United Water Restoration Group

Kathy and Ben McClain spent more than 40 years as educators before deciding it was time to build something for the next generation. When their adult children expressed interest in running a business together, the family began looking for an opportunity that combined purpose, stability and long-term growth.<a href="https://uwrgfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=uwrg-pearland-franchisee-kathy-mcclain-2731068" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">United Water Restoration Group (UWRG)</a> stood out because it offered the chance to serve families in moments of real need while providing a structured path for new owners entering the industry. The McClains were drawn to the strong operational support, hands-on training and a model that made them feel confident stepping into a field outside their prior careers.Today, the location in Pearland, Texas, is the foundation of the McLegacy Group, a family-run operation the McClains hope will benefit not only their children and grandchildren but also the community they serve every day.1851 Franchise spoke to Kathy about the family’s franchise journey and plans for the future. Here’s what she had to say:1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Kathy McClain:&nbsp;My husband and I are both 40-year-plus educators. We had retired, and we had always talked about wanting to do a family business. When our adult children came to us and were like, “Hey, we really want to try to find something that we can do together as a family for a business,” that’s how it all got started. Our oldest daughter, Ashley, took the lead, and she did the research. She’s a nurse by trade.She did a lot of research and came back with possible ideas of things that we might do. We really wanted to feel like we were doing something to help someone else, where we were going to be giving back, but at the same time, like everyone else, you want your business to flourish and be successful. And you have to make money with it. She found UWRG. We went and did Discovery Day and really liked the support they were showing that they were going to give. We liked that there was hands-on training of two full weeks for us to attend to help us get started. And then, as we moved to opening, they sent someone out to help us with that opening week of the marketing piece, being able to get that started for us. We liked that. We felt like we wouldn’t be in it on our own, if that makes sense.1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?Kathy:&nbsp;I had not really thought about franchising. Typically, when I thought franchise, I thought franchise foods like McDonald’s or Chick-fil-A or that type of thing. I had never really thought that there was franchising for something like water restoration, even though you’ve seen Servpro and some of the other trucks.It was interesting that once we expressed interest in UWRG we started seeing things about UWRG and we were like, huh. We had never really paid attention to it before that. But then, it was strange that all of a sudden you started paying attention to things, and you started noticing it more.1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Kathy:&nbsp;Really, it was the support piece — feeling like corporate is going along beside us, that they’re constantly looking for updated ways to keep us engaged in the communities and ways to make us run smoother as a company. For us, because we were coming from industries that were not related to water restoration, that was very important. We wanted to feel like we could still be successful even though we were coming from outside the industry, and that support piece has been major for us.I love that I can call in and get assistance, whether it’s with paperwork I’m trying to get finished, asking a question on technical things, equipment, all of that. That’s been major for us.1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Kathy:&nbsp;Our company name, our LLC, is McLegacy Group. So, that’s what we want to build. We want to build a legacy for our children, our grandchildren, our great-grandchildren — just moving forward. It’s really important that we be successful and that we feel like we are an important part of the community.We don’t want to just come in, do a job and be done with it. We want the customers to feel like, yes, they really cared about us. They wanted to make sure the job is done right, but also making sure that we’re leaving their home in the best condition possible when we are finished.1851:&nbsp;Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?Kathy:&nbsp;Like I said, we’re a family of five that came together. We have a veteran — our daughter was in the Navy — and she is in California, so she’s a long-distance participant, but she is actively doing things like our digital marketing. Our son is serving as our marketer, so he’s out trying to drum up business. And then, like I said, our oldest daughter, who actually found UWRG and brought it to us, is active in the day-to-day operations. Even though she may not be here in the office, we communicate frequently throughout the day about what’s going on, and I bounce ideas off her.My husband is the only one who’s kind of like, “Hey, I’ll be the glorified custodian. I’ll come in. I’ll make sure the office is clean.” I love that we all have our little lane and we’re all functioning together, trying to be as successful as possible.1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?Kathy:&nbsp;I would honestly say pray over it. For us, that was something we did as a family. We had an assigned fast-and-pray day every week leading up to us making the decision and then actually opening up. For us, feeling that this is really what God is leading us to do was very important. So I would say pray over it and then make an informed decision.About United Water Restoration GroupSince 2008, United Water Restoration Group (UWRG) has helped thousands of home and business owners restore properties to pre-loss condition. Through a commitment to excellence and a focus on personal attention, clients’ expectations are exceeded every time, without exception. Today, with a philosophy of hiring the best staff to provide professional restoration services, UWRG has grown to more than 50 locations and maintains a level of customer service rarely seen in the industry. Although UWRG assists those experiencing disasters, this growing, recession-proof industry is also supported by fundamental infrastructure issues like aging systems and reconstruction.&nbsp;The initial investment to open and begin operation ranges from $300,000 - $700,000. For more information on franchising, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://uwrgfranchise.com/investment-opportunities/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=uwrg-pearland-franchisee-kathy-mcclain-2731068" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://uwrgfranchise.com/investment-opportunities/</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

United Water Restoration Group - UWRG - Kathy and Ben McClain - Franchisee Feature - 1851 Franchise

Former Educators Build Multi-Generational Future With UWRG Pearland

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The McClain family launched UWRG in Pearland, Texas, to create a long-lasting legacy built in service, community support and hands-on family involvement

This brand page has been paid for by UNITED WATER RESTORATION GROUP. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

Former Educators Build a Multi-Generational Future With United Water Restoration Group Franchise

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Homeowners who prepare ahead of time are far more likely to withstand the wetter 2026 El Niño forecast. Increased storm activity is expected across the South and Gulf Coast, and repeated rainfall can slowly expose weak spots in a home that might otherwise go unnoticed.&nbsp;“Most of the damage we respond to during heavy rain seasons isn’t from catastrophic events. It’s from repeated exposure where small vulnerabilities turn into major problems,” said&nbsp;<a href="http://linkedin.com/in/bob-moore">Bob Moore</a>, president of&nbsp;<a href="https://uwrgfranchise.com/">United Water Restoration Group (UWRG)</a>, a national restoration and remediation franchise.El Niño shifts atmospheric patterns, often sending more frequent storm systems across the southern part of the country. While that can bring periods of steady rain rather than isolated events, the outcome for homeowners can be the same or worse. More rain creates more opportunities for water to find its way into places it should not be, especially when homes have small vulnerabilities that have gone unaddressed.<a href="https://1851franchise.com/unitedwaterrestoration/info">UWRG</a> sees the impact of those patterns firsthand. The company responds to water damage, mold and storm-related issues across storm-prone markets, and its teams often notice the same trend during wetter seasons. It is not always a single major storm that causes the most problems. It is the accumulation of moisture over time.Roof leaks are among the most common issues, especially in homes where shingles and flashing have worn out. Water can also get through poorly sealed windows and doors, or collect around the foundation if drainage is not functioning properly. Overwhelmed stormwater systems can also cause flooding, even in areas where it’s not typical.&nbsp;Once water enters a home, moisture can spread behind walls, under flooring and into insulation. This can create conditions where materials begin to break down. Mold growth can sometimes occur within just a day or two, making the restoration process more difficult.<h2>Don’t Wait Too Long to React</h2>Many homeowners miss the early signs that something is wrong. The warning signals are often subtle and easy to dismiss. A faint stain on a ceiling, a musty smell in a closet, or slight warping in the flooring can all indicate water intrusion that has already begun. By the time water becomes visible, the underlying issue has often been present for some time.“Too often, homeowners don’t realize there’s a problem until water is already coming in,” Moore said. “By that point, the leak or drainage issue may have been building for weeks. The sooner you catch it, the easier it usually is to fix.”Before the rain picks up, homeowners should look for worn shingles, blocked gutters and downspouts that may be sending water too close to the house. It’s also worth checking the window and door seals, as small gaps can let rain in.<h2>Small Fixes Now Can Prevent Major Repairs Later</h2>If the ground around a home slopes toward the foundation, water can collect in the wrong places and seep inside. The ground around the foundation should slope away from the house so that water drains outward, not in.&nbsp;For homes with basements or crawl spaces, it’s also a good idea to check that sump pumps and drainage systems are functioning properly before heavy rain begins.“The homeowners who avoid major damage are usually the ones who stay on top of basic maintenance,” Moore said. “It’s not complicated, but it does require attention before the storms arrive.”Waiting too long can make the damage much more expensive. A leak caught early may only need a simple repair. Left alone, that water can move through walls, flooring and insulation, leading to extraction, drying and possible mold remediation. At that point, a small maintenance issue can become a much larger restoration job.<h2>Preparing for a Wetter Season Starts Before the Storm</h2>El Niño does not guarantee severe outcomes for every homeowner, but it does increase the likelihood. For homeowners across Texas, the Gulf Coast, Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas, there’s time to prepare for wetter conditions. Addressing these small issues early can reduce the risk of damage before the season peaks.UWRG responds when problems occur, but the goal is to help homeowners avoid reaching that point. Seasonal weather patterns will continue to shift, but the fundamentals of protecting a home remain the same. Attention to detail, early action and a clear understanding of risk can make the difference between routine maintenance and a costly repair.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/unitedwaterrestoration">https://1851franchise.com/unitedwaterrestoration</a>.

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Rain across the South and Gulf Coast can expose small home maintenance issues before homeowners realize there’s a problem. United Water Restoration Group has solutions.

How to Protect Your Home During El Niño Season

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Former Educators Build a Multi-Generational Future With United Water Restoration Group Franchise

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