Recent Posts

Has a Storm Damaged The Basement of Your Home? 4 Steps to Take When Your Home Basement Is Flooded.

6/28/2022 (Permalink)

Flooded Basement Call your local SERVPRO today! 662-690-6502

How to Deal With a Flooded Basement

Unfortunately, many homeowners have experienced a basement flood at one time or another. If you have standing water down there, it is vital to know how to deal with it. Before you begin the cleanup process, follow these steps.

1. Shut Off the Electricity

Before anything else, you want to shut off the electricity and power to the basement. Not doing so could lead to injuries, so take every precaution possible. If you are unsure of how to do this, it is best to call a water damage specialist.

2. Find the Source

If the basement flood was caused by rainfall, you can go ahead and begin the cleanup process. Otherwise, you need to find the source. To prevent any more contamination to the area, you should shut off the water. Once you have located the cause, you either need to fix it yourself or call a professional to come help.

3. Remove the Water

Getting rid of the water can take time. What you use depends on how badly the room was flooded. Sump pumps or pool pumps can be effective. If there is only a small amount of liquid on the ground, you may even be able to use a mop.

4. Call Your Insurance Company

You want to check on what type of insurance coverage you have after an ordeal like this. Oftentimes the company is more likely to pay if the problem is treated quickly and was not caused by negligence on your part. Using a trusted business to help with the cleanup may also help you get a better payout.

It is important to remember that a basement flood can be extremely dangerous. Take the utmost care when handling the damage yourself. If you feel at all uncomfortable or unsafe, call SERVPRO of Tupelo SERVPRO of Amory/Aberdeen & West Point, to come to help you!

4TH of July is Almost Here! Practice Firework Safety to Prevent Home Damage and Bodily Injury.

6/28/2022 (Permalink)

4th of July Fireworks Call your local SERVPRO today! 662-690-6502

Celebrating the summer brings gatherings, food, and on holidays - fireworks. While the lights of a backyard firework show or small handheld sparkler can be fun there are dangers underneath the lights. When celebrating Independence Day, The National Fire Protection Association estimates sparklers account for more than 28% of emergency room visits due to fireworks, and of nearly half of all fires reported 47% were started on July 4th due to fireworks.

If misused, fireworks can be dangerous. Professionals disagree on the use of personal use of fireworks. Some state they should only be used by trained pyrotechnicians and others tout a use cautiously approach. HOA’s have weighed in on the matter usually erring on the side of caution and banning them from neighborhoods altogether.

The firework-related injury stats can understandably give HOA’s cause for concern. Fireworks cause an average of nearly 18,500 reported fires across the country each year. Smaller hand-held sparklers account for more than 25% of emergency room fireworks injuries. The average sparkler is 1200 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s 300 degrees hotter than what is required to melt glass, at 900 degrees Fahrenheit!

Other homeowner concerns about the fire from fireworks include:

  • Roof shingles
  • Grass and landscaping
  • Siding
  • Vehicles filled with gasoline in the driveway or street
  • Fencing
  • Decks

If you do decide to have a home firework show please do so safely. Here are some tips to help prevent fire from ruining your home celebration:

  • Light fireworks on pavement or concrete a safe distance away from your home
  • Light fireworks one at a time
  • NEVER attempt to relight a dud firework
  • Keep hair and loose clothing tied back
  • Keep a bucket of water close and a primed water hose ready

The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to see a display put on by professionals. This allows you to enjoy the show with little worry of bodily harm or property damage. SERVPRO wants you to enjoy the festivities safely with friends and family. 

Happy Independence Day!

www.nfpa.org

Keep this in Mind... it’s the Water You don't See

6/16/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO equipment Call us today at 662-690-6502

Even minimal water damages have the potential to cause serious structural and indoor air quality issues over time. 

The key to avoiding costly future restoration is to handle every water problem as a real threat to your property. SERVPRO has the equipment, training, and experience to find and dry unseen water before secondary damages occur. The proper equipment makes a measurable difference in reducing the damage expense during a fire or water loss. When time matters, technology, and equipment must be counted on to perform. SERVPRO of Tupelo, SERVPRO of Amory/Aberdeen & West Point will answer your call with rapid action and a full arsenal of drying equipment. 

Here are a few of the tools we use.

  • Moisture Sensors are used to detect moisture in carpets, baseboards, and walls.
  • Thermo hygrometers measure temperature and relative humidity. When armed with this information, we can calculate and create an environment most conducive to drying. When facing a contaminated water loss, it is not only important to dry the structure, but the structure must also be disinfected and often deodorized.
  • Moisture Meters are used to determine the actual moisture content of various materials. The moisture tester provides accurate readings, allowing SERVPRO to monitor the drying process.
  • Thermal Foggers dispense solvent-based products by creating a dense fog. The fog consists of tiny particles of deodorant solution that attach to and neutralize odor-causing particles.
  • Ultra Low-Volume (ULV) Foggers will atomize liquid deodorizing agents, producing a fine mist that can easily penetrate the site where odor-causing residues may accumulate.

The bottom line is that SERVPRO of Tupelo, SERVPRO of Amory/Aberdeen & West Point has the training and equipment to help make it “Like it never even happened.” 

Call us today at 662-690-6502

10 Helpful tricks to help out you & your home this Summer

6/13/2022 (Permalink)

summer sun beaming down on a house Call your local SERVPRO today! 662-690-6502

Summer is here in the South! Follow these 10 helpful tips to protect you and your home this Summer.

1. Close your blinds

Keep your blinds closed, especially on north and west-facing windows, to significantly cool your home. Better yet, invest in some black-out curtains to shield your home from that harsh summer sun.

2. Block the heat

Stopping heat getting into your house in the first place means spending less on cooling. Shade windows and walls using external coverings, like blinds, awnings, or large potted plants. Plant deciduous trees that cast shade over your home in summer, but still let the sun shine through in winter. If you can, invest in window tinting and top up your ceiling insulation – it’ll help keep the warmth in winter, too.

3. Just 1oCmore

If you must use your air-conditioner, set the thermostat to between 24-27oC, or as high as you feel comfortable with. Increasing your thermostat by just 1oC in warm weather can reduce the running cost of your appliance by about 10 percent.

If you’re looking to upgrade your air-conditioner, pick one with a high energy-star rating and do your research to ensure you choose the right type of air-conditioner for your home.

4. Adjust ceiling fans

Sometimes you might feel like ceiling fans just push the hot air around your home rather than cool it down. Well, you’re not wrong – fans that aren’t rotating counter-clockwise may be doing just that!

Set your ceiling fans to rotate counter-clockwise in summer to push air straight down helping to create a cooling effect and clockwise in winter to pull cool air up. In warmer weather, set the fan speed high and in cooler weather, it works best on low. Ceiling fans can also be used to complement other cooling types, so checking they rotate in the correct direction can make a world of difference to the temperature of your home.

5. Close doors and seal gaps

Close doors to rooms you aren’t using to keep cool air where you need it most. Seal gaps around doors and windows, and use draught excluders to ensure the cool air can’t escape.

Note: evaporative air-conditioners will be more effective if you open some doors and windows to increase airflow through the home.

6. Hang out in the evening

Closing your windows and staying inside may be a great idea during the day, but when it gets cooler in the evening you may want to open your house up to cool your home naturally – just make sure you lock up overnight!

Cooking dinner in the backyard or at the park may be a cooler alternative to being in a steamy kitchen too, so make the most of a cool breeze when you can.

7. Chill out, not chill on

Sip icy-cold drinks, apply a damp cloth to your neck and other pressure points on your body or have a cold shower to cool your body without needing to switch the air-conditioner on.

8. Hack a fan

No air-con? No worries! A cleverly-positioned bowl of ice is all you need to turn a fan into a cold mist machine. Place a shallow bowl or pan of ice in front of a fan for an icy-cool breeze that won’t break the bank.

9. Choose cotton

Cotton fabrics are super breathable and help cool your body. Wear light, loose clothing made of breathable fabrics like cotton, and fit your bed with cotton sheets.

10. Change your lightbulbs

If you’re having trouble cooling your home and can’t work out why incandescent lightbulbs might be to blame. These lightbulbs were phased out in Australia years ago, but many homes still use them. They produce a lot of heat, so switching to energy-saving bulbs can help cool your home and save heaps on energy costs – that’s a win-win!

All the information above is provided by- 

https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/goodliving/posts/2018/01/keeping-house-cool-efficiently

Here at SERVPRO, we care about our customers and want to always provide five-star service.

Call your local SERVPRO today!
662-690-6502

The Dangers of Thunderstorms- What You Need to Know

4/12/2022 (Permalink)

A Thunderstorm Call your local SERVPRO today! 662-690-6502

At SERVPRO, we understand severe weather can be stressful. Always be prepared ahead of the storm, and be sure to have alerts set up.

When you think of severe weather, tornadoes may quickly come to mind. There’s a good reason for that. While these storms are most common during the spring, they can occur at any point in our warm, humid conditions.

But while tornadoes are a weather danger to keep in mind, it’s also a good idea to pay attention to thunderstorms.

Thunderstorms are defined as any storm that involves thunder. These storms are so common we often disregard them. But high winds, lightning, hail, flooding, and other issues involved in thunderstorms can quickly turn dangerous. A thunderstorm moves into the severe category when it contains hail that is one inch or larger and straight-line winds of 58 miles per hour or more. Here is what you should know about potential thunderstorm hazards:

Damage and injury from lightning strikes. You now know that thunderstorms always involve thunder. But did you know they also always have lightning? That’s because thunder and lightning are always paired together; you won’t have one without the other, even if lightning isn’t visible. Lightning strikes cause around 300 injuries every year, and they can also contribute to property damage both from direct contact with lightning and indirect effects such as fallen trees.

Harm from flash flooding. Flash floods can occur any time there is heavy rain for a plethora of reasons—even if storm drains back up or small ditches become filled with water, heavy rain can quickly turn these things into a life-threatening flooding scenario. This presents a particular danger on the roads. If flash flood conditions are possible, it’s best to stay at home.

Property damage due to hail. When it comes to hail, there are two factors to consider: the size of the hail and the force with which it falls. These ice pellets can range in size from tiny to very large, and the bigger they are, the more dangerous they are. In severe thunderstorms, where hail is larger, pellets can propel with some force on your roof, which can cause leaks and water damage.

Thunderstorms are dangerous and can cause significant damage to homes or commercial spaces. If you have damage due to a thunderstorm, contact SERVPRO! 

Spring Is Coming - Which Means - Floods Are Coming!

4/12/2022 (Permalink)

spring tulips in Tupelo Mississippi Call Your Local SERVPRO Today! 662-690-6502

Spring is in the air. 

As flowers start to bloom, it’s also the start of the rainy season. Rain and storms often lead to flooding. It’s a great sign of warmer weather on the horizon, plus a beautiful sight to see all the flowers blooming. While the spring provides warm weather as a relief after the long winter months, it does come with rain. April showers bring May flowers! While that helps wash away the pollen, water tends to pool up and flooding is a real concern for homeowners and business owners.

You don’t need to live in a flood zone to fall victim to flooding, so it’s best to always be prepared!

Changes in your neighborhood can create flood areas in places that were safe in the past. Major weather storms can also cause severe flooding that extends into areas that aren’t used to experiencing flooding. 

Know Your Area and Stay on Top of Changes

Flood zones can change. The arrangement and new construction of homes and businesses can lead to a change in the areas that might be considered flood zones. This may also lead to more flood zones being created. Be sure to monitor flood areas as they change to know if you may be affected. If a street nearby you usually floods with water in a rainstorm there is a greater chance that in a bigger storm, the street may flood over. If this happens it can affect properties nearby, including yours. Knowing the changes to flood zones can help you to better be prepared and to better protect your home. If you learn you are in a flood zone, it is best to move your furnace, water heater, and other equipment to a higher level in your home.

Prepare Your Property and Grounds

As the ground around your home and property gets soaked, it can also cause trees or power lines to fall on your home. Make sure to remove or cut dead branches on trees that can pose a problem to your home in a heavy storm.

Prepare For Storms with Building Supplies and Sandbags

Sandbags can often be obtained nearby when there is the potential for a flood. If you cannot find them near you, you can create your own or gather them in advance to prepare for another area nearby. Place sandbags were needed to help keep floodwaters from getting into your home or business when there is a chance of flooding.

It is also a good idea to keep building supplies on hand and to secure these supplies up and out of the way in case flooding does occur. Having a few stud boards, plywood boards, tarps, nails, and more on hand can help with emergency repairs if there is the potential for flooding. They also come in handy to help create a way to protect some of the items on your property from damage. Having these supplies on hand could lead to faster repairs if anything is damaged. Once a storm hits it is often impossible to find these supplies. Preparedness is key!

Important Documents Should Always Be Stored Properly

Irreplaceable belongings and documents should be kept up high and in boxes that can protect them should flooding occur. Doing so will help ensure identifications, passports, documents, deeds, birth certificates and more are both safe from floodwaters and easily accessible if a flood does impact your property or if an evacuation from your area is necessary. 

Emergency Plans Should Always Be In Place

Always have a plan in place to deal with potential natural disasters, flooding is no exception. Speak with family on what steps you will all take in case of flooding or if an evacuation is necessary. It’s best to include how to prevent injuries or illnesses from contaminated floodwater as well as what to do if an evacuation is needed. Be sure to also assign everyone with what they should be responsible for protecting and taking from the property.

If You Experience Water Damage Contact Us at SERVPRO Right Away!

If your property is impacted by a flood, the damage needs to be assessed immediately. All water needs to be properly removed from the home as soon as it can be. Floodwater can cause mold growth in a very short amount of time. Moldy building materials will need to be removed.

Our team of professionals is trained to assess the damage and potential threats, extract and contain the affected area, dry, and restore your property to preloss condition. 

Call Your Local SERVPRO Today! 

662-690-6502

Appliance Failures Can Require Water Removal Services - SERVPRO is Here to Help!

4/7/2022 (Permalink)

Chose SERVPRO- 3 of our marketing guys Call your local SERVPRO today! 662-690-6502

Pretty simple, flooding and water loss incidents can limit your ability to run a successful business.

Water Removal Services

Flooding and water loss incidents can limit your ability to run a successful business. While more substantial events like flooding can affect multiple businesses at once, appliance failures can lead to a similar set of damages inside of your property that require immediate attention. The longer that you wait to remedy the situation, the more structural components weaken and the harder it becomes to restore the affected areas quickly.

Arguably there are many causes of significant water damage to a restaurant. Running an eatery requires a lot of equipment that has to run all day long to keep your food fresh, your dishes clean, or the uniforms pristine. When any of these large appliances decide to quit working correctly, your restaurant could fall victim to a situation that will require professional water removal services.

One of the fortunate aspects is that with appliance failures like these in a restaurant, your normal operating hours can ensure that you discover the issue before your entire facility gets affected. From the moment that you discover the problem, the clock is ticking to get the damage under control and restored before the issues get worse. That’s when you should be calling our experienced SERVPRO professionals.

As you well know, having your restaurant out of commission for restorations and repairs carries more weight than not serving food to hungry patrons. You have a business that your employees depend on for their livelihoods, and a reputation to uphold that can either sink or raise your profit margins. In the food and beverage industry, you cannot expect to succeed with your doors closed, so getting the right professionals like our SERVPRO technicians to work quickly on removing the water and restoring the damage is critical.

When you are contending with a high volume of water inside of your restaurant, you need a team of professionals that can arrive quickly and get to work on restoring the damage that this water has caused. You can always rely on our SERVPRO, water damage restoration specialists to help you overcome any obstacles you face in getting your doors back open. 

Cupping, Peaking, and Buckling Wood Floors in Your Home or Business

4/4/2022 (Permalink)

diagram of a wood floor buckling Call your local SERVPRO today! 662-690-6502

Cupping can happen in your home or business as a result of an increased moisture content that saturates the bottom of the boards.

Wood Damage from Water, Age, or Installation

Having wooden floors or engineered hardwood flooring can be a challenge even when things are going well. It is strongly advised that people who want this type of flooring have a professional install them. Wooden floors and engineered hardwood flooring can develop issues that may alter the appearance and shape of the wood. There are more things to be concerned with in addition to water damage when caring for wood floors and engineered hardwood flooring. The most common problems are buckling, peaking, and cupping.

Moisture Damage

Even if someone's floors experience moisture damage, there won't be any need to replace the entire floor. Buckling, crowing, and cupping are used to describe the warping as well as damage experienced by engineered hardwood flooring and wood floors. These conditions are caused by changes in humidity, groundwater, moisture, and more.

Humidity And Moisture

People want wood floors and engineered hardwood flooring because of the improved appearance they provide in any space where they are placed. They are also known for being sensitive and delicate. Warping and disfigurement can occur from humidity and moisture. It may be possible to control the humidity of a home. Moisture can still become an issue even if a home has no problems with flooding or leaking pipes.

Relative Humidity

The air in any space inside an enclosed area will have humidity. There will always be water vapor in the air unless it measures zero. Over time, the wood in a home such as the doors, walls, and floors will adjust to the humidity levels. It will reach equilibrium. This is why it is common to hear a house settle. The floorboards will creak when experiencing weather that disturbs the equilibrium. When a home experiences extreme changes in moisture, it will cause the floorboards to warp.

Buckling

This can happen when floorboards aren't given the opportunity to adjust to the climate in a home. This will occur when a person notices floorboards pulling away from the sub-floor. The floorboards bow inward. They may also come right off of the floor. This could also be the result of poor installation. The newly installed wood has to have room to contract and expand and adjust to changing humidity levels and temperatures. If the floorboards don't have enough space, they will buckle.

Peaking

This is an expansion issue. The main reason this happens is problems with the installation. Wooden floors are regularly contracting and expanding based on the humidity level in a home. The weather and temperature also play a role. This should be a consideration during the installation process. It is important for there to be the proper space between each floorboard as well as space between the flooring and the walls. If this isn't done, the wood won't be able to properly expand. There won't be any room for the wood swelling. This will result in peaking.

Cupping

This occurs when excessive moisture impacts the underside of floorboards. The surface of the boards will seem to be cupping and have a concave shape. The side of the boards will be higher than the middle of the boards. They will bow inward. Engineered hardwood flooring and wood floors can experience cupping. This is different from other types of damage because of the location of the moisture damage. The bottom of the boards becomes saturated with moisture. This situation can occur over a few days. The reason for it is probably underlying water damage. This could be part of a serious problem like leakage and groundwater. It is something to be resolved by a professional plumber. It is also possible for boards to cup because of too much water vapor in the air. The boards will then warp much slower. This is a challenge to detect since there will be no immediate changes.

Repairing Common Issues

When it comes to cupping, it is possible to repair it by sanding the floor. This will make the boards even. Before sanding the floor, it needs to have enough time for the moisture content to return to normal. Should this not be done, it can cause peaking. When the boards are bent upward, sanding shouldn't be done. It is possible to spot treat places that buckle or peak. The boards that have been affected can be removed and given time to dry and then replaced.

People don't have any real control over unexpected moisture issues. Damage can result from unexpected flooding as well as leaking pipes. It's also not possible to do anything about the moisture or humidity in the air. The floorboards of wooden floors or engineered hardwood flooring can be protected by covering them with a sealant product. It is also recommended to have a dehumidifier running in rooms where hardwood floors or engineered hardwood flooring is located. This will take out the dampness or high humidity that is present.

Types of Cleaning- For Your Fire Damaged Personal Property

4/1/2022 (Permalink)

servpro logo on the back of a tshirt during a wips meeting Call your SERVPRO today! 662-690-6502

At SERVPRO, we use every method and tool in our inventory to restore everything possible after a fire occurs.

Cleaning Personal Property After Fire Damage

When possible, restoring a Mississippi resident’s property after a fire is not just cost-efficient. It also helps lessen the personal loss to a family still dealing with watching that fire race through their home.

SERVPRO can restore most fire damage to the personal property of homeowners if flames did not heavily scorch it. Our teams use six methods to clean and restore personal property based on the type and level of damage, and the material that makes up the damaged item.

Wet Wiping

Technicians use this cleaning method for moderate-to-heavy soot and smoke residues. They use the same cloths and sponges, but also water or a mild cleaning solution. It is also our preferred choice for the property we cannot saturate with water or cleaners. In some cases, they use brushes for a better effect to remove much of the residues.

Dry Wiping

This is the first step our technicians take with almost every item. They use dusting cloths and sponges for dry surfaces with non-greasy, light-to-medium soot residues, usually a powder. If the layer of soil is very thick, they may use a commercial grade vacuum to remove it from the surface. Dry wiping is useful for other types of damage before our teams begin using other methods.

Foam Cleaning

This is similar to spray and wipe, but our teams use a pump-up bottle to force air into the liquid and apply foam. The method uses much less moisture while still applying a large amount of cleaning agent. It is our choice for cleaning upholstered furniture since too much liquid can cause the fabric to shrink and pull away from the frame.

Spray and Wipe

SERVPRO technicians use a spray bottle filled with water or a cleaner for more control over how much they use for cleaning an item. It is our first choice with curtains and drapes when there is a risk of the color fading, or running down the surface and onto carpets or floors.

Abrasive Cleaning

When the soot covers rough surfaces, like rock and marble, our technicians use a thicker cleaning agent and a variety of brushes to remove residues. For metal surfaces, they may have to use steel wool rather than a brush.

Immersion Cleaning

This is our choice for items with very thick residues and when other methods do not work. We immerse them in a tank containing water or a cleaning agent and then use sound waves to agitate the entire surface area with thousands of cleaning bubbles. It is exceptionally effective, even on items that absorbed a large number of residues over time.

Cleaning and restoring personal property is not a quick process. At SERVPRO, we use every method and tool in our inventory to restore everything possible after a fire. 

Call your SERVPRO today! 

662-690-6502

Oh No! Help- My Commercial Toilet Won’t Stop Flushing

3/23/2022 (Permalink)

toilet flushing Call your local SERVPRO today! 662-690-6502

My commercial toilet won't stop flushing!

Commercial toilets are quite different from the ones in your home. Bathrooms meant for public use typically use a tankless type of flushing system called a flushometer. These types tend to prevent a toilet overflow more effectively than toilets with a tank, but there are also some disadvantages.

Advantages and Disadvantages

The flushometer has some benefits compared to the tank type:

  • The high pressure of the water cleans the bowl better.
  • No time is required to fill a tank.
  • The force of the water dislodges all but the worst clogs.

One disadvantage is that it requires a larger than normal water supply line to function. Another is that it can spread germs more easily due to a phenomenon called a toilet plume. However, if they break and cause an overflow, you need a licensed commercial plumber to inspect the damage, fix the valve, and clean up any sewer water that spilled out.

How a Flushometer Works

In a typical toilet, when you depress the handle, gravity causes the tank to empty, pulling the water in the bowl down through suction. This works very well in most cases, but it does tend to clog if there is a lot of bulk in the bowl, potentially causing a toilet flood.

The flushometer system has no tank, helping to prevent toilet overflow. When the handle is depressed, it lifts a gasket that’s keeping the water pressure balanced inside the mechanism, creating a sudden, large pressure differential. This causes a blast of clean water to create the siphon necessary to flush the bowl.

How To Fix a Flushometer

If the flushometer won’t shut off, you’ll need to manually close the valve to the toilet. There will either be a slot for a flat-blade screwdriver or a hexagonal head that requires a wrench.

However, there’s also a hexagonal head on top of the mechanism. Don’t open this while trying to stop a toilet from running! The shut-off valve will always face horizontal, not vertical. Once this is turned off, you have time to call a professional who can fix the mechanism.

The flushometer system is very low maintenance and helps prevent a toilet overflow. Once you’ve learned how to shut off the water flow in an emergency, it should give you many years of trouble-free use.