FLOODING IN THE ARKLATEX AREA..

11/5/2024 (Permalink)

Flooding in the ARKLATEX area

Flood damage has become an unexpected challenge for the ARKLATEX area this year. Your local SERVPRO, SERVPRO of Texarkana, has responded to many flooding emergencies as a result of heavy rainfall in the area.When you need professional assistance, remember we are Here to Help. ®

Highly Trained Technicians

Our professionals are trained and certified to restore water damage by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). Our training program includes the following:

• IICRC Training
• Employee Certification Training
• Initial Franchise Training
• e-Learnings
• Continuing Education Classes

Advanced Technology and Techniques

We use powerful, industrial-grade water extraction equipment to remove the bulk of the water quickly and install powerful drying equipment to speed up the drying process. We document and monitor the drying process to ensure the area is dried thoroughly.

Once the area is dried, we use machines to remove airborne contaminants and use OSHA-approved cleaning agents to clean and disinfect to control odors from excessive moisture and stop the growth of bacteria, fungi, mildew, and other harmful microorganisms.  

Call Us Today!

When your ARKLATEX home or commercial business sustains water damage from a heavy rain event, SERVPRO of Texarkana can restore your damage “Like It Never Even Happened.” 

Give us a call to schedule our PRO's for services or visit our website for more information on other services offered by our company. 

Office: 903-832-4400

Website: SERVPROtexarkana.com

For more information on flood safety, you can visit the American Red Cross Website.

STEPS YOU SHOULD TAKE IN THE EVENT OF A PIPE BURST

11/1/2023 (Permalink)

brrr, it's cold outside!

What should you do in the event of a pipe burst in your home or business?

Cracked, broken or bursting pipes can cause a lot of damage to your home or business. Because of this, its very important to have the problem taken care of as quickly as possible to minimize secondary damage. It can be difficult to determine what to do in a high-stress situation like this, but the following steps will put you on the right path until SERVPRO of Texarkana arrives.

1. Contact Your Insurance Company

One of the first things you want to do when you've experienced water to your home or business is to call your insurance agent. This will allow you to get the claims process started right away. It can be a lengthy process and the money you receive can help you pay to fix broken pipes and have repairs done. Your claim can also be denied if you take too long to report the damage.

2. Locate and Document Damage

When you make an insurance claim, an adjuster will need to inspect your home to determine the extent of the damage. While you are waiting for the visit, you can start making a list and taking pictures of damaged areas and belongings. The adjuster can use this information when working on your claim. Do not throw away affected items until you have documented and inventoried them, as these can provide proof of damage as well.

3. Have Mitigation Done

A busted water line can result in flooding in your home or business and, if it is not cleaned up quickly, it can lead to a lot of secondary damage. When exposed to moisture, mold can begin to grow in as little as a day and can easily spread to large areas. Excessive water can also absorb into building materials which will then need to be replaced if you delay in mitigating the damage.
If your home or business has been damaged as a result of a busted pipe, a cleanup and restoration service like SERVPRO of Texarkana can perform mitigation quickly to minimize further damage. They can also make any necessary repairs and salvage many of your affected belongings to have your home looking as good as new.

Our Highly Trained Restoration Specialists Can Restore Your Texarkana Home

11/1/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Texarkana is an IICRC firm. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.

IICRC Certified Firms must

• Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.

• Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.

• Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.

• Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.

• Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.

The IICRC Develops The Standards For The Restoration Industry

The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals.

Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.

About SERVPRO of Texarkana

SERVPRO of Texarkana specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: from initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Wait for an Adjuster After a Storm?

10/6/2022 (Permalink)

When storms hit the area, you might be thinking, "should I wait for an adjuster"?

Don't wait for a flood insurance adjuster following adverse weather or flooding. Contact water and storm damage specialists if you need assistance with flood damage mitigation or restoration. Our team has put together a few reasons not to wait before documenting the damage and taking steps to limit the extent of secondary damage to your home.

1. Documentation Is All You Need to File a Claim

An insurance adjuster does not need to witness damage firsthand to process a claim, but you do need to document the damage. Take extensive dated photographic or video evidence. Keep records of possessions, as well as their condition and value, and locate receipts for high-value items if possible. Footage and itemized records should be enough to prove your home and possessions sustained the damage you claim.

2. Adjusters Are Likely To Be Backlogged

Depending on the extent of a flood or storm and how many homes and businesses were affected, it may take adjusters a while to follow up on your flood insurance claims. It is better to document and immediately take steps to mitigate damage to keep conditions in your home from worsening. As a matter of fact, your insurance may not provide as much of a payout if you cannot prove you did everything in your power to limit damage in a timely manner.

3. Secondary Damage Can Start In Hours

The longer water damage sits, the more likely it is that building materials and contents will need to be replaced rather than restored. Mold damage can start to emerge within only 24 to 48 hours following a flood. You should take steps to eliminate the presence of water and moisture in your home as soon as possible.

Residential Water Damage

9/1/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Can Remediate Damage Caused By Bad Weather 

Despite much of the nation suffering from record high temperatures and an extended period of little to no rain, Texarkana weather is rolling along with storm warnings out now for much of the state. In the summer months, microbursts are particularly damaging. At SERVPRO of Texarkana, we have seen the effects of water from a typical rain shower (several hours) fall in less than 30 minutes in a microburst. It rapidly overcomes sandbags and other protective measures with flash flooding damaging commercial and residential structures before anyone is aware water has gotten in.

To make the situation even worse are the extremely high winds that accompany microbursts. These sudden downdrafts are often more destructive than a tornado over a small location. Neighborhoods and commercial areas hit by one sees roofs ripped away in seconds and smaller structures sometimes completely pulled off of their foundations. When that happens, the wind-driven rain completely soaks the interior of a home and business; damaging the structure and usually destroying furniture and anything else that might be inside.

When a microburst arrives, there is nothing you can do to stop it. Any actions taken to reduce water damage must be preventive and occur well in advance of the storm. Fortunately, SERVPRO of Texarkana has the team, training, and equipment to take care of any need before or after the storm.

We offer inspections to determine the best prevention plan for your home or business. Our 24-hour emergency response team can quickly determine the extent of any storm damage and provide a thorough list of what tasks need to be accomplished in order to return to your home or reopen your doors for business.

If you want to take advantage of our inspections for homes and businesses, contact SERVPRO of Texarkana at 903-832-4400 today to schedule an appointment.

Pipes Burst in Your Home?

8/2/2022 (Permalink)

What Causes Pipes to Burst?  

No one wants to deal with the damage, expenses, and messes that pipe bursting causes. But what causes these pipes to burst during winter in the first place? The most basic explanation is that the water coming into your home from outside is much, much colder than it was during the summer season. The extra cold water causes pipes to contract in weaker parts, which causes them to burst. This takes place as the pipes begin to become physically unable to hold up to the water pressures inside them.   

A frozen pipe can be noticed as early as when water ceases coming out of the faucet as your turn them on. When you notice this, check to make sure that the water is still running and there isn’t a source leak somewhere. After you’ve confirmed these steps, continue your inspection by making sure no pipes have burst. If your pipes are indeed frozen, do not try thawing them yourself. Have an experienced plumber come and thaw your pipes for you. This prevents further consequences, and you rest easy knowing your plumber knows how to thaw the pipes and where the frozen pipes are.  

What Temperature Do Pipes Freeze? 

Freezing temperature for water is 32 degrees Fahrenheit. The pipes inside your home are protected from freezing temperatures through your home’s insulation. This means that on days that it is 32 degrees outside, your pipes won’t necessarily freeze. Pipes typically begin to freeze when the outside temperature is at least 20 degrees Fahrenheit.  

Fun Fact: Did you know pipes can burst in warm weather too? Very hot temperatures and water being in high demand can make pipes vulnerable and more prone to bursts.  

What Precautions Can Be Taken to Prevent Pipe Bursts 

Stopping the contraction caused by cold water is not something that can really be manipulated or controlled. The best step is to be mindful of your plumbing system as the temperature changes and be on the lookout for leaks. While there isn’t much you can do to control leaks caused by temperature changes, we do have a list of 6 things you CAN do to avoid water pipe bursts: 

1. Keep Your Water Faucets Running: If temperatures fall low, keep one or two faucets running on a drip. Consistent water moving through the system should keep pipelines from freezing.  
2. Leave Cabinet Doors Open: If your sink is located on an outside wall, leave cabinet doors open to allow warm air into the cabinet.
3. Direct Warm Air to Colder Areas of Your Home: Most often pipes that freeze are located near an outside wall or window, so be sure to direct warm air to the colder areas of your home.
4. Separate Your Hose from the Outside Faucet: Be sure to disconnect your hose from the outside faucet.
5. Seal Leaks Where Cold Air Can Creep In: Where pies are located, seal any openings where cold air could enter. Look for air leaks around electric wiring, vents, and pipes. Install caulk or installation to keep the cold out.
6. Keep Track of Your Home’s Temperature: Try to be proactive and prevent temperatures from dropping below 32 degrees where any water lines are in your home.

Pipes Burst Leaving You Flooded with Emotions? Give SERVPRO of Texarkana a call at 903-832-4400 and we’ll make it "Like it never even happened."  

Different Stages of loss

7/12/2022 (Permalink)

Here are the reasons you should mitigate your water damage sooner than later.  

Water Damage Time Line

Within Minutes

• Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path
• Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery, and belongings
• Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpet
• Photographs, books, and other paper goods start to swell and warp

Hours 1-24:

• Drywall begins to swell and break down
• Metal surfaces begin to tarnish
• Furniture begins to swell and crack
• Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain
• A musty odor appears

48 Hours to 1 Week

• Mold and mildew may grow and spread
• Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp
• Metal begins to rust and corrode
• Furniture warps and shows signs of mold
• Paint begins to blister
• Wood flooring swells and warps
• Serious biohazard contamination is possible

After 1 week

• Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive
• Structural safety, mold growth, and biohazard contaminants pose serious risk to occupants

SERVPRO of Texarkana specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke, or water damage event. We respond promptly, and dry your home quickly, minimizing the damage that your home sustains.

How You Can Prevent Water Damage from Plumbing, Storm, or Flood Issues

5/23/2022 (Permalink)

Water Damage and Home Safety

When you suffer from water damage in a home, it's important to note the steps that could have led to its prevention. Plumbing, storm, or flood issues are extremely costly and typically require immediate action to remediate.

Leaking Supply Line

Washing machines tend to be fed by supply lines that face constant pressure. In the event that your water lines are composed of braided stainless steel, you often do not need to be concerned. The problem lies in whether or not the washing machine contains supply lines composed of PVC or rubber. These can easily rupture and wear out, which results in an entire laundry room flooding in the span of a handful of minutes if you fail to shut off the source of water in time. In short, use the right material for all lines.

Air Conditioning Condensation

AC units are designed to produce condensation in which moisture drips from the evaporator coil into a pan and is ejected from a property via a drain line. This system works until damage is taken by the pan or the drain line becomes clogged with dirt or dust. When water cannot escape, it will leak out from your AC straight into the house. All that unwanted water can damage the walls and floor, weakening the insulation.

Blocked Drains

Any drain, regardless of whether it is a kitchen sink, bathtub, or bathroom floor, can clog for a variety of reasons. Grease buildup, dirt, hair, toiletries, and other foreign objects have the potential to obstruct the pipe and prevent proper drainage. After a storm occurs drains can easily become filled with miscellaneous debris. When not taken care of on a routine basis, they can easily back up, resulting in water damage and flooding. 

Our team at SERVPRO of Texarkana have elite large-loss specialists that are pre-qualified and ready to help you. Give us a call at (903) 832-4400.

5 Things to Do After A Flood

4/7/2022 (Permalink)

Floods can be caused by many things. Severe weather, a sudden downpour of rain, appliance malfunction, and broken pipes can all cause flooding in a home or business. The worse thing you can do when it comes to flood damage is not be prepared. Being prepared means knowing the right steps to talk after a flood has happened. If flooding has occurred, you definitely want to contact SERVPRO of Texarkana, who are certified & insured professionals that can successfully remove the water and restore your property – but there are steps you can take before they arrive.

TOP 5 THINGS

• Stay out of the damage
• Document with photographs
• Take Necessary Safety Precautions
• Are you in a Disaster Zone
• Check for Mold Growth

Make sure to have your insurance information on hand and reach out to your local franchise here at SERVPRO of Texarkana 903-832-4400

Can You Save Your Wet Carpet?

4/1/2022 (Permalink)

If you have suffered flooding in your home from a pipe break or another type of water damage, you may wonder if you should save or replace the wet flooring. It depends on a few conditions.

How Long Has the Flooring Been Wet?

If you discovered the flooding immediately after the water event, and the damage has been contained in a small area, you may be able to save the carpet. You must dry it completely within a few hours, however. Wet flooring that sits for a couple of days will begin to grow mold. If you suspect mold, call a water damage repair service right away.

What Type of Flood Water Damaged the Flooring?
Restoration can occur if the small water-damaged area is from a clean water source, such as a pipe break or leaky faucet. Water-damaged carpeting from any other water source should be removed and replaced by a professional as soon as possible.

Will the Padding Need to be Replaced?
If there is padding under the flooring, you will need to replace it. Padding soaks up water and is very difficult to dry. You may be able to salvage carpeting above the padding in some instances. It is important to stress that if you have never replaced flooring before, you should have a professional handle the job since it is easy to damage the carpeting. An experienced carpet layer will follow these steps:

• Carefully lift up the carpeting. If it is just damp along the bottom, roll it up and move it to a dry area. Unroll it face down and completely dry out the bottom surface.
• Make sure the subfloor is fully dry before you install new padding.
• After the carpeting is dry, lay it back down and secure it.
  
  

While it may be tempting to try to salvage your wet flooring after a pipe break, it is smart to have a professional assess the situation.

Can home owners speed up the flood damage process?

3/5/2022 (Permalink)

What should you do after flood damage?

When a storm causes flooding, it often leaves affected homes looking wet, dirty, and uninhabitable. Thankfully SERVPRO is here to help restore your house “Like it never even happened.”

After you call SERVPRO to help with flood damage in your home, you might wonder if there is anything you can do to speed up the cleanup process. The short answer is, yes, there are some things you can do, but please be careful. If you are sure it is safe to do so, you can:

• Remove paper products or anything likely to stain (such as art prints or books) from wet areas.
• Hang up rugs or natural materials such as leather jackets to dry.
• “Tent” sofa and chair cushions to allow airflow.

However, floodwater can contain contaminants, so please do not attempt any of these unless it is safe. SERVPRO IICRC certified techs are trained to assess for pollutants and will advise you on what level of water damage you have and the best way to clean it. They will also take care of all aspects of cleaning, disinfection, and drying.

If you are worried about fire damage restoration, call SERVPRO of Texarkana (903) 832-4400.

Does Your Business Need Crawl Space Mold Removal?

1/14/2022 (Permalink)

Mold is an occurring substance that is present in nature. That means there are always some mold spores present in your business premises. The problem comes when those mold spores find the right conditions to form a colony. Once a colony grows, it is all too easy for spores to split off from the main colony and find a new place to grow, causing a series of mold patches to spring up in your shop or office.

The fungus thrives in dark, damp places. That makes crawl spaces an ideal home for mold. If you have mold growing in your business premises crawl space, you need a Texarkana mold removal service. But how do you know there is mold in your crawl space?

• Use your nose – if the crawl space smells musty, there might be a problem.
• Shine a torch in and see if there are any visible mold patches.
• Look for damp patches or signs of mold on the floors or walls near the crawl space.

SERVPRO techs can seal off your crawl space and then tackle the mold using media blasting, HEPA vacuums, and wiping down.

If you are concerned about crawl space mold removal, call SERVPRO of Texarkana at 903-832-4400.

Get it fixed, before it gets costly

1/5/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage is a problem that most property owners would rather not have to face. After heavy rains or flooding, the risk of water damage increases. Water can cause thousands of dollars in damages. It can damage wood, furniture, electronics, household appliances, and your electrical and plumbing systems. Water intrusion poses risks to your health from exposure to mold, raw sewage, and bacteria. Hire water damage restoration experts from SERVPRO. They can make the water removal and clean up safer and faster.

Water damage comes From Many Sources
Water damage can be caused by dishwashers that leak, toilets that become clogged, appliances hoses that break, leaks from plumbing, or broken pipes. When too much water and an insufficient way to move or get rid of the it, more complicated problems can arise. For example, a small flood, over time can cause structural damage to your home. Water damage if untreated, can destroy homes or cause them to be uninhabitable until after restoration. You must start the water damage cleanup immediately. If you initiate the water damage restoration process quickly, you increase the chances of saving water damaged items and reduce the risk of unsalvageable items and structural failures.

Permanent Damage Caused By Water will encourage the proliferation of mold growth. Mold growth can destroy woodwork, ceilings, drywall, and other trim. Further, it can damage furniture that sits and soaks in water for an extended period. Constant standing water will cause boards and planks in your home to become warped and weakened. Over time, this will lead to threatening the structural integrity of your home. Water can ruin your home. Waiting to remove water and block on-going damage saves you stress, time, money, and preserves more of your personal, irreplaceable possessions.

Our experts from SERVPRO also have the IICRC training to complement an extensive arsenal of industry grade pumping equipment, drying machines, cleaning products, and expertise to surmount all of your flooding situations. Some water damage may only require a minor cleanup process. However, some jobs may need a big renovation. We can cover the entire process from water removal to complete restoration and keep you well informed of the progress. Our goal is to mitigate the water damage, and get you back home "Like it never even happened."

We’re Highly Trained Water Damage Specialists

As water damage specialists, SERVPRO of Texarkana has the equipment, experience, expertise, and advanced training that enables us to get your property dried quickly and thoroughly. We respond to your water damage quickly. Call us 24/7 at (903) 832-4400.

Don't Make Your Entire School into a Science Experiment When Water Damage Strikes

11/20/2021 (Permalink)

Education is something that Texarkana residents take seriously, and that is why when a disaster threatens one of the local schools, it is critical to get this situation resolved immediately. The less time that incidents take to get restored and cleaned up, the less time that students have to spend without a place to go and learn.

Water damage in your school is often among the situations that get overlooked by overseers as minuscule or non-threatening. Unfortunately, this is not the case. An inadequately or improperly cleaned and restored water damage incident can lead to many severe effects for the building and also those that use it.

Our SERVPRO professionals are available 24/7 to help you through any emergency that one of the schools in the area districts faces. This commitment ensures that your institution is getting highly trained restoration specialists with industry-leading equipment to overcome any level of water damage incident that you face. However, how can water damage cause significant problems for the building?

One of the first concerns is the penetration into flooring and wall materials like drywall, wood, and linoleum. In just a brief period these materials can become oversaturated and deform, break loose and fail. This hazard can affect both faculty and students and persist gradually after the water had presumably gotten cleaned up with conventional approaches.

Another pressing concern for school officials should be persistent dampness and moisture. These conditions could lead to hazardous secondary effects like mold growth which could affect those occupying the building. Our SERVPRO team has moisture detection equipment we utilize to ensure that our efforts have successfully removed all of the water from the affected areas, not just the areas that can be readily seen.

When you are responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of an entire school, there are often hundreds or even thousands of people to consider with every decision. Trust in the experience and rapid response of our SERVPRO of Texarkana water restoration team to help you through every step of restoring the building. Give us a call today at (903) 832-4400

Flooded Office

10/13/2021 (Permalink)

There is never a good time to experience a property disaster.

Providing emergency property damage services for commercial establishments is one of the main services we provide at SERVPRO of Texarkana.

Water damage/flooding events are the most common disaster at offices and other commercial properties. Fire is second, followed by autos crashing into structures, falling trees, vandalism and others.

There are many restoration companies that are prepared to dry a wet building, only a few companies are equipped to help keep a company open or return them quickly to operation. It’s the business interruption solution services that can make the most difference to business survival. Insurance can pay to restore the business and in some cases even cover lost revenue. However, if a building remains closed so long that customers go elsewhere, then the “damage” is really more devastating than the structural repair.

SERVPRO of Texarkana understands how to dry a wet structure. We can also help with electronics, office equipment, manufacturing equipment and the other parts of a business that might be impacted. Our team can set up electrical power generators and lighting. We will place storage pods and tents at a job site along with security so that temporary workstations can be set up.

If you experience a serious disaster at you office or facility call us at 903-832-4400.

The Reality of Flood Damages To Your Home

9/20/2021 (Permalink)

While you might not always think of your home as being susceptible to flooding, this unfortunate occurrence happens more often than area residents might realize. Typically, this traumatic disaster occurs in conjunction with storm damage from the heavy systems that pass through the area and offer both torrential rains as well as powerful winds that can knock down weaker trees, their limbs, or remove siding and shingles from your roof.
 
Once your home has gotten damaged by a storm moving through the area, you now have a vulnerable point of access for the rainwater to create flood damages in your residence. While there might not be a way that you can entirely avoid this possibility, there are ways that you can help to prevent irreparable damages and your insurance claim to the lowest that it can be: call professional restoration services, like what our SERVPRO team provides, immediately.
 
Our goal is to respond to your disaster as quickly as possible, and giving us the opportunity to address your flood damages as they happen can help us to get the job done more quickly, and you to have less time to worry about the damages in your home. If the flooding is still occurring when our team arrives at your home, our SERVPRO professionals work quickly to seal up the vulnerable points to prevent further water damage so that the restoration process can get underway.
 
Extraction is always a critical component to restoring flood damages to your home, and depending on the severity of the present water, could require portable pumps and wet-vacs, or even a pump truck from our fleet. Once the water has gotten successfully pulled from the affected area, then drying efforts can begin. This may take days, depending on the depth of the water, temperature, humidity, and structural conditions of the house.

While there are many different ways that your home might find itself at the mercy of flood damages, you do not have to face these effects on your own. You can always count on the dependability and professionalism of SERVPRO of Texarkana. Our team can work quickly to prevent irreparable damage to your home and restore it back to the way it used. whenever possible. Give us a call anytime at (903) 832-4400.

When Water Threatens To Damage Your Wood Floors In Your Home

9/7/2021 (Permalink)

Every type of disaster that can affect your home can adversely and substantially threaten the construction materials and structural elements of the property. When it comes to water loss incidents, all these same components remain at risk for as long as the situation is poorly maintained and not professionally cleaned up. Our 24-hour rapid response team can help you.

From leaking and faulty appliances to leaks and breaks through indoor plumbing, your home has numerous potential sources for water damage throughout it's life. Whenever your property gets threatened by this kind of damage, you need to protect the structural components of your house by employing professional restorers like our SERVPRO technicians to extract and dry the damage.

Within just a couple of days after a water incident in your home, the saturation and moisture can warp and bloat wood flooring. Once this process has started, it is nearly impossible to salvage. For this reason, it is recommended to procure trained professionals like our team to mitigate the situation immediately after it happens. With our rapid response team, we can arrive quickly to begin extraction work and get drying efforts started to prevent this irreparable damage.

In addition to the distortion of the wood flooring, this same material could become a seat for mold growth. A few days past the water loss incident without professional restoration and your home is likely affected by microbial and mold growth throughout the impacted area. Our SERVPRO water restoration specialists and remediation experts can work in conjunction to eliminate the dampness and to prevent mold growth through the application of our antimicrobial spray solutions.

Whenever a water damage incident occurs in your home, many homeowners become misled into believing they have taken care of the cleanup sufficiently while moisture and dampness persist out of sight. Elements like wood flooring and other susceptible materials can become irreparably damaged and require removal without the appropriate professional intervention. Give our SERVPRO of Texarkana team a call whenever you need us at (903) 832-4400

How Professional Equipment Help To Make Water Cleanup Easier

9/3/2021 (Permalink)

Water cleanup demands the use of appropriate products and equipment to make the job easier and things cleaner. Since we are talking about specialized equipment, it is the role of the technicians to operate the equipment correctly. There are also specific directions that we follow when applying the cleaning products when attending to such situation. All incidents are not the same, so, we select the equipment to use depending on the situation we are facing.

To determine if the structure is dry or not during water clean up in your home, we use detection devices. In this step, we use moisture sensors, moisture meters, and thermo-hygrometers. Thermo-hygrometers help us to measure the temperature and the relative humidity of the site. The role of moisture sensors is to determine whether there is moisture in materials during the initial stages of the inspection. On the other hand, moisture meters are helpful when we need to determine the exact moisture content in materials.

When our SERVPRO technicians are drying your property using space heaters, fans, and air movers, moisture escapes from wet materials and surfaces into the air. As the air absorbs the moisture, it reaches a saturation point where it cannot absorb any additional water vapor. If condensation takes place, then some additional damage is likely to occur. We perform dehumidification to remove the water vapor from the air using dehumidifiers and in the process speed up drying.

We also have appropriate tools to disengage the pad and carpet, separate seams and reinstall the carpet, seams, and pad. The use of safety equipment is equally important since it helps our SERVPRO technicians to avoid injury. For instance, we use gloves, boots, eye protection, and overalls. Our work usually follows the state and local regulations.

SERVPRO of Texarkana provides 24-hour commercial and residential restoration services. Call us at (903) 832-4400 to work with an experienced service provider with proven services in the restoration industry.

Remediating Flood Damage

9/1/2021 (Permalink)

Extreme weather in our area can often lead to flooding in homes. When a disaster like this strikes, the restoration service you hire needs to respond quickly and with the right equipment to not only remove water but to also begin returning your home to pre-damage condition as quickly as possible.

Remediating flood damage often starts with a source of power. If needed, SERVPRO work crews bring in a generator to provide electricity to our equipment and to also restore lights inside the home so they can work despite any further inclement weather.

Now, our technicians remove flood water from inside the home using pumps and extraction wands. If the sewer system is available, they pump the water directly into the nearest drain. If not, restoration teams can pump the water into the street to eventually drain and evaporate. If the water is contaminated and the sewer is still overwhelmed by the flood, team members pump the water into a tank truck for removal to the nearest water treatment plant.

Next, a SERVPRO inspector examines the home to determine what can be restored or requires disposal. Since carpets can absorb an incredible amount of water and remain restorable, he starts with those. Even a short time exposed to water can ruin a carpet pad, however; so the inspector has the team lift the carpet and throw out the pad. It is cheaper to replace one than spend the labor hours needed to attempt to dry and clean it. When the carpet is flooded from an outside source like a storm, however, it is also contaminated past the point of safely restoring it, and the inspector recommends throwing it out as well.

Before replacing the pad and laying the carpet back in place, teams use air movers to push warm, dry air over the surface of the floor to dry it and exhaust fans to pull any damp air out of the room and off the floor. These same devices also help dry the carpet before the teams tack it back to the floor.

After carpets, drywall paneling is probably more affected by flooding than anything else. The inspector examines each panel carefully for damage, removing the floor trim and drilling holes into the section behind them to check and allow water to drain if needed. If the panels have not absorbed too much water, technicians use air movers to force warm air across the surface gently and can attach a hose to direct the air into the wall space to carefully dry both sides.

The goal for SERVPRO of Texarkana is to return every home to what it was before the flood. If you are still dealing with the effects from the last storm, call us today at (903) 832-4400 to set up an inspection and receive a free estimate. We are here for you.

Effects of Water Damage

8/24/2021 (Permalink)

Causes of Water Damage

There are many causes of water damage.  Leaky dishwashers, clogged toilets, broken pipes, broken dishwasher hoses, overflowing washing machines, leaky roofs, plumbing leaks, and foundation cracks are just some of the possible causes of water damage in homes and businesses. Natural causes also can cause water damage floods, heavy snow, and heavy rain are other possible causes of this type of damage and can lead to having water in basements.

We understand...

SERVPRO understands every water damage situation is a little different, and requires a unique solution, but the general process stays the same. The steps listed below illustrate our process for the “typical” water damage emergency.

Do's and Don't of Water Damage

8/18/2021 (Permalink)

THE DO’S OF WATER DAMAGE

• Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting
• Wipe excess water damage from wood furniture after removal of lamps and table top items.
• Remove and prop wet upholstery and pillow cushions for even drying
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting
• Turn air conditioning on for maximum drying (in summer)
• Remove Oriental rugs or other colored rugs from wet wall-to-wall carpeting
• Remove valuable paintings and art objects to a safe, dry place
• Open and place luggage, in sunlight to dry, if possible
• Gather loose items, toys, etc. from floors

THE DON’TS OF WATER DAMAGE

• Leave wet fabrics in place; dry as soon as possible. Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature
• Leave books, magazines or other colored items on wet carpets or floors
• Use a standard vacuum to remove water
• Use TVs or other major appliances while standing on wet carpets or floors, especially not on wet concrete floors
• Turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet, and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging from retained water

We sincerely hope these experiences never happen to you but if they do we are standing by to help, 24 hours a day/7 days a week, and can be reached at 903-832-4400..

Toilet Leaks Can Seem Small but Create A Big Mess

8/2/2021 (Permalink)

A leak from a toilet may seem like a little issue; more of a headache then an actual issue, but even a small amount of water can call a big mess. Many people may see just the water on the floor around the base of the toilet and think that just mopping up the mess will take care of the problem, but damage can be much more excessive then is visible.

It is not uncommon for toilets to malfunction and leak or have a wax ring fail and cause water damage, but it makes it no less annoying and frustrating when it happens to you, in your home. SERVPRO of Texarkana has been helping with water damages from toilet leaks and pipe breaks for many years and our trained and experienced crews of technicians are ready 24/7, 365 to respond and help you when disaster strikes.  We are ready to help you.

What to do until help arrives:

7/13/2021 (Permalink)

A fire can leave behind soot, smoke damage and a host of other problems. Ceilings, walls, woodwork, carpeting, and floors will often need a thorough professional cleaning. If your home or business suffers a fire, it is important to take the appropriate steps to prevent further damage until your local SERVPRO of Birmingham South arrives. The following tips may help reduce damage and increase chances of a successful restoration.

DO:

-Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpet.

-Keep hands clean. Soot on hands can further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork. n Place dry, colorfast towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas.

-If electricity is off, empty freezer/ refrigerator completely and prop doors open to help prevent odor.

-Wipe soot from chrome kitchen/ bathroom faucets, trim and appliances, then protect these surfaces with a light coating of lubricant.

-If heat is off during winter, pour RV antifreeze in sinks, toilet bowls, holding tanks and tubs to avoid freezing pipes and fixtures.

-Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers to stop particles of soot from getting in or out of the HVAC system.

What's the difference?

6/25/2021 (Permalink)

Lately there has been flooding all over the United States: if you are unfamiliar with the difference between a flash flood warning, flood warning, and flood advisory; then read below! 

What is the difference between a Flood Watch and a Flood Warning issued by the National Weather Service?

• Flash Flood Warning: Take Action! A Flash Flood Warning is issued when a flash flood is imminent or occurring. If you are in a flood prone area move immediately to high ground. A flash flood is a sudden violent flood that can take from minutes to hours to develop. It is even possible to experience a flash flood in areas not immediately receiving rain.

• Flood Warning: Take Action! A Flood Warning is issued when the hazardous weather event is imminent or already happening. A Flood Warning is issued when flooding is imminent or occurring.

• Flood Watch: Be Prepared: A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for a specific hazardous weather event to occur. A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible.

• Flood Advisory: Be Aware: An Flood Advisory is issued when a specific weather event that is forecast to occur may become a nuisance. A Flood Advisory is issued when flooding is not expected to be bad enough to issue a warning. However, it may cause significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, it could lead to situations that may threaten life and/or property.

What to do AFTER a water damage

6/23/2021 (Permalink)

Understanding what type of water you are dealing with is critical. 

Clean water is water from a broken pipe, or other water source; rainwater is also considered clean. Gray water is slightly contaminated water; clean water becomes gray water when it is left untreated. Black water is highly contaminated and filled with fungi, bacteria, and chemicals. Black water is usually caused by sewage damage, flooding or any type of natural disaster. Black water should ALWAYS be handled by a trained professional.

Make sure you...

-Shut off the water source if possible or contact someone to do it

-Turn off circuit breakers if safe from potential electrical shock. DO NOT enter rooms with standing water.

-Remove excess water by mopping and blotting. Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removing tabletop items. Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpet.

-Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions.

-Move any paintings, art, computers, documents, and other items of value to a safe place.

-Do not leave any books, newspapers, or magazines on wet carpet.

-Do not use your household vacuum cleaner since there is potential for electrical shock. 

-Do not turn on ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet, and do not enter the room if the ceiling is sagging.

Water Damage? What to do

6/1/2021 (Permalink)

If you have a water damage from a clean source such as water supply lines, sink overflows, tub overflows, or appliance malfunctions, here are some things to do before SERVPRO arrives.

• Shut off the source of the water.

• Turn off circuit breakers for wet areas of the building if the access panel is safe from electrical shock.

• Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting

• Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removing lamps and tabletop items

• Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions for even drying

• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting

• Remove to a safe, dry place any paintings, art objects, computers, documents and other materials that are valuable or sensitive to moisture.

• Use wooden clothespins to keep furniture skirting off damp floors

• Hang draperies with coated hangers to avoid contact with wet carpeting or floors

Boyz-n-the-Flood

5/26/2021 (Permalink)

Vs. Other Water Losses

Flood damage Texarkana considered a Category 3 water loss, meaning it is grossly contaminated.  The water carries solid debris and bacteria that can cause diseases. Floods can be very dangerous, but even if the flooding is not life-threatening, bacteria and viruses being carried in the water can cause serious health risks.

How To Mitigate

Safety is a priority in flooding situations.  Live electrical wires are a serious, life-threatening hazard.  Like any water damage, standing water must be removed and the structure dried, but with added protections and cautions.  Porous materials sometimes cannot be cleaned and disinfected to required standards post-flood. Carpeting and padding must be removed and discarded.  Drywall needs to have flood-cuts done to remove any hidden water. Flood-cuts can potentially save the remaining wall and prevent microbial growth from starting to spread.  Any water-soaked insulation must be discarded too. If the debris contains chemicals, sewage, or other potentially harmful materials, we might need to contain the solids and dispose of them according to local hazardous waste rules. 

Count On Us!

SERVPRO of Texarkana has all the resources to take care of your needs during disasters like flooding.  We have more than enough equipment to handle any size job or any amount of jobs. We are also professionally trained in the SERVPRO system and have IICRC certified team members ready to assist 24/7.  Contact SERVPRO of Texarkana 903-832-4400.

Toilet Leaks Can Seem Small but Create A Big Mess

5/24/2021 (Permalink)

A leak from a toilet may seem like a little issue; more of a headache then an actual issue, but even a small amount of water can call a big mess. Many people may see just the water on the floor around the base of the toilet and think that just mopping up the mess will take care of the problem, but damage can be much more excessive then is visible.

It is not uncommon for toilets to malfunction and leak or have a wax ring fail and cause water damage, but it makes it no less annoying and frustrating when it happens to you, in your home. SERVPRO of Texarkana has been helping with water damages from toilet leaks and pipe breaks for many years and our trained and experienced crews of technicians are ready 24/7, 365 to respond and help you when disaster strikes.  We are ready to help you.

Crawlspace Water Remediation

5/20/2021 (Permalink)

Water leaks can wreck havoc in a home or business. This crawlspace was damaged from a leak so the SERVPRO of Texarkana team entered into the space in order to clean out the wet material.  After the material was removed, the remaining wet beams needed to be dried. The team immediately jumped into action in order to ensure the wooden beams in the crawlspace were dried correctly and efficiently. The owner was very grateful that the SERVPRO of Texarkana's team responded quickly to her emergency. The professionalism this team showed during this job was incomparable to other remediation companies that the owner has dealt with in the past.  Our team is efficient, knowledgeable, professional and prepared to clean up your disaster in order to make it "Like it never even happened."  Give us the chance to serve you during your time of need.  Call us at 903-832-4400

SERVPRO of Texarkana specializes in disaster restoration, cleanup and repair services, helping to remediate damage, making it “Like it never even happened,” for both commercial and residential customers.

About SERVPRO^®

Founded in 1967, the SERVPRO^® Franchise System is a leader and provider of fire and water cleanup and restoration services and mold mitigation and remediation. SERVPRO’s professional services network of more than 1,700 individually owned and operated Franchises responds to property damage emergencies ranging from small individual disasters to multi-million dollar large-loss events. Providing coverage in the United States and Canada, the SERVPRO^® System has established relationships with major insurance companies and commercial clients, as well as individual homeowners.

How To Prevent A Water Damage

4/8/2021 (Permalink)

No matter what time of year it is, if you’re going to be away from your home for an extended amount of time – even just overnight – it’s a smart idea to turn off your water until you return home. Why? Because it doesn’t take very much water to cause a whole lot of damage! If your pipes freeze and burst while you’re gone, or if a washer hose ruptures or a supply line leaks, major water damage can occur! There are a few things you can do before heading out of town to give you peace of mind when it comes to the state of your home’s water.

Shut off the Main Water Valve

Your safest bet is to turn off the main water valve. Make sure the adults in your home know where the main shutoff valve is and know how to turn it on and off. (Knowing this will also come in handy if you’re at home during an emergency, so the water can quickly be shut off!) Locate the main water valve near your water meter usually located in the basement, near the front of the house, attached to the outside of the home’s exterior, or in an underground box in the yard.

There are two types of main shutoff valves. You’ll probably find what’s called a “gate valve” if you’re in an older home. Turn the rounded handles a certain number of times to open or close the valve. The “ball valve” is more common today. Turn the lever-like handle 90 degrees to turn the water on or off. If this valve crosses the pipes, it’s closed; if it’s parallel to them, it’s open.

Test shutting off the valve ahead of time by locating the main shutoff valve, turning it off, and running a faucet. If no water comes out, you’ve successfully turned off your home’s water supply!

Turn off Individual Water Valves

But what if you’re leaving during the summer and you can’t turn off your entire water supply because you have automatic sprinklers? If this is the case, you can simply turn off individual water valves to the water sources with the highest damage risk. These sources include the dishwasher, washing machine, and ice-maker. Individual shutoff valves tend to be located directly on the supply lines leading to most appliances, including toilets and faucets. Usually, this will be a small rounded handle that you’ll turn clockwise. Doing this will turn off the water to that source. (Take note that the ice-maker shutoff valve may be under the sink or in the basement!)

If you’ll be shutting off individual water supplies, it’s a good idea to kill two birds with one stone and check your supply lines themselves. They can become weak over time, resulting in leaks, cracks, or bulging. If you notice these or other forms of corrosion, you may want to repair or replace them before leaving.

Turn off Water Supply to Outdoor Faucets

If you’re leaving during the colder seasons, it’s a good idea to also shut off the water to your outdoor faucets as well. Their shutoff valve will most likely be located inside your house. Shut it off before you head out the door. Once you’ve shut off the valve, turn on the exterior faucet to drain any excess water. And remember to detach the hoses, too!

Overflowing Toilet

3/31/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Texarkana responded quickly to a residential water loss caused from a toilet overflow in the hall bathroom. The water migrated through the hallway, living room and kitchen, affecting the laminate wood flooring in all the rooms. After SERVPRO removed the wet laminate wood flooring, we started the drying process with drying equipment to the concrete sub floor completing the job.

Let us restore your water damage property to its preloss condition. We are always here to help! 903-832-4400.

We provide quality water restoration services to your home and business. No matter what the cause or how large the project we have got you covered. No job is too small or too big for us at SERVPRO of Texarkana. Don't wait; call us to care for your needs.

Recovering After Flood Damage Pervades Your Property

3/11/2021 (Permalink)

Team SERVPRO Arrives With Efficient Equipment Ready to Dry Out Your Flooded Home

Flooding can affect any home, especially those in lower-lying areas. Because so many different bayous and smaller creeks and streams exist in the area, small blockages can spell disaster for nearby homes with only a small amount of rainfall.
 
Residents who own homes that sustain flood damage can find themselves and their families temporarily displaced. Such disastrous events often force families into temporary shelter arrangements, which can cause stress and hardship for even the strongest families. SERVPRO technicians can help reduce the time your family must remain away from home and restore everything "Like it never even happened." Returning your home to a safe, preloss condition means your family easily moves forward without memories of the flood persisting.
 
Silt retains moisture, as do waterlogged materials. We remove these so the house can return to normal moisture levels quicker. Once we take saturated materials out, our equipment dries everything faster and more efficiently. Cleaning your home's interior furnishings, such as furniture, appliances, and woodwork also proceeds more safely in the absence of soggy carpets and crumbling drywall. When special equipment may suffer problems, we partner with expert technicians who can help resolve any issues before they become permanent or worse.
 
Deodorizing your home after invasive water floods can also mitigate any microbial populations that might cause problems for your family and pets. We perform thermal fogging and other types of methods of odor elimination and control, leaving your home smelling like it should and without any wet musty odors. Our Odor Control Technician (OCT) holds IICRC certification, helping ensure the work completed lasts long and provides you with the results you want.
 
SERVPRO of Texarkana is always ready to help our local families deal with flood damage. Call us at 903-832-4400 so we can use the latest equipment and techniques to restore your home. We work quickly to restore your home. We want to help your family return to a safe and dry home, free of the risks left behind by flooding.

HIdden Water

3/1/2021 (Permalink)

Water can create havoc within a home.  Standing water can be a big issue that can be tough to take care of, but what happens if there is water in your flooring or walls that you are not aware of?  What will happen with this hidden water as it sits in your home or business?  This is the water that will end up causing you the most damage.  The first issue that comes to mind with hidden water is microbial growth of course!  And who wants mold and mildew growing in your home?  After you have any water damage to your home or business, you want SERVPRO of Texarkana to immediately get to your home or business and check for any hidden water! This will save you time and money if these issues are found and fixed early rather than a few months down the road.  Don't let water sit in your walls or under your floors!  Call us today at 903-832-4400 to check out any concerns!

Living In Your Home With Water Damage

2/15/2021 (Permalink)

Any time you experience water damage in your home it can be distressing. Coming home to or waking up and discovering water damage can throw off your entire day. Once the damage is discovered, you begin the process of making phone calls and going through the steps to repair the damage. Often times when water damage occurs the customer has to live in their home throughout the process. In severe cases they may find other temporary arrangements. When we come into your home during your frustrating time, it is our goal to make sure that the process of getting your home back in order is as stress free as possible. We will come in a set up our drying equipment in the affected areas and perform any necessary demolition to wet materials. We always strive to have the home dry and have equipment removed within 4  days. At that point the customer can choose to complete the necessary repairs. In the case that you ever experience water damage, rest assured that we can take of you! Call our office at 903-832-4400.

What To Do Before Help Arrives

1/6/2021 (Permalink)

Water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of Texarkana provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days -including all holidays.

If you have a water damage from a clean source such as water supply lines, sink overflows, tub overflows, or appliance malfunctions, burst pipes here are some things to do before SERVPRO of Texarkana arrives.

• Shut off the source of the water
• Turn off circuit breakers for wet areas of the building if the access panel is safe from electrical shock.
• Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping or blotting with towels
• Remove any and other materials that are valuable or sensitive to moisture to a dry place.
• Use wooden clothespins to keep furniture skirting off damp floors
• Remove colored rugs from wet carpeting.
• Remove any loose items from the floors
• Turn air conditioning on for maximum drying in summer.

Need Emergency Service? Call us 24/7 – 903-832-4400

SERVPRO of Texarkana provides 24-hour emergency service and is dedicated to being faster to any size disaster. Our highly trained technicians can respond immediately to your residential or commercial emergency.

Faster To Any Size Disaster 

Flooding and water damage is very invasive. Water quickly spreads throughout your home and gets absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, and more.  SERVPRO of Texarkana arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs.

Do you know how to shut off the water at your work?

11/19/2020 (Permalink)

When something goes wrong at work usually our first instinct is to call the boss or maintenance. What happens if they happen to be in a meeting or out of the office if you suddenly find yourself with water going everywhere and you need to locate the water shut off, where do you even start?

SERVPRO of Texarkana can help commercial properties in preplanning for a water, fire or storm disaster. By having a plan of action in place prior to any event and including it into your regular training at your office you can help minimize the damage and cost if an unplanned water or fire event happens.  SERVPRO, as a free service to any commercial property, would love the opportunity to work with you and create an Emergency Ready Profile.  It will contain all the critical information to help minimize damages and provide the resources for the employees of the company with property details and information.

Call your local SERVPRO of Texarkana to set up an appointment to meet with one of our highly trained representatives, we are always here to help!

Our phones are answered 24 hours a day/7 days a week.

903-832-4400.

What You Should Do When You Find Flood Damage

11/17/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Works to Remediate Flood Damage and Prevent Future Damage

As unpredictable as it seems severe weather can be these days, it is difficult for people to adequately prepare for what might happen at a moment’s notice. With just a few days of rainfall, the ground can become too saturated to be able to keep up with a massive storm that might be on the horizon. Your Texarkana home might have been prepared for flooding threats when it got constructed decades ago, but even the most diligent of construction efforts can give way over time to allow for potential problems for your lower levels.

Flood damage to your Texarkana can be catastrophic. With water all over the lower levels of your home and often several inches deep, it can be almost impossible to make sense of where to even begin cleaning up the mess. Fortunately, our water restoration specialist's at SERVPRO can make this process much easier for you, and even communicate directly with your insurance company to help make the process less stressful and ultimately faster for you and your family.

Water Damage Facts

11/9/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage is one of the most common forms of damage to property.

Whether it's from a busted water pipe, sewage backup or flooding, water damage can wreak havoc on your property if not addressed immediately. While you likely already know the importance of proper water mitigation following a water loss, there's still a lot that may surprise you about water damage situations. Here are some essentials you should know about water damage restoration:

The more polluted the water, the worse your situation. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) classifies water into three categories in its S500 Standard:

• Category 1: Generally sanitary water
• Category 2: Significantly contaminated water
• Category 3: Grossly contaminated water

The category of water on any loss will dictate how it's restored and how much can be salvaged.

Mold can be debilitating to your home's structure and to your health. And, it doesn't take long to begin to grow. Mold needs only five perfect conditions to grow in 48-72 hours:

• Moisture
• Food source
• Prime temperature
• No/minimal air movement
• No/minimal light

Fast action is crucial. In order to begin processing an insurance claim, your agent needs to know about a water damage situation immediately, what happened, how it happened, the source of the water, etc. The longer you wait, the worse the situation gets -- not to mention, your chances of having a "sudden damage" claim approved begin to dwindle.

Worried about pipe bursts in the winter?

11/3/2020 (Permalink)

Water pipes burst because the water inside them expands as is it gets close to freezing and this causes an increase in pressure inside the pipe. When the pressure gets too high for the pipe to contain it ruptures.

A burst pipe can mean anything from a sink valve blowout to a water main fracture and anything in between. The most critical aspect of dealing with a burst pipe is turning off the water supply and stopping the flow of water. If the pipe is in a crawl space or a basement the water is fairly well contained. But if the pipe that burst is in a household setting, such as a toilet feed or an under-sink supply line, drying out the area becomes a bit more complex depending upon how much water has inundated the house.

As with any water damage, time is of the essence. Mold can start to develop in as little as 24 hours after an incident. The more time that passes without treatment, the more likely those materials will continue to deteriorate and may not be salvageable, especially with carpet.

If a water leak has affected multiple rooms, traveled from an upper level to a lower level of the home, or has been left unnoticed for more than 8 hours, professional water mitigation and specialized drying equipment is necessary. If you see that water has seeped into the sub flooring or the drywall, the safest step would be to contact a professional restoration company like SERVPRO. We can help remove or restore items that would otherwise develop mold. Another thing to keep in mind is the amount of time in which porous materials in your home have been exposed to water saturation.

Flood Damage And Insulation In Your Home

10/16/2020 (Permalink)

Even if you don't live in a high-risk flood zone, flooding is always possible from heavy storms. If your home has experienced flooding and flood damage, it is imperative that action is taken right away to restore your home. SERVPRO is always standing by to help you mitigate any flood damage and clean up your home.

When your home is flooded, one thing we need to check is your insulation. Moisture lessens its ability to work, and so it may have to be removed. Unlike other kinds of insulation, however, fiberglass insulation might not permanently lose its power. It is sometimes possible for us to dry it.

Rockwool and cellulose insulations usually mat when they get wet. Plus, moisture antimicrobial qualities and the fire resistance of cellulosic material. Rockwood also has metal in it which can rust when wet. Therefore, these kinds of insulation might need replacing.

SERVPRO techs also understand that vapor barriers on fiberglass insulation can slow drying, so it cannot always be restored. It can be difficult to dry insulation inside fully enclosed ceiling cavities or walls. Stopping the growth of mold is also a big concern in this situation.

Drying wall cavities requires us to ventilate them. One way we do this is by drilling holes in between studs and removing the baseboards. We then use these holes to force air into the wall cavities to increase evaporation. If a lot of moisture is present, we might need to remove drywall. There won’t always be moisture inside your walls during a flood situation. We use moisture meters to detect any hidden moisture.

When you experience flooding in your home SERVPRO of Texarkana is thorough in their remediation process to get your structure dry and safe again. Give us a call at (903) 832-4400 as soon as possible after an emergency like this so we can help.

Frozen Pipes

10/12/2020 (Permalink)

Frozen pipes are often those exposed to the cold weather, mainly ones outside of your house or in cold areas. It is great to be aware of the areas that pipes can burst from freezing such as; basements, attics, garages or kitchen cabinets. To prevent pipes from freezing it is good to:

Be sure to drain water completely from swimming pools, sprinkler lines and outside hoses.

Open kitchen cabinets to let warm air near the plumbing.

When it is extremely cold, let the water drip from the faucets that may come from exposed pipes.

Keep your heat set to the same temperature both day and night.

These things are very important when winter temperatures kick in as freezing pipes can cause you time, money and become an inconvenience

How SERVPRO Determines the Water Cleanup Processes for Your Home

9/22/2020 (Permalink)

Determining the Water Cleanup Needs of Different Items in Your Texarkana Home

Water cleanup is a necessary process when we are restoring your property after the unfortunate water event. Usually, there are different types of items in a building, and we have to select a cleaning method which does the work efficiently. For instance, the method we use to clean a carpet may be different from the one that we use when cleaning items such as subfloors and walls. We aim to return your property to its former condition, if not better.  

Let us start by looking at the cleanup techniques we use when cleaning carpets. To choose an appropriate cleaning method, we have to begin by checking on the soiling level. In some instances, the dirt may be resting on the fiber tips, and in some situations, it might penetrate deep into the fibers. We also have to check whether the fibers are stiff, sticky, or matted. Remember, we have to clean the entire room, even if it is a small section of the carpet that is affected.  

The carpet's soiling level can be heavy, moderate, or light. When our SERVPRO technicians are dealing with deep or heavy soiling levels, we may use rotary jet extraction and a deluxe pre-conditioner to rinse the area. We may use hot water extraction when cleaning moderate soiling levels and shampoo when we are attending to low pile carpets. For light soiling levels, we may use hot water extraction, bonnet and shampoo to clean.  

While at the site, our SERVPRO technicians make a list of materials to clean. The degree of exposure to water and humidity determines the cleaning needs of a material. Once we clean the closets, we may come across clothing and other contents that require deodorizing and cleaning.  

SERVPRO of Texarkana offers a stress-free cleaning and restoration process to residential and commercial property owners. Have a chance of working with our highly experienced technicians at any time of the day by calling (903) 832-4400.

SERVPRO IS READY TO HELP

9/8/2020 (Permalink)

We Answer the Phone Ready to Help
Call Today - 903-832-4400

We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO of Texarkana has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.

What to Expect

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed.

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:

• Your name and contact information
• Your insurance information (if applicable)
• The street address of the water-damaged home or business
• When did the flooding or water damage occur?
• What caused the water damage (if known)?
• Is there electricity available (on-site)?

About SERVPRO of Texarkana

SERVPRO of Texarkana specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Cabinet Drying

7/6/2020 (Permalink)

Drying Cabinets

• burst pipe
• heavy rains
• leaks
• flooding

These can cause water to seep into the cabinets in your home. Left un-remedied, this can lead to serious damage

1. Water can cause wood to warp and twist.
2. It can lead to particle board inside cabinets swelling and becoming distended.
3. Over a period of days, standing water can lead to dangerous growths of mold and bacteria.

If you have water in your cabinets, you need to seek our trained technicians. Our thorough, step by step process removes all moisture from your cabinets to protect them from water damage. 

We use sensitive equipment to help us locate where water has invaded your cabinets. Finding the incursion is the first step necessary in getting the water out and your house back to being good as new.

We remove moldings and baseboards to expose the area below and allow us to remove moisture that can damage your home. We drill in inconspicuous areas at floor level and inside cabinets so that the drill holes can be easily concealed after drying is completed.

Our top of the line equipment increases airflow behind and beneath cabinets and large appliances. This helps speed up evaporation, removing water quickly before it can cause serious, long-term damage.

The process can take anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days.When you experience water damage, we should be the first people you call. We are available 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. SERVPRO of Texarkana is here here to help.

Restoring Your Commercial Property After A Water Damage Event

6/30/2020 (Permalink)

Flooding and water damage events at commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large scale event, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. In many instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.

Restoring Commercial Properties Presents Unique Challenges

Our professionals are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.

About SERVPRO of Texarkana

SERVPRO of Texarkana specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Steps to take after your toilet overflows

6/24/2020 (Permalink)

3 Steps To Take When Your Toilet Overflows

Toilets are the workhorses of the bathroom, so naturally, they occasionally malfunction. One of the most common outcomes of a toilet issue is an overflow, an outpouring of water that can be messy and even dangerous if water is contaminated. Whether caused by sewer damage or an everyday clog, a flooded toilet can pose a fast-moving crisis. Don’t panic. Use these tips to be ready when your Longview home faces this common household calamity.

Why Toilets Overflow

The first thought when a toilet overflows is a clog or even sewer damage, but many things can cause your bowl to shut down. Causes include:

• Stopped up toilet traps
• Blocked drain pipes
• Clogged sewer lines

Whatever the cause, the outcome is the same, a bathroom flooded with gray water. It’s key to know what steps to act fast to minimize damage.

Stop the Water

Immediately reach behind your toilet and find the water shut off valve. If you don’t have one, try opening the tank and removing or blocking the float so it won’t keep letting water fill the tank.

Clean Up

Toilet overflow water is considered contaminated gray water at best and black water if it contains human waste. It’s important after a toilet overflow that you immediately use towels to clean up the water. Wash or dispose of them afterward.

Find the Blockage

In cases where you are certain something is blocking the toilet, try removing it either by hand or with a plunger. Be sure to wear gloves to avoid contaminating your hands. If you can’t find the object or it’s too stuck, it’s time to call a plumber or sewage company.

Bad pipes, clogs or even sewer damage can cause toilet overflows in the blink of an eye. Know how to handle them. Use these tips to stop the flow of water then call your local sewage removal experts for extensive cleanup

"We're All Mad Here"

6/16/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Texarkana is here to help.

When you have severe water damage at your home you might go MAD trying to coordinate everything with insurance, mitigation, content cleaning, and then you might have to worry about reconstruction. One thing that you might not think about is all of your important documents and pictures that might have been damaged. You wouldn’t want your marriage license or your Great Grandma’s bible to grow mold because you forgot it had gotten wet in all the hustle of the water damage. We can dry your books, pictures, paintings, and important documents for you.

The Mad Hatter said “No wonder you’re late. Why, this watch is exactly two days slow.” You don’t have to worry about our clocks being slow because we are a 24/7 company.

Time is Money

6/12/2020 (Permalink)

Besides a natural disaster or a fire, floods can be one of the worst things that can happen to your business. It affects your employee’s productivity – fans are loud, and dehumidifiers are hot making it hard to work in conditions like that. In turn, that means that you could be losing revenue for the time that your business is closed. We know how frustrating that can be: we’ve been there before, after all!

That’s why we work as hard as possible here at SERVPRO of Texarkana, and with equipment that’s been specially designed to make sure that the drying process is quick and easy on you and your employees so everyone can get back to work in a timely manner.

If you’ve been hit by a water loss at your commercial space, give us a call today at 3-832-4400.

Water Damage To Your Texarkana Home? No Problem!

6/10/2020 (Permalink)

Has a pipe leak, or the recent rains caused water damage to your Texarkana home? No worries! SERVPRO of Texarkana is “Here to Help!” We are on standby 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to make sure that your water loss emergency is handled immediately no matter what. Even if it’s in the middle of a fireworks show on the 4^th of July we will be there. It doesn’t matter the size or location either, whether it’s your home or your 1000 square foot warehouse we’ve got the equipment, manpower, and training to get the job done right and done right every single time. Our reviews prove that.

If you’ve found yourself with water damage, give us a call today at 903-832-4400!

Water Categories

5/13/2020 (Permalink)

When we deal with water extractions in your homes, you may hear things like “category three” water cleanup, but what do the different categories mean? There are three different categories and each category describes a level of contamination within the water.

Category 1 or “clear water” is water that comes from a clean source such as a disconnected line from an appliance, a water supply line that has broken, or a tub that has overflown. With exposure to other materials, Category 1 water can quickly deteriorate to a Category 2.  

Category 2 or “grey water” is water that has come from a source such as overflowed drains from washing machines, dishwashers, or shower and sink, or aquariums. Category 2 water has contaminants that can make you uncomfortable or sick. Much like Category 1, Category 2 water can quickly turn into Category 3.

Category 3 or “black water” is the worst classification of water loss that you can have.  Category 3 water is incredibly contaminated water, and contains pathogens, toxins, and other harmful things. This type of water can cause severe illness, or even death, when someone is exposed to it. This type of water’s source can include ground water, toilet over flow with feces, flooding from rivers or streams, and sewer backup.

If you have a water loss, don’t wait! Call SERVPRO of Texarkana we answer our phones 24/7! 3.832.4400.

Commercial Property Water Loss and Extraction

5/1/2020 (Permalink)

Water is the single most long-term destructive substance in the indoor environment. It can dissolve or weaken building materials, damage floors and ceilings, and can also cause microbial growth if you don’t fix water damage quickly and professionally.

The faster the water is extracted the less damage to the building structure and contents.

The first thing to do if you are dealing with water damage at your place of business is to remove the water immediately. The faster the water is extracted the less damage to the building structure and contents. In situations, this is not enough. Standing water from carpet, flooring and walls can cause permanent damage if not taken care of in a timely manner

Extracting water in commercial buildings or properties, is a very important part of any large water loss. Fire sprinklers, used to stop fire from spreading, can leave you with wet and soggy office spaces. 

Water extraction is used to assist in the prevention of microbial growth from expanding and growing. Extraction of water is also needed to keep floors from buckling. The dehumidifiers and air movers will be placed by the technicians in the necessary areas of the building.

At SERVPRO of Texarkana we are here for your water and fire needs 24 hours day seven days a week. Call us at 903-832-4400

Helping to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Why You Should Never Use Bleach to Kill Mold

4/15/2020 (Permalink)

Nobody wants mold in their home, so when you spot some, it may be a natural reaction to want to clean it yourself but think twice before you grab that bottle of bleach off the shelf. Using bleach to treat mold can actually make the problem worse! Even the EPA and OSHA have taken a strong stance against using bleach to treat mold growth.

Bleach is designed to work on surfaces that are not porous, but mold thrives in porous areas. Bleach is about 90% water, so once the chlorine evaporates, the leftover moisture creates a perfect place for mold to grow. Though it may look like the bleach has killed off the growth, it has actually only killed the top layer of growth and left the roots. These roots allow the mold to grow back stronger than ever.

Bleach is toxic. Though it is great in small doses for simple cleaning tasks, you definitely don’t want to be dumping large quantities of it in your house or office. Children and pets get into everything – and this includes bleach. Even the fumes can create health problems! There are so many alternative solutions to treat mold with that there is really no reason to put your family or employees at risk by treating mold with bleach.

Bleach can actually weaken surfaces that you put it on. When bleach is used on surfaces such as wood, it begins to eat away at the fibers which weakens the structure. Even the slightest change to an important beam could have disastrous consequences!

When dealing with mold, it is important to make sure it is done right. That is why you should always leave it to a professional. Our experts will get rid of mold quickly and treat the affected areas to make sure that the growth does not come back. If you need mold remediation, call us today at 903-832-4400.

Flooded Basements Need a Rapid Response

3/26/2020 (Permalink)

A basement can flood at any time, although flooding most often occurs during heavy rainfall. Basements are inherently prone to flooding because they are the lowest level of a building and are normally built partly or entirely below ground level. There are a number of reasons why your basement could flood, including: 

• A blocked or failed sewer lateral pipe
• Heavy rain causes surface water to pool around your home
• Storm sewer backup
• Sanitary sewer backup
• Foundation drainage failure
• Water supply-line break or hot-water tank failure
• And many more

Have Questions about Basement Flooding?

Call Today at (903) 832-4400

If flood water is not handled quickly and properly, it can jeopardize your health and safety, and cause severe damage to your home’s structure. Remember, the longer you wait, the worse the problem will get.

The bottom line: a flooded basement can jeopardize your health, safety, and your home’s integrity. It’s worth making a call to SERVPRO of Texarkana and let our trained, professional crews handle the situation safely and correctly. We have earned the trust of hundreds of homeowners, business owners, and property professionals.

We are Flooded Basement Specialists:

• We are Available 24 hours/7 days per week
• We’re a Preferred Vendor to many National Insurance Companies
• We Bill The Insurance Directly – One Less Thing For You To Worry About
• Our Technicians are Highly-Trained  in Water Restoration Techniques
• We use S500 IICRC Restoration Standards
• Advanced Inspection and Extraction Equipment

Basement Flooded? Call Us Today – We’re Ready To Help (903) 832-4400

Faster "IS" Better When Dealing With Water Damage

3/16/2020 (Permalink)

Faster is better when dealing with water damage

Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of Texarkana provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays.

Faster To Any Size Disaster

Flooding and water damage is very invasive. Water quickly spreads throughout your home and gets absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, and more.  SERVPRO of Texarkana arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs.

Need Emergency Service?

Call Us 24/7 – (903) 832-4400

Water Damage Timeline

Within Minutes

• Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path.
• Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery, and belongings.
• Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets.
• Photographs, books, and other paper goods start to swell and warp.

Hours 1 - 24:

• Drywall begins to swell and break down.
• Metal surfaces begin to tarnish.
• Furniture begins to swell and crack.
• Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain.
• A musty odor appears.

48 Hours to 1 Week:

• Mold and mildew may grow and spread.
• Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp.
• Metal begins to rust and corrode.
• Furniture warps and shows signs of mold.
• Paint begins to blister.
• Wood flooring swells and warps.
• Serious biohazard contamination is possible.

More Than 1 Week:

• Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive.
• Structural safety, mold growth, and biohazard contaminants pose serious risks to occupants.

About SERVPRO of Texarkana

SERVPRO of Texarkana specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

SERVPRO of Texarkana are Flood Damage Experts

3/10/2020 (Permalink)

No job is to big or to small for SERVPRO of Texarkana.

If water fills the lower levels of your home due to extended periods of rain, a call to us can turn the tide toward recovery.

When a home in the Texarkana region suffers flood damage, the inhabitants do not have the luxury of waiting until the water recedes to make decisions. Large quantities of water inside your home’s foundation or basement risk significant harm to your building’s structure and contents. It is crucial that rapid removal of the water occurs, followed by complete drying of floors, walls, ceilings, and other building components. Our teams of flood damage specialists train for the opportunity to complete these tasks for you.

Flood damage is a water event that requires professional help. A bucket and mop or shop vacuum are not up to the challenge. The sheer amount of water quickly overwhelms any do it yourself attempt. The experienced technicians from SERVPRO employ powerful, industrial strength pumps and extractors to evacuate the water fast. Speed is critical because of the progressive nature of water damage.

Many structures, items, and surfaces can emerge nearly good as new if water does not have the chance to soak into and begin the process of disintegration. Although building materials like finished wood, concrete or cinder block may be able to shed water without much change, drywall, insulation, ceiling tiles, carpeting, and other porous components risk swelling, crumbling, and delamination if soaked for any period of time.

SERVPROemployees learn dozens of targeted strategies to quickly and successfully remove water from you place of business or home. Once the obvious water is gone, the crew uses high-efficiency fans and dehumidifiers to complete the job, drawing residual moisture out of contents and structure.

If severe weather threatens your property with flood damage, SERVPRO of Texarkana is ready to help you recover from this catastrophe completely. One call to (903) 832-4400 sets a process in motion that returns your home to you “Like it never even happened.”

Unchecked Roof Damage Could Allow Flooding in Your Attic

3/4/2020 (Permalink)

For any of your water needs give SERVPRO of Texarkana a call. (903) 832-4400.

Team SERVPRO Assesses Your Roof for Damage to Prevent a Flooding Scenario

As a homeowner, you often fixate on things that are meant to improve the functionality of your home or the convenience of your living. What many homeowners do not always have on their minds is the condition of their roof, namely how much wear and tear it experiences throughout the storm-ridden warmer months of the year. Without at least an annual inspection, you could miss impending damages and vulnerable points that later collapse or fall through, allowing widespread damage to occur to your house.
 
When your home’s roof fails to prevent water from entering the attic space of your property, high volumes of water can pool in a short period allowing flood damage. This damage might be detrimental enough, though if allowed to continue, can quickly spread to adjoining rooms through the flooring of the attic and out of the ceiling of the next floor down. The farther the reach of the water, the more involved and time-consuming the professional restoration process is.
 
Our SERVPRO professionals work quickly to seal off the damaged areas of your roof to prevent further water from entering through these vulnerable points. Once the threat has gotten removed, we set our sights on pulling the excess water from the entire affected area. Since the faster this extraction gets accomplished, the less potential damage occurs, reacting quickly to the presence of flooding in your home is critical.
 
Drying the area is another crucial component of our restoration process. With flooding that could affect multiple floors of your home, air movers, dehumidification equipment, and drying mats get used to pull the moisture from the environment. The drying mats penetrate deep below the flooring material to dry up the dampness.
 
Once the drying process gets completed, an assessment must get done to determine structural damages and what materials need repair or reconstruction efforts. For severely damaged areas, our SERVPRO technicians can remove just the damaged portions via controlled demolition to prepare these spots for reconstruction.
 
Flooding might not be anything new for the people in your area, but when it is your house that gets damaged, you want to make sure it is taken care of correctly. Trust the experienced specialists of SERVPRO of Texarkanat to work quickly and efficiently cleaning up the mess a flood leaves behind. Give us a call anytime you need at (903) 832-4400. 

Different Types of Water

12/24/2019 (Permalink)

Clean water, or water that does not pose a threat to humans. Possible causes of this type of damage include broken appliances or sink overflows.

Gray water. This means that the water is contaminated and may cause sickness of ingested. This type of water contains microorganisms. Broken toilets, broken sump pumps, and seepage may cause category 2 water damage.

Black water. This type of water is unsanitary, as it contains bacteria and other organisms that cause sickness. The possible sources of black water damage include sewage problems and contamination of standing water. 

Cleaning Up Water Damage On Your Own

12/12/2019 (Permalink)

Unplug everything first. Before you begin cleaning, unplug everything. It is very dangerous to enter a water damaged home if electronics are plugged in. Carefully unplug everything from the wall and turn off any appliances before you begin cleaning.

Soak up as much water as possible with a wet/dry vacuum. If you don't have a wet/dry vacuum, you can rent one at a hardware store. To begin the process of drying out the floor and walls, run the vacuum over your floors, walls, and anywhere else where you notice built up water damage. Sop up as much set in water as possible with the wet/dry vacuum.

^{Disinfect everything. Water damage can cause the build up of bacteria in your walls, floors, and carpeting. Disinfecting these areas to remove water damage is important.}

^{Apply a product to prevent mold growth. Mold growth can occur, especially in wood, after water damage. After cleaning and disinfecting your floors and walls, apply a product that inhibits mold growth.}

^{Use fans and a humidifier. Even after sopping up most of the water, there is likely some lingering water in your floors and carpeting. Keep fans in the room and have them on for 24 hours a day. This can speed up the drying process. You should also place a dehumidifier in the room if you have one.}

^{If it is to much, call the professionals. SERVPRO of Texarkana is here to for your needs. We are a locally owned and operated business. 24/7 service. 903-832-4400.}

What Do I Do If My House Floods?

11/14/2019 (Permalink)

Stop the Water at Its Source
Unless the flooding is due to an act of nature, find the source of the water and turn it off or seal it up. The easiest way to stop water flow is to turn off the main water valve to the house. If possible, locate the valve before it floods so you can find it easily in case of a water emergency.

Turn Off the Electricity
After the source of the water has been stopped, turn off all electrical systems in your home—but don’t walk through water to get to the fuse box. If you cannot reach the fuse box without stepping through water, call an electrician.

Prevent Mold Damage Aside from the immediate loss of personal property to water damage, there is secondary damage to consider. Mold is a huge problem after a flood—and not just the type of mold that you might find in a damp basement. Toxic mold or black mold can have long-term effects on your health. To avoid mold issues, you’ll need to do two things: keep areas that flooded as dry as possible and treat potential problem areas with a strong cleaner, like a bleach solution.

How to Tell If Your Plumbing Is Bad

11/12/2019 (Permalink)

Odd sounds coming from the faucets. Have you ever turned on your faucet only to hear an alarming sound? Any sound coming from your pipes usually indicates that there is air in them, which means that something is up with your bleed-off system.

Low water pressure. This is a very common issue, especially in older homes. Unfortunately, it can be caused by a number of problems and can be a bit tricky to find the root cause. Typically, low water pressure is the product of a leak in your system, a clog somewhere in your pipes (possibly in multiple places), or poorly sized pipes that fail to provide water pressure.

Unpleasant smells coming from the drains. There are a few different reasons for nasty aromas emanating from your plumbing. If the smell is just in your kitchen sink, it could be that scraps of food are building up in the drainpipe and decaying. If you smell rotten eggs, it’s possible that you have a blocked drain vent that is allowing sewer gas to back up into your pipes and enter your home. If you notice a smell coming from all of your drains and experience frequent clogging, your sewer line could be damaged.

Sluggish drains. We all have slow drains from time to time. More often than not, slow drains indicate a blockage in the pipes.

Stains or damaged walls. Brownish stains on your ceiling can indicate a plumbing leak if there is a bathroom located above it. Also, stained or warped walls and floors could be a sign of a leaking pipe and accumulating water.

Things to Know When Water Damage Occurs

10/9/2019 (Permalink)

After you have experienced water damage the first thing you should do regardless of the type of water damage is to shut off the water source if possible.  Once the water source is stopped contact SERVPRO of Texarkana at (903) 832- 4400. The faster mitigation begins, the less damage is sustained to your home or office.  While awaiting our services there are certain steps that can be taken:

For clean water losses:

• Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting.  Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removing lamps and tabletop items.  Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
• Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions to allow more even drying.
• Move any paintings, art objects, computers, documents and other materials that are valuable or sensitive to moisture o a safe placed.
• Do not leave books, newspapers, magazines or other colored items on wet carpets or floors as they may cause staining.
• Do not use your household vacuum cleaner to remove water as there is a potential for electrical shock or causing damage to the vacuum cleaner.
• Do not turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet; do not enter rooms where ceilings are sagging from retained water.

For contaminated water:

• Avoid all contact with sewage and items contaminated by sewage.  Wash your hands thoroughly if you come in contact with contaminated items.
• Do not walk through contaminated areas, as you could spread damage to unaffected areas.
• Do not turn on the HVAC system if there is a possibility of spreading contaminated air.
• Do not use household fans to dry the structure; air flow could spread contaminants.
• Discard any food and/ or products for personal hygiene and cleanliness if exposed to the contaminated items.

We are always here to help, where the water loss is big or small, clean or contaminated water and are a phone call away at (903) 832-4400.

The Diffrence In Grey and Black Water

9/13/2019 (Permalink)

Both grey water and black water are types of wastewater. It’s just that grey water is the result of water being used for household purposes, like cleaning and washing clothes, while black water contains feces and urine and other bodily wastes. Grey water can be easily recycled as doesn’t contain that much bacteria compared to black water. Black water is grossly contaminated and could cause severe illness or death if ingested and any contact should be avoided. Grey water and black water are also treated differently. Black water needs a more intensive treatment to kill the disease carrying bacteria present. Grey water can quickly degrade into black water if left untreated.

Keeping Your HVAC System Healthy

9/5/2019 (Permalink)

This is an A/C unit that leaked this week here in Texarkana. It soaked the carpet all around it. SERVPRO of Texarkana "Like it never even happened."

How does an HVAC system work? 

Air conditioners pull warm and humid indoor air over a coil of cold tubing. This coil is colder than the air because it’s filled with cold refrigerant. The moisture vapor suspended in the air condenses on the cold coil. The resulting liquid water is called condensate, and it drips off the coil and into a pan below it.

7 of the most common causes of water damage from you air conditioner:

• Clogged or disconnected drain
• Dirty condensate pump
• Clogged air filter
• Dirty evaporator coil
• Cracked drain pan
• Low refrigerant
• Condensation buildup within ductwork

Having your air conditioner leak can cause a small amount of  damage or a huge amount of damage. If you get a leak call us at SERVPRO of Texarkana and we will be happy to help.   

Putting Off Fixing a Leaky Sink Can Cause Water Damage in Your Home

8/22/2019 (Permalink)

If you discover water damage inside your home, take action as soon as possible.

Water Damage In Your Home

Everyone has days where they are excessively busy and cannot seem to get a moment to themselves, but the last thing you want to do is to ignore the threat of water damage inside of your home. Leaving a leaking pipe underneath your kitchen or bathroom sink can eventually cause water damage. Continually forgetting to fix it, and then putting it off when you do remember, can also cause further complications, such as mold and rot. The best thing to do for your home when you find a leak is to fix it immediately. Doing so leaves less room for damage to occur.

Accidents happen, and it is essential that upon discovering water damage inside your home, you take action as soon as possible. Turning off the water in your home so the pipe can no longer leak is the first step. Additionally, calling a professional immediately allows for a smoother remediation process, as water damage is often time-sensitive.

When you call SERVPRO, we always prioritize arriving at your home quickly. From the moment our team receives your call, we begin to organize our team to send your way. Our Estimator can go through the initial inspection with you and explain potential solutions until the rest of our team gets there. Once there, our team begins to work right away.

SERVPRO’s IICRC-certified technicians can bring advanced tools with them to address the damage in your kitchen or bathroom. Our goal is to decrease the moisture levels inside to an acceptable amount and to dry out the cupboard under your sink, which has been continually absorbing water. Additionally, we can check for any signs of further damage.

SERVPRO can set up tools such as desiccant dehumidifiers and air movers to draw out moisture and get air flowing. Additionally, we can also set up axial fans to help the process. Using these tools creates an environment that is ideal for evaporation to occur, which is what allows your room to dry.

Should your home suffer water damage, always call for help as quickly as possible. Call SERVPRO of Texarkana at 903-832-4400. It's our goal to return your home to its pre-damaged state.

Monitoring Job Site Conditions for Fast, Effective Water Damage Repair

7/26/2019 (Permalink)

Monitoring the drying process

Trust SERVPRO For Professional Monitoring of the Drying Process

The success of water damage restoration is based on patience, vigilance, and precision. It might be relatively straightforward to bring high-powered drying machines onto a site and set them up, but regulating their progress can be trickier. Fortunately, the experts at SERVPRO have years of experience in the water damage repair industry. 

We know that successful drying requires a careful balance of equipment, timeframes, intensities, and temperature control measures. When we repair water damaged property, we make scores of mathematical calculations to ensure that dehumidification and circulation tools are working in perfect harmony. 

At SERVPRO, we do not ask you to trust in promises, because we deliver demonstrable, verifiable results. Keep reading to find out why we think progress targets are such a big deal. 

Why a Dynamic Approach is Effective:
The greater the size of the affected area, the more challenges it presents for remediation experts because there is likely more than one type of water damage. For example, in a sitting room or den, there may be soft furnishings, wallpaper, drywall, plaster, electronics, books and other paper documents to save. Each of these items requires a slightly different drying and cleaning technique. Dehumidifiers are ideal for all round drying, in large rooms, but they have to be used in moderation if there is a lot of wooden furniture around. Similarly, both wet and dry fogging can be applied to get rid of damp, musty smells, but wet fogging isn’t suitable for use around electronics. Then, there’s the question of whether water has intruded into the walls and ceilings or under cabinets. 

The Value of On-Site Monitoring:
While the experts at SERVPRO have spent many years working with the effects of water damage, even they cannot guarantee that a particular drying approach will be successful until they see the results for themselves. For this reason, consistent, persistent monitoring of progress and the achievement of key drying goals is essential. 

Our technicians may leave fans, air movers, and dehumidifiers running overnight (or for several days in the case of severe water damage), but they are onsite regularly to make sure that everything is going smoothly. If moisture levels are dropping and relative humidity is falling too, the drying approach is working.

To find out more about how we guarantee the quality of our repairs and remediation work, get in touch with the experts at SERVPRO of Texarkana. 

(903)832-4400

Don't Get Short-Changed on Your Burst Pipe Claim

7/12/2019 (Permalink)

For water damage repair and restoration call SERVPRO of Texarkana

You care enough about your home to protect it with an insurance policy covering water damage, but are you sure you’ll fully recover your losses if bursting pipes unleash buckets of water inside your home? Here are some ways you can help ensure you won’t come up short.

1. Document Everything — Before and After

Before taking steps to fix broken pipe damage, document everything affected. Don’t throw away anything that’s been damaged beyond repair; take pictures of everything first or make a video.

It’s a good idea to also take photos or videos of your house and belongings when you first get your policy or when you make changes to your home. A before-and-after damage demonstration can help substantiate your claim.

2. Know What Your Policy Terms Mean

Be aware of any exclusion and exception terms in your policy. Find out from your agent what all the terms mean; certain types of damage from bursting pipes may not be covered. Water damage from long-term gradual pipe leakage, for example, may be excluded; only sudden or accidental damage may be covered. An adjuster could then conclude that damage reported in a claim could have been prevented if you had not neglected certain maintenance, inspection or repair issues. 

3. Be Proactive; Get Inspected and Have Maintenance Work Performed

To help prevent a claim denial based on gradual or long-term leakage, have your plumbing system inspected regularly by licensed professionals. Obtain inspection reports and keep records of all maintenance or repair work performed.

You’ll be better prepared to file a claim with sufficient picture and paper documentation, a full understanding of policy terms and a proactive approach to inspections and maintenance.

4. React Quickly and Call In a Reliable 24/7 Clean-Up and Claim Inventory Service

Contact a professional 24/7 emergency clean-up service as soon as possible. 

SERVPRO of Texarkana specializes in restoring contents damaged by water, fire or mold and we are available 24/7 

Facts About Flood Cuts

6/26/2019 (Permalink)

Flood cut in a local commercial facility

When flooding impacts your commercial building, you may not be sure where to begin when it comes to having repairs made. Water damage can cause a variety of problems, from mold growth to foul odors. Calling in a flood cleanup and restoration service to resolve these issues may help you reopen your business quickly after this type of disaster. Storm damage techs will likely explain the process to you before they begin, including some facts about flood cuts, which can be vital to your building’s restoration. 

1. Flood Cuts Can Expose Hidden Damage. 

When flood waters enter a building, its walls can absorb much of the moisture. This can cause damage to the wall’s interior, encourage mold growth and destroy any insulation behind the drywall. A flood cut exposes these problems so flood technicians can resolve them. During the process, a cut is made in the wall about a foot above the water line and the drywall is removed. Depending on the extent of the damage, techs will clean or replace it once the moisture issues behind the wall are resolved. 

2. These Cuts Can Eliminate Trapped Odors.

Flooding from overflowing streams, creeks and other bodies of water can carry toxins into your building, where drywall may absorb them. Over time, this contamination may cause foul odors to grow and spread. A flood cut can help resolve this issue, as restoration techs will likely tear out the affected drywall, dry and deodorize the wall behind it, and then repair it with new material. 

3. Flood Cuts Can Prevent Future Moisture Problems.

 

After flood waters recede, you may not be aware of any damage happening behind affected walls until you start to notice structural issues or staining. Replacing the walls can cost thousands of dollars, including insulation and wiring repair. Having restoration techs perform a flood cut shortly after the incident can prevent future issues and save you money.

When flooding affects your commercial building, facing the repairs can be stressful. However, when you understand flood cuts and other processes flood cleanup techs use, you can be more confident about the restoration’s outcome.

How to Handle a Misfire of Fire Sprinklers

6/24/2019 (Permalink)

Fire sprinkler are a boon to many businesses for their ability to stop fires in their early stages from consuming more property and becoming costlier. In some situations, these systems can unexpectedly trigger when there is no fire. This leads to flooding and its associated expenses. You can act to mitigate the water’s threat by understanding the causes of defects and how to stop the system during an incident.

Causes of a Fire Sprinkler Gone Awry

Sprinkler systems have safeguards to stop them from deploying except during a fire. There are several circumstances that can cause them to errantly deploy:

• Frozen pipes causing pressure to break pipes and leak
• Abnormal heat from abnormally hot weather or roof damage letting heat in
• Damage to the mechanism by service work done in or around the ceiling by yourself or others
• Vandalism for scrap parts or with the intention of committing insurance fraud using arson
• Metal corrosion from stagnant water in the pipes or sprinklers

Stopping the Water From Causing Property Damage

The most important step for stopping sprinklers from flooding your business it to identify where your business’ water shutoff valve is located. You should familiarize yourself with its operation, so you can stop the sprinklers if there is no fire. In case you are absent, other trusted employees should also be informed of it.

Water damage can ultimately be prevented with occasional professional inspection of your fire sprinklers. Proper maintenance ensures the system will deploy only when you need it. It’s good practice to make sure the sprinklers are clear of obstructions and not used to hang decorations. Misuse risks damaging the units.

Handling the Aftermath

Your insurance should be contacted and informed of the fire sprinkler malfunction to work out coverage. A professional water damage restoration crew is preferred to handle water removal and repair. Your actions impact the total cost of such services. With proper measures taken before and during a defective sprinkler incident, you can prevent extensive flooding to your business.

If you are in need of Water Remediation specialist, call SERVPRO of Texarkana 24/7   (903)832-4400

What are Water Categories?

5/28/2019 (Permalink)

Washing machine malfunction causes water damage in this home

When we deal with water extractions in your home, you may hear things like “category three” water cleanup, but what do the different categories mean? There are three different categories and each category describes a level of contamination within the water.

Category 1 or “clear water” is water that comes from a clean source such as a disconnected line from an appliance, a water supply line that has broken, or a tub that has overflown. With exposure to other materials, Category 1 water can quickly deteriorate to a Category 2.  

Category 2 or “grey water” is water that has come from a source such as overflowed drains from washing machines, dishwashers, or shower and sink, or aquariums. Category 2 water has contaminants that can make you uncomfortable or sick. Much like Category 1, Category 2 water can quickly turn into Category 3.

Category 3 or “black water” is the worst classification of water loss that you can have.  Category 3 water is incredibly contaminated water, and contains pathogens, toxins, and other harmful things. This type of water can cause severe illness, or even death, when someone is exposed to it. This type of water’s source can include ground water, toilet over flow with feces, flooding from rivers or streams, and sewer backup.

If you have a water loss, don't wait, call SERVPRO of Texarkana today (903)832-4400

Four Signs You Have a Leaky Shower

5/21/2019 (Permalink)

Shower leaks can cause ceiling damage in the lower level of your home

Because you use it so frequently, a shower or bathtub leak can cause big problems in your home. Sometimes, the leak can cause quite a bit of damage before you’ve noticed it. Here are a few signs to look out for that might indicate a leak in your bathroom.

1. Damaged Wall or Floor Structure

Over time, an undiscovered bathtub leak can cause severe damage to the structure of your house. If the walls or floors in your bathroom, or even the rooms around it, start to weaken, it might mean that there is a leak you cannot see.

2. A Musty Odor

Where there is water damage, there is often mold as well. If the leak is coming from the plumbing inside of the walls, you may be able to smell the growth before you can see it. If your bathroom is giving off a strong, musty odor that persists after cleaning, it is probably caused by a hidden mold growth.

3. Water Stains on the Ceiling Underneath

If you see water stains on the ceiling beneath your bathroom, this might be caused by a shower pan leak. Older shower pans that have worn out or new ones that have been installed incorrectly can cause damage to the surrounding area. 

4. An Unexpectedly High Water Bill

Sometimes, the first sign of a problem is not visual damage. If there is a continuous leak in your home, you might end up paying a lot more for water than you were expecting. If your bill looks too high for the amount of water you use, then a leak might be to blame.

If you see any of these signs of a shower or bathtub leak, you should have it examined quickly. Because water can cause a lot of damage to the structure of your home if it’s not dealt with, it is a good idea to contact SERVPRO of Texarkana at (903)832-4400 as soon as you notice the problem. Our technicians are trained and experienced in proper water extraction and drying. 

Roots Can Get Into Your Pipes Without You Knowing

5/13/2019 (Permalink)

Trees are beautiful and provide much needed shade to a home, but the roots can cause major damage to your pipes.

Regardless of where you live being a homeowner comes with both great joy and great responsibility. The general upkeep of your home depends on your efforts, but there are also neighbors and elements beyond your control that put you at risk. Something as simple as a beautiful tree whose roots grow underneath your crawl space can compromise your plumbing and cause an almost imperceptible leak that slowly erodes your foundation and adds humidity to your living room without you noticing.

When you find water  damage in your home, it is best to reach out to a professional team to assess the extent of the damage. Our SERVPRO technicians arrive upon receiving your call and can assess whether the humidity you sense in your living room is only limited to that area or if it has spread to other rooms. Furthermore, we trace the moisture to its origin and work with you to ensure the root compromising your plumbing is taken care of and the source of the leak repaired.

If the root in question is affecting your flooring, our SERVPRO team can help you restore it. For hardwood floors, we concentrate on returning them to their natural moisture level to prevent further buckling. If you have carpet, we use a wand to extract any water residue and make sure it is dry. Even beyond these obvious solutions, we take inventory of all your belongings in the living room including furniture, books, instruments, and decor that may also need to be restored. Our hygrometers help us determine whether they are also victims of excess moisture and we restore them appropriately.

SERVPRO of Texarkana is equipped to handle your water damage needs even when they are not catastrophic. It does not take a flood for your home to need the expert services of a trained team and we are just a phone call away. Reach out to us at 903-832-4400 and let us leave your home “Like it never even happened.”

Flush Your Water Tank and Keep Your Hot Water Flowing

5/7/2019 (Permalink)

If your hot water heater fails, call SERVPRO of Texarkana

Performing this one-hour task once or twice yearly will save you money on repairs, reduce your energy consumption and keep your water heater running at peak efficiency.

It can be done in six simple steps

1. Assemble Your Tools
The tools needed for a water heater flush include:

• A garden hose.
• A flathead screwdriver.
• A pump or 5 -gallon bucket if no drain is available.

2. Shut off the Energy Supply
For gas heaters, shut off the flow of gas to the unit.
For electric heaters, turn off the appropriate circuit breaker.

3. Prepare the Tank for Draining
Attach the hose to the drain valve of the water heater. Ideally, the other end should go to a floor or shower drain that is at or below the level of the valve. If you don’t have such a drain, you will have to determine a draining method that works for you. Keep in mind that the water is hot and could cause burns or damage lawns and shrubbery.

4. Drain the Tank
The goal here is to drain the tank and flush it with clean water. This is a three-step process.

• Open the drain valve which allows tank water to flow out and fresh water to flow in.
• After a few minutes, open a hot water faucet in the kitchen.
• Finally, shut off the water. When empty, give the tank one last quick flush.

5. Refill the Tank
Close the drain valve and open the water supply. Once the open water faucet shows a steady flow of water, shut it off.

6. Turn on the Energy Supply
Just reverse what you did earlier to shut off the power supply. For gas, confirm that the pilot light is lit.

When your water heater fails with a flood, you can call SERVPRO of Texarkana we have the training and equipment to perform your cleanup and quickly return things to normal.

903-832-4400

A Plan of Action for When Your Kitchen Sink Floods

3/25/2019 (Permalink)

Kitchen sink leak causes problem in this local residence

There are few things people dread more than finding a leak under the kitchen sink. Whether it be a slow leak or a burst pipe, flooding of any form can cause serious damage if not taken care of quickly. If you have a leak in your home, follow these steps to help minimize damage.

1. Shut Off the Water

There can be many signs of a leaking sink; these may include a pool of water under the sink or water spilling out of cupboards onto the floor. Your first priority as soon as you spot a leak is to shut your water off. Find your water main and turn it off immediately. Always make sure when you move to a new house that you know where the water main is in case of emergencies. Shutting your water off as soon as possible can help prevent further damage from flooding and water in the home.

2. Call Your Insurance Company 

Once you have shut off the water, your next step is going to be to call your home insurance company, which can then open a claim and offer assistance throughout the process. Water leaks can cause major damage that can require kitchen repair. Your insurance company can ensure the correct steps are taken to help you get the problem fixed.

3. Call a Restoration Company 

Your last step should be to call a restoration company. As much as you might be among the homeowners that seek to do things for themselves when something threatens their home, situations like water damage  require professionals with the right training and equipment to ensure that the job gets done adequately. SERVPRO of Texarkana technicians are available 24/7 for any need you might have by calling 903-832-4400. 

How SERVPRO Removes Water From Your Texarkana Home

2/27/2019 (Permalink)

Each SERVPRO truck is loaded with water extraction equipment. Call SERVPRO at the first sign of water damage.

When an appliance or plumbing line breaks in your home the amount of water threatening your property can be shocking. If the emergency happens when you are out of town or even away on a work day you can return to several inches to feet of standing water in the affected spaces. Facing the task of removing this amount of water with a wet household vacuum or a bucket and mop is a mistake. You need water moved out fast, and our highly-qualified crews can help.

The keys to efficient water removal are commercial grade equipment and specially trained technicians. Water damage moves quickly from inconvenience to significant structural component deterioration if not removed fast. Water that lingers more than 24 to 48 hours also subjects your home to the risk of secondary damage such as mold growth. You need a partner during this crisis with experienced employees and state of the art water removal and drying tools.

SERVPRO crews arrive within hours in our signature green trucks loaded with the equipment needed to remove water, detect structural moisture levels, and dry out your home. Submersible pumps and truck-mounted water extractors do quick work of suctioning out large quantities of water. If the electricity in your home is unavailable temporarily for safety reasons, we forge ahead using generators on our vehicles. 

Our crews certify as moisture measurement experts through IICRC coursework. SERVPRO also uses thermal scanning devices to locate any hidden pockets of water that need release and extraction after the water loss. Determining the levels of excess water with meters and probes in building materials and fixtures informs our drying goals. We position air movers, heaters, and dehumidifiers to remove residual moisture, vital to restore the function of the building materials shaping and supporting your home.  

A final step in the water removal protocol is sanitation with an EPA registered disinfectant. SERVPRO treats the affected areas to inhibit any potential mold growth and to control malodors. Our full-service water removal and damage mitigation services get your property back “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO of Texarkana is prepared for any water removal challenge with an industry-leading combination of skilled technicians and commercial grade equipment. Contact us at 903-832-4400 for an immediate assessment to put this water crisis behind you.

Water Damage Checklist

2/14/2019 (Permalink)

Commercial Water Loss

Water damage is one of the more devastating things that can happen to your business, short of a fire. Water losses can often close your office which in turn can mean lost revenue and productivity time. 

Unfortunately, while there’s not much you can do about storm related water damage, it’s easy to curb any unexpected damage to your business by doing regular inspections of your commercial space. Below are some places to check for water damage on a routine basis.

1. Roofing

        Rain seeping in through damaged roofs can go unseen and often cause water damage that goes left unnoticed for months and in turn causes mold growth that can cause health problems to you and your staff. Have a roof routinely inspected by a professional to prevent leaks, especially before our rainy spring season.

2. Pipes

        Your pipes can cause a ton of headaches. If you’ve got a burst pipe it can cause hundreds to thousands of gallons of water to flood your office space. If you have a slow leak, it could cause mold. It’s a good idea to have a plumber come out and inspect your pipes.

3. Sprinkler System

        Did you know that your sprinkler system can leak? It can! We’ve had a few jobs where a sprinkler had made a lot of damage in commercial buildings. Do regular checks to make sure your system isn’t faulty or broken. It can also save lives during a fire. 

If you’ve had any water damage to a commercial property, give SERVPRO of Texarkana a call today at 903-832-4400!

What To Expect: WATER

8/10/2018 (Permalink)

We Answer the Phone Ready to Help Call Today - 903-832-4400 We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO of Texarkana has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.

What to Expect When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed.

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:

• Your name and contact information
• Your insurance information (if applicable)
• The street address of the water-damaged home or business
• When did the flooding or water damage occur?
• What caused the water damage (if known)?
• Is there electricity available (on-site)?
• About SERVPRO of Texarkana SERVPRO of Texarkana specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Tips for Preventing Water Damage While You’re Away From Home

8/8/2018 (Permalink)

Water heater leaked for the majority of these homeowners vacation. This is what they found when the arrived home.

Whether you’ve got an older home or you recently built a place in Texarkana you’re not immune to finding water damage. One of the worst nightmares homeowners have is returning to town after a vacation to find a flooded area at home. If you’re not around to address the problem when it starts, you could be in for expensive repairs and recovery. If you plan on leaving your home for several days or longer, make sure you guard against the possibility of flooding. Inspect for Leaks Water pipe repair is a common remedy for water losses. Before putting yourself in the position where you have to do this after the fact, check before you leave town to ensure the pipes under your sinks and in and around appliances such as your dishwasher, water heater and washer aren’t leaking. A broken pipe can spill gallons upon gallons of water onto your floor.

Look at the Hoses Water pipe repair isn’t the only concern you have to prevent flooding. You must also inspect hoses:

• Check the hose connection to your refrigerator and ice maker.

• Make sure the hose that connects your water supply to the dishwasher is secure.

• Look for problems in your washing machine hose connection.

Assess Your Rain Gutters

This job may take some more effort, but it’s just as crucial. If your rain gutters have debris clogging them, that can prevent precipitation from properly draining off your roof and away from your foundation. Water could then pool up window wells and enter your basement.

Get Some Help

Find a trusted neighbor to check on your home a few times while you’re away. Show the person where to find the main water shut-off. Also, give this person the phone number for SERVPRO of Texarkana in case there is water damage. If you take these preventive measures, you shouldn’t have to worry about a water loss. You can then rest easy on your vacation knowing all is well at home.

SERVPRO of Texarkana 903-832-4400.

Top 10 most Popular Places to Find Water Damage in the Home

7/31/2018 (Permalink)

A homeowner never forgets that awful moment when they realize that their home has been affected by water damage.  Whether it's caused by a broken pipe, a slab leak or flooding, finding water damage in your home is never fun.  While not all types of water damage is avoidable, knowing the most popular places where water damage occurs can be helpful in detecting and preventing further water damage to your home.  SERVPRO of Texarkana has compiled a list of the top 10 most popular places to find water damage in your home.

1. Have you checked your roof? A homeowner's roof is the shield against all outdoor threats, like rain or snow.  When that shield is damaged, it opens the entire house up to being affected by water damage.  Be sure that your roof received the property maintenance it needs so you can prevent water damage from entering your home.
2. Do you have any leaking pipes? A pipe leak is one of the most common ways a house can be affected by water damage.  That's why it's so important to regularly check your pipes to make sure that there are no leaks or ruptured pipes.
3. Is your washing machine malfunctioning? When it's working correctly, a washing machine is a great thing.  But when a hose breaks during a wash cycle, this allows for a major amount of water to enter your laundry room area, causing a potential for water damage.  Just to be safe, it's helpful to pull the washing machine out a bit and check to make sure everything is undamaged, secure and intact.
4. Are your windows not shutting properly? Windows can add lots of natural light as well as bring charm or character to a home.  But when windows are not sealed properly, there is room for lots of damage to be done.  Make a habit in checking to see if your windows are closing properly.  To check, place your hands over where the window closes.  If the window is shut entirely and you can still feel a draft, it is important to have it fixed as soon as possible.  The last thing you want is water or moisture coming into your house because of a faulty window.
5. Is the caulking in your shower starting to down? As a shower ages, its caulking starts to deteriorate, which can lead to the caulking being brittle, eventually causing a leak.  If this starts to happen, you are at a greater risk of water damage affecting your bathroom area.  In order to avoid this from happening, take a look at the seal in your shower and inspect for weak points where damage could possibly occur.  If you find any areas that are weak, be proactive and fix the area.  On top of that, be sure to check around the outside of the shower, as that can be a good indicator of a leak.
6. Do you have a flood in your basement? A basement flood can happen for many reasons.  There might have been a sewage backup, or even a simple pipe bursting in your home; these are all ways a homeowner's basement could possibly flood.  Unfortunately, all of these situations are not really preventable, so the best thing you can do is be on top of handling the water damage.  If not handled quickly, that flood can turn into extensive water damage.  If your basement has been affected by a flood, install a sump pump.  While it cannot completely rid your home of the damage, it can help reduce the water damage.  Then be sure to call SERVPRO of Texarkana so we can take the proper measurements in completely removing the water damage from your basement.
7. Is the area around your toilet wet? A toilet leak is one of the harder water leaks to find, due to how close it sits next to the shower.  Many mistake a toilet leak for water dripping after taking a shower.  Because of this, it's hard to distinguish a toilet leak from dripping water from taking a shower.  To minimize potential water damage to your bathroom, be sure to inspect the toilet area on a regular basis.  There are many reasons as to where a toilet leak can stem from.  It can come from an overflowing toilet, a lose hose in the toilet's system, cracks in the bowl of the toilet, or even old caulking.  No matter where the toilet leak originates from, it can be agreed that it is never fun having to deal with a leaking toilet's consequences, so be sure to check these places frequently and seek assistance if you notice any extra water.
8. Have you checked underneath the kitchen sink? Whether there is a leak in your sink pipes or not, the area beneath your kitchen sink provides the perfect location for water damage and mold to grow.  Think about that environment: it's warm, humid and a lot of air passes through that area.  These are all elements that would welcome mold and water damage as a guest.  If on top of that you have a pipe leak or a loose washer, the likelihood of water damages forming in that area is that much greater.  While it's not always avoidable, try not to overcrowd the cabinet and look under the items placed in the cabinet for any possible water damage.  Doing this can't always stop the formation of water damage, but it can definitely help locate the damage a lot sooner.
9. Is your refrigerator working correctly? If your refrigerator or freezer is leaking, you may have a broken hose or a malfunctioning ice cube maker.  A leak like that typically results in a pool of water underneath your refrigerator, which can cause water damage to your kitchen.  Check below the refrigerator every once and a while to be sure that your refrigerator is not leaking.  If your refrigerator is old and tends to malfunction, it is important to check it even more often.
10. Have you looked at the base molding in your bathroom? Taking a shower or bath can be a time for relaxation.  The steamy, warm water can feel great, especially after a busy and hectic day.  But it's important to make sure you are ventilating the room with an open window or fan, as the moisture of the shower or bath can cause water damage to your bathroom.  While the base molding might seem like an odd place to check for water damage in a bathroom, the moisture from taking a bath or shower can evaporate into the paneling and cause damage behind it, resulting in water damage to the base molding.  Check the base molding for loose areas in the panel, mold and discoloration, as these are all sign of water damage.

We at SERVPRO of Texarkana know that sometimes, water damage is unavoidable.  But we are confident that by checking these places listed above more frequently will help homeowners detect signs of water damage sooner, hopefully resulting in less damage to your home.  If you find any water damage in your home, contact SERVPRO of Texarkana today!  We're happy to help with any and all of your water damage restoration needs! 903-832-4400.

Water Damage Emergency Tips

7/26/2018 (Permalink)

What you can do until help arrives.

After any water damage situation, your primary focus should be safety first:

• Is it safe to stay in the house?
• Electrical and "slip and fall" hazards are some of the most prevalent concerns.
• Only do activities that are safe for you to perform.
• Wet materials can be VERY heavy. Be careful!

• What To Do After Flooding

• Have A  Water Damage Emergency? Call (903-832-4400)
• Remove excess water by mopping and blotting.
• Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removal of lamps and tabletop items.
• Remove and prop wet upholstery and cushions.
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
• Turn air conditioning on for maximum drying in summer.
• Remove colored rugs from wet carpeting.
• Remove art objects to a safe, dry place.
• Gather loose items from floors

.

• What NOT To Do After Flooding

• Don't leave wet fabrics in place. Hang furs and leather goods.
• Don't leave books, magazines or other colored items on wet carpet or floors.
• Don't use your household vacuum to remove water.
• Don't use television or other household appliances.
• Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet, and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging.

Flooding Can Happen Anywhere

6/22/2018 (Permalink)

Give SERVPRO of Texarkana a call for all you flooding needs. 903-832-4400

According to the National Weather Service (NOAA), "Approximately 75% of all Presidential disaster declarations are associated with flooding." NOAA lists the most common flood hazards in the United States are:

• Flash Flooding
• River Flooding
• Storm Surge and Coastal Inundation from Tropical and Non-Tropical Systems
• Burn Scars/Debris Flows (Caused by Wildfires)
• Ice/Debris Jams
• Snowmelt
• Dry Wash (Caused by heavy rainfall in dry areas)
• Dam Breaks/Levee Failure

Just because you haven't experienced a flood doesn't mean you won't in the future. In fact, 20% of all claims paid by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) were for policies in low-risk communities. On average, floods cost $3.5 billion in annual losses in the US, and commercial flood claims average more than $75,000 (NFIP).

When catastrophic water damage happens to you, the Professionals at SERVPRO of Texarkana can help! They can help you prepare ahead of time with an Emergency Ready Profile (ERP), or respond to any size disaster to begin cleanup and restoration to get you back in business as soon as possible. 

SERVPRO of Texarkana Professionals are ready to help make it "Like it never even happened." call us anytime on our 24-hour emergency phone line 903-832-4400. 

What do you consider Water Damage?

6/22/2018 (Permalink)

We are not talking about phone water damage because the whole world knows you put the phone in a bag covered in rice, the rice absorbs the moisture and your phone is almost as good as new (key word: almost). But we are talking about a large scale water loss like what comes after a flood.

Water damage can be so many things but you know if you have water damage if there is rooting of wood, growth (mold), rusting of steel, and delaminating of material such as plywood. For some folks, it is a minor water damage like a stain in the ceiling from water coming in after a rain, but for others it is a bit more catastrophic like with a flood where water comes in and there is no stopping it.

Causes

Other than a flood, there are more causes for water damage. There can be a broken dishwasher hose, or maybe a washing machine overflow. It could also be broken or leaking pipes or maybe a clogged toilet. All of these and more could be causes of water damage. I recommend checking all pipes, drains, toilets, and anything that has waterflow or access to water to avoid this loss.

But be careful when going to fix water damage on your own. There are three categories of water and one is safe for you to clean without professional help.

Categories of Water

• There is “Clean Water” which is water that comes from a broken water supply line and a tub or sink overflowing. This is safe to clean on your own.
• The second it “Grey Water” which is water that comes with some degree of chemicals and microorganisms that contaminate and can cause health problems if consumed in any way. This water can be coming from toilets overflowing, a sump pump failure and water discharge from a dishwasher or washing machine.
• The last category is called “Black Water” and this is the gross, unsanitary water that comes from sewages, rising waters from streams and rivers, and standing water. “Grey Water” if not properly cleaned up can become “Black Water.”

In sure there are other cleanup companies that can do all the work but I can tell you with certainty no one will make it look "Like it never even happened." SERVPRO of Texarkana is at your service! If you have any questions or concerns about potential water damage in your home or business, give us a call at 903-832-4400 and we will gladly come out and assess what you need. If you need our services, we will make sure it looks "Like it never even happened."

Its Time to Turn Those A/Cs On

5/29/2018 (Permalink)

A blocked HVAC drain pipe can go un-noticed for an extended period of time resulting in significant and expensive water damage to your home

With the weather turning hot, many of you will be turning on your air-conditioner. Before you do, you should check your HVAC drain line to be sure it is clear of debris and will drain properly – otherwise you may find yourself in need of SERVPRO of Texarkana’s Water Damage Restoration Services.

Here are even more do-it-yourself tips you need to know to keep your HVAC system healthy:

• Check and replace your air filters often.

The most important thing you can do at home is inspect your air filter. Dirty air filters make your HVAC system less efficient and cause undue strain on its working parts.

Set a reminder each month to check your air filter and replace it if it is dirty or clogged. While the general rule is to change your filter every 30 to 90 days, it may need to be replaced more often if you have pets or open your windows often.

Another thing to consider is purchasing a new high-efficiency pleated air filter. The folds in these filters trap more small particles than traditional filters, keeping your system clean and your family healthy.

• Keep your AC and heating systems free of debris.

If you have an outdoor unit, it is important to keep the system free of debris. Check your unit every week or so for leaves, pollen, dirt, sticks or other debris. Clear the debris from the top and sides of the system using gloves and, if necessary, a hose. This allows for maximum airflow to the fan and increases your unit’s efficiency and lifespan.

In order to ensure the cleanest system possible, try to remove anything that blocks air flow to the system, leaving about two feet of space around the unit.

• Clean your registers

Try to keep your registers and ducts clean of dust and debris. Be sure to wipe down your registers as often as possible to keep dust and debris out of your system.

• Give your humidifier a vacation.

In order to give your system a rest in the summer, turn off your furnace humidifier’s water supply. When the cooler months approach, replace the water panel (also know as humidifier pad), set the relative humidity between 35 and 45 percent, and turn the water supply to the furnace humidifier back on.

• Listen for unusual noises.

One more passive things you can do is to keep an ear open for odd noises when your system is running. Often times, noises in your system are created by register blockages, debris in the vents, or loose bolts on the furnace or registers.

Keep in mind that your HVAC system is exactly that — a system. As it works, it will make noise. Hearing the motor running or humming, as wells as the fans blowing or air moving through the vents, is totally normal. However, unnatural sounds like rattling, hissing or clanking, or the sounds becoming loud enough to be disruptive, can be signs of problems; and you should consider calling a professional HVAC technician to take a look before the system goes out.

• Use fans to give your system a break.

Another passive way to keep your system healthy is to use fans when possible to give your system a break.

On hot summer days, use ceiling fans and portable fans to circulate air through the house and help your HVAC system bring the temperature in your home down quicker.

On cooler days, instead of programming your thermostat, open your windows and turn on your fans to circulate the cool air into the house and keep temperatures comfortable.

Giving your system a break when you can will lengthen the life of equipment and save you money on your energy bills.

What we do for you when water damage occurs?

2/15/2018 (Permalink)

Call us at 903-832-4400 to help with water damage that may have occurred at your home or commercial location!

Do you want to know how we complete a water job? Here is a look at how! 

We will attempt to “preserve and protect” your structure and contents. The following steps may be completed in the emergency service, as determined to be applicable by the Franchisee:  Survey the Extent of Damage and Inspect the Premises: Our initial inspection of the premises is designed to identify how much damage has occurred and plan the necessary emergency work. The inspection is also done for safety reasons. We check the affected area for bad flooring, ceiling damage, visible electrical hazards, contents damage, wall and baseboard damage, sewage water, visible mold, etc. Are you aware of any potential safety hazards in the structure? Identify Source / Type of Water: Contaminated water sources (like sewage, etc.) require specialized restoration processes. Additionally, the source of water should be completely stopped prior to starting any work other than the removal process.

Source of water intrusion: Has the source of water been stopped?  Identify Visible Mold Growth: It is important for us to know if visible mold growth is present. While molds may be found in small amounts almost anywhere, larger growths of mold may create health concerns depending on occupants’ reaction to mold. Have you seen signs of mold growing anywhere in the structure or its contents? Seen mold growth at any time in the past? Noticed any odors or musty smells? Specialized procedures are required for materials like mold, lead paint, asbestos, Chinese drywall, etc. If we notice a significant presence of these types of materials, or believe there is a likelihood that such materials exist in the structure, we will notify the involved parties so they may determine an appropriate course of action. Are you aware of any materials in the structure which might require specialized cleaning procedures (mold, lead paint, asbestos, Chinese drywall, etc.)?

Measure Temperature/Humidity for Drying Analysis: The process of drying will use equipment to remove moisture from the structure and contents of your home or place of business. This controlled reduction of the relative humidity level helps minimize property damage and slow mold growth. ? Emergency Water Extraction: Our next step is to remove as much water as possible from the affected area. This will be completed with our specialized extraction equipment. ? Furniture Moved and Blocked: This is done to protect carpet and furnishings in the affected area. 

Floor Service: We will check to see what type of floors you have. Carpet will be lifted to inspect flooring. As much water as possible will be removed.  Carpet Pad: Pad acts like a sponge and holds water. If the pad is exposed to excess water, it may be necessary to remove the pad to protect the subfloor and speed the drying process.  Carpet: Carpet will be checked for restorability, delamination, visible mold and mildew, etc. In some water damage situations, the carpets may need to be removed. This can include door removal, cutting seams, and metal threshold removal.

Treatments: Our process may include the application of EPA-registered disinfectants. Equipment: Drying equipment will be used to dry your property. The equipment’s purpose is to remove excess moisture and bring relative humidity levels back to normal. It is important all equipment be kept running, unless a safety hazard arises. Excessive moisture can still be present even when all visible surfaces seem dry, which may lead to mold growth or other damage. We will monitor moisture in wet materials

Texarkana 24 Hour Emergency Water Damage Service

2/2/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Texarkana is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, large or small. When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage.

We Answer the Phone Ready to Help
Call Today – 903-832-4400

We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO of Texarkana has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.

What to Expect

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed.

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:

• Your name and contact information


• Your insurance information (if applicable)


• The street address of the water-damaged home or business


• When did the flooding or water damage occur?


• What caused the water damage (if known)?


• Is there electricity available (on-site)?

About SERVPRO of Texarkana

SERVPRO of [[Franchise Name]] specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.