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As the old adage goes, “You can’t build a strong home on a weak foundation”, and it’s true. Foundation water damage weakens the structure of your home, causes cracks, bowed walls– and in some extreme cases– causes the home to collapse.

Here’s how to identify the early warning signs of foundation water damage problems and address them before they turn into expensive home repair bills.

Warning Sign #1: Cracks

Cracks are a tell-tale sign of foundation water problems, and can occur both outside and inside the home.

Because they’re exposed to the outside elements, cracks in concrete foundations aren’t rare and  few hairline cracks aren’t normally a concern. However, horizontal cracks and stair-step cracks in block walls or corners could indicate serious structural damage. You should consult a professional to determine whether any of these warning signs indicate normal settling or structural damage.

When foundation water damage finds its way indoors, you’ll start to see cracks over doorways, window seals, or where walls meet ceilings. Make sure to pay attention to areas that gather outside water, like window seals and door panes. If there are cracks in those areas, make sure you properly seal them to prevent moisture from leaking into your home and causing further water damage.

Warning Sign #2: Standing Water in a Basement or Crawlspace

Water in a basement or crawlspace could be a plumbing issue, like broken pipes or appliances, or it could be caused by water seeping in through cracks in the foundation or gutter runoff.

If you find water in your basement or crawl space time and time again after heavy rains, it’s most likely the latter two options. This seepage can lead to mold growth and weaken wooden support structures, making it critical to address. Check to see if your gutters are properly installed and cleaned.  

You should also consult a professional to identify if cracks in the foundation are the true source.

Warning Sign #3: Jammed Windows & Doors

If you find that your doors or windows are getting stuck or won’t open or close properly, it could be an indication of foundation water damage. Excess water absorption causes windows and door frames to warp, which likely means you have a basement or crawlspace waterproofing problem. Excess outside moisture also can cause your foundation to shift, knocking doors and windows off their alignment. In this scenario, you might have a larger foundation problem that needs to be addressed.

Whatever the case, it’s important to make sure doors and windows are properly sealed and closing. If not, the result is water damage, mold, and potentially, even more structural damage.

Warning Sign #4: Mold Patches or Rotted Wood

Mold patches are a major sign of water damage, and if you don’t spot them, you’ll definitely be able to recognize that distinct mildew smell. This could be caused be a crack or opening in the foundation that’s allowing water to seep in.

Mold needs two things to grow: a moisture source and organic material. You might find it on interior walls or on exterior wooden support beams. Damp, moldy, or rotted wood is another clear sign of water damage, and one that needs immediate attention, as it could lead to an unstable structure.

Warning Sign #5: Flooded Soil

Go outside and take a look at the soil surrounding your house. If you find that it’s excessively damp or water pools in it, this could be a catalyst for foundation problems. Excessively wet soil increases the likelihood that water will penetrate the foundation of your home and cause future headaches.

This could be a natural problem with the soil itself and it’s water retention qualities. This could also be human error cause by improper water drainage or landscaping. When gutters or other drainage systems aren’t properly installed or regularly maintained, it can cause water to redirect back to your foundation instead of away from your house. The sloping of your land should also allow for water to flow away from your home.

Make sure to regularly do your chores and make sure gutters aren’t broken or clogged with debris.

Here’s a common scenario our customer’s experience: let’s say one day you’re sitting at home and your ceiling suddenly collapses, or you go into the garage and find it’s completely flooded.

The cause? A burst water heater.

Standard water heaters contain up to 40-120 gallons of water, so when one unexpectedly leaks or bursts it can cause an immense amount of water damage. A malfunctioning water heater can also become a fire hazard.

If pressure builds up in the tank you’ve essentially got a ticking time bomb in your house waiting to explode.

All water heaters have a limited lifespan, but by doing routine maintenance you can prevent catastrophic leaks and extend the life of your water heater.

Even if you can’t repair it yourself, knowing the warning signs can help you diagnose the problem faster when the plumber arrives. Here are 5 signs that your water heater is failing and the steps you can take to fix it.

Read more “Is My Water Heater Failing? 5 Signs Your Water Heater Is About To Burst”

In 2017 the U.S. was smacked with a flurry of natural disasters. In total, the U.S. was hit with 16 natural disaster and climate events, each of them destroying homes and lives in their wake.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, 2017 was one of the most expensive years on record with costs exceeding $300 billion.

The coasts were pounded with the devastating trinity of hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria.

In addition, there was flooding and wildfires in California, hail storms in Colorado and Minnesota, three tornado outbreaks, and droughts in the Plains.

As one of the leading disaster restoration companies in Dallas, we have first-hand experience seeing the horrible aftermath when natural disasters hit.

Last year we created the Regent Restoration Disaster Relief scholarship so that we could better educate people about disaster preparedness.

When disasters strike, being prepared ahead of time could mean the difference between life or death.

As part of our program, we offered a $500 prize to whoever wrote the best essay and donated $250 to the Direct Relief Fund, an organization that helps victims rebuild their lives after natural disasters strike.

We had a lot of applicants but based on the quality of his essay, we chose Jordan Kinney as the winner of our competition.

Jordan is a student at Moberly Area Community College in Missouri.

While you can’t prevent disasters you can decide how you’ll react when one hits.

Jordan displayed that he has the knowledge to stay safe during a dangerous event.

Congratulations Jordan! Keep studying hard.

According to industry research, almost 40% of homeowners have suffered from water damage losses.

This statistic isn’t really that shocking when you think about it.

Just consider all the pipes and appliances in your house connected to a water supply line— sinks, dishwashers, fridges, water heaters, ac units, and so much more.

Appliances and pipes have a limited lifespan, so there’s always a chance of one of them rupturing or springing a leak.

Even if your pipes and appliances are in tip-top shape, we’re human and we make mistakes, such as accidentally leaving the sink faucet running all night.

Thankfully, homeowners insurance is there to cover our butts and replace any damaged property that’s covered by our policy.

But, a lot of people are afraid to use the insurance that they spend money paying for.

We’ve answered some frequently asked questions and provided a guide to make the water damage insurance claim process a little less daunting.

Read more “Will Filing a Water Damage Claim Increase My Home Insurance Rates?”

North Texas storms are infamous for causing damage, such as fallen trees and ripped off roofs.

Because we live in tornado alley, we frequently have to deal with these destructive storms and twisters.

Regardless of where you live, storm damage, wind damage, and hail damage are a common problem for many homeowners.

The roof is your home’s first line of defense from the elements, but unfortunately, it’s also the most susceptible to damage, so it’s important to keep up with repairs, especially after a severe storm.

Storm or hail damage can cause roof leaks, which can lead to mold or costly water damage repair problems down the line.

After the storm passes, you should check for roof damages, contact your insurance agent if you find any, and take these steps to protect your roof.

Read more “Steps To Repair Your Roof After A Storm”

As a water damage restoration company, the most common question we get from homeowners is “does insurance cover water damage?”. The answer to that question depends on the source of the water damage and how quickly the problem is addressed.

It’s important to remember that not all insurance policies are alike, so it’s best to call your insurance agent and read your policy.

Here are the most common water damage claims we help our customers file and the likelihood that they’ll be covered by your insurance company:

Read more “Water Damage Insurance Claim Tips”

If your house is flooding or you all of a sudden find water damage in your home you’re probably wondering “what in sam’s hell do I do”? Well, the first thing you’ll need to do is call a water damage restoration company near you or a plumber.

Unfortunately, even pros need some time to prepare and get to the accident site, so here are the 3 first important things to immediately do about water damage while you wait for us to come to your rescue. Read more “There’s Water Damage In Your Home, What Do You Do?”