When the Rain Comes Pouring In... | SERVPRO of Allen

9/18/2023 (Permalink)

image of a large body of water during a rain storm with ripples caused by the heavy downpour

Water damage in your home? Not for long with SERVPRO of Allen on the case!

A soft and gentle rainfall in the late summer or early fall can be relaxing and much-needed at this time of year. Rain has a way of calming everything down and refreshing our community!

However, not all rain is light and idyllic. Sometimes it can wash over the area in intense waves, bringing heavy rain, strong winds and even hail. While our homes are strong enough to withstand moderate storm conditions, sometimes the rain can fall fast enough that our homes can’t keep up and the rain comes leaking into our homes.

Our SERVPRO® of Allen team wants you to stay as safe as possible during severe storm situations like this, so we offer some tips for taking quick action and seeking shelter below.

Hazards of Intense Rain

If rain falls hard and fast, it can cause all kinds of problems for our area. Flash flooding conditions can appear if rivers overflow or roads can’t drain fast enough, which can make travel impossible or treacherous.

It can also cause ground issues if the water is moving fast enough. Landslides can sweep away trees, plants, cars and even houses. Since we live in the aptly named “Flash Flood Alley,” we know how quickly rain can turn into a major issue. We could easily get three to six inches of rain in a short amount of time when the clouds open up.

While this act of Mother Nature is not preventable, preparing in advance can help you avoid certain situations and severe damage. Stay connected to local authorities, and take action immediately if a flash flood warning is issued or intense rainfall is expected.

Staying Safe

Preparing your home and family should always be your top priority. If you are out and about, head for your house right away and avoid any low-lying areas, drainage ditches or any roads that you know flood easily during storms. Get whatever you can into your house or garage that you don’t want swept away by the water, including your cars, lawn equipment and outdoor furniture.

Get anything fragile or sentimental off of the first level of your home and move it upstairs and consider shutting off the electricity for your lower level just in case the water starts to flow in. If that happens while you are home, stay calm and stay above the water line. Remain in a safe location until the water stops rushing in. Move carefully through your home and avoid walking through the water and call us for a complete restoration.

Future Prevention Strategies

We know that weather can be unpredictable, which is why it is impossible to plan for every scenario. After you have recovered from this particular flooding incident, consider taking measures to prevent this from happening again! Start with getting a professional opinion about your property and whether you would benefit from getting it professionally graded. This can help water flow down and away from your foundation, even if it becomes heavy at times.

Another helpful investment is a sump pump! If your home is in a low-lying area, having a sump pump is crucial during intense rain storms. Sump pumps work to remove water from around your foundation to keep it from leaking down your walls and ruining your walls, floors and ceilings.

Remember that we are always here if you need assistance recovering from water damage. Our SERVPRO water damage restoration specialists will help dry out the excess moisture, repair whatever was damaged and sanitize your space to prevent mold growth.

We are here for all of your water disasters. Contact us day or night for a quick recovery.

Water Damage Locations Around Your Home | SERVPRO® of Allen

5/9/2023 (Permalink)

img src =”bucket” alt = " blue bucket in the middle of the living area catching water falling from the ceiling ” >

Think you may have water damage in your home? Here are some tips from SERVPRO of Allen to find the source.

Water damage can occur virtually anywhere in your home. Leaks, accidents or natural disasters have the ability to soak through walls and floors with ease. The unfortunate thing about water damage is that it often starts quietly and can cause widespread damage before it is even discovered.

In order to prevent these types of situations from occurring, it is important to understand the most common areas for water damage to occur in your Allen area home.

Check out our latest blog below so you can keep your home as dry and comfortable as possible.

Your roof. As our roofs protect us from the elements and help keep us warm, they can suffer wear and tear over the years. Small gaps or leaks can often lead to bigger problems, or a singular weather event could cause extensive damage to your roof.

Since we don’t often get up onto our roofs, these types of situations can go unnoticed and the water can continue to leak into our homes.

Once it starts to drip down your walls, it can seep into floors and can soak through your insulation. It can be hard to completely dry out the spaces behind your walls, which can lead to mold growth and eventually an infestation.

In your bathroom. No matter if you have a big family or you live alone, your bathroom is one of the most used rooms in your house. Since water is constantly running through the taps in this space, water damage is a constant threat.

The best way to catch any issues is to investigate signs right away. A dripping water line or a puddle under your sink should alert you to discover the cause. It is also important to help control the humidity and moisture levels in your bathroom.

Even though these tasks may seem obvious to do, they can go a long way to preventing troublesome water damage. Just be proactive and inspect your plumbing on the regular.

Other appliances. Another common location for water damage is anywhere near your appliances. Dishwashers, fridges with ice machines and washing machines all use water in order to function, so they could malfunction at any time. If you notice any new water spots or unexplained moisture near your appliances, check it out right away.

It might be harder to discover a water leak beneath or behind your appliances since they are so bulky and hard to move, but pull them away from the wall when you can to do a thorough check.

Another important homeowner tip that our SERVPRO of Allen team suggests is to replace outdated appliances regularly. Older or worn-out appliances have the ability to leak or malfunction more regularly than newer technology, so do your family a favor and keep only the best equipment in your home.

Dealing with a water emergency? Our SERVPRO specialists can be on the scene of the disaster ASAP to restore your water-damaged home!

Where You Can Prevent Water Damage at Home | SERVPRO® of Allen

11/3/2021 (Permalink)

a leak in ceiling creating water lines running down an interior wall

A water leak can turn into a big problem. Contact the SERVPRO of Allen team if you are dealing with any water damage.

Water damage usually sneaks up on you. We rarely get advanced notice of leaks, drips or flows. Once they happen, it’s too late, since the damage is already done.

The good news is that a little proactive maintenance can help you spot leaks before they start. Here are a few of the most common places for leaks:

Sinks and faucets. These fixtures are used multiple times a day, and over time, they can become fragile and wear out. The supply lines are under pressure, so if there is a problem, it usually sprays a stream of water and is easy to find. Drain system problems will show up as more of a small leak or seepage.

Refrigerators. Today’s modern refrigerators often have automated ice machines, which require a water source. Also, most refrigerators have a defrost cycle that happens at least once a day. You may have even heard a sizzling noise coming from your refrigerator. That’s the sound of the defrosted water hitting the evaporator coil. The evaporator coil usually dissipates the water before it hits the drip pan, a safety area that accumulates defrosted water droplets. But an improperly working defrost system can cause a water leak.

Clogged gutters. Are your gutters properly maintained? Gutters full of debris are one of the leading causes of roof damage. Overflowing gutters can cause soffit damage, and water can seep into the interior of the house from walls or around the foundation. Gutters should be inspected and cleared of debris as necessary.

Roof damage. Falling limbs can cause serious roof damage. If a limb perforates the roof membrane, it will turn into a costly repair. Many times, damaged roofs allow water to seep in, causing mold and rot to take hold. That’s why it’s important to inspect attics and roofs for damage.

Old copper pipes. If your house was built between 1950 and 2000, there is a good chance you have copper piping. House remodels are the perfect time to inspect and replace plumbing if necessary. Today, older copper plumbing supply lines are being replaced with PEX. PEX is made of cross-linked polyethylene and has great durability and strength.

Clogged sink drains. Many items can clog a drain in a sink. These drains can become clogged with food, grease or hair. Be careful if you decide to plunge instead of calling a plumber, since plunging creates significant pressure on the drain system. While most of the time it can push a clog through, sometimes you could damage a pipe connection and spring a leak.

Make sure to take care of the systems in your home that create a comfortable living space for you. Occasionally inspect and repair any issues you find with gutters, roof systems, supply lines or drains. This can potentially save you a lot of time and money!

If a water leak erupts into a big problem at home, you’ve got the best team in the business on your side. Contact SERVPRO today so we can get started.

Where You Can Prevent Water Damage at Home | SERVPRO® of Allen

9/12/2021 (Permalink)

water draining down wall, a leak in ceiling creating water lines running down an interior wall

A water leak of any size can turn into a big problem. The team at SERVPRO of Allen is here 24/7 to help with any size water damage.