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Preparing Your Employees for Weather Emergencies | SERVPRO of East Brownsville & South Padre Island
9/19/2023 (Permalink)
If your home or business was damaged in a storm, call SERVPRO of East Brownsville & South Padre Island to get you back in action.
A prepared business is a successful business, right? That is probably a principle that has been instilled in you and your team for a long time, but have you considered preparing for weather emergencies?
In the midst of learning how to handle every hurdle your company might jump, make sure you spend time thinking about the weather in your environment. Create an emergency plan that will both protect your team and help mitigate as much loss as possible.
When you are prepared, you can approach emergencies calmly and quickly. These tips can help.
Know Your RiskThe perfect place to start creating your plan is by getting to know the weather your business will face. Assess regular weather threats and the extremes, and spend some time learning about previous damaging events that have occurred near your property.
Living in a semi-tropical climate means we enjoy a lot of sunshine and warm weather, which for most of us is a fantastic gift during the winter season. But our warm climate also means we often face heavy rains, flooding and tropical-style storms, including the occasional hurricane.
Because flooding is a concern year-round, make sure you know where your property is on flood maps in order to have the correct coverages and safety measures in place. You should also keep up with local weather daily. Things can change quickly, so make sure you have more than one avenue to stay ahead of storms moving in.
Make a Plan to CommunicateCommunication is one of the most important parts of your emergency plan. You need to make sure your team is on the same page as you enact your protocols in order to avoid confusion and prevent panic.
Create a system that employs more than one communication method so everyone receives the same message quickly. Your team needs to act quickly when it is time to gather supplies to evacuate or head to the safe space in order to seek shelter.
Plan Your EvacuationSome emergencies will require your employees to evacuate the property in order to ride out storms safely. Practice exit plans with your staff regularly, and make sure routes are mapped out and displayed throughout your building. Label doors and illuminate hallways to ensure the safest exit.
When severe storms move in quickly and evacuations are not safe, your staff needs a safe location they can shelter. Choose a location on the lowest level of your building, and keep supplies close. Visit this space when you practice your evacuation plans with your team so everyone knows where it is.
No matter how you are riding out the storm, the more prepared you and your team are, the calmer and safer everyone can stay. Panic can make situations much worse, so practice your plan often to keep anxiety levels low. Keep up with the weather regularly, and communicate often. A prepared team is a happy team!
Don’t let extreme weather take control! If storms strike your business, SERVPRO® can help you restore your losses.
Outdoor Storm-Proofing | SERVPRO of East Brownsville & South Padre Island
9/19/2023 (Permalink)
Have you been impacted by the unusual summer storm season? SERVPRO of East Brownsville & South Padre Island has your back when you experience damage.
High winds, heavy rains, hail, tornado, hurricanes…this isn’t the weather forecast, but it is a list of some of the ways weather can leave your home damaged. While every storm comes with different levels of extremes and your location certainly matters, the threats to your property are always there.
Your responsibilities as a homeowner can often seem endless, especially when it comes to home maintenance. When you add protecting your home from that endless lists of threats to your to-do list, it can quickly feel overwhelming.
Texas weather often creates a challenging situation when it comes to being prepared. In the spring and summer we have hurricanes, strong winds and heavy rains to contend with, while in the fall and winter we have thunderstorms and flooding to watch out for. Throw in the occasional tornado and the rare freeze and keeping your Brownsville home safe can feel like a full-time job.
The best place to start when it comes to weather prep at home is outside. Take steps to prepare the outside of your home for storms so that you can keep everyone inside safe.
Seasonal PrepsDon’t let getting ready for all the different kinds of weather we have become a daunting task. Preparing your home doesn’t have to be a challenge—most seasonal preparations can be worked into your regular maintenance routine.
Regardless of season or your home’s location, winds and rain will always be something you face. Trim trees in your yard, clear out your gutters regularly and pick up loose debris in order to prevent shattered windows or pooling water. Make sure items that live outside permanently, like patio furniture, are secured tightly. Keep the trash can close to a safe space so that you can stash it quickly when a strong storm is predicted.
When you are working outside, be intentional about walking around the entire exterior of your home. Check for gaps in bricks or siding and look for any signs of deteriorating wood.
Caulk around windows and door frames to prevent rain leaks, and check the roof often. You should check your roof at least four times a year thoroughly for loose or missing shingles, gaps around your gutters and any other aging that should be corrected. Take time to look at it after the winds have been high, too, so you can fix problems fast.
Home UpgradesYou can certainly prepare your home for storms at no cost with a little hard work, but there are also some home upgrades you should consider for an extra layer of protection when things get rough.
If your home does not already have them, storm shutters are a great investment. These can be permanent fixtures you can open and close at any time, or thicker covers specially designed to add on to your windows when hurricanes are predicted. Check the wind rating on your windows and look into upgrading to better materials in order to ride out storms a little safer. Gutter guards that prevent buildup are a great way to ensure heavy rains don’t spill over on your roof or cause ponding near your foundation.
If you have unattached buildings on your property, consider some additional structural reinforcements to prevent damage from winds. Modular homes should also be securely tied down to a solid foundation.
Weather alerts are an extremely crucial part of keeping everything safe and secure when things are predicted to be severe. Make sure you have two ways to receive every alert, and move to your safe space quickly when warnings are issued. If your home is damaged during a storm, call us. We are available around the clock to get restorations started fast.
Was your home damaged in a storm? Call us at SERVPRO of East Brownsville & South Padre Island to start restoration, 24⁄7.
Backyard Barbecue Safety Basics | SERVPRO of East Brownsville & South Padre Island
9/19/2023 (Permalink)
Have you had a barbeque gone wrong? Call SERVPRO of East Brownsville & South Padre Island to get your space back in shape.
Summer might just be the perfect time of the year. Even if the Texas heat isn’t your favorite, you can’t go wrong with lazier days and plentiful sunshine. Summer also brings around barbeque season. Spending time cooking in the backyard with the people you love the most has to be one of the best parts of the season.
It might be the best part, but it can also be one of the most dangerous parts when it isn’t done safely. Improper use of grills is a leading cause of house fires during the summer season. SERVPRO of East Brownsville & South Padre Island wants you to enjoy every moment of fun the summer has to offer, worry free.
The SetupAs you dust your grill off for the season, consider its placement. Grills should be in an open space only—so that means even on a rainy day that comes so often with Brownsville weather you shouldn’t be grilling in the garage. Place your grill somewhere it can properly and fully vent, free of overhangs or other items around it.
As you choose your location, look for something that is at least 10 feet away from any structures or combustible materials. Whether you are in Brownsville or on South Padre Island, you are going to get a lot of sun, but you still shouldn’t put your grill under your shade tree. Teach your four- and two-legged children that this is a safety zone they are not allowed to enter to prevent the possibility of burns.
If your grill uses charcoal for its fuel, make sure ashes and buildup are cleaned out after every use. Examine the grill itself, checking for cracks, holes or other signs of wear and tear. Propane and other gas grills should also get a thorough inspection before use. Make sure connections are all tight and look for holes in the gas lines. Even a tiny hole can result in an explosion and an extremely dangerous situation.
Manning the FlamesWhen you are ready to cook, make sure you stay nearby to keep a close eye on the grill. Keep a squirt bottle full of water at hand to tame any flames that are jumping too high, and put your hose or a fire extinguisher somewhere you can quickly and easily access it if fire does overtake your grill.
While it may be tempting to get a round of applause by carrying in a plate of your hard work, you need to hang out by the grill even after the food is done. Let someone else handle distributing the food while you turn off the gas and any burners you were using.
Charcoal grills can be extinguished by closing off the vents and stopping the flow of oxygen to the charcoal. Remove any ashes as soon as you can safely do so, and dispose of them in a metal can. These can catch back on fire with very little heat, so the safest thing to do is to remove them from the heat source. Check the grill before you head to bed and ensure it is plenty cooled down.
Summers on the Island and the surrounding community can truly be the best time of year. Play safely and prevent a disaster so you can enjoy every moment of your day. If things do get out of hand, SERVPRO of East Brownsville & South Padre Island are here for you, 24⁄7.
Don’t let fire damage linger in your home. Call us at SERVPRO of East Brownsville & South Padre Island for a fast restoration.
What to Do When Water Invades Your Home | SERVPRO of East Brownsville & South Padre Island
9/19/2023 (Permalink)
If you discover water damage in your home or business, call SERVPRO of East Brownsville & South Padre Island right away.
You may not think about it much, but water is an incredibly powerful thing, even when it is in the most controlled sense. We pump water through pipes in our home and turn it on and off as we will, but even then the pressure can be surprising. If you have ever visited the ocean and allowed it to wash over your toes you know first hand the forceful nature water has.
Water may be necessary for life, but when it creeps into places it doesn’t belong, it can leave behind a total disaster. Between heavy rains, hurricanes and thunderstorms, our Texas home is incredibly flood-prone. Even the occasional tornado has pushed coastal waters in and created flash flooding. Whether from external forces or internal forces, water in your home can be utter chaos.
There are lots of ways to prepare for flooding in order to protect your property, but some disasters simply cannot be avoided. That’s why having water damage restoration experts in your community is crucial.
The First StepsPreparation and protection before a disaster can save you a lot of losses in the long run, but knowing how to respond when your home does suffer water damage can go a long way in preventing extensive damages as well. When it comes to water, the quicker you can stop it, the better your chances of limiting damage will be.
Locate the source of the water invasion and consider what you can do to stop or reroute the flow. If your home is flooding during a storm, you might not have any other choice but to wait it out in a safe location. Internal sources can be shut off, however, so learn all the water valve locations throughout your home. Make sure you know where your circuit breaker box is as well.
Don’t set foot into water that may contain live electrical wires or equipment. Turn the power off first, even if it means killing the power to your whole house.
Once it is safe, call SERVPRO®. Our experts are available 24⁄7, so the time of day when your home is damaged will never make a difference. Actually, it is much better to call us right away so that we can start your restoration process as quickly as possible.
How We Dry Your HomeWe start your recovery process immediately by gathering as much information as possible over the phone. This is a great time to snap some photos of the water and anything it may have damaged. Pictures are a great way to document the timeline and report to your insurance. We work directly with your insurance company so that your restoration process is as easy as it can be.
Our team will head out to your home with equipment designed to thoroughly dry our your property. Removing water and drying soft objects is one of our first priorities in order to salvage as much as we can. Our experts make it their goal to restore everything possible, which means you won’t have to replace the things you love. We can dry your items completely, ensuring they are sanitary and free of odors in the process.
The experts at our locally owned SERVPRO are ready to tackle anything your restoration project will bring, no matter where the water that damaged your home came from. If there is a part of your house that is too damaged to restore, we can tear it down and rebuild it so your home is better than new when everything is complete.
Never try to tackle more than an inch of water on your own. Call in professionals who are trained to handle pipe failures, stormwater and even sewage issues in the safest and most sanitary ways. With SERVPRO right around the corner from your home, you can get back to marveling at the incredibly powerful natural wonder water is without fear of disaster.
Do you have water damage in your home? Call us for fast and complete restoration.
What to Do When Your Home Is Damaged in a Storm | SERVPRO of East Brownsville & South Padre Island
9/19/2023 (Permalink)
Summer storms affecting your property? Call SERVPRO of East Brownsville & South Padre Island to restore your space in no time!
Storms may be a regular part of life, but even something that happens often can still catch you off-guard. A thunderstorm can rip through town in a matter of minutes, leaving behind more destruction than what seems possible.
This part of Texas is very familiar with the destruction that a storm can create. While thunderstorms are common year-round, in the summer we see hurricanes, tropical storms, flooding and even occasional tornadoes.
Living in a tropical climate, we know that preparations are incredibly important before a storm. Taking steps to protect your home ahead of severe weather can prevent a lot of damage, but it may not stop them all. Knowing what to do after a storm is just as important as preparing beforehand.
Always make safety a top priority as you start taking the next steps toward your recovery.
Immediately After the StormIn the few moments after a storm has passed, take time to breathe, but don’t let your guard down. Continue to watch for lightning, rain and hail that could be lingering in the area, and listen for alerts in case another round is headed your way. Make sure you have a way to receive weather alerts and can get back to safe space quickly.
Reach out your loved ones if you have phone services to see who may need help. Text messaging may work even when cell service isn’t available, so it is crucial in your prep before a storm to let everyone know how to communicate with one another.
Check in on those around you, but avoid entering damaged buildings. Look for a safe exit, or clear a path for emergency officials. Take some pictures of your damage, and call SERVPRO of East Brownsville & South Padre Island. With our 24⁄7 services, we can start your recovery right away.
As More Time PassesAfter the initial shock of the storm is beginning to pass, the work that lies ahead of you will begin to unfold more clearly. Even if more than a day has passed, continue to be cautious. More storms are always a possibility, as is injuring yourself as you sort through debris. Watch for loose nails or other hazards and always have a way to receive weather alerts nearby.
The first priority of restoration should be preventing any further damages. When our crew gets to your house, they will start securing your roof, windows or anything else that needs sealing off to keep the elements out. They will also address any standing water and start drying out your property if needed. If your home is severely damaged, you may need to find a safe place to stay while the work proceeds.
At SERVPRO®, we work directly with your insurance company to ensure a smooth process throughout the entire recovery. Storm damage can be devastating, so finding ways to stay calm is crucial. With our crew on hand, your home will be as good as new faster than you could have ever imagined.
If a storm leaves your home damaged, contact us for fast recovery. We’re here 24⁄7 when you need us.
It’s Raining Inside! | SERVPRO of East Brownsville & South Padre Island
9/19/2023 (Permalink)
Water damage in your home? Not for long with SERVPRO of East Brownsville & South Padre Island on the case!
Rain can be a wonderful gift. When it’s falling at the end of a hot day, leaving the flowers watered and the earth smelling sweet, it is a welcomed sight.
When rain gets heavy, though, it can threaten our homes and leave our yards saturated. Heavy rains often come with other threats, too, including strong winds and hail that could cause further damage. When the rain falls heavy and fast enough, our roofs, gutters and drainage systems can become overwhelmed, leaving us scrambling to dry up as it starts raining inside.
At SERVPRO of East Brownsville & South Padre Island, we want you to know that we are here for you when rain gets out of control. With 24⁄7 service just around the corner, we are ready to dry your home out and help you learn how to keep it dry through every storm.
Hazards of Intense RainOur Texas weather brings a lot of ups and downs. We may not experience the deep chill of winter, but our summers often bring intense heat and strong thunderstorms. Hurricanes, tropical storms and tornadoes also cannot be ruled out.
When hurricanes and tropical storms have blown in, we have seen coastal flooding, but heavy rains and thunderstorms have also brought flash flooding that covered our roads, invaded our homes and left everything soggy. When a storm gets intense and water starts to rise, the ground around our homes becomes overwhelmed and water can start seeping in through the bottom floor while rain can also start dripping through the roof.
With such volatile weather in Brownsville and the surrounding area, we know that preparations are the best way to prevent as much damage as possible. It is important to always have two ways to receive weather alerts from local news authorities and to have a solid emergency plan in place, especially if an evacuation order is placed.
Staying SafeSafety should always take priority when it comes to preparing your home and your family. If a storm is predicted to hit while you are away from home, give everyone a call and have them gather in a safe space as they are able. Bring inside any loose objects, and park your car in a safe space.
Ahead of storms, move items that are irreplaceable to higher levels of your home, and store important paperwork in a watertight container. Most importantly, do your best to stay calm. If water starts coming into your home, move up as high as you can and stay out of the water. As the threat begins to ease, be careful stepping into water that could have live electricity. Call us as soon as you are able so we can start the drying process quickly.
Future Prevention StrategiesYou can’t prevent every disaster, even with the best preparations. If a disaster strikes in your home, it is important to first keep everyone safe, and then to dry things out as quickly as possible. Once you are on the road to recovery, it is a good time to look at how you can make changes to avoid another disaster in the future.
If your landscaping was washed out in the flood, consider bringing in a professional to help add grading and organic material in order to keep water flowing away from your home. Organic material will help with absorption when rain is falling fast as well as in order to prevent ponding that could affect your structure.
If you have a basement or crawl space, a sump pump could be a great upgrade to prevent flooding. Sump pumps are designed to push water away from the foundation of your home as it tries to come in. This can be a great way to keep your home dry.
At SERVPRO®, we have the equipment and expertise to take care of your home no matter how bad flooding gets. We will get your home dry, sanitized and mold-free fast so that you can get back to living.
We are here for all of your water disasters. Contact us day or night for a quick recovery.
Keeping Outdoor Fires Safe | SERVPRO of East Brownsville & South Padre Island
9/19/2023 (Permalink)
Bonfire season is upon us! SERVPRO of East Brownsville & South Padre Island has your back with these helpful fire safety tips.
It may still be pretty blazing hot outside, but before we know it, fall will be here and the humidity and high temps will start to break. The leaves on the tree will change colors, and pumpkins will decorate, flavor and scent everything.
Fall is a favorite time of the year for many people, and the cooler nights are perfect for gathering with friends and family around the bonfire. While you enjoy sharing precious memories with your loved ones, make sure you also practice fire safety.
A small fire can get out of control pretty quickly. SERVPRO® is here for you to help you prevent a disaster and to put your home back together fast if one does strike.
Tips for Starting the FireBefore heading out to get the fire going, follow a few of these guidelines:
Do find a safe place where you can light your fire. It should be in a clear, open space away from any structures. Don’t keep your extra firewood too close to avoid potential flames from rogue embers flying.
Do keep some water close. Hook up your hose, or fill a bucket and put it by your fire. You can also keep some sand or dirt and shovel nearby as another quick way to extinguish any flames that get out of control.
Do check the forecast for your anticipated bonfire day. If it is going to be windy, it might be better to wait for a better day. Even a fire pit that has a screen wind can blow embers and ash into other flammable objects and start a backyard blaze. Check on burn bans for your area as well.
Tips for While the Fire Is HotOnce you get things going, keep in mind a few things it is best not to do:
Don’t use anything to fuel your fire except treated, approved wood. Lighter fluid and gasoline are extremely dangerous when it comes to open flames, and tossing in trash can cause higher and hotter flames that you can control.
Don’t allow children to run, walk or throw balls around the flame. If you will be roasting marshmallows, set chairs a safe distance away and use long sticks.
Don’t make a bigger fire than you can easily put out. Building a fire is fun, but keep it small and only add more logs once it has begun to die down.
Don’t leave a flame unattended. Once you are done for the evening, pour some water over any remaining embers and stay nearby until everything is completely out.
Wildfire PreventionDid you know that most wildfires are manmade? If you are going to have a fire outside, do everything you can to keep it safe. Make it small, use the right materials to light it and put it out, and never leave it unattended.
If you do ever suffer damage from a fire, call us at SERVPRO right away. We are available 24⁄7 to restore your home so you can get back to the marshmallows.
Fire can cause a lot of damage in a short amount of time. Contact us day or night for immediate assistance.
Fire Safety and Kids: The Basics | SERVPRO® of East Brownsville & South Padre Island
6/14/2023 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of East Brownsville & South Padre Island is here for you and your family if you experience a fire in your home or business.
When you have kids, the work never really ends. Fortunately, watching them grow and learn while they curiously and creatively take on the world can be so full of joy!
While you help your kids safely navigate childhood, there are a few things you will need to teach them that might be less than pleasant subject matter.
Fire safety is a crucial life skill that even the youngest of children need to learn. Fear will always be a factor when it comes to disaster, regardless of age, but the better prepared we all are, the better the outcomes will be.
You can introduce concepts about fire-safety to your children in fun and comfortable ways that will ensure your family stays safe.
Explain the Dangers of Fire
To help your kids really absorb the importance of fire safety, give them some background and hands-on experiences with cause and effect. Talk about how a fire can start, and walk them through areas of your home with fire risks.
In the kitchen, talk about how hot a stove can get and that it should never be left unattended. Take them to the fire pit in the backyard if you have one, and discuss how quickly a spark can turn into a backyard fire.
If you have matches or lighters in your home, store them safely so that your kids do not have access to them. Make sure older children are supervised any time they are allowed to use them, and let all your kids know if they find matches they should bring them to you immediately.
Your entire home can be consumed by flames that started from a single match, so it is crucial your children understand these are not toys.
Familiarize Them With Authority
When an emergency happens, it is important that kids know who to turn to in the event that their parents aren’t by their side. Familiarize them with police officers and firefighters, and make sure they know what they look like with their gear on. Take them to the local station to see the trucks up close and introduce them to local authorities.
Make sure they know who and how these helpers will respond if an emergency happens, and practice some safety scenarios with the kids. Turn your smoke alarms on so the kids can hear them, and then see who can army crawl down a hallway the fastest. Make sure they know how to call out their name and location if they need to be rescued.
Make a Game Plan Together
Create an emergency exit plan with your family and map out the best ways to safely get out during an emergency event. Let the kids get creative and create their own maps, and then practice their escape routes to see which one is the fastest.
While you practice safely getting out of the house, make sure you kids understand that windows should only be a last resort exit. Make sure they know how to use them, but that they also understand they are not a toy.
Once you know how to safely get out, create a meeting place outside of your home far enough away to wait until everything is safe. Make this a spot your kids are familiar with so they will not forget where to go during an event. Even young children should know how to dial 911 and give basic information, so help your kids memorize some facts and teach them how to use your cell phone.
Fires can cause widespread damage. Call us for a thorough and efficient restoration.
Whoa, That Was a Strong Wind! | SERVPRO® of East Brownsville & South Padre Island
6/5/2023 (Permalink)
If you've suffered from storm-related damage to your home or business, make SERVPRO of East Brownsville & South Padre Island your first call.
Is there anything better than a cool breeze on a hot day? The wind is one of those things that we can’t touch, but we know it is always there. Most of the time, wind whipping through your hair feels like a sweet gift—but sometimes, it can create a complete nightmare.
When wind gets strong, it can quickly tear apart homes and lives in one fell swoop. We might only fear the possibility of these damaging winds when the weather turns severe, but sometimes strong gusts can blow through even while the skies are blue.
The more you get to know about the different kinds of winds that can leave your home damaged, the more proactive about prevention you can be.
The Different Kinds of WindWe are no strangers to strong winds in Texas, especially on the Island. While we can see hurricane force winds off of the coast, most reported wind damage comes after strong thunderstorms. No matter where the wind comes from, it is something we should always be prepared for.
Thunderstorms carry a lot of different threats, but any storm with lightning and thunder can also have winds that reach more than 60 miles per hour. When the wind gets that strong, it can easily pick up small sticks and other debris and toss them around like kids playing catch.
Straight-line winds are one of the most common kinds of winds that leave behind damages. These winds can be widespread and proceed or even precede storms, often reaching to nearly 100 miles per hour in single gusts. Straight-line winds include any kind of wind that is not associated with rotation, although these winds also exist in storms that carry tornadoes.
Tornadoes also come with a variety pack of threats, but they are considered so incredibly dangerous because of the different winds commonly found within them.
Straight-line winds, downdrafts that can take down a forest of trees, and bursts called micro- and macro-bursts all combine to create a trail of destruction that will likely take anything in its path out.
Wind Damage and PreventionWind often takes out trees, pulls down power lines and tosses around debris, but when it exceeds 80 miles per hour, it can also take out mobile homes, even when they are anchored down.
In order to protect your home and your family, get to know the different kinds of weather alerts that may be issued when winds are projected to get high. You should also secure loose objects to avoid creating projectiles around your home. Anything that lives outside permanently should be tied down, and for everything else, you should create a quick action plan in order to act accordingly as weather moves in.
Trees on your property should be trimmed regularly, with professional maintenance on those trees too tall to take care of on your own. Keep your yard cleared of loose limbs, too, which means you will need to be intentional about storm cleanup with all the winds our area sees throughout the year.
It’s likely you already have some emergency supplies gathered as we get closer and closer to hurricane season, but make sure you also have a safe space in your home you can quickly get to when high winds are in the area. An interior room without windows is ideal. Storm shutters are a solid investment as well for protecting your home.
After a storm has moved through, take a walk around your home to look for damages. Make sure you take special notice of your roof and gutter systems, as any issues in these areas can very quickly result in water damages.
If you spot problems, call SERVPRO. We are ready to respond day or night so that you can get your life put back together fast.
Has your home been damaged by wind? Call us and get things cleaned up fast.
Water Damage Lurking in Your House | SERVPRO® of East Brownsville & South Padre Island
5/9/2023 (Permalink)
Think you may have water damage in your home? Here are some tips from SERVPRO of East Brownsville & South Padre Island to find the source.
Water is a crucial part of our lives, but when it sneaks into the wrong places, it can create complete chaos. Water damage can become devastating quickly, especially when it starts in hidden places. It isn’t just the water you have to worry about, but over time, you could also end up with mold growth.
If you get to know where water is most likely to hide in your home you can take steps to prevent it, or at least stop it quickly to prevent extensive damages. Get to know a few key areas in your home, and start maintaining them regularly to avoid costly repairs later.
The roof. Your roof is a particularly tricky area when it comes to water damage. With lots of small spaces for water to hide, damage can settle into every floor of your home.
Use our Texas weather to your advantage and take an early warm day to check your roof each spring. You should also try and check it after any strong windstorm, and before a predicted hurricane.
If you can’t get on the roof, check your attic for signs of moisture. Mold can grow and spread in this dark space, so watch for leaks or wet insulation and fix them quickly.
In the bathroom. It might not be surprising that the bathroom is a hot spot for moisture and water damage, but finding leaks can be challenging in a space where so much water is used regularly.
Look under the sink for puddles or dripping noises. Feel around the base of the toilet and shower weekly, and add caulking when it is worn-down. Your bathroom should dry out completely in between uses, so take notice if there is excess moisture hanging around or if your drains are running slow. These are indicators of a bigger issue.
Make sure you are keeping a close eye on the bathroom at least weekly to head off issues before they cause damage.
Large appliances. Anything that uses water can leak water. This includes some appliances you likely use on a daily basis, including you refrigerator, dishwasher and washing machine.
Leaks in these appliances can be hidden underneath or behind them, so make it a point to pull them out once or twice a year. Watch for soft spots in the floor near them and check for the presence of mold under and around them.
Every appliance has a different lifespan and maintenance requirements, but you should consider replacing anything that is more than 10 years old. This can stop problems before they ever start and make sure you have the latest safety equipment in your home.
If you do spot a problem, contact SERVPRO of East Brownsville & South Padre Island right away. We have the tools and expertise to tackle any water damage you experience, 24/7.
Dealing with a water emergency? Our SERVPRO specialists can be on the scene of the disaster ASAP to restore your water-damaged home!
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