Can You Keep Black Mold From Entering Your Home?

8/28/2023 (Permalink)

Mold damage in a Round Rock, TX home.

When you find black mold in your residence, it may seem as if it’s attempting to take control of your life by stealthily taking control of your home. When you find out that this pesky organism is present and is capable of spreading itself everywhere, you may feel as though the situation is daunting. How is the fungus able to make its way inside, especially when you maintain a pristine abode? However, even if you keep a squeaky-clean house, if other conditions are present, it is almost unavoidable that mold will settle indoors.

Favorable Mold-Growing Conditions

Mold spores are present practically everywhere. In the right environment, they can thrive.

• Air: Spores travel by air, which allows them to settle on any surface, including the insides of heating and air conditioning systems (HVAC). Consequently, if black mold spores are present, when the system is turned on, they could be released indoors.

• Food: Like every creature, the fungus also needs food to survive and thrive. This can be any type of organic matter; all homes offer plenty of material to feed on.

• Water: Surfaces that are in continuous contact with some form of water, whether it’s a bit of moisture, condensation or dampness, can enable mold to thrive and grow.

• Temperature: Fungi are not particular about temperature. They can live and flourish in temperatures between 32 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Measures To Halt Spores

One way you can prevent a mold issue from continuing unchecked is to get the help of a mold remediation company in Round Rock, TX. Experts in the field should be able to handle mold cleanup, take care of the moisture problem and perhaps make repairs if needed. They can also give you recommendations for minimizing the possibility of a new breakout.

Although these tiny spores live in the environment and cannot be completely eliminated, now that you understand how they slip inside your house, it may be easier to reduce the likelihood of a problem developing. Relying on skillful and experienced professionals can give you an added edge to control unwanted black mold.

Understanding the Cost of Mold Damage

7/27/2023 (Permalink)

Mold remediation in Round Rock, TX.

The price of removing mold from your home in Round Rock, TX, can vary greatly. On average, the cost of residential mold removal can run into the thousands. Here's a quick guide to how much you can expect to pay for its elimination.

Location and Removal Costs

The area of your home where mold exists impacts its cost of eradication. Below are a few common price ranges:

Attics - $1,000 to $4,000
Basements - $500 to $3,000
Crawl spaces - $1,000 to $20,000
Bathrooms - $500 to $1,000

Once you've determined where mold resides in your home, it will be easier to pinpoint a likely total cost.
Overall Removal Costs
On average, the cost of removing mold falls between $1,000 and more than $3,000. Calculated by area, you'll probably pay somewhere between $10 and $25 per square foot for comprehensive mold removal.
Many factors impact the final bill. If you require black mold removal, for instance, expect to pay more than you would to eliminate other types of mold. The cost of destroying these toxic spores can hit $6,000. Associated jobs, such as resealing the foundation, repairing a roof leak, or replacing flooring, will add to your total.
The region where you live further impacts the dollar figures you'll be quoted. Areas with lower costs of living have similarly lower fees. Customers in major metropolises will inevitably face higher bills.
Contemplating the expense of hiring a professional mold remediator may make you want to handle the task yourself. This is often a poor decision, as you are prone to committing mistakes that may wind up running more in the long run. Play it safe by hiring a team of residential mold renovation experts.
Getting rid of mold can be costly. Its ability to spread means that waiting to eradicate it will make the job's cost even greater. Contact a mold removal specialist the instant spores appear.

3 Ways To Fix a Leaking Commercial Toilet

8/30/2022 (Permalink)

A leaking toilet in Round Rock, TX.

Here Are Some Ways To Fix A Leaking Toilet

A leaking toilet can cause severe water damage to your Round Rock, TX, establishment. While you wait for SERVPRO's disaster response team to arrive and fix the damage, you will need to deal with the leak itself. Sometimes the repair is simple, while other times it requires a more complex process. Try the following procedures to get your unit functioning properly again.

1. Find and Fix Minor Problems
While some leaking water or even a puddle surrounding the toilet can feel intimidating, you might not always have to perform intensive toilet repair to fix it. After you use a piece of cloth to absorb the liquid, wait and see if the problem persists. If it does, pinpoint the origin of the leak. The water could be emanating from a defective supply valve, a damaged tank or a supply tube. If these are not the issues, then try to carefully tighten the bolts that secure the bowl to the ground.

2. Remove the Defective Flange
If these steps do not fix the leaking toilet, it is likely a case of a defective flange. You can confirm this theory by removing the toilet. Shut off the water supply and drain the tank. Disconnect the water supply tube from the shutoff valve. Move the bowl to rip off the wax gasket and gently set it aside. Scrape off the remaining wax from the flange and inspect the part. If damaged, replace it with a new flange and a new wax gasket. Place the bowl back, aligning it with the flange, followed by the remaining components.

3. Install a New Toilet
Sometimes the problem with the leakage extends beyond the flange or any single part. If you have an old toilet with outdated components you cannot easily replace or fix, you will need to install a new unit. Just follow the same removal steps and install the new one carefully.
There are many ways to resolve a leaking toilet, from simple fixes to complete toilet replacement. Conduct these steps carefully or call professionals and ensure they follow proper procedures.

How To Identify and Get Rid of Mold

7/30/2022 (Permalink)

Mold damage in Round Rock, TX.

No one wants to discover mold growth in their home. It is a scary thought for many homeowners, but how much do you really know about spotting mold and keeping it out of your house in Round Rock, TX?

What is Mold?

Mold is a fungus that spreads through airborne spores. There can be millions of these spores around you at any given time. They are carried into homes in many ways, including on animal fur and clothing. Mold grows in moist, warm places with a good food source.

Where To Look for Mold
Mold growth can occur anywhere that the conditions are right. However, here are some places where you should be checking for mold regularly.

Walls and ceilings are made of penetrable materials such as drywall that mold can settle into without being noticed.
Attics are often victims of roof leaks and wooden building materials provide nutrients for mold to thrive.
Basements house plumbing, appliances and water tanks where moisture builds up creating the perfect place for mold to grow.
Bathrooms are full of moisture, warmth and nutrients (fabric shower curtains, towels) for mold to live on.

Performing regular visual checks of your home will help keep mold away.

What To Do When You Find Mold
Finding a few spots of mold on wood in your basement or a tiny patch of moldy drywall in the ceiling corner of your bathroom might not raise alarm bells. You might think that a good scrubbing will take care of the problem but cleaning only gets to the surface and can even help the spores spread. It is best to contact a mold remediation specialist for an assessment. They will determine the severity of the problem and provide the steps that should be taken for cleanup.
Preventing mold growth can seem daunting for homeowners but understanding mold, identifying it, and handling it properly does not have to be a painstaking process.

How To Handle a Broken Pipe in Your House

5/11/2022 (Permalink)

Avoid secondary damage.

How To Respond When a Pipe Burst

Flooding in your Round Rock, TX, house can cause excessive damage. You can avoid these issues by maintaining your plumbing and fixing problems as soon as you identify them. However, you may not be able to avoid incidents such as bursting pipes. When a plumbing emergency occurs suddenly and unexpectedly, you need to know how to respond appropriately and decisively.

1. Turn Off the Water
When a pipe bursts, it can send a continuous flow of water throughout the house. This can cause water damage and ruin carpet, hardwood, drywall, and furniture. To reduce this damage and stop the water, you need to shut it off immediately. Turn off the main water supply as soon as you notice any water. You should also shut off the electricity in the flooded spaces.

2. Call a Plumber To Address the Bursting Pipes
As soon as you turn off the water, contact a plumber. A licensed professional can assess the extent of the damage, discuss resolutions with you, and repair fractures in the pipes and other serious issues. Many plumbers can respond to emergencies quickly. However, it may take more than 24 hours for one to be able to come to your Round Rock, TX, home.

3. Remove the Water
If it's safe to do so, start to remove the water in your home. You can do this with a wet vacuum. You do not have to wait until a plumber comes to fix broken pipe and water damage problems. Start as soon as you contact the plumbing service and as you are waiting for them to arrive.

4. Hire a Flood Cleanup and Restoration Team
To thoroughly remove all water in your house, you'll need the expertise of a disaster cleanup company. The technicians can also mitigate any mold issues. Plus, they will replace and repair areas of the home that suffered damage.
Bursting pipes can cause significant damage. Following these steps to respond effectively to protect and restore your home.

Serving Adjusters and Their Clients

3/4/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage in a commercial property in Round Rock, TX.

Providing Assistance to Adjusters and Their Clients

SERVPRO has become a preferred mitigation and restoration company for insurance adjusters and their clients throughout its years of outstanding service. There are several reasons why everyone, from insurance adjuster to client, trusts SERVPRO's assistance in the worst of disasters. The company is renowned for:

1. Responding Quickly

The longer it takes to begin the remediation process, the more damage will result. A timely response from the mitigation and restoration company will begin the assessment so that the work can start as soon as possible. One hour for call response, on-site visit in a four-hour window and verbal briefing has an eight-hour window.

2. Serving as a One-Stop-Shop

SERVPRO is preferred by insurance adjusters and their clients because they're an all-in-one service advancing through the entire process from initial damage assessment until your Round Rock, TX, structure is fully restored. Fewer people will have to be involved in the process, allowing for a smoother process and going through fewer hands, ensuring that no information goes missing. From the client to the insurance adjuster to the restoration company, you don't have to worry about data being lost in translation.

3. Providing Accurate Estimates

Adjusters and their clients appreciate the expertise of SERVPRO's certified restoration professionals. From the professionals' training and knowledge to the nationwide data network of the Claims Information Center that provides extensive loss information, accurate estimates are assured.

4. Utilizing an Electronic Claims Service

SERVPRO's Claims Information Center is an excellent resource for adjusters, providing everything they need to navigate the insurance claim process, including access to all the information shared by the restoration professionals. Insurance agents and adjusters have access to the entire electronic job file, including the first notice of loss, detailed photos of the damage, cost estimates, actual cost and scanned paperwork. Additionally, they have access to nationwide reports and industry standards comparison data.
If a commercial property sustains damage from a disaster, it’s likely that the insurance adjuster will recommend SERVPRO. You can be confident that the insurance claim will be settled quickly so your rebuilding can begin.

The Challenges and Advantages of Owning a SERVPRO Enterprise

2/18/2022 (Permalink)

Operating a SERVPRO franchise can be a fulfilling opportunity.

The Benefits and Drawbacks of Owning a SERVPRO Franchise

Buying a franchise is a unique way to start your own business in Round Rock, TX. Whether you've owned businesses in the past or this is your first entrepreneurial venture, operating a SERVPRO franchise can be a fulfilling opportunity. With corporate support, you have access to guidance, an established system that works, and assistance along the way. Overcoming challenges and building a business to be proud of is an incomparable experience.

Challenges in the Franchise Business

There's no guarantee of success in any type of business venture but facing challenges head-on with assistance from corporate teams improves the odds.

• There may be restrictions on where you can establish the business and who you can choose as business partners.
• You'll share part of your profits with corporate partners.
• Corporate franchisors aren't obligated to renew the franchise agreement at the end of the term.
• Trouble with other franchises could reflect on your own business.
• You may be bound by restrictions you didn't expect.

Hopeful business owners often consider franchises to provide an easy route of getting started, but training and good management principles are still necessary for success.

Benefits of Buying a Franchise

Once you understand the obstacles you'll face, the decision to own and operate a certified SERVPRO franchise opens up many benefits. Of course, one of the primary advantages is the wealth of experience and training that comes from partners.

• You and your employees get regular training from professionals in the same industry as you.
• Historically, franchises experience a higher rate of success than other fledgling companies.
• It's often easier to get loans and other financing for a franchise venture. These business opportunities are often less expensive than other start-ups.
• Established SERVPRO businesses have already built a solid reputation and boosted brand familiarity for you.

Prepare to Succeed

After spending some time researching market principles, time management, customer service, and other basic skills for entrepreneurship, consider purchasing and operating a locally owned SERVPRO franchise in Round Rock, TX. A healthy investment in this established company could provide you with the returns and income you expect.

Mold Prevention: 3 Common Sources of Excessive Dampness

1/29/2022 (Permalink)

Round Rock, TX mold remediation.

Common Sources of Mold

Dealing with mold in Round Rock, TX, after it has already started to grow in your home is an extremely frustrating process. Your best line of action is to prioritize mold prevention and avoid the mess altogether! Since mold depends on water or moisture to survive, they key to preventing mold growth is moisture management. Here a few common sources of excess moisture to look out for.

Common Household Items

While people often think mold is caused by some severe issue within their home, sometimes the root of the problem is common household items they use regularly. Here are a few common culprits:

• Humidifiers
  
• Wet clothes
  
• Trash cans
  
• Household plants
  
  

Mold prevention starts with proper moisture control within your home. By keeping your humidifier at low levels, only using clothes lines outdoors, quickly taking out the trash, and not overwatering plants, you can help maintain optimal humidity levels in your home.

Leaking Pipes and Roofs

When left undetected, leaking pipes and roofs can cause serious water damage to your home that will quickly allow mold to grow. Regular maintenance and inspections of pipes in your home and your roof is essential for detecting leaks before they become a major problem. As soon as you notice any issues, it is a good idea to immediately get in contact with a water damage specialist.

Poor Ventilation

A poorly ventilated home traps moisture indoors and increases the humidity levels in your home. This is especially problematic in bathrooms and kitchens where large amounts of steam are released into the air on a daily basis. Using a bathroom fan or opening windows in is an effective way to let evaporated water escape from your home before mold can grow.

As you can see, mold prevention is a much simpler process than trying to combat mold that has already started to grow. While there are several causes of mold growth to look out for, checking out these common sources of mold are a great place to start!

Stopping Bathroom Mold Before It Starts

10/29/2021 (Permalink)

Bathroom mold growth in Round Rock, TX.

Unless you live in a highly humid environment, you’re likely to find mold in your bathroom before anywhere else. Even if you don’t have any leaks or flooding leading to water damage, you’re still dealing with splashing water, standing water, and humidity – all of which encourage mold to grow. So how can you prevent mold from springing up in your Round Rock, TX, home?

Steps to Prevent Bathroom Mold Growth

To keep your bathroom mold-free, just follow these simple steps for mold prevention:

1. Use your fan. The humidity after you bathe or shower can activate mold spores in the air and turn them into an active infestation. Run your fan during and after your bath or shower to remove humidity from the air.

2. Wipe down sinks, toilets, and shower walls. Condensation and splashes can accumulate on all these surfaces, and invite mold to breed.

3. Wipe down the bathroom walls and floors. These surfaces, too, are likely to sprout mold if water is left condensed or puddled too long on their surfaces, not to mention water damage weakening the drywall and tile to make it easier for mold to take root.

4. Frequently check your pipes and the seal around your toilet. Leaks also lead to water damage, and the more water damage you suffer, the more mold you’ll find.

5. Check and seal your grout. Grout is meant to act as a seal to prevent water from leaking past tile and into close, dark spaces full of things mold loves to feed on. Grout can age, though, and can crack. You should periodically check your grout and re-seal it as needed to ensure it’s watertight.

You can also speak to a mold remediation specialist. Even if you don’t actively have mold, a specialist can assess your bathroom and determine what areas could be problem areas – and provide invaluable pointers on managing them.

Can You Keep Black Mold From Entering Your Home?

9/27/2021 (Permalink)

Mold damage in a Round Rock, TX home.

When you find black mold in your residence, it may seem as if it’s attempting to take control of your life by stealthily taking control of your home. When you find out that this pesky organism is present and is capable of spreading itself everywhere, you may feel as though the situation is daunting. How is the fungus able to make its way inside, especially when you maintain a pristine abode? However, even if you keep a squeaky-clean house, if other conditions are present, it is almost unavoidable that mold will settle indoors.

Favorable Mold-Growing Conditions

Mold spores are present practically everywhere. In the right environment, they can thrive.

• Air: Spores travel by air, which allows them to settle on any surface, including the insides of heating and air conditioning systems (HVAC). Consequently, if black mold spores are present, when the system is turned on, they could be released indoors.

• Food: Like every creature, the fungus also needs food to survive and thrive. This can be any type of organic matter; all homes offer plenty of material to feed on.

• Water: Surfaces that are in continuous contact with some form of water, whether it’s a bit of moisture, condensation or dampness, can enable mold to thrive and grow.

• Temperature: Fungi are not particular about temperature. They can live and flourish in temperatures between 32 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Measures To Halt Spores

One way you can prevent a mold issue from continuing unchecked is to get the help of a mold remediation company in Round Rock, TX. Experts in the field should be able to handle mold cleanup, take care of the moisture problem and perhaps make repairs if needed. They can also give you recommendations for minimizing the possibility of a new breakout.

Although these tiny spores live in the environment and cannot be completely eliminated, now that you understand how they slip inside your house, it may be easier to reduce the likelihood of a problem developing. Relying on skillful and experienced professionals can give you an added edge to control unwanted black mold.

Understanding the Cost of Mold Damage

5/28/2021 (Permalink)

Mold remediation in Round Rock, TX.

The price of removing mold from your home in Round Rock, TX, can vary greatly. On average, the cost of residential mold removal can run into the thousands. Here's a quick guide to how much you can expect to pay for its elimination.

Location and Removal Costs

The area of your home where mold exists impacts its cost of eradication. Below are a few common price ranges:

Attics - $1,000 to $4,000
Basements - $500 to $3,000
Crawl spaces - $1,000 to $20,000
Bathrooms - $500 to $1,000

Once you've determined where mold resides in your home, it will be easier to pinpoint a likely total cost.
Overall Removal Costs
On average, the cost of removing mold falls between $1,000 and more than $3,000. Calculated by area, you'll probably pay somewhere between $10 and $25 per square foot for comprehensive mold removal.
Many factors impact the final bill. If you require black mold removal, for instance, expect to pay more than you would to eliminate other types of mold. The cost of destroying these toxic spores can hit $6,000. Associated jobs, such as resealing the foundation, repairing a roof leak, or replacing flooring, will add to your total.
The region where you live further impacts the dollar figures you'll be quoted. Areas with lower costs of living have similarly lower fees. Customers in major metropolises will inevitably face higher bills.
Contemplating the expense of hiring a professional mold remediator may make you want to handle the task yourself. This is often a poor decision, as you are prone to committing mistakes that may wind up running more in the long run. Play it safe by hiring a team of residential mold renovation experts.
Getting rid of mold can be costly. Its ability to spread means that waiting to eradicate it will make the job's cost even greater. Contact a mold removal specialist the instant spores appear.

Here to Help After The Winter Storm

3/1/2021 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO Team Jones, we are no strangers of disaster.

The chain of events that began the week before Valentine’s Day has been a never-before-seen national disaster. The ice and snow that quickly piled up, the subzero temperatures that marched in with it, as well as the 50-60 mph winds across many states paralyzed daily life. All in all, 150 million people in 25 states, in a 2000 mile stretch from southern Texas to northern Maine were affected. Over 5 million people were without power, along with hundreds of thousands without water, sewer and natural gas including many of our own teammates.

At SERVPRO Team Jones, we are no strangers of disaster and over the last 15 years our Large Loss Disaster Recovery Team has traveled coast to coast helping those in need. This time around, it was OUR backyard and OUR neighbors who needed the help. With over 30,000 calls in the last two weeks for disaster cleanup, SERVPRO has hundreds of crews from across the country that are leaving their home states to help. Many of these men and women spent months away from their families and friends recently helping our friends on the Gulf Coast.

While the heavy snow and ice did delay many of these crews from being able to hit the road, as well as most trucking services ceasing operations, reinforcements are still coming in daily to help. As neighbors, we’d like to ask for your patience and understanding as our disaster recovery crews are working 7 days a week to put our community back together one building and one family at a time. Many of these crews are working 14-16 hours a day but their relentless servant hearts won’t let them give up on you.

We’re human- we’re going to make mistakes, we’re going to drop the ball sometimes and in a disaster this widespread we won’t be able to make it to every single loss as quickly as we want to. We will keep trying, we will keep working, we will keep drying, disinfecting, cleaning and restoring. It is what we do – it’s how we’re made – it’s what makes us tick.

If you happen to see one of those bright green SERVPRO trucks from here or from out of town– give them a wave. These real-life heroes are trying their best for you. A little smile or a wave is great encouragement to all those that left their friends and families behind to answer your calls for help. Thank you for understanding, thank you for trusting in us and thank you for believing in us.