damaged materials for proof of loss.
- The adjuster will assess all office damage, and as the owner, you will need to sign a proof of loss statement.
Electrical Systems:
- Check that all electric and gas services are turned off before entering the premises for the first time.
- Have an electrician check for grounds and other unsafe conditions before reconnecting the system.
Furnishings and Carpets
- Remove all furniture, bedding, and carpeting and bring it outdoors to be cleaned and dried (or discarded).
- Flooded carpets and rugs should be replaced since flood water may contain contaminants, and affected carpet pads should always be discarded and replaced. Remove these items within 48 hours after flooding subsides.
- Thoroughly dry the carpet and subfloor as quickly as possible. If carpet is installed when damp, it can mildew.
- All upholstered furniture and mattresses contaminated by flood water should be discarded, and solid wood, metal and plastic furniture may be cleaned and restored. Hose off any mud, then clean, sanitize, and let your furniture dry completely out of direct sunlight.
Walls
- Open flooded walls, even if they appear undamaged, to prevent mold, odor, and structural decay. Remove water from the structure as rapidly as possible and ventilate.
- Remove baseboards and cut holes in wallboard to drain uninsulated walls, and remove the interior surface of insulated walls to a point above water height. Discard flooded drywall. Remove and discard all wet fibrous insulation. Clean out mud. Wall studs and plates may be sprayed with disinfectant (1 cup bleach/gallon water) to kill any existing mold and fungi.
- Speed dry with dehumidifiers and fans. Leave walls open until they have thoroughly dried, which may take up to a month.
- Select replacement materials that will withstand future floods (such as rigid foam insulation, removable wainscoting, ceramic tile, etc.).
Here at SERVPRO of North Richland Hills, we are experts at cleanups after water or fire damage, no matter the size of the event. If your office has been affected by water damage, either from a leak or a flood, we are here to help. We are mold remediation specialists, too!
Making Sure You Are Ready to Start Rebuilding After Water Damage in your Commercial Building
2/7/2020 (Permalink)
Call SERVPRO of North Richland Hills if your business has suffered from water damage!
Once waters from flood or leaks recede and clean up has been done, most folks just want to get back into their business office and start rebuilding. However, one problem is that materials submerged in water have probably absorbed a large amount of water. Rebuilding or renovating too quickly after a flood can cause continuing problems like mold growth, insect infestations, and the deterioration of walls, flooring, wood and wall coverings. Flood waters are not going to be clean, either. Therefore, most porous building materials must be removed and replaced with new materials.
Here is a checklist to refer to if your office experiences water damage:
Safety first!
- Inspect for outside structural and electrical damage to determine if it is safe to enter. Fire hazards and gas leaks will need to be identified, as well. Use battery-powered light sources.
- Wear sturdy shoes, rubber gloves, and eye protection. Watch for fire ants, snakes, or other animals.
- If mold is present, wear a respirator that can filter spores.
Next steps:
- Contact your insurance adjuster immediately.
- Begin cleanup, salvage, and drying as soon as possible, and be sure to take photos for use for inventory. All steps suggested on this page can be taken before an adjuster arrives. Keep damaged materials for proof of loss.
- The adjuster will assess all office damage, and as the owner, you will need to sign a proof of loss statement.
Electrical Systems:
- Check that all electric and gas services are turned off before entering the premises for the first time.
- Have an electrician check for grounds and other unsafe conditions before reconnecting the system.
Furnishings and Carpets
- Remove all furniture, bedding, and carpeting and bring it outdoors to be cleaned and dried (or discarded).
- Flooded carpets and rugs should be replaced since flood water may contain contaminants, and affected carpet pads should always be discarded and replaced. Remove these items within 48 hours after flooding subsides.
- Thoroughly dry the carpet and subfloor as quickly as possible. If carpet is installed when damp, it can mildew.
- All upholstered furniture and mattresses contaminated by flood water should be discarded, and solid wood, metal and plastic furniture may be cleaned and restored. Hose off any mud, then clean, sanitize, and let your furniture dry completely out of direct sunlight.
Walls
- Open flooded walls, even if they appear undamaged, to prevent mold, odor, and structural decay. Remove water from the structure as rapidly as possible and ventilate.
- Remove baseboards and cut holes in wallboard to drain uninsulated walls, and remove the interior surface of insulated walls to a point above water height. Discard flooded drywall. Remove and discard all wet fibrous insulation. Clean out mud. Wall studs and plates may be sprayed with disinfectant (1 cup bleach/gallon water) to kill any existing mold and fungi.
- Speed dry with dehumidifiers and fans. Leave walls open until they have thoroughly dried, which may take up to a month.
- Select replacement materials that will withstand future floods (such as rigid foam insulation, removable wainscoting, ceramic tile, etc.).
Here at SERVPRO of North Richland Hills, we are experts at cleanups after water or fire damage, no matter the size of the event. If your office has been affected by water damage, either from a leak or a flood, we are here to help. We are mold remediation specialists, too!
What to Expect During a Fire You Weren't Expecting
2/5/2020 (Permalink)
Fire Damage
What to Expect from a Fire Damage Restoration Project
A fire damage event is difficult for the home or business owner on many levels, and the restoration process that follows can be intimidating. Today we are sharing what you can expect from a fire restoration project. Each fire event is a little different, and each will require a unique solution, although the overall general process stays the same. The steps we are listing below will illustrate the SERVPRO process for the average fire damage emergency.
- Emergency Contact. Your restoration process begins the moment that you contact us. Our representative will ask you questions regarding the fire damage event that will help us to respond with the appropriate equipment and resources for your particular situation.
- Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment. Our team will carefully inspect and test all the adjoining rooms of your home or business to determine the extent of the fire, smoke, and soot damage. This step is vital to us, allowing us to develop the perfect plan of action for your property.
- Immediate Board-Up and Roof-Tarp Service. Fire damage will often compromise the condition of windows, walls, and roofing. To maintain security and to protect against further damage, we will board up missing windows and walls, and place tarps on damaged areas of the roof.
- Water Removal and Drying. If water damage is present, the water removal process will begin almost immediately, with the goal of removing the majority of the water. Our team will then employ dehumidifiers and air movers to remove any remaining water and complete the drying process.
- Removal of Smoke and Soot From All Surfaces. SERVPRO uses specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and all other surfaces.
- Cleaning and Sanitizing. We clean, sanitize, and disinfect all of the restorable items and structures that were damaged by the fire. Our team uses a variety of cleaning techniques to restore your belongings to the condition they were in before the fire. We are also trained to remove lingering odors, using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.
- Restoration. This is the final step - getting your home or business back to its pre-fire condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, installing new carpet, or painting surfaces, or it may entail major repairs, such as the reconstruction of various rooms or areas.
Here at SERVPRO of North Richland Hills, we are ready to help if your Texas home or business suffers from damage due to fire or water. You can also count on us when it comes to mold remediation and prevention.
What to Expect During a Fire You Weren't Expecting
2/5/2020 (Permalink)
Fire Damage
What to Expect from a Fire Damage Restoration Project
A fire damage event is difficult for the home or business owner on many levels, and the restoration process that follows can be intimidating. Today we are sharing what you can expect from a fire restoration project. Each fire event is a little different, and each will require a unique solution, although the overall general process stays the same. The steps we are listing below will illustrate the SERVPRO process for the average fire damage emergency.
- Emergency Contact. Your restoration process begins the moment that you contact us. Our representative will ask you questions regarding the fire damage event that will help us to respond with the appropriate equipment and resources for your particular situation.
- Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment. Our team will carefully inspect and test all the adjoining rooms of your home or business to determine the extent of the fire, smoke, and soot damage. This step is vital to us, allowing us to develop the perfect plan of action for your property.
- Immediate Board-Up and Roof-Tarp Service. Fire damage will often compromise the condition of windows, walls, and roofing. To maintain security and to protect against further damage, we will board up missing windows and walls, and place tarps on damaged areas of the roof.
- Water Removal and Drying. If water damage is present, the water removal process will begin almost immediately, with the goal of removing the majority of the water. Our team will then employ dehumidifiers and air movers to remove any remaining water and complete the drying process.
- Removal of Smoke and Soot From All Surfaces. SERVPRO uses specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and all other surfaces.
- Cleaning and Sanitizing. We clean, sanitize, and disinfect all of the restorable items and structures that were damaged by the fire. Our team uses a variety of cleaning techniques to restore your belongings to the condition they were in before the fire. We are also trained to remove lingering odors, using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.
- Restoration. This is the final step - getting your home or business back to its pre-fire condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, installing new carpet, or painting surfaces, or it may entail major repairs, such as the reconstruction of various rooms or areas.
Here at SERVPRO of North Richland Hills, we are ready to help if your Texas home or business suffers from damage