Severe Weather: Fact V. Fiction:

12/1/2023 (Permalink)

When it comes to dangerous weather situations, there are many myths that are spread among homeowners. It is important to understand the truths in order to keep your family and your home protected. Here are a few myths and facts about severe weather. 

Myth: Lightning never strikes twice.

Fact: Absolutely nothing can prevent lightning from striking the same person or location more than once. During storms, it is likely that taller buildings will be struck multiple times.

Myth: Trucks and large vehicles can make it through shallow floodwaters.

Fact: It only takes 1 foot of water to lift an average-sized vehicle off the ground and it only takes 2 feet of water to lift large trucks as big as semis. Not only that, but floodwaters can sweep away portions of the road which only makes for a more dangerous driving situation no matter the size of the vehicle. 

Myth: Storms and tornadoes always move east.

Fact: While it is more common for a storm to move from west to east, tornadoes are erratic and can change their direction at any moment.

Myth: Open your windows during a tornado so they don’t explode

Fact: Opening the windows will not change the interior pressure of your house. Tornadoes are violent and will likely destroy your windows whether they’re open or not. With your windows, open-air can easily enter the house and put upward pressure on the ceiling. Scientists believe that the lift provided by this pressure makes it easier for a tornado to lift the roof off your house, creating a far more dangerous situation

Myth: During freezing weather, drink alcohol to keep you warm.

Fact: Alcohol expands your blood vessels, allowing more blood to pass through and therefore, making you feel warmer. Despite this, if you drink alcohol and are then exposed to freezing weather, the dilated blood vessels will cool down quickly, sometimes assisted by sweating, and cause your whole body’s temperature to drop at a rapid rate.

Stormwater: Fact Vs. Fiction:

11/20/2023 (Permalink)

Does storm drain water lead to treatment plants?

During a rainstorm, flash flooding has potential to enter your home. Because of this, it is important to understand the difference between myths and facts about this water.

Myth: Stormwater drains in city limits lead to treatment plants

Fact: The majority of storm drains, and the pollutants that stormwater travels with, lead to lakes, rivers, ponds, and other large bodies of water.

Myth: Stormwater is clean

Fact: As stormwater flows down roads, sidewalks, and land, it picks up sediment, pet waste, litter, cigarette butts, lawn clippings, fertilizer, and other pollutants that may be found on the ground.

Myth: Stormwater is mainly an urban problem

Fact: Agricultural fields and pastures are a huge contributor to stormwater pollution due to pesticides, fertilizer, animal waste, and sediment runoff.

Myth: The state takes care of stormwater pollution

Fact: The state only manages a portion of land. States often set pollution guidelines, but it is ultimately up to individuals to step up and do their part in managing this pollution.

Myth: Stormwater pollution will eventually go away

Fact: Pollutants in stormwater may be washed away, but as those pollutants leave, more will appear. Throwing your trash over your neighbor’s fence doesn’t mean that the trash isn’t there anymore. Every person has to play their part in reducing litter and agricultural pollutants. 

Knowing the truth about stormwater and how it can be more problematic than often believed is crucial as we near the spring rainy season. Of course, if stormwater does contaminate your home, SERVPRO of Parker and Northeast Hood Counties is here for you! We are available 24/7 for emergencies at 817-596-8714.

Check Your Home For Weakness Before A Storm

11/13/2023 (Permalink)

Remember to check for leaky windows!

Storms. We know that they can be destructive and/or dangerous, especially when water or other debris manages to get inside your home. If this happens it can have a number of negative impacts. For example, if water enters your home it may cause mold growth, lifted floorboards, damaged furniture, or wet walls or insulation. These are the most common occurrences. But, no worries, SERVPRO is here to help. Here are a couple of useful tips!

You can prevent some of these things from happening by “checking your home for weaknesses”. By this we mean, check your windows for any leakage from previous rain, remove any dead branches from trees around your house, secure outdoor items, and periodically have your roof inspected. Doing this won’t guarantee that your home will be completely safe from a storm, but it improves your chances of having no or minimal damage.

SERVPRO of Parker and Northeast Hood Counties provides the services to find & fix these problems. Be sure to give us a call if you have any concerns regarding your home (817) 596-8714

A Tornado Warning

10/26/2023 (Permalink)

What is the difference between a 'tornado watch' and a 'tornado warning'?  According to the Red Cross, a 'tornado watch' means that there is potential for a tornado to form.  A 'tornado warning' means that there is already a tornado or one is about to form.  

So what do you do in this situation?  Chances are, if you've been tied into a tornado warning before, you already have an idea of what to keep with you.  However, if you're new to a location that is known to participate in Mother Nature's spinoff (no pun intended) of the children's game 'Twister', there are a few things that you should know as far as preparation goes.

What to Do When You Get Word of a Tornado Watch:

Don't wait for the tornado watch to turn into a tornado warning before stocking your safe space.  When you receive word of a watch, immediately begin packing your safe space (which we'll get to in a minute).  Also keep the news or a radio on and listen to the current weather report.  You'll want to keep track of what is going on and when it is going on so you know how to better prepare.  Let your children, spouse, or other housemates know what's going on so they can stay in the loop (also no pun intended).  Communication in this situation truly is key as we don't want anybody unaware of the determined procedure.  You may consider walking to a neighbor or a friend's house nearby if they have a storm shelter or basement to seek refuge in.  

Where should your refuge be located:

One thing is for certain: if you live in a trailer house or mobile home, you'll want to find a sturdier structure to seek shelter in.  In fact, if you  live in a mobile home in an area that is at risk for having a tornado, you might consider investing in placing a storm shelter on site.

Other practical places to seek refuge include 

• basements
• rooms with no windows and few doors located on the lowest floor
• bathrooms
• under a sturdy piece of furniture with a mattress, blanket, or towel covering your head and neck
• closets
• pantries

Where not to seek refuge

• rooms or spaces located on the top floor of the house or building
• cars
• rooms with windows
• avoid being near bridges or highway overpasses if you are outside during this time
• areas located directly underneath a heavy object (ex. when in the basement, don't hide directly under the fridge or piano located in the room above.  The structure of the house could be compromised, causing the object to fall through.)

If you are outside when a tornado hits, run to the nearest sturdy building or even a drainpipe.  The car is not a safe place to seek refuge in this situation.  However, if you do get trapped in the car, keep your seatbelt on, the engine running,  tuck your head down below the windows, and cover as much of your body, especially your head with a blanket or coat to protect against broken glass or flying debris.

Now that we have determined where the safe space should be located, it's time to determine what needs to be placed inside of that safe space.

What to pack in your safe space

• non perishable food items
• water
• flashlight
• radio
• portable charger
• batteries
• blankets
• diapers, bottles, formula, etc. if you have a baby
• toys for children
• medication

Now that you have your safe space picked out and fully stocked with what you need, it's time to really start watching the weather.  Hopefully you have been listening to the weather report this whole time though.  Here are a few things that you should look for as far as weather conditions go.

Weather conditions that indicate a tornado

• a dark green colored sky
• a large, dark, low lying cloud
• large hail
• a loud sound that sounds like a freight train

If any of these weather conditions occur, seek refuge IMMEDIATELY!  Fortunately, you already know where to hide at this point and you have all of the materials you need already placed in the shelter.  Once the tornado hits, there's not much you can do except protect yourself and wait it out.  As always, if your home or business does happen to play victim to tornado damage and you are in need of a crew to help clean it up, you can trust SERVPRO of Parker and Northeast Hood Counties to do the job.  Give us a call at 817-596-8714.

Keeping Your Pets Comfortable During A Storm

5/31/2023 (Permalink)

Keeping your dog relaxed will make them appreciate you that much more.

Pets don't understand storms like we do.  While we understand that it will pass, pets only hear the loud noises and instantly become anxious.  There are a few things that you, as an owner, can do to make your pet more comfortable.

How To Keep Your Pets Comfortable During a Storm

• Provide them with a safe space.  Dogs especially, tend to feel more comfortable when in a small, interior room with few windows.  This may be a bathroom, laundry room, or closet.  Try throwing a familiar blanket, pillow, or toy in there with them as a source of comfort.
• Minimize the storm.  Closing your windows and blinds will muffle noise and reduce the appearance of lightning strikes.  Turning on the TV or a radio will also limit the noise from the storm, potentially making your pet more comfortable.
• Distractions, distractions, distractions.  Did your sibling ever hit you and then immediately start trying to make you smile to distract you from the pain before your parents get involved?  Well this approach is a little different, but has a similar solution.  Distracting your pet by playing a game, working on training, or grooming has been shown to ease their nerves by occupying their mind with more exciting events.
• Keep your pet company.  Sit with your pet and offer them company, but not if you're anxious too.  If the storm is bad enough to cause yourself anxiety as well, do your best to keep yourself calm before approaching your pet.  Animals are great at reading body language which means that if they sense the slightest amount of nerves from you, it will only make theirs worse.
• Never leave them outside.  Desensitizing your pet by leaving them outside during a storm may sometimes seem like a good plan, however, a nervous animal may do everything in its power to escape to find shelter.  This could include jumping the fence, digging a hole, opening the gate, or if the storm knocks down the fence, your pet might just walk right out.  Being loose in a storm is the last thing that you want for your pets safety.  Make sure dogs and cats are in a safe shelter, horses and other large animals are stalled, and rabbits, birds, or other animals that are generally in a cage have been placed in an enclosed area in case the cage gets damaged.
• Try different products.  There are things such as calming supplements that can help ease your pets nerves but there are also some other things that are made specifically for certain animals in certain situations.  For example, there is a coat that can be wrapped around your dog that almost acts as a swaddle to encourage relaxation.

Sources: barkmart.com

             petsittersireland.com

As you can see, there are multiple ways to keep your pet relaxed during a storm.  Next time you experience heavy rain, hail, or thunderstorms, test out a few of these methods.  You might be surprised.

Five Ways to Protect Your Home From Wind Damage

4/11/2023 (Permalink)

Here in North Texas, we've been experiencing gusts of wind reaching up to 40MPH.  Chances are, you've probably seen loose items blowing around or heard someone complaining about their outdoor furniture getting damaged.  Although 40MPH winds may not be considered a windstorm, the gusts are most definitely strong enough to cause damage.  Fortunately, there are some methods that have been proven to defend your home against wind damage.

Five Ways To Protect Your Home From Wind Damage

• If it's broke, fix it.
  • Confirm that all of your roof shingles are secure.
  • Repair loose or damaged fencing.
  • Ensure that your garage door is in good condition.
• Secure outdoor items.
  • Place chairs, toys, umbrellas, etc. in a shelter.
  • Push heavier items such as grills or patio tables against a sturdy wall.
• Examine trees in your yard
  • Loose branches may fly off and damage a window or a car.
  • Dead trees can blow over on top of a structure.
• Move your vehicle to safety
  • Park your vehicle under a shelter of some sort.
  • If no shelter is available, avoid parking near a tree for the reason previously stated.
• Have an emergency plan in place.
  • Make sure your insurance will cover possible damages.
  • Keep a restoration company that you trust in mind just in case damages occur.  
  • Stock the most well-protected room in your house stocked with emergency items.

Be sure to routinely check and maintain your home so you're prepared for whatever storm may come your way.  However, if you do happen to find yourself in a sticky situation, SERVPRO of Parker and Northeast Hood Counties is able and willing to help!  We are available 24/7 to take the stress of storm damage off of your shoulders! 

Give us a call at 817-596-8714

How To Take Cover In A Storm

3/7/2023 (Permalink)

If a heavy storm or tornado were to hit our city right now, where and what would you do? SERVPRO of Parker and Northeast Hood Counties wants to help by sharing some advice on how to take cover during a storm/tornado. It’s important that we share our professional advice with our customers for their own safety. We advise that:

1. Find a small room or hallway on the lowest floor possible
2. Stay in the center of the room, and avoid corners because they attract debris
3. Try and find a room constructed with reinforced concrete, brick or block with no windows and a heavy concrete floor or roof system overhead
4. Avoidauditoriums, cafeterias and gymnasiums that have flat, wide-span roofs.
5. Stay away from doors, windows, and outside walls

We hope that these tips will help in the future should a storm come our way. Please call us with any questions or concerns! (817)596-8714

Shocking Isn't It?

2/8/2023 (Permalink)

What is the definition of the idiom ‘force of nature’?

According to https://www.yourdictionary.com/ , a ‘force of nature’ is “a mighty natural force which is beyond human control, notably if potentially catastrophic, such as the elements or geological activity.”

Lightning most defiantly suits this situation.

The chances of you getting struck by lightning are slim; about 1 in every 500,000. However, the likelihood of your house getting struck by lightning isn’t as unreasonable; about 1 in every 200. Although the majority of people may go their entire lives without having to worry about lightning damage, those who have, generally face major consequences.
The state of Texas is at high risk for lightning damage; just below California. In 2019, Texans made 5,780 insurance claims due to lightning damage. These claims ended up costing more than $88.3 million. This is important to know because the majority of lightning damage begins during the spring season and peaks in the summer. These statistics may serve as an encouragement to prepare your home from lightning strikes this season. Here are some things that you may have not known about lightning damage:

• Lightning damage doesn’t always occur as a result of a direct hit. When lightning strikes the ground, it can travel through metal pipes or electrical wiring in your home. This generally causes the electrical outlets to blow and requires all new wiring throughout the house.
• In 2019, lightning strikes, whether direct or secondary hits, caused 20 deaths and 100 injuries in the United States.
• Around 19% of fires caused by lightning directly affects homes.
• The majority of lightning damage occurs during the months of June, July, and August.

How To Minimize the Damaged Caused To Your Home Due To Lightning:

• Unplug electrical wiring from all outlets throughout the house.
  • Failure to do so can not only cause your outlets to fry, but also the electronics plugged into them.
• Installing surge protectors may also protect your outlets.
• Installing a lightning rod may redirect the bolt to prevent it from striking your house.
• Ensuring that your home has functioning smoke detectors will assist in notifying you if a fire has started due to the powerful bolt of electricity.
• Consider adding lightning damage to your home or renters insurance in case of an emergency.

Although repairing damages due to any natural disaster isn’t ideal, and taking preventative measures is inconvenient accidents are sure to happen. If your home or business is affected by lightning, SERVPRO of Parker & NE Hood Counties is more than willing to help! WE are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can give us a call at 817-596-8714.

What Are Flood Cuts?

9/19/2022 (Permalink)

When a business has endured a water loss or water damage, the mitigation process can be tedious.  If absolutely any moisture is left behind, it may cause secondary damage in the form of mold, or make the building materials unstable.  Of these building materials, we include drywall.  

Once moisture has penetrated your drywall, it only takes about 48 hours for dry drywall to soften exponentially or for mold to begin growing.  In order to prevent this from happening, SERVPRO often removes the bottom 12-18 inches of drywall from a home or business.  This is called performing a 'flood cut'.

Are Flood Cuts Really Necessary?

Moisture isn't always visible to the human eye.  That is why we use our state of the art equipment to detect moisture that may be hiding behind walls.  If moisture is detected, a flood cut is a reliable method that we use to dry out that space.  This entails removing the bottom 12 or 18in of drywall so we can use our equipment to circulate air and avoid the growth of mold behind said drywall in the future.  There are a few factors that we use to determine whether or not a flood cut is necessary.  These factors include

• How much, if any, insulation is behind the walls.  
• What category of water affected the area.
• The length of time that the water was left sitting before being removed.

The intent of the flood cut is to avoid you, as a business owner, having to close your business for an extended period of time due to secondary damage caused by the initial water loss.  Drywall and insulation are both incredibly absorbent and take a long time to dry out, making it the perfect habitat for mold.  If the drywall, insulation, and surrounding areas are not properly cleaned and dried, it will cause even larger and more expensive predicaments in the future.  That is why professionals recommend allowing us to perform a flood cut, to save you from future trouble.

As always, if your business has endured a disaster, give us a call! 871-596-8714

A Storm's A Brewin'

7/26/2022 (Permalink)

What do you call a deer in a rainstorm?  A raindeer.

I'm sure that raindeer would love a nice shelter to stay in until the storm passes.  Hey!  What about a nice storm shelter?

Now, whether or not you allow animals in your shelter is totally up to you, but there are a few things that we recommend you keep in there in case you or your furry friends need somewhere safe to hide.  First off, if you don't own a storm shelter or one isn't accessible to you, it is recommended to seek refuge in a basement or in a room placed close to the center of the house.  This is so there are as many walls as possible between you and the outside.  Also try to pick a room with few windows and/or doors.

Once you have planned out where you want to seek refuge incase of emergency, the next step is to stock up that space with some essential items.  These items will support you in case of a power outage, freak injury, or possible starvation.

Essentials To Keep In Your Storm Shelter

• Radio- Keep a battery powered radio with you in case your phone dies or the phone lines are down. 
• Battery powered walkie-talkies- These are useful when trying to communicate with someone nearby.
• Battery powered or wind up flashlight- If the power goes out, you still may need to navigate your way around.  Having a flashlight that you can trust is essential.
• Batteries- While we're on the subject of battery powered objects, keeping a new package of batteries in your emergency kit might be a smart choice.
• Backup generator- While this isn't essential, it might come in handy.
• Warm clothing and blankets- Storms can be unpredictable.  You never know when you might need a change of clothes or a blanket if the power fails.  
• First aid kit- This one speaks for itself.  Bumps and bruises shouldn't be left unmended.
• Essentials for your family- This includes any medications, diapers, or formulas that you or a family member might require.
• Food and water- Water is obviously vital for human survival and so is food.  Be sure to take into consideration any food allergies while packing your emergency kit.

Now that we've covered a few emergency essentials, let's dive further into food items.  Obviously fresh fruits and veggies aren't good options when stocking a storm shelter as they will perish pretty quickly.  Lets go over some non-perishable food items that you can keep in your shelter.

Food Items To Keep In Your Storm Shelter

• canned fruits and veggies
• canned soups and ravioli
• canned meats
• granola bars
• beef jerky
• MREs or Meals Ready to Eat
• pet food
• baby bottles and formula (if applicable)
• crackers
• pickled goods

It may also be beneficial to stock up on disposable eating utensils such as paper or plastic plates, bowls, cups, forks, knives, and spoons.

Once you have added these essentials to your storm shelter or refuge, you and your family will be all set!  Don't forget about the raindeer though.  I'm sure he'd appreciate a warm shelter too.

Fast Response to Storms

1/15/2020 (Permalink)

Here at SERVPRO of Parker and Northeast Hood Counties, we specialize in storm and flood damage restoration. Our crews are highly trained to use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition. We can make it “Like it never even happened.”

Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quickly with the needed resources to start the restoration process. A fast response lessens the chances of permanent damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.

When storms move over Parker and Northeast Hood Counties, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.

If you have any questions or storm damage, contact us at (817)596-8714

Crazy Storms

12/24/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Parker and Northeast Hood Counties specializes in storm and flood damage restoration.  Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.

Resources to Handle Floods and Storms

When storms hit Parker and Northeast Hood Counties, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams  that are strategically located throughout the United States.

If you have any storm damage, contact us at (817)596-8714