Ruined Laminate Flooring

3/21/2022 (Permalink)

They don't mix.

Water and laminate flooring don't mix.

For all the great qualities and looks of laminate flooring, it's one nemesis is excess water. 

It just doesn't take it well.

Water laying on a laminate floor can cause blistering and separation of the materials in some types of laminate.  Also the floor can rise or heave up in places with some types of materials.

Having padding underneath the flooring, often referred to as a "floating" floor (the irony) creates a sponge affect holding water/moisture.  Many times water will still squeeze out from under the floor in some areas where one steps after initial water extraction of the floor.

Removal of the floor as part of the water damage restoration is usually the only answer.

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, has been providing professional quality water damage restoration to folks in the greater Waco and Central Texas area since 2001...over 21 years.

We'd be proud to help you, too.

SERVPRO of Waco...there's only one!

(254) 756-4300

Board Up Services

3/12/2022 (Permalink)

Some new wood, fresh paint and changed technique for long term boarded up doors of historic Waco building.

Well, the boogers started bring some tools to get in!

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, provides building board up services for emergency and on-going situations.

This historic Waco building has been boarded up while it's path to a new purpose is being determines.

Seems the youth of the area have quite an interest in getting inside.  It may be the attraction of getting onto the roof a few stories up in the air.

Anyway, someone has been showing up with some basic tools and doing a bit of dismantling.

SERVPRO of Waco changed the boarding up from being screwed in place from the front to having 2X4s and carriage bolts on the front.

Anything removed by tools is now inside the building.  Oh, a slight correction, there are still many wood screws on the front too, as further discouragement. 

Highly successful so far.

We've helped thousand of folks through property damage situations for the past 21 years.

If you need security and/or weather protection boarding up, let us help you too.

SERVPRO of Waco...there's only one!

(254) 756-4300

Mold Remediation Containment

3/7/2022 (Permalink)

We be out here...mold damage work area be in there!

Our handiwork to keep mold spores from spreading out of the affected area.

As mold spores travel and spread by air movement, it is often necessary to build a containment around the work area and trap the disturbed (as in removed) mold spores.

The containment shown in a large, local Waco organization was erected for work in the very back work room area.  

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, successfully removed the mold and mold contaminated materials. Access to outside ventilation was a challenge in this situation.

The job passed clearance testing on the first test and repairs were able to begin immediately.

SERVPRO of Waco has offered highly trained mold remediation services for over 20 years.  Pretty much at the modern beginning of these services.

SERVPRO Industries, of which we are a franchise, was instrumental in helping the industry define the standards for mold remediation.

We have helped hundreds of greater Waco and Central Texas area businesses successfully through mold and various building damage problems.

Let us help you too.

SERVPRO of Waco...there's only one!

(254) 756-4300

We're local.

3/7/2022 (Permalink)

Know who you're dealing with!

SERVPRO of Waco is LOCAL to the greater Waco and Central Texas area.

We are located at

                 7719 Central Park Dr.

                    Waco/Woodway

For the past 21 years, SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company has successfully served thousands of homes, businesses and institutions through a variety of emergency damage situations.  

Beware of companies who don't show their addresses, have 800 type phone numbers (in this day and age?) are from "greater" this place or that or don't really list an address at all.

You need people you can trust...or at least know you can find again.

21 years of excellent service here!

Let us help you.

SERVPRO of Waco...there's only one!

(254) 756-4300

Restroom Sink Pipe Overnight

3/6/2022 (Permalink)

Preliminary start of removing water discovered from over night water pipe leak.

Imagine opening your warehouse to THIS in the morning!

All of our buildings have water lines.  Usually in the small out of the way areas. 

But when the lines give away it quickly spreads away from those "small out of the way" areas and becomes a problem for operating the business for the day(s).

In this instance SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, was able to extract the water from backroom warehouse with the business losing  little operating time.

The affected areas were dried quickly.

Now in our 21st year, SERVPRO of Waco successfully has assisted scores of greater Waco and Central Texas businesses though water damage restoration, and many other damage issues.

We'd be pleased to help you too, should the need arise.

SERVPRO of Waco...there' only one!

(254) 756-4300

SERVPRO of Waco - The Baileys

2/27/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Waco

Roger & Teresa Bailey

Our 21 years as a leading restoration company in Waco and the Central Texas area has garnered us a lot of soundalike & lookalike competitors.

Beware of the impersonators.  SERVPRO of Waco has been operated under the same business name and by the same owners since opening in 2001.

We have successfully assisted literally thousands of commercial, institutional and residential customers through water damage restoration, fire damage restoration and mold damage remediation situations.

You won't find better integrity, quality or timeliness to assist you when you need it most.

The Baileys are long time Waco residents and operate from Waco.  As a franchise, SERVPRO of Waco also has access to nearly unlimited resources to help in virtually any situation.

We'd be pleased to help you too.

SERVPRO of Waco...there's only one!

(254) 756-4300

Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration

1/27/2022 (Permalink)

Out with the old and in with the new. Replaced fire damaged walls and ceiling ready for fresh paint.

New windows, drywall & electrical wiring inside this Gatesville area home bedroom after a fire blaze in the room.

SERVPRO of Waco, a fire damage restoration company, cleaned up/out the damage and debris of the room and other affected areas.

The room is ready for paint and new flooring.  The customers are very happy it looks like a room again.  A new room at that.

From burnt to new is quite a journey.  You need someone you can count on to help.

Now in our 21st year, SERVPRO of Waco has been helping folks in the greater Waco and Central Texas area through hundreds of property and life/business interruptions over the years.

We'd be very happy to help you, too, should the need arise.

Call us.  We'll work for you, either directly or through your insurance company, but for you either way.

SERVPRO of Waco...there is only one!

(254) 756-4300

They are water damage ready.

12/30/2021 (Permalink)

Two water specialty vehicles.

Water handling vehicles.

The one on the right can cross large amounts of water outside.

The one on the left can remove large amounts of water inside.

They "met up" in Woodway, TX, here.  For the record, the SERVPRO of Waco van was parked first.

In water damage situations, both have strong benefits.

It is more likely folks experiencing a water emergency will encounter it in a building.  There are only a dozen or so little parts stopping the water tower from trying to drain right into your home or building.

SERVPRO of Waco are experts at water damage restoration with 21 years of experience right here in the greater Waco and Central Texas area.

Using state of the art equipment and techniques we can help you too.

We can work directly with your insurance company and bill them directly if you wish.  SERVPRO Industries has strong working relationships with virtually all the insurance carriers.

SERVPRO of Waco...there is only one

(254) 756-4300

Fully Insured, Certified & Screened

11/10/2021 (Permalink)

No One is Better Insured or Safer!

SERVPRO of Waco is locally owned and operating right here in Waco, near 84 and Texas Central Parkway.

As a franchise of SERVPRO Industries, the national leader in the restoration business, we enjoy (i.e. required) being heavily insured, training certified and background screened.

SERVPRO has insurance coverages geared to the restoration business and customer protections, as well as ongoing training and background screenings.

It is not some one size fits all general liability insurance like most restoration companies have, if they have insurance at all.

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, has been successfully helping folks in the greater Waco and Central Texas area through property damage situations for over 20 years.

Let us put our experience and integrity to work for you.

SERVPRO of Waco...there's only one!

(254) 756-4300

Our Fire Truck is Shiny Too

11/10/2021 (Permalink)

Our van cleaned up and ready to roll.

Freshly waxed and ready to roll.

We like to keep our vehicles and equipment clean and well maintained.  It is ready for use on short notice to help folks with sudden, serious property damager issues.

Keeping this van this clean and shiny can be a challenge though.  Did you know some folks in the greater Waco and Central Texas area live back some long gravel roads?  It rains here some too.

What we don't do is let it become an embarrassment while parked at a job site.

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, has outstanding proprietary cleaning and disinfecting products which give produce results.

Since 2001, over 20 years, we have helped thousands of folks through property damage issues. 

Let us help you with our experience and integrity.

SERVPRO of Waco...there's only one!

(254) 756-4300

Our New Look

10/29/2021 (Permalink)

You'll be seeing a new version of our company logo around very soon.

At SERVPRO of Waco and SERVPRO Industries, we are always updating and refreshing our our property damage recovery skills, our customer care skills and, of course, our marketing skills.

If one has never heard of us or noticed us, how could one call us, right?!

Our new logo is much cleaner and simpler.

It is also bigger, of course, but one can't tell the from here.

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, has helped thousands of folks in the greater Waco and Central Texas area for over 20 years.

We continue to improve and strive to be better.

The others are just trying to keep up!

Let us bring our customer service and expertise to help you as well.

SERVPRO of Waco...there's only one!

(254) 756-4300

SERVPRO Helped Write the Book

10/29/2021 (Permalink)

All certifications for the restoration industry are earned and issued through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification.

That's a mouthful!  Everyone calls it the:

IICRC

SERVPRO Industries has been on the advisory boards at the IICRC for decades. SERVPRO has contributed much research and experience to the industry as well as the certification trainings.

If someone or their firm is IICRC Certified, SERVPRO Industries had influence in their training.

SERVPRO remains a strong leader in the research and progress in the restoration industry.

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, has been fortunate to be part of the cutting edge in this industry for decades as well. 

Since 2001, over 20 years, SERVPRO of Waco has been helping folks in the greater Waco and Central Texas area through property damage situations with leading edge technologies.

Others are just playing catch up and copying.

Let the best help you, too.

SERVPRO of Waco...there's only one!

(254) 756-4300

A91 was back in church

10/25/2021 (Permalink)

Number A 91 helping out a church again.

Air mover A 91 was placed in a church water damage restoration on its first time ever used.  In later Sept. 2020 it was underneath a baptistry.  A 91 was brand new then.

One year later, early Oct. 2021, A 91 was back in church at a small water damage restoration.

Did you know they sometimes put water heaters in attics???

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, quickly extracted the water and set up drying equipment in this West Waco church.

There was literally a wedding happening the next day.

Ultimately, it was not necessary to remove any materials and things dried up nicely.

It was a pleasant coincidence A 91 was placed in a church again one year later.  Heck, now we may look for it when we have future churches needing help with water damage.

SERVPRO of Waco has been helping churches and many folks in the greater Waco and Central Texas area with property damage for over 20 years.

We'd be pleased to help you and yours' too.

SERVPRO of Waco...there's only one!

(254) 756-4300

Live...from the attic....

10/25/2021 (Permalink)

Small, damaged water heater located in the attic above the restrooms.

The forgotten water heater in the attic.

Over 20 years, the management changes, the maintenance people change, etc. and it just keeps doing its job.

Until one day, it just pops.

Fortunately, when this small water heater in West Waco, over the area restrooms, popped it's pressure release valve people were still around and heard it.

Still by the time the water got shut off, plenty got wet.

What if no one had been there at the time?  Small water heater or not, the water pipe was regular sized and running.  Draining straight from the water tower you might say.

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, was on the job shortly afterward and got the situation under control and dried.

No loss of building function at all.

During our 20 years of service in the greater Waco and Central Texas area, we've helped thousands of folks through water damage restoration and other property damage issues.

We'd be pleased to help you.

SERVPRO of Waco...there's only one!

(254) 756-4300

The Spider Box

10/25/2021 (Permalink)

A power distribution box "spider box" is used to access more electric power from the 220 volt plug normally used by a dryer.

Storms can bring large amounts of water into a home or building.

After the standing water is extracted, drying equipment is used to get rid of the dampness.

This can take a many pieces of electrically powered equipment many times, as in this facility which suffered broken water pipes in the attic as a result of the historic Texas freeze.

In this Landon Branch facility, SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, used this power distribution box, more commonly called a "spider box" to get additional electric circuits.  It plugs into the wall plug for an electric dryer.  This gets access to the 220 volts there.

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, has been serving folks in the greater Waco and Central Texas area for over 20 years with property damage issues.

We'd be pleased to help you as well.

SERVPRO of Waco...there's only one!

(254) 756-4300

Water In and Water Out

10/15/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Waco began fire damage restoration service with emergency water extraction as soon as the all clear was given to enter the fire scene.

Most large fires are put out with water.

In this fire, in Waco's Parkdale Viking Hills area, firemen extinguished a fire started by a lighting strike on the fourth floor level.

The fire department grey hose was left in place afterward for a while in case of flare ups.  Seemed like a great idea to us.

SERVPRO of Waco, a fire damage restoration company, was called in while the fire was underway.  As soon as the all clear was given, SERVPRO of Waco began water extraction and debris removal of the affected areas.

The green hose pictured is our hose carrying water extracted from the scene back out of the building.

While one office in the building needed relocated, the building was quickly made ready for normal functions, with a little adapting of course.

SERVPRO of Waco has been helping folks in the greater Waco and Central Texas area through fire damage restoration for over 20 years.

Let us help you.

SERVPRO Of Waco...there's only one!

(254) 756-4300

Frozen Pipes

10/10/2021 (Permalink)

Drying out the attic after a burst water pipe.

The Quiet Storm

The Texas Polar Vortex was calm, quiet and very cold.

It caused thousands of split and burst water pipes, which, for the most part, were very quiet too.

All the burst and split pipes resulted in water, usually large amounts of water, happening in a variety of  possible locations inside homes and buildings.

Especially bad were the burst water pipes in attics.  Some of those pipes had been in place, with no problems, for decades.

Of course gravity will bring water from a burst or split water pipe over head down to the next level(s).  Perhaps by more than one path.

The air mover pictured was placed in the attic of the water damage in a group home in the Waco Landon Branch area.

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, ended up removing all the insulation from the affected attic area, while saving the ceiling drywall and all the drywall on the living level. 

This resulted in quick recovery of the affected area and no serious interruption of the home residents normal routine.

SERVPRO of Waco has helped thousands of folks in the greater Waco and Central Texas area for over 20 years.

We be honored to help you as well.

(254) 756-4300

SERVPRO of Waco...there's only ONE!

How can theirs be real??

10/5/2021 (Permalink)

They've been in business for 15 minutes and have 100 FIVE STAR reviews?? 

Who are they kidding?

It appears some companies in the restoration industry are paying for 5 star internet reviews, giving a price discounts for 5 star internet reviews and/or just having friends & relatives, who have never used the company, give 5 star internet reviews.

At SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, our internet reviews are truly from customers we've provided service.

SERVPRO of Waco has served the greater Waco and Central Texas community for 20+ years.

Our track record is very solid with excellent service to thousands of folks right here.

You can count on honesty and integrity from SERVPRO of Waco.

(254) 756-4300

SERVPRO of Waco...there's only one!

Preventative Disinfecting & Sanitizing

10/3/2021 (Permalink)

A rolling workplace can be safety sprayed and wiped as well.

As SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, we are able to leverage vast information and resources though our connections as a franchise to a leading national company.

SERVPRO is national leader in precautionary disinfecting/sanitizing of buildings and work places.

Some of the workplaces actually are actually vehicles.

SRVPRO of Waco vehicles are actually self contained for preventative spraying and can service a vehicle away from power, other vehicles, etc.

Our services have brought safety and peace of mind to folks through out the nation and locally in the greater Waco and Central Texas area.

Since 2001, 20+ years, SERVPRO of Waco has been helping folks with residential and commercial solutions to building and workplace solutions.

We'd be pleased to help you too.

(254) 756-4300

SERVPRO of Waco...there's only one!

SERVPRO of Waco has vast resources available

9/28/2021 (Permalink)

Opening up the traveling warehouse trailer at the job site.

Through SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, vast resources are available to deal with whatever happens from storms and other calamities to your home or building.

We are a franchise in a network of hundreds and hundreds of SERVPRO franchises across the US and Canada.  The resources available from Texas, and beyond are incredible.  Exceptional!

Pictured are cleaning hand tools unloaded, in an orderly fashion, to get to the other supplies and drying equipment inside the 55' trailer.  The trailer was brought to the job site in the North Lake Waco area within hours of the job starting.

These trailers, and there are many, are packed with everything needed for large disaster restoration.

A virtual on-site warehouse of equipment and many "boots on the ground" to help folks recover quickly from large scale property damage.

SERVPRO of Waco has beenhelping folks in the greater Waco and Central Texas area since 2001.

That is over 20 years now

You can count on us.

(254) 756-4300

SERVPRO of Waco...there's only one!

That little water heater up by the dock did this?

9/28/2021 (Permalink)

The large records room after the water heater line froze.

The historic freeze of Feb. 2021 in Central Texas gave us many surprises about our homes and businesses/workplaces.

Mixed with the lockdown and folks working from home many "surprises" went undetected for awhile.

The water pictured came from a mini water heater by a utility sink in a buildings enclosed receiving dock area in Downtown Waco.

There's been a water heater in that area for decades.  The area is not climate controlled however, with never an incident before.

Thousands of feet of office space and storage areas was affected with water damage.

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, extracted and dried the affected areas NO LOSS OF USE of the facility.  It was a little noisy, but they were able to continue operations straight away.

We have been helping folks in the greater Waco and Central Texas area since 2001.  Just over 20 years.

Let us help you if you find your property in a similar situation.

(254) 756-4300

SERVPRO of Waco....there's only one!

Fire Closet

8/16/2021 (Permalink)

Fires can get started in unusal places...the closet with the Christmas decorations here. Sometimes there are items which can be saved and restored.

No One Wants a Fire to Come Out of The Closet

Actually no one wants a fire in the closet either.

This fire got started accidentally in the storage closet.  A big loss in the closet was Chrismas decorations.

At this point, SERVPRO of Waco could only remove the rubble in the closet of this Teague TX area home.  There was nothing left to save in this closet or the family room...and in much of the house. 

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, rescued a large number of collectibles which were saved, cleaned, inventoried and boxed, to be saved for the new home.

Even in a larger fire, items of sentimental or high value can sometimes be saved and restored.  It is always worth a look through the mess.

SERVPRO of Waco has been helping folks in the greater Waco and Central Texas area with fire damage situations for over 20 years.

Let us help you should you need it.

SERVPRO of Waco...there's only one!

(254) 756-4300

Secured Loads

8/16/2021 (Permalink)

Americana Art? Well, it gets the warning about untarped loads at this landfill across well.

Yes, We Do Secure Our Loads!

We are we cheap too pay the fine. 

More importantly, we aren't going to let any debris we need to haul away from customer homes or businesses blow off and all over the place.

Professional... right down to the trash.

It is also important for the impression it makes on our customers neighbors, customers, workers, etc., as well as safety.

We thought this, obviously hastily made, landfill sign was a hoot!

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, has hauled debris away from water damages, fire damages & mold damages for folks in the greater Waco and Central Texas area for over 20 years.

Let us help you with any property damage situations you might encounter.

SERVPRO of Waco...there's only one!

(254) 756-4300

Hydroxl

8/16/2021 (Permalink)

Hydroxyl generator in use, effectively and safely removing odors from the air.

Odors Zapped Here!

Getting rid of the smoke smell in a fire damage, while working in the area and/or before working in the area and/or after working in the area can be a real challenge.

There are different ways to reduce or eliminate the odors.  Some do require people and pets to be out for periods of time.

One highly effective method SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, uses is hydroxyl generation or, more simply put hydroxyl generator.

Sometimes called the "detergent of the atmosphere" hydroxyl radicals are among the most effective odor removers in existance.

The machine pulls air across the "bug zapper" looking lights and the hydroxyls clean the air.  Hydroxyls are very short lived, hence drawing the air to them.

This allows deodorization to work around the clock, or selected time periods, and be safe for people and pets in the area.

We do find some dead bugs in the bottom of the machine too, but not too many.

SERVPRO of Waco has been helping folks in the greater Waco and Central Texas area with deodorization and fire damage situations for over 20 years.

We'd be happy to help you too.

SERVPRO of Waco...there's only one!

(254) 756-4300

Mold Protocol

8/11/2021 (Permalink)

A mold test in Texas needs to be done by a licensed mold assessor and needs to result in a removal protocol (plan). Be sure the quotes include both!

MOLD PROTOCOL...you need one!

If you are contacting some some to assess/test for mold in your home or business, be sure they are going to also give you a plan (protocol) for removing any mold they find which needs remediated.

At SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, we are licensed as a mold remediation contractor.  We are are prevented from assessing/testing for mold by Texas rules/guidelines for mold damage.

We certainly do give some names of mold assessors we feel are reputable so you can pick one and the assessor works for YOU.

There are some assessors charging as much for a testing as most assessors are charging for mold assessment AND the protocol (plan) to remove it.  The assessors not including the protocol (plan) with the testing and then charging another, high fee for the protocol.  The protocol/plan is necessary for mold removal under the guidlines.

SERVPRO of Waco has completed hundreds of successful mold removal...mold remediation jobs for folks in the greater Waco and Central Texas area over the past 20+ years.  We'd be happy to help you too.

SERVPRO of Waco....there's only one!

(254) 756-4300

Hardwood Floors

8/2/2021 (Permalink)

An engineered hardwood floor showing water damage staining.

Did the Water Affect Our Hardwood Floor?

In this case, yes.

The section of hardwood floor just in front of the door frame darkened at the top, and also the section in the upper right hand corner of the picture have water damage and water stains.

This particular engineered hardwood floor is glued down in "honey glue" which holds the moisture against the wood, making it difficult to impossible to dry quickly.

Sometimes these areas don't show at first.

The floor will need replaced.  Generally the floor is replaced until it ends in open areas and/or the floor continues into a room where a door can be closed.

At SERVPRO of Waco we have experience assessing and monitoring wet hardwood floors in water damage situations, as well as laminates and other wood style floors.

Let us help you with yours.

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, has been helping folks in the greater Waco and Central Texas area deal with water damage and water extraction related issues since 2001.  

SERVPRO of Waco.....there's only one!

(254) 756-4300

Ripped off door panel

8/2/2021 (Permalink)

The kids got another piece off the old building lower level entrance. Side window panel this time. SERVPRO of Waco reattached and better secured it.

The vandals stole the handel.

Oh wait..they didn't steal it, they tore it off the building and went in.

This long term shuttered up building has kids trying to get in all the time.  It is a big three story place.

Years back, SERVPRO of Waco securly boarded up the door this panel is beside.  The door did not get opened, but the panel needed resecurred.

We got the call in the afternoon and had the building resecurred, better,  by 5:30 pm.

Building board up services are just some of the emergency services provided by SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company.

We have been helping folks in the greater Waco and Central Texas area with boarding up buildings and emergency mititigation services for over 20 years.

SERVPRO of Waco...there is only one!

(254) 756-4300

Purple water

8/2/2021 (Permalink)

It is not everyday we encounter a trash can full of purple water in a conference room. We scooted it out slowly and disposed of the problem.

But, but...the water is purple and in the middle of the conference room!

Fortunately, the customers reailzed the air conditioning unit was leaking and got a large trash can to catch it.

Somewhere along the line a chemical joined the flow.  Talk about stain in a can!

SERVPRO of Waco addressed the problem immediately.  While there was wet carpet, etc., the stain in the can was a major water damage problem.  Water extraction needed done to the rest of the room, but the risk of spilling this stuff was significant.

Our quick thinking technician came up with the solution.  Get the furniture sliders under the container and slide it out slowly and carefully to the back hall.  There was a janitor's sink in the back hall...and no carpeting.

At SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, we have helped hundreds of folks in the greater Waco and Central Texas area through "periless" situations for over 20 years.

SERVPRO of Waco....there's only one!

(254) 756-4300

Covid Spraying

8/2/2021 (Permalink)

A quick selfie during a Covid 19 precautionary office area cleaning.

It's a bird...It's a plane...No, It's sprayman

Yes, it's a selfie, the result of being all alone in a building for a while.

This is an office area where SERVPRO of Waco did a precautionary Covid 19 spraying and wiping down of touch point areas.  One of the fellow coworkers tested positive for the virus.

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, did precautionary treatments for many businesses during the pandemic.

The backpack sprayer pictured was purchased after the onset of the pandemic for Covid 19 related spraying.

That baby holds four gallons of antimicrobial at a time, is lithium battery powered (with 2 spares) and spray tips specifically to spray for Covid 19.

  It can run for hours with no cords to move around or anything. Just keep going with it.  Four gallons does weigh 32 pounds, so we rarely fill it past half way...but we could!

At SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, we were able to adapt our disinfecting and sanitizing work experience to help with the pandemic.

For over 20 years, SERVPRO of Waco has been helping the folks in the greater Waco and Central Texas area with building damage issues.

SERVPRO of Waco...there's only one!

(254) 756-4300

Leak wouldn't stop

8/2/2021 (Permalink)

Sropping this drip was pesky. The vavle at the well just wouldn't close all the way.

The Water Leak that wouldn't Stop.

Every once in a while, we get into a water damage where the leak seems to just keep going ever so slowly even after all the water is shut off.

At first it isn't obvious it is still happening.  But the next day some things are wet again. Water extraction is necessary again in some places.

The leak in the picture is from a refrigerator ice maker and water dispenser line. It was thought to be just draining out the lines as it was the low spot in the pipe.

Day three our SERVPRO of Waco water damage  technician realized a slow leak was still continuing. Realizing what was going on, a plumber was called who confirmed the well valve at this West area home was not closing all the way.

The problem was fixed and drying that portion of the job got on track.

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, has helped hundreds of folks in the greater Waco and Central Texas area through property damage issues for over 20 years.

SERVPRO of Waco...there's only one!

(254) 756-4300

Help Everyone

8/1/2021 (Permalink)

All customers are appreciated, accepted and respected!

We Help Everyone!

Whatever the situation of your home or business, we professionally clean up water damages, fire damages, mold damages, etc.  If you need help, we will help.

Professional and non-judgmental. 

House keeping situation, fix-it skill level, lifestyle, address, religion, political viewpoint, vehicle you drive...just doesn't matter.

The facility with the fence pictured needed help with a fire extinguisher discharge incident inside the building.  That stuff goes everywhere you know.  The facility was cleaned well in a timely manner.

At SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, we have helped hundreds & hundreds of folks in the greater Waco and Central Texas area through fire and clean up damages for decades...since 2001.

SERVPRO of Waco...there's only one!

(254) 756-4300

Weep Holes

7/25/2021 (Permalink)

Dampness and water from spigot (or hydrant to some folks) getting into a home through the weep hole at the wall bottom brick line.

Weep Holes...two way drains in & out of the building??

Brick homes built on slabs all have "weep holes"  These apparently let moisture (vapor) out from behind the brick and offer some expansion room for any movement.

Whyever they are there...they are there.

Normally these look very dry and are not a problem.

When ground water or water from a plumbing situation gets into them, they becomes drains into the building.

Nothing should be above the base concrete level below the brick line.  The further down from the brick line the better.

NO MULCH OR ANYTHING SHOULD REACH THE BRICK LEVEL AT THE BOTTOM OF THE BRICK WALL.

Rain water damage which occurs when water enters through these holes is usually classified as ground water...and insurance rarely covers the water damage.  A pipe leak would probably be convered.

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, has helped hundreds of folks in the greater Waco and Central Texas area with water damage clean up and restoration issues for over 20 years.

We have the experience and state of the art training/tools to make sure the job is done right...and fairly.

SERVPRO of Waco...there's only one!

(254) 756-4300 

Roger

2/1/2021 (Permalink)

Be sure it's us!

Roger

Roger & Teresa Bailey - SERVPRO of Waco.

Seems our company name can be confused with 2 or 3 other other companies in the greater Waco and Central Texas area.  The word, or part of the word, "serve" appears in other company names too.  Go figure.

Just confirm the owner is Roger and you can rest assured you've reached SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company.

SERVPRO of Waco has provided excellent service to home owners, organizations and businesses with property damage situations for 20 years.

We are a locally owned franchise of the nations top restoration company.  Extensive resources are available to help you through any building property damage.

Hopefully, you don't need "extensive" resources, but large or small damage, we will get you through it.

(254) 756-4300

SERVPRO of Waco....there's only one!

Vinyl wallcovering covers wet walls too.

2/1/2021 (Permalink)

Vinyl wallcovering pulled up and pinned for wall drying behind it.

Those vinyl wallcoverings can add design and colors to a room.  They are smooth and tough as nails.

Vinyl wal covering are also perfect for trapping water and moisture in the drywall it is covering.

In a water damage, the water will wick up the walls from the source (or down from the source) soaking the actual wall material, usually drywall.  Unfortunately, the water/moisture just doesn't wick back out at anywhere near the same speed. 

The wall can stay wet for incredible amounts of time.  Not getting drywall dry in a quick manner increases the chances for real damage to the drywall, including mold.

The photo shows a rental property where we were able to peel the vinyl back and pin it up to get the drywall behind it dry. It is possible to re-glue the vinyl, especially thick commercial grade vinyl.

At SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, serving greater Waco and Central Texas we have 20 years of experience drying and restoring commercial water damages.

Call us at (254) 756-4300

SERVPRO of Waco...there' only one!

756-4300

1/19/2021 (Permalink)

We're definitely local!

756-4300

So local, you know it's a (254) area code right off the bat.

And for much of the greater Waco and Central Texas area one doesn't even have to dial the area code to call us.

BEWARE of (800) numbers and/or (254) numbers with prefixes you have never heard of if you need restoration services.

Companies operating from other markets, long distances away, are trying to make themselves seem like they are local and close by, when in fact they are not from around here at all.

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, has been helping folks in the greater Waco and Central Texas area for over 20 years with property damage restoration.  Our facilities have been close by you the whole time.

If you need help, call us at (254) 756-4300.

SERVPRO of Waco...there's only one!

We aren't hiding our address!

1/19/2021 (Permalink)

7719 Central Park Dr. Unit B

Waco, TX  76712

We are very local!  You can find us very quickly and easily.  Our warehouse is just off Central Texas Parkway right behind Happy Hounds and Slow Rise Pizza.

Yes that does sound like "when you get to the fork, take it" but we really are pretty much behind them both.

Beware of restoration companies that do not include their address in their listings or ads.  There is a reason they don't.

Quite simply...they ain't from around here!

Companies, from significant distances away or who used to be local and left the area, secure (800) phones numbers or (254) phone numbers  to appear they are right hear in greater Waco or Central Texas. Some also keep phone numbers from when they used to be here and moved a hundred miles or so away.

A big give away is not listing an address.

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, is very local and centrally located.  We've been helping folks in the greater Waco and Central Texas area with property damage restoration since 2001.

"2001:A SERVPRO Odyssey" as we say tongue in cheek.  We're still on it!

Call us at (254) 756-4300

SERVPRO of Waco...there's only one!

Ground Water Leakage

1/18/2021 (Permalink)

Remnants of a below grade ground water leak in a concrete walled room caused by ground water pressure after heavy rain storms.

GROUND WATER

There's a term you don't want to hear in storms and heavy rain downpours.

It work its way into your building, sometimes in vast amounts.

While basements are rare around here, it can come in through closed doors, outside walls, etc.  This can include into crawlspaces, where the evaporating humidity from it can cause a lot of secondary damage.

The picture shows the near completion of a building equipment room drying where that little looking seepage actually ran in quantity into the lobby and down the hall.  This particular building has a below grade (basement) level and heavy amounts of rain fell in a short period of time.

At SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, we are very experienced helping folks around the greater Waco and Central Texas area through ground water flooding damage.  We get it dried.  Ground water does have to stop coming in on its own.  But we'll get it out and dried right away.

Over 20 years experience

(254) 756-4300

SERVPRO of Waco...there's only one!

Industry Standard Pricing

12/28/2020 (Permalink)

Across the country, insurance companies use a standard pricing software, adjusted for regions/cities.  SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, uses this standardized pricing for smooth clean up and restoration claims processing.  We keep up to date with the pricing monthly.

Hopefully, you don't know too much about what restoration services should cost.  That would mean you've been through a significant damage before.  We work with your insurance company on what is being charged and what they will pay.  You can be confident things are being done and priced correctly. 

It may be hard to believe, but there are pirates in this business.

With SERVPRO of Waco, you can rest assured you are getting fair pricing and more than one oversight that a fair, quality job is being done.

We offer this pricing, also, if you have no coverage for the situation or don't know the status of insurance coverage yet.

SERVPRO of Waco has been fairly and honestly assisting folks with home/building damage restoration in the greater Waco and Central Texas area for 20 years.  Let us help you!

Call us at (254) 756-4300

SERVPRO of Waco...there's only one!

Direct Billing to Your Insurance

12/28/2020 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, we coordinate directly with your insurance company as we manage your claim. 

The detail of all our services provided, pictures and the pricing will be uploaded directly to your insurance company continuing our working in tandem with them. 

We make sure we are working within your coverage and with the industry pricing so you are treated fairly and respectfully through your property damage situation.

No surprises!  Getting your home or business restored correctly and priced won't have any surprises to you.  We make sure everything is straight forward and you have all the information on regarding the job.  Maybe more information than you want!

At SERVPRO of Waco, we have been helping folks in the greater Waco and Central Texas area through their home and business property damage losses for 20 years.

Let us help you too!

Call us at (254) 756-4300.

SERVPRO of Waco...there's only one!

Heavily Insured!

12/8/2020 (Permalink)

A big concern when having workers come to your home or business, especially on an emergency basis,  is how well the company is insured for any thing that might go wrong.

What if something valuable gets broken...what if they really mess something up.  Will I be left holding the bag and responsible for it...just have to pay it myself??

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, is actually a franchise owned by local folks right here in Central Texas (if you consider China Spring to be in Central Texas. 

Through the franchise connection, insurances specialized to our work and industry are available to us that not just any old company can get.  We are actually required to carry all of it!  And they keep track it's up to date.

We have what is called pollution insurance...in case we make things worse (never happened with us)...cyber insurance protection for all your data and information among many specialized coverages. 

We also carry workers compensation insurance, of course.  Nobody is coming to your place not covered.

SERVPRO of Waco has served thousands of folks in the greater Waco and Central Texas area for nearly 20 years.  We have never had a claim or major breakage in that time.

If you need help with a property damage situation, you can be sure we stand behind our work and your safety.

Call us at (254) 756-4300

Air Scrubbing for Mold Spores

10/14/2020 (Permalink)

Air getting a good scrubbing

In areas or near areas affected by mold damage one way to clean the mold spores out of the air is to use an air scrubber.  This type of air scrubber can be used to clean the air from sewage and other airborne contaminants.

In this Baylor area house in Waco, TX, the air is being drawn into an air scrubber.

It passes through some preliminary filters and then through a HEPA filter (High-Efficiency Particulate Air).  Air leaving the machine, having passed through the HEPA filter, is 99.97% clean of any particulates, not just mold spores, etc.

Ducting the clean air exhausted from the machine to the outside creates negative air flowing out of the air and is often used in areas where mold covered materials are being removed.

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, has been helping homeowners, businesses and institutions in the greater Waco and Central Texas area deal with mold issues for nearly 20 years.

If you find yourself in a moldy situation, give us a call.

(254) 756-4300

SERVPRO of Waco...there's only one!

Water Experts

10/13/2020 (Permalink)

Birds of a Feather

These Two Can Handle Some Water!

Yes, live and direct from a Woodway, TX, grocery store parking lot. The rugged water handling vehicle pictured on the right had joined our rugged water handling vehicle pictured on the left.

Granted the one on the right is a great looking outdoorsy, water forging type which is surely a hoot to ride in.

The more "glamourous" SERVPRO vehicle is the one you want to show up if you have water affecting your building where water shouldn't be.

And, while more comfortable, it probably isn't quite the hoot to drive compared to the other one.

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, has helped hundreds and hundreds of folks in the greater Waco and Central Texas area through water damage and home/building damages of all sorts area over our 19+ years in business.

Joking aside, we have the knowledge and experience to get the job done right.

SERVPRO of Waco...there's only one!

Call us if we can help!

(254) 756-4300

Air Mover A91 christened in the Baptismal Waters

9/24/2020 (Permalink)

New, low style air mover drying up the excess baptistry water on its very first job placement.

One day after arrival at our warehouse and the day it was "named" and listed in our system, air mover A91 was pressed into service to dry the area under a Waco, TX, church baptistry.  Literally the church baptistry.

This baptistry is a submersion style and holds a lot of water.  Consequently, it takes a while to fill...and things can happen.

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, was able to dry out the area under the baptistry and the areas of the sanctuary of this Waco church into which the water also ran pretty quickly.

Baptisms went on unimpeded.

SERVPRO of Waco has helped many churches in the greater Waco and Central Texas area through property damage situations since 2001.

In addition to churches, SERVPRO of Waco has helped thousands of folks over the last 19+ years.

SERVPRO of Waco...there's only one!

If we can help, call us at (254) 756-4300.

Non-Fire Extinguished

9/24/2020 (Permalink)

Kitchen table, chair and floor covered with fire extinguisher powder

That's right.  This is probably better described as a fire extinguisher emptied in a Crawford, TX, area resort apartment building, not related to an actual fire.

Hopefully, you've never needed to experience a situation where the fire extinguisher needed to be used.

One thing for sure, the white powder shoots out of it in a real hurry.  And it makes a real mess.  Used for its fire extinguishing purpose, it shoots a mess onto a mess already in progress.  Set off for any other reason, it makes quite the mess on its own.

This use of a fire extinguisher put white powder into two apartments, a stairwell and a long downstairs hall.

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, was able to successfully clean up the damage and have the building ready for rental by the next bookings.

We have helped thousands of folks through property damages in the greater Waco and Central Texas area during our nearly 20 years in business.

SERVPRO of Waco...there is only one!

(254) 756-4300

Ah, yes, there is some mold here.

9/24/2020 (Permalink)

Mold under the cabinet

This is the kind of mold that feed one's imagination.  Not because of the species of mold it is, as we don't know the species.

What it does is say that yes, sometimes there is mold you don't see at first.

Actually, the inside bottom of this Whitney, TX, area water damaged cabinet was very discolored in the back one-fourth section giving indication there probably was more of it.

There was also minor mold on the wall next to this free standing cabinet.

The cabinet was removed from the home and the area cleaned and remediated.

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, has been helping thousands of folks in the greater Waco and Central Texas area through mold other property damage situations for the past 19+ years.

We'd be happy to help you as well, should you have a property damage issue.

SERVPRO of Waco...there's only one!

(254) 756-4300

Staging the Drying Equipment

9/10/2020 (Permalink)

Sometimes you have to put it nearby, but out of everyone's way.

After the arrival of a SERVPRO Disaster Recovery Team unloading and staging the drying equipment from the 55 foot trailer is underway.  Not all large buildings which have suffered a significant loss, have the space available for a 55 foot semi trailer set up with a crew working from it.  Consequently, side streets, etc., are often used.

Here, the equipment packed into the trailer is being brought from the trailer in Waco, TX, and staged on parts of the lawn to be worked into the job site as work progresses.

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company called in this Disaster Recovery Team to assist in providing the amount of equipment and "boots on the ground" resources needed to deal with the damage, and keep the building operational.

The team was on the site within hours.

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, has been bringing the knowledge, experience and resources to help hundreds of folks in the greater Waco and Central Texas area recover from losses to their buildings for nearly 20 years.

You can count on us!

(254) 756-4300

SERVPRO of Waco...there is only one.

The Wall that Keeps On Giving

9/10/2020 (Permalink)

All from the wall

Every so often, after removing trim and, subsequently drilling drying holes, in a very wet wall, we come across an area with sand or something inside the wall cavity.

This one takes the cake.  This picture is from in front of a Teague, TX, bathroom vanity.  We kept getting more and more soil out of this wall.

Turns out, after the wall was opened, it was discovered a gopher had tunneled under the home.  The wall backs up to the bath tub for the hall bath and is a pretty open area.

Just when we think we've seen it all.

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, has helped hundreds of folks through damages to their homes and buildings in the greater Waco and Central Texas area for nearly 20 years. 

You can count on us!

(254) 756-4300

SERVPRO of Waco...there is only one.

A Makeshift Drain

9/10/2020 (Permalink)

Dehumidifier water discharge hoses draining into a "64 gallon bucket".

The majority of dehumidifiers used in water damage drying work by condensation.  They create cold coils that cause moist air to "sweat" on the coils and then catch the resulting water droplets.  We've all seen condensation on cold drink glasses and cans.

That's a bit over simplified, but the result is a reservoir of water which is pumped out of the machine...usually to a drain.

Often in large building water damages, where the dehumidifiers need placed are not close to a restroom, kitchen, custodian closet, etc.

What to do...what to do?

Often, the solution is to use a heavy duty container designed for trash originally.  

In the photo, you can see two water hoses from two extra large dehumidifiers going up the side of the trash can and into it in this Waco, TX, business.

This particular 64 gallon can had about 30 gallons of water in it each day and needed dumped.

Thank goodness it has wheels.

Ideally, all the water would go out and down a drain.  This is an excellent second option.  The water in the containers each day is always surprising to the customers.

Our Trash Containers used for this have never been used for actual trash.

Since 2001, SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, we have successfully helped hundreds of folks in the greater Waco and Central Texas area get through damage situations in their homes and buildings.

You can count on us!

(254) 756-4300

SERVPRO of Waco...there's only one.

A Penetrating Moisture Meter Readng

9/10/2020 (Permalink)

Wet drywall right next to the fireplace

Usually, finished and painted drywall walls are tested for wetness with a non-penetrating meter.

These meters send and then receive signals reading moisture in a material.  Non-penetrating meters are quite useful for good reading and no damage getting the reading.

A penetrating meter actually has points/pins the are pushed into the material, as is shown.  The pins in the photo are on the floor side on the top of the meter.

A penetrating meter reads a small are showing what is happening right in that area and go in to some depth or another.  

Since drying materials pulls moisture to the drying surface, the non-penetrating meter reads the surface as well as depth all through the drying.

A penetrating meter will show drying progress below the surface as it progresses.  The penetrating meter will help show if a smaller variations of the dampness as well.

The meter pictured is being used in a Hewitt, TX, wall area behind where the trim was removed and therefore is below the normally visual area of the wall.

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, has successfully helped hundreds of folks in the greater Waco and Central Texas area through damages to their homes and buildings since 2001.

Let us put our knowledge, experience and resources to work for you should the need arise.

You can count on us.

(254) 756-4300

SERVPRO of Waco...there's only one. 

Holy Moly!

8/31/2020 (Permalink)

Now That's Screwed Up

Here's something you don't see everyday and was quite the shock to discover working in this Waco, TX, building.

These are walls with 5/8" plywood over two layers of drywall. The plywood is screwed onto the drywall and wall studs...by screws which for the most part were not just going to unscrew.

To be sure the plywood stayed in place, the original contractors put 48 screws in each sheet.  48 SCREWS!

Removing 14 sheets of plywood with 48 screws in each sheet....

Of course there was a short time window to get things done.

After a time extension, the idea came up to bore holes with a drill attachment at each screw and detach the screws from the plywood, then deal with the drywall and screws separately.

Must say, after hundreds of holes, it actually worked.

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, has been helping folks in the greater Waco and Central Texas area for over 19 years.

Give us a shot to help you, should the need arise.

SERVPRO of Waco....there's only one.

(254) 756-4300

Licensed Mold Remediation Contractor - Again

8/31/2020 (Permalink)

Our Renewed License

After being properly refreshed via a state required mold refresher course, Roger, the owner, has been renewed as a Mold Remediation Contractor by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

Now there's a sentence, eh?

Licensed mold contractors are required to attend a refresher mold class every two years and then renew their license with the state of Texas each two years.

If you find yourself confronting mold issues in your home or building, check contractors for their license to perform the work before you proceed.

At SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, we have been helping folks in the greater Waco and Central Texas area since 2001, 19 years, with mold removal.

If you find yourself dealing with a mold situation, give us a shot at helping.

(254) 756-4300

Stage Curtains & Mice

8/30/2020 (Permalink)

The mice are loose in Waco, Texas

One job recently involved the removal of 20' stage curtains in this Waco, TX, building to make ready for the new curtains.

Yes, we have risen to new heights in theater as well.

Something we learned is that the thing-a-ma-bobs with rollers the stage curtains are attached to are called "mice."  Hey, you learn something everyday, right?

We freed the curtains from the mice...or maybe the mice from the curtains.

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, was able to successfully remove the curtains, using a lift, along with other projects in the theater.

Since 2001, 19 years, SERVPRO of Waco has been assisting hundreds of folks in the greater Waco area and all over Central Texas with restoration issues.

We hope you'll give us a shot helping you, if the need arises.

Give us a call at

(254) 723-1009  

Refreshed Mold

7/31/2020 (Permalink)

Officially Refreshed!

Oh...make that... we've completed the fresher course required for renewing our State of Texas Mold Remediation Contractor license.

Every two years mold licenses must renewed.  The refresher course, by a state approved instructor, is required for the renewal. Yes, it is a bunch of rigmarole to go through.

It does, however, be sure that those in the businesses associated with mold problems are being exposed to up to date information and guidelines.  This is a protection for the customers needing these services.

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, has been remediating mold over 19 years.

We have very successfully assisted scores of folks in the greater Waco and Central Texas areas 

If you have mold issues let us help with solutions.

Go with experience

(254) 756-4300

Vanity Left Wet

6/14/2020 (Permalink)

Vanity not dried after a water damage loss.

Drying a water damage out as quickly as possible does make a difference.

This is a picture of a vanity in Waco, TX, which suffered water damage and didn't get dried properly. 

Hey, we get it.  Hopefully this is a once in a lifetime experience for folks.  We kid people that you don't want to know a whole lot about what we do.  That would mean you have probably had it happen to you before.

This vanity was kind of a cross between not knowing just what to do and the Covid-19 virus confusion.

The vanity is still drying out, weeks after the loss date, but is heavily damaged and probably unhealthy.

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, was able to get the insurance claim unstuck and moving on this Waco water damaged home. 

SERVPRO of Waco has been serving the greater Waco and Central Texas area for over 19 years.

(254) 756-4300

Smoldering Litter Fire

6/14/2020 (Permalink)

A hot lamp, in pet litter, equals smoke...lots of it.

The heat lamp drops into the litter at the bottom of the glass cage...and VOILA!...smoke through the whole place.

Fortunately, the pet had been taken out for a trip a little earlier, probably when the lamp was bumped and fell into the litter in this Hewitt, TX fire damage.

While only a little of the litter actually burned, the slow smoldering fire produced a lot of smoke...and smell.

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, was called in to clean and deodorize the residence.  The folks had some health issues which were worked through in the process.

SERVPRO of Waco.

There is only one! 

Serving the greater Waco and Central Texas area since 2001.

(254) 756-4300

Let us help you through damages to your place, too.

Mold Assessment

6/14/2020 (Permalink)

The Mold Tester/Assessor works for you!

The Mold Remediation Contractor works for you!

Be sure they stay separate!

Sometimes there is confusion about testing for mold and removing mold. 

Texas also has rules governing the mold testing and removal industries.  These can be found on their websites.

What you always want is for the person/company testing for mold, and making recommendations of how to remove it, to work for you.  It is important they be separate from the company actually removing the mold, etc.

Beware of any mold tester/assessor who recommends only one remediation contractor/company to you.

Also beware if a mold remediation contractor/company recommends only one mold tester/assessor to you.

It is extremely important that these two persons/companies work directly for you and not in cahoots with each other.  

All the old rip off stories are true.

At SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, we are licensed for mold removal and have been helping scores of folks in the greater Waco and Central Texas area through mold damage for the past 19 years.

If you call us first, we'll have a look at the situation and provide you with a list of qualified assessors we have encountered over the years.

Then we will remove under the assessor's guidelines.

Let us help you! (254) 756-4300)

Sometimes they just have to cut it open

6/14/2020 (Permalink)

In a fire, sometimes they have to cut open the ceiling.

Fire in the attic!

Sometimes a fire gets started in the attic and the access to the attic is far from the fire site.

The only thing the fire department can do is for this is usually to cut a hole through the ceiling near the fire from the room(s) below.

This will give access to treat the fire or to test that it is out.

Good thing to do.

Bad thing for the unaffected building area below the ceiling.  Smoke, ash and debris can and will come out into the area below.

On this Hamilton, TX fire, an opening was cut just above the fireplace to the right side.  It is patched closed in the picture.

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, was called in to clean the living areas of the home.

All in all, very lucky homeowners on this one.

SERVPRO of Waco has been helping hundreds of folks in the greater Waco and Central Texas area through property damage clean up & restoration for over 19 years.

There is only one SERVPRO of Waco!

Let us help you.  (254) 756-4300

Soot covered factory ceiling

6/14/2020 (Permalink)

Factory ceiling soot removal

It's not as easy as it appears.

Cleaning soot off the ceiling of an environment where people need to keep working and access can be awkward is challenging.

Keeping the enterprise running is job one!

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, was called in to clean heavy soot above an area where a trash can fire occurred.  The fire was quickly extinguished, but not before damaging product materials and causing some heavy soot.

Using a lift that could move anywhere a fork lift could travel, be nimble in moving around/above things and capable of quickly moving out of the way if needed for production passage was the key in this Hamilton, TX area firm.

That and removing the soot with out water or any form of blasting substance.

SERVPRO of Waco has been helping businesses in the greater Waco and Central Texas area for over 19 years.

Let us help you!  (254) 756-4300

SERVPRO of Waco, there's only one!

Covering your stuff

6/14/2020 (Permalink)

We've got it covered!

When we say we are going to cover your stuff, we mean it!

If cleaning away soot, dust, etc., in your business (or home) requires being over top elements and products of the trade, we will cover it.

The picture is of raw materials for a factory where, SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, was cleaning soot from the upper structure.

A mix of 6 mil and 4 mil plastic was used to be sure it stayed in place.  Yes, we did use up what we had of one before we used the other.

We were quite successful in cleaning soot from the affected area with no loss of product, materials or production time for this Hamilton, TX firm.

SERVPRO of Waco has been helping folks through property damage problems in the greater Waco and Central Texas area for 19 years.

Let us help you!

(254) 756-4300

SERVPRO of Waco, there is only one!

Hewitt TX Roots

6/14/2020 (Permalink)

126 Ava Dr. - Hewitt, TX

Our base for several years

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, spent several years operating out of our warehouse on Ava Dr. in Hewitt.

What a great place.  Everything is close by, plenty of places to grab a bite to eat and the folks are friendly.

From our Ava Dr. location in Hewitt, we serviced Hewitt and the greater Waco and Central Texas area, helping folks through damages affecting their homes and buildings.

Many memories over on Ava Dr. - driving our vehicle through water deeper than we ever should have - pushing one of our trucks out of the parking lot and coasting down to the mechanic's parking lot.

Alas, when the buildings were sold several years later, we had to move.  Now we are a mile or two up the road and across the parking lot into Woodway.  Still near Hewitt and frequenting the businesses there.

Since 2001, over 19 years, SERVPRO of Waco has helped scores of folks in Hewitt.

Let us help you. (254) 756-4300

SERVPRO of Waco, there's only one!

Left in place wet Laminate Flooring

6/10/2020 (Permalink)

Hall laminate floors not removed or dried after a bathroom sink pipe water damage

Laminate flooring in a significant water leak/over flow situation doesn't fare well.  Even after extracting, water is normally still under the flooring. 

Many laminate floors have a pad or cushion under the floor.  This is referred to as a floating floor.

Yes, I am holding back the pun about the floor, the water and the floating.

The cushion really does just become a sponge under the flooring, often with water trapped above the cushion and below the cushion.

Removal of the flooring is really the only solution for a laminate floor which has been significantly flooded.

The laminate flooring pictured, from a Waco home, was extracted by the homeowners but not removed, or any drying attempt.  The flooring has swelled and also suffered loss of some of the top, decorative layer.

At SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company,  we have decades of experience with wet flooring, including lots of laminate ones.  Occasionally, in a light damage situation with coverage/budget concerns, the floors can be dried with minimal damage.

Call us at (254) 756-4300

Serving the greater Waco and Central Texas since 2001.

Woodway TX Based

6/8/2020 (Permalink)

That's right, SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, is based right here in Woodway, TX.  Our warehouse being just off Texas Central Texas Parkway and 84, makes us close to all of the city.

We are very familiar with the area, its homes & businesses and known by folks who live here.

SERVPRO of Waco has helped scores of folks in Woodway through property damage problems.

We're just over here by the pizza/coffee house and the dog swimming pool.

Our location also gives us quick access to the major highways and roads to travel effectively throughout the greater Waco area and all of Central Texas.

If you need help with any property damage or concerns, such as water damage, storm damage, fire damage or mold (ugh) let us help you too.

Call us at (254) 756-4300

Wet After Tornado

3/4/2020 (Permalink)

Water damaged second story sub-flooring after a tornado

This second floor hall has had the carpet and pad removed after suffering water intrusion during a tornado and heavy rain event.

To the left, not shown, is the door out into the attic where the metal roof was blown off the building.

Water damage from a tornado can come in from the roof or other blown open areas and come down trough the building, as was the case in this home.

Opening the closet door to what had come to look like a patio was quite the experience.

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, lined up the help needed to secure the roof of this Bremond, TX, area home.  We removed the carpet, etc., to get the home on the path to dried out and repaired.

SERVPRO of Waco has been helping folks in the greater Waco area and through out Central Texas through property damage situations since 2001.

Let us help you.

SERVPRO of Waco (254) 756-4300

Re-Contamination of Soot & Dust

3/3/2020 (Permalink)

A return of soot and dust after the room was cleaned of soot and dust.

Often after a fire it is necessary to clean nearby and/or adjoining offices or rooms to make them usable while work begins and progresses in the area where the fire occurred.

Most of the time, this works out fine with only a bit of inconvenience.

Sometimes there is a bit of a smell or something minor for a while.

And then sometimes, as in this Fairfield TX, fire, each day greets you with a new round of soot and dust on the flat surfaces.  While it gets less and less after each cleaning, it is a frustration.

Are the doors being opened too much while air is being disturbed in the fire damage area? 

Are doors or windows to the outside opened in the fire damage area?

Is the HVAC system somehow getting new soot in it?

It becomes a mystery to solve.

Fire Flying Objects

3/3/2020 (Permalink)

Ceiling area struck by flying air container during a fire

All sorts of hazards can occur during a fire.

One not thought of right off the bat is the danger of objects filled with compress air, gases or liquids becoming projectiles.

Many of these type items are in metal cylinders of some sort which virtually explode launching the container in almost any direction.

The picture attached is of damage left behind after an air supply cylinder hit the ceiling during a fire.  Another cylinder was launched through an office window and one hit an exit door.

Fortunately, the people who discovered the fire shut the door immediately upon discovering the fire.  Without having opened it much at all.

Opening the door could have been a disaster for several possibilities.

Our kitchens and bathrooms also contain bottles of compressed substances which could become dangerous flying objects as well.

Carpet Pad with Moisture Barrier

3/2/2020 (Permalink)

This is what happens to water/liquids which get under a carpet pad and can't be extracted or evaporate through a moisture barrier.

We sometimes encounter wet carpeting with a moisture barrier in water damaged areas. 

Guess there can be a pretty strong attraction to them as an extra charge upgrade.  If something gets spilled, by the kids, grand kids or...pets, it doesn't soak on through the carpeting down into the pad.  It is also theoretically easier to clean up since it is right on the surface until you can wipe it up.

There are two cons to these moisture barriers.  Should anything happen where some water of quantity gets on the floor or a spill is near the edge/seam, the liquid will go under the pad.  Under the pad means under the moisture barrier.  It is essentially on the wrong side of the barrier.  

Pulling the carpet back, and probably removing the padding is the only choice to get the water/liquid out.  Very disruptive.

Also, can't say I am in favor of anything that traps moisture inside a building.  It doesn't evaporate well at all and can lead to other, undesirable consequences.

Vinyl Wallpaper and Mold

3/2/2020 (Permalink)

Suspected mold on the wall behind removed cove based trim and obviously growing behind the wal behind the vinyl wallpaper.

Vinyl wallpaper is a favorite in commercial decorating.  It is tough wearing, thick stuff that is available in a vast array of colors, patterns and textures.

Put some up in my first house.  It was pretty easy to work wit too.

The big problem with the stuff is that it is an instant moisture barrier.  Humidity and water from leaks, etc. is just trapped there right behind it.  No evaporating or vapor transferring happening.

What can follow follow is that four letter bad word in building health conditions.  That's right, mold.

Drying wet walls, even realizing you have wet walls, is more difficult with a plastic film covering them.

It is a lot healthier for the building if the walls are breathing.

If you need any advice or moisture testing, please let us help you.

SERVPRO of Waco (254) 756-4300

Five Inches of Rain & the Light is Coming Down

3/2/2020 (Permalink)

The ceiling just isn't drying fast enough.

While it would be great if everything attached to the ceiling was fastened into the rafters, that is not always the case.  Often it is not practical.

Try putting up a towel rack in your bathroom that hits a wall stud on each side.

This can be true of longish light fixtures as well.

After 5" of rain wet drywall appeared around this light fixture.  SERVPRO of Waco was at the company on another matter but noticed this.  We were able to locate the source, which was a roof leak which had gone undetected until the deluge.

Insulation was removed from the affected area and air movement was placed to dry the ceiling drywall.

However, it became apparent during the drying that the weight of the fixture was stretching the drywall out before it could dry.

The maintenance folks removed the fixture.

Something to keep an eye on in large quantity rain events.

Big Trouble from this Little Faucet

3/2/2020 (Permalink)

So harmless looking.

Ever think about all the plumbing and fixtures which go into a large building designed for thousands of guests?

Even in new houses/remodels, all the new plumbing in the walls, at the fixtures, etc.

And they either work right, or they don't.  Things happen.

The water supply to this little fixture here almost brought a major, high profile Waco, TX, construction project to its knees, close to the project delivery date.  Yes, it leaked, big time.

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, was brought in for extraction and drying. 

Fortunately, the nearby stairwell and mechanicals (unfortunately) drained the bulk of the water. 

Our job got smaller and smaller as we approached the site.  Still there was work to be done.

Wonder if the custodial staff these days has any idea what happened from this little sink area?

Active Wildfire

2/27/2020 (Permalink)

Fire truck, refilled, and headed back to the fire line.

Wildfires are Different.

Rarely are we called onto a fire loss while the fire department(s) are still fighting the fire.  Our last wild fire damage job, in the Gatesville, TX area, put us onto country roads the fire departments fighting the fire were still using as one of the accesses to get to the backside of the traveling fire line.  The staging area and firefighter parking area were on the road leading to our job.

We certainly got over and out of the road when they approached.

And talk about dust!  Turns out firetrucks loaded with water crush small stone roads into dust roads.

The fire fighters did an excellent job.  The customer we helped had little direct fire damage.  They did have some odor and light soot.

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, has been helping folks in the greater Waco and Central Texas area get things back to normal after damages to their homes, buildings and businesses for 19 years.

There's Water In There?

1/6/2020 (Permalink)

Yes, the Light Globe is Full of Water.

Yes, water from a source above the room or area affected by the water damage can accumulate in the light fixture.

This fixture involved in a Whitney, TX, area tornado and thunderstorm fill up so much with water, it became dim....and warm.  The bulb was heating the water.

Water can get into a light fixture traveling along wires in the ceiling or attic.  It can also just soak straight though the drywall, etc., right into the globe and hold the water.  Turns out light globes will hold water.

Water will also run along electric lines in the ceiling or attic and drop off at low points or obstacles.  This can produce water spots in the ceiling well away from the main affected areas.  Usually the amount of water traveling the line is small, but problematic.  

Normally, the water won't have any real affect on the electricity itself.

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company has been helping folks in the greater Waco and Central Texas areas deal with water related issues for 19 years.

If you have problems with water where water shouldn't be, give us a call at (254) 756-4300.  We'll be glad to help.

The PUMP HOUSE

11/25/2019 (Permalink)

The PUMP HOUSE - got to love it!

We finally found it. 

While removing trim from very wet walls on a Hamilton, TX area ranch, water suddenly began to flow from the wall. 

Seems we pulled off a piece of trim which had been nailed into a water pipe when the home was built.

The house was quite a distance, and two gates from the road.  a quick look around the grass area surrounding the house didn't have a turn off.

Calling our contact, over 100 miles away, found that the two people who knew where the shut off was were unavailable and a spouse, in panic, was trying to locate someone who knew.

We went to the road and walked up and down the mowed area there by the entrance. Nothing there.

Finally, the spouse called back with news of a pump house but didn't know where it was.  Once we knew what we were looking for we were able to find the pump house and shut off the water.

As the home had a water damage already, the water that flowed onto the floor was easily removed.

Just love the name "Pump House".  So appropriate on a hunting/cattle ranch in the country.!

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, has served folks in the greater Waco and Central Texas area with exceptional service since 2001!

Proprietary Cleaners and Treatment Agents

9/20/2019 (Permalink)

Super Duper Cleaners and Agents

We make it ourselves

SERVPRO of Waco has access to cleaning agents formulated and mixed by SERVPRO Industries for its franchises use.

This is some great stuff and is not available from any other resource.

Some disinfectants requiring extensive, expensive government registration is supplied by a national third party product companies, but the vast majority of our products are produced by us.

You can rest assured the quality of the SERVPRO products is high and perfectly matched up to the type work we do here at SERVPRO of Waco.

Our products guarantees are backed up by our national franchising company.

The products shown are a small representation of the different products available.  These are the ones used most by SERVPRO of Waco.  We order the more specialty things as needed and receive them quickly.

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, has been serving the greater Waco area and all of Central Texas since 2001.

Call us today at 254-756-4300.

Copper Pipe Split Open from Freezing

9/20/2019 (Permalink)

A frozen copper water pipe split open.

While plastic water pipes can break and separate when frozen, copper pipes often open more as a split.  They can be relatively small sometimes.  However, the spray is strong and puts out a lot of water quickly, though slower than a complete break.

In this particular case, two pipes split open not far from each other. 

Apparently a frozen pipe bursting is not a mutually exclusive things among pipes in a structure.

In this McLennan County ranch house near Aquilla, TX a pipe burst open in a bedroom ceiling and the bathroom right beside it.

Unfortunately, it was not discovered right away and much damage was done by the water.

SERVPRO of Waco did the water extraction and water damage drying on this job.

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, servicing the greater Waco and Central Texas area since 2001.

Indoor Hot Tub Pipe Freeze

9/20/2019 (Permalink)

The repair behind the indoor hot tub

Here is what we all need and what we don't need!

This large enclosed porch style room had an indoor hot tub.  Who wouldn't want one of those??!

However, the pipe in the exterior wall from which the water for the hot tub came, froze and burst.  It was pretty much the same as having your outdoor spigot (or hydrant as some call it around here) pipe burst inside the wall.

Of, course everyone was gone at work when it happened and came home to water everywhere.  Maybe some of it went outside too, but it didn't look like it.

SERVPRO of Waco did water extraction of the whole first floor and dried out the water damage.

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, serving the greater Waco and Central Texas area since 2001.

Ground Water - Ugh!

9/20/2019 (Permalink)

The run off after an extremely quick, heavy rain,

This picture shows the ground water from extremely heavy rain running down the streets and driveways as it makes its way to lower ground and waterways in Hewitt, TX.

Unfortunately, when the ground water gets to the structure walls, the building will not be able to hold 100 % of it back.  In some instances, if one's building is the lowest point or in the direct path downhill, the building will really just slow the water down.  It will inevitably works its way through.

Sadly, unless you live in an area which is a flood plain, insurance will probably not cover the damage.  Ground water.

SERVPRO of Waco can work with you to get this water extracted and damage cleaned up.

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company serving the Greater Waco and Central Texas area since 2001.

Behind the Wet Drywall

9/20/2019 (Permalink)

Interesting wall construction behind wet drywall walls and ceiling after pipe freezes

Gravity just brings the water down several ways from frozen pipes in the ceiling.

While the water brought down part of the ceiling in this McLennan County/Aquilla area ranch. it also spread out in about every direction across the ceiling.  Then, of course, down the side walls.

After water extraction, the water damage drying process required removing some materials and letting the basic structure get dried deeper inside.

Some of the materials had to be removed immediately, i.e. the collapsed ceiling, and some was removed after preliminary drying efforts indicated drying was not progressing.

SERVPRO of Waco was able to dry this rambling home in a reasonable time period without extensive demolition.

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company serving the greater Waco and Central Texas since 2001.

Texas Mold License Certificate

9/20/2019 (Permalink)

Yes, we are a licensed mold remediation contractor!

In 2001, SERVPRO of Waco was trained and became a mold remediation contractor and helped hundreds of homeowners and business owners navigate through mold issues.

Yes, we are one of the honest ones from way back.

One of the things we see most in mold situations is panic.  While the presence of mold is some cause for concern, mold also has an affect of imaginations.  Fear that there is more than one can see.

Keeping calm and seeking information is the best first step.

One thing to keep in mind, if one has mold, or thinks there is mold, the first question is where is there water where water shouldn't be.  

Mold is the result of water/moisture being where it shouldn't be.

Mold remediation in Texas does require a state issued license.  Our mold remediation contractor license is attached below.

If you are concerned about potential mold problems please give us a call.

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company serving the Greater Waco area and all of Central Texas since 2001.

Wall Moisture Meter Reading

9/18/2019 (Permalink)

One Wet Wall.

At SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, we use a variety of tools and instruments to locate the moisture in a building and to monitor progress when we are drying it. 

One we use heavily is the "wall meter", moisture encounter, which sends out and receives back a signal gauging moisture content in materials.  I must admit, after this point I am out of my element to tell you how it works.

The reading on the drywall wall pictured shows the gauge meter to be buried past the scale face.  This is a very damp wall which needs dried out.

The 1" hole was drilled into through the drywall into the wall cavity.  This allows air from the drying equipment to get into and up the back side of the wall cavity as well as on the front side.

This particular wall was in a water extraction water damage near Hamilton TX.

The wall was successfully dried out and the replacement trim will cover the 1" hole.  One can see the trim line just below the meter.

It will be "Like it never even happened".

SERVPRO of Waco has serviced the greater Waco area and Central Texas area for over 18 years.

The Dressing Rooms Next Door

9/18/2019 (Permalink)

Drying the walls in the old dressing rooms.

Flooded empty store

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, was called to do water extraction and drying one a retail store next to a large empty store.  A pipe had burst in the empty store in the middle of the night and was discovered in the wee morning hours by a delivery driver.

The old dressing rooms of the empty store and part of the warehouse space in the operating store next door basically became a pond with the common wall in the middle of it.  The empty store side held back more water and supplied the other side.

What a deal... water extraction as the two sides fed each other from the opposite being extracted.

It became a rather large water damage job.

The customers were quite happy with the out come and zero interruption of their business activities.

SERVPRO of Waco has been servicing the greater Waco area and all of Central Texas since 2001.

Give us a call at 254-756-4300 if we can help you.

Oh yes, the fool in the mirror is our owner Roger.

Soot Wiped Away!

9/18/2019 (Permalink)

Cleans without liquids. A cleaning sponge which works dry!

One of the most useful, versatile tools SERVPRO of Waco uses in fire damage clean up is the dry cleaning sponge.

This dry "sponge" excellently wipes soot away from materials and items which can not be cleaned with a liquid. There is an amazing amount of things which fall into this category amongst things we have and use in our homes, businesses and institutional buildings.

Our understanding is the sponge is made of the same basic material as a pencil eraser.

One might say it erases the soot.

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, has helped hundreds of homeowners and businesses through fire damage problems in the greater Waco area and Central Texas since 2001.

Give us a call if we can be of assistance to you.

254-756-4300

Or find us on the internet!

The Pump House

9/16/2019 (Permalink)

So...this is where the water shut off is!

Sometimes we at SERVPRO of Waco restoration company need to turn off the water, or occasionally turn on the water in water damage and water extraction jobs. 

And sometimes we need to find it in a hurry, as in this case.  On this ranch in the Hamilton, TX area we couldn't find the cut off near the house.  Couldn't find it anywhere around the front gate and road frontage near the front gate, after driving down to it.  Our contact didn't know where it was and couldn't get a hold of those who knew immediately.

Turns out there was a pump house out through the thistles and we had to get out there to it...in shorts.  It was kind of cool it was in a pump house.

SERVPRO of Waco does service the greater Waco area and all of Central Texas, going the extra mile, i.e. in short through the thistles, to help our friends and customers. 

Air Conditioner Condensation Leak on Top of the Inside Unit

8/29/2019 (Permalink)

Water seeping out of the duct work and down into the heating/air conditioning main unit and controls

Sometimes the air conditioning condensation discharge happens in the upper part of the system.

This happens when the opening allowing the water to flow out of the condensation pan into the lines gets blocked.

It puts water meant to be exiting the building running down inside the unit instead.

Of course, gravity will take it onto the floor and on out into the rooms.

This picture shows the water on top of the main unit (furnace if you will) and has gone through the slotted openings and on down into the unit.

The problem, in a large Waco church water damage, was discovered when SERVPRO of Waco restoration company traced the cause of a wet floor in the neighboring room back to the water source. 

The problem was resolved and the rooms dried back to normal with little residual damage.

No, that is not modern art.

8/29/2019 (Permalink)

Interesting Pattern - Disgusting Substance

While the pattern left in this bath tub does have a slightly artist look, it is actually left from a the drainage of a water back up.

This Central Texas home suffered a back up of water through the drain lines running out of the building.

Unfortunately, this was sewage water damage, also called black water or category 3 water.

We at SERVPRO of Waco restoration company removed affected water absorbing materials from the home, disinfected remaining solid materials and concrete floors, after removing carpeting, etc. 

We then air scrubbed the inside air via HEPA filters and got humidity levels to normal ranges.

  Also we cleaned up and disinfected the bath tubs in the home.  Yuck!

They home owners were extremely appreciative for the cleaned and disinfected bathroom fixtures.

Thermal Fogging

6/12/2019 (Permalink)

Thermal fogging after a fire.

How to deodorize where smoke has gotten into all the little crooks and crevices in the area?

Re-Smoke it!

A Thermal Fogger produces smoke from a scented liquid base. The scented smoke travels into the crooks and crevices where the original smoke went and covers with the scented version.

The thermal fogging is done before the main cleaning is done to the rest of the affected areas.

Eventually the smell from both layers dissipate with no trace smell from either.

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, employs many cleaning techniques in restoring a home or building to normal after a fire damage loss.

We have helped hundreds of folks in the greater Waco and Central Texas area since 2001.

We'd be glad to help you too.

Call us if find yourself dealing with a fire loss situation.

(254) 756-4300

Water Heater Burst

6/12/2019 (Permalink)

It burst at the seams.

Something sound like it popped/burst?

Sometimes we forget that since our water heater actually heats the water, it can also build up pressure...steam pressure.

All water heaters have a pressure release valve designed to open up when the pressure begins to build.

Sometimes, rarely, debris/deposits get into the vale and prevent it from opening.

It is unlikely it is going to shoot through the roof or spew steam all over everything wildly.  It is likely the water tank inside the heater will pop open.  That means a sudden release of water as happened with the one pictured.

This one was a 50 gallon capacity heater.  The person taking a shower at the other end of the house heard it, as did the young persone in the next room from the water heater.  Within moments they began to see water coming into rooms and down the hall. 

Water from the heater came out very qucikly and by the time it finished leaking and the water to the heater was shut off, about one fourth of their home was very wet.

If you hear a pop, don't for get to have a fast look at your water heater.

Clean Up in Isle 6

6/12/2019 (Permalink)

A little too much water

Did you know sprinkler systems also have pipes that aren't in the ceilings?

Just like at your place, businesses have water surprises now and then too.  Say, for example, in the middle of the night between Friday and Saturday on a holiday weekend.

It was a good clean water washing of the floors...at just the wrong time.

The pipe was fixed very quickly and the store personnel got busy getting out what they could, which was not an insignificant amount.

SERVPRO of Waco was called in to get water out of the less open areas of the store and re-extract areas which refilled from neighboring areas.

The store folks did a wonderful job of getting the store re-opened and being sure each customer was safe while work finished.

Water Meter Moving

6/10/2019 (Permalink)

Typical water meter face

Water bills high?

Water where there shouldn't be and can't find out where it comes from? 

A good way to tell if you have a pipe leak in your home/building is by checking the water meter.

The water meter is usually out near the property line or street/alley.

After lifting the lid on the meter a meter face with dials/numbers should be visible.  If it is not you may need to wipe it off or gently dig a bit to find it.

The meter face generally has a wheel of some sort, such as the asterisk one shown in the picture, which moves if any water is moving through the pipe.  Generally, the more water going through it the faster it spins.

Be sure anything in the house/building which uses water is off and see if the wheel is moving.  Sometimes the movement can be very, very slow.

The face of the meter usually has a line at the top or bottom behind the wheel so you can tell if the wheel is moving slowly.

If the wheel is not moving, there is no leak in the water pipes.  The meter does not measure water in drains of from devices such as air conditioning units.

If the wheel is moving with everything shut off, there is a leak on the property/in the building somewhere.  One may well need a plumber at that point

The Wet Spot

6/10/2019 (Permalink)

A wet spot in the yard most likely a water pipe leaking, though not in the building.

Wet, maybe very green, spot in the yard?

It is a pretty sure bet an unexplained wet spot out in the yard/property is a water pipe or drain problem.

There have probably been higher than normal water bills leading up to a spot/area such as this.

For some reason, these spots are good at occurring where folks don't go into the yard/property very much.

It is a pretty sure sign a plumber is needed.

Ironically, this one was found outside a home which had a small, bet very smelly fire.  The spot kept slowly getting wetter with any water being used in the home, so it was most likey a water pipe instead of a drain pipe.  A drain pipe would only leak when water water turned on.

Recipe for Gray Soot and Terrible Smell

6/10/2019 (Permalink)

The 15 hour, simmered plastic container

A recipe you don't want to try!

Take one plastic food container and place it on an electric burner to simmer for 15 hours or so.

This particular one did not cause massive flame damage but did cause a good bit of soot.

A good practice for everyone is not to set anything on the stove burners which isn't cookware and isn't being used right away.

And if you are visiting someone's home, for whatever reason, don't fool with the stove.  If you have to check it for some reason, be sure it is off when you finish!

The biggest specialty of this recipe is an incredible bad smell which is extremely hard to get eliminate.

Lots a new painting happened afterwards.

We See the Darnest Things.

6/10/2019 (Permalink)

It is great...whatever it is.

A Baby Buggy??

One thing about working around the Baylor University arts buildings is you see some of the most interesting things.

This just appeared one afternoon near our vans, seemingly right out of the blue.

Wasn't there in the morning.  Was there in the afternoon.

It certainly is interesting.  Appears to be a real camper, be it very small, welded onto a rail yard type metal cart.

That and the opera annex were pretty classy things for for a bunch of restoration folks.  We certainly did appreciate it though.  That little corner of the Baylor University campus has art objects around in the grassy areas and numerous steeples to view.

Fortunately, the work which needed our help was on the smaller side, though the shiny surface left when we were finished was sort of "artsy".

Inside the Containment

6/10/2019 (Permalink)

Inside the "containment"

Ever wonder what it looks like inside a mold containment area.

As you can see, it is pretty exciting inside the containment area.

Not shown are people in full personal protection suits and gear.

And, of course, missing is the debris which can accumulate in large quantities needing bagged and removed correctly.

The ladder to the left was 10' tall which was needed to get the containment all the way up to the ceiling.  It was also needed for higher up demolition.  Consequently, it couldn't be removed without compromising the containment...so it became a cleaned and treated part of the chamber.

Oh, and it is usually very hot inside as well.

After demolition though, it is a lot like a normal room.

Negative air and air machines are always running to capture mold spores and clean the air.

Almost a surreal environment when mold spores become the "can't see 'ums".

The "Containment"

6/10/2019 (Permalink)

The mold containment "chamber"

Containment

Oh what these conjures up in the imagination when thinking of movies and TV series shows.

Our's are for mold removal.  Keeping the bad spores trapped inside until we can tear out their habitat and catch them in HEPA filters.

By the way, HEPA stands for "High Efficiency Particulate Arrestance" or "High Efficiency Particulate Air".  Quite the mouthful and most people have forgotten the full name.

The containment shown covers a ceiling over 12 ft tall and using two machines for negative air pressure and then air scrubbing.

Negative air is used to pull air out of the room right through the HEPA filter and exhausting 99.97% particular free clean air.  Scrubbing the air is done after the demolition and keeps the air inside the containment inside the containment.  The air is repeated forced through the HEPA filter and returned to the room(s) "scrubbing" the air.

The look of this containment captures one's imagination.

It also captured the spores necessary to pass a post remediation testing.

Covering the Customer's Product during post Fire Damage Clean Up

2/15/2019 (Permalink)

Covering the products before cleaning the soot and debris above it.

Here our crew covers the customer's finished products.  The products were produced after the fire damage but before cleaning the soot and debris from the structure above the storage racks in this Waco manufacturing plant.

Varying cleaning hours to times when the skeleton crews worked kept production running with no disruption.

Passage through the facility was narrow in most places for an articulated arm lift, necessary to reach the upper structure areas.  We used small crews and carefully maneuvered our way among the assembly line areas and the storage areas.

SERVPRO of Waco cleaning products and cleaning techniques produced excellent results removing the fire smoke damage.

No product or production time were lost or damaged in the cleaning process. 

The continuing operation (or quickly resumed operation) are of paramount importance in business/commercial restoration work.

Wet Engineered Wood FLoor

2/14/2019 (Permalink)

Water beneath an engineered wood floor.

Wood floors, or anything that looks like wood floors, are wildly popular in home decorating.

Engineered wood floors are nice, higher end floors where the body of the flooring piece is a plywood or layered wood with a veneered wood layer on the top of the piece.

In a water damage, the water can go over the floor and under the floor.  The water is absorbed from beneath and through all the spaces between the individual pieces.

Often the floor will need replaced.

The floor pictured also had a vapor barrier mat beneath it.  The water in this case ran over the floor and down onto the mat. The water did not get below the mat to any large degree however.

Usually engineered floors are glued down with a honey type glue, and are difficult to remove.

Coryell County Wildfires

2/14/2019 (Permalink)

Wildfire damage from in front of the customer's home. The fire damage continues off in the distance.

In July 2018, we assisted a family whose property was burned in the wildfires between Gatesville, TX and Copperas Cove, TX.

The drive out on the country lanes to get to the home was ominous.  Everything was burned and fire trucks were still returning to the area to get more water for further up the line.

This may have been the most unsettling drive to a job site we ever experienced.  Arriving at the customer's property/home and turning down the lane with everything around burned up was very different.  It made one feel very alone.

The firefighters did an incredible job saving the family's home from severe damage and saving all the contents of the home.  The fields and a couple of sheds did suffer severe damage.

SERVPRO of Waco was able to clean up the fire damage on the inside of the home pretty quickly.

Wet Paneling Over Wet Drywall

9/6/2018 (Permalink)

Drying wet paneling and the drywall behind can be challenging.

Often a water release in a building which has paneled walls will have wet drywall behind the paneling, as was the case in this Groesbeck, TX, duplex.

The problem is the water will wick up the dry wall behind the paneling very quickly, as oil wicks up the wick in a lantern.  However, the moisture is very slow to wick back out of the wall, down from whence it came or through the paneling as the paneling is drying.

Sometimes the drywall will dry behind the paneling using just the drying equipment.  Sometimes it is necessary to open drying holes in the both layers (paneling and drywall) of the wall.  Sometimes sections, or all, of the paneling has to go.

In this instance, we were able to save all the walls intact. A little trim was removed in a few places to open up the walls in those areas.  The trim was easily replaced and everything was good to go.

Texas Mold License

7/13/2018 (Permalink)

Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License

18 Years experience in mold remediation.

Since 2001, SERVPRO of Waco restoration company has been helping folks in the greater Waco area area resolve mold issues.

Yes, are one of the honest ones.

One of the keys to a mold concerns is to not panic.  While the presence of some mold is a cause for concern, mold also has an affect on imaginations.  Fear that there may be far more than one can see.

There is rarely any need to flee your home/business, screaming down the street about mold.

Professional removal of mold does require a license from the state of Texas.  Our's is pictured above.

On the other hand, approaching the situation calmly and logically will help one to not get "hyped" by profiteers playing on people's fears.

Give us a call about your mold concerns.

There is only one SERVPRO of Waco!

254-756-4300

We've Been "Refreshed"...for Mold

6/16/2018 (Permalink)

"Big whoop" right? But required to maintain our TEXAS MOLD REMEDIATION CONTRACTOR license. That is a "big whoop"... and most don't have one.

Roger, with SERVPRO of Waco, has completed the Texas  mold "refresher" course required for renewing the Texas Mold Remediation Contractor license.

Pretty exciting, right?  HA!

Well, it is required every two years to maintain a mold remediation license.

Texas mold licenses are required for mold remediation by legislation to protect you,the customer.

In the past, many people and companies have been cheated by contractors/companies which were less than honest.

At SERVPRO of Waco we've been straight forward and completely honest about mold and remediation throughout our 17+ years serving Waco and many surrounding communities.

We are the only mold remediation contractor licensed SERVPRO office within many, many miles of Waco TX.

Call us with any questions or concerns with mold or potential mold you have.  We'll be glad to assist and guide you in dealing with mold issues.

254-756-4300

Heat Waves and AC Water Leaks

6/1/2018 (Permalink)

Strategically placed bucket catching water from an AC condensate line blockage in the China Spring area. It can happen with any AC system.

It looks like (and feels like) hot humid weather has come early to Waco and Central Texas.

It may be a long hot summer.

Our air conditioning systems are going to get quite a workout.

One problem which pops up virtually every time intense heat arrives and stays is a blockage of the water drain line from the unit inside the building to where it runs out on the ground outside the building.

They call this the condensate line as the water is formed from condensation in the cooling process.

This almost always leaks right at the air handler (furnace) inside the building and comes out into the building, such as this unit in the China Spring, TX, area

It can be especially bad if the unit is next to a closet or room which no one enters regularly and can go undetected for a while.

You might want to have a look inside the closet/room where the AC unit is located and adjacent rooms.  Just to be sure no funny business is going on there.

Things you can do to help prevent an AC leak include:

• Pull off the top part of the pipe and pour bleach down the pipe at the unit.  Plumbers seem to swear by this.
• Actually blow down the pipe in a big burst of air.  This will work to unclog the pipe sometimes too.  Yes it sounds gross and would probably be a younger male convinced to do it. (Or an older, gritty male)
• Check outside where the line should be draining onto the ground and be sure water is coming out and it is not blocked...or in the ground!

Should you find water damage in your building leaking from the AC system, call SERVPRO of Waco to get it extracted and dried properly in Waco and Central Texas.

Call us anytime! 

Sometimes mold is on things as small as splatters on walls in Waco.

5/25/2018 (Permalink)

Suspected Mold...on Splatter Spots...on the Wall

We like to use the example mold won't grow on your car fender, but if you spread butter all over your car fender, it will grow on the butter which is on your car fender.

Sometimes this is even true of mold which is growing on something on another material which will also grow mold.

The photo is of a wall in a commercial building, in the Central Texas Marketplace area of Waco, TX, which appeared to have mold on the wall.

  Technically, that is correct, but actually the mold was on what appeared to be splatter drops from a drop food or drink.  The mold was easily wiped off by SERVPRO of Waco with antimicrobial, though the spots from the food discolored the wall. 

The employees were relieved.

SINCE 2001 - Over 20 years

5/10/2018 (Permalink)

Our Warehouse

Don't take Chances!

Call the experienced experts Central Texas folks have relied on for many years when their homes or businesses...buildings...have suffered property damage. 

As the old song goes..."we've been everywhere".

SERVPRO of Waco, a restoration company, was there then, is here now and will be here to provide, and back up, our quality, professional service.

Beware of the "two year wonders". 

At SERVPRO of Waco we have been able to keep abreast of innovations and improvements in the industry though our parent company national involvement.  Our experience gives us a solid foundation of what is tried and true, as well.

After 20+ years, we are quite accomplished at getting our arms around your situation and producing the best possible outcome.

SERVPRO of Waco...there's only one!

We'd be pleased to help you as well!

(254) 756-4300

The Sprinklers

5/10/2018 (Permalink)

Is there always someone present in your business/facility during working hours who knows how to turn off the sprinkler system should it suddenly open up?

Even just one sprinkler head will put out an enormous amount of water very quickly...and over a pretty good sized area.  In a fire, that is exactly what you want.

Sometimes the sprinkler system can go off for other reasons, or a very minor fire.  When they do, they need turned off quickly.  15 or 20 minutes to figure out where and how to turn them off will be a soaking disaster.

It is kind of easy to forget who knows, especially if there is some normal turn over in personnel.

Can even happen when the boss, or whoever, is out of the building briefly.

It kind of goes in there with knowing how to cut the water off to the whole place and cut the power off.  It is a fine line to be sure the facility is safe from someone using these for harmful purposes and still be sure the utilities can be stopped quickly in an emergency.

It may come down to who also knows where the keys are if locking the utilities is deemed necessary.

Knowing where and how to turn off the water can be a big deal in even small offices/facilities if things go haywire suddenly.

SERVPRO of Waco has helped folks get this type of water damage cleaned up quickly and their businesses to keep running or re-open quickly.

WHERE ARE YOUR PICTURES??

5/7/2018 (Permalink)

We put our pictures in all kinds of places and in all kinds of things.

While most new pictures seem to go into cell phones and digital cameras, rarely to be seen again, most of us have old ones which are on some form of paper.

Of course, cardboard boxes, loosely folded closed, are one of the main way pictures are stored.

Paper stored inside paper which is barely sealed.  

Water is absorbed by the paper and cardboard and smoke from even a little bitty fire can get all over the pictures.

Plastic containers which slide under beds are a great way to store...and possible save them.  In closets too.

Should you suffer a fire damage or water damage loss, pictures, and other documents, which are in plastic containers with the lid snapped shut rarely suffer damage, unless burned directly.

Next time you have them out for anything...into a plastic container and snap shut the lid!

Contact SERVPRO of Waco for all your fire damage and water damage needs in Waco and Central Texas.

We'll be glad to help.

Headed Out of Town for Vacation?

5/7/2018 (Permalink)

For heaven's sake don't turn off your water at the street while you are gone, there won't be any chance of a big water surprise when you get back home.  Everyone likes a little excitement.

And they don't sell those inexpensive, easy to use tools to shut the water off at any stores near you, so there is no since in looking.

It's just fate the water leaks when you're gone.

Of course, no one in your home or business should know how to turn the water to the building  off quickly.  Fifteen or forty five minutes to find the cut off should be OK, the water tower won't just keep sending more water.

And if the meter/valve box needs to have dirt and debris cleaned out of it before the valve can be closed...it's some more excitement.  Right?

Cleaning Up After a Death-when necessary

4/14/2018 (Permalink)

A death discovered after sometime time passage?

Sometimes a loved ones pass away while alone and folks don't know it for a while.  This is a very dangerous situation for health concerns if not handled correctly.

BEWARE

While there are, of course, things which need done in the home/building after proper agencies remove the person's remains, there are firms out there which charge outrageous amounts for this. 

Seems these firms take advantage of the emotions and confusions of the situation.

A real problem arises with insurance coverage.  There are usually limits on this type coverage in insurance policies.  When the bill exceeds the coverage it is left to the family/estate to cover the unpaid amounts.  This can be tens of thousands of dollars and may not be truly necessary work.

At SERVPRO of Waco we will help you through the clean up process, staying in touch with the insurance representatives, if they are involved, so you are well aware of coverage.

We don't do anything not covered by insurance unless requested and approved by you.

No unpleasant surprises.

Fire Clean Up Truck Ready to Roll

12/18/2017 (Permalink)

Running with the fire trucks...or maybe just parked there for a small non-fire job. OK, it's the latter one.

Fire Clean Up Crew

Actually we were there for a small job - they let us pull into the bay to be near the door where we were working on a small job for the fire department.

It sure makes one feel important when they pull a fire truck out so you can park in its place!

The real fire fighting truck was positioned nearby, behind the building.

We are available to help with fire clean up after the fire fighters have the flame situation non-existent anymore.

Water damage can often be one the first damages needing addressed in a fire.

Fire trucks bring lots of water to the scene and things will get wet!

Trust SERVPRO of Waco to help you through the mess caused by a fire, from both flames and water.

Job Site Rainbow Picture

11/5/2017 (Permalink)

A cool rainbow and other colorful things.

Resisting all temptation tying our service to the appearance of a rainbow, it was a great rainbow and deserved a picture.  The cell phone camera (or the photographer) doesn't do it justice.

The customers' attractive building and the wild green vehicle made a nice setting for the picture.

This is a pretty weather picture, but obviously after a bit of rainy weather.

Our service on this job was not related to the weather. 

Sometimes you have to take a moment and enjoy the rainbow.

We do, however, roll out in all kinds of weather. Sometimes, that is delayed a bit until travel is safe, but we do come shortly after that.

As part of our service, we do strive to help folks move from the stress of the damage, recover at least some of their sense of humor or calm, and be able to move forward with a sense of confidence things are going to get back to normal...and maybe even look/work out better than before.

You can count on SERVPRO of Waco for help when you need it.

We've been lucky, but...

8/28/2017 (Permalink)

Waco has dodged a bullet from the hurricane.

Who'd have thought we'd get gentle rains and cool, easy breezes, while just South of us folks are in a real struggle with the weather?

But the storm may turn North and come towards us Thursday or so.

How are things looking for water drainage around your place(s)?

Are the storm sewer openings clear of debris?  Is the drainage ditch clear? Are drain culverts near your place open and clear of debis?

We've had customers who were near awesome storm sewer drains, but the flooding occurred was on trash pick up day and the trash cans, etc., floated down and blocked the storm sewers.

It would be a real drag to have to stand in flood water, in the rain and try to unclog things in the throws of a storm.

Just sayin'.

Texas Mold Regulations

8/20/2017 (Permalink)

Did you know Texas has regulations regarding mold covering testing and remediation?

Mold assessors, mold remediation contractors/companies or any companies removing mold are required to have a mold license from the State of Texas Department of Health which requires course work and passing exams, insurances, etc.

There are thresholds levels of mold growth where the regulations kick in.  Generally this is 25 contiguous sq ft. ( picture a 5' X 5' square).  

If the mold all put together in an area would cover that much, Texas does have regulations regarding its removal by a company.  

Sometimes it is helpful to imagine the mold growth in proportion to covering a sheet of plywood, though that is actually 32 sq ft, it is easier to envision.

SERVPRO of Waco is licensed as a mold remediation company and has a licensed as a mold remediation contractor.

We can certainly help you find a mold assessor to test and evaluate mold if necessary.  This can be a little pricey.

Texas does not allow remediation companies to test for mold or mold assessors to remediate mold.  A firm either does one or the other.

Please contact us with your concerns regarding mold.

Got Mold?

8/19/2017 (Permalink)

Have mold or think you have mold?  Then you have water/moisture where it shouldn't be.

Finding why this moisture is there should be the first priority in taking care of the mold problem.  If the moisture problem continues the mold problem will probably continue or come back.

Have a look for possible sources of the moisture. Roof leaks, pipe leaks, window leaks, water a crawl space, shower leaks, drain leaks are possible sources.

While we can't tell you if you have mold you can't see, we can help find water intrusion sources...and of course, remove mold.

Texas does have some regulations regarding mold assessment and remediation over certain contaminant levels, which we can guide you through, if applicable.

Please note the above information/advice is free and you should take it for what it is worth.  While we deal with mold problems often, we are not "mold experts" with degrees in biology or assessment licenses.

We are experts in mold remediation and moisture testing.

Content insurance coverage problems?

8/19/2017 (Permalink)

Is your insurance contents coverage from your fire damage capped at a relatively low dollar amount and/or subject to depreciation with no replacement value cost feature?

If so, you may want to take the time in the first days of the cleaning and/or pack out to sort clothing and fabric items from the closets, etc.  Folks often find, on the return of the cleaned clothes, etc. there are items which have not been used in years.  These items often get donated in the end though.

Sorting these things right during the stress of beginning fire damage clean up and repair is a pain, but if contents coverage is a problem, it will save money to use on furniture, kitchen items, bedding, or heck, even new clothes.

A/C drain line blockages

8/17/2017 (Permalink)

With the hot weather we are getting calls for water leaking from the inside air conditioning unit because of a plugged drain line.

Had a look at your unit lately?

Might want to check rooms and closets that share a common wall with the inside A/C unit, particularly if you don't go in there regularly.

The drain line is usually a white pvc pipe and is on the front(ish) area of the indoor unit. most have a small stem sticking up with a drain cap snugged onto it.  The cap can be removed with out too much trouble.

SOMETIMES blowing on the open end of the pipe will dislodge what ever is causing the problem.  Yes it sounds gross, but really it is clean water and a pipe with a little dust on it (which could be wiped off).

Most likely you will need an A/C technician.

While we aren't experts on unclogging the A/C drain line...we are experts on getting the water out of your home/building and getting things dried out.