Fire damage is also water damage

3/22/2023 (Permalink)

There's a lot that has to happen to restore your property. That's why we're here to help

This may come as a surprise to you, but fire damage may not be your biggest concern when a fire strikes your home. In order to put the fire out, your local fire company uses a lot of water. While this sounds like a great idea at the time, all that water can cause damage to areas of your home not affected by the fire directly. This is why it’s important to examine all areas of your home after a fire for damage, even those places where the fire didn’t reach.

Unexpected Water Damage

The amount of water a fire department uses to put out your house fire can easily exceed one thousand gallons. That’s a lot of water for the structure of your house and your belongings to absorb in a short amount of time. In addition, if the fire is hot enough, some of that water gets converted to steam, which can penetrate areas the liquid water may not be able to reach. This is why your home can suffer significant water damage in addition to fire damage when a fire occurs.

Damage From Fire Hoses

Firefighters have one goal when they arrive at your house fire: to put out the fire as quickly as possible. To do this, they use powerful hoses to deliver the water into your home. While a fire hose is an efficient way to deliver a huge amount of water to a confined area in a short period of time, they can also cause damage to your home when dragged through rooms.

Fire damage isn’t the only problem you deal with after a fire. Unfortunately, you may discover that smoke and water damage are also serious problems that need resolving in the fire’s aftermath.

That's why we're here to help.

What to do when fire damage happens

3/21/2023 (Permalink)

Call the trusted experts at SERVPRO of Wichita Falls

What To Do After A Fire

• Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets.
• Keep hands clean so as not to further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork.
• Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas.
• If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator and prop doors open.
• Clean and protect chrome with light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.
• Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves.
• Change HVAC filter.
• Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers.

What NOT To Do After A Fire

• Don't attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces or shampoo carpet or upholstery without contacting your local SERVPRO.
• Don't attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, heat or water without consulting an authorized repair service.
• Don't use any canned or packaged food or beverages that may have been stored near the fire, heat or water.
• Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet. The wiring may be damaged.
• Don't send garments to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set smoke odor.

When fire damage happens, call the trusted cleanup and restoration experts at SERVPRO of Wichita Falls. We’re here to help.

Why you can trust SERVPRO after a fire

3/20/2023 (Permalink)

Insurance companies, adjusters and agents trust SERVPRO

A fire can break out at any time, and our SERVPRO of Wichita Falls' Customer Care Center is ready to take your call, day or night. Contact us -24/7 for fire cleanup, smoke damage, and fire damage restoration.

Our fire damage restoration professionals have the expertise and equipment needed to get the job done to your satisfaction as quickly as possible.

Our team of experts will help you navigate the insurance claims process and coordinate the necessary paperwork for a quicker, easier experience.

And since many national and local Insurance companies trust in our 50+ years of experience in cleanup and restoration, this helps the claim process go even easier for you.

Your SERVPRO of Wichita Falls team is a trusted leader in the fire damage restoration industry.

And we're here to help make fire damage "Like it never even happened."

We're your neighbors, and we're here to help

3/18/2023 (Permalink)

We are the trusted name in cleanup and restoration

Why choose SERVPRO of Wichita Falls when damage happens?

Because we live here. We're a part of our community. And we care about our friends and neighbors.

You've heard it said that bad things happen to good people. We agree.

Fires happen. Pipes burst. Storms pop up, bringing excessive winds and water.

And while you try to prepare your family and your business for every emergency, sometimes damage happens without warning.

That's why we're here to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Our team of cleanup and restoration experts have the training and equipment to properly care for your property.

Whether it's fire, water, storm, or biohazard damages, our team is ready to help whenever you call.

So when damage happens, call the name you know and the brand you trust. Call SERVPRO of Wichita Falls at 940-263-1550.

Easter is a time for celebration, not fires

3/17/2023 (Permalink)

We are the experts in cleanup and restoration (and keeping ranch gates closed)

Easter is a time to celebrate new beginnings.

It can also be a time of disaster. And I don't mean Aunt Lulu's peep pie!

Our customer called SERVPRO of Wichita Falls after a kitchen fire just two weeks after Easter. Grease in a pan had got too hot, flared up, burned numerous items on the stove top, and left soot throughout the house.

SERVPRO of Wichita Falls immediately responded, knowing fire and smoke damage goes beyond the physical fire itself.

There will likely be soot covering walls and ceilings, smoke and soot clinging to the interior surfaces of duct work, and water damage to most surfaces due to firefighting efforts.

We inspected the home and confirmed the majority of damage was in the kitchen. We did a pack out of the kitchen contents for restoration purposes, removed the items needing replacement, and cleaned all surfaces.

Our teams worked to ensure that each surface in each room was cleaned and deodorized.

When the job was finished, Martha thanked SERVPRO for being there so quickly, taking care of her property, keeping the ranch gates closed, and helping her get her life back. 

Her certificate of satisfaction comment sums it up better than we could:

"The team was super sweet, watching for the animals, and left nothing unturned."

You can't always see water damage

3/16/2023 (Permalink)

Water can wick up into walls, causing additional damages

This customer thought the only water damage from her HVAC and hot water closet was in the garage.

But our SERVPRO of Wichita Falls professionals found water on adjacent walls!

While inspecting the damage, our technicians are trained to check surfaces surrounding the immediate location.

We found water had traveled under the walls in both the laundry room and kitchen.

SERVPRO of Wichita Falls professionals specialize in water damage restoration, the cornerstone of our business. We have extensive water damage restoration training with an emphasis on monitoring and documenting the drying process until completion.

SERVPRO of Wichita Falls teams are dedicated to responding immediately to water emergencies. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces cost.

If you have water damage, call and let our team of specialists inspect and protect your home or business.

Our water restoration process

3/15/2023 (Permalink)

Call the pack out, move out, cleaning and restoration experts at SERVPRO of Wichita Falls

SERVPRO of Wichita Falls specializes in restoring contents damaged by storms and other water damage events. Our expertise and our “restore” versus “replace” mentality can help you save money while preserving precious keepsakes that can’t be replaced.

Move outs and pack outs: If your home requires extensive restoration or cleaning, SERVPRO of Wichita Falls can conduct an organized, efficient move-out of the affected area.

A move-out will provide several benefits, including:

•  A quicker remodeling process
•  Protecting items from potential damage
•  Protecting contents from further on-site damage

When restoration is completed, we will work with you to coordinate the move-in according to your needs. The services offered upon move-in may depend on your insurance coverage.

Have questions? Call SERVPRO of Wichita Falls today at 940-263-1550.

Home water damage: what to do first

3/14/2023 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Wichita Falls. We're here to help.

After any home emergency, the safety of your family is most important. In the case of water damage, the actions below are some things you can do while waiting for assistance. However, it’s best to do only those things you know you can do safely.

Once we arrive, we’ll help you assess the situation further and take action to prevent additional damage to your property.

• Shut off the water source if possible
• Turn off circuit breakers for wet areas if panel is accessible and it's safe to do so
• Remove as much water as possible by mopping or using a shopvac 
• Don't use your household vacuum to remove water. This could cause electrical shock or damage to the vacuum cleaner

When water damage happens, call the team that's here to help 24/7/365.

Call the trusted cleanup and restoration experts at SERVPRO of Wichita Falls.

Why choose SERVPRO for water damage?

3/13/2023 (Permalink)

We are the #1 recommended cleanup and restoration service company

The cleanup and restoration begins with a phone call. When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of damage.

A water damage event can be traumatic and when you call, we understand you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. Our specialist will lead you through a series of questions to better understand your needs.

SERVPRO^® specializes in water damage—in fact, SERVPRO is the premier water damage restoration company in the U.S.

We have more than 50 years of experience in the cleanup and restoration industry. Our professionals care about you and your property and want to help you get back to normal after you have water damage to your home.

Water damage in your home?

3/12/2023 (Permalink)

There's a PRO for that.

A storm, flood, or plumbing problem can leave your home with extensive water damage. Immediate water removal is necessary to mitigate the damage. SERVPRO of Wichita Falls professionals specialize in water removal and water damage cleanup, then providing water damage restoration to your residence.

Our customer-focused professionals will asses the residential water damage to your property. Then, we’ll help you understand the severity of the property damage so you’re able to make the best decisions for the restoration of your home.

Our top-notch people use the most advanced equipment to detect hidden moisture and perform water extraction of any standing water.

We have more than 50 years of experience in repair and property restoration so you can trust us to help you develop a restoration plan to help ensure your home is clean, dry, and restored to its pre-damaged condition.