Recent Storm Damage Posts

Strategies for Mitigating Hail Damage

10/6/2023 (Permalink)

For those residing in Fort Worth, Texas, where the commencement of the year often ushers in storms accompanied by high winds and hail, it is imperative to adopt proactive measures to reduce the impact of hail-related havoc. Engaging in roof inspection and necessary repairs at the outset of the year can prove instrumental in averting the need for extensive and time-consuming cleanup efforts down the line.

  1. Rectify or Replace Weathered, Curled, or Missing Shingles:

    • Prolonged exposure to the elements can result in shingles exhibiting signs of wear, curling, or disappearance.
    • Timely repair or replacement of compromised shingles is recommended to bolster roof resilience in the face of impending hailstorms.
  2. Consider Roof Replacement:

    • In instances where your roof exhibits signs of aging, it is prudent to contemplate roof replacement prior to the onset of hail season.
    • A newly installed roof can significantly enhance your property's ability to withstand hail-related damage.

Navigating a Hailstorm: Protective Measures

When confronted with a hailstorm, it is crucial to prioritize personal safety and safeguarding your possessions, including your vehicle. Hailstones in severe storms can reach sizes comparable to softballs and descend at velocities ranging from 50 to 100 miles per hour.

  1. Seek Shelter:

    • Remain indoors during a hailstorm to shield yourself from potential harm.
    • Exercise caution by staying away from skylights and glass doors to minimize the risk of injury from shattered glass.
  2. Reinforce Indoor Protection:

    • In cases where safety permits, draw curtains, blinds, or shades to prevent debris from entering your living spaces.
  3. Secure Your Vehicle:

    • Whenever feasible, park your car within a garage or beneath a covered structure to safeguard it from hail damage.

Post-Hailstorm Actions: Reporting and Recovery

In the event that your property sustains damage in the wake of a hailstorm, it is paramount to promptly report the incident. SERVPRO of East Ft. Worth stands prepared to provide assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our team can collaborate with your insurance provider to expedite the restoration process, encompassing roof tarping and the remediation of water damage resulting from hail-induced roof punctures.

Your trusted partners in restoring your property to its former glory, SERVPRO of East Ft. Worth, is dedicated to being "Here to Help" in your time of need. Please reach out to us without delay at your convenience.

Why Use SERVPRO of East Fort Worth for Restoration?

9/18/2022 (Permalink)

What to Look for in a Restoration Company

1. The Ability to Deal with Multiple Damage Types

Many professional restoration services like SERVPRO of East Ft. Worth offers the ability to work with multiple damage types. This is often because one kind of damage can lead to another. For example, fire put out by water can also result in mold if the water is left to stand too long. Most restoration companies can help with fire damage, water damage, storm damage, and also offer mold remediation for this exact reason.

2. A Quick Response Time

Being faster to any size disaster also means arriving with the right materials and equipment required to do the job. Locally owned franchises such as SERVPRO of East Ft. Worth have locations across the country, allowing them to be where they need to be when disaster strikes. Because they are a franchise, they also have access to corporate equipment and materials, which gives them the ability to handle large-scale jobs.

3. They Offer a Variety of Services

A restoration company such as SERVPRO of East Ft. Worth offers various services designed to help your agent process the insurance claim. These include an electronics inventory service and an online database that provides access to information.

Whether you're choosing a restoration company because they're faster to any size disaster, or they can deal with multiple damage types, you want to look at the other services they provide. Many companies can help you clean your damaged items, the structure and have services they can offer, making keeping track of the details needed by your insurance provider easier.

Having a company that can coordinate the whole process from start to finish makes your life easier and gets you back in your home or business faster. For additional information on hiring a team experienced in multiple types of restoration, call SERVPRO of East Ft. Worth.

Hail Damage Preparedness in Fort Worth

9/4/2022 (Permalink)

If you have experienced storm damage from a hailstorm, report it as soon as possible. We're "Here to Help" 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

How to Reduce Hail Damage

If you haven't taken a look at your roof in a while, make note to do this before the weather starts shifting. Occasional severe weather that can include high winds and hail. Roof repairs today can help you avoid extensive, time-consuming cleanup later.

  • Repair or replace worn curled or missing shingles.
  • If your roof is aging, consider replacing it before hail season begins.

During a Hailstorm

Protect Yourself and Your Car

A hail storm can be as big as a softball in severe storms and fall at 50 to 100 miles per hour.

  • Stay indoors.
  • Stay away from skylights and glass doors to avoid broken glass.
  • If it is safe, close drapes, blinds, or shades to prevent debris from blowing inside.
  • If you can, park your car in the garage or other covered area.

After a Hailstorm

If you have experiencedstorm damagefrom a hailstorm, report it as soon as possible. We're "Here to Help" 24 hours a day, seven days a week.SERVPRO of East Ft. Worthcan work with your insurance to get your home back to new. Tarping your roof and removing the water damage can occur from holes made by hail in your roof.

Q4 Means Storms for East Fort Worth

9/4/2022 (Permalink)

Storms can rage in Texas in Q4. With winds, up to 80 miles an hour, rain, and in some places hail, many experience the aftermath. Tree limbs fall, trampolines fly away, even 18 wheelers are overturned thanks to high winds. 

Here at SERVPRO of East Ft. Worth, we want our customers to know that we're always "Here to Help." Our skilled water restoration technicians are ready to do 24/7 to help get your house back to normal after a storm. 

Often, storm damage to the roof or windows due to hail, fallen trees, or wind allows water into the home. If left untreated, it can soak into your walls leading to further damage and mold. While each home is different, our professional process stays much the same, getting your home back to like-new condition. 

Step 1 - Emergency Contact

The restoration process begins when you call us. Our representative will guide you through the crisis and ask several questions to help us better understand the equipment and resources.

Step 2 - Inspection and Water Damage Assessment

We determine the scope of your water damage at this stage. We inspect and test to determine the extent of damage and how far the moisture has traveled to ensure proper and complete restoration.

Step 3 - Water Removal / Water Extraction

The water removal process begins almost immediately and removes the majority of the water. We use powerful pumps and vacuum units to quickly remove hundreds or thousands of gallons from your property, which helps prevent secondary water damage and mold growth.

Step 4 - Drying and Dehumidification

We use specialized equipment to remove the remaining water that is harder to access. Our Professionals will use room measurements, temperature, and relative humidity to determine the optimal number of air movers and dehumidifiers needed to dry your home or business.

Step 5 - Cleaning and Sanitizing

We clean all of the restorable items and structures damaged by the water. We are adept at cleaning contents using several techniques. Our professionals are trained to provide sanitizing treatments and to remove odors, and deodorize your property.

Step 6 - Restoration

Restoration is the process of restoring your home or business to its pre-water damage condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall and installing new carpet or may entail major repairs, such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.

Find Your Leaky Roof Source

9/4/2022 (Permalink)

 Call SERVPRO of East Fort Worth for water damage cleanup and restoration after a major storm.

After a significant storm, it's a good idea to inspect your damaged property as quickly as you can. Your home's main line of defense is your roof, and it takes a beating. Pay attention to dings in your gutters or tears in your window screens, which indicate hail damage. You may also see missing shingle tiles from the ground, but those don't always represent a need for whole roof replacement. Usually, the leak is coming from a more minor roof feature.

At SERVPRO of East Fort Worth we:

  • Find the source of the leak
  • Stop the leak &
  • Clean the water damage.

Find the Leak

During storms in Texas, wind damage can let rain in through your roof. From the inside, look for water stains on your ceiling and walls that indicate the leak.

Common places to see leaky roof damage:

  1. Vents and fans
  2. Chimneys
  3. Window dormers
  4. Vent pipes
  5. Unsecured nails and nail holes

Dealing with Water Damage

  1. Check for discolorations and rotting wood, wet drywall, and insulation.
  2. If you haven't found mold, start drying any wet materials immediately. Complete drying is critical to preventing mold, and it may take longer than you realize. 
  3. If you find mold, remain careful to not spread it during cleanup. Mold grows on wet, damaged materials in as little as 48 hours. A mold remediation professional creates a containment area while working on the water and mold damage. Specialists have monitoring equipment that they use to ensure materials are dry.

For more assistance, call a local construction, restoration, and mold remediation crew like SERVPRO of East Fort Worth at (817) 293-5553.

Flood Warning vs Flood Watch

9/4/2022 (Permalink)

 
If your property experiences flood damage after a storm, contact SERVPRO of East Fort Worth at (817) 293-5553.

SERVPRO of East Ft. Worth wants you to be prepared in case of severe weather and know what to do if flooding occurs at your Fort Worth home or business. 

Storm Watch vs. Storm Warning

warning means “Take Action Now!” and if advised to evacuate, do so immediately.

  • Flash Flood Warning: Take Action! A Flash Flood Warning is issued when a flash flood is imminent or occurring. If you are in a flood-prone area, move immediately to high ground. A flash flood is a sudden violent flood that can take from minutes to hours to develop. It is even possible to experience a flash flood in areas not immediately receiving rain.

  • Flood Warning: Take Action! A Flood Warning is issued when the hazardous weather event is imminent or already happening. A Flood Warning is issued when flooding is imminent or occurring.
watch means “Be Prepared” because flooding is possible within your area. 
  • Flood Watch: Be Prepared! A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for a specific hazardous weather event to occur. A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will happen, but it is possible.

  • Flood Advisory: Be Aware! A Flood Advisory is issued when a specific weather event that is forecast to occur may become a nuisance. A Flood Advisory is issued when flooding is not expected to be bad enough to issue a warning. However, it may cause significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, it could lead to situations that may threaten your life and property.

Prepare for Hurricane Season

5/2/2022 (Permalink)

Hurricane Preparedness Checklist

Atlantic hurricane season runs roughly from June 1 thru November 30 each year, with September holding the spot for the peak hurricane month. While, technically, hurricanes can wreak havoc any time of the year, this is the time to be on your guard the most. With that said, there are several ways to prepare for these storms during the off-season so you are not caught unawares.

Stock Up on Essentials

You'll want to prepare for the loss of electricity and the ability to cook by stocking up on water, bread, non-perishables, and items you can eat without heating. Also, make sure you have:

  • Extra batteries for flashlights or headlamps,
  • Portable chargers and cables for cell phones,
  • Candles with matches. 

Check Your Insurance

If you live in a hurricane-prone region, make sure your insurance covers flooding and other expenses you may incur because of a Texas hurricane.  

Make a Video of Your Home

If your home is damaged from hurricane winds and water, a home inventory video will help prove the pre-storm state of your home and make insurance claims processing easier. It would also be beneficial to make electronic versions of important documents related to your home and your personal information in case the originals are destroyed in the storm. Include digital files of documents such as your:

  • Birth certificate
  • Driver's license
  • Home's deed
  • Social security card

Protect Your Property

Install hurricane shutters or plywood of at least 3/4 inches in thickness. You may need to install hurricane clips to secure the roof of your home to the walls. This is important in areas that may receive a direct hit, and install foot and head bolts on all doors.

Make an Evacuation Plan

When it is time to evacuate, go. Make a plan for where you and your family will stay at least 50 miles from your Texas home. If you can, pre-pack a bag before the threat of an Atlantic hurricane is severe. Load it with clothes, blankets, food, water, electronics, and important papers or photos.

Use These Tips

Don't Take Risks. Ultimately, people are more important than things. People hurt in hurricane weather evacuate late or stay in their homes altogether. Be wise and get out early. Prepare in order to mitigate panic and this kind of risky behavior. 

We Help with Hurricane Recovery

We live and work in this community; we might even be neighbors. As a locally owned and operated cleaning, damage restoration, and construction business, SERVPRO of East Fort Worth is a proud and active member of this community and is ready to respond to your Texas home emergency 24/7/365. Call us today at (682) 708-1001.

Are you Prepared for a Tornado?

1/17/2022 (Permalink)

There is no such thing as guaranteed safety. 

Freak accidents happen, and the most violent tornadoes can level and blow away almost any house and occupants. Extremely violent EF5 tornadoes are very rare. 

Most tornadoes are much weaker and can be survived using these safety ideas. 

Signs of a Tornado

  • Strong, persistent rotation in the cloud base.
     
  • Whirling dust or debris on the ground under a cloud base-tornadoes sometimes have no funnel!

  • Hail or heavy rain followed by either dead calm or a fast, intense wind shift. Many tornadoes are wrapped in heavy precipitation and can't be seen. 

  • Day or night- loud continuous roar or rumble, which doesn't fade in a few seconds like thunder.

  • Night- small bright, blue-green to white flashes at ground level near a thunderstorm (as opposed to silvery lightning up in the clouds). A very strong wind is snapping these mean power lines, maybe a tornado.

  • Night- persistent lowering from the cloud base, illuminated or silhouetted by lightning, especially if it is on the ground or a blue-green-white power flash underneath. 

Prevention and Practice Before the Storm 

Have a tornado plan in place. Know where to take shelter. Practice a family tornado drill. Name a place to meet after a disaster—store protective coverings in or next to your shelter space for flying debris. When a tornado watch is issued, think about the drill and make sure safety supplies are handy. Turn on a local TV, radio, or NOAA weather radio and stay alert for warnings. 

The Storm Hits: Where are You? 

In a house with a basement

  • Avoid windows, get in the basement and under some protection. Know where very heavy objects rest on the floor above and do not go under them. They may fall through a weakened floor and crush you. 

In a house with no basement

  • Avoid windows, go to the lowest floor, small center room under a stairwell, or a small interior hallway with no windows.

  • Crouch as low as possible to the floor, face down, and cover your head with your hands. 

In an office building 

  • Go directly to an enclosed, windowless area in the center of the building. Crouch down and cover your head. Interior stairwells are usually good places to take shelter. Stay off the elevator. 

In a mobile home 

  • Get out! Even if your home is tied down. It is not as safe as an underground shelter or a permanent, sturdy building. 

At school 

  • Follow the drill! Go to the interior hall or room in an orderly as you were told. Crouch low, head down, and protect the back of your head with your arms. Stay away from windows and large open rooms. 

In the open outdoors 

  • If possible, seek shelter in a sturdy building. If not, lie flat and face-down on low ground, protecting the back of your head with your arms. Get as far away from trees and cars as possible. 

In a mall or store 

  • Do not panic; watch for others. Move as quickly as possible to an interior bathroom, storage room, or other small enclosed areas. Crouch face-down and protect your head with your arms. 

In a car or truck 

  • Park the car safely, stay in the car with the seat belt on. Put your head down below the windows, cover your head. Suppose you can safely get noticeably lower than the level of the roadway. Leave your car and lie in the area, covering your head with your hands, avoid seeking shelter under bridges. 

After the storm passes, assess your property for damage and contact your insurance provider. When you are ready to begin repairs, call in the experts at SERVPRO of East Ft. Worth. Our highly trained team specializes in storm damage restoration. We can do the clean-up, pack-out, water extraction, drying, reconstruction. We also work with your insurance to ensure a smoother claims process. We’re committed to helping our community. Call us anytime at (817) 293-5553.

Storm Aftermath: What Next?

1/10/2022 (Permalink)

storm disaster icon, cloud with lightning bolt SERVPRO of East Ft. Worth is "Here to Help" rebuild your home after a major storm. Call us anytime!

Dealing with repairs and insurance companies after severe weather hits your property can be difficult. Homeowners can use the following tips to help tackle the storm damage caused by hard rains, flooding, or storm-related issues.

Safety First

If you and your family were away from home when the storm hit, do not return until it has been confirmed safe. Contact a storm damage expert like SERVPRO of East Ft. Worth; we'll help you determine if your home is safe to return to.

Insurance

You will need to contact your homeowners' insurance adjuster as soon as possible. If your neighborhood has sustained widespread damage, find out if any special teams of insurance agents, relief workers, or contractors are coming to the area. Check your policy to determine what actions you need to take or talk to your agent to make sure you are following the proper procedures. Not following these actions correctly could result in a reduced claim. Inspect your property and make a list of all damages; take photographs of all noted damage if at all possible.

Recording And Documenting

Document your neighbor's damages, as well; this can prevent the insurance provider from downgrading your claim by saying the damage is from your neglect of maintenance or other unrelated issues by giving them away to compare. Keep a record of all the communication you have with your insurance provider and don't do any unnecessary repair work yourself. Hire a trusted storm damage restoration service provider such as SERVPRO of East Ft. Worth to handle any repairs.

Be Scam Free

Always check the adjuster's identification. If you are evacuated, ask for money from your claim upfront. If they agree, you will be given a check for an amount deducted from your final settlement. Some providers will automatically offer a partial payment early on during the process. Review it carefully and decline it if you feel uncomfortable with any part of it. Never be afraid to ask questions and to expect an answer that makes sense or seems fair. 

Dealing with a storm's aftermath is stressful, but reacting quickly and effectively will prevent problems down the road.

SERVPRO of East Ft. Worth is ready to help 24/7. Call us for your fire or water damage issues at (817) 293-5553.

Flood Warning vs Flood Watch

1/6/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Ft. Worth wants you to be prepared in case of severe weather and know what to do if flooding occurs at your Fort Worth home or business. 

A warning means “Take Action Now!” and if advised to evacuate, do so immediately.

  • Flash Flood Warning: Take Action! A Flash Flood Warning is issued when a flash flood is imminent or occurring. If you are in a flood-prone area, move immediately to high ground. A flash flood is a sudden violent flood that can take from minutes to hours to develop. It is even possible to experience a flash flood in areas not immediately receiving rain.

  • Flood Warning: Take Action! A Flood Warning is issued when the hazardous weather event is imminent or already happening. A Flood Warning is issued when flooding is imminent or occurring.

A watch means “Be Prepared” because flooding is possible within your area. 

  • Flood Watch: Be Prepared! A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for a specific hazardous weather event to occur. A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will happen, but it is possible.

  • Flood Advisory: Be Aware! A Flood Advisory is issued when a specific weather event that is forecast to occur may become a nuisance. A Flood Advisory is issued when flooding is not expected to be bad enough to issue a warning. However, it may cause significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, it could lead to situations that may threaten your life and property.

Find Your Leaky Roof Source

1/5/2022 (Permalink)

After a significant storm, it's a good idea to inspect your damaged property as quickly as you can. Your home's main line of defense is your roof, and it takes a beating. Pay attention to dings in your gutters or tears in your window screens, which indicate hail damage. You may also see missing shingle tiles from the ground, but those don't always represent a need for whole roof replacement. Usually, the leak is coming from a more minor roof feature.

At SERVPRO of East Fort Worth we:

  • Find the source of the leak
  • Stop the leak &
  • Clean the water damage.

Find the Leak

During storms in Texas, wind damage can let rain in through your roof. From the inside, look for water stains on your ceiling and walls that indicate the leak.

Common places to see leaky roof damage:

  1. Vents and fans
  2. Chimneys
  3. Window dormers
  4. Vent pipes
  5. Unsecured nails and nail holes

Dealing with Water Damage

  1. Check for discolorations and rotting wood, wet drywall, and insulation.
  2. If you haven't found mold, start drying any wet materials immediately. Complete drying is critical to preventing mold, and it may take longer than you realize. 
  3. If you find mold, remain careful to not spread it during cleanup. Mold grows on wet, damaged materials in as little as 48 hours. A mold remediation professional creates a containment area while working on the water and mold damage. Specialists have monitoring equipment that they use to ensure materials are dry.

For more assistance, call a local construction, restoration, and mold remediation crew like SERVPRO of East Fort Worth at (817) 293-5553.

Q1 Means Storms for East Fort Worth

1/5/2022 (Permalink)

Storms can rage in Texas in Q1. With winds, up to 80 miles an hour, rain, and in some places hail, many experience the aftermath. Tree limbs fall, trampolines fly away, even 18 wheelers are overturned thanks to high winds. 

Here at SERVPRO of East Ft. Worth, we want our customers to know that we're always "Here to Help." Our skilled water restoration technicians are ready to do 24/7 to help get your house back to normal after a storm. 

Often, storm damage to the roof or windows due to hail, fallen trees, or wind allows water into the home. If left untreated, it can soak into your walls leading to further damage and mold. While each home is different, our professional process stays much the same, getting your home back to like-new condition. 

Step 1 - Emergency Contact

The restoration process begins when you call us. Our representative will guide you through the crisis and ask several questions to help us better understand the equipment and resources.

Step 2 - Inspection and Water Damage Assessment

We determine the scope of your water damage at this stage. We inspect and test to determine the extent of damage and how far the moisture has traveled to ensure proper and complete restoration.

Step 3 - Water Removal / Water Extraction

The water removal process begins almost immediately and removes the majority of the water. We use powerful pumps and vacuum units to quickly remove hundreds or thousands of gallons from your property, which helps prevent secondary water damage and mold growth.

Step 4 - Drying and Dehumidification

We use specialized equipment to remove the remaining water that is harder to access. Our Professionals will use room measurements, temperature, and relative humidity to determine the optimal number of air movers and dehumidifiers needed to dry your home or business.

Step 5 - Cleaning and Sanitizing

We clean all of the restorable items and structures damaged by the water. We are adept at cleaning contents using several techniques. Our professionals are trained to provide sanitizing treatments and to remove odors, and deodorize your property.

Step 6 - Restoration

Restoration is the process of restoring your home or business to its pre-water damage condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall and installing new carpet or may entail major repairs, such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.