Wednesday, March 22, 2023

Why Hire a Water Damage Restoration Company?

Imagine coming home after a long day at work, ready to relax and unwind, only to be hit with a tidal wave of water. It happens to approximately 14000 people in the U.S. daily. This translates to 1.6% of homes that experience water damage every year.

Water damage often stems from various sources, including storm bursts, damaged roofs and gutters, flooding, and leaking pipes. The excess water can cause damage to your home or business.

While you may be tempted to fix it yourself, you could worsen the situation, especially if you lack adequate knowledge and skills.

Here’s why you should hire a water damage restoration company.

Why is Timely Water Restoration Important?

Water damage can ruin your home or business if not contained in time. But timely intervention can minimize or prevent the further extent of the damage.

Therefore, as soon as you notice excess water in your house, you should contact the right professionals to perform water removal and damage repair services.

Here are some reasons for timely water restoration;

Prevent mold growth: Molds thrive in moist environments. They can grow in cracks, behind walls, and underneath your floor. However, speedy intervention can prevent mold growth in your house.
Health and safety: Flooding can cause various infections and diseases. Restoration services ensure sanitation and prevent the spread of contaminants.
Protect your valuables: Leaks and broken pipes can destroy your valuables, including furniture and important paperwork. Prompt response can minimize these losses.
Save money: Delayed water restoration services could ultimately cost more in the long run. You’ll have to make a call at some point, so it’s better to do it right away.

Reasons for Hiring a Restoration Company

When there’s excess water flooding your house, you might want to put your DIY skills to the test, trying to mitigate the damage.

However, you may not have the knowledge, experience, and equipment to conduct water damage restoration effectively. And this is why you should hire a water damage repair company in Corpus Christi, TX. Here are a few more reasons:

Latest technologies and specialized equipment

Dealing with a flood is a difficult task requiring specialized tools and equipment. Many homeowners don’t have these because they never imagined their houses being flooded in the first place.

The right water restoration company has all the tools and technologies to detect leaks and moisture and dry it out quickly and efficiently. This includes powerful suction pumps, air filters, high-grade pumps, vacuums, and dehumidifiers.

You also need adequate workforce to complete the job on time, which is almost always more than one person.

Safe mold remediation

Hidden moisture provides a breeding ground for mold. So while you might attempt to dry out the water yourself, chances are you might miss out on some damp areas.

Mold, if left alone, can impact your respiratory tract. Therefore, you must eliminate any hidden moisture that could encourage mold growth. This is why you should hire professionals to ensure safe mold remediation.

Help with insurance claims

If you plan to make a water damage insurance claim, you must provide correct and in-depth details about the damage and restoration services’ cost. This will help you claim a fair share from the insurance company.

Restoration professionals will document all the details correctly, making the claims process easier. Because they have the experience, they know what exactly to include in their report to help speed things up.

In case of misunderstandings with your insurance company, the restoration crew can present detailed proof of the damage.

Skills crafted with years of experience

Even if given all the industrial equipment and protective clothing, you still won’t perform DIY repairs correctly without the necessary skills and experience. Therefore, you need a restoration company that has been in the game long enough to master the ins and outs of every water damage scenario.

These professionals will leverage their skills and years of experience to quickly identify water problems and create solutions before the damage further spreads.

Moreover, they can also conduct a thorough assessment of the damage and provide professional advice concerning the extent of it. For instance, whether or not you should replace your drywall, furniture, or appliances, and more.

What Should You Ask a Restoration Company Before Hiring?

A few questions will go a long way in ensuring you find the best restoration company in Corpus Christi. Wondering what to ask? Here are some questions:

Do you have experience?

You want to ensure that the team has experience working with various water damage issues. This way, you can trust them to handle any water damage in your house.

Are you certified and insured?

Typically, water damage restoration companies aren’t required to be licensed, although this depends on your location. For example, the state of Texas does not require a license for water damage restoration.

However, seek a company that is certified by IICRC. This certification is a good indicator of the company’s knowledge and expertise.

Also, anything could happen during the restoration process. So you want to ensure that the company is insured and that the policy can cover any costs that arise.

How long will the restoration process take?

You want your property to be fixed as soon as possible. However, this will depend on the type and severity of the damage. A good restoration company should provide a realistic timeline and stick to it (that is, after assessing the damage).

Hire a Water Damage Repair Company Today

Trying to restore water damage yourself can be difficult and may cause further damage and potential health issues. This is why you need to hire a professional group of technicians. These guys have everything to provide a thorough restoration service, from skills and experience to the right tools, equipment, technology, and workforce.

Want to hire a water damage restoration company? Contact us today to get connected!

FAQs

Can you get sick from water damage?

Yes. You could develop health issues if you don’t deal with water damage immediately. For instance, the moisture could lead to mold, which may cause symptoms like runny nose, coughing, sneezing, and breathing problems.

What are the benefits of water mitigation?

Water mitigation minimizes or prevents further damage after water intrusion or flooding occurs. By taking immediate action to extract standing water and dry out affected areas, you can limit the extent of the damage and prevent secondary problems like structural damage and mold growth.

What is the difference between water mitigation and water damage restoration?

Water mitigation involves stopping the immediate flow of water, assessing mitigation efforts needed, extracting the water, and drying out the property.

On the other hand, water damage restoration is the process of repairing and fixing a water-damaged home or property. The goal is to return the property to its original condition before the damage. Water mitigation is just a part of the overall water damage restoration process.

References

https://health.ri.gov/healthrisks/mold/#:~:text=Exposure%20to%20a%20large%20number,causing%20more%20severe%20allergic%20reactions

https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/home/water-damage-restoration-vs-mitigation/#:~:text=Water%20mitigation%20is%20the%20process,and%20drying%20out%20the%20property

The post Why Hire a Water Damage Restoration Company? appeared first on Water Damage Restoration Corpus Christi TX.

source https://waterdamagecorpuschristitx.com/why-hire-a-water-damage-restoration-company/

Sunday, March 12, 2023

Carpet Cleaning After Water Damage

One of the annoying problems of flooding and water damage is dealing with a wet carpet. It can be such a hassle, however, it is something that needs to be attended to immediately or else it could result in dire consequences, specifically to those living in the house – you and your family. Here’s a guide for carpet cleaning after water damage.

Content Table:

Wet Carpet Problems
Water-damaged Carpet Cleaning Steps

Let’s get into it!

Wet Carpet Problems

After a flooding disaster, carpets and floorings that have been left damp for days could result in the growth of molds and formation of mold colonies, which can cause respiratory problems.

Moreover, it could also result in you having to throw away your carpet and get it replaced which would mean additional expenses. For these reasons, it is necessary to save your carpet which, in turn, can keep your loved ones safe and save you money.

Water-damaged Carpet Cleaning Steps

The good news is that even though it may initially seem like a daunting task, preserving your carpet after a flooding or water damage disaster is not that difficult to do. Here are 4 steps to take in order to protect your carpet from further damage and ensure that you will still be able to use it later on.

1. Safety Precautions

Firstly, you need to make sure that you follow safety precautions. You need to have safety paraphernalia including hand gloves and face masks. Wearing these will keep you from exposing yourself to germs, viruses, bacteria, and fungi.

2. Assess the Damage

Secondly, assess the damage. How wet is the carpet? If it is completely soaked up, you may need the help of a restoration service provider to dry it out. There may even be times when the carpet can really no longer be salvaged due to the presence of molds on it. However, for partly wet carpets, you can simply take it out to dry under the sun, or use a vacuum cleaner and electric fan to dry it.

3. Start the Drying Process

Thirdly, after the assessment, you can then proceed with the drying process. Again, for carpets that need extensive cleaning and drying, the best option is to hire professional services.

For drying that you can do on your own, make sure that you cover every inch and corner of the carpet. Use vacuum cleaners, fans, and dehumidifiers. As another safety precaution, check the electrical outlet first to find out if it is dry and has not been affected by the flood. You may need to take the carpet out for sunlight exposure if all outlets are wet or if the carpet is too wet for the vacuum cleaner to dry.

4. Cleanup

Lastly, deodorize and clean the carpet. Check for any traces of dampness and mold growth and use the carpet only if none are present. If necessary, repeat the cleaning process again just to ascertain that it will not pose any health problems to anyone in the house down the line.

Water Mitigation Corpus Christi TX

While we can’t provide you with carpet cleaning services, we can perform all of the necessary water mitigation after water damage in Corpus Christi, TX. Sparkling City Water Damage Restoration is the go-to company for water mitigation in Corpus Christi. We can also help you with the following:

Learn more about water damage:

The post Carpet Cleaning After Water Damage appeared first on Water Damage Restoration Corpus Christi TX.

source https://waterdamagecorpuschristitx.com/carpet-cleaning-after-water-damage/

How to Stay Safe During a Hurricane

It happened on August 25th, 2017. We all remember it very clearly. How could we not? Hurricane Harvey hit the Coastal Bend as a Category 4 Hurricane and was one of the worst hurricanes in US history. Around $125 billion in damage and more than 100 fatalities. This destruction was only topped by Hurricane Katrina in recent history. You probably remember exactly where you were and what you were doing at that time even after all of these years.

Hurricanes, unfortunately, are a real thing and southern coastal cities are especially at risk. If you live in Corpus Christi, TX, it’s a good idea to educate yourself on hurricanes and how to stay safe during a hurricane. This is exactly what we aim to help you accomplish with this article. So, here we go.

Content Table:

Expect and Prepare for the Worst
Evacuate if Necessary and Do It as Early as Possible
If You Can’t Leave, Stay Indoors Away from Windows and Doors

Obviously there’s more information you need to fully digest this topic so let’s start right away.

In these adverse times, one has to be really careful about protecting life and property from tropical storms and hurricanes. Hurricane winds blow at 100 miles per hour and the water surge can be as high as 20 feet. These cyclones are crazy dangerous and it is better to prepared especially for the months between June and November which are earmarked as hurricane season.

Expect and Prepare for the Worst

You have to expect the worst because you never know which form or intensity a natural hazard can take.

Listen to hurricane warnings and prepare your household. Make sure your vehicle has enough gas so that you can get out quickly if your home is at risk.

Stack up things or strengthen the doors and windows. Bring in things from the yard inside, which can fly away under the influence of high flying winds. In case your family members are not all at one place, make a plan as to how you will coordinate and reach a safe zone.

Evacuate if Necessary

If there are mandatory evacuations to leave home, please heed to them. If you think that you can withstand the hurricane force, you may be terribly mistaken especially if the authorities are clear about the upcoming impact.

Leave as Early as Possible

Leave early, so that you are not caught in traffic jam. Take along the necessary kit, including food provisions, clothes, prescription medicines, importance documents, insurance papers, jewelry etc. Bring out those that cannot be insured by the insurance company like collector items and pictures.

Large items like TV, furniture, and others may be difficult to move because they will only slow down the evacuation process. Get cash ahead of time because ATMs will not work due to power cut during storms.

Stay Indoors Away from Windows and Doors

In case it is difficult to leave your house, it is better to stay indoors. Do NOT venture out if the hurricane eye passes by your house because the strong winds can lash out once the eye is away.

Stay away from doors and windows and stay put at the center of the house. This is because the windows may fly in and debris may rush in. There may be no grocery for a week and no electricity as well, so make arrangements for this one week in advance.

It goes without saying that one has to reinforce windows and doors for double protection. Taping windows is just a myth and does not offer any protection. Also do not venture to the basement and attic because they are prone to severe damage.

Flood Damage Restoration Corpus Christi TX

For any flood damage restoration needs after a hurricane, make sure to contact Sparkling City Water Damage Restoration. We have true flood damage experts on speed dial, available to respond after these terrible events and provide you with appropriate assistance you need and deserve.

Call us also for any of the following:

Saturday, January 28, 2023

How Long Does Water Damage Restoration Take on Average

How Long Does Water Damage Restoration Take

Life in Corpus Christi is nice and cozy. Great weather, beaches, parks, among many other things. Now, when that comfort is disrupted by water damage in your home, we completely understand how worried and stressed you can feel. This is why, in this post, we’ll explain what you can expect in terms of water damage restoration timelines. What things need to be done during the restoration project and how long does each of those things take to complete.

In a Hurry? Here are Quick Points to Take Away:

Typical drying time is 3-7 days
Repairs usually take 1-2 weeks
Expect at least 2 weeks for the entire project to be completed

Water damage restoration timelines are split into drying time and the following repairs/reconstruction. Then, the timelines for each of the two parts are determined by their complexity and materials involved.

Need more clarification? Keep on reading!

How Long to Dry Out Water Damage

How long it takes to dry out water damage depends on materials affected, severity of the damage, and drying methods.

Severity of the Damage

Let’s start with the damage severity. What determines the severity of your water damage situation? Multiple things:

What category is your water damage?
How long has the damage been standing for?
How high is the humidity in the area?

We’ll explain each of these one by one. Water damage can be split into 3 categories – clean, gray, and black water. If you’d assumed that clean water would be the fastest to dry and black the slowest, you’d be correct. The more contaminated and dirty the water, the longer the drying process because we also have to make sure that the area is disinfected properly.

Then, if the damage has been standing for some time, the materials will have soaked up more of it, leading to longer drying time.

And the humidity levels of the surrounding areas and also the weather conditions will also impact drying time.

Wet Materials

Different materials are affected by water in different ways. For example, carpets are some of the fastest to dry, taking only a day or two in most cases. Drywall drying also takes only a couple of days.

However, materials like masonry and hardwood flooring can take up to several weeks, depending on the severity of the damage, a factor we’ve just covered.

We also have to take into account the property itself. Some older buildings and materials may fail if we dry too aggressively, leading to a slower drying process to preserve the property successfully.

Drying Methods and Efficiency

Obviously, the knowledge and skills of your drying technicians will have a say in how long it takes to dry out water damage in your Corpus Christi, TX home.

Equipment will also play a role. The more powerful the equipment, the faster the drying time. Keep in mind that the most powerful equipment will also be really loud and cause unbearable heat, disrupting your daily functioning in the property. You’ll have to see if you’re okay with this or not.

As you can see, there are many things to consider when trying to answer the question “how long it takes to dry out water damage”, so make sure that your restoration specialists are on-top with their communication and that your situation is clearly explained.

To learn more about how drying works, check psychrometrics.

How Long to Repair and Reconstruct

The answer to this question will almost always depend on how long the drying process took. If drying was a breeze, then that means that there’d not been a lot of water (and the water likely hadn’t been contaminated), leading to not many – if any – repairs and replacements being required.

However, if there is one foot of water in your property, not only will it take much longer to dry, but the amount of materials that will have to be replaced and repaired is bigger. A general estimate is 1-2 weeks but it can take much longer than that at times.

For example, in case of severe floods, water damage repairs can take from several months up to a year!

Conclusion

So, to wrap it up, your restoration project will probably take around 2 weeks. Again, as always, it will depend on the scenario but we can confidently say that a 2 week timeline will cover most of your cases.

Now, if you’re ready to get started with water damage restoration, call Sparkling City Water Damage Restoration today!

Our services:

The post How Long Does Water Damage Restoration Take on Average appeared first on Water Damage Restoration Corpus Christi TX.

source https://waterdamagecorpuschristitx.com/how-long-does-water-damage-restoration-take-on-average/

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

Signs of Water Damage in Corpus Christi

Signs of Water Damage in Corpus Christi, TX

In a Hurry? Here Are Quick Signs to Take and Inspect For:

Mold and mildew
Musty odors
Water sounds
Uneven/warping floors
Peeling or bubbling paint
Wall stains and cracks
Increased water bills

Noticed some weird smells in your property? Certain parts of your walls cracked? Your paint is deteriorating? Wondering if these are the signs of water damage?

If you’ve answered YES to some or all of these questions, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, you’ll learn common red flags to look out for if you’re suspecting that your property has water damage.

Let’s cover each of the bulleted signs above step-by-step.

Water Damage Signs to Look Out For

Mold and mildew

Mold is the primary sign of water damage. Its presence in a property can put the health of all family members at risk, including pets. One of the most dangerous mold species, Black Mold (officially known as Stachybotrys chartarum), can go as far as to cause respiratory problems.

Mildew is just a certain type of mold. Learn more about differences between mildew and mold.

The tricky thing is that mold itself can sometimes be difficult to spot. Mold grows in dark and damp areas, often lurking in the shadows. However, if you have a lot of it, it can be pretty hard to miss unless you don’t check the room very often (like, for example, the basement). In addition to this, mold is often accompanied by a very unpleasant, musty smell.

If you’ve noticed that but you can’t see mold, perhaps you should do a little more digging or even hire a professional mold inspector to help you. But there’s a catch…

Musty odors

Presence of musty and damp odor doesn’t ALWAYS have to be a sign of mold, only water damage. We don’t need to describe how dampness smells – stale and pungent, exceptionally uncomfortable. Sniff around if you’ve noticed such a smell and try to find a leak. Be careful though, inhaling too much of this smell can potentially cause you to feel dizzy and nauseous. Use your own judgment to tell if you can access the potentially hazardous area on your own.

Water sounds

Weird dripping sounds that keep your children awake at night? No, it’s not ghosts but there’s still a reason for concern. If these sounds are persistent, please inspect for a leak, especially if some of the previously mentioned signs are present too.

Uneven/warping floors

In this case, depending on the situation, you may WANT the cause to be water damage instead of something else. That “something else” can happen to be foundation damage which at times can be extensive and very expensive to fix.

In a nightmare scenario, water damage occurred in your basement and has damaged the home’s foundation, potentially to the point of it being irreparable.

Please note that this does not AT ALL have to be the case. Most of the time, your hardwood floors simply warped due to a leak. However, to be sure, you still want to further investigate if your floors are uneven.

Peeling or bubbling paint

Peeling paint can be caused by multiple things, but one of the most common perpetrators is water damage. To simplify, paint doesn’t get along with moisture and dampness, and it starts flaking off due to the paint’s adhesion being weakened.

If you’ve properly painted your walls and they were clean prior, there’s a good chance that your paint is peeling because of water damage.

Same goes for bubbling, although this can also be caused by heat.

A good tip for you to use if you’re unsure is to look for all or multiple signs from this list, not just one. You may be unsure if the bubbles were caused by water or heat, but when combined with presence of mold and bad smells you do get a very clear answer in most cases.

Wall stains and cracks

Similar point. Wall cracks can be caused simply because of the house “settling” and they pose a tiny annoyance inexpensive to fix. However, wall cracks AND stains/discoloration can indicate a leak.

Increased water bills

After everything else, if your wallet is suffering due to increased water bills, yet everything seems fine on the surface, stay on high alert. Your wallet could take a much harder hit down the line if the leak keeps going at it for months (or years). Inspect for a leak if you have a suspicious water bill lately.

Water Damage Restoration Corpus Christi, TX

Got what you needed? Inspected for a leak and found one? Need help with water damage restoration?

If these questions also yielded a “YES”, then hear us out. Sparkling City Water Damage Restoration will help you with water damage restoration in Corpus Christi, TX and the surrounding areas. We’ll have your entire situation handled promptly and professionally, with no leftovers.

In such scenarios, there is no time to waste so give us a call and let’s get started with the restoration process!

Our services:

The post Signs of Water Damage in Corpus Christi appeared first on Water Damage Restoration Corpus Christi TX.

source https://waterdamagecorpuschristitx.com/signs-of-water-damage-in-corpus-christi/

Saturday, January 21, 2023

How Timely Water Damage Restoration Can Save Your Corpus Christi Property

Water damage can be a devastating event for any property owner, but timely water damage restoration can save your Corpus Christi property from further damage and costly repairs. The longer water sits in your property, the more damage it can cause. This includes structural damage, mold growth, and even health hazards for those living in the affected area.

By acting quickly and hiring a professional water damage restoration company, you can minimize the impact of the damage and get your property back to normal as soon as possible. These companies have the equipment and expertise to quickly and effectively remove water, dry out the area, and repair any damage caused by the water.

In addition to saving your property from further damage, timely water damage restoration can also save you money. The longer you wait to address the problem, the more expensive the repairs will be. By taking action quickly, you can keep the cost of repairs to a minimum and avoid costly replacements or renovations.

In short, timely water damage restoration can save your Corpus Christi property from further damage and costly repairs. Don't wait to address the problem, hire a professional water damage restoration company as soon as possible to minimize the impact of the damage and get your property back to normal.