5 Ways to Use Landscaping To Protect Your Home

8/3/2022 (Permalink)

A rain garden can be planted on a slope and helps to absorb excess water.

Landscaping Strategies

During a big storm in Schertz, TX, you take precautions to protect your home. You board up windows and place sandbags to divert water flow. Did you know that you can use your landscaping to protect your yard from outside flooding? Here are five ways to do it.

1. Extend Rain Spouts
The downspouts on your home are supposed to help move water away from your foundation, but only when they're correctly installed. Many rain spouts are too short, so rainwater pools next to the foundation. Extend rain spouts further into the yard to prevent flooding.

2. Choose Heavy Mulch
You can choose many types of mulch based on appearance or price. You can use mulch to protect your home during a rain storm. Heavy mulch such as shredded bark won't float away but will help the soil absorb excess water and keep it away from your home.

3. Plant a Rain Garden
A rain garden can be planted on a slope and helps to absorb excess water. You can divert rainspouts into a rain garden which protects your house and keeps your home beautiful.

4. Research Native Plants
The most effective way to plant a rain garden is to use native plants. Native plants thrive in your yard, develop deep roots, and help prevent soil erosion. If outside flooding has become a problem at your home, a storm restoration company can make helpful suggestions to prevent future flooding.

5. Level Your Yard for Rain Drainage
A more intense intervention is to correct the slope of your yard. If the ground slopes even slightly toward your foundation, you are more likely to have inside flooding during a storm. You can work with a professional landscaper to correct the slope and help water flow away from your home.
Outside flooding during a storm can cause inside damage. Use landscaping strategies to protect your yard and home from water damage.

6 Landscaping Ideas to Prevent Flooding

6/27/2022 (Permalink)

Plant new grass.

Reduce the Chances Of Water Damage In Your Home

People who live in New Braunfels, TX, know that outside flooding is always a possibility. While the effects of a heavy rainstorm may not be avoidable, rethinking your landscaping may minimize the potential and need for a professional water and storm damage restoration company. Below are six ideas to enhance the property and reduce the chances of water damage.

1. Apply Heavy Mulch
While there are many colors and types of mulch that add curb appeal, using a heavier mulch not only stays put better but also slows water that is quickly flowing. When laying it, keep it approximately six inches away from the siding.

2. Level the Slope
Since water takes the easiest path down, ensure your home is properly graded. After a rain, any areas that show signs of pulling will likely need to be raised with dirt. Afterward, rocks or mulch can be applied to provide a pleasing aesthetic.

3. Add Rain Drainage Swales
Outside flooding entering the home happens due to how water flows. A swale, which is basically a ditch, can be dug out to redirect the flow.

4. Build a Rain Garden
Plants love water, so use them to help absorb excess runoff with a rain garden. These should be created in a low-lying area where water naturally flows to. Be sure to use native plants that are known for high water needs to maximize the benefits.

5. Install a Rain Barrel
A rain barrel is a simple addition that collects water and helps redirect it from the home. Most include a spigot, which also lets you conserve water and use rainwater for other plants. These barrels are available in a range of sizes, colors and designs.

6. Plant New Grass
Plush grass not only looks good but also better absorbs water. If you have thin areas, look into denser grasses that easily grow.
Although outside flooding entering the home happens, reconsidering your landscaping is one way to minimize the issues.

How Homeowners Can Prevent Winter Storm Damage

4/8/2022 (Permalink)

Storms can cause shingles to be blown away allowing rain to go into your attic space.

How Can Homeowners Avoid Winter Storm Damage?

Preventative maintenance can limit the damage that winter weather can inflict on a home in Selma, TX. Here are three measures homeowners can take to prepare for any conditions this season may bring, from below-freezing temperatures to a severe winter storm.

1. Maintain the Roof

A blizzard will test the condition of any roof. Three inches of dry snow can add up to 10 pounds per square foot to a roof, while wet snow can add up to 60 pounds per square foot. It is important to ensure that a roof is in good condition prior to the start of winter. Rather than risking a cave-in or collapse, it may be advisable to safely rake or sweep snow off of a roof to lighten the load.

Uneven attic and roof temperatures can also cause ice damming. Snow that melts and refreezes around the eaves can cause roof damage that leads to leaks. Roofers can recommend solutions for keeping an attic cool, insulated and ventilated. Homeowners should also make sure that gutters and downspouts are clear.

2. Protect Pipes

Pipes that run near exterior walls may require insulation. It is also important to maintain a consistent interior temperature no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit. When temperatures dip below freezing, a homeowner should trickle faucets and leave cabinets that contain plumbing open.

3. Seal Doors and Windows

Severe damage may occur if an exterior door blows open during a winter storm. Properly-sealed doors and windows are also much more efficient. Weather stripping can reduce the amount of warm air that seeps out of a home and prevent condensation.

Homeowners should take measures to maintain the condition of a residence all year round to avoid the need for extensive repairs during the fall. If a blizzard or winter storm damages a residence in  Selma, TX, storm restoration specialists can quickly provide mitigation services.

3 Tips To Stop Sewage Backup

3/4/2022 (Permalink)

Tree roots may cause blockages in your sewer lines.

Reduce the Risk of Sewer Damage

A sewer backup can cause extensive damage at a residence in Gonzales, TX. There are several measures homeowners can take to reduce the likelihood of blockages in lines, and it may also be possible to install specialized equipment to prevent flooding caused by an overflowing municipal main. Follow these three preventative tips to reduce the risk of sewer damage.

1. Only Flush Sewer-Safe Materials

Only toilet paper should be flushed down toilets. If a toilet is prone to developing clogs, a homeowner may want to select thinner single- or double-ply toilet paper. No other materials should be flushed down toilets or put down drains. Even moist towelettes described as being sewer-safe may result in blockages.

2. Use Root Killer To Prevent Blockages

Old sewer lines may be more prone to blockages formed by invasive tree roots. Homeowners can treat lines with a foaming herbicide once a year to eliminate growth and prevent a common backup cause. Avoid solutions that contain copper sulfate, an ingredient that may damage pipe materials.

3. Consider Installing Specialized Components

Homeowners may want to consider installing plumbing components designed to decrease the likelihood of backups. Consult with a plumber to determine whether a backflow valve, overhead sewer or standpipe could significantly limit the risk of sewer damage at a residence. A backflow valve or standpipe can be relatively affordable, whereas an overhead sewer is a more costly solution.

These tips may help to reduce the likelihood of a sewer backup. Homeowners can take preventative measures to prevent blockages or clogs from forming in residential lines. Depending on the condition of these lines, a homeowner may want to invest in a sewer cleaning. Specialized modifications can prevent flooding resulting from an overflowing municipal main. If a property sustains any sewer or storm damage, homeowners should rely on a residential mitigation and restoration company located in Gonzales, TX.

The Storms You Don't See Coming

9/30/2021 (Permalink)

In the restoration industry, many storm events can be a big ordeal for local franchises. A lot of times when the topic of storms is brought up most people think of hurricanes, heavy sweeping rainstorms, or an arctic blast. Most of the time these events can be forecast ahead of time allowing for many Franchises to prepare trucks, stage equipment, and map deployment routes.

But what about unpredictable events? Living in the South this can be an all too common occurrence. April showers can lead to unprecedented rain totals causing basement and sub-surface living quarters to flood. Those hot August days can bring monsoon-type 5 o’clock storms with damaging blowing rain along with tree limbs crashing down and toppling trees instantly wreaking havoc on homes and businesses faster than a lightning strike.

These phenomena are scenarios that your local SERVPRO of Guadalupe & Gonzales Counties train and always prepare for. We are constantly keeping multiple trucks stocked and ready to respond to emergency services twenty-four hours a day seven days a week.  We make sure that any equipment that is not kept on a vehicle, is easily accessible to load on the appropriate truck. SERVPRO is always checking and rechecking that all equipment is in working and fully functional condition.

Last but not least, we here at SERVPRO of Guadalupe & Gonzales Counties are constantly keeping open lines of communication with neighboring franchises in case of a mass influx of damage to our community to help those in need of assistance.

To our fellow neighbors in our beautiful community, please know that here at SERVPRO we are #oneteam and we are #heretohelp

How to Get Flooded Water Out of a House?

8/31/2021 (Permalink)

Home Flood Clean Up

The water from floods that are the result of a storm is considered Category 3--grossly contaminated.   This type of water is considered to pose a serious health risk to human health and shouldn’t be touched.  

The reason to categorize it this way is that as the water hits the ground, it picks up everything that is out in nature--including pesticides, oil from the street, and many mother unknown contaminants.  

So, if flood water is contaminated, then how do you soak up flooded water?  

How to Clean Up After a Flood

If you live in an area prone to flooding or Hurricanes, talk to your insurance company about getting the necessary insurances to make sure your property is covered.  

Many property owners are often caught off-guard by rising waters and are saddened and frustrated to learn that their insurance claim is denied.  Don’t let this happen to you! 

“Hurricane insurance” is actually made up of a combination of various types of insurance and endorsements.  Talk to your insurance company about:

• Homeowners Insurance
• Flood Insurance
• Windstorm Coverage
• Other endorsements you may need to be fully covered for the typical type of damage in your area 

After you have the right insurances to protect your property, then prepare your property to handle the possible weather coming your way.  Make sure your property has proper and clear drainage and invest in sandbags and other water-prevention tools to keep the water out. 

Even with proper preparation, water may still find its way into your home.  In this case, we recommend you keep the following in mind:

• Wear protective gear.  Wear protective clothing to protect yourself.  We recommend water-resistant overalls and nitrile gloves to start.  You may also want to consider goggles and an N95 mask. 
• Stay safe.  Don’t try to lift heavy equipment on your own.  If it’s waterlogged, it will be much heavier.  Also, don’t mess with compromised electronics. 
• Inspect your property.  Grab a mop, bucket, or a wet vacuum and start extracting the water.  If the water is more than these simple tools can help you with, consider calling a professional water damage restoration company to help.  They will have industrial equipment made to quickly extract water. 
• Consider where the water went.  Did it find its way behind your walls?  If the water is at your baseboard, there’s a good chance it’s found. It's now gone underneath it and has wet the insulation behind the drywall.  Wet drywall will have to be removed.  If your flooring is carpet or has buckled, it will also have to be removed. 
• Sanitize your property.  Wherever the water touched should be cleaned to kill any live contaminants and help avoid mold growth. 
• Dry your property.  Air movers and dehumidifiers help remove the excess moisture from your property.  Check for any wet spots around your property to make sure you know exactly where any hidden water is.  

Call for a Free Flooded House Clean Up Estimate

If your property has been affected by floodwaters, give us a call.  We have years of experience in the water damage restoration industry, and we have restored thousands of properties after every type of water damage.  Our technicians have been part of the cleanup efforts in:

• Local Cibolo storm flash floods
• Hurricanes, including Harvey
• Iowa Derecho storm of 2020

We accept all insurance claims and also work directly with property owners who are paying for the restoration themselves.  

Give us a call or contact us online anytime to set up a free water damage inspection appointment. 

Other Cleaning Up After a Flood Tips

Almost every water storm damage that is Category 3 will require some kind of repair or reconstruction for your home.  If you work with a professional water damage restoration company, ask them if they are full-service and if they’ll also be available to reconstruct your property.  Working with one company can save you the headache of managing multiple contractors.  

After flood damage, properties typically need repairs for:

• Drywall
• Flooring
• Cabinets

Choose a Trusted Storm Damage Restoration in Cibolo

We’re a full-service SERVPRO in Cibolo with decades of experience.  When we arrive to help you with your storm damage cleanup, we will be there for you 100% of the way.  We offer:

• Water Extraction
• Emergency repairs like roof tarping and board-up
• Drying
• Demolition
• Cleanup
• Repairs / Reconstruction

Call us anytime at (830) 379-7474 for immediate water damage assistance.  We’re Here to Help. 

Can I Shut Off the Drying Equipment?

6/1/2021 (Permalink)

Should you turn the equipment off?

An integral part of the water damage process is setting up drying systems. These drying systems aren't random placements of equipment but strategically placed for optimal drying. Equipment is essential in drying out the affected areas, but what if the noise is disturbing your peace?

Can I Turn Off the Drying Equipment?

You should refrain from turning off the equipment without consulting the lead technician first. These machines are necessary to dry out your home as quickly as possible. Turning them off can prolong the job and may mean they remain at your property longer.

In order to determine the correct amount of equipment to place, our skilled crews follow IICRC guidelines that determine industry standards.

A water loss doesn't have to a headache. Let SERVPRO of Guadalupe & Gonzales Counties take care of it, we'll get your property looking "Like it never even happened." (830) 379-7474

What’s a Flood Cut and Is It Always Required?

5/25/2021 (Permalink)

Flood cut performed in Schertz, TX

Flooding is always a disaster. Every porous item it touches is going to be damaged or destroyed – even if it’s a clean water line break. Even worse, if it’s a large flood, such as one covering multiple properties, the water should be considered dangerous. Floodwater can have a variety of hazards, including

• Sewage
• Chemicals
• Dangerous floating debris
  
  

Flood damage restoration experts in Schertz, TX, will determine the degree of damage to commercial buildings and decide what can be saved. The goal is to restore everything possible and replace when required. Tearing out walls is always a last resort, which is where a flood cut may come in.

What Is a Flood Cut?

Flood water can be nasty. If there is water contamination, everything it touches needs to be replaced. To achieve this, restoration technicians will cut out the drywall that’s been impacted by it.
To save time and money, they’ll leave the untouched drywall that's higher than the flood line in place, leaving a sharp line about 12 to 18 inches above the flood line to expose everything behind the wall below the cut. This is known as a flood cut.

When Is It Necessary?

Three factors are considered when examining wall damage caused by flooding:

• Is the water clean?
• Did it get behind the walls?
• Is there insulation behind the walls?
  
  

If the water has any sewage (also called blackwater) in it, they’ll have to tear out the portions below the flood cut, regardless of whether it got behind the walls. If the water is clean and did not get behind the wall, they may be able to fix the damage without a cut.
Clean water that gets behind the walls may sometimes be extracted without a flood cut. This depends largely on whether there’s insulation behind the wall. If there is, you’ll probably have to get a flood cut.

Flooding doesn’t have to be the end of your commercial property. Restoration technicians in  Schertz, TX, can often return the property to its previous condition without replacing everything, and a flood cut is often part of the process.

Aiding Schertz Businesses with Storm and Water Damage Restoration

3/22/2021 (Permalink)

Local businesses are the lifeblood of our Schertz community. Aside from keeping our citizens employed, each business serves a need in our city. So when a business is impacted by a major storm event, this affects the ability to serve customers and affects employee livelihood.

As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of Guadalupe & Gonzales Counties understands the challenges that other business owners are faced with under normal and extenuating circumstances.

We offer comprehensive commercial property damage recovery services so your business can be back to normal as soon as possible.

Full-Service Commercial Recovery

Because we do it all, we do it more efficiently. This saves our customers time and money. Our commercial property action plan is designed to scale so that no worksite is too big nor too small.

Secondary Damage Mitigation

On day one of recovery rollout, we work tirelessly to prevent further damage to your business assets. This includes:

• Board up
• Roof tarp
• Water removal
• Security fence (for large-scale and long-term jobs).

Customized Restoration Plan

When it comes to storm and water damage, no two scenarios are the same so every job should have a plan tailored to its unique set of circumstances. Each commercial damage restoration project includes one or a combination of the following:

• Water damage restoration
• Fire damage restoration
• Mold remediation
• Biohazard cleanup (including remediation for diseases like COVID-19 and C-Diff)
• Move out cleanup and storage.
• Carpet cleaning
• Air duct cleaning

Reconstruction

Our goal is to restore materials rather than replace them, but sometimes things are too damaged. In that case, we are prepared to do a full reconstruction with new materials. For example, a carpet that is too saturated cannot be effectively dried out. Trapped moisture is a mold risk, so the carpet and padding must be completely replaced.

SERVPRO makes it, “Like it never even happened,” by matching materials to the original so that it is restored to its preloss condition.

What Matters Most with Commercial Property Recovery

Our top priority is to minimize business interruption to the furthest extent possible. For those businesses that are forced to close, we work tirelessly to get you open as soon as possible. For those businesses that stay open, we work around operating schedules as best we can. Other ways we speed up recovery include:

• Advanced water removal and fast-drying methods including commercial dehumidifiers and desiccants.
• Project Coordinator dedicated to insurance claim processing, plus a Project Manager to keep everything running smoothly and efficiently.
•  Highly trained storm and water damage restoration specialists.

SERVPRO Stay Open 24/7 to Keep Your Businesses Open

Business owners have a contingency plan for everything, but storm and water damage is one of those things that get in the way of your business no matter how well prepared you are. We’re on call around the clock, every day of the year including weekends and holidays.

Partnering with other businesses in our community has been one of the most rewarding aspects of our decades of service in Schertz water damage restoration. Call us at (830)-379-7474  for emergency contact or a free estimate.

Storm Watch 2021: What Can We Learn from Winter Storm Uri?

3/22/2021 (Permalink)

Our hearts break for those experiencing the storm in our communities

As many of us saw and experienced first hand, the Winter Storm Uri wreaked havoc on our state of Texas and even some of the surrounding states. 

Notable Updates:

• Heavy Snow Fall & Ice began to fall starting February 12-13th.
• Up to 9in of snow was reported, covering some 80% of Texas.
• Texas saw its coldest temperatures to date coming in at minus 3 degrees in some parts.
• This storm has caused millions to be without power and running water. 
• Many water damage cases have been reported as well as frozen pipes.
• Over 100 SERVPRO® franchises have been called to respond to over 10,000 calls for help.

Our franchise personally has responded to hundreds of calls as a result of this winter storm. We are helping our community members get back to normal as fast as we can. Even over a month later, we are still receiving calls from people dealing with the aftermath of this event. If you have experienced damage from Winter Strom Uri in Guadalupe or Gonzales Counties, don't hesitate to reach out for help! 

What Does the Winter Storm Uri Teach Us?

Winter Storm Uri teaches us a lesson in Preparedness. Texans may never have thought they'd face a storm so extreme. Were they prepared? Many weren't. The key is Preparedness. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best.

Preparedness doesn't stop the devastation, but it does allow you to have what you need when you need it. For residents, this includes food, clean water, & electricity. 

For commercial facilities, ask yourself: Do I have a relationship with my local mitigation company? If I do, do I have a partnership with them that would give us priority service? What emergencies are we prepared for? 

The answer to those questions could make or break your business! Don't hesitate, call SERVPRO® to help prepare your business for a disaster. (830)-379-7474

Schertz Residential Storm Damage Restoration & Repairs

3/22/2021 (Permalink)

No one knows for sure when the next severe weather event will hit Schertz, but we do know that we will surely see several storms every year annually - especially during the warmest months.

Every time a major storm blows through, we brace ourselves for the potential impact on our homes, businesses, automobiles, or even our personal well-being. While we hope that everyone is spared, SERVPRO is prepared to come to the aid of those who weren’t so lucky.

What is Secondary Damage and Why It Matters

The property damage you see immediately after a storm event can easily turn into more if preventative measures aren’t taken. When you file a claim with your insurance company they are likely to look into what done to keep more damage from happening. 

To protect your property from further damage from exposure to more rain, moisture, wind, and vandals we set up the following barriers:

• Roof tarps - Protects the exposed roof from water and moisture.
• Board up - In place of windows, doors, and walls that have been ripped out by storm damage.
• Security fence - For long-term and large-scale jobs.

We want to keep repairs to a minimum and we want to ensure that your insurance claims process proceeds without a hitch, so we are proactive in safeguarding your property.

3 Reasons to Choose SERVPRO for Storm Damage Restoration

Schertz and the surrounding areas are not short of storm damage recovery providers, so why should you go with SERVPRO?

Close to You

SERVPRO of Guadalupe & Gonzales Counties is locally owned and operated. Because we are right down the road from you, we respond sooner and are closeby for return trips.

Full-Service Restoration

Your average storm damage site needs cleanup, recovery of materials, and contractors to rebuild what was lost. With SERVPRO you get all of these services in one unit. 

Our goal is restoration over replacement. We work tirelessly to recover as much as possible. Our Esporta Wash System restores fabrics and soft goods to preloss condition. Meanwhile, construction that cannot be saved will be rebuilt to match the original as closely as possible.

Work with Insurance

SERVPRO works with all insurance. We work directly with adjusters on your behalf to keep the process as easy and hassle-free as possible for you the customer. Because we have so much experience working with insurance companies, we know how to save time on the process so you get back to life as normal sooner than later.

Because we are a full-service restoration company that works directly with insurance, you have only one call to make. No need to keep a list of contact numbers as we assign all clients a single point of contact for all communications and updates. 

With SERVPRO’s Schertz water damage restoration you can expect a careful and complete recovery of your home. Call for emergency contact around the clock at (830) 379-7474

Is Your Business Prepared for Storm Damage?

9/25/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Guadalupe & Gonzales Counties has experience restoring businesses affected by storms and flooding. We can respond immediately with highly trained technicians who employ specialized equipment and techniques to restore your business back to pre-storm condition.

Why Call SERVPRO® of Guadalupe & Gonzales Counties?

We're Faster to Any Size Disaster

When a storm hits your Seguin, Cibolo, or Schertz business, you need help immediately. Our quick response will help prevent secondary damage and help reduce restoration costs.

Learn More

We're Highly Trained Storm Damage Specialists

As leaders in the storm and water damage industry, we have advanced training and expertise, not to mention a tremendous amount of hands-on experience. We use this training and experience to quickly dry your home and restore it back to pre-storm condition.

• Water Damage Restoration Technician
• Applied Structural Drying Technicians

Learn More

We Have the Resources to Handle Storms and Disasters

We can scale our resources to handle any size storm or disaster. We can access resources from a network of 1,700 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams strategically located throughout the country.

Learn More

Have Storm or Flood Damage?
Call Us Today (830) 379-7474

Flash Flood Safety in Seguin, TX

5/26/2020 (Permalink)

Floods and What You Should Know

Summer storms pose a risk for floods. When floods damage your property, repairs will not be covered by your homeowner's insurance.

There are many ways you can prepare and protect your property from a flood.

How to Prepare

To start, you can prepare your property for any potential danger by creating an Emergency Ready Profile. Having an ERP allows you to have peace of mind and also allows us to quickly mitigate any damage caused by a flood.

FEMA has some great tips on how to stay safe during a flood.

-Gather supplies in case you have to abruptly leave your property

-Declutter drains and gutters in or around your property

-Do not walk, swim, or drive through floodwaters

-Move to higher ground or floor if you cannot evacuate

Staying Safe

Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States.

Did you know standard homeowners insurance policies do not cover flooding? To make a claim you must have coverage from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

It is important to know the types of flood risk in your area and to sign up for your community's warning system. Floods can occur with little to no warning and develop quickly. Just six inches of water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.

It's always best to think ahead so if this natural disaster occurs in your area, you are prepared.

Flood Damage Restoration

Flood damage that cannot be avoided can often be minimized with the proper water damage response. Our emergency crews are available to dry and restore your property should your home or office suffer a flood.

Call as soon as possible to begin water damage restoration.

Local Supermarket Floods After Recent Storms

5/18/2020 (Permalink)

Severe scattered thunderstorms blew through Central and South Texas this past week. Towns such as New Braunfels, Schertz and Seguin received massive downpours that resulted in flooding. The city of Lockhart even experienced a tornado that resulted in some tremendous storm damage.

Local Supermarket Floods

A local supermarket experienced an unexpected flood as a result of torrential rains on Tuesday.

The building owner said he watched the water quickly rise several inches above the ground level and start pouring into the building. The water flowed behind the walls and soaked the entry carpet and even damaged a real estate showroom towards the front of the store.

Overwhelming Storm

The store was located downhill of a small creek and had seen its fair share of storms in the past. In fact, for this reason they had recently upgraded their drainage system to be able to handle higher amounts of water at once.

However, it was no match for the 13-15 inches of rain that area received in a short amount of time. The flash flood entered the store and wreaked havoc on the entry way carpet and real estate display room at the front. All the aisles were also flooded by the dirty storm water. Since the store had previous experience with water damage, they thought they could handle the water damage by themselves. However, as the rain kept pouring and the water kept rushing in they decided to let our team take care of the mess instead.

Thankfully, our team was able to quickly arrive at the local supermarket and began the water restoration and remediation process in a timely manner. Our fast response saved the store from even more potentially devastating damage.

Emergency Ready Plan

In addition, our marketing team is working with the building owner to create an Emergency Ready Plan (ERP) to expedite his disaster response if something should go wrong in the future.

Call the Professionals

When thunderstorms strike in our area, SERVPRO of Guadalupe & Gonzales Counties is available around the clock to respond to your flood emergency. 

Give us a call at 830-379-7474or contact us online  

Our professional water damage restoration crews will get your building dry the first time and discourage further damage from mold and other microbes.

Types of Storm Damage

3/9/2020 (Permalink)

Severe weather can wreak havoc on your home or business.  Heavy rain, strong wind and other factors such as hail and flooding can result in significant damage to your property. Do you know the most common types of storm damage?

Wind Damage

Hurricanes, strong thunderstorms, and tornadoes can lead to severe wind damage to your property. Your roof is especially prone to be damaged by these circumstances. Strong winds can lift shingles, cause cracks and even remove part (Or all!) of the roof itself. If the wind is harsh enough, it can even shear away asphalt tiles. Flying debris can also result in damage to the roof and siding. After a storm with strong wind, having your roof assessed by a qualified professional is strongly recommended as damage such as roof leaks may not be immediately visible.

Roof Leaks

After a severe storm, your roof may have loose flashing. Loose flashing that is not repaired can lead to further damage, such as another roof leak weeks after the initial storm damage. Even a small leak can produce damp and moldy conditions inside of your home or business. The best plan of action is to secure roof repair immediately following wind damage in order to prevent long term interior damage.

Flood Damage & Recovery

Floodwaters can seriously damage your home or business. If a property is near water or in a low-lying area, flood water damage can pose a severe threat. Heavy rains and flooding may cause water damage miles away from bodies of water. If the land around the property cannot absorb the amount of water the additional flooding may occur. Flood damage can also occur as a result of frozen pipes breaking. Flood pump failures contribute to basement flooding and contaminated groundwater as well. Flooding may even become so bad it can disrupt your municipal water system. Experts will assess groundwater and evaluate the condition of pipes following flood damage. Hiring a storm restoration professional may allow you to begin the cleanup process even before water restoration occurs. Cleaning before water restoration often proves essential yet challenging. By relying upon a trained water damage restoration specialist, you'll usually obtain faster storm remediation. These experts may suggest ways to help mitigate flood water damage in the future, for instance, by requesting backup flood pump installation.

Hail Damage & Recovery
Hail may be the most overlooked cause of major storm damage. Hail can damage not just your roof but also your siding, exterior walls, and any detached sheds or outbuildings. You may think you’ve survived a hail storm but do know that hail damage is difficult to identify. Again, you’re wise to hire a storm damage restoration professional to inspect your roof, exterior walls, and outbuildings for damage. Dark spots on your roof are areas where the roofing granules have been knocked away. These weakened spots can lead to other more extensive problems such as leaks and cracks. Cracked and chipped siding is also a sign of hail damage.

Impact Damage & Recovery
In a major storm, practically anything can become a creator of damage to your home or business. Think about trees. Your home may survive storm damage only to have a tree on your property succumb to the wind, hail, or rain and fall onto your house. A neighbor’s outdoor lawn furniture can become wind-blown projectiles. Extreme wind pressure turns regular outdoor items into tools of destruction. After storm damage, the professionals at SERVPRO of Lexington do a walk around to look for the signs of these types of unusual damage.

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Guadalupe & Gonzales Counties has specialized training and experience in storm damage, fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, water damage, and natural disaster cleanup. Our staff is highly trained in building services and property damage restoration. We study IICRC standards and best practices in cleaning and restoration. Call SERVPRO of Guadalupe & Gonzales Counties (830-379-7474) anytime.

Thunderstorms Cause Unexepected Flooding

3/9/2020 (Permalink)

Scattered thunderstorms are expected in the Schertz, Cibolo and Seguin areas today. This weather is expected to continue throughout the week.

Many neighboring towns saw only sunshine, but in those areas that experienced the storms, the rainfall was intense and overwhelming.

Office Building Floods

An office building in Cibolo, Texas experienced an unexpected flood as a result of torrential rains earlier this year.

The building owner said he watched the water quickly rise several inches above the ground level door jamb and start pouring into the building. The water flowed behind the walls and soaked an office carpet.

Drainage Issues

Water has not flowed in through this door in past storms, so the building owner suspects that a clogged underground drain pipe leading to a catch basin backed up.

He plans to repair the drainage to prevent future floods, but this goes to show flooding can happen anywhere, even on lots with preventive systems in place.

Importance of Drying

The owner thought he contained the problem by mopping up behind the flood, but several days later his tenant complained of a musty smell in the office.

Drying out porous materials like carpet and drywall is key to preventing microbial growth, so we are sending a crew to apply a botanical anti-microbial solution and set up fans and a dehumidifier to completely dry the area.

Emergency Ready Plan

In addition, our marketing team is working with the building owner to create an Emergency Ready Plan (ERP) to expedite his disaster response if something should go wrong in the future.

Call the Professionals

When thunderstorms strike in our area, SERVPRO of Guadalupe & Gonzales Counties is available around the clock to respond to your flood emergency.

Our professional water damage restoration crews will get your building dry the first time and discourage further damage from mold and other microbes.

How Often Should You Clean Your Rain Gutters?

3/9/2020 (Permalink)

Unclogging gutters and rain spouts are an important part of home maintenance in the fall and spring. It’s an easy job to do yourself, but if you are afraid of heights or doubt your ability to get it done, don’t forget your friends here at SERVPRO of Guadalupe & Gonzales Counties. We can help you in both cleaning and unclogging your gutters, which help to keep you from dealing with damage from water during the wet months.

You risk experiencing water damage to your roof, basement and crawl space if gutters and rain spouts are not cleaned out regularly. So how often should you clean out your rain gutters? It’s going to be important to take care of this task before the rainy season hits in the spring, summer and into the fall, for sure, so it is probably a good idea to complete this task at least three times a year, ahead of wet and windy weather. Debris will build up in your gutters at those times, preventing water from draining down and out, and if the gutters can’t channel the water when it rains, it ends up pooling and backing up into your walls and attic, or near your foundation and in your basement.

You will want to use step ladders on solid level ground and try to schedule cleaning when the weather has been dry for a few days. This way, the debris, leaves and pine needles won’t be as soaked and will be much easier to remove. Remove larger debris and then follow that up with a powerful hose that washes everything else down towards the downspout. You will also want to clean the gutter filter screens and make sure there are no clogs in your downspout. If these tasks seem like more than you want to handle alone, call us!

Contact us here at SERVPRO of Guadalupe & Gonzales Counties for any water damage caused by your rain gutters. Gutter cleaning and unclogging rain spouts is an easy regular home maintenance fix. Do your family a favor by preventing water damage to your home or business with regularly cleaning your rain gutters.