If you’ve lived on a houseboat tethered to a floating dock then you’re ahead of the curve. Some coastal-dwelling Texans have homes perched on stilts to keep them dry in all but the most extreme flood conditions and storm surges. But, many of us throughout the state are subject to water incursions and the resulting damage and health risks associated with them. Bell County residents are no exception. In fact, Central Texas is considered the most flash-flood prone area in North America. Its hills funnel water into rivers and lakes over rocky terrain that does little to absorb moisture. Most of us have seen how fast floodwaters can rise, turning residential streets into roiling waterways, and that premier flooring into piles of rotten wood.
Need more proof? Well here you go.
Flooding in homes is not always weather related as anyone who’s had burst pipes or faulty washing machine hoses can attest.
Here at Gallery Design Center, we sympathize with anyone who’s been through a flooding event, whether immediately life-threatening or one that causes a slow steady creep of concerns after the water is gone. As Bell County flooring and home remodeling specialists, we’ve seen our share of distressed homeowners who need to replace water-damaged floors, drywall, premier flooring and more.
Mold is the enemy and can appear weeks or months after water has receded and you’ve made every effort to thoroughly dry out the surfaces in your home. It’s not even what you see that can cause health problems. Visible mold is actually the medium for invisible spores that can cause everything from eye irritation to respiratory issues and more serious problems for individuals with pre-existing health problems. Studies have linked early mold exposure to the development of asthma in otherwise healthy children. Read what the CDC has to say. Mold is fungi, a unique life form that is half-plant, half-animal. Interesting to learn about; bad to live with. Your home is where you go to recover from life’s woes. You don’t want to be greeted by an unmistakable musty odor when you enter the front door.
Gallery Design Center isn’t just your fair-weather friend. Located in Temple, TX, we carry and install a full complement of premier flooring choices like vinyl plank flooring (water-resistant), bamboo flooring, black hardwood, laminate flooring, and exotics like Brazilian cherry and Tigerwood hardwood flooring. We’re here if you’re looking for a re-do following a weather event or man-made “climate change” in the form of plumbing gone awry (Or, maybe you’re moving to or building on higher ground).
We can also help you overcome moisture and mold by replacing ceilings (roof leak damage), and drywall. Consider fiberglass-faced drywall instead of paper to resist mold. Cement board is another option. In the case of wood framing in walls or floors that have steeped too long in water, you’ll want to replace those with pressure-treated wood. And, if you’re in an area prone to frequent flooding, you may want to consult a structural engineer about the possibility of raising your home. This will be an expensive option, but it’s all relative if you love where you live and raising the home several inches will be enough to place it out of harm’s way. Should you go this route, we recommend that you get more than one estimate and opinion on the viability of this option.
Congratulations on surviving an extreme weather event (or major plumbing leak)! If survival isn’t enough of a silver lining, then a style upgrade may be what you need to make it all better.
Come and see us at our Temple location, give us a ring at (254) 271.8003, or fill out one of our forms to get the process started. Together we’ll replace that high-water mark with a fashion statement.
