Mold During the Winter?

11/4/2024 (Permalink)

Mold During the Winter?  

While mold may seem more like a concern for the Spring and Summer months, mold can still be a major problem during the Winter. The wet seasons can provide optimal opportunities for mold to develop. Not only through the additional moisture but through an increase in opportunities for water damage, which may lead to mold if not discovered or taken care of quickly.  

Here are some mold prevention steps you can take as you begin to prepare your home for the upcoming Winter Season:  

• Keep areas/surfaces clean and dry. 

• Maintain air circulation. Be sure to run exhaust fans or open windows if possible while showering, cooking, or washing dishes.   

• Turn off the water connection to appliances that are broken or malfunctioning.  

• Check and repair seals on windows, basements, doors, and foundations.  

• Insulate pipes to prevent burst pipes.  

• Clean and repair gutters and ensure the area around your home has proper drainage.  

If you have found or suspect mold in your Natchez home, call SERVPRO of Natchez, our professional crews will assess your home and develop a plan to remediate your mold. When you give us a call at, (601) 304-5554, we will make sure that your home is dry and clean again before we say the job is finished. 

How long does it take for water damage to set in?

4/1/2024 (Permalink)

Flood cuts show how high the water came in this Natchez hospital after flooding damaged the walls and floors.

How long does it take for water damage to set in? 

When you discover you have had a water intrusion in your home, you will have a lot of questions. How long has this water been sitting here? What do we do? Who do we call? How much time do we have to get this cleaned up? 

With any type of water damage, time is of the essence. A quick response is crucial to prevent water from causing its peak potential damage. It does not take very long for water to cause problems, but the longer it sits, the worse it will get. That also means that repairs will take longer and become more expensive. 

We have compiled this timeline to demonstrate just how quickly water damage sets in and what can happen if left for too long.   

Within Minutes

• Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path.
• Water absorbs into walls, floors, upholstery, and other belongings.
• Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets.
• Photographs, books, and other paper goods start to swell and warp.

Hours 1 - 24:

• Drywall begins to swell and break down.
• Metal surfaces start to tarnish.
• Furniture begins to swell and crack.
• Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain.
• A musty odor appears.

48 Hours to 1 Week:

• Mold and mildew may grow and spread.
• Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp.
• Metal begins to rust and corrode.
• Furniture warps and shows signs of mold.
• Paint begins to blister.
• Wood flooring swells and warps.
• Serious biohazard contamination is possible.

More Than 1 Week:

• Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive.
• Structural safety, mold growth, and biohazard contaminants pose serious risks to occupants.

About SERVPRO of Natchez

SERVPRO of Natchez specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a water damage event. Our team understands the importance of responding to water damage quickly, that is why we offer 24/7 emergency services so that our professional crews can get to work quickly, minimizing the potential damage to your property and returning it to “preloss” condition as soon as possible.  

Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certifications.

Prepare your Natchez Business for any Disaster

1/4/2024 (Permalink)

Flooding in this office space caused extensive damage and created conditions that could not be worked in.

How to prepare your business for a water disaster

Flooding in your Natchez business can be time-consuming, expensive, and overwhelming. If you do not recover quickly, you could potentially lose customers or even go out of business. Working with an established and reputable restoration company to remediate damage can make a crucial difference in returning your business to normal operations.

Preparedness is another important key to getting back to business. SERVPRO® has created tools to help prepare you for a catastrophic event such as a flood. With our Emergency Ready Plan® (ERP) we will assess your property in person, look for potential vulnerabilities, and make recommendations that can minimize damage. Our team will also locate all of your emergency shut-offs and other key locations and compile this information into our ERP app for your use.  

You can then personalize your profile to appoint team members to make decisions if you are unavailable during a crisis. The ERP will also include a blueprint of your business, names of important contacts and phone numbers, utility shut-off locations, and any other important information you want to include. You also can indicate that you want SERVPRO® to respond in the event of an emergency, which can help speed up the mitigation process. 

The SERVPRO® ERP allows a business owner to indicate priorities regarding areas of the business to restore first or documents or records to inventory and pack out. Take the opportunity to work with our IICRC certified technicians on ideas that can keep at least a portion of your business open during the recovery so that your clientele does not lose confidence in your products or services during the restoration process.

SERVPRO of Natchez is ready to work with you to recover from a flooding event. Take our service to another level by developing an Emergency Ready Plan and Profile. Call (601) 304-5554 to get the process started

How to Help Protect Your Home from Storm Damage

10/3/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Helps Reduce Storm And Flood Damage to Your Natchez Home

Rain and severe storms, while expected, cannot be prevented. However, some of the severe damage these events can cause to your Natchez home can be prevented. It is important to take these steps before a storm occurs to help you protect your investment. 

The first step in protecting your home from storm damage is to contact a professional to make an assessment of any possible vulnerabilities in your property and take action to fix them. Issues such as clogged gutters or damage to your downspouts are one of the leading causes of basement flooding. Cracks in your foundation can allow water from surrounding saturated soil to invade and flood your entire home.   

Having a professional, such as SERVPRO® of Natchez, assess the grading and landscaping around your property, can help keep flooding from affecting your home. Over time, the grading around your home can shift and erose, giving water access to damage the inside of your home. We can assist you to install the proper drainage, fix your grading, and correct any problems your landscaping may be creating. We are here to help you prepare for the worst flooding situations that frequently occur in Natchez homes. 

Our expert technicians are professionals in helping you determine which steps need to be taken in order to control the problems your property faces. If your home is damaged by flooding, they can also help return your home to its pre-flooding condition. We are equipped with a variety of tools and equipment that enable us to remove and dry the water from your home and restore damaged areas. 

If you find yourself experiencing flood damage, contact us at SERVPRO® of Natchez now. We are here to help and proud to serve the Natchez community and surrounding areas. We offer professional restoration and cleaning services that you can depend on. Day or night, 7 days a week, we are here to take your call at (601) 304-5554.

How to Properly Install and Maintain Smoke Detectors

8/21/2023 (Permalink)

We have all had that frustrating experience with a faulty smoke detector that will not stop beeping. Maintaining a properly functioning smoke detector will not only keep peace and quiet in your home, but will make it much safer. 

Tips for properly installing smoke detectors: 

• The number of smoke detectors necessary for your home will be determined by the size and layout of your home. However, as a general rule you should have at least one on every level of your home (including the basement) and one in every bedroom.
• Install smoke detectors in central locations. Ceiling detectors should be placed on a flat area and wall detectors must be less than 12 inches from the ceiling.
• Always follow your device’s instructions carefully while installing (especially detectors that require hardwired power). If you do not feel comfortable installing the detectors on your own, there are many professional services that will install them for you.
• Test your alarm after installing them by using the test button 

Tips for maintaining smoke detectors:

• Never use the same smoke detector for longer than 10 years. If you have had the same ones for longer than this, replace them as soon as possible. 
• Test the alarms monthly. 
• Replace non-hardwired detector’s batteries annually. 
• Clean your detectors every year. Dust and other pollutants can impede the performance of your smoke detectors.

If you experience a fire loss in your home, SERVPRO of Natchez is here to help 24/7. Our team of fire restoration professionals will restore your home to preloss conditions, so it is "Like it never even happened." Call us at (601) 304-5554

How to ready your home for winter weather

8/18/2023 (Permalink)

Is your home ready for winter weather?

It may not feel like it but, Fall and Winter will be here before you know it. Making the coming months the ideal time to prepare your property for the coming winter.  Proactive measures can help prevent or at least mitigate the severity of the potential damage winter conditions may cause to your home. 

We have compiled a short list of steps you can take both inside and outside your home to help prepare your home for the Winter. 

Inside Your Home:

• Make sure your pipes and plumbing work are properly insulated to help prevent freezing.
• Add or repair weather stripping around doors and windows. 
• Have your chimney and fireplace cleaned and inspected. 
• Program your thermostat to keep your home at a consistent temperature. 
• Replace your HVAC filter and get the system cleaned. 
• Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. 

Outside Your Home:

• Clean gutters and downpipes of debris. 
• Clear yard of brush and trim trees, to prevent ice build up and falling debris. 
• Bring outdoor furniture inside if possible, if not, cover items to protect them from winter conditions. 
• Move potted plants indoors before temperatures drop below 45°F. 
• Place snow removal tools in an accessible area. 
• Check your roof and outside structures for damage and have any damage repaired. 

While this list is not comprehensive and some scenarios are unpreventable, these steps can make the crucial difference in protecting your property from extreme conditions. 

If a disaster does affect your home, call SERVPRO® of Natchez for 24/7 emergency service, at (601) 304-5554.

What to do if you Suspect Mold in your Natchez Home

7/10/2023 (Permalink)

Suspect Mold in your Natchez Home?   

It is believed that there are currently over one million different species of mold in existence, but less than 10 percent have been documented and named. Mold spores are in the air, everywhere, all the time, making mold extremely common in both indoor and outdoor environments. Sometimes humans and mold can exist together without any major problems, however, depending on the strand of mold and the sensitivity level of the person, mold can cause adverse health effects. These effects range from mild symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, and itchy eyes to more severe respiratory diseases, fevers, and dizziness.    

All mold needs to grow is the right conditions, such as: 

• Water - Different mold types require varying amounts of liquid before growth begins. 
• Temperature - Normal indoor temperatures will promote mold growth.
• Time - Initial mold colonizers develop in only one day after being exposed to water, but the longer it is left alone with adequate temperatures and moisture, the more it will continue to grow.

Mold can grow anywhere, in any home, a leaky roof or chimney, wet basements, condensation from ducts, and water seeping into absorbent materials are just a few examples of situations or problems that create the perfect environment for mold. It is important for Natchez homeowners and business owners to be aware of situations like these that could potentially allow mold growth. 

If you suspect or have found mold in your home, call SERVPRO of Natchez to assess the situation. We have the knowledge, tools and track record to effectively remediate mold in your home or business.

In the meantime here are some steps you can take to protect yourself from potential illness and to keep the mold from spreading: 

• Stay out of affected areas.
• Turn off HVAC system and fans.
• Don’t touch or disturb the mold 
• Don’t spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold
• Don't blow air across the affected or suspected areas 
• Don't try to dry or clean the area by yourself

When is Hurricane Season 2023?

6/5/2023 (Permalink)

This home experienced damage from a recent hurricane.

It is important to be prepared for Hurricane Season

The Atlantic Hurricane season began on June 1, 2023 and continues through November 30, 2023. During this time, you may hear a lot of terms and storm classifications being thrown around by TV meteorologists, but you may be wondering what they actually mean. This article will help guide you through hurricane season.  

How do hurricanes begin? A hurricane is characterized as a storm originating in the Atlantic Ocean. As hot air begins to rise over the ocean, cool air moves in to take its place. The process continues until storm clouds and thunderstorms develop, which continue to build and intensify as rotation begins. As the storm grows, it will pass through four distinct stages: 

Tropical Disturbance: a mass of thunderstorms with wind speeds of less than 23 mph.

Tropical Depression: consistent wind speeds between 23-39 mph and a circulation of wind in the center of the thunderstorm mass.

Tropical Storm: this stage begins when sustained winds have reached 39-73 mph. At this point storms are named and characterized by problems from intense rainfall.

Hurricane: forms when surface pressures drop and winds reach 74 mph. There is now a clear and definite rotation around a calm center, known as the “eye.”

Once a hurricane is formed, it may be classified as one of the five categories as defined by the Saffir Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Though it is important to note that a hurricane may rise through the stages as it develops and makes landfall. The five categories are as follows: 

Category 1: Winds 74 to 95 mph (Minor damage)

Category 2: Winds 96 to 110 mph (Extensive damage — Can uproot trees and break windows)

Category 3: Winds 111 to 129 mph (Devastating — Can break windows and doors)

Category 4: Winds 130 to 156 mph (Catastrophic damage — Can tear off roofs)

Category 5: Winds 157 mph or higher (Can level houses and destroy buildings)

This scale only estimates what property damage could occur with the maximum sustained wind speed of that specific stage; it does account for other dangerous events that often accompany hurricanes, like tornadoes, flooding, and storm surge. It is important to be prepared for hurricanes and to listen to the guidance of local officials to keep you and your family safe. 

Sources:

https://www.wtoc.com/2020/03/31/how-do-hurricanes-form/ 

"What is the difference between a hurricane, a cyclone, and a typhoon?". OCEAN FACTS. National Ocean Service.

Water Damage from the Hot Water Heater in your home

5/17/2021 (Permalink)

Water heater leaks tend to spray beyond the area of the drain pain due from often pressurized. Depending on the location of the heater, these leaks can cause severe property damage, if the leak goes undetected. Have routine inspections and maintenance to prevent such problems.

The sooner you call SERVPRO of Natchez the sooner your home can be successfully restored back to normal.Call us 24 hours a day and 7 days a week 601-304-5554. Our crews are highly trained and certified for all your restoration needs.

We provide quality water restoration services to your home and business. No matter what the cause or how large the project we got you covered. No job is too small or too big for us at SERVPRO of Natchez. Don't wait, call us to care for your needs. We are here to help!

Overflowing Toilet

5/17/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Natchez responded quickly to a residential water loss caused from a toilet overflow in the hall bathroom. The water migrated through the hallway, living room and kitchen, affecting the laminate wood flooring in all the rooms. After SERVPRO removed the wet laminate wood flooring, we started the drying process with drying equipment to the concrete sub floor completing the job.

Let us restore your water damage property to its preloss condition. We are always here to help! 601-304-5554.

We provide quality water restoration services to your home and business. No matter what the cause or how large the project we have got you covered. No job is too small or too big for us at SERVPRO of Natchez. Don't wait; call us to care for your needs.