Recent Water Damage Posts

3 Types of Contaminated Flood Water

7/28/2023 (Permalink)

pipe bursted at a warehouse Category 1 water damage

While all types of floods can potentially cause massive amounts of property damage, it's still important for you to be aware of the type of contaminated water you're currently dealing with. You must handle each type of contaminant differently in order to be successful. Read on if your home in Laredo, TX, is currently suffering from a residential flood.

Types of Flood Water

There are three main types of floods, each categorized by the types of contaminants present in the water:

Category 1: Also known as a clean water flood, this type of floodwater is the least dangerous. Clean water floods are typically caused when a supply line bursts, flooding the home with contaminant-free, non-toxic water. Theoretically, this water is safe for human consumption, but you should still never attempt to drink it.

Category 2: Category 2 floods contain slightly more contaminated water. They are usually a result of a flooding or overflowing household appliance, such as a washing machine or a dish washer.

Category 3: Category 3 floods, also known as black water floods, are extremely dangerous. They're categorized by the presence of biohazards, such as raw sewage and human/animal fecal matter. They're typically caused by toilet back flow, or sewage overflow. You should never attempt to remediate a Category 3 flood by yourself; always contact remediation experts for assistance.

Preventing Residential Floods
Residential floods are relatively simple to prevent, as long as you remain vigilant and stay on top of the proper preventative and protective measures. Prevent toilet back flow by never flushing anything down your toilets that your pipes can't handle. Hire professionals to routinely perform maintenance and inspections on your sewer lines.
Contaminated water floods can cause a lot of problems for your home in the form of water damage, mold growth and other types of disasters. Your best course of action is to contact flood remediation experts to help solve the issue quickly and effectively.

What to Do After Water Damage Occurs

8/30/2021 (Permalink)

puddle of water in the living room SERVPRO of North Laredo is ready to help with any water emergency

Flood damage, a burst pipe, or any other form of water in the home or water in the business calls for immediate action. Many home and business owners mistakenly assume they can handle water damage on their own, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. The smallest ongoing leak is enough to cause more water damage than most people realize, and it requires the assistance of professional water cleanup, restoration, and mitigation services. If any homeowner or business owner finds water in the home or business, there are proper steps to take to ensure water cleanup and the drying process are handled accordingly.

Call for Help

Any amount of water damage can cause mold to form almost immediately. Mold only needs a few hours to spread rapidly, and leaving the water cleanup too long can result in the immediate need to replace walls, floors, and it can cause thousands of additional dollars in damage. Once a homeowner finds water in the home or a business owner finds water in the business, it’s time to call for professional drying services and remediation.

Turn Off Electricity

Standing water and electricity are not a good mixture, and it’s imperative the power is turned off prior to anyone entering a building with any water.

Cleanup

Immediately after calling for professional mitigation, it’s necessary home and business owners begin the cleanup process. When it’s safe to enter a home or business with water damage, home and business owners must begin removing their personal belongings. The best place to put them is in a garage or on a driveway where they have a chance to begin the drying process.

Call Insurance

Homeowners and business owners must call their insurance company as soon as flood damage or other water damages their home or office. An adjuster must come out to assess the damage to file a claim to get financial help your way sooner rather than later.

For all your water damage needs, give us a call at (956)5680266

Cleaning up after a broken water heater

8/26/2021 (Permalink)

The water heater is leaking For any size disaster, give SERVPRO of North Laredo a call (956)568-0266

There are many issues arising from a broken water heater besides the cost of replacing such water heater. Left unsolved, water issues can turn into appliance repairs, wall and flooring replacement, to name just a few. Make sure you don’t pay thousands of dollars in water damage.


Drying as Top Priority

The first step is to clear out the water and dry the affected areas. In cases like these, SERVPRO of North Laredo professionals use drain pipes and vacuum cleaners specially designed for water removal. We also use industrial fans to speed air flow through the affected space.

Cleaning Is Crucial

Water coming from a leaking water heater is usually classified by insurance specialists as Category 2 water. This kind of water is not terribly dangerous, but it can still cause health effects if the area is not cleaned. SERVPRO of North Laredo professionals always sanitize the affected areas thoroughly to ensure that mold and other undesirables are not allowed to infect your home.

Why call the Professionals?

When you call a reputable water removal professional can ease your mind and mitigate any lingering concerns. These professionals have the expertise to examine everywhere the leaked water could have affected – including underneath flooring and inside walls. So much potential damage from water issues occurs in invisible places, so it’s important to have a water removal specialist on-site.

If you’re dealing with a leaking water heater, just remember three simple steps: Dry it, clean it, and call a professional. By taking quick action to remediate water issues, you can resolve the problem without breaking the bank.

Are you experiencing water damage? Give us a call!

8/26/2021 (Permalink)

Wet floor caution sign next to SERVPRO drying equipment For any size disaster, give us a call at (956) 568-0266

When water damage strikes, it isn't just something that you see, but something that can soak into your floor, your walls, your ceiling, and your belongings.

When you call SERVPRO of North Laredo, we arrive quickly and begin the water extraction process as soon as possible. An immediate response time helps to minimize the water damage, and allows us to help you avoid additional loss to your property.

We want to ensure that our neighbors know that they can rely on us when they need us most. Our hope is to provide clarity in a time of chaos. When you see our green trucks pull up to your house, that means that help has arrived.

If you find yourself needing emergency service, call us any time: day or night, at 956-568-0266

What to Do After an Emergency

10/8/2020 (Permalink)

Air mover machine drying the wall Call the experts!

Emergencies are never planned. 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 North Laredo has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. 

What to Expect When You Call

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency to better assist you. 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)?
  • Any other questions pertaining to that particular situation

We are always here to help and we are trained to handle the disaster so you don't have to. 

Need Emergency Services? Give us a Call (956) 568-0266