Preventing Springtime Water Damage

3/31/2023 (Permalink)

We all know the old saying, "April showers bring May flowers." With springtime comes heavy downpours, which can bring unwanted surprises to light on your property like roof leaks or water that comes through your home's foundation. Soggy carpets and dripping ceilings often lead to water damage. Have no fear! Taking the following steps can help prevent water damage in the spring.

Tips to Prevent Springtime Water Damage

• Groom your gutters. Keep the flow flowing! By cleaning your gutters and keeping them damage-free, water will be directed away from your house with downspout extensions.
• Cover up! Using plastic covers around window wells can keep rain from seeping in.
• Show your roof some love. Give your roof some much-needed TLC by replacing missing singles, any damage from storms or weather, and keep flashing sealed. We promise it's worth the effort!
• Be an Einstein landscaper. When putting decoration or landscaping around your home, make sure to slope the ground away from your foundation. This will help prevent water from pooling and causing future water damage issues.
• It's all about the foundation. By repairing cracks and holes in your home's foundation as soon as they are found, you can keep the water away and minimize your odds of water damage!

Storm Season doesn't end when Hurricane season does.

3/31/2023 (Permalink)

Team unloading vans.

Even though storm season is wrapping up rather quickly, a nearby road overflow can cause significant issues in the ground levels of your property. Heavy rainfall results in sewer systems backing up and overflowing with contaminated Black Water. Due to the potentially harmful effects of Black Water, it is essential to hire a professional, qualified technician to help repair and restore your property safely. Indeed, many of your possessions can be salvaged by using professional cleaning equipment promptly.

Where there is Flood Damage in SERVPRO® of Southaven & Horn Lake homes, the likelihood of contaminants being spread around the home is high. In the circumstances, it is not uncommon for our technicians to wear Hazmat suits to protect themselves from pathogens during the cleanup operation. We may also have to remove sections of drywall to clean in and behind walls, floors, and fittings. Left behind debris is not only odorous but has the potential to be harmful if not dealt with thoroughly.

For owners who find themselves in this position, it is only natural to immediately assume the worst, especially where personal possessions are concerned. Here at SERVPRO®of Southaven & Horn Lake,  we always work with a restore over replace mentality. Unlike other providers, our services are geared toward salvaging as much as possible. We enable our technicians to achieve this by providing them with state-of-the-art cleaning equipment and technology.

We can assess items immediately on-site to decide which possessions are salvageable and which need disposal. Generally speaking, porous materials absorb black water making them exceptionally difficult to clean; this could include your carpets or curtains. However, where they are valuable fabrics, we can send them to a specialized facility for mechanical cleaning using Esporta washing machines. This equipment is expensive because they are advanced. However, SERVPRO Southaven & Horn Lake provides technicians with everything they need to restore items rather than replace them.

Floods are considerable emergencies which is why SERVPRO training involves a rapid-response unit as well as a 24-hour emergency call line. Our skilled specialists are local to the area and can reach you fast to help mitigate loss and reduce the risk of permanent damage.

Why should you hire professionals after fire damages?

3/28/2023 (Permalink)

Firefighters putting out house fire.

Fires can happen unexpectedly at any time. Some people are unprepared for what to do for the cleanup after the fire occurs, which is why it is vital to hire a fire damage servicing company to help get it done correctly. 

• There are four main reasons why it is vital to hire a fire damage service professional. 
• Unforeseen damages – With the unforeseen damages in the home, it is a possibility that it is no longer safe to live in. 
• Smoke and soot. – Soot can cover a lot of things in the home and it is very difficult to remove. Smoke has a bad tendency to linger for years and many people don’t realize it’s there. There are many places that smoke can get into besides the obvious like the carpet and furniture. It can be in the walls or air ducts. This sometimes makes the air in the home unhealthy to breathe, especially for children and elderly. 
• Right equipment – Many people may try to clean the damages themselves but don’t have the right equipment to do so. Hiring a cleanup service will allow the homeowners to save time and assurance that the home is well taken care of. 
• Structural damage – There can be structural damage from fire or the water used to put out the fire.  It can lead to big problems in the future if it is not taken care of immediately.

Don’t delay the cleanup process, the sooner the cleanup gets started, the less damage repair will need to be done.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact the professionals at SERVPRO!

id You Know That SERVPRO Offers Mold Remediation Services in New Orleans and Surrounding Areas?

3/22/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Crest with Cleaned

Mold growth in your home can cause cause health effects; here are the effective ways to solve your mold problem.

Finding mold in your shower, basement, or kitchen can be alarming. A small amount of mold may not cause health effects, but knowing to get rid of it on time can keep it from becoming a bigger issue. When left untouched, mold can spread quickly to a larger area and cause health effects.

SERVPRO of Southaven & Horn Lake, a professional mold removal company serving the Southern Memphis and surrounding areas, shares five effective tips for removing mold from homes. 

1. Applying Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is an antibacterial and antifungal solution. It is effective for mold removal. You can use it safely on a wide range of surfaces like kitchen appliances, bathroom fixtures, hard flooring, and wall surfaces.

Pour the concentration into a spray bottle. You can begin by testing areas or surfaces that are not conspicuous to prevent discoloration or damage. Once you are satisfied with the result, spray the moldy surfaces and leave them for 15 minutes. After that, scrub the area to remove black mold and stains.

2. Using vinegar for mold removal

White vinegar is a nontoxic acidic product used to clean, deodorize and disinfect. Vinegar can kill more than 80 percent of mold species, including black mold. You can use this solution safely on a wide range of surfaces.

Pour undiluted vinegar into a spray bottle, and spray onto the moldy surfaces. Leave it for about an hour. Finally, wipe the area with water and allow the surface to dry.

3. Using baking soda to remove black mold

Baking soda is not only effective for removing odors in the fridge, but it can also help to get rid of black mold. Baking soda not only kills mold but also absorbs and encourages mold growth. The best part is that it is safe for your family and pets.

Pour a tablespoon of baking soda into a spray bottle filled with water and shake until it dissolves. Spray the moldy area and scrub the surface using a scrub brush. After that, rinse the surface with water to remove any residual mold stains and the baking soda itself.

4. Removing black mold with essential oils

For centuries, millions of people have used essential oils in aromatherapy. But very few people know that some essential oils, such as tea tree oil are effective insect repellents and deodorizers. It is a natural fungicide that removes mold quickly and ensures mold spores do not come back.

Mix tree oil with a cup of water in a spray bottle and shake vigorously to achieve a fine blend. Spray the moldy area, leave it for 45 minutes, and then wipe away with a dry towel. Essential oils can cause health effects in some people, so ensure you wear protective gloves when applying them.

5. Curbing mold growth with lemons

Lemons are a natural antiseptic, bleach, and stain remover. Additionally, it is one of the most effective ways to remove black mold in the house. The high concentration of acid in lemons helps break down mold spores, leaving you with a clean and disinfected surface.

Juice three to five lemons into a cup and pour over the affected area. Wait for 10 minutes, and then wipe the surface with a damp towel. You can also scrub the surface to get rid of tough mold stains.

Preventative Water Damage Maintenance with your SERVPRO of Southaven & Horn Lake team!

12/19/2022 (Permalink)

Areas prone to water damage.

There are times when we can’t control what happens to our homes or businesses, but there are some things that we can do to help lower the chances.  Water damage is one of the most common causes of damage to your property.  It can be from a weather occurrence or from directly inside the house.  Here are a few things that you can check for to see how well you are doing.

Water Shut Off Valve - Everyone needs to know where this is and how to turn it off.  Most water shut off valves require a special tool to turn it off, while others just require the turning of a lever.

Gutters - Keeping your gutters clean might sound simple, but it is one of the most effective ways to keep water going where it was designed to go.

Pipe Freezing - This one doesn’t happen too often in our area, but wrapping your pipes when the temperature is close to 32 with strong winds can definitely save you a major problem.  All hardware stores sell covers/wraps for your outdoor pipes and faucets.

Roof Inspection - You should check your roof for leaks at least once per year.  You can do this yourself by taking a look inside of your attic after a good rain to see if you notice any leaks.  It would be wise to hire a professional every few years to do a more in-depth inspection.  This small cost every few years could save you a major one down the road.

Check For Leaks - Checking your home for leaks is pretty quick and simple.  All you have to do is crawl beneath the sinks every once in a while to make sure that everything is working properly.  You also can’t forget to check the hot water heater.  You will want to look for any water leakage around the area as well as the condition of the drip pan.  The drip pan is your first defense against a leaky water heater.

If your home or office suffers any damage, the crew at SERVPRO is here to help!