Category Archives: Water Restoration

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The Importance of Swift Action in Water Damage Restoration

Water damage is one of the most destructive forces that can impact your home or business. Whether it’s caused by a burst pipe, a leaky roof, or flooding from a storm, water can quickly cause chaos on your property. However, the damage doesn’t stop when the water hits. Actually, the longer you wait to take care of the water damage, the more complicated and expensive the restoration process becomes.
When it comes to water damage restoration, timing is everything. Quick action can be the difference between a quick recovery and significant long-term damage. We’re going to walk through why acting quickly is essential and how it can help you save both time and money when dealing with water damage.

Why Acting Quickly Is Essential for Water Damage Restoration

Prevents Further Damage

Water may seem harmless at first, but once it starts to sink into materials like wood, drywall, and insulation, the damage can quickly start to spread. The longer water sits, the more it soaks into structural components, increasing the chances of:

 

  • Warped or weakened wood
  • Damaged flooring and carpets
  • Compromised drywall and ceilings

By acting quickly and calling a professional water damage restoration team, you can lessen these risks and limit the spread of damage. The faster you can get the water removed and the affected areas are dried out, the less damage you’ll face in the long run.

Reduces the Risk of Mold Growth

One of the most concerning consequences of water damage is the potential for mold and mildew to grow. Mold thrives in moist environments, and if water is left standing for more than 24-48 hours, it creates the perfect breeding ground for mold spores. Mold not only causes even more damage to your property, but it can also lead to some serious health problems like allergies, respiratory issues, and other illnesses.
Quick water damage restoration lessens the risk of mold growth by swiftly pulling out the water and drying the affected areas. The faster you start the restoration process, the less chance mold has to take root and spread throughout your home or business.

Saves You Money in the Long Run

The longer water damage goes unaddressed, the more expensive the repairs can become. Water damage can quickly turn into a much bigger problem, requiring extensive repairs and replacements. Intervening early on can help you save money on:

  • Structural Repairs: Timely restoration lessens the risk of permanent damage to your home or building’s foundation, walls, and flooring.
  • Insurance Claims: Acting quickly normally leads to better outcomes with insurance claims. Many insurance providers need quick notification of water damage, and delays could result in denied or lessened coverage.

Water damage restoration services can help lessen these financial impacts by addressing the problem before it gets worse.

Prevents Health Hazards

Water damage can pose some serious health risks, especially when dealing with contaminated water, like water from flooding or sewage backups. Standing water can hold bacteria, pathogens, and other harmful contaminants that can lead to illness. Plus, any drawn out water exposure can cause allergies or asthma as a result of mold and mildew growth.
By acting quickly and engaging professionals for water damage restoration, you can guarantee that your property is cleaned, sanitized, and returned to a safe living or working environment as soon as possible. Jumping on this issue promptly lessens the potential for health hazards, which works towards keeping your family, employees, and customers safe.

Helps Protect Personal Belongings

A lot of times, water damage is more than just a structural issue, it can also hurt valuable personal belongings, such as electronics, documents, and furniture. When water starts to leak into your property, your valued possessions are at risk of damage or permanent staining. The longer the water sits, the higher the likelihood of losing valuable items.
By putting water damage restoration quickly, you increase the chances of saving valuable belongings. Professionals can help save and restore items, like carpets, furniture, and documents, lessening further loss.

How to Respond Quickly to Water Damage

Knowing what to do as soon as water damage occurs can make all the difference:

  1. Turn off the water supply: If the damage happens because of a plumbing issue, like a burst pipe, turn off the water supply to stop any more flooding from taking place.
  2. Remove excess water: If the flooding is manageable, try to get rid of any extra water using a wet vacuum or mop.
  3. Call a professional: Once the immediate threat of flooding is controlled, reach out to a water damage restoration expert. They will be able to check out the situation, remove water, dry out affected areas, and begin the restoration process.
  4. Guarantee safety: Avoid standing in flooded areas if the water could be contaminated or pose electrical hazards. Always put safety first over trying to fix things yourself.

When it comes to water damage restoration, every minute counts. Acting quickly can mean the difference between a minor inconvenience and a major, expensive repair project. From stopping any further damage and mold growth to saving you money and keeping up with your health, fast action is the key to successful water damage recovery.

If you’ve experienced water damage, don’t wait. The longer you do, the more serious the consequences can become. Reach out to a trusted water damage restoration professional today to begin the recovery and restore your property to its original condition.

Hurricanes, Storm Damage Cleanup, Water Restoration

Home Fire & Water Damage: How To Apply for Insurance Coverage

Pair of hands offering insurance form clipped to pad and silver pen to sign closeup. Insurance claim filing paperwork.

When fire or water causes catastrophic damage to your property, one of the first things you’ll need to do is file a claim with your insurance provider. Ensuring your property has the coverage it needs is essential. Otherwise, you could get stuck paying out of pocket for restoration expenses.

In this blog post, the experts at Action Restoration discuss the processes involved with filing an insurance claim following fire or water damage so you can confidently navigate the process and get the coverage you need.

If your property has recently experienced fire or water damage, contact Action Restoration at (800) 218-9556 to speak with our property restoration specialists about your options. 

The Insurance Claim Filing Process

Filing an insurance claim following a fire or flood can seem daunting, but it’s a fairly simple and streamlined process. Here’s what to expect:

Filing an Insurance Claim for Fire Damage

To file a claim for fire damage, start by contacting your insurance company as soon as the damage occurs. Gather as much evidence as possible, including photographs, videos, and inventory lists of damaged or lost items.

Before reaching out, carefully review your policy coverage to understand limits and exclusions and prepare any necessary documentation, including receipts or appraisals. An investigation may be necessary by the insurance company to process your claim.

Insurance Claims for Water Damage

Similar to filing a claim for fire damage, the process will start with a call to your insurance company. Water damage coverage typically has greater limitations, so it’s important to be aware of these before contacting your insurer.

For example, homeowners’ insurance typically covers water from above, such as rain or burst pipes, but flood coverage usually requires an additional rider or separate policy.

The insurance company will send an adjuster to assess the extent of the damage and decide how much (if any) of the damage is covered under your policy.

Filing Your Insurance Claim for Storm Damage

When filing a storm damage insurance claim, contact the insurance provider immediately to report the damage and begin the claims process. Document the damage thoroughly, just as you would with fire or water damage, and make any temporary repairs required to prevent further damage, as your insurer recommends.

Expect the insurance company to send an adjuster to assess the damage and determine coverage eligibility, and be prepared to provide additional documentation or information they may require during their evaluation and subsequent claims processing.

How Action Restoration Can Help

If your Texas home or business has been affected by a fire, flood, or storm damage, Action Restoration can help. With nearly 100 disaster response professionals available to assist with your property damage, we’re uniquely equipped to address your restoration needs, including offering guidance through the insurance claims process.

If, for whatever reason, you don’t have coverage, our team can work with you to get the restoration services you need ASAP, offering flexible financing solutions to help get your life back to normal fast without breaking the bank.

Nobody does more to get you back in business after a catastrophe, flood, or microbial threat. Call (800) 218-9556 to get the property restoration solutions you need today. 

Water Restoration

The Difference Between Flood Watch & Flood Warning

Residents and business owners on the Gulf Coast are no strangers to severe weather. A flood is one of the most frightening and unpredictable things that can happen in your town. Do you know how to respond if the National Weather Service (NWS) issues a flood watch or a Flood Warning? Learn the difference between these two terms so you can take the necessary actions during an emergency.

Flood Watch: Get Prepared

This alert is often issued before a flood warning. It indicates favorable conditions for a flood in your area. Flooding is not guaranteed to occur, but since it’s very likely, you should begin preparing for a possible evacuation now. This way, you’re ready to go in case the flood watch is upgraded to a flood warning.

Flood Warning: Take Action

The NWS issues a flood warning when flooding is imminent or already occurring. You shouldn’t wait around to see how bad the flood gets in your area, or it could become too late to escape. Take immediate action and evacuate your home or business if a flood warning is issued in your area.

Other Flood-Related Alerts

While flood watch and flood warning are the two most common flood-related alerts issued by the NWS, be aware of other warnings you might hear:

  • Flood Advisory: This is the mildest level of a flood alert. It means heavy rains or other conditions may lead to minor nuisance flooding. The storm isn’t severe enough to issue a flood warning, but circumstances that warrant a flood advisory can still result in inconvenience. If you aren’t cautious, the situation could even threaten life and property.
  • Flash Flood Warning: A flash flood is one of the most dangerous types of floods because it indicates sudden, fast-moving water that takes just hours or mere minutes to develop. It’s possible for a flash flood to occur even if it isn’t raining, so take any flash flood warning you hear seriously.
  • River Flood Watch/Warning: These alerts are issued when flooding is possible (watch) or imminent (warning) at one or more points along the bank of a river.
  • Coastal Flood Watch/Warning: These are similar to ordinary flood watch/warning alerts, but they apply specifically to floods caused by coastal waters.
  • Hurricane Watch: This alert means conditions are ripe for a hurricane to occur. The NWS issues a hurricane watch when a tropical cyclone with winds of 74 mph or higher will pose a potential threat to your region within the next 48 hours. Hurricanes can cause storm surges, coastal floods, and river floods depending on where they occur.
  • Hurricane Warning: Similar to a flood warning, this alert indicates that a hurricane with winds of 74 mph or higher is expected to hit within 36 hours or less. The warning may remain in effect after the winds have dropped below 74 mph if dangerously high storm surges are expected to linger.
  • Tropical Storm Watch/Warning: Tropical storms contain winds of 39 to 73 mph. A watch or warning has the same implications as a hurricane flood watch/warning.

Residential & Commercial Storm Damage Repair on the Gulf Coast

The best response during a flood is to evacuate to higher ground. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to take your home or business with you, which means the building may suffer extensive damage from flood waters. Rest assured that Action Restoration is here to make your building safe and livable again with storm damage repair on the Gulf Coast.

To learn more about the restoration services we offer in TX, AL, LA, FL, & MS, please contact us today.

Hurricanes, Storm Damage Cleanup, Water Restoration

How to Prepare for a Hurricane in Peak Season

Hurricane Preparation on the Gulf Coast

aerial view of neighborhood underwater homes and cars plants flooded

If you live on the Gulf Coast, you already know that hurricane season is in full swing. Unfortunately, many homes within our service area in Texas sustained significant damage from Hurricane Harvey, which made landfall on August 26 in Rockport, Texas (note: if you need disaster response or water restoration services due to damage from Hurricane Harvey, call us immediately at (800) 218-9556).

Although hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to November 30, August through October is the peak of the season. During these months the water temperature of the gulf is at its peak. Combine that with low wind shear and strong wave formation in the Atlantic, and you’ve got a recipe for powerful, damaging hurricanes.

If you were lucky enough not to be affected by Hurricane Harvey, don’t breathe a sigh of relief just yet. Harvey should serve as a sobering reminder that we can never be too prepared for a storm—and sometimes, the best choice is to evacuate.

August-October Hurricane Facts from 1950-2013

  • Nine out of the 10 deadliest hurricanes
  • 97 percent of Category 5 storms
  • 100 percent of the 10 costliest hurricanes in the U.S.
  • 79 percent of all named storms
  • 88 percent of all hurricanes
  • 95 percent of major hurricanes

The devastating hurricanes of Katrina, Andrew, Camille, and now Harvey all occurred in mid to late August while the 1900 Galveston Labor Day storm made landfall on September 8th and claimed an estimated 8,000 lives.

With these sobering facts in mind, now is the time to make the necessary preparations to protect your Gulf Coast home or business from the ravages of a hurricane. Although no amount of preparation will guarantee that your home or business will avoid hurricane damage, you can take measures to lessen your monetary loss and, most importantly, save your life.

Hurricane Preparation Checklist

Follow these basic steps to ensure you and your family are ready when a hurricane strikes your Gulf Coast community:

Assemble a Disaster Relief Kit – Store the following in waterproof, airtight containers: drinking water, non-perishable food, first aid kit, flashlights, extra batteries, basic tools, local maps, manual can opener, and a battery-operated or hand-crank radio for weather alerts.

Prepare Your Home – If you have enough time before the hurricane makes landfall, take the following steps to reduce damage to your home: secure outdoor items (patio furniture, bicycles, etc.) inside the home or garage; close and shutter all windows and doors (use plywood if you don’t have hurricane shutters); unplug small appliances; and turn your refrigerator and freezer to the highest setting to keep food safe if you lose power.

Know Your Evacuation Route – If government officials issue a mandatory evacuation order, make sure you’re familiar with your route to drive inland to safety. Decide in advance where you want to go. You may also choose to go to an approved shelter in your community. Make plans for your pets, and discuss with your family where you will meet before leaving home.

Hurricane Damage Repair on the Gulf Coast

If your home or business sustains hurricane damage, Action Restoration is here to help. We offer a wide variety of services designed to get your home or business back on track after a hurricane strikes. We specialize in flood and wind damage repair, including water extraction, structural drying, contents restoration, and much more. We also offer 24/7 emergency disaster response services in Texas and throughout the Gulf Coast region.

If you need disaster recovery or water restoration services, don’t hesitate to contact us today.

Water Restoration

What’s Involved in the Structural Drying Process?

Moisture intrusion and remaining moisture and water in the aftermath of a disaster can pose catastrophic risks to your structure, often even causing more damage than the incident itself. To avoid further damage and begin the remediation process, restoration specialists often employ structural drying services.

The Structural Drying Process

There are two main goals of the structural drying process: first, to prevent additional harm and damage to your structure, and then also to facilitate a complete recovery. In order to achieve this, the process typically goes as follows:

  • A complete structural analysis. In order to effectively provide drying services, restoration professionals must first know the extent of the water damage and remaining water and how to best stop further damage. To do this restoration specialists often employ the use of moisture mapping, digital imaging, and a complete structural analysis.
  • The application of drying equipment and services. Cutting-edge commercial water drying equipment helps remove excess moisture and prevent further harm to your structure.
  • Mold inspection. The presence of mold becomes a very fast and real threat as soon as water is introduced into your structure. Specialists will check and address mold if it is found.
  • Inspection of effectiveness. Dehumidification is the next stage in the process, which helps ensure standing moisture has been eliminated from your structure.

When is Structural Drying Necessary?

In the majority of cases of disaster involving water, some measure of structural drying will be necessary. There are many degrees of structural drying service, each providing a growing application of tools and services to suit your specific needs. Structural drying is a critical service because any moisture allowed to remain within your building can lead to more damage, mold growth, and possibly property loss.

Action Restoration utilizes structural drying techniques for:

Structural Drying Services in the Gulf Coast

When you need effective, professional restoration services, you can always rely on the professionals at Action Restoration. We take your recovery and remediation needs seriously and apply the industry’s best services and tools to ensure your structure is restored and made safe as soon as possible. Contact our experts today to learn more, or to speak to our team about seeking water remediation services.