Why Call A Restoration Company: Get to Know The Facts On Who to Call When Disaster Strikes

8/25/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Biloxi team loads work truck for a day of restoration.

Our Team provides 24-hour emergency service and is dedicated to being faster to any size disaster in Biloxi, Gulfport, Ocean Springs, and Pascagoula. We can respond immediately to your emergency and have the expertise to handle your restoration or cleaning needs.

• 24-Hour Emergency Service
• Faster to Any Size Disaster
• Highly Trained Restoration Technicians
• A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry
• Locally Owned and Operated
• Advanced Restoration and Cleaning Equipment

Have Questions? Call Us Today – (228) 475-3473

Residential Services

Whether your home needs emergency flood damage restoration or your upholstery cleaned, you can depend on us.  Our technicians have extensive cleaning and restoration training and can make your property look its best. Learn more about our residential services:

• Water Damage Restoration
• Fire Damage Restoration
• Mold Remediation
• Storm Damage Restoration
• Cleaning Services
• Building/Reconstruction Services

Commercial Services

There's never a convenient time for fire or water damage to strike your Biloxi, Gulfport, Ocean Springs, or Pascagoula commercial property. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when the need arises for professional cleaning or emergency restoration services, SERVPRO has the training and expertise to respond promptly with highly trained technicians to get your property back to business. Learn more about our commercial services:

• Commercial Water Damage Restoration
• Commercial Fire Damage Restoration

When Vacation Time Rolls In, SERVPRO Restoration Experts Are Standing By.

7/26/2023 (Permalink)

Water damage technicians arrive to Biloxi home after traveling owners call to report water damage.

Going on vacation should be relaxing and worry-free, which is why it is important to make sure your house is secure before you leave for your trip. Be SERVPRO ready so you don’t come back to damages in your home. Here are some tips for preparing your home provided by SERVPRO of Biloxi, Ocean Springs, Gulfport, & Pascagoula.

Make Arrangements with an Emergency Contact.

• Choose a close friend or neighbor you trust as your emergency contact and provide them with all of your itinerary information in case they need to contact you.
• A timer on lights will give the impression someone is home.
• Leave written directions for alarm codes, doors, or other information needed to properly care for your home.
• Make sure your mail is collected; burglars often look for homes with overflowing mail. 
• The Post office can suspend your mail and deliver the day you get back. Here is a link to the US Post Office.

Take plumbing and electric precautions.

• Prevent leaks and floods from damaging your home by shutting off gas and water at the meter, supply tank, or appliances.
• Turn off the water valves to washing machines, sinks, and the dishwasher.
• Unplug electronics to cut down on any possible shortages which could potentially cause a disastrous fire.
• Check your smoke detectors to ensure they are working properly.
• Adjust your thermostat for the season. Keeping your thermostat at 55-60 degrees in the winter and 75-80 degrees in the summer should help control usage.

 Right before you leave:

• Notify your security company that you are leaving town.
• Take out the kitchen trash and other trash that could get smelly.
• Go on one last walk through of your house to secure windows, blinds, fences, doors, and plugs. This will ensure all entries are safe from hazardous obstructions.

 If you come back from vacation and encounter damage to your home, call SERVPRO of Biloxi, Ocean Springs, Gulfport, & Pascagoula 228-475-3473. We clean up mold, fire, or water damage to your home or business on the Gulf Coast.

Things To Teach The Family In Case Of An Overnight Fire

10/24/2022 (Permalink)

Do the kids know what to do?

Do they know where to go?

What happens after the alarm stops?

Gather everyone in your household and make a plan. Walk through your home and inspect all possible exits and escape routes. Households with children should consider drawing a floor plan of your home, marking two ways out of each room, including windows and doors. Also, mark the location of each smoke alarm. 

Practice your home fire escape plan twice a year, making the drill as realistic as possible. 

Allow children to master fire escape planning and practice before holding a fire drill at night when they are sleeping. The subject is to practice, not frighten, so telling children there will be a drill before they go to bed can be as effective as a surprise drill. 

Choose an outside meeting place (i.e. neighbor's house, a light post, mailbox, or stop sign) a safe distance in front of your home where everyone can meet after they've escaped. Make sure to mark the location of the meeting place on your escape plan. 

Once you're out, stay out! Under no circumstances should you ever go back into a burning building. If someone is missing, inform the fire department dispatcher when you call. Firefighters have the skills and equipment to perform rescues. 

Once the emergency crews leave call us, we will do what is needed to get you back into your clean home, "like it never even happened."

Give Us A Call To Get Rid Of The Terrible Smoke Smell

10/22/2022 (Permalink)

This is a large commercial fire damage we produced as a result of an electrical malfunction. SERVPRO of Pascagoula had a first responder on site quickly to expedite cleaning, demolition, and deodorization scope and planning. As this was a gymnasium, the vast majority of space was warehouse, with built-in tiered offices and party rooms. Total affected space in the building was 15,500 square feet, which made for an enormous amount of volume to conduct final deodorization. After weeks of demolition and specialized cleaning, we conducted thermal fogging for the final deodorization. Our two technicians donned their proper PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), and fogged the entire cubic area of the gym. The photo shows the fogging after disperse, with the capability of it penetrating into high and small cavities

Things You Need To Know About Floods

10/21/2022 (Permalink)

http://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/flood#About

There is always potential for flood damage no matter where you live. According to the American Red Cross floods cause more damage in the United States every year than any other weather related disaster.

The American Red Cross offers these flood safety tips:

-Stay away from floodwaters. If you come up on a flowing stream where water is above your ankles, stop, turn around and go another way. Six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep you off of your feet.

-If you approach a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are riding rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.

-Keep children out of the water. They are curious and often lack judgment about running water or contaminated water. 

A flood/flash flood WATCH means a flood or flash flood is possible.

A flood/flash flood WARNING means flooding or flash flooding is already occurring or will occur soon. TAKE IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONS!

If a flood occurs and affects you, call SERVPRO of Biloxi, Ocean Springs, & Gulfport.  Even minor floods have potential to cause major damage. We Are Always Here To Help.

Highly Trained Restoration Specialists

Our SERVPRO Professionals here at SERVPRO are highly trained in property restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO's Corporate Training Facility to regular IICRC industry certifications, our Professionals are equipped with the knowledge to restore your property. The SERVPRO training program includes the following:

• IICRC Training
• Employee Certification Training
• Initial Franchise Training
• e-Learnings
• Continuing Education Classes

How To Prepare For A Flood

10/21/2022 (Permalink)

According to the National Flood Insurance program, flooding is the most common natural disaster in the United States causing $2.7 billion in losses between 2001 and 2010. Flooding is not covered by most homeowner’s insurance policies so it may be necessary to buy a separate flood policy for your home.

  Here are a couple of tips to keep water from entering your home during a heavy rain event:

1.    Fix foundation leaks that may allow water to enter your home.

2.    Make sure your roof is secure and protected.

3.    Clear gutters and drains.

If water ever floods your home, getting someone on site as soon as possible is key to keeping the amount of damage to a minimum. SERVPRO ready to respond at any time.

228-396-3965

Locally Owned, with National Resources

We are proud to be an active member of these gulf coast communities. SERVPRO  is locally owned and operated so we’re already nearby and ready to help residents with any-sized smoke and fire damage emergencies. Call us 24/7 for help. (228) 396-3965

Reasons You Need To Call SERVPRO After A Fire

10/21/2022 (Permalink)

When a fire happens, it causes soot. (Soot: A black powdery or flaky substance consisting largely of amorphous carbon, produced by the incomplete burning of organic matter.) If the HVAC system is on during a fire then it can spread the soot in the house by circulating the air throughout. 

While it may take some time to remediate a fire, it is important that the soot is wiped down with appropriate cleaning agents and in a timely manner. If soot is left on any surface to long it can breakdown that surface and cause damage to walls, furniture, and other surfaces.  

This picture shows just one wipe down of a wall in the home where we did a structure clean after a fire. Some surfaces can take longer to clean, depending on the texture of the wall and how much soot there is on the surface.

Highly Trained Restoration Specialists

Our SERVPRO Professionals are highly trained in property restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO's Corporate Training Facility to regular IICRC industry certifications, our Professionals are equipped with the knowledge to restore your property. The SERVPRO training program includes the follow:

• IICRC Training
• Employee Certification Training
• Initial Franchise Training
• e-Learnings
• Continuing Education Classes

Facts About Water Damage

10/20/2022 (Permalink)

Mold growth can become a serious risk whenever standing water is present in a home. Flood water may contain bacteria, debris, chemicals, and other dangerous substances. This water is considered contaminated black water, or Category Three water, and is particularly prone to causing mold. Signs of mold may become evident within 24 to 48 hours after flooding and intensify within 72 to 96 hours, or three to four days.

Within 24 to 48 Hours

In just one to two days, several indications of mold may already be detectable. Sign to watch for include:

• Musty odors
• Elevated presence of microbiological volatile organic compounds
• Spore development

It is important to make progress toward mitigation as soon as possible. If a professional service pumps out standing water during this stage and starts the cleaning, disinfection, and drying process, it may be possible to prevent problematic mold growth.

Within Several Days

Mold may start to grow and spread as time goes by. Within just 72 to 96 hours

• Fast-growing colonies may emerge
• Visible growth may become apparent
• Odors will intensify
• Microbiological volatile organic compounds may reach risky levels

It is best to have the pumping, cleaning, and disinfecting stages of mitigation completed within this time frame. Professionals can also tear out porous contents and building materials that support mold. Ideally, a flooded home will already be drying with professional equipment such as air movers and dehumidifiers. If water is still standing, mold may become a serious issue that will require testing and specialized mitigation methods.

Take action as soon as possible, ideally within the first 24 hours following a flood, to eliminate the presence of water and residual moisture in a residence. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that mold growth will develop. Residential mitigation and restoration experts can clean up and repair flood damage and determine whether mold is present.

Before you Go, Check This List Out

10/19/2022 (Permalink)

Going on vacation should be relaxing and worry-free, which is why it is important to make sure your house is secure before you leave for your trip. Be SERVPRO ready so you don’t come back to damages in your home. Here are some tips for preparing your home provided by SERVPRO of Biloxi, Ocean Springs, Gulfport, & Pascagoula.

Make Arrangements with an Emergency Contact.

• Choose a close friend or neighbor you trust as your emergency contact and provide them with all of your itinerary information in case they need to contact you.
• A timer on lights will give the impression someone is home.
• Leave written directions for alarm codes, doors, or other information needed to properly care for your home.
• Make sure your mail is collected; burglars often look for homes with overflowing mail. 
• The Post office can suspend your mail and deliver the day you get back. Here is a link to the US Post Office.

Take plumbing and electric precautions.

• Prevent leaks and floods from damaging your home by shutting off gas and water at the meter, supply tank, or appliances.
• Turn off the water valves to washing machines, sinks, and the dishwasher.
• Unplug electronics to cut down on any possible shortages which could potentially cause a disastrous fire.
• Check your smoke detectors to ensure they are working properly.
• Adjust your thermostat for the season. Keeping your thermostat at 55-60 degrees in the winter and 75-80 degrees in the summer should help control usage.

 Right before you leave:

• Notify your security company that you are leaving town.
• Take out the kitchen trash and other trash that could get smelly.
• Go on one last walk through of your house to secure windows, blinds, fences, doors, and plugs. This will ensure all entries are safe from hazardous obstructions.

 If you come back from vacation and encounter damage to your home, call SERVPRO 228-396-3965. We clean up mold, fire, or water damage to your home or business on the Gulf Coast.

Water damage is not something anyone looks forward to

10/19/2022 (Permalink)

Obviously, we don’t get any notice that there is about to be a water disaster.

If the house is empty and a supply line breaks, the damage can be extensive. After all, water is looking for a place to go and it always chooses the path of least resistance.

It’s smart to educate yourself about the ways water may enter into your home. Here are a few of the most common sources of water damage:

Toilet seal. A sign of the wax ring failing is the presence of water around the base of the toilet or an unpleasant odor from the toilet.

Damaged water inlet valve. All appliances that require water to do their job have a water inlet valve. This is a common location for leaks to occur.

Clogged gutters. Proper drainage and emptying of the gutters on your home is critical to keep water damage out of your home. Debris can accumulate in the gutters and clog downspouts, causing the water to back up into the fascia and work its way into the house.

Roof problems. The roof is a complex system that requires everything to be working properly to keep the water out of your house. Shingles must be free from damage and installed according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Flashing must be properly installed and stepped so water cannot seep behind and damage the roof structure. As we mentioned above, gutters need to flow freely and be clean of debris.

Sewer lines. Sewer lines flow outside of your home to either a septic tank or municipal sewer system. A septic tank holds the waste in a large tank and it breaks down and drains into field lines. A municipal sewer system has a series of pipes underground that carries the waste away from your home and to the water plant for processing. Once you have identified the problem, the solution is easy to figure out but much more challenging to implement.

Clogged toilet. Toilets drain into the sewer line, as does all drain water from the house. If a toilet won’t drain, the usual cause is a blockage. A blockage can be tackled in any number of ways, but one of the most common is a plunger or a snake. A plunger uses force to move the blockage, and a snake usually breaks up the clog.

With proper home maintenance, you can stay on top of the pipes, appliances and roof systems, as they all having moving parts that occasionally can fail. A little preventive maintenance can save you time and money.

If a water leak erupts into a big problem at home, you’ve got the best team in the business on your side. Contact SERVPRO today so we can get started.