Water damage restoration in Glen Rose, TX, occurs in the context of water damage incidents that are sometimes devastating and always stressful for homeowners. SERVPRO of Crowley and South Johnson County is well aware of the distress homeowners experience when water damage and mold are discovered in the home. A reliable solution is to call in the SERVPRO professionals. Advanced equipment, cutting-edge technology, superior cleaning techniques, and EPA-approved cleaning products enable the water damage and mold mitigation specialists to thoroughly resolve the issue and restore the affected areas.
Four Home Maintenance Issues to Address Proactively
Certain home maintenance concerns, if left unaddressed, can quickly snowball into a major water damage disaster. Listed below are four home repairs that can be dealt with proactively in order to prevent a water damage situation in the future.
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Gushing Gutters
A red flag indicating the potential for water damage is rainwater gushing over gutters and pooling next to the foundation walls. Action is required quickly because excessive water may cause the siding and foundation walls to deteriorate. When these two barriers to water intrusion become degraded, moisture will invade the crawl space or basement, causing serious damage. While basements are not commonplace in North Texas due to the presence of limestone in the ground, homeowners who do have a basement need to keep a vigilant eye out for water intrusion.
What should homeowners do if they observe water pouring out of the gutters? The first step is to closely inspect the entire gutter system for corrosion or clogs. Some clogs can be easily cleared or dislodged by the homeowner. Corroded gutters present a more complicated and expensive challenge. The services of a professional home services or roofing company may be required to replace faulty gutters or to clean out clogged gutters that are far above the ground.
Another factor to consider is the slope of the soil around the foundation of the home. The soil should slope one inch per foot for at least six feet. The overall grade of the yard may indicate the need for a steeper and longer slope away from the foundation to prevent flooding and water damage in the crawl space or basement.
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Roof Leaks
Visible signs indicating a compromise of the integrity of the roof are curling, cracked, or missing shingles. Widespread deterioration of shingles may signal the need for a complete roof replacement. Other signs that roof leaks may be a concern are cracks in the flashing around skylights, chimneys, and roof valleys. Roof vents will spring leaks when the rubber boots develop cracks.
When the roof fails to provide a watertight barrier, moisture will find its way into the home, damaging the home’s insulation and drywall. The result could be wood rot and mold infestation.
The typical homeowner can replace a shingle now and then and may also patch leaky flashing. However, if a roof is more than twenty years old, replacement may be the best solution. A roof with one layer of asphalt shingles might receive a second layer of shingles. This solution is less expensive. Verify with the manufacturer that this type of application will not invalidate the shingle warranty. Consult with an experienced roofing contractor or structural engineer to ensure the roof can support the additional weight.
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Foundation Cracks
Cracks in the concrete that exceed 3/16’s of an inch are evidence of bulging and buckling in the foundation. This situation demands an immediate response from the homeowner. An unstable foundation threatens the entire structure.
Some solutions are easy. An epoxy injection system can resolve hairline cracks. If the cracks become larger, the homeowner should obtain a professional opinion from a structural engineer.
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Mold and Mildew
Musty smells and black mold on the bathroom ceiling or other surfaces are strong indicators that advanced secondary water damage has occurred. Gutter issues, roof leaks, or cracks in the foundation may have permitted water and moisture to enter the home, causing mold and mildew issues, and structural damage.
Ceiling tiles, carpet, and drywall readily harbor mold. Once contaminated, these and other items may need to be cleaned or totally removed and replaced to prevent the further release of mold spores. Address the mold issue without delay. Small patches of mold can be addressed by the homeowner, but the safest and best course of action is to call in professionals who have the equipment, personal protective gear, EPA-approved cleaners, and specialized techniques for dealing with mold and mildew issues.
By addressing these four concerns when they first appear, the homeowner can prevent a water damage disaster in the future. Procrastination will only allow the problem to enlarge in scope and require a more expensive and extensive restoration project.
SERVPRO of Crowley and South Johnson County is a locally owned and operated business. The SERVPRO of Crowley and South Johnson County team is ready to respond immediately when a homeowner or business needs water damage restoration services, as well as other restoration and cleaning services.
For more information about Glen Rose, TX, water damage restoration, contact the SERVPRO of Crowley and South Johnson County office by phone at (817) 297-8588 or by email at office@servprocrowley.com.
