Contaminated Water After a Storm

8/27/2024 (Permalink)

Should you experience a flood in your home after a storm, our team of technicians will inspect your home or business to determine the appropriate plan of action for the type of water encountered.

Category 3: "Black Water"

Category 3 water is grossly contaminated and could cause severe illness or death if ingested and any contact should be avoided. Examples include flooding from rivers or streams, water from beyond the toilet trap, water from the toilet bowl with feces, or standing water that has begun to support microbial growth.

• May contain untreated sewage, harsh chemicals, and microbes
• Water from flooding rivers or sewer backup

24 Hour Emergency Service

Water contaminated with sewage backup should be considered an emergency situation and dealt with as quickly as possible. Our technicians at SERVPRO® of Marble Falls / Lampasas are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for any emergency situations that arise. We have been a trusted name in safety and properly restoring homes and businesses for almost 15 years!

Securing Your Home for Hurricanes

8/27/2024 (Permalink)

Brace your garage door to prevent more-extensive damage.  Most garage doors are not reinforced, and when the wind gets into the garage, it creates a positive push at the same time that the wind swirling above the structure creates a negative pull. That push-pull combination can cause the roof to fly off. Find a kit that you can buy at home-improvement stores to brace your garage doors.

Secure your windows and doors. Broken windows can let in wind and rain, and they can also increase the pressure under the roof. Storm shutters provide the best protection, but boarding up windows when a storm is on the way can help, too. Make sure doors have several locking mechanisms so they don’t fly open; deadbolts are best. And it’s important to secure windows and doors at all sides of the home -- not just the one facing the body of water where hurricanes could form -- because hurricanes can swirl in any direction.

Source: Kiplinger Online

Water Damage and Wood Floors

8/27/2024 (Permalink)

It doesn’t require a disaster of the scope of a spring flood or hurricane to damage a wood floor. Plumbing leaks, fire hoses and the upstairs neighbor’s overflowing tub might pose problems for porous wood floors and substructures. Whatever the cause, water causes warping, and can trigger mold and mildew growth that can ruin wood. Major flooding creates problems in foundations and walls that must be addressed, but the first step in mitigating the damage done by water to a building -- including its wood floors -- is to gently but quickly ventilate and dry materials.

SERVPRO of Marble Falls / Lampasas uses commercial-grade machines that extract the water from the wood flooring with a powerful force.  If we are called immediately following a water damage event, there is a good possibility we can save your wood floors from buckling using the high-powered water extractors.  Don't hesitate to call right away.

Source: Homeguides Online

Fire Safety Tips for Manufactured Homes

4/29/2024 (Permalink)

Safety tips

To increase fire safety in manufactured homes, NFPA offers the following guidelines:

• Choose a HUD-certified manufactured home If you are in the market to purchase or rent a manufactured home, select a home built after 1976 that bears the HUD label certifying compliance with safety standards.
• Keep smoke alarms working Never remove or disable a smoke alarm. If you experience frequent nuisance alarms, consider relocating the alarm further away from kitchen cooking fumes or bathroom steam. Selecting a photoelectric smoke alarm for the areas nearest kitchens and baths may reduce the number of nuisance alarms experienced. As an alternative, NFPA 501 permits a smoke alarm with a silencing means to be installed if it is within 20 feet of a cooking appliance. Test all smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the "test" button. It is not necessary to use smoke or a real flame to test the smoke alarm's operability, and it is risky to do so. Replace batteries at least once a year, and when the alarm "chirps," signaling low battery power. Occasionally dust or lightly vacuum smoke alarms.
• Make sure you have enough smoke alarms If your older manufactured home does not have smoke alarms in or near every sleeping room and in or near the family/living area(s), immediately install new alarms and fresh batteries to protect these rooms.  For the best protection, interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.
• Plan your escape Know ahead of time how you will get out if you have a fire. Make sure you can open and get out of windows and doors. All post-HUD Standard manufactured homes are required to provide windows designed for use as secondary escape routes for the bedroom. Familiarize yourself with their operation and don't block access to them.  Immediately fix any windows that have been painted or nailed shut, doors that are stubborn or "stuck," and locks that are difficult to operate. Security bars or grates over windows or doors should have quick-release devices installed inside, which allow you to open them in an emergency. Hold a fire drill twice a year to rehearse how you will react if the smoke alarm sounds.

• Electrical Hire a licensed electrician if you notice flickering lights, frequent blown circuits, or a "hot" smell when using electricity. Use extension cords for temporary convenience, not as a permanent solution. Avoid overloading electrical receptacles (outlets). Electrical cords should not be run under carpets or rugs, as the wires can be damaged by foot traffic, then overheat and ignite the carpet or rug over them. Ground-fault circuit interrupters reduce the risk of electrical shock and should be installed by electricians in kitchens and baths. Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters monitor electric circuits for arcing and should be installed by electricians on bedroom circuits.
• Cooking Unattended cooking is the leading cause of cooking fires in U.S. homes. Supervise older children who cook and stay in the kitchen when heating anything on the stove. Keep cooking surfaces clean and place anything that can burn well away from the range. Heat oil slowly and know how to slide a lid over a pan if you experience a grease fire. Read more cooking safety tips.
• Heating Keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn. When purchasing new space heaters, select appliances with automatic shut-off switches. Kerosene heaters are illegal for home use in some jurisdictions. Check with your local fire department before purchasing a kerosene heater. Turn off portable space heaters before falling asleep or when leaving the room. Refill kerosene heaters outdoors, after the heater has cooled down. Supervise children and pets when space heaters are operating. Read more heating safety tips.
• Walls All post-HUD Standard manufactured homes are required to have wall linings that do not promote rapid flame spread, with special protection around primary heating and cooking equipment, such as the furnace and cooking range. Presently, gypsum wallboard has replaced plywood wall paneling and wood based ceiling panels in the fabrication of manufactured housing walls and ceilings. This action has dramatically reduced the impact of fires in manufactured homes. Do not mount anything on the walls – such as paneling, drapery, or wall hangings – that would reduce this protection, especially near major heat sources.
• Smoking If you have smokers in your home, ask them to smoke outside. Wherever people smoke, set out large, non-tip ashtrays on level surfaces and empty them frequently. Thoroughly douse butts with water before discarding. Check around and under cushions for smoldering butts. Read more smoking safety tips.

Source: National Fire Protection Agency

SERVPRO of Marble Falls / Lampasas is Prepared for Storm Damage

1/5/2024 (Permalink)

What are SERVPRO® "Extreme Teams"?

SERVPRO of Marble Falls / Lampasas keeps an eye on the weather and is always prepared for storm damage at any moment. In the event of a huge storm that affects many homes in the Marble Falls  / Lampasas area, storm "Extreme Teams" are called in to help us so we can help out even more homes and businesses in the San Antonio area. Often times with storm damage comes water damage, and if not properly treated, comes mold damage. The first 48 hours of storm damage are critical in preventing further damage to your home or business.  As always, SERVPRO of Marble Falls / Lampasas works with your insurance every step of the way.  To learn more about storm damage restoration from SERVPRO of Marble Falls / Lampasas, click HERE. And be sure to call right away after storm damage.

SERVPRO will Work Seamlessly with your Business’ Insurance

1/5/2024 (Permalink)

Does SERVPRO® work with my insurance company?

The owners of SERVPRO of Marble Falls / Lampasas have been SERVPRO owners in the Greater San Antonio area for over 20 years now. There is not much we haven't seen and restored. We have worked with nearly all the area's business insurance companies over the years and have developed great working relationships with each. When you trust your business to the certified professionals at SERVPRO of Marble Falls / Lampasas, you are in good hands before, during, and after the restoration. Whatever insurance company you have: State Farm, Hiscox, Allstate, Progressive, Hartford, Travelers, etc, SERVPRO of Marble Falls / Lampasas will make sure they have everything you need for your claim. Call today for commercial restoration, remediation, and clean up completed by certified professionals who arrive quickly and on time when you need it the most.

How to Get Rid of the Smell of Cigarettes

1/5/2024 (Permalink)

How do I get rid of cigarette odor in my home?

It's obvious to a non-smoker when a home smells like cigarettes.  The smell of tobacco and/or cigarette smoke and tar is stubborn because it "sticks" to all surfaces in your home as it spreads through the air. So, how do you get rid of the cigarette odor?  The short answer is that it's very difficult.  ALL surfaces in the home need to be scrubbed and deodorized, including the: flooring, walls, furniture, appliances, knick-knacks, and clothing. Even the air in the home needs to be deodorized during the process.  It's not an easy task, but the experts at SERVPRO of Marble Falls / Lampasas have done it many times and are more than willing to help you.  Give us a call today and start breathing fresh smelling air!

Home Kitchen Fire in Burnet

1/5/2024 (Permalink)

So, the big question here is, "How can we protect our selves from a house fire?"

Below are a few tips to help make your kitchen a little safer:

1. NEVER leave pots or pans on the stove top unattended. what is a "I'll only be gone for a second", could turn into a lifetime of recovery.
2. Keep a fire extinguisher readily available 
3. Make sure all of the smoke alarms in your home are working and functioning correctly.  Change the batteries regularly.
4. Keep your stove and oven cleaned; spilled food can ignite when hot enough.

Between the soot, water and burnt materials from the aftermath of a house fire, you find yourself stressed, emotional and frantically wondering, where does the recovery start and take place?

SERVPRO of Marble Falls / Lampasas can help.  We use precise detail to make sure that everything salvageable is cleaned and smoke free to the best of standards. 

Gives us a call today to get started. We will work with your insurance every step of the way.

Mold Growth After a Water Damage

12/12/2022 (Permalink)

Maybe you had a water leak from a plumbing problem or from a leaky refrigerator. Maybe we had a major storm, hurricane, or tornado sweep through the Marble Falls area. Either way, now your home has water damage. Depending on how severe the water damage, you are probably asking yourself, “Should I clean up the water damage myself or hire a professional?”.  The following are a couple things to consider. First, hopefully, the water damage will be covered by your insurance company. SERVPRO of Marble Falls / Lampasas works with all insurance companies in the area and knows what each company is looking for (this will make things easier on you). Second, if the area is not properly and completely dried out, even in the areas you cannot see, the structure will more than likely suffer secondary damage. What is secondary damage? Mold growing in your home is known as secondary damage after a water damage event. Mold needs moisture to grown and it can grow within 24-48 hours.  Time is a factor after a water damage. If mold is already growing in your home after a water damage, SERVPRO of Marble Falls / Lampasas can remediate that as well. We are here to help. Give us a call today!

Four Ways to Check for Hidden Water Leaks

12/12/2022 (Permalink)

Do I have a water leak?

Think you may have a water leak somewhere in your home? Here are some good ways to tell when the leak is not obvious.

1. Pay Attention to Increased Water Bills

Monitor your water bill for sudden unexplained increases.

2. Check Your Water Meter

Pick a few hours when you can go without using the water In your home. Record your water meter before and after. Was there an increase?

3. Toilet Leaks

Put a drop of food coloring in your toilet’s tank. If within 15 minutes or less, the toilet bowl reveals that color, you may have a leak. Make sure to flush the toilet multiple times after performing this test so your bowl does not get stained.

4. Look for Mold

Where there is mold, there is moisture. Something is feeding that moisture. It’s possible there is a leak somewhere.