Tag: Water Damage

Tell-Tale Signs You Have Water Damage

Published on March 20, 2020

Water damage is, unfortunately, quite hard to miss in the home. You can smell it, see it, and if it’s an internal source, you’ll see it on your water bill. Although you may take precautions against such things, it can still happen without warning. Anything from heavy rains, to bursting pipes, to a forgetful family member or backed-up drain. Here are some tell-tale signs you have water damage:

You Can Smell It

If you’ve ever walked into a room that smells musty or damp, trust your nose. You might just be smelling mold and mildew. This smell is similar to what you’d expect wet cardboard or paper to smell like and generally hangs heavy in wet or damp environments. Without assuming the worst, do try and find out the cause of the smell before concluding its water damage. But your nose is a great first indicator that something is potentially off!

You Can See It

Although we use our eyes more than our other senses, it’s easy to sometimes miss the visual signs of water damage. Not because you can’t see it, but because we’re generally not looking at where the damage is. You can check your walls, baseboards, and caulk in places like a bathroom and you’ll likely see mold.

The conditions in these high moisture areas are ripe for mold to grow. However, if you’re seeing mold in places that you’d expect to be dry, like closets, bedrooms, or living rooms, you might want to check for standing water or leaks in that area. Additionally, if you see yellowing or browning on your ceiling, you’ve definitely had water damage in that area at some point in the past. If it’s something you can’t associate with a fixed problem, then it’s definitely a cause for concern.

Whether you have paint or wallpaper in your home, you might see a rapid peeling as water penetrates the drywall it’s clinging to. Peeling and bubbling is a telltale sign of issues in the walls that needs to be investigated, especially if it’s sudden! Warped and broken drywall isn’t uncommon as the weight from the drywall increases as it becomes saturated to a point of failure.

You Can Feel It (in Your Wallet)

If you’re regularly seeing a higher than usual water bill, it may mean a few different things, but these spikes could also indicate that you have a leak somewhere that needs to be discovered. You can check common appliances, and the hoses, pipes, and main supply relatively easy to find any obvious leaks.

Call RestoPros for Water Damage Service Today

If the looming presence of water damage in your home sounds intimidating, or if you’ve checked yourself but still suspect there may be water damage somewhere you can’t see, give RestoPros a call today and have an expert come out and check your home. Licensed and experienced professionals can not only find any issues that exist but provide advice and services on how to remedy the problem, so if water damage is a concern, call today!

How to Prepare for Flood or Water Damage

Published on September 20, 2019

National Preparedness Month, which is recognized every September, serves as a reminder for families and communities to be prepared for disasters and emergencies. One of the best ways you can be prepared during this month is by gearing up against flood and water damage. September also happens to be a month when hurricanes and heavy rainfall are common and if handled improperly, can lead to severe problems for homeowners. If you want to take measures against water or flood damage but you don’t know where to start, don’t worry. The experts are RestoPros are here to provide some tips on how to prepare for flood or water damage.

1. Emergency Plan and Kit

If you are faced with a situation where your house begins to flood, you will most likely be in panic mode. However, that can be prevented if you have taken some measures to prepare yourself and your family with the right tools and planning. Here are some things in mind while coming up with an emergency plan and creating an emergency kit:

Your emergency kit should most definitely include flashlights, necessary medications, copies of personal documents and cellphones with chargers. The Red Cross goes into further detail about the items you should have in your kit. Take a minute to look over their guide and even take the quiz at the end to ensure you’re fully prepared!
Pay attention to all flood alerts. Remember: A flood or flash flood WATCH means that a flood is a possibility. A flood WARNING means flooding is already occurring or is about to occur. If you get a warning, take precautions immediately.
Come up with a household evacuation plan based on this helpful template.
Take measures to protect your home. Flood damage can cause severe destruction to your home’s foundation, appliances and furniture. Consult a professional about raising your furnace, water heater and electrical panel to floors that are less likely to be affected by flooding. Move furniture and other valuables to safe places.

2. Install A Sump Pump

A sump pump is an important appliance to have, especially if you live in an area where there is risk of flooding. It is located in a pit in a crawlspace or basement and is designed to pump water away from your home, should flooding occur. Speak to a professional about installing a sump pump in your home, in order to ensure protection from flooding.

3. Install Backflow Valves

Another way to protect your home from flooding is by installing backflow valves. When flooding occurs, sewage can often back up into a house and even flow into the main water supply line. This can be hazardous for your health as sewage can contain a multitude of waste, toxins and pollutants. Backflow valves block drainpipes to ensure that water flows AWAY from your home and never in the opposite direction.

4. Check Water Pressure

Sometimes, it doesn’t take a big flash flood to cause water damage to your home. Often, it can be caused by unregulated water pressure inside your home. If the water pressure in your home is too high, pipes, lines and hoses might burst which can cause water damage. Water damage itself brings a myriad of problems with it such as high restoration bills and mold growth. Take a minute to use a pressure gauge or regulator to ensure the water pressure in your home is maintained. Ideally, you want the pressure to be between 40 to 60 pounds per square inch (psi).

5. Tackle Any Leaks

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, leaks in different places in your home such as showers, faucets and toilets can waste a lot of water over time – in addition to adding to homeowners’ water bills. Serious leaks can also cause water damage around your home. Monitor your water bill to ensure there aren’t any sudden increases. Check for leaks around faucet gaskets and pipe fittings to confirm if there are any leaks or not. You should also consider installing leak detection devices near places in your home that could be susceptible to water damage.

Stay Prepared with RestoPros!

We hope this guide on how to prepare for flood or water damage was helpful. If you have any questions about water damage prevention or restoration, don’t hesitate to contact the experts at RestoPros! Call us today at 855-587-3786 or schedule a service online!

My House Flooded! Now What?

Published on February 22, 2019

There are few things more liable to ruin your week than a flooded home. It’s overwhelming to deal with so much immediate damage, and you may find that you have no idea where to begin. Do not panic – the experts at Resto Pros are here to share some important first steps you can take toward getting your flooded home back in order.

My House Flooded! What Should I Do First?

1. Safety:

You may have to vacate your home if the flooding is bad enough; upon reentering your home, wear a pair of rubber gloves and boots to avoid contact with harmful chemicals, sewage or debris.

*Pro Tip: Prepare ahead for any flooding disaster by having an emergency bag with rubber gloves and boots in a place you can easily access.

2. Find and Stop the Source of Water:

If your flooding has happened due to a problem inside your home, find the source of the water and turn it off or seal it up. The easiest way to do this is turning off your home’s main water valve.

*Pro Tip: Learn where the main water valve is in your home so you will know how to stop the water source in the event of a flood.

3. Turn Off Your Electricity:

Now that you have turned off your water source, you need to turn off all electrical sources in your home. If you are unable to reach the fuse box without walking through water call an electrician.

4. Evacuate the Property

Especially if the flooding is a result of a burst pipe or sewage leak, you should evacuate the house and property, making sure that all occupants, including your four-legged friends, are safe and accounted for.

My House Flooded! Who Do I Call?

1. If You Are a Renter:

Call your landlord and tell them what has happened.

*Pro Tip: Make sure you have your landlord’s number in your phone; you could also include a laminated card with the contacts you may need in your waterproof “emergency bag”.

2. If You Are a Homeowner:

Call your insurance company and tell them your house has suffered water damage due to flooding. Make sure to let them know if you need to wait for an adjuster to visit your home before the cleanup process begins.

*Pro Tip: Document everything – this is an important step to take before starting the cleanup process so you can show your insurer the extent of the damage. This may mean including a waterproof camera in your emergency bag, in case you are unable to access a working phone.

My House Flooded! How Do I Handle Cleanup?

1. Dry Your Floors and Air Out Your Home:

For this step, you and your family may need to stay a couple of nights with a friend or family. You will want to begin the process of drying your floors and airing out your home ASAP, so you should contact your local flood remediation experts and schedule an emergency water extraction and structure drying visit.

*Pro Tip: Local flood remediation and repair companies usually offer inventory storage and processing so you can have a safe and dry place to keep your salvaged items during the water extraction and drying process.

2. Professional Inspections

Once you have dried your floors, ceilings and walls, have your water damage experts inspect and remove any mold and test the air quality to make sure it is safe for you and your family to get back in your home. Then, you should call a contractor to inspect your home for any additional repairs that will need to be made.

3. Sanitize Everything

Everything in your house that was affected by the flood water – walls, floors, closets, shelves, kitchen contents, appliances – should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. While some of these can be done by you, you should have a professional cleaning crew do a deep cleaning and sanitization of your home, from top to bottom.

*Pro Tip: For the non-professional cleaning process, tackle one room at a time, and enlist the help of family and friends who you can assign to specific cleaning tasks. Use one bucket for the cleaning solution and another for the rinse water, changing that rinse water bucket frequently.

You are now armed with the knowledge and safety tips to say to yourself: “My House Flooded! I got this!” Don’t take these steps alone – contact the professionals at Resto Pros and allow our skilled and dedicated technicians to tackle the damage in your home!

Places You Didn’t Think to Check for Water Damage

Published on February 14, 2019

Water damage is one of the most devastating and expensive problems that you could encounter. While floor and ceiling damage is easy to spot, there are places that you may not have thought to look. To help you avoid water damage in your home, the experts at Resto Pros are here to advise you on where to check for hidden water damage, and to offer our professional assessment and repair services.

Spotting the Signs

Mold or Mildew Odor: One of the most detectable signs of water damage is odor. If you can detect the smell of mold, mildew or other muggy odors, it is likely that you have a water damage problem in your home.
Accumulation of Water: This is one of the most visible signs of potential water damage, and usually occurs as a result of malfunctioning or improperly installed appliances (such as dishwashers, tubs, showers, toilet connections, etc.).
Pooling Water: This is another form of water accumulation that is easy to spot. Pooling water is usually a sign of a leaking roof or faulty drainage pipes.
Discoloration: Water spots and stains are a major sign of ceiling water damage. These stains may appear wet or dry and are usually a yellow or brown color. In addition to these ceiling stains, you may observe that your wallpaper or paint is bubbling, cracking or peeling.
Texture Changes: To spot floor water damage, look for warping of floorboards, buckling of wooden floorboards, Sagging or sinking, and expansion of wood and laminate floors.

Hidden Places to Check in Your Home

Now that you know what signs you need to look for, here are some often overlooked places in your home to examine for water damage:

Behind Your Refrigerator

Even if you do not move your refrigerator that often, over time the water line connection to the icemaker can still weaken or break. This will cause leaks behind the refrigerator that often go undetected.

Plastic P-Traps

This is an important one, because every sink in your home will have a plastic p-trap. Usually made of expanding and contracting PVC pipe, the plastic p-trap connects your sink to your home waste drain pipe. Over time, the p-trap will become loose, resulting in water leaks.

*Pro Tip: Periodically check plastic p-traps under the sinks in your home and tighten any loose connections to avoid potential leaks.

Hot Water Heater

If you have an older water heater, you will need to keep track of your overflow pan that is piped to drain outside the house. If the pan is not tilted at least ¼ inch, you cannot be ensured that the water is draining properly. For newer water heaters, you will need to periodically check and maintain the quick connectors to keep them properly tightened and lubricated. This will keep the shut-off valve from leaking.

Washing Machine Connections

Because we don’t often move our washing machines unless we are replacing them or moving in or out of a home, leaks and water damage can often go unnoticed until it is too late.

*Pro Tip: During installation process always install a new hose using the rubber washers recommended by the manufacturer. Tighten the connection with vice grips so there are no leaks or drips.

To Review:

-Pay attention to signs of potential water damage such as:

The odor of mold or mildew
Accumulation or pooling of water
Discoloration or stains on ceiling surfaces
Texture changes in your floors

Make sure to check those unexamined places in your home for leaks to stay ahead of water damage. Even though you have now learned about some of the unexpected places to look for water damage and how to detect the signs, it is always a good idea to have a professional fully assess damage that you may have missed.

If you are in need of such an expert, contact the knowledgeable team at Resto Pros to help you take the next steps in addressing your water damage.

How to Avoid Water Damage in Your Home

Published on November 16, 2018

Water damage is a serious threat to you and your home, and it doesn’t take much water to do serious damage. The fact is, an undetected small leak can cause more damage than a major leak that’s detected right away. Many plumbing leaks happen in areas where they might go unseen or unnoticed for weeks. Leaks located behind walls, under floors, underground, or those that happen while you’re away can be costly to the homeowner.

What’s more, you also have to think about rain and flood damage, because while homeowners insurance will cover most sudden accidents, it does not cover flood damage or leaks caused by unresolved maintenance issues. Fortunately for you, the professionals at RestoPros – the leading mold and water remediation company for the greater DFW Metroplex – are going to show you a few things so you know how to avoid water damage in your home.

Invest in a Leak Detector.

Leak detectors are a great way to ensure that you know about a possible leak before it has time to do any damage. While these gadgets used to cost a lot, they’ve come down in price over the years. Some of the most popular brands are available for less than $50 and should have enough sensors to cover your water heater, dishwasher, refrigerator, and washing machine. The sensors work by detecting moisture. If they detect moisture where there shouldn’t be any, they send a notification to your phone, alerting you to the trouble.

Check Your Gutters for Obstructions.

One of the more common ways water enters you home is through the roof. Sometimes that’s because you have damage to your roof or are missing shingles, perhaps due to a storm or high winds. The other way is much sneakier in its attack. Rather than pounding its way inside the home, it reverses directions and sneaks in through perfectly good shingles. Shingles are designed to be a watershed for water flowing down your roof, but they don’t work so well if that water reverses direction. When gutters and down spouts are obstructed and clogged with debris like leaves and vermin, they begin to act like a dam of sorts. As water backs up behind this dam, it enters home by travelling in the opposite direction the shingles were designed for. This can cause major damage to walls, ceilings, and electronics.

Annual Maintenance Checks.

All pipes, lines, and machines that produce or carry water need to be inspected once a year for signs of wear or damage. Think of it as your home’s annual physical. Like putting off getting a check-up from your doctor, putting off your home’s inspection can lead to more problems and damage later. Nothing lasts forever, so do yourself and your home a huge favor this year and schedule an annual check-up with a qualified professional. These inspections can detect problems to come before those problems come for you.

While we hope these tips will help you avoid water damage in your home, they’re no substitute for an experienced professional. The water damage experts at RestoPros have a long-standing reputation for expertise, professionalism, and hard work. If you’re looking for a skilled and highly trained technician for mold testing, mold remediation, water damage restoration, or HVAC duct cleaning anywhere in the Dallas Metroplex, call us at (855) 58-RESTO (855-587-3786) to schedule an appointment today!

4 Tips for Dealing With Water Damage

Published on August 3, 2018

If water damage has occurred in your Dallas/Ft. Worth home, it’s important to learn how to deal with it right away. The longer you let water damage persist without doing anything about it, the more the issue will exacerbate. Therefore, once you notice water damage, be ready to perform some steps to help prevent the situation from worsening. By following the right tips for water damage, you’re helping to resolve the situation as soon as possible.

RestoPros is here to inform homeowners on how to deal with water damage. We have detailed 4 tips below for your Dallas/Ft. Worth home.

Try to Find the Cause of the Water Damage

Water damage can be the result of several different causes. Whether it be roof leakage, poor insulation, faulty plumbing, or flooding, it’s important to see what may have caused the incident. Knowing what caused the water damage in your home is one of the first steps towards resolving it, as you’ll have a clearer idea on what solutions to implement.

You may be able to find the cause easier depending on the location of the water damage. For example, if the water damage is below your sink, the probable cause may be faulty plumbing or improper water pressure levels. If water damage occurs on your ceiling, the cause may be faulty insulation, damaged roof, or improper gutters.

Try to Find the Extent of the Water Damage

If you see one spot of water damage, it’s important to check around and attempt to see the extent of its size. The entirety of water damage may not always be visible at first, so you want to be sure to find as much of it as possible. This can help you determine how bad the situation may be, as well as how much planning you’ll need to do.

Remove Any Items Close to the Water Damage

If there are any items close to the water damage, remove them as quickly and safely as possible. Most household items, especially fabrics, clothing and electronics, do not fare well when close to water damage. They may be hurt beyond repair if too close to the water damaged area. Additionally, electronic items close to water damage can also be a shock risk if the moisture seeps into the components.

Consult with a Water Damage Remediation Professional

After performing these steps, your next objective is to contact a water damage professional. Consulting with experts such as RestoPros will help you determine the most cost-effective solution for your home, as well as having the restoration be done by licensed and trained technicians. Additionally, this will help resolve the situation as soon as possible, which helps to prevent water damage from spreading throughout your home.

Better protect your home from the dangers of water damage by following these tips when the situation occurs. And contact RestoPros if you believe water damage is in your Dallas/Ft. Worth home. Give us a call at 855-587-3786 for our water damage restoration services.

6 Common Leak Causes

Published on April 19, 2018

Leaks in your home are one of the worst – and most annoying things that can happen. Leaks are known to potentially cause water damage and even mold growth. What makes leaks especially troublesome are their many causes. Water can leak from your roof, plumbing, or even under your home.

We all know leaks are a horrible experience for Dallas/Ft. Worth homeowners. But do you know how leaks can happen? To help prevent leaks your home, you’ll want to be aware of the common causes. The experts at RestoPros have assembled a list below!

Clogged Drains

When a drain has no clear passage for water to exit through, pressure will continually build up. Eventually, the water pressure can cause a pipe to start dripping. Although dripping may seem like a small nuisance at first, the problem will only get worse if not resolved. With enough pressure, the pipe can eventually burst, spraying water everywhere.

Drains are most commonly clogged by build-ups of grease, soap, food, and even hair. Worse, a clogged drain can cause a pipe to have multiple leaks. This increases chances of water damage and possibly mold growth.

For information on helping to treat clogged drains, click here.

Clogged Downspout/Gutter

Much like a drain, your gutters and downspout are a main exit for water, but they collect rainwater instead of tap. Also, like a drain, they can become clogged if not maintained. A clogged gutter can be overfilled with water and possibly leak into your attic. Same problem can apply to a downspout. A clogged downspout disallows water from draining out your roof, further increasing the chance of leakage.

Leaves, dirt, and trash are known to build-up in your gutters and downspout. Fortunately, with a ladder, you can clear out a clogged gutter with a water hose and your hands – provided you wear gloves! You can also use a water hose to flush out your downspout.

For more information on protecting and cleaning your gutters and downspout, along with other rain leakage protection, click here.

Overfilled Dishwasher

Although it may seem like you’re maximizing water usage at first, stuffing your dishwasher can actually be disastrous. If a dishwasher is overfilled, the drain or valve may not seal properly. This can cause water to overflow and not have anywhere to go, except your floor!

Using dish soap instead of dishwashing liquid is not beneficial either. Dish soap is extremely foamy. The immense amount of bubbles produced can also overfill your dishwasher, potentially causing it to leak. Only use soap intended for the dishwasher!

Loose Washer Hoses

Generally, when you have your washing machine installed, two hoses are connected: drain and fill. As their name suggests, theses hoses are responsible for filling and draining the water in your washing machine. If they are not connected properly or damaged, water can leak during a wash cycle.

Damaged Piping

Piping is how water is transported throughout your home, and leaks are bound to happen. Water pressure can damage piping. High water pressure can loosen the connection of piping, which can cause dripping. If this pressure isn’t resolved, a pipe could eventually burst, spraying water everywhere!

Additionally, loose corner connections on pipes can also drip water. This can happen under sinks, as piping tends to be folded with several corners when below a faucet.

Another way piping can be damaged is by tree roots. Trees or vegetation with invasive roots can puncture underground water leaks, causing a leak. If you are wanting to plant new trees, purchase species without invasive roots.

Improper Toilet Water Levels

Toilet water is horrid, especially when it leaks! Unfortunately, improper water levels in the bowl and tank can cause water to overflow. Certain factors can cause this.

The common cause of a leaking toilet is when the flapper fails to seal the valve. Water can no longer be held in the tank and flows into the bowl. Flushing a clogged toilet can also cause leakage, as this is another way the tank will overfill the bowl.

By knowing these common leak causes, you can help to avoid them for your Dallas/Ft. Worth home. However, if a leak has already caused water damage in your home, you’ll need to contact RestoPros immediately. We help to remediate water damage while also helping to ensure no mold has grown in your home. Call 855-587-3786 for affordable water damage remediation and mold testing services.

Save Forth Worth Water – Leaks

5 Signs You Need New Carpet

Published on February 9, 2018

You always want the best for your home, and sometimes that means replacing your old carpet. Regardless of how much you clean and maintain it, your carpet will eventually reach the end of its usefulness. However, with carpet, it isn’t always immediately evident when this has occurred. Sometimes an older carpet might not exhibit any signs of wear yet may be hiding years of mold growth or other contaminants underneath. While figuring out whether or not you need to retire your carpet might be difficult, the professionals at RestoPros are here to guide you!

Every Dallas/Ft. Worth homeowner should mindful of when their carpet needs to be replaced. There are a few common signs that signify age or damage that will help you make the best decision for your home. Below are a few that our remediation experts have complied:

Noticeable Wear and Matting

Once your carpet is noticeably damaged, it’s difficult to save it.
Examine your carpet for ripples, as this can be caused by worn padding underneath.
Padding that loses its form also has reduced cushioning and insulation.
Check every area of the carpet for tears, holes and other visual clues that might indicate a replacement is needed.
Matted carpet, or carpet that has become frayed, can be caused by heavy traffic or improper installation.

Unremovable Stains

Every carpet gets a stain occasionally, but once they start to stay, it’s time for your carpet to go.
Although most carpet designs come with stain-resistance, this often loses effectiveness with age, and stains can become prevalent.
Some lingering carpet stains can also soak through the carpet, harming the floor and potentially causing mold or mildew.
If stains are appearing out of nowhere on your carpet, then this may be mold growth. Contact RestoPros immediately for mold remediation services.

Foul Odors

A smelly carpet is a bad carpet, and the stronger the odor, the faster you should seek solutions to get rid of the smell.
Foul odors in your carpet can be caused by various things including pets, foot traffic, spills, or old age.
Foul odors from your carpet can compromise your indoor air quality and may lead to health problems including headaches and nausea.
If you have had your carpet professionally cleaned and the odors remain, you should consider replacing it.
Foul odors that persist can also be the cause of mold growth. If your carpet is damp or musty, call the experts at RestoPros for mold remediation services.

Increased Symptoms of Allergies

When you find yourself sneezing or coughing a lot when entering a room, your carpet may be the reason.
An older carpet can hold allergens and affect the health of a household.
Other symptoms of these allergens could include runny nose, hives, dizziness and headaches.
If these symptoms persist even after a professional cleaning, you should consider replacing the carpet.

Older Than 8 Years

When your carpet is old, don’t expect the same results as when you first got it.
Most carpets tend to have a lifespan of about 8 years (or less), but this lifespan can be even shorter with larger families, homes with pets, and homes with leak problems.
If your carpet is 8 – 10 years old, consider replacing it. After the fibers have become worn and frayed, it is more difficult for it to withstand stains and other damaged caused by everyday foot traffic.

Never let your carpet be the cause of an unhealthy home. If you are experiencing any of these problems, consider replacing your carpet. And if you believe that your old carpet might be harboring mold, contact RestoPros immediately. We are the most trusted mold remediation company in Dallas/Ft Worth and can help with a variety of infestation problems. For affordable mold remediation services give us a call at 855-587-3786 to schedule an appointment.

A Sewer Pipe Burst! Now What?

Published on May 12, 2017

Damaged pipes and water leaks can lead to mold growth or damaged walls, ceiling, and insulation. A backed-up drain can cause all of these things by raising relative humidity and it adds in the dangers of dirty water.

While most water lines carry grey-water (used water that is no longer potable) from washing machines and sinks, other water lines carry hazardous human waste. Still worse, common chemical drain cleaners are caustic and, when they fail to clean out a deep clog they aren’t designed for, flow back up the pipe along with all the other hazards, slowly eating away at pipes and leaving a caustic danger for you to deal with.

So what do you do when a pipe bursts or heavy rainfall leads to a backed-up sewer line that overflows to fill your yard or home? How should one respond to a failed blackwater line?

Emergency Response

The problem with blackwater lines is that they aren’t pressurized. Unlike the clean water in your home, shutting off the main valve in for your plumbing won’t always stop the flow of water into your home. When a blackwater line breaks, the contents of the pipe simply flow with the water. When it’s raining outside, flooding water picks up both black- and grey-water (along with all of their contents) and carries it along. Shutting off the valve won’t stop this backflow.

When it’s a sewer clog or a toilet that won’t stop running, then shutting off the main valve is the first step. Preventing additional water flow is essential to stopping the spread of the contaminated water.

The second response is to turn off the main circuit breaker if you can reach it safely. In flood conditions it’s best to retreat to high ground if you can do so without crossing water. If the flooding is limited to your home, retreat to an upper room after you’ve shut off the water and call water drying specialists to begin the cleanup process.

Dealing with Bio-Hazards

Even after the flooding has stopped, do not set foot in water that’s been contaminated. Any water that’s come into contact with an open sewer or water from backed-up sewer line is hazardous and unsafe. You’ll need to contact a hazard cleanup team that’s skilled in dealing with biological contaminants. Fumes and bacteria from this water will make you sick and it’s best left to professionals. Professional cleaning crews will remove the water, dry out the area, and disinfect any contaminated surfaces.

Unfortunately, many personal items are not able to be restored once exposed to damage from a blackwater line. Risk of infection from diseases carried in this water is never worth the restoration process. In many cases, insulation and flooring will need to be replaced completely.

Don’t take chances when it comes to dirty water. It’s never a smart thing to risk your health just to save a little money.

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Protecting Against Flooding Dangers

Published on May 5, 2017

The rainy season in Texas can be difficult to predict. With sudden flare-ups of flash flooding and jumps between clear skies and hailstorms, dealing with a storm is less about responding to the weather forecast and more about general preparation for storms. Still, in the event of a flood, as most residents are going to face one at some point or other, knowing how to respond to protect yourself, your home, and your belongings is essential.

Dealing with a Flood

We’ll start with the most urgent, what to do when your home is already being flooded. Regardless of whether your home is being flooded by a burst pipe or excessive rain, the response is roughly the same. The main difference is, if the flooding is due to a pipe, turn off the main shutoff valve first. Then:

Turn off the circuit breaker to the flooded areas
Do not enter the water without protective clothing if a black- or grey-water line has broken
Use a shop-vac to begin pumping water out of the room
Remove water-logged items for drying immediately
Dry carpets, walls, and furniture immediately, seek professional drying services if needed
Have your home inspected for mold after the flood has been cleaned up and all areas are dry
Repair any damages to pipes, walls, roofing, or foundation

Once a room has been flooded, it’s a race against time to save as much as possible. Especially during the rainy season it’s always a good idea to store valuables and items that cannot be replaced on high shelves where they’re less likely to be affected by flooding. This kind of preventative step is essential to dealing with any kind of storm damage or flooding. What follows are some other prevention measures you can take to deal with flooding before it starts.

Know Where Your Shutoffs Are

Make sure you know how to access all the water shutoff valves in your home. The most important of these is, of course, the main water shutoff valve. For any major leak or burst pipe, the first thing you should do is shut off water to the problem area, so know where your shutoff valve is located.

You should also remember to turn this valve off when you go on vacation. First, this helps reduce water consumption if there are any drips or leaks. Second, it will prevent an uncontrolled flood of water if something does go wrong while you’re out.

Appliance Maintenance

So many appliances in our homes use water. The ice machine in your fridge, your instant coffee maker, the washing machine, and the dishwasher are all appliances with direct connections to a water source. Ignoring basic maintenance for these devices and their connections is a recipe for disaster. Water storage units like your water heater should be drained and the sediment removed regularly, while water hose connections (such as the one on your washing machine) should be inspected for signs of aging, wear, or seal damage.

Storm Doors and Windows

Damaged frames, loose weather-stripping, and sticky doors are all signs that it’s time to fix your home. Sticky doors are usually caused by wood that swells due to higher humidity (or a cracked foundation). When it comes to water ingress, making sure that your windows and doors are sealed against the weather is essentially. Check the edges of each, making sure that both the frame and the door or window are making a firm seal. Examine any weather-stripping to make sure it’s not worn away or damaged, and replace as needed.

Protect your Foundation

Always protect your foundation. The concrete slab beneath your home needs some water in the surrounding soil to keep it from cracking, but too much water will lead to seepage. Concrete is mildly porous and when water pools next to your foundation it will, eventually, find a way in. Make sure that gutters are draining away from your foundation, that the ground is always sloped away from the edge of your home, and that bushes and flowerbeds are far enough from the edge to prevent water from pooling.

You should also take care of cracks in your foundation immediately. Water will cause more damage if it’s able to enter your foundation and will eventually seep into your home as well. Repair cracks and have your foundation resealed or lined to prevent future damage.