The 2016 hailstorm
On April 12, 2016, hail up to 4.5 inches fell in Helotes, and that storm and the ones that followed later that month damaged about 125,000 homes across the San Antonio area. It was called the costliest hailstorm in Texas history at the time.
Hail damage to a roof does not always leak right away. Cracked shingles let water in at the next heavy rain, and the first sign is often a stain on a ceiling or wet insulation in the attic. We check above the ceiling as well as below it, and dry what the water reached once a roofer has the roof covered.
Newer slab homes still freeze
During Winter Storm Uri in 2021, the city's water system flagged that newer slab homes, such as those in Helotes, could have burst pipes too, not just older homes near downtown. Water lines here often run only about 18 inches deep.
In a slab home, water from a burst pipe spreads under carpet, laminate and vinyl plank and wicks into baseboards and drywall. The floor can feel dry on top while the pad is soaked, so we measure instead of guessing.
Slab leaks and clay soil
Much of the county sits on clay that swells when wet and shrinks when dry. That movement stresses pipes under a slab, and a slab leak can show up as a warm spot on the floor, the sound of running water or a jump in the water bill. A plumber finds and repairs the pipe; we dry the floor and walls the water reached.
Two-story homes
Many newer homes have laundry rooms and bathrooms upstairs. A leak there shows up in the ceiling below, and the insulation above that ceiling holds water like a sponge. We measure both floors before we decide anything. See water damage restoration.
Carpet, upholstery, rug and drapery cleaning in Helotes
We also clean carpet, upholstery, area rugs, drapes and tile in Helotes, with truck-mounted hot water extraction or low-moisture cleaning picked for what we're cleaning. Carpet is about $55 to $65 for a bedroom, or $0.55 per square foot, plus Texas sales tax.