Natural Disasters and the Texas Winter Storm

4/7/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO trucks ready to go out for Texas Winter Storm

Last month’s winter storm was a real awakening for a lot of us out here in Texas. We are not new to natural disasters or having to rebuild our community, but the mass power outages and subfreezing temperatures was a crisis situation we weren’t prepared for.

Texas homeowners may be surprised to know that every state in the US is vulnerable to flooding--even the more arid ones. Changes in sea level, as well as weather patterns, are enough to create sudden floods that cause damage to homes and infrastructure in one fell swoop. Homeowners with flood coverage may be relieved to have it, but without professional cleanup, water damage can make their structures a host for mold, microbes, and further issues. Follow our guide for initial emergency water damage tips.

If you need flood damage cleanup, our storm team is ready and willing to rebuild your home to it’s original condition. As professionals, we receive the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) training to maintain high standards in addressing fire, water, and mold damage as well as restoration of structures. Our team works with you and your insurance adjuster so that cleanup complies with your policy as well as local regulations.

Your insurance adjuster can assist you in the process of completing a proof of loss for your flood claim. Make sure your proof of loss complies with the needs of the Standard Flood Insurance Policy and file promptly--within 60 days of the flood--to make sure you get compensated in a timely fashion.

Our technicians can also assist with this process by taking photos of the damage, taking inventory of possessions, and coordinating with both you and your insurance adjuster during the cleanup process. If you have crucial documents that are damaged by flooding, we can create electronic copies of the papers so that you always have access to them.

A successful cleanup begins with thorough monitoring the situation. This is why our technicians use a variety of moisture measurement technologies to evaluate the extent of damage before extracting moisture, disinfecting surfaces, and drying your home. Throughout the drying process, professionals can use penetrating and non-penetrating moisture sensors and meters to determine the progress made by the cleanup process. Infrared imaging allows technicians to see behind structures to determine if subfloors, studs, or fiberglass insulation require further drying.

Every surface in your home has an ideal humidity level to maintain its integrity, from hardwood flooring to drywall to your furniture. Our team strives to ensure that items that can be safely restored are handled with the utmost care, and possessions that require replacement are not removed without documentation and the informed consent of homeowners and insurance adjusters. If your disaster requires general contracting services for restoration, your local SERVPRO is licensed to handle this type of work.

Check out The Weather Channel as they discuss why storms are so hard to forecast.

SERVPRO of Spring/Tomball provides a mitigation service that is Faster to Any Size Disaster. If disaster strikes in your home, you can call (512) 420-9886.