Keep Business Going When You Are Prepared for Commercial Water Damage | SERVPRO® of Harlingen/San Benito

10/20/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage can bring absolute chaos to your commercial building. When water intrudes, it doesn’t really matter where it comes from, the disaster could knock your business off track.

Internal sources of flooding are a common source of water damage in buildings and may involve a burst pipe, sprinkler system failure or a leak in the roof. Water intrusion can equal losses to your inventory, soaked floors and shuttered parts of your building.

External sources of flooding are also a severe risk that can damage your property. In this part of Texas, everyone is in a flood zone. Flooding rains and levee failures are some of our top risks, but wildfire burn scars also pose a threat for flash flooding.

Due to our high risk, it is crucial to prepare our businesses before a disaster can strike. Where the water comes from doesn’t matter when you have put mitigation efforts into place.

24 hour Emergency Water Damage Service

9/27/2022 (Permalink)

Water Flooding

SERVPRO of Harlingen/San Benito is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, large or small. When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage.

We Answer the Phone Ready to Help

Call Today - (956) 277-0645

We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO of Harlingen/San Benito has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.

What to Expect

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed.

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:

• Your name and contact information
• Your insurance information (if applicable)
• The street address of the water-damaged home or business
• When did the flooding or water damage occur?
• What caused the water damage (if known)?
• Is there electricity available (on-site)?

About SERVPRO of Harlingen/San Benito 

SERVPRO of Harlingen/San Benito specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

How Long is Too Long?

9/27/2022 (Permalink)

When dealing with water damage time is key! The thing that most people think is if I can’t see the water then it’s not doing damage to my property, and that is completely wrong. It’s the hidden water that does the most damage. As soon as a water damage occurs things in your structure start to get ruined. If you have any pets and they made accidents on your carpet, and you thought they you cleaned it up properly, well the smell gets trapped in the pad underneath the carpet and once water contacts the carpet the hidden odors become released. Also, most of your electrical appliances can get ruined, paper items tarnished, and certain furniture can stain the carpets. These problems occur in minutes after the water damage occurs. Some people think I dried up all the water that I can, and I don’t see any visible water so there is no more damage occurring, well that is also false, water migrates, especially in porous materials because the pores in the substance absorb water fast. Items that are porous are things such as drywall, concrete, and most of the studs. So when a water damage happens to you please call us at (956)277-0645 our phones lines are always open and we always have a team ready to help you in your time of need!

How You Can Prevent Water Damage at Home

4/5/2022 (Permalink)

Tips on how to prevent water damages in your home.

Did you know that water damage can weaken your homes' structure? 

We all know that water damages are usually unexpected occurrences, but what if you knew what to look out for in order to prevent them? 

The simplest and easiest place to start is to do routine checks of your home for water leaks and get them fixed before damages occur. What does this mean?

Examples of this include, but are not limited to:

-checking you the shingles on your roof and replace them if needed

-check all water sources (faucets, etc.) for dripping

-inspect walls or ceilings and look for dark spots or dampness or sagging 

-check your wallpaper for blistering

-check your pipes for rusting 

-check your floor to ensure there is no warping or soft spots

These can all be indications of water damage and if you make it a habit to look out for these signs, you are likely to catch an issue before it snowballs. 

Call SERVPRO of Harlingen/San Benito if you have any questions or concerns, today! 

Water damage can happen at any moment!

3/24/2022 (Permalink)

flooded living room

Water damages occur at any moment. Often due to a leak or just human error. In order to gain a better understanding of how to prevent water damage remember to check on a few things from time to time. For example check for any cracks or discoloration along the walls of your home. Water damages leave signs and tell owners how severe the problems are. Leaks within pipes that haven't left stains on the walls yet can be checked by looking at your water bill. If there is a rise in cost maybe there's a leak in one of your pipes. Your insurance can be affected by the severity of the water damage, so it’s important that you call for a professional rather than trying to fix it yourself.

Water Damage and Structure go hand in hand.

3/24/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Harlingen and San Benito is trained to repair water damages, they know that water damages left untreated are a recipe for disaster. Water damages lead to other issues such as changes within a structure. Such changes can even lead to a building's collapse. There are signs in which a structure will inform you that there is an issue concerning water damage. There will be cracks within walls or ceilings, along with discoloration within carpets and walls. Another specific one is wooden floors will swell up, if you are not aware of what this may look like imagine a warped tin or a paper shaped bent into a U. If you find that you have water damage within a carpeted structure it is crucial to act fast. This is because carpets tend to absorb water and if not cleaned properly or quickly can lead to mold.

Act Now Not Later.

3/24/2022 (Permalink)

Moldy Wall

When experiencing an issue within our home it’s easy to decide to put the situation off until later once things become more convenient. When this happens situations tend to become worse, and people just put a “band-aid” on the problem. Leaving the issue as “solved”. However, leaving water damage to sit and not be properly examined or repaired leads to numerous problems that in the end result in a higher cost. Water sitting in an area is slowly going to start growing mold. Smells begin to form due to the moisture levels and mildew. Mold is not always detectable at first and often times it results in serious health issues. Respiratory issues and skin problems are side effects of living alongside mold. SERVPRO of Harlingen and San Benito has a good understanding of how to eliminate mold and repair the water damage.

The Variety of Storms and Weather Hazards That Spring Brings

3/22/2022 (Permalink)

Extreme temperature changes can lead to the possibility of severe weather. SERVPRO of Harlingen/San Benito is a click away if you experience any damag

America is the third-largest nation in the world, coming in behind Russia and Canada in total size (though if you do not include outlying U.S. territories, China is also larger).

With this much land in one nation, weather conditions can vary tremendously from one part of the country to another. Because different areas of the country have different weather patterns, they also experience differing weather-related dangers, to varying degrees across a year’s span.

With spring weather developing over the nation, hot and cold air will be colliding in many parts of the country. With that, we thought now would be a good time to get an overview of what weather events can be expected in large regions, and more specifically, what we need to be aware of here in Southern Texas.

The Pacific Northwest is known for its heavy spring rains, which often lead to floods and other types of water damage for those in the area. In areas with higher elevation, snow is still a concern, as is the problems that can be caused from snowmelt runoff.

The Upper Midwest and Northeast regions experience winter weather for the longest period of time, meaning they will still have cold weather through much of the spring season. Those living in Maine, the Dakotas and everywhere in between can expect continually extreme cold, snowstorms and blizzards until late spring or early summer.

Spring is when the southern West Coast will begin to be concerned with excessive heat waves that can be dangerous or even fatal, and areas of the South Pacific such as Hawaii will need to be on alert for potential tsunamis.

From Iowa to Texas, spring brings about the concern of windstorms, derechos and the risk of wildfires, which are especially prevalent during dry spells of spring. Additionally, much of this area is prone to tornadoes, which should always be watched out for.

Finally, the Southeast typically experiences a range of weather including thunderstorms and tornadoes further inland, while coastal areas may experience early season hurricanes and dangerous rip currents.

In any part of the country, the threat of serious weather conditions in the spring season are real. It is always wise to be on alert this time of year to ensure you know how to stay safe should severe weather strike.

If extreme weather leaves you with damage from water, fire or other elements, help is a click away. Contact SERVPRO for fast, expert recovery.

Signs of Water Damage

9/25/2021 (Permalink)

Remember to check your drywall!

We’ve spoken to many customers that will say, “I had no idea I even had water damage! How can there possibly be mold?” 

Don’t feel like you’re the only one. If you have no reason to suspect there is water damage, you probably wouldn’t look for the signs. We always advise our clients to check for these signs as a precaution! For example, you can look to see if you have missing or damaged roof shingles. This may be an indication of water damage. Another sign includes holes in your roof flashing. Inside your home, you might want to inspect for cracks in your drywall or peeling paint. More obvious signs include warped flooring, wet carpets, or the odor of dampness or moisture. The sooner you become aware there is a problem, the sooner our team can go out there and fix it for you! 

Sewage/Toilet Overflow Clean Up

3/24/2021 (Permalink)

Polluted Pipe water

SERVPRO sees cases in which water backups occur very seriously. The water may contain bacteria, and even viruses that can cause a great deal of damage towards the human body. Before cleaning up our SERVPRO team will evaluate the water to see which category it belongs to. The three categories SERVPRO has are “Clean water”, “Gray water”,and “Black water”.  When the water is categorized as “clean” the damage is most likely caused by a leak, or broken water supply. This is the least serious to fix, but if untreated can become “Gray water”. “ Gray water” could be due to an overflow of your toilet, or of your washing machine. This water can cause illness, and should be cleaned as soon as possible before the water becomes “black” and extremely contaminated. “Black Water” is mainly seen in sewers and toilets. This water is extremely dangerous. Consequences of digestion could lead to death. We advise you to keep away from this water and call us immediately to keep you and your family safe.

Your Belongings

3/15/2021 (Permalink)

Items

Your belongings can be a meaningful thing to part with. When you go through water damage you may wonder what can you keep? At SERVPRO we go through a contents restoration review. We understand that there's value in your belongings, and would rather you save money then having to replace what you've already purchased. Our team reviews the items and uses guidelines to determine if they are indeed restorable. Our methods for restoring items are: Dry Cleaning, Wet Cleaning, Spray and Wipe, Foam Cleaning, Abrasive Cleaning, Immersion Cleaning.  Dry Cleaning goes before a wet cleaning in which we do a light cleaning before going on to remove heavy residues in wet cleaning. Spray and Wipe is used for items that can’t go through a wet cleaning. Foam cleaning is practiced on upholstery items that may shrink if gone through the wet cleaning. Abrasive is the surface cleaning, and immersion is when items are dipped in a bath of cleaning products. So you see we have methods for all your items, with careful consideration of what their conditions are.

Electronics

3/15/2021 (Permalink)

Electronics

SERVPRO understands that the electronics you purchase were in no way cheap. Whether it be in dollars or in time, products such as video game consoles and televisions can be costly to replace. SERVPRO wants to make sure that the products you have really need to be discarded. When we go evaluate your contents for restoration we want to keep you safe. Electronics can be a serious hazard. It is important that you do not attempt to work these devices before they have been evaluated. Turning on such products after a water damage can cause further damage to the environment, and more importantly can be a medical hazard towards your and your family. SERVPRO begins by cleaning the surface of your devices to prevent corrosion and then these products are evaluated by an electronic technician. This lets us know if they are a danger and are qualified for being a restorable.

Winter Freeze

3/15/2021 (Permalink)

Water

Rio Grande Valley home owners and renters did your pipes freeze earlier this month? Trust us, we know how difficult it must have been. Not only were many people without water and electricity, but not many realized that their pipes would freeze, too! For next time, what are we supposed to do when that happens? Here are some helpful tips!

1.

1. If you know your pipes are prone to freezing, turn off your water supply to prevent them from bursting! 
2. Be aware that pipes don’t always freeze in the same places. If you think you may have prevented the problem in one place, it may not be so for another.
3. Open your faucet and run a bit of water through your pipes, to prevent them from freezing. 
4. NEVER use heat, such as an open flame, to thaw your frozen pipes. This is a fire hazard.
5. These are just a few simple tips to keep in mind. Remember to contact a professional plumber afterwards. 

Water and Mold

3/15/2021 (Permalink)

Home

Did you know that mold can grow in your carpeting within 24 hours of a water damage occurring? Did you think that drying you carpets with fans would fix the problem? We’re sorry to deliver the bad news, but this will not keep mold from taking over your carpet fibers. Don’t worry! Give us a call, and we can take this problem off your hands. Mold can cause mycotoxins and lead to health effects, so it should be addressed right away. We will do an assessment of the affected area and contain the mold growth. Next, we will filter the air and remove any materials contaminated with mold. Finally we will clean your affected house content and restore them! See! There’s nothing to worry about, if you just give us a call.

Toilet Overflow

6/11/2020 (Permalink)

What to do when your toilet overflows

Common toilet problems and plumbing issues can lead to water damage in a business. Over time, plumbing issues can cause quite a bit of problems if not maintained regularly. By taking care of toilet issues as soon as possible plumbing problems occur is the best way to prevent further related water damage. If this is not taken care immediately costly repairs may appear. The following may cause toilets to overflow in your business:

A drain line becomes clogged

• The septic field is not percolating

• Sewer damage occurs somewhere in the system’s lines due to issues such as tree roots or foreign objects causing a clog

• A low flow toilet is not able to handle the demands of your household

• The trap between the drain line and the toilet bowl becomes blocked

If you were to experience a toilet overflow in your business, it is best to dry up the accumulated water in the affected areas. However, depending on the extent of the leak caused by a toilet overflow, consider calling a company that specializes in restoration. Here at SERVPRO of Harlingen & San Benito , we provide appropriate safety measures and steps during the cleanup process and will restore your business or home quickly!

Call Us at 956-277-0645

Minimizes Further Damage

6/5/2020 (Permalink)

What to do after a water loss?

Knowing the correct steps  to take after a water loss can help you reduce the loss. Timing is so important  when restoring your property. SERVPRO Of Harlingen & San Benito is a certificated restoration service provider in the Rio Grande Valley.

SERVPRO Of Harlingen & San Benito has the  specialized drying equipment to address any water damage. Our SERVPRO technicians are well equipped and trained to use air movers, scrubbers, and dehumidifiers when restoring your property.

Many things can happen by  leaving the excess moisture in place for a long time. Apart from the possibility of making your contents unsalvageable, it may promote the growth of mold that may cause health effects. SERVPRO Of Harlingen & San Benito  team uses dehumidifiers to reduce the levels of moisture in the air.By doing this we make the humidity levels acceptable and create room for evaporation.

If there are odors and particles in the air. SERVPRO Of Harlingen & San Benito will place air scrubbers to remove those odors and particles.

Deodorization is also another way to combat the unpleasant smells. Deodorization is use  to neutralize and mask the unpleasant odors.

No matter how small or how big your water damage is rest assure SERVPRO Of Harlingen & San Benito has the right equipment to do the job!

Roof Leak

6/5/2020 (Permalink)

Roof Leak

After dealing with a cold winter, some of us are looking upon the spring season. As spring has approached us the weather has been warmer and the trees and flowers have begun to bloom, However, springtime always seems to bring plenty of rain and plenty of rain always brings a higher risk of water damage to your home.

With the increase of showers as well as high winds, roof damage may occur or be revealed as water intrudes through your roof and damages your ceilings and walls. To reduce the risk of roof leaks, you should inspect your roof for any damages from the winter and inspect it after every major storm.

The most common cause of roof leaks is a damaged or missing shingle from storms or fallen branches. If you do experience water damage inside your home from the ceiling or wall, you will want to contact a professional from SERVPRO of Harlingen & San Benito  to inspect the damage, remove the water, and remediate the damage.

Call SERVPRO Of Harlingen & San Benito at 956-277-0645. 

Water Leaks

3/17/2020 (Permalink)

Have a water leak? Call SERVPRO of Harlingen/San Benito!

Undiscovered leaks and moisture can potentially build up and cause damage to the floors, walls and ceilings to your home or office, albeit the damage may go unnoticed for an extended period of time. Proper cleanup is important to the restoration of your home or work place. Here, at SERVPRO of Harlingen/San Benito, we use Thermal Imaging equipment that can detect even the smallest amount of moisture in a home.Once the waterdamage is located, SERVPRO trained professionals can provide water extraction and drying services to help return the property to prelosscondition. Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, SERVPRO of Harlingen/San Benito specialists can help protect your property and belongings from further damage. Within one hour from notice of loss a SERVPRO professional will contact you to arrange service. Within four hours of loss notification a SERVPRO professional will be onsite to start services. Within eight hours of onsite arrival, a verbal briefing of the scope will be communicated to the appropriate person.

Ready to Help!

3/10/2020 (Permalink)

The aftermath of a storm can be catastrophic, but SERVPRO of Harlingen/San Benito is here to help.

It is common to see a storm with heavy down pours of rain causing flooding in the most places. Do you know what to do during a flood? SERVPRO Of Harlingen & San Benito  has a few tips for you to follow in case an event was to happen:

Be prepared, create an evacuation plan.

Learn and identify different evacuation route.

Turn Around, Don't Drown! ® Moving water above two feet can knock you down; one foot of water can move vehicles away.

Move to higher ground if there is a chance of flash flooding.

Be proactive and create an evacuation plan to keep safe. It is very important to stay up date when it comes to natural disasters. SERVPRO of Harlingen & San Benito values our community; we are here to help when disaster strikes!

Understanding Water Types

3/10/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Harlingen/ San Benito can help!

When your home or business suffers a water damage, understanding what type of water you are dealing with is critical to ensuring proper cleanup.

There are three types of water.

1. Clean water is water from a broken pipe, or other water sources, rainwater is also considered clean.

2. The term gray water is used to classify slightly contaminated water. Clean water becomes grey water when it is left untreated allowing bacteria and others contaminants to begin growing, making the water hazardous. 

3.Black water is highly contaminated and filled with fungi, bacteria, chemicals and more. Black water is typically caused by sewage damage. flooding or any type of natural disaster. Black water should always be handled by a trained professional.

When you have a water damage don't leave your property to chance. Call SERVPRO of Harlingen & San Benito at (956)277-0645

Be Storm Smart

3/10/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Harlingen/San Benito can help!

Floods are the most common and widespread natural disasters in the United State. Whether your home or business is near a coastline, along city streets, in the mountains, near a river or even in the desert there is always a potential for flood damage. The American Red Cross offers the following flood safety tips.

1. Stay away from floodwaters. If you come up on a flowing stream where the water is above your ankles, stop, turn around and go another way.

2. If you approach a flooded road while driving , turn around go another way,. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car and move to higher ground.

3. Keep children out of the water. They are curious and often lack judgment about running water or contaminated water.

If a flood does strike call SERVPRO Harlingen & San Benito. Floods have the potential to cause major damage to a structure, when not treated quickly and properly and the cleanup is often an overwhelming task. We are always here to help no matter the size of the disaster.

Faster to Your Water Damage Event

5/29/2018 (Permalink)

Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of Harlingen and San Benito provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays.

Faster To Any Size Disaster

Flooding and water damage is very invasive. Water quickly spreads throughout your home and gets absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, and more.  SERVPRO of Harlingen and San Benito arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs.

Need Emergency Service? Call SERVPRO of Harlingen and San Benito 24/7 – 956-277-0645

Water Damage Timeline

Within Minutes

• Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path.
• Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery, and belongings.
• Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets.
• Photographs, books, and other paper goods start to swell and warp.

Hours 1 - 24:

• Drywall begins to swell and break down.
• Metal surfaces begin to tarnish.
• Furniture begins to swell and crack.
• Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain.
• A musty odor appears.

48 Hours to 1 Week:

• Mold and mildew may grow and spread.
• Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp.
• Metal begins to rust and corrode.
• Furniture warps and shows signs of mold.
• Paint begins to blister.
• Wood flooring swells and warps.
• Serious biohazard contamination is possible.

More Than 1 Week:

• Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive.
• Structural safety, mold growth, and biohazard contaminants pose serious risks to occupants.

About SERVPRO of Harlingen and San Benito

SERVPRO of Harlingen and San Benito specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Respond Fast When A Water Damage Occurs

5/14/2018 (Permalink)

Having a water damage can be super stressful most people don’t know what to do or who to call or how to deal with this. But one thing to remember when dealing with a water damage is that timing is key and that you need to act fast. Within a few minutes of a water damage happens the water migrates to other rooms of your home or business, odors from your carpets get released such as smoke or pet odors, as well as furniture staining carpets, and having all your paper items being destroyed. The longer you wait the more damage happens to your structure. Flooring can begin to bubble or buckle up, drywall will begin to disintegrate, and fungal growth can begin to appear and start to cause health problems. These are just a few things to keep in mind when a water damage occurs. So when you have a water damage that you don’t know what to do with give SERVPRO of Harlingen and San Benito a call we will assist you while talking to your insurance agent and adjuster, as well as respond quickly to get your structure to the way it was before.

Water Damage Categories

4/9/2018 (Permalink)

Picture of a Category 3 Water Damage (Sewer Backup)

Did you know that there are different categories for a water leak/damage? There are three different categories of water leaks and damages: Category 1, Category 2, and Category 3. Category 1 (Clean Water) the water in this category is considered to be sanitary because of the source of the water a sanitary outlet. Some of the sources of a category 1 water damage is that of a broken water line, a tub or sink overflows, rainfall, or ice or snow melting. Even though the water is sanitary, with time it can start to harvest fungal growth and other microorganisms to grow and to make the water unsanitary making the water harmful to be around. Category 2 (Gray Water) is water that has microorganisms and food for the microorganisms. This water usually stems from toilet bowl overflows where there is urine but no feces, discharge from dishwasher and or washing machines, sump pump failures, and seepage due to hydrostatic pressure. Being around this type of water can cause some discomfort or sickness if consumed or exposed to humans. Category 3 (Black Water) is the worst water damage to have because if not addressed quickly health problems can be a huge problem, being around it could bring serious illness or even death if consumed or exposed to humans. This water damage is coming from raw sewage and other contaminated water sources, like ground surface water, rising water from rivers and/or streams, or flooding from seawater from natural disasters. So, whenever you have a water damage in your RV, Home, or Business call SERVPRO of Harlingen and San Benito (956)277-0645 we will be there quickly to make sure that you and your family are safe!