Tag: dfwcapsule

What to do when your house floods

Nothing is better than living in Texas, however we do sometimes have issues when the weather acts like its from Canada. Given the last 2 years we wanted to make a general list addressing what to do if your house floods, what to look for in a restoration company, and how to help prevent frozen pipes. As always keep Capsule portable storage in mind for your pack outs for any restoration or mitigation needs.

What do I do if my house floods?

If your house floods, it is important to take immediate action to protect yourself and your property. Here are some steps to take:

  1. Evacuate the area if it is unsafe to stay in your home.
  2. Turn off the main power and gas supply to your home to prevent electrical fires and gas leaks.
  3. Contact your insurance company to report the flood and begin the claims process.
  4. Document the damage by taking photos and videos of the affected areas. The more the better!
  5. Remove as much water as possible using pumps, mops, and towels.
  6. Dry out the affected areas as soon as possible to prevent mold growth.
  7. Contact a professional restoration company to assess the damage and begin the cleanup and repair process.
  8. Look for help from local disaster response organization if needed.

How do I choose a restoration company?

It is important to act quickly to minimize the damage and to contact your insurance company as soon as possible, so they can take the necessary steps to help you.

Check out our YouTube page and see what our Capsule and delivery machine can do.

Choosing a restoration company after a flood can be a difficult task, but it is important to select a reputable and experienced company to ensure that your home is properly restored. Here are some tips on how to choose a restoration company:

  • Look for a company that is certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) or other professional organizations.
  • Research the company’s reputation by reading customer reviews and checking their ratings with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
  • Verify that the company has the necessary licenses and insurance to perform the work.
  • Ask for references and contact them to get an idea of the company’s work quality and customer service.
  • Check if the company has experience working with your insurance company.
  • Get a detailed estimate of the work to be done, including the cost and timeline for completion.
  • Make sure to ask questions and discuss your concerns with the company before hiring them.

By following these tips, you can ensure that you choose a reputable and experienced restoration company that can properly restore your home and help you get your life back to normal after a flood.

How to I prevent my house pipes from freezing?

  • There are several steps you can take to prevent your pipes from freezing during cold weather:
  • Insulate your pipes: Insulating pipes in unheated areas of your home, such as the attic, garage, or crawlspace, can help to keep the pipes warm.
  • Seal drafts: Seal any drafts in your home, such as those around windows and doors, to help keep the warm air inside.
  • Keep the heat on: Keep the heat on in your home, even when you are away, to prevent the temperature from dropping too low.
  • Open cabinet doors: Open the doors to cabinets that contain pipes, such as those in the kitchen and bathroom, to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes.
  • Let faucets drip: During extremely cold weather, let the faucets drip slightly to keep water moving through the pipes and prevent freezing.
  • Keep the garage door closed: If the pipes in your garage are exposed, keep the garage door closed to keep the cold air out.
  • Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature during the day and at night.
  • Have a professional winterize your pipes if you are going to be away for an extended period time.
Capsule pack out after damage to a home in DFW

Is a CAPSULE Moving and Storage Container Right for You?

There are a lot of benefits to a CAPSULE moving and storage container, but it may not be the best option for everyone. We don’t like to talk ourselves out of business, but we have a high customer satisfaction level because we want to make sure we are a good fit.

In order to understand if it’s right for you, let’s look at the primary benefits. Then, we will look at the common misconceptions where a Capsule may not be a good fit vs the alternatives.

Benefits of CAPSULE Portable Storage Bins

Containers for moving

  • Reduces labor and effort.
    • Load at your own apace
    • Load at ground level
    • Packing one time
    • You call when ready to move
  • You’re packing so you know where things are at
  • Flexibility when things change
    • Things do and will change, supply chain issue, construction dates, closing issues. 80% of moves change because things do not remain on schedule.
    • Closings or projects don’t always stay on schedule, don’t get stuck with bad options if things fall through on closing or a contractor doesn’t finish on time. 
  • You don’t have to drive a large truck
  • Cost effective when compared to full service movers

On Site Storage of Restoration or Remodeling

  • Keep things on site and near for quick easy access
  • Get stuff out of the way of construction workers
  • Avoid having to move items multiple times

Moving Storage Container Misconceptions

  • Moving all in one day
    • If you need the container dropped off in the morning and moved the same day you may be better of renting a truck, or a full-service moving crew. Capsule does not provide same day drop and pick up, this is due to logistics, someone is always waiting on someone else (mover don’t show up on time or you thought it would take 30min to load). No one else does this either, be weary of salespeople in a call center that promise you that.
  • Apartments
    • Capsule has helped many people move in and out of apartments. However, you want to check on the apartment complex rules regarding them, plan for where you want to put it.
    • Second, if you’re in downtown Dallas, and the only parking is a parking garage, there may be no place to drop the capsule, we do not put them on the curb. They must go on your property, or in a parking space.
  • 24 hr Access
    • If you plan to put the container into our storage, we are happy to give you free access during business hours with 24hrs notice so we can pull it. However, if you plan to make regular stops in and out, a traditional 24hr self-storage facility may be a better option
Moving alternative in DFW, what’s right for you?

Packing a CAPSULE…

Interior view of a CAPSULE container

So, lets say you’ve made a smart decision and decided to use Capsule moving containers for your local move here in DFW. Now all you need to do it pack, but although some things might seem obvious it’s always good to go over the basics on how to pack before you start. Packing a Truck, and a moving container are fairly the same. When Packing a CAPSULE there are three basics, heavy stuff on bottom, secure it using straps or packing it in tight, and try to distribute weight evenly.

  • Pack up the walls and across the ceiling, like 3-d Tetris.
  • Start with the heavy stuff first like dressers at the bottom, then pack up with the lighter weight stuff from there.
  • Larger heavy furniture should be placed around the edge of the Capsule container. Try to do distribute the weight equally around the left and right side of the Capsule moving container.  
  • Stand longer items up tall to take up less floor space and allow for more room on the floor. Packing up, is harder than using more floor space.  
  • Stack lighter boxes on top. Boxes should be stacked by weight not size. IF using boxes accordingly, smaller boxes hold heavier stuff.
  • Do not underestimate using boxes. The help organize and allow things to be stackable.
  • Use straps to hold anything down that could fall over or slide. Do not ratchet stuff down to hard, just enough to keep stuff in place.
  • If you have got bolts from taking things apart, use baggies, and label them.
  • Label boxes.
  • Do not be afraid to use different size boxes, they come in handy when wedging stuff into place.
  • Load the things you’ll need first at the new place last, and at the doors.

All that seems like common sense, but its good to go over before you start.

Packing a CAPSULE to the door
Packing a CAPSULE to the door, Popcorn machine and all. Looks like Tetris
Interior view of a CAPSULE container
Inside of clean disinfect CAPSULE. Hooks and inserts’ to latch straps