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What to Know About Insurance and Disasters | SERVPRO® of McAllen

4/23/2024 (Permalink)

After a disaster hits, there’s a good chance you will be overwhelmed by a deluge of thoughts. The safety of your loved ones will likely be among your first thoughts immediately after something has blown through town, followed by how well your home made it through.

With so many pressing things to consider after a disaster, starting your insurance claim might be pretty far from your mind. While safety should always be your first priority, the faster you can get started on the actual recovery process, the faster you can get back to normal life.

Our team is ready to jump in and help you get on the road to recovery and everything that entails, day or night. We will take care of putting things back together so you can continue focusing on caring for everyone you love.

<h3fast-document-often">Start Fast, Document Often

One of the most important parts of every recovery is timing. The faster you can start the process, regardless of the kind of disaster, the easier things will be. Make sure to keep yourself safe, though. Stay out of floodwaters as much as possible, avoid power lines or large trees that have come down and steer clear of areas still hot after a fire.

If you are sheltering at home or have evacuated, wait for an all-clear before venturing out. Check in with loved ones and those around you first thing so that any emergency needs can be cared for. Once you have a good feel for the well-being of others, call our SERVPRO® office. We will take as much information as possible over the phone in order to put a team together that will meet your unique needs.

While you wait on our professionals, walk your property and take as many photos as possible. If you do clean anything up, turn water off or take any other action ahead of our employees arriving, make sure you document what it was. Snap a photo and write down what the issue was and how you fixed it. Documentation will make your insurance claims process much easier.

<h3it-to-our-team">Leave It to Our Team

When our team gets to your property, you can leave the rest of the process to them. The first priority will be securing your home from further damage and to keep the elements out while we work. While we take care of your roof and any broken windows, we will also help you start your insurance claim. All of our employees are trained not just to handle the physical aspects of a disaster, but also in meeting insurance expectations and standards for a fast and successful claims process.

We will add to your already-documented materials with an itemized list of your losses, as well as additional photographs and notes as we move through the recovery process. Our professionals know how to meet insurance inspections requirements, and we make it a goal to restore rather than replace as much of your personal property as possible. Whatever we can do to keep your costs down and the road to recovery smooth, we will do it.

With a single call, you can get your life back on track no matter what has happened. Our crew will start restoration fast, help with your insurance claim and make sure your home is exactly as it should be. We will have your recovery completed before you know it.

When a disaster strikes, call us to make your recovery process—insurance claims and all—simple.

Flood Prevention Can Be Basic | SERVPRO® of McAllen

4/1/2024 (Permalink)

When you think about how to do something well, you almost always have to go back to the basics. Teaching your kids how to do math is a prime (no pun intended) example of this—starting with the simple steps is the best way to learn a new skill with as few tears as possible.

Protecting your home from disasters can be simple, too. With some basic home maintenance, you can prepare your home for just about anything Mother Nature can throw at it.

Flooding is one of the top ways that homes across the nation are damaged every year, which makes it one of the natural disasters you want to ensure you are always prepared for.

Know Your Zone

Water damage can happen in a lot of ways, including plenty that don’t originate from outside. While manmade disasters like a leaking appliance can cause a major disruption in your home, they are often easier to control and recover from than something nature sends our way. With so much water around our community, we are all susceptible to coastal flooding, flash floods or just ponding water from our commonly heavy rains.

With such a high flood risk from storm surge during hurricane season, it is important to get to know where your home falls in the flood zone. You need to understand just how much risk you are facing in order to get the best idea of how much preparation you will need to do.

Along with understanding where you fall in the flood zones, you need to get to know your yard. Homes in low-lying areas may be susceptible to flooding with just a light rain. If you fall into this category, adding extra drainage to your yard can be extremely helpful in preventing ponding water that could seep into your home.

If your yard includes leaf-dropping trees, investing in gutter covers can be a great way to keep things flowing. You should also check your roof at least twice a year for any signs of aging or other damage, as well as after high-wind events. Get as familiar with the area your home is in in order to keep it as safe as possible.

Prepare to Prevent

Along with understanding how your home falls within the floodplains, there is some other action you can take around your home to be prepared for anything that comes our way. Take some time to keep your yard prepared so that water constantly moves away.

Your yard should have a gentle slope away from your house. After a rain, check for areas that are staying wet and muddy. You may need to add organic materials or even consider a rain garden in these spots to pull water down through the earth. You can also take your gutter downspouts underground if they are surface level. This will carry water immediately away and lowers the chances of damage to your gutter system during high winds.

To add a little extra protection inside your home, put checking window and door seals on your seasonal to-do list. Add caulking to any areas that are showing signs of aging, and add weather stripping to keep things tightly sealed against the elements. If you have hurricane shutters, close them long before the first storm can blow in to make sure they are in good shape.

If you have a basement, keep a close eye on corners and edges in order to catch cracks or loose seals. Make sure you have a sump pump in good working condition so water can be pumped out when coastal flooding starts moving inland.

When it comes to getting prepared for potential flood disasters, keep it simple. Add basic yard and home maintenance to your regular to-do list in order to ensure everything is in good shape. Protecting your home will be far easier than helping your kids finish their math homework.

Do you have water damage in your home? Contact us at SERVPRO® for fast recovery.

Preparing for Spring Storms | SERVPRO® of McAllen

4/1/2024 (Permalink)

The warm weather of spring has arrived, and we know for our Texas home that means that plenty of rain and severe storms can come right along with it. It isn’t uncommon to see thunderstorms, flash flooding and even the occasional early season tropical-style storm during the spring months.

As spring pushes toward summer, the weather can intensify and the official hurricane season starts. With potentially volatile weather headed our way, it is important to be prepared.

All the preparations in the world won’t matter if you don’t have a way to receive weather alerts. Staying informed is one of the most important things you can do in order to safely ride out anything Mother Nature brings.

The Power of the Internet

Your phone is likely never very far away from your hand, which makes it one of the best choices for staying connected to weather forecasts and alerts. There are Wireless Emergency Alerts that can be sent directly to your phone, but you should also consider signing up for another reliable weather app in order to have the most information possible.

When you are choosing an app, make sure you are sticking with a nationally recognized organization. Seek out your nearest news station, since many of them offer apps that will keep informed on a multitude of situations. Make sure you sign up for alerts from the city as well.

Keep an eye on local weather forecasts when an event is predicted so that you are not caught off-guard if an alert is issued. This can also help you decide on any upcoming travel plans you may have and keep you up to date on shelters and evacuation orders.

Non-Electronic Options

While our phones and other screens are great resources for staying well-informed, they also have batteries that will eventually run out. Make sure you have a way to continue receiving weather alerts and other news even if the power goes out long-term.

If there are weather sirens close enough to your home to hear, get to know the different sounds they make ahead of a storm coming in. Invest in an NOAA weather radio as well. These are portable, require no electricity and can give you accurate information through any kind of severe weather. Keep one handy even after a storm has moved through in case another system is close behind it.

Emergency alerts can save your life by getting you out of harm’s way, but that doesn’t mean your home won’t see some damage when storms get bad. If it does, call us day or night and start restoration immediately. We are local, which means we are ready to go the moment you need us.

Serious storms can cause serious property damage. Call SERVPRO® 24⁄7 for immediate restoration assistance.

Turn to SERVPRO After you Experience a Fire!

4/3/2023 (Permalink)

Fire Damage No Fire Damage loss is too big for SERVPRO of McAllen! Call us today is you are in need of our services. 956-631-0348

There are many ways that disasters can strike, and they will all leave behind a path of destruction. Fires are one of those disasters, though, that even when they are small can destroy everything in their path until they are put out.

Cleaning up after a fire disaster can be incredibly challenging, but with SERVPRO, you don’t have to go through it alone. From the moment you call us, we will walk with you through your entire recovery process.

Once the flames are gone, we will start right away and get your home back to as it should be.

Our Initial Move

Once your family is safe and secure after the fire, contact our team of experts to get the restoration process started.

The first thing we will do as we start the restoration process is gather as much information as possible over the phone. We want to start putting together a plan for your unique situation as quickly as possible so that when our team gets to your property we are prepared to handle everything.

On site, we will first inspect the entire property for every trace of damage. Fire damage can quickly spread beyond the rooms that had flames, and we want to ensure that we cover all the smoke, soot and other issues throughout your home or business.

Time to Get to Work

One of our first goals after assessment is to ensure that your home isn’t damaged further. We will secure your house, including boarding up windows that have broken or tarping damaged parts of the roof while we also dry out the water that was used to extinguish the flames.

Once your home is secured, we will use industry-leading equipment and techniques to begin removing smoke, soot and odors from every area that has been penetrated. We will clean walls, floors, ceilings and even your furniture. Once every surface has been cleaned, we will also sanitize and get things smelling like nothing happened.

The Most Crucial Step

The final part of the restoration process is when we really get down to restoring what once was. This can mean replacing drywall, laying new carpet or painting repaired rooms.

If your property required a portion being completely torn down, we will reconstruct it. There isn’t any part of the fire recovery process we can’t cover. As a locally owned and operated company, we are your neighbors. We will ensure that your home is in the best shape possible after any disaster.

For rapid repairs following a fire, get in touch with our team at SERVPRO of McAllen! We will work as quickly as possible to return you to a safe and fully restored property.

The benefits of Choosing SERVPRO of McAllen to handle your emergency

3/15/2023 (Permalink)

10 Years in the Cleaning & Restoration Industry With the knowledge, certificates, and highly advanced and dependable equipment, SERVPRO of McAllen can get your property back to preloss conditions!

Water losses can happen when you least expect it! Which is why we offer 24 hour emergency services. Our team of professionals are on call, ready to assist you no matter the time or day. We know that any type of loss can be stressful. Which is why SERVPRO of McAllen takes the immediate action, and works with your home insurance and handles the process and paperwork so that you can rest easy. SERVPRO uses top of the line equipment that is able to handle large losses in commercial and residential properties. Every technician that is dispatched to your loss has the knowledge and training to be able to handle the situation correctly and in a timely manner. Our Technicians, as well as our office administrators are IICRC certified professionals. SERVPRO of McAllen cares about being able to help our community when they need us the most. If you see yourself in need of our services in the future, remember green is the way to go! 

The Ways Storms Create Damage

11/2/2022 (Permalink)

The Ways Storms Create Damage The Ways Storms Create Damage | SERVPRO® of McAllen

Severe storms can ruin anyone’s night. When you own a home, not only do you worry about the safety of your loved ones, you also wonder how your property will fare.

Most modern homes are built to withstand a good deal these days, but sometimes a wild storm will still leave behind a wake of destruction when it blows through.

Thunderstorms can bring heavy winds, lightning and hail, snowstorms can carry freezing rains, and flash floods can happen year-round. No matter the season, there is always the potential for your property to end up damaged and the structure of your home to be threatened.

While sometimes what happens in a severe weather event comes down to just plain old luck, there are a few factors to consider when looking at your risks. The type of storm moving in, the general geography of your location, the landscaping around your house and even the construction materials your home is built with will all play a role in the damages you may receive.

Our Texas weather may be a nice treat to anyone who doesn’t like the cold, but living in this area comes with the threat of strong thunderstorms, hurricane activity and tornadoes. While we all know extra prep is required in order to ride out hurricane season safely, we should be ready for severe weather throughout the year in order to best protect ourselves and our property.

When storms do roll in, if your home is damaged, be sure that a professional has declared it safe to live in. You may not think the damage you can see is that drastic, but structural damage is not always immediately visible. Always heed evacuation orders and wait to return home until you know you can safely get there.

And learn as much as you can about common types of storm damage so that you know what to do to prepare for them:

Wind

Wind becomes destructive when it reaches top speeds. Tornadoes and hurricanes will always have a threat of strong winds even for those not in the immediate path, but even a thunderstorm can blow damaging gusts of up to 100 mph.

When winds reach those kinds of speeds, they can blow small objects into vehicles and buildings. If you are sheltering at home during a storm with high winds, make sure you stay in an interior room away from walls that can be pierced or windows that can be broken by flying objects.

You can take preventive action before a storm arrives to protect your home. Clear your property of any loose limbs, rocks or other small items that could become projectiles. Remove trees if they are dying before they can be knocked over. If you have furniture outside, tether it down so it stays put during a storm.

Water

Water damage is something we are very familiar with here, but it is also extremely common just about everywhere in the United States. Even a typical thunderstorm blowing through can dump enormous amounts of rain that can saturate soil and lead to water seeping in through doors or window seals.

If the ground takes on enough water or a flooding situation occurs, it can seep through your foundation and create structural damage from underneath your home.

With specific landscaping, you can help limit the amount of damage water can cause to your property. Create slopes that allow water to flow away from your home, and consider adding a rain garden. These are not only beautiful but are also highly effective at absorbing water before it can reach your home.

Your gutters are another important part of mitigating water damage to your property. Keep them cleaned and maintained to avoid water pooling on your roof, which can lead to leaks that damage your home from the top down.

Impact

“Impact damage” occurs when an object crashes into another object during a storm. This kind of damage can be catastrophic to your home as it typically involves fallen trees or wind blown debris. Impact damage can be caused by anything that can be picked up in the wind and makes an impact with your house or property.

This kind of damage can be avoided by trimming your trees, removing unhealthy trees from your property and limiting debris around your home.

In 2021, severe weather led to more that $145 billion in damages all around the United States. When you prepare your property, you can lower your overall risk factor, which will keep your home safe and save you money.

If your home is damaged in a storm, call SERVPRO of East Brownsville & South Padre Island. Our professionals are available 24⁄7 with the experience and equipment to get your restoration started and completed faster. Call us with any disaster you face, any time.

When you suffer storm-related damage to your home or business, it’s important that you know who to call! Contact us today to get your storm damage restoration started faster.

Decorating Basics for Fire Safety

11/2/2022 (Permalink)

Decorating Basics for Fire Safety Decorating Basics for Fire Safety | SERVPRO® of McAllen

Isn’t this a beautiful picture: twinkling lights, sweet smells of warm pies and gentle music playing everywhere you go? This time of year there is always something to do around here, including the evening parade, catching a concert or walking through the Christmas village at the park.

The holiday season can be pure magic, but it also can be a dangerous time for home fires.

Carefully decorate this season and take action to protect your home. Enjoy the wonder and awe of the season when you have taken the time to be fire-safe for both your loved ones and your community!

Top Seasonal Hazards

On average, fire departments respond to 790 fires that start due to decorations.

Often, decorations that are placed too close to a heating source like a space heater or fireplace are to blame for blazes. Candles and decorative trees are another leading cause of fires that can leave your home with extensive damages.

If you keep a live tree in your home, water it often so it doesn’t dry out and clean up loose needles that fall around it. If an artificial tree better fits your home, ensure it has a fire-resistant tag.

If it is several years old, consider replacing it to meet the highest safety standards. Don’t plug excessive items into your outlets and turn your decorations off when you go to bed.

Take Preventive Measures

You know that story that has the great line “The stockings were hung by the chimney with care? Say that over and over again while you hang decorations around your home and take care to avoid placing items close to an open flame.

Every day, there are an average of 20 home fires that start due to a candle. Blow them out when you leave the room, and burn them safely away from everything. If you have a fireplace, get it inspected and cleaned early in the season before you light it for the first time.

Any decorations for outside should be rated appropriately to be safely used in all kinds of weather. String lights need to be hung well with insulated nails so they do not fall and increase your risk of brush fires. Check local guidelines in your area for fire restrictions that may dictate outdoor safety rules, and be sure to heed them to protect your community.

Check your smoke detector’s batteries while you decorate, and be sure you have several working ones throughout your home. Talk about your emergency fire plan with everyone who may be staying with you for the season, and make note of SERVPRO’s number so you can make a quick call if your home is damaged during a fire.

Have smoke or fire damage in your house? Contact us today to get cleaned up fast.

Flood Prevention Inside the Home and Out

11/2/2022 (Permalink)

Flood Prevention Inside the Home and Out Flood Prevention Inside the Home and Out | SERVPRO® of McAllen

Protecting your home from flooding is important for everyone, all around the nation. Just an inch of water can mean substantial damage and can cost you a huge amount of money for repairs.

If your neighborhood isn’t one at risk for frequent floods, you may not qualify for financial assistance with your insurance or with federal sources. Therefore, any preventative measures you can take are essential.

We have seen year after year the challenges that flooding poses being so close to the Gulf. Our corner of Texas has experienced river flooding, coastal flooding and storm surges that have taken out entire neighborhoods. Take the time to check on your home’s risk factors and learn as much as you can about the risks our region faces.

Protecting Your Home From the Outside

Sometimes flooding can’t be predicted, and an unexpected rain will leave yards and gutters drenched. Get your home ready from the outside in and lower the risk of damages to save on repairs.

Clean out your gutters to keep them clear of debris, sticks and leaves so water can flow away from your property. Extended downspouts are also an effective and inexpensive addition that will keep water moving in the right direction.

Organic materials like mulch can aid in protection when added near your home in a downward slope. Water will roll away from your foundation, and puddles will be avoided.

Landscaping can also be a great preventive tool and ensure that water doesn’t gather and enter into your home. Gardens are highly absorbent when heavy rains roll through. Water is pulled down into soil and roots rather than soaking your lawn and creating puddles.

There are a few upgrades to your home you could invest in for protection in all kinds of weather. Newer homes on the Island or near the coastline may already include raised electric and anchored fuel tanks, but if you are in an older home or farther away from water, adding these can offer protection when flooding occurs.

While these can cost a bit, something as simple as adding a rain barrel that collects water directly from your gutters is a cost effective way to keep water from ponding or puddling. It is also a great way to water the plants you added to your yard!

Flood Protection From the Inside

A firm foundation and well-sealed basement are the best forms of protection for your home when it comes to external sources of flooding.

If your foundation is cracked, seal it. Install a sump pump in your basement or bottom floor that will pump any water out that comes in, and if your area is high-risk, spring for a battery-operated pump that will continue working even when the power goes out.

When a flood doesn’t come from outside, you can protect your house with easy home maintenance.

Pipes are one of the most common sources of water disasters in the home. Take care of pipes that have aged and be sure to stop leaks in order to prevent failures. Include checking your plumbing as a normal part of your house-cleaning routine in order to catch issues early.

Adding a sensor that detects leaks can also be a way to mitigate damages from water. Some security systems offer this add-on, so if you have been considering updating or adding a new system to your home, go for the upgrade. It will offer you a lot of peace of mind knowing that if water is flowing when it shouldn’t be, you can stop it fast.

Any kind of floodwater will damage paper goods and photographs right away when it takes over your home. Keep items that cannot be replaced stored up high or in a waterproof container. Your emergency contacts should also be stored somewhere safe—and should include SERVPRO. We have 24⁄7 availability and the experience to get your recovery started fast.

Experienced water damage in your home? Call SERVPRO today to get your restoration completed faster.

Choose SERVPRO for Your Restoration

11/2/2022 (Permalink)

Choose SERVPRO for Your Restoration Choose SERVPRO for Your Restoration | SERVPRO® of McAllen

We are small business owners like so many of you, and we understand how difficult the day to day of running a company can be. Working on a never ending to-do list while you try to make your business successful is stressful enough, so the last thing you want to handle is a disruptive natural disaster.

You may not be able to prevent a disaster, and sometimes they can’t even be predicted, but you can prepare yourself for one. And we know that disasters don’t just strike businesses, so that means being prepared at home as well.

In order to get yourself ready, you should start by creating an emergency plan.

The American Red Cross has a great website that can help you get a wide range of knowledge on a multitude of natural disasters that happen across the Nation.

Once you have a good overview of events that are possible, seek out more location specific information for the most common natural disasters that happen here in Texas. The Texas division of emergency management is a great place to visit for statewide information, and Cameron County’s website will have localized information that will be helpful before, during and after a disaster.

Whether damage strikes your home or your business, the faster you are able to respond, the less severe your losses will be. That is why you want SERVPRO as your choice of restoration professionals.

Why Choose SERVPRO?

We know every disaster is different. Natural disasters that result in the need for restoration are common across the United States, but every situation is different.

Flooding is a great example of a widespread event that creates a range of damage. Each year, 14 million homes are at risk of flooding, but each house that takes on water will need a different restoration plan.

Our experts are trained for every situation, large and small. We create a response plan that fits the needs of each project in order to dry everything out.

We have availability 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The most important part of any damage restoration project is timing. The faster the response, the more of your property that can be saved.

When water enters a home, the damage to soft furniture, fabrics and painted surfaces is immediate. When water is left to sit, mold and mildew will begin to form which could eventually affect the structure of your home. That is why you can call SERVPRO 24⁄7 to get things started quickly.

We cover your entire recovery. We don’t just restore the immediate damage left behind in the wake of a disaster, we take over your entire project.

That means we will talk with your insurance agent and help with claims, pack your belongings and even tarp your roof if you need it. We want to offer every bit of assistance you need and make your restoration as painless and easy as possible.

Regardless of the kind of disaster you experience, SERVPRO of McAllen has you covered. We have years of experience and training, along with industry leading equipment, to get your property cleaned up faster. You will be back in your home and back to your life before you even know it.

When you suffer damage to your home or business, it’s important that you know who to call! Contact us today to get restoration started faster.

Can your business survive a natural disaster?

8/24/2022 (Permalink)

ready to work team of technicians with vehicle company in mcallen water restoration Have Questions? Call Us 24/7 at – (956) 631-0348

Many don't. More than 30 percent of businesses never reopen their doors after they've been closed down by a hurricane, tornado, flood, or other devastating calamity.

A disaster recovery plan and adequate insurance are keys to getting back to business. Your insurance plan should consider: natural disaster.

Understand your policy and deductibles and limits.

  • Speak with your insurance agent or company representative to make sure you know what kind of coverage you have.
  • Have sufficient coverage to pay for the indirect costs of the disaster. Coverage should include the disruption to your business, as well as the costs of rebuilding.
  • Evaluate your property insurance policy.

Consider flood or earthquake insurance.

  • Typical property insurance policies exclude coverage for flood or earthquake damage. If you're located in a flood zone, you'll probably have to buy a separate policy from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Protect yourself against business interruption.

  • Business interruption insurance covers the profits a business would have earned, based on its own records, had the disaster not occurred. It also pays for the operating expenses that continue, such as payroll, even though the business activities come to a temporary halt.

Include extra expense insurance.

  • Extra expense insurance reimburses you for what you spend, over and above your normal operating expenses, to avoid having to shut down during the restoration period.

Leave no gaps in your insurance.

  • Insurance policies should include property, business interruption, and extra expense insurance. Even if your basic policy covers expenses and loss of net business income, it may not cover income interruptions due to damage that occurs away from your premises, such as to your key customer or supplier or to your utility company.

In the event, you do suffer from a catastrophic event and you don’t know who to hire for the clean-up and restoration count on the team of certified professionals who work 24/7 at SERVPRO of McAllen to help you with your claim.