How to remove water from a home?

12/14/2022 (Permalink)

Blog Summary: SERVPRO® of East Plano shares some ways to remove water from a home in this article.

Water damage is estimated to affect 98% of basements in the U.S. during their life. This figure shows how common the problem is. Water damage must be dealt with immediately to prevent extensive damage. Prolonged exposure to water can cause structural damage. Mold growth is also a risk.

All steps in the water damage restoration process must be followed to ensure no residual moisture is left. Water removal is essential whether there is standing water or water soaked into the building and furnishing. Water removal involves removing excess water from areas affected by water damage. It prevents moisture from spreading, causing more structural damage, and reduces the time needed to dry the area. Water damage restoration specialist SERVPRO of East Plano serves Watters Crossing, Allen, TX, and surrounding areas. The company is locally owned and operated and quickly responds to water damage emergencies.

How can homeowners do water removal?

1. Identify and stop the water source

Locating the source and stopping water from intruding further is essential for effective water removal.

2. Promote air circulation indoors

Take steps to allow air to circulate more freely in the house. Opening doors and windows will improve air circulation. If affected by water damage, the doors of the cabinets and closets can be kept open.

3. Mechanical air movement

High-powered fans are available for rent, and they increase air circulation, which will speed up the restoration.

4. Dehumidifiers

Moisture in any space affected by water can be removed or sucked out by dehumidifiers. If the water damage is extensive or there is flood damage, dehumidifiers with large water trays can be used.

5. Pump water away

A sump pump is useful when there is standing water in a home. The submersible pump removes water from the house through a pipe or hose.

6. Vacuum

A wet vacuum helps suck water from rugs, carpets, and other materials saturated with water. It is important to remember that household vacuums are not suitable for water removal in these conditions.

7. Desiccants

Materials like silica gel are desiccants, and they absorb moisture. Bags or containers of desiccants to use for water removal are available.

8. Removing objects from the area

Removing soaked rugs, carpets, and furniture to a sunnier or drier place will help to dry them. Wet flooring may have to be removed to allow proper air circulation and ventilation to prevent mold growth.

When extensive restoration is needed, unaffected belongings can be moved to protect them. SERVPRO of East Plano offers an efficient move-out service during the water removal process.

Why is water removal best handled by professionals?

Though the above measures help in water removal, they are effective when the water damage is minimal. Professional water damage restoration is recommended for more extensive water damage or when a contaminated water source is involved. SERVPRO of East Plano provides water damage restoration, including water removal in Watters Crossing, Allen, TX. Water removal is done after inspection by highly trained technicians. This step removes the bulk of the water that has intruded into the home. SERVPRO of East Plano has highly-trained technicians who use truck-mounted and portable extraction units, powerful submersible pumps, and industrial-grade wet and dry vacuums for efficient water removal. They remove most of the water, which reduces the time needed to dry the area. The sooner the home is dry, the less the chance of secondary water damage and mold growth. Contact SERVPRO of East Plano on the number (972) 578-1644 for fire and water cleanup and restoration in Watters Crossing, Allen, TX.

What To Look For When Hiring A Flood Restoration Service?

11/10/2022 (Permalink)

Blog Summary: SERVPRO® of East Plano shares what to look for when hiring a flood restoration service. 

Water damage is common in the US and is a costly hazard for businesses and homes. People think of hurricanes, tropical storms, thunderstorms, heavy rain, and snow as the cause of flood damage. However, blocked or overburdened sewer and drainage systems, urbanization changes, and dam failures can cause flooding. Homes can also get flooded from roof leaks or faulty plumbing. 

Homeowners may be able to handle minimal flood damage from clean water by themselves. But most of the time, flood damage is better handled by professional flood restoration services. SERVPRO of East Plano is a highly trained storm damage specialist providing flood damage restoration services in Parker, TX, and nearby areas. This company has the edge of being a locally owned company with access to national storm resources. In this article, some tips to help choose the right flood restoration service are shared by SERVPRO of East Plano.

Some factors that should be considered when hiring a flood restoration service

1. Check for experience

Water damage restoration professionals with experience in flood restoration use that experience to find solutions quickly and cost-effectively. Experienced technicians and companies that have been operating in the industry for long are more reliable. SERVPRO is a cleaning and restoration brand that has been operating since 1967. They offer Initial Franchise Training for all new franchise owners. This helps to share the knowledge gained from years of experience in the restoration industry.

2. Verify if the flood restoration service is insured

It is safe to ensure that the company offers workers' compensation and general liability. Checking the company policies in case of accidents or other problems before hiring the company may be helpful. Usually, professional water damage restoration companies have safety protocols and take necessary precautions when working. 

3. Training and certification 

It is ideal to have certified and licensed technicians for water damage restoration. Certification from the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is something to look for when hiring water damage repair professionals. The professionals at SERVPRO of East Plano study IICRC standards and best practices. They also have a voluntary, self-paced program. After the course and an examination are completed, a certification is awarded. Staff at SERVPRO of East Plano can also undergo web-based training to update franchise employees on industry standards and maintain professional quality. 

4. Availability

Flood damage can be sudden and without warning. If due to natural disasters, it is likely that flood damage will occur in several places in the area. Water damage restoration is time sensitive, as delay causes worsening of damage and secondary water damage. Hence choosing a flood restoration service with enough resources and access to handle flood damage is essential. SERVPRO of East Plano is a locally owned company that quickly provides flood restoration services in Parker, TX. They also have resources they can access from an extensive network of franchises. The Disaster Recovery Teams of SERVPRO are in strategic locations across the country. SERVPRO of East Plano has a quick response to disasters of any size. 

5. Reputation

Businesses that are experienced and offer quality services will satisfy customers. When choosing a flood restoration service, the company may provide prospective customers with satisfied customers who can share their experiences. Checking the company website and online sites like Yelp for reviews is useful. Checking with neighbors or friends living in the area who have recently hired a flood restoration service is also an excellent way to learn of a reliable water damage restoration service. 

SERVPRO® of East Plano provides flood restoration services in Parker, TX, and nearby areas. Their highly trained storm damage restoration technicians have advanced training, expertise, and experience that they utilize to restore homes to a preloss condition. To get flood restoration services in Parker, TX, SERVPRO of East Plano can be contacted via an email at dshaw@SERVPROheb.com or a phone call at (972) 578-1644. 

How Does the Water Removal Process Work: A Short Guide

10/18/2022 (Permalink)

Blog Summary: SERVPRO of East Plano discusses the water removal step in the water damage restoration process. 

Water damage is a widespread cause of property damage across the US. Whether due to bad weather and flooding or a plumbing leak within the home, water damage restoration must not be delayed. The extent of water damage increases with delays in water damage restoration. This is why swift work by a professional water damage restoration company is safe.  SERVPRO® of East Plano offers water damage restoration in Murphy, TX. It is a local company with the advantage of being part of a brand recognized as a leader in the restoration industry. In this article, SERVPRO of East Plano describes water removal and its importance in the water damage restoration process.

What is water damage restoration?

Water damage restoration is the process that entails removing water from a property and restoring it to a preloss state. It includes multiple steps, each of which is important to ensure the best outcome of water damage restoration. So each step must be carried out with the utmost care. 

Steps Of The Water Damage Restoration Process

1. Inspection and Evaluation
2. Water Removal
3. Drying and Dehumidification
4. Cleaning and Disinfection
5. Restoration and Repair

Water removal

Water extraction from furniture, furnishing, subfloors, and parts of the building structure is called water removal. Homeowners may use DIY methods like mopping to remove as much water as possible. But water removal is best done using water-extracting equipment by water damage restoration professionals. The water damage restoration technicians have specialized equipment designed to remove large quantities of water from a building. They include high-power water pumps and truck-mounted vacuums that remove large quantities of water swiftly. The professionals are trained to use different types of equipment to reach every nook and cranny of the building that might have been exposed to water damage. Moisture detectors are used to measure moisture levels, and infrared cameras may be used to detect hidden water damage in walls and ceilings. This will also enable water removal from hard-to-access or hidden areas affected by water damage. 

Emergency water removal may commence immediately. High-performance submersible pumps and wet or dry vacuums are put to work. 

During water removal, apart from actually removing the water, other activities may also happen.

• Move-out: When a lot of restoration work needs to be done, belongings may be shifted away from the affected property for safe storage.
• Carpet Inspection: The carpet and carpet pad will be inspected, and if needed,  they are removed so that the subfloor is not affected.

When performed well, water removal leaves less water to be dried in the next step of the water damage restoration process. The time taken to dry the area will also reduce considerably. A thorough water removal reduces mold growth risk and secondary water damage.

Why is water removal necessary?

Any area that has sustained water damage must have water removal performed. The risk of complications is higher when water is left to stand or seep into a surface unattended. Mold growth, rusting of metal, rotting of wood, deterioration of materials, etc., are all such complications. FEMA cautions that in the aftermath of a flood, when surfaces are left exposed to moisture, mold can grow within 24 to 48 hours. When water is left to stand or surfaces are left moist for a longer time, the risk of mold growth also increases. The chances of mold leading to poor air quality and structural deterioration due to mold and water are also risks. So water removal is vital, and it must be done without delay. 

To get a property back to a preloss condition as quickly as possible, a water damage restoration expert would greatly help. SERVPRO® of East Plano provides services after water damage in Murphy, TX, and other areas in the locality. Their technicians undergo Employee Certification Training which includes water restoration. This means that each step of the water damage restoration process, including water removal, is done with equipment that makes it fast and thorough. SERVPRO of East Plano can be contacted via email at dshaw@SERVPROheb.com or the phone at (972) 578-1644 for professional water damage restoration in Murphy, TX, that meets the highest industry standards. As it is locally owned and operated, SERVPRO of East Plano considers itself a part of the community they serve and are always ready to help.

Water Removal: An Essential Service

10/9/2022 (Permalink)

Blog Summary: This article by SERVPRO of East Plano describes why water removal is an essential service.

Water damage is one of the leading causes of property damage. The chances of water damage are very high, perhaps because of the numerous causes that can lead to water damage easily. The common causes of water damage include severe weather, leaking pipes, malfunctioning appliances, condensation in AC systems, clogged drains, etc. Data shows that 1 in 50 insured homes make water damage insurance claims each year. 

Once water damage occurs, steps must be taken to restore the property to a pre-damage condition. If the water damage is minimal, the homeowners may be able to clean up by themselves. But if water damage is more severe, it is best to get a professional water damage restoration company to handle the process of water damage restoration. This is because they are trained and experienced to handle water damage restoration faster and more effectively. Homeowners and commercial property owners facing water damage in Murphy, TX can contact SERVPRO of East Plano. This company provides property damage restoration and cleanup services. In this article, SERVPRO® of East Plano describes what water removal is. 

Water removal is a part of the water damage restoration process. The water damage restoration process involves multiple steps. The time taken for water damage restoration will depend on the class and category of water damage and the extent the building is affected. The steps of water damage restoration include:

Contacting emergency services

Inspection and Assessment of Water Damage

Water Removal

Drying and Dehumidification

Cleaning, Sanitization, and Deodorization

Monitoring to check the effectiveness of water removal and drying

Repairs and construction as needed

Water Removal

Water removal is the process of removing standing water and water absorbed by objects and materials from areas affected by water damage. The drying of the area and objects within is done after water removal is done. 

Why Is Water Removal Essential?

Water removal is a critical step to prevent structural deterioration. Standing water can damage the foundations of a building if water seeps into the grounds. Water and damp materials provide a favorable environment for mold to grow. Water removal can reduce the risk of mold growth. It also helps to speed up the process of drying. Water removal is an essential step and is best handled by water damage restoration professionals. This is because they have the expertise and experience to locate the source of water. Even hidden water damage is detected and managed by experts. Water damage restoration companies also have specialized tools and equipment to aid in quick and efficient water removal.

How Water Removal Is Handled By Professionals?

In situations where there is a significant amount of water or if the water is contaminated, it is better to immediately contact a professional service. Companies like SERVPRO of East Plano can conduct water removal efficiently. Water damage professionals are trained and certified to conduct water damage restoration in a safe manner using personal protective equipment and specialized tools. The process is handled efficiently and follows relevant safety considerations.

Water damage restoration professionals use meters like hygrometers and moisture detectors to measure the level of moisture in the building. They also use specialized equipment like infrared cameras which help them locate hidden water damage (within walls or ceilings). 

The technicians are trained and experienced in using heavy-duty submersible pumps and industrial wet or dry vacuums as required. Truck-mounted or portable pumps are used to extract water. Removal of excess water speeds up the drying process. There is also less risk of mold growing and secondary water damage when the water removal is done properly. 

Water damage must not be taken lightly. If water damage restoration is done inadequately, it can lead to further damage and complications that will cost more financially as well. A reliable water damage restoration company is able to restore your home to its original condition safely. Water damage restoration in Murphy, Texas can be entrusted to SERVPRO of East Plano. With decades of experience and being a leader in the restoration industry, this company can handle disasters of any size. Their technicians are highly trained; SERVPRO has robust employee certification training for franchise employees and a new franchise training program. SERVPRO is also an IICRC-approved training school offering training in various categories including water damage restoration. SERVPRO of East Plano can be reached by phone by dialing (972) 578-1644 for water damage restoration in Murphy, TX.