How Often Does a Dryer Fire Occur?

10/10/2022 (Permalink)

As a homeowner you frequently rely on your home dryer. Did you know that improper cleaning and use of the machines can cause lint fire. Although useful, residents must understand how to maintain their units and mitigate potential trouble. The following are statistics about potential dryer blazes and what owners should do to safeguard their homes.

Yes, you use the dryer often and don't have a problem. However, the potential for flames is higher than you may believe. The National Fire Protection Agency notes that most home fires result from lint, dust and fiber, with approximately 92% of household fires involving the clothes dryer. In addition, the United States Fire Administration reports the following statistics.

Approximately 2,900 dryer fires get reported annually Property loss claims amount to as much as $35 million a year 27.6 of dryer units ignited because of lint or material buildup

How Do the Fires Start?
Dryer fires often start because the machines develop a buildup. When clothes tumble around, they shed lint. These flammable fibers are released from your blankets, shirts and pants during the dryer's run, accumulating on trap and exit tubes. When this fluff overheats, a lint fire begins.

How Can You Minimize This Impending Threat?
Take care to install your machine correctly and have it regularly serviced, ensuring it's in proper working order. In addition, establish a routine system for clearing lines from the dryer components. Empty the trap after each cycle. Then, check the area behind the dryer at least once a month. Have a service crew fix any signs of damage immediately. Hire professionals to clean it at least once a year.
Enjoy your dry clothes and understand the importance of avoiding a lint fire. If flames occur, leave home and call for help. Have an expert fire remediation team inspect, sanitize and repair the room.

Call us today for an assessment 281-463-9800

Immediate Service: 24/7 Day or Night!

10/5/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Memorial West/ Bear Creek provides 24-hour emergency service and dedicates being faster to any-sized disaster! We can respond immediately to your emergency and have the expertise to handle your restoration or cleaning needs.

• 24-Hour Emergency Service
• Faster to Any-Sized Disaster
• Highly Trained Restoration Technicians
• A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry
• Locally Owned and Operated
• Advanced Restoration and Cleaning Equipment 

Residential Services

Whether your home needs emergency flood damage or your upholstery cleaned, you can depend on us. Our technicians have extensive cleaning and restoration training and can make your property look its best. Learn more about our residential services:

• Water Damage Restoration
• Fire Damage Restoration
• Mold Remediation
• Storm Damage Restoration
• Cleaning Services
• Building/Reconstruction Services

Call us today for an assessment 281-463-9800

Three Steps to Storm-Proofing Your House

10/5/2022 (Permalink)

House in Houston Ready for the Storm

When you leave your home unprotected, you leave your family's safety up to chance. Here are three ways to prepare your home for a storm and keep your family safe.

1. Clean Landscaping

Even small branches can become projectiles in a powerful storm. To best protect your home, remove all dead or dying tree limbs. Cut back any trees that hang over your home or any power lines. If a limb were to break off during a storm, it could do considerable damage to your home and cause you to lose power.
Additionally, ensure that your gutters and storm drains are clean and free from debris. A blocked storm drain could mean that your home could quickly become overrun with flood water and turn into a flooded building.

2. Install Shutters

If even one of your windows breaks in a storm, you could find yourself in trouble. Install sturdy shutters on all of your windows to prevent them from getting broken and letting the weather inside. Steady rain coming through a broken window could cause a tremendous amount of water damage in a short period. Furthermore, if the flood water is high enough, a broken window will let the water into the house. If a flood makes its way inside, you'll need to call storm damage repair specialists to handle the clean-up.

3. Stop Flood Water From Entering

Before a big storm hits, evaluate your home and identify potential risks. Install a sump pump or sandbags in front of your entrances to control the water. If you have cracks or breaks in your foundation, contact a specialist to have them repaired. It can also be helpful to grade your lawn away from your home, so the floods have a more difficult time reaching the house.
Storms can be stressful, but taking the time to protect your home before one hits can help take a weight off your shoulders.

Give us a call for us to check your home for storm readiness 281-463-9800.

We're Here to Help !!

10/5/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Memorial West/Bear Creek has helped get this community back on its feet through even the most catastrophic disasters like fire damage. Day to day we provide necessary property remediation to private residents and commercial businesses in Texas. Our services cover Fire, Water, Mold, Biohazard, Storm, and Flood emergencies. 

Our goal is to help you put these issues behind you and get back to your everyday life. We can mobilize advanced equipment in the hands of experienced crew chiefs who know how to work efficiently and effectively. We have been a part of this resilient community for fifteen years bringing nearly thirty years of restoration experience into the job with us. Contact us today to organize a call out from one of the leading providers of home restoration in Texas.

• 24-Hour Emergency Service
• Faster to Any Size Disaster
• Highly Trained Restoration Technicians
• A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry
• Locally Owned and Operated
• Advanced Restoration and Cleaning Equipment

Have Questions?

Call Us Today 281-463-9800

Better to be Safe than Sorry

3/31/2022 (Permalink)

With any leaks or spills, it’s the water you don't see that can cause the most damage. When you experience water damage check all the potentially affected areas. A mop and common household cleaning products may not be enough for the unseen water intrusions. While the surface may seem dry, the water you don’t see can contain bacteria, cause mold or rot, and cause other unseen damage.

The insurance industry estimates that approximately 90 percent of household damages come from water-related occurrences. The most-reported cause is leaky or broken pipes and plumbing fixtures. Home appliances are considered a leading cause of preventable water damage. By implementing a simple inspection and maintenance program, homeowners can reduce their risk significantly:

• Dishwasher - Periodically check around the base of the dishwasher, as well as the water supply line under the sink.
• Refrigerator - For refrigerators with ice makers, periodically check the hose connection attached to the water supply.
• Washing Machine - Hoses should be inspected regularly for wetness around hose ends, as well as for signs of bulging, cracking, or fraying. Hoses should be replaced every three to five years.
• Water Heater - While the service life of the standard water heater is 10 to 15 years, water heaters should be inspected routinely for signs of leaks or tank rust. Water heaters should be located next to a floor drain or placed inside a drain pan piped to the floor drain.

So before risking the value of your home or further damage by attempting to clean and dry it yourself, call SERVPRO of Memorial West/Bear Creek to inspect your home at (281) 463-9800.

Let's Discuss the Three Categories of Water

3/27/2022 (Permalink)

Categories of water refer to the range of biological contamination in the water, considering both the source and condition of water after it encounters materials present at the job site. Both time and temperature can increase or decrease the amplification of the contaminants, therefore, affecting its category of water. We here at SERVPRO are certified to go into your residence and/or commercial property and evaluate the category of water and how we will move forward. Let’s discuss how you can decipher what category of water you have encountered on your property.

Category 1

• Sanitary water such as broken water supply lines, melting ice, tub, or sink overflow without contaminants.

Category 2

• Significant contamination that can cause sickness or discomfort like an overflow of a urinal, discharge from the dishwasher, washing machine, broken aquariums, or punctured waterbed.

Category 3

• Grossly contaminated can contain pathogenic, toxigenic, or other harmful agents that can cause a significant adverse reaction to humans if contacted or consumed. Examples of category 3 are waste lines backflows that originate from beyond the traps regardless of visible content of color, sewage, wind-driven rain from hurricanes, or other weather-related events.

We here at SERVPRO Memorial West/Bear Creek are certified to go into your residence and/or commercial property then evaluate the category of water.

Hazardous Water

3/22/2022 (Permalink)

Safety needs to be everyone’s concern when dealing with any hazardous event that may happen in or near your home. Some water losses may involve biological contamination such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi. We at SERVPRO of Memorial West/Bear Creek can help by removing the bio-hazard materials then disposing of them safely and properly.

Here are some tips on what you can do to ensure your safety during a biohazard event.

• Remove yourself from the contaminated room to make sure you do not catch any sickness.
• Do not remove any items from the area or room as they may contain harmful diseases
• Evaluation by an IEP (Indoor Environmental Professional) is recommended

If you have a hazardous emergency call SERVPRO of Memorial West/Bear Creek @ 281-463-9800 and let us assess your concerns.

How can SERVPRO help after Fire !

2/28/2022 (Permalink)

When faced with fire damage, smoke odors remain some of the most challenging areas to address. Fire damaged homes often require various strategies that start right off when mitigation begins. Smoke particles can penetrate fabrics and other porous materials while also migrating into other areas of your home via the HVAC system. SERVPRO follows early mitigation protocols for smoke odor removal during house fire cleanup to be proactive during the project. 

Debris removal is one of the most fundamental steps during a fire damage project. Any charred bits of contents and building materials can generate immense soot damage and odors. By carefully disposing of all this debris, it helps limit lingering smoke odors throughout the work zones. 

SERVPRO employs a variety of odor counteractant products during each project while working to restore your fire-damaged interior. All proactive measures help to speed up the project with the help of: 

• Careful surface cleaning using wet or dry methods 
• Odor counteracting beads or granules 

• Thermal Fogging equipment 
• Air scrubbers with HEPA filtration 
• Hydroxyl generators 

With many fire emergencies where smoke spreads far and wide throughout the home, SERVPRO odor control technicians (OCT) must place units in multiple areas to achieve neutralization. We also consider the nature of the materials burned to determine the right equipment and products to handle the job. 
 

We repair versus replace whenever possible, which means we may seal walls and ductwork to keep smoke odors at bay. Depending on each situation, our crew may also use soda or dry ice blasting to remove charring on wall studs. Before we finish any project, we make sure there is no lingering foul odor as a reminder of the fire, and everything is “Like it never even happened.” 

SERVPRO of Memorial West/Bear Creek is available 24/7 to help with fire damage to your property.  

Prevent Further Damage After Flooding

2/24/2022 (Permalink)

When your home is affected by flooding from a winter storm or a broken pipe, secondary damage is a very real concern. As high humidity spreads throughout the residence, the chances of black mold taking hold and porous materials in your home absorbing moisture increase. Responding to flooding immediately is crucial to preventing further damage.

Commercial-Grade Equipment

Whether you involve a SERVPRO Memorial West/ Bear Creek, flood damage cleanup company or try to tackle the situation on your own, you will need to use commercial grade drying equipment. There are several reasons for this.

• Your home's air conditioner isn't strong enough to handle the additional moisture.
• The longer it takes to thoroughly dry your home, the more at risk you are of facing black mold damages.
• You'll get back to your normal routines more quickly.

Secondary Damages

Additional damages after flooding include the growth of mold behind drywall, in the attic, below carpeting, and in hidden corners. High levels of moisture can lead to weakening in the materials used to build your home, including wood, insulation, and cabinetry. In addition to long-term negative effects, your costs and losses could be increased when water extends from the initial affected area. As water spreads under doors and through walls, it reaches areas of the home that could have been protected. Removing water and drying the area thoroughly is the best way to avoid the spread of damages.

Water Removal Technicians

High-volume dehumidifiers, specialized heaters, and powerful fans are necessary tools for quickly and thoroughly drying rooms affected by flooding. Professional flood damage restoration technicians have the training and experience to set the equipment up for quick results. Experienced workers are often willing to share tips for avoiding problems such as recurring leaks or flooding.

Takeaway Tips

Remember, you need to act immediately. Powerful commercial-grade tools are essential for preventing secondary damages, such as black mold. Hiring professionals like, SERVPRO of Memorial West / Bear Creek is a great way to enjoy long-term protection for the well-being of your home.

Facts and Fiction about Mold

1/31/2022 (Permalink)

Mold is one of the most common problems that homeowners face. It develops quickly, growing as fast as 24 to 48 hours within the home when water or moisture is present (which is why it’s a common problem following a water loss and in moisture-prone areas of the home like crawlspaces and basements).

But despite everything that is known about mold, there are still a lot of misconceptions. Here’s a look at some facts and some myths about mold and mold remediation:

Fact: There are far too many species of mold and fungi to identify.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that there are anywhere from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of mold and fungi species – far too many to identify. However, some of the most common found in homes are Cladosporium, Penicillium, Alternaria and Aspergillus.

Fiction: Mold is always visible.

Many think that just because they can’t see it, it’s not there. Seeing isn’t believing when it comes to mold, as not all types of molds are visible. Therefore, it’s best to rely on smell to detect mold. If you smell a musty odor, there’s likely mold present.

Fact: Mold can lead to health complications.

Although not everyone is affected when exposed to mold, all molds have the potential to cause illness or distress, especially among people who already have respiratory issues. Common symptoms associated with mold exposure include coughing, watery eyes, congestion, headaches and even memory loss and dizziness. Most recently, researchers at Rutgers University have discovered that mold exposure can lead to Parkinson’s disease-like symptoms.

Fiction: Once mold is remediated, it won’t come back.

The only way to completely eliminate mold from returning is to solve the moisture or water problem that caused the mold to grow in the first place.

As you can see, mold is a serious, often misunderstood problem that can grow even more problematic if it isn’t taken care of properly. That’s why SERVPRO of Memorial West/ Bear Creek follows the IICRC S520 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Mold Remediation and are trained to remediate mold using the latest, most effective techniques.

For more information, contact SERVPRO of Memorial West/ Bear Creek today at (281) 463-9800.