Have you experienced water damage in Medina County Texas?

7/6/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Medina County is here to help with for all of your remediation needs

Although the temperatures have been hot with no storms in sight, there are still many ways that a home could experience water damage.  Oftentimes customers don't think that SERVPRO of Medina County can help them unless their home has been damaged by a storm, but there are many daily instances of water damage that are best handled by professionals. Just think if any of these has happened to you before:

Has a toilet overflowed? Think SERVPRO of Medina County in Texas.  

A leaky dishwasher? Think SERVPRO of Medina County in Texas.

A pipe burst? Think SERVPRO of Medina County in Texas.

A leaky supply line? Think SERVPRO of Medina County in Texas.

An AC leak? Think SERVPRO of Medina County in Texas

When in doubt, call 830-584-1704 and let our IICRC experts ensure that your home is remediated properly.  We are available to help twenty-four hours a day every day of the year.

Fire and Smoke Cleanup with SERVPRO

6/30/2023 (Permalink)

Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration and Cleanup with SERVPRO Gets Your Medina County Property Back to Pre-Fire Condition

You might worry that your Medina County house is a total loss after a recent blaze. However, SERVPRO has the training and experience to ensure fire damaged homes in the area get back to pre-fire condition “Like it never even happened.” We tackle each job and treat it as unique, handling every detail with precision and care.

Total fire restoration means addressing fire and smoke clean up in Media County simultaneously. You must get in touch with your home insurance provider to determine what is covered and begin your claim. The most common to-do list homeowners will have with house fire cleanup projects include:

• Structure safety and security –We will not enter until first responders onsite deem the building safe.
• Documentation –Meticulous inventory and paperwork must get done, including photos of the damage.
• Skilled assistance –Hiring the right fire damage restoration team for the job ensures everything gets done right the first time.
• Work begins –SERVPRO can handle removal and disposal of all charred debris, interior cleaning, drying, and controlled demolitions, as needed.

Fire and smoke cleanup are better left to skilled technicians - this is where we come in at SERVPRO of Medina County. With one call to (830) 584-1704, you will have our Green Fleet at your door and ready to get started within a few hours.

Do you know what to expect after contacting SERVPRO?

6/19/2023 (Permalink)

ONE HOUR:

Within one hour from notice of loss, a SERVPRO of Medina County will contact you to arrange for service. You’ll know help is on the way!

FOUR HOURS:

Within four hours of loss notification, a SERVPRO of Medina County Professionals will be on-site to start mitigation services. The key to reducing damage and saving money is responding quickly to your damage.

DETAILED EXPLANATION:

A trained, uniformed and equipped SERVPRO Of Medina County Professional will walk you through the job process step-by-step, explaining what to expect and the anticipated outcome.

EIGHT HOURS:

Within eight business hours of on-site arrival, a verbal briefing of the scope will be communicated to the appropriate person, normally your adjuster or property manager.

PRETESTING:

A SERVPRO of Medina County Professional will begin pretesting for restorability, working from the source of the damage outward.

CLEANING & RESTORATION:

SERVPRO of Medina County Professionals will work neatly and efficiently to help you regain control of your property when a damaging event has taken over. They will use state-of-the-art restoration techniques to ensure your property is taken care of right the first time.

FINAL WALK-THROUGH:

After the work has been completed, a final walk-through will be conducted with you to help ensure your satisfaction.

If your home or office experiences water damage, contact us at (830) 584-1704 so that we can help to make it “like it never even happened.”

*Exceptions may apply under certain conditions, such as a local catastrophic event or storm situation.

Helpful Tips to Avoid Kitchen Fires

6/19/2023 (Permalink)

The kitchen can be a wonderfully versatile place—a place for family and friends to gather, for quality time to be spent and where some delicious eats are cooked up. Unfortunately, the kitchen is also the space where many home fires can occur.

Cooking fires are the No. 1 cause of home fires and injuries and the leading cause of these kitchen fires is unattended cooking.

In previous years, State Farm paid out over $130 million in homeowners insurance claims related to grease and other cooking fires. According to the insurance company, these are the worst states for kitchen fires:

• North Carolina
• Texas
• Pennsylvania
• California
• Ohio
• Illinois
• Maryland
• New York
• Alabama
• Georgia

Kitchen Fire Safety Tips

Staying in the kitchen while cooking is not the only fire safety tip you should be following. Here are some other helpful tips to observe while cooking:

1. Be mindful of your clothing. Does your outfit have long, flowing sleeves or is it big and baggy? It could catch on fire if you aren’t careful while cooking over the stove. It’s best to wear short or close-fitted sleeve shirts and make sure any baggy shirts are tucked in or tied back.

2. Watch the items around the stovetop. Make sure you don’t have kitchen towels, oven mitts, appliance cords or even curtains too close to the stovetop when cooking. Ideally, anything flammable will be moved away from it.

3. Have a fire extinguisher in/near the kitchen. Hopefully you have at least one fire extinguisher located in your home, ideally one that is near your kitchen. Make sure you know how to properly use the extinguisher, just in case it is ever needed.

4. Do not throw hot grease in the garbage can. The grease may not be on fire, but it could be hot enough to cause something in the trash to burn. You should let the grease cool a bit and then dispose of it in an old coffee can. Also, know the smoke points of the oils you cook with. Be sure to never subject a low-smoke point oil to high heat when cooking, as it could catch fire.

5. Have a fire escape plan established. Thinking about the worst-case scenario is never fun, but it’s better to be prepared than unprepared if an emergency were to occur. Go over exit routes and designated meeting points with your family, making sure that everyone knows what to do.

Fire safety in the kitchen is an absolute necessity, as it can help prevent dangerous and destructive cooking fires. If your home has experienced damage from a cooking fire, know that SERVPRO of Medina County is here to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Wildfires can happen in any area

6/23/2022 (Permalink)

Did you know, more than 72,000 U.S. communities are now at risk from wildfire? Every year, wildfires burn across the U.S., and more people are living where wildfires are a real risk. By working together, residents can make their property, and their neighborhood, much safer from wildfire. Keeping your property clear of debris and maintaining landscaping are easy and effective ways to prevent fuel for a wildfire. Keep flammable materials, like wood piles and propane tanks, at least 30 feet away from your home's foundation. Wildfire can also spread to tree tops; help prevent this by pruning trees so the lowest branches are 6 to 10 feet from the ground. Keep your lawn hydrated and maintained. Following these simple tips can help protect you and your property, and reduce the intensity of a potential fire. For more information of these and other wildfire safety tips, visit firewise.org. SERVPRO of Medina County is always here to help whether it be a #wildfire or a #kitchenfire.

Protect your home from secondary water damage!

6/23/2022 (Permalink)

The Difference Between DIY Water Damage Cleanup and Professional Extraction in San Antonio Properties

Limiting loss is the reason to begin water damage cleanup as soon as possible. Unfortunately, water moves quickly and runs downward. It is challenging to determine migration paths without professional equipment.

Often Medina County Homeowners Start Water Damage cleanup and soon find they need assistance. Water degrades by absorbing contacted materials as it sits within a property and, after 48-hours, receives the designation of black water, a category three biohazard, which is why cleanup should happen as quickly as possible after the initial event.

Why SERVPRO?

The technicians have extensive training for water extraction and the restoration of homes affected by water damage. For example, solid wood table legs may look like a loss with swelling from water exposure, but your SERVPRO technician has both the techniques and experience to give that piece of furniture restoration potential rather than have it counted as a loss. This action saves money on the purchase of a replacement. This is content preservation.

Locating Water Within the Home

Unless homeowners have access to different types of moisture detection equipment, there is no way to determine if water has migrated within floor joists or wall cavities without the removal of baseboards or portions of the flooring. SERVPRO technicians bring several types of moisture detection equipment that have sensitivity levels to detect moisture within walls and other hidden areas without the need for removal of the sheetrock or baseboards. Both pointed and flat moisture meters, infrared camera imaging, and thermo-hygrometers are in the SERVPRO arsenal of scoping and detection devices.

Professional Water Extraction is a Must

DIY water cleanup leaves the property at risk of both mold development and foul odors. SERVPRO has different kinds of equipment to use for various surfaces. Portable pumps with weighted extractor heads push the water out of carpet and padding, while squeegees are an efficient way to collect the water on tile or laminate floors.

Drying Equipment Makes the Difference

You can use every fan in your home and even borrow a few to dry wet floors, but generally, only the surface dries. SERVPRO uses centrifugal air movers, and it is not just a pretty name. These specialized pieces of equipment blow air at such high velocities, it causes embedded moisture to rise where industrial dehumidification equipment captures and ports it away. The result is a dry water loss area from top to bottom. The drying goals are to achieve acceptable moisture content levels (typically 12% or less) in materials and an ambient RH of about 50%.

At the first sign of water damage, contact SERVPRO of Medina County at (830) 584-1704. The certified technicians stand ready to assist local homeowners with any kind of water loss and make it "Like it never even happened."

We service Medina County Zip Codes

SERVPRO of Medina County has the experience needed to attack any job!

6/2/2022 (Permalink)

The People, Experience, Training and Equipment to make it

Like it never even happened.®

The People

With over 10,000 quality teammates nationwide, SERVPRO® Of Medina County Professionals are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to help you get your life back.

The Experience

SERVPRO® is a Franchise System with over 40 years of leadership in fire and water cleanup and restoration. Our track record of results has earned us the trust of the insurance industry, countless homeowners, and commercial property managers and in one unforgettable instance, even the Pentagon. 1970’s 1980’s 2000’s

The Training

SERVPRO of Medina County Professionals undergo extensive water restoration training and certification.

SERVPRO Industries, Inc. is an approved IICRC school to help ensure our training meets and exceeds accepted industry standards.

The Equipment

With over 5,000,000 square feet of building space, housing over 140,000 pieces of cleaning and restoration equipment, SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals have the resources to help you take back control of your life.

Lower Recovery Costs –The SERVPRO® System Helps Save Money

_ Emergency Mitigation Services help minimize additional property damages.

_ SERVPRO® of Medina County Professionals use specialized test equipment to determine hidden water.

_ Restoration versus replacement of contents saves heirlooms and money too.

_ By using advanced drying techniques, SERVPRO® of Medina County Professionals monitor and ensure your property is properly dried. Mitigation requires quick action. The faster a

SERVPRO® of Medina County Professional arrives on-site to perform water cleanup, the better the results – including lower claim costs.

Are you familiar with flood terms?

5/18/2022 (Permalink)

When the flood waters rise...so do we.

Last year, many residents experienced flood damage and SERVPRO of Medina County was ready and able to help.  As the rainy season approaches we wanted to make sure that the Medina County community is prepared for any floods that may happen with some tips.

Before the Flood:

Tips from FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) for Preparing Your Home or Business for a Flood.

• Turn off utilities at the main switches or valves if instructed to do so.
• Disconnect electrical appliances.
• Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.
• Do not walk through moving water. Even six inches of moving water can make you fall.

During the Flood:

• Listen for news reports to learn if the community’s water supply is safe to drink.
• Avoid floodwaters. Water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline or raw sewage. Water may also be electrically charged.
• Stay out of any building if it is surrounded by floodwaters.
• Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.

 After the Flood:

Flooding is still possible. Listen to weather radio, commercial radio, or TV for information.

Know the terms:

Flood Watch:

Flash flooding is possible. Be prepared to move to higher ground; listen to weather radio, commercial radio, or TV for information.

Flash Flood Watch:

Flooding is occurring or will occur soon; if advised to evacuate, do so immediately.

Flood Warning:

A flash flood is occurring; seek higher ground on foot immediately.

Ask SERVPRO of Medina County about setting your business up with an Emergency Response Profile. 

Restoring your Medina County Commercial Building

4/18/2022 (Permalink)

Flooding and water damage events at Medina County 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 Medina County

SERVPRO of Medina County 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.

Heavy Rainfall can lead to water damage

4/18/2022 (Permalink)

While water damage is typically associated with events like flooding or plumbing malfunctions, heavy rain can also cause its own set of issues regarding water damage around the house.

While any level of moisture can cause damage, heavy rain is considered rainfall at rates over 0.3 inches per hour and can work its way into much smaller vulnerabilities in your home. To help you better prepare and avoid water damage, we have put together a list of how these rapid rainfall rates can cause issues.

How Heavy Rains Cause Household Water Damage

Backup of clogged gutters. Clogged gutters can cause significant damage to your home after heavy rains. If there is debris in the gutters, it will be difficult for water to drain away, which can then result in leaks from puddles as the water is left standing against the roofline.

Leaks around windows and doors. Windows and doors are supposed to be sealed against the elements, but as their weatherproofing ages, it can deteriorate as well. When heavy rains roll through, water can find its way into minuscule cracks and cause damages.

Poor drainage around the foundation. If your home is at the bottom of a hill or does not have adequate drainage around the foundation, heavy rains can build up against the base of your home and lead to leaks in your basement or crawl spaces.

Leaks in and around the roof. Roof leaks are one of the leading consequences of heavy rains, and they can sneak up suddenly. All it takes is for a shingle to be scraped away or a weak spot to form and rainwater can begin seeping in as it falls.

Malfunctioning of a sump pump system. For homes with sump pumps, doing regular maintenance and checking for issues is key—otherwise, the pump system can get overwhelmed and will not be able to effectively move water away from the home.

Leaks around chimneys and skylights. Houses with chimneys and skylights tend to be more vulnerable to heavy rains than homes without them. While they are nice features to have, the seals where they meet with the roof can grow vulnerable over time and become overwhelmed when rainfall is heavy.