Austin, Texas Restoration After the Storm: Drying Structures After a Flood

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When the waters recede after a flood, the daunting task of restoring homes and buildings begins. Floodwater not only damages belongings but also seeps into the very foundation of structures, leading to potential long-term issues like mold growth and structural instability. Drying out a structure after a flood is a meticulous and critical process, requiring a combination of prompt action, specialized equipment, and careful planning. In this article, we will explore the comprehensive approach to drying structures after a flood, emphasizing the significance of thoroughness, efficiency, and safety in the restoration process.

1. Safety First: Before embarking on any restoration efforts, it’s crucial to ensure the safety of everyone involved. Floodwater can be contaminated with various pollutants, including sewage, chemicals, and debris. Thus, wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, masks, and boots is essential. Additionally, be cautious of electrical hazards; if there’s a risk of electrical issues, turn off the power supply to the affected area to prevent accidents.

2. Assessing the Damage: A thorough assessment of the damage is the first step in creating an effective drying plan. Identify the extent of water intrusion, determining which areas are affected, and to what degree. This assessment guides the restoration process, allowing you to prioritize areas that need immediate attention and plan for the necessary equipment and manpower.

3. Water Removal: Before drying can begin, all standing water must be removed from the structure. High-powered pumps and vacuums are typically used to extract water efficiently. The sooner water is removed, the less time it has to seep into building materials, mitigating further damage and potential mold growth.

4. Drying Equipment: Specialized drying equipment is employed to expedite the drying process effectively. Industrial-strength dehumidifiers, air movers, and heaters are strategically placed to facilitate optimal drying. Dehumidifiers remove excess moisture from the air, while air movers increase airflow, accelerating evaporation. Proper placement and configuration of this equipment are critical; professionals often use moisture meters to monitor moisture levels and ensure that the drying process is thorough and even.

5. Structural Drying: Floodwater often infiltrates walls, floors, and ceilings, saturating materials like drywall, insulation, and wooden structures. Structural drying is a meticulous process that involves removing water from these materials. Professionals may need to drill holes, remove baseboards, or make other strategic openings to access enclosed spaces. This allows for the efficient circulation of dry, warm air, ensuring that even hard-to-reach areas are thoroughly dried to prevent mold growth and structural weakening.

6. Humidity Control: Humidity control is essential during the drying process. High humidity levels can hinder evaporation and encourage mold growth. Dehumidifiers play a significant role in maintaining optimal humidity levels, ensuring that the affected area is not just visibly dry but also thoroughly free of excess moisture. Monitoring humidity levels throughout the drying process is crucial to achieving effective results.

7. Mold Prevention: Mold is a significant concern after a flood. It can start growing within 24 to 48 hours in the right conditions. Proper and prompt drying is the most effective way to prevent mold growth. Additionally, professionals may use antimicrobial treatments to inhibit mold and bacteria growth in affected areas. Thorough drying, combined with mold prevention measures, ensures a safe and healthy environment after the restoration process.

8. Monitoring and Documentation: Monitoring the drying process is essential to ensure that every part of the structure is adequately dried. Professionals use moisture meters and other specialized tools to assess moisture levels in various materials. Additionally, maintaining a detailed record of the drying process, including photographs, measurements, and moisture readings, is crucial. This documentation serves as essential evidence for insurance claims and provides a clear picture of the restoration efforts undertaken.

9. Restoration and Repairs: Once the structure is thoroughly dried, the focus shifts to restoration and repairs. This stage involves replacing damaged building materials, repairing structural components, and restoring the affected area to its pre-flood condition. Attention to detail is vital to ensure that the structure is not just functional but also aesthetically pleasing. Proper insulation, drywall installation, and finishing are crucial to the long-term integrity of the restored structure.

10. Preventing Future Flood Damage: After the restoration is complete, it’s essential to take proactive measures to prevent future flood damage. This can include elevating electrical systems and appliances, installing backflow valves, reinforcing foundation walls, and landscaping to direct water away from the structure. These preventive measures help minimize the risk of future flooding and ensure the long-term safety and stability of the structure.

Conclusion: Drying out a structure after a flood is a meticulous, multi-faceted process that requires expertise, specialized equipment, and careful planning. Prompt action, thorough assessment, efficient water removal, strategic drying, and vigilant monitoring are all essential components of a successful restoration effort. By prioritizing safety, employing professional expertise, and following a comprehensive approach, individuals can not only restore their properties but also safeguard them against future flood-related challenges. In the face of adversity, a meticulous and strategic restoration process ensures that homes and buildings rise, resilient and stronger, after the storm has passed.

Signs Of Hardwood Floor Water Damage And How To Fix Them

Austin, Texas Water damage restoration

Here at The Steam Team of Austin, we pride ourselves on our technician’s excellent knowledge of water damage hardwood flooring, and how to fix them. If you think your hardwood floor may have been water damaged, you’ll want to keep reading to find out what you can do about it. If you’re not sure, but you’ve owned hardwood flooring for a few years, here are some signs to look out for. Austin water damage professionals.

Water Damage Floors Buckling Marks and Scratches

Most wooden floors have a sealant designed to help protect the hard wood itself from water damage. When something scratches deep enough or water to penetrate the seal, the boards are exposed and will warp. Pay attention to the water on your floor, and if any of it penetrate the seal, it’s time to call in The Steam Team of Austin to extract, dry out and refinish your floor.

Austin Water Damage

Austin water damage is extremely common in hardwood floors, and may be happening without you even realizing it. Water damage under the floorboards can occur for a number of different reasons, but will usually result in dark spots appearing on the floor and separation or cupping of the boards. When you see this, it’s time to have your floor refinished and possibly have some of the boards replaced.

Pay close attention to the color of your floor as well. If you notice that your boards have turned gray, it might be a result of the polyurethane wearing off, leaving your boards more susceptible from water damage due to spills or regular cleaning. When you see this, have your hardwood sanded and refinished soon, before the boards turn black. Once they’ve turned black, they’ll need to be replaced entirely. Call Austin water damage restoration emergency service at 512-451-8326 now.

Similarly, If you have a hardwood floor outdoors, keep an eye on the color. If it fades in color it may be damaged from the sun. Sanding and refinishing will take care of this as well.

How Austin Water Damage Help

We hope that the information provided will help you keep your hardwood floors in great condition for years to come. For more information on the many services we offer, visit The Steam Team website.

Water and Fire Restoration Services: Available 24 Hours a Day

Professional Water Damage Restoration in Austin, Texas. Serving Austin since 1983! www.thesteamteam.com

Accidents involving fire or floods in the U.S. are more common than some might think. In 2015, over one million homes were damaged by house fires in the United States according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Worse yet, 14,000 people experience water damage in their homes every day in the United States -- that adds up to over five million every year! Because these things occur so often, The Steam Team offers 24 hour water and fire damage restoration services, and we’re here to tell you how it works.

Steam Team Care

Here at The Steam Team, we have always sought to provide the highest quality service that we can, doing our best to ensure that all of our amazing Austin residents have a positive experience with our technicians and are satisfied at the conclusion of every job. Our care and love for our Austin community is also why we decided to offer fire and water damage restoration and cleanup 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Whether it’s a sink overflow, burst water main, flooding caused by a storm or extensive damage caused by a fire, we’ll be ready to pick up your call at any day or time.

Our Process of Restoration

The backbone of our water and fire damage restoration services are our professional and highly trained technicians. They will always be helpful and highly professional, from the moment that they show up to inspect your damaged property, until the moment they shake your hand and leave you with your newly restored and cleaned one. They’ll be able to help in a number of ways from water extraction, mold remediation, structure cleaning, providing emergency power and even full reconstruction of some parts of the property. Our technicians are the reason we were voted best water damage company in Austin by the Austin Monthly. So if you have been affected by water or fire damage, call The Steam Team today, we’re ready any time!

Mold Remediation from The Steam Team

Mold is one of the most serious health risks faced by homeowners in today’s world. All it takes is one small, damp area left unchecked and without light for a couple days and mold can begin to grow and start causing health problems for anyone around. That’s why we’re here! We want to inform you on mold and how we can help eliminate it from your home or business.

What’s So Bad About Mold?

The negative health effects of mold can be very different depending on the person. In environments with mold, many people experience nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, throat irritation, skin irritation and cough. People who have specific allergies to mold can experience much more severe symptoms. Those with pre-existing lung conditions can develop serious infections from being in an environment with mold- so, with all of this in mind, it’s clear to see that mold should be eliminated from any property as soon as it’s discovered.

Our Mold Remediation Process

When you give a call to The Steam Team and inform us of your problem, we’ll send in our professional mold remediation team with all of the equipment necessary to deal with the problem. To begin the remediation process, our technicians will fully examine the damage and determine the best course of action. Then they’ll extract any water and fully dry the area before containing the affected area to prevent the mold from spreading. Our technicians will then dispose of all affected materials and complete a full evaluation and treatment of your AC and HVAC systems. Then they’ll move on to mold disinfectant and finally, mold damage repair and restoration. By the time they’re finished, no mold or sign that there ever was mold will be anywhere on the property.

The Steam Team Difference

You can’t get the same level of service from just any company. The Steam Team offers a 24 hour response, 7 days a week for mold remediation and water damage restoration. (We also offer many more services!) For more information, visit The Steam Team website.

Protecting Your Flooring From Water Damage: Before & After

Whether the damage stems from a flash flood or a faulty dishwasher, excess water can wreak havoc on our homes and valuables. Especially with all of the storms and rain the great state of Texas has encountered in the past couple of months, it’s always been important (and more so now, than ever) to be prepared for water damage.

Before:

If you know there’s a storm coming and you’re in danger of flooding, there are several things you can do to prepare and stay safe before you’re faced with the water.

Disconnect Electronics

Your first move should be to disconnect anything electronic- water and electricity should never mix!

Move Belongings

If there are any belongings or furniture that might be affected by the water, it’s always a good idea to move them to higher ground or a space where the water is less likely to get to them.

After:

Turn Off Electricity

If you notice any standing water, turn off the main power source, and contact an electrician! It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Dry Out the Affected Area

Everything must be dried thoroughly in order to prevent the growth and spread of mold (all it takes is twenty four hours in a dim, damp environment).

Dry out everything (carpet, upholstery, laundry, bedding, etc) to the best of your ability (and remember- The Steam Team has all of the proper training and equipment to handle any situation, no matter how daunting!)

Calling in the Professionals

Lastly (and most important), call your local steam cleaning company! A professional knows exactly what to look for, and will effectively clean, disinfect, and dry without missing a single spot! Contact us immediately after detecting water damage inside your home. The Steam Team comes in and assess the damages, make repairs, and finally- returns your home to its beautiful condition.

Are You Suffering From Flood Damage?

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With the heavy, heavy rains our city has experienced over the last few months and the devastating weather that surrounding areas have experienced, it’s extremely important that homeowners know what they should and should not do after a flood.

Do: Contact Your Insurance Company

First things first: contact your insurance company to figure out exactly what they cover. Remember to be straightforward about the incident so that there isn’t any confusion down the line. Then, call us! The Steam Team will immediately come out and help you through the cleanup and water extraction process.

Don’t: Try to Clean Up Immediately

We know how tempting it can be to get back in your home and try to clean up the entire mess, but it can be dangerous and even detrimental to your health. Before you start to dive in and clean up, talk to your insurance company and a professional restoration company first.

Do: Keep An Eye Out for Mold Spores

To protect  yourself against mold spores, be sure to purchase masks from your local pharmacy or department store. Wear them as you begin the process of cleaning up. If you spot any items that have already been affected by mold spores, take them outside immediately. This is where you’ll need to clean them, to prevent the mold from spreading indoors.

Don’t: Feel Overwhelmed

It takes time. Extracting the water alone is time consuming and a very careful process. If too much water is pumped out too quickly, you risk causing your walls to collapse from the pressure. To keep this from happening, only two to three feet of water are pumped out at a time. So remember to be patient, and let the professionals do what they do best.

We’re always here to help, no matter the time of day. Give us a call if you’re in need of water damage restoration, or even just a routine steam cleaning for your furniture!

How to Get Rid of Dirty Carpets

Water Damage Georgetown, Texas

Ah, carpet flooring… it’s comfortable, cozy, and cushiony. It can be made in a multitude of different colors, textures, and designs. We can match it perfectly with our furniture. Carpet adds warmth to a bedroom or living room, and provides a cushioned landing for small children at play. But proper cleaning and maintenance keeps a homeowner quite busy! Carpet can potentially stain very easily, and requires regular attention.

Routine Cleaning & Stain Prevention

Dust, dirt, and pet hair build up at a surprisingly rapid rate. This makes frequent vacuuming imperative to maintaining carpet flooring, and even lengthening its lifespan. Hopefully your vacuum cleaner has extra attachments for reaching areas like corners, baseboards, or even between couch cushions!

When it comes to areas of your home with higher traffic, you may consider asking your house members and guests to remove their shoes near the front door. The soles of our shoes can track in anything from sand, to mud, grass, or small pebbles… All of which are things we could find in our carpet at a later date!

There is much debate surrounding the “best,” method of removing stains in carpet. When using a cleaning solution, be sure that the product you’ve chosen is designed to be used on carpet, and check to find out whether or not it should be diluted.

Is it Time to Deep Clean Your Carpet Cleaning Round Rock, TX?

Over time, our carpet takes enough beating to warrant an occasional deep cleaning, and this is best done by a professional steam cleaning company! Steam cleaning uses intense water pressure and high temperatures to eradicate dirt, debris, and stains from just about any type of flooring. Water Damage Round Rock, TX

Companies such as The Steam Team will definitely have the perfect tools for this project:  professional grade equipment, solid expertise, and dependable customer service. Don’t hesitate to give The Steam Team a call today for efficient stain removal and carpet cleaning!

Commercial Cleaning: Keeping Your Restrooms Clean

Commercial Cleaning The Steam Team

Restrooms can sometimes be a harsh reality. In order to continuously keep commercial restrooms clean and sanitary, it’s likely that you’ll have to implement systems or bring in outside help.

Bringing in Outside Help

Deep Cleaning

One of the most common complaints with cleaning high-traffic restrooms is keeping the tile and grout clean. In some cases, this could on the floor, backsplash, or even countertops. Grout can be especially difficult to clean around moisture, but steam cleaning will undoubtedly do the trick.

Targeting Trouble Areas

Of course the tile and grout aren’t the only areas that need attention around the bathroom - especially with how damage-prone the environment already is (from the constant waterflow). Cleaning around the bathroom becomes much more efficient when you target the sinks, floors, counters, toilets, trash cans, etc.

Additionally, if you take preventive measures to keep these target areas from collecting grime, you’ll find that a deep clean can turn a sort-of clean restroom into a room that looks brand-spanking-new!

Cover Every Surface

Last, but certainly not least, don’t leave any surface behind! When you make sure to touch every surface before leaving the restroom, you’re guaranteed a spotless environment.

Now, remember when we talked about bringing in outside help? That’s really the secret to ensuring that your commercial restrooms are continuously spotless. It’s not as daunting as you may think - in fact, it’ll take a huge stress off of your shoulders!

Are you looking for a commercial cleaning company? We’d love to take a look at your office! Give us a call, here at The Steam Team, today.

3 Tips for Keeping Your Office Clean

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We all have that one coworker who never seems to clean up after themselves. Their desk is covered in misplaced papers and half-finished projects, and after lunch hour, “their spot,” at the break room table is the grossest out of everyone’s. The cleaning crew comes each night, but during your shift, it can really become unsightly! Here are a few tips for keeping your office cleaner this quarter.

1. Routinely Clean Desks, Workstations, and Counter Tops

You’ve gotta start somewhere, so let that be the place you spend the most of your time at: your desk, your workstation, your spot at the breakroom table. Keep these areas spotless. Use Lysol or another disinfectant (hopefully they’re on hand) to clean these areas before you work/eat. Also try not to eat your lunch at your desk. This will prevent unnecessary crumbs and goop from collecting in your workspace.

1. Establish a Filing and Storage System

Do yourself a favor and establish a system for filing and storage! It can be far more difficult to stay productive within a messy, chaotic work environment. Use file cabinets, baskets, folders, bins; there are dozens of ways to organize your projects and paperwork. Choose a day out of the week (or multiple days if needed) to routinely catch up on organization.

1. Frequently Throw Away Trash

Lastly, never let your trash build up. Keep your trash bins tidy and empty them in the middle of the shift if needed. Also keep food wrappers and throwaways in the break room trash can. The last thing you want is for ants to find your office trash bin…

If your office is in need of a thorough, deep cleaning, contact your professional cleaning and restoration company! Professionals like us, The Steam Team, are well-equipped with the tools and expertise to help your office shine!