Staying Safe When The Weather Is Severe | SERVPRO of Oxford/Batesville/Clarksdale

4/15/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Oxford/Batesville/Clarksdale is Here to Help® restore your property to preloss condition after any storm.

While there are many benefits of living in the South, being in the path of tornadoes is not one of them. In the last few years, Mississippi has been leading the United States when it comes to the number of tornado touchdowns. 

Since we experience severe weather relatively often in the early spring and summer, it is vital that you have a reliable plan in place to keep you safe while the weather rages outside. Use the tips below to help you better prepare for the next stormy season. 

Planning Ahead

One of the most important things you can do during severe weather season is staying informed. This includes watching the news for the forecast, checking your weather apps periodically and making sure you have your weather alert systems up and running at any given time. If you know what is coming, you are much more likely to have the time you need to prepare and take shelter before it hits. 

Another crucial task is to make sure you have your emergency kit ready to use. Include flashlights with extra batteries, your weather radio, chargers for your phones, a first-aid kit, any medications or glasses, and shelf-stable food and water. Severe weather can last a while and be really unpredictable, so having means to stay comfortable while you are hunkered down is essential.

A tornado watch means that the conditions are right for a tornado to form and drop down from the sky, but a tornado warning means that there has been one reported on the ground in the area. If a warning is issued, it is imperative that you seek shelter immediately. 

After the Storm Passes

Tornadoes can have really specific damage patterns, so use extreme caution when leaving your safe shelter location. Entire homes can be flattened or sections of your house could have experienced structural damage that make your floors unsteady and walls unreliable. Walk carefully and slowly as you make your way outside to assess the damage. 

Your first goal should be to connect with anyone who wasn’t home when the storm hit and to check on your neighbors. Just because a house looks undamaged on the outside doesn’t mean there is no damage or emergency happening inside. Once everyone has been deemed safe, it’s time to get on the phone with us. 

One of the benefits about working with us is that we are locally owned and operated! We see the same forecasts you do and start preparing our homes and business just like you do, except we also start forming recovery teams and prepping trucks in preparation for your phone call after the storm passes on.

We will arrive quickly to assess the damage, and we will get to work right away to secure your home. We will board up windows, lay tarps over exposed sections of your home and start pulling undamaged possessions into another space for temporary safekeeping. 

After that, we will remove standing water, lingering moisture and damaged debris. Once your home is cleaned and dry, we can get started on your structural repairs. It is our goal to make sure your home is returned to its pre-storm damage condition as quickly and as efficiently as possible. 

Storms can cause serious damage to your property. Call SERVPRO of Oxford/Batesville/Clarksdale right away.

Preparing for Flash Floods Safely | SERVPRO of Oxford/Batesville/Clarksdale

4/1/2024 (Permalink)

Flooding is no joke. Call SERVPRO of Oxford/Batesville/Clarksdale for faster response to any size disaster.

We have all seen devastating footage of serious floods that have happened across the country and across the world, and these situations can always leave us feeling a little unnerved. No one thinks that a dangerous flood will happen in their community until the warnings are going off and everyone is scrambling for higher ground. 

Experiencing a flash flood is a very real threat that everyone in the Oxford community needs to prepare for because there usually isn’t much time to react after the warning is issued. Use these tips to help you and your family stay safe! 

Understanding Floods 

Floods don’t happen just because it’s raining a lot. While that is certainly a contributing factor, things like previous drought and the current ground conditions come into play as well. 

This is especially true for metro areas as there isn’t as much natural ground to soak up the excess water. Rivers and streams can also be the source of flash flooding as they swell up with the rainfall and overflow.

While it can be difficult to predict which area of our community will be directly affected by a flood, it is important to stay out of low-lying areas and keep an eye on your property. If you notice the water is starting to collect into pools, it means that your ground is becoming oversaturated and could start to flood toward your house. 

We always recommend staying home and avoiding travel during flood conditions because as little as six inches of fast-moving water can knock you down and only two feet of water can sweep away your car. 

What to Do When Your Home Floods 

If your home is in a flood zone, prepare for the possibility of a wet basement or lowest level right away. Get important documents and keepsakes out of the area and away from walls and consider getting your electronics and appliances up on cinder blocks to protect them from damage. You should also consider shutting off power to this area temporarily to reduce the risk of accidentally charging the water if your outlets flood.

If your home does start to flood or you see it begin to leak down your walls, don’t panic. There isn’t much you can do at the moment, so stay on higher ground and stay out of the water. 

Floodwater can be hazardous because it can pick up all sorts of things as it travels from outside into your home. Sewage, storm runoff and even dangerous chemicals could be lurking just below the surface. 

Recovery After a Flood 

One of the benefits of working with a local restoration company is that we witness the same weather as you do! The only difference is that when flood warnings are issued, we get started on forming teams and gathering supplies in anticipation of your phone call for help.

We will get right to work removing the excess water and securing your home from further damage. If the flood caused structural damage to your home or even damage to your possessions, our crew will make sure to dry everything out and handle every repair from start to finish.

Suffering a flood can be really frustrating. Let SERVPRO of Oxford/Batesville/Clarksdale handle your entire flood restoration.

Understanding Mold Infestations and What to Do First | SERVPRO of Oxford/Batesville/Clarksdale

3/15/2024 (Permalink)

Mold infestations can seriously impact your families health. SERVPRO of Oxford/Batesville/Clarksdale is here to restore your home when you find mold.

No one ever thinks that suffering a mold infestation will ever happen to them. After all, mold only grows in dirty houses, right? Of course not! Mold is everywhere all the time, and it can grow in any house across the Oxford community if the conditions are right. 

Knowing what to do to prevent mold infestations is one thing, but learning how to properly and safely respond to them entirely another thing. We explain more about mold infestations and how to keep yourself safe below, so check it out to learn more. 

Where Mold Grows 
Mold spores are microscopic and can be found floating inside and outside your home. They are virtually everywhere! They can easily float into and out of your home through open windows or through air vents.

While it is common to have mold spores anywhere in your home, that doesn’t necessarily guarantee that you will suffer from a mold infestation. Mold needs a dark and damp environment in order to take hold and grow, which is why some of the most common locations for mold are in your attic, crawl space, basement and even in the corners of your bathroom. Once a few spores find the right environment, they can settle in and start to grow. 

Signs of an Infestation
One of the troublesome things about mold is that it can grow silently and without much warning. Since mold colonies often grow in places that don’t experience high traffic, these colonies can be left to grow for a long time before being discovered. Once the infestation gets large enough, it can start to bubble paint, discolor walls and give off a musty or earthy scent.

If you notice any of these signs pop up around your home, you can certainly do a visual inspection, but use extreme caution if you go digging around in your attic or basement. Some types of mold can be hazardous to breathe in so you don’t want to disturb the spores. The best thing you can do is to step back and call us right away.

Our mold mitigation team can take care of you right away! Our team has the proper tools and restoration gear to stay safe while we work, and we have the training to make sure we tackle the entire colony with confidence. 

We will prioritize containing the area, which means we will shut vents and turn off your HVAC system to temporarily stop the flow of air. Now that your space is secure, we will get to work on cleaning up the area and work on sanitizing mold infested materials. 

Restoring Your Home

If your mold infestation has been left to grow for a while, you could also be looking at serious structural problems in the aftermath of our mitigation strategies. Since mold is moist, that lingering moisture will slowly degrade your home and eat away at wood beams, walls and other structural supports. 

Our goal is to tackle each concern completely and handle your entire renovation to make sure your home is safe and structurally sound once more.

Mold infestations should always be handled by a team of professionals. Call SERVPRO of Oxford/Batesville/Clarksdale today.

Reacting to a Burst Pipe at Home or Work | SERVPRO of Oxford/Batesville/Clarksdale

1/2/2024 (Permalink)

Don't let burst pipes in your home ruin your day! Call SERVPRO of Oxford/Batesville/Clarksdale to restore your home at the first sign of damage.

The winter weather can fluctuate pretty drastically around here, and we can experience mild temperatures and a sunny day one moment and then be surprised by serious freezes and snowstorms the next day. We can easily change up our routines in order to stay cozy and warm no matter what, but our homes and buildings can sometimes have a harder time weathering the cold temperatures and can suffer damage as a result. 

Frozen and burst pipes become a real concern in the winter months when the temperature drops below freezing. Once the weather turns back around, that broken pipe can lead to serious damage in your home or commercial property. 

How to Tell if a Pipe Is Frozen 
We all know that water expands as it freezes, so if your pipes aren’t insulated properly or your property isn’t prepared for the temperature to get really cold, the water that is flowing through your pipes can freeze along its journey to your faucets.

The first obvious sign of a frozen pipe is that you have no more water. If you turn on your faucet and nothing comes out, you have an obvious blockage that needs to be investigated. Another clear sign is frost or ice buildup along the outside of your pipes. If the pipes are cold enough to condense and refreeze on the outside, something troublesome is going on inside.

Just because a pipe is frozen, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it will burst. If you don’t see any visible cracks on the pipe, try to gently thaw it with a heat source. A blow dryer or a warm towel wrapped around the pipe can gently encourage the ice to thaw out in the pipe without creating a serious problem. 

What to Do if It Bursts  

If you see a crack or you discover water pouring or leaking out of your pipe, quick action must be taken to stop the flow of water. Locate your water valve for the particular area of your property and shut it off. You should also consider shutting off electricity for the time being as water leaks can quickly compromise your electrical system and actually charge the water that is now all over your floor.

Once the flow of water has been stopped, contact us right away so we can get started on your repairs. The longer water sits on your floor and the longer your pipes are vulnerable to freezing, the worse your situation can become and the longer your restoration will take. While you wait for us to arrive, take pictures of the damage you see so you can start the insurance claim process right away. 

Where SERVPRO® Comes Into Play 

Our crew will start your restoration right away! We will focus on removing the excess water and identifying hidden moisture behind your walls and under your floors. After the water is gone, we will work on repairing warped drywall or floorboards and replace ruined carpet. We can even address the burst pipe and take care of those repairs as well. 

Afterward, we can discuss ways you can prevent this issue from happening again. Insulating your pipes is a great place to start and make sure your building’s temperature doesn’t drop below 55 degrees on any given day. If your building or home will be vacant for a while because of a closure or vacation, turn off your water valves temporarily. 

Suffered from a burst pipe? SERVPRO of Oxford/Batesville/Clarksdale is ready to help day or night. 

Staying Warm While Staying Safe This Winter Season | SERVPRO of Oxford/Batesville/Clarksdale

1/2/2024 (Permalink)

Keep yourself safe this winter with some heat safety tips from your SERVPRO of Oxford/Batesville/Clarksdale team!

We are grateful that our winters are relatively mild, but that doesn’t mean we don’t see our share of freezing temperatures and occasional snowstorms! These weather conditions have us all running for the safety and warmth of our homes where we turn on fireplaces and crank on space heaters. 

However, it is the unfortunate fact that house fires skyrocket in the winter months, and many of these fires are caused by some sort of malfunction or accident with space heaters and fireplaces. We want you to stay safe while staying warm this winter, so check out the helpful tips below. 

Staying Toasty by the Fire
Who doesn’t love curling up by a nice warm fire while it snows outside? While fireplaces can provide the warmth and ambiance you need, it is important that your fireplace has been prepped ahead of time to be as safe as possible.

Keep flammable decor items off of the mantle and far away from the fireplace grate and check to make sure your smoke detectors have fresh batteries at all times. 

If you have a wood-burning fireplace, keep the ash buildup to a minimum and have your chimney cleaned regularly to remove creosote buildup. If you have an electric or gas fireplace, check the lines before you turn it on each time to make sure you aren’t experiencing a leak or dangerous malfunction with the gas or electricity. 

Tips for Space Heaters

Did you know that space heaters contribute to over a thousand house fires every year across the country? That’s a lot of heater mishaps that end in disaster! We all love space heaters for their portability, but that is also one of the reasons why they can be such fire hazards. 

If you have a space heater or two in your home, be sure to set them up on a hard, nonflammable surface. As you set yours up, be sure the cord isn’t fraying or loose and make sure it is far enough away from the wall and flammable materials like couch cushions or curtains.

Aim to create a three-foot barrier around your heater to keep out curious kids and less-than-graceful pets, and only have it running while you are present in the room. Turn off and unplug your heater any time you leave the room or before going to bed for the night.

Safety Features to Look Out For 

While we can’t completely prevent fire accidents from occurring, we can all take steps to reduce our risk on a daily basis. For example, many fireplaces nowadays have protective screens that can fit over the hearth to keep out kids, pets and flammable possessions.

When it comes to space heaters, do your research before purchasing one. Cheaper or off-brand heaters might be enticing, but keep in mind that quality is crucial when it comes to ensuring your safety. 

The company you choose should have a high safety and quality rating. In addition, you should check to see if the space heater in question has a safety shutoff switch. If you are forgetful or have a hard time remembering to set alarms on your phone, having a backup shutoff switch that is programmed to turn off the heater after a period of use is a great safety feature.  

Finally, be sure your space heater’s cord is at least six feet long and is well-made. We hope you finish out the winter season safe and warm! Call SERVPRO of Oxford/Batesville/Clarksdale for a quick restoration if you do suffer from fire damage this season. 

House fires can cause extensive damage in seconds. Contact SERVPRO of Oxford/Batesville/Clarksdale right away. 

Responding to a Tornado Warning the Right Way | SERVPRO of Oxford/Batesville/Clarksdale

1/2/2024 (Permalink)

Tornado damage is no match for the restoration and repair team at SERVPRO Oxford/Batesville/Clarksdale!

It always seems like we just finished up one tornado season, only to have to start preparing for another before we know it. While it is possible to experience a tornado at any point in the year in our community, it is much more common for them to touch down any time from March to November. 

Preparing ahead of the stormy season is one of the best ways to prevent serious damage and to stay safe when the conditions are right for a twister. 

Tornadoes, Explained

Tornadoes are one of the most destructive weather phenomena that we experience in the Oxford area. They are huge columns of rotating air that extend from the clouds to the ground and they can move at frightening speeds. A typical tornado can produce wind speeds of 250 miles per hour or more. 

If you have ever been in the path of a tornado, you know that the atmosphere starts to change and the weather starts to become concerning. The sky can turn dark or even take on a greenish hue, low-lying clouds can start to rotate and a loud roaring noise similar to a freight train can indicate that a tornado is not far off. If you start to notice these changes or a tornado warning is issued, it’s time to seek shelter immediately. 

Staying Safe During a Tornado 

If you live in a mobile home, it is imperative that you leave your home quickly and head to the predetermined safe shelter area for your community. Mobile homes do not offer much, if any, protection when a tornado comes to town. If you live in a stable structure, head to your sheltering location immediately. Your ultimate goal is to get away from windows and to put as much space between you and the outside world as possible. 

Once you are there, find a sturdy table or desk that you can crouch under. If your home is in the direct path of a tornado, there isn’t much you can do other than find ways to avoid getting hit with projectiles. Cover your head with your arms and stay covered until the tornado has passed on.

In some rarer situations, you may find yourself outside with no way of seeking safety when a tornado hits. If this happens to you, lie flat in a low-lying area and cover your head. Try to find a spot that is far away from trees, cars or other heavy objects as they can easily be picked up and thrown around.

Recovering Afterward
We have all seen coverage of tornado damage after a storm or have lived through it ourselves, so we know just how destructive tornadoes can be. If your home has been damaged in any way by the wind, rain and hail that severe weather can bring, call SERVPRO of Oxford/Batesville/Clarksdale immediately. Our team will respond right away to your call for help and we will get started on your recovery quickly. 

Depending on how severe your damage is, you might be looking at temporary alternative housing, which is why we prioritize working quickly and efficiently throughout the entire process. It is our goal to minimize disruption as much as possible so you can make a full recovery faster. 

Don’t wait to address tornado damage. Call SERVPRO of Oxford/Batesville/Clarksdale right away. 

October is Fire Prevention Month--what you can do to stay safe!

10/5/2022 (Permalink)

October is a wonderful month!  Fall is here, football is on tv, Halloween is coming, the cool, crisp mornings are a delight!  While enjoying all of those things, let's focus a moment on fire prevention!  This is a GREAT time to change out the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.  

The National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA) has announced “Fire Won’t Wait. Plan Your Escape™” as the theme for Fire Prevention Week^TM, which takes place October 9-15. 

So, what does that mean?  Take 5 minutes and have a family planning event.  If a fire were to break out in your home, it will likely create panic and confusion.  By taking a few minutes NOW to plan your escape--it could save your life or the life of your loved ones.  Have a discussion about where the nearest exits are, where to meet up outside and basics a fire and smoke.  Smoke rises, so reinforce the importance of staying low and crawling if necessary.  Smoke inhalation is a major health concern.  So, stay low and cover your face, nose and mouth with your shirt.  Once everyone is safely outside, then call 911 to have the fire department dispatched.  

Is it Mold or Mildew?

8/31/2022 (Permalink)

It's a little unsettling to see something growing in or on your home.  Mold growth in a home is often a cause of concern for a homeowner, and a lot of times, they automatically assume the worst.  Mold and mildew are often used interchangeably, but they are two different things with different forms of treatment.  While spots generally need to be treated, first you need to know what it is in order to properly treat it.

Here is a quick rundown of a few major differences between mold and mildew:

Is the spot flat or is it more three-dimensional?  Mildew is always flat, but mold is often raised.

What color is it?  Mildew usually looks white or grey.  It has a dry, or sometimes even powdery appearance.  Mold is either red, blue, green, or black.  It can look slimy or even fuzzy.

How does it smell?  A musty smell like damp socks generally indicates mildew, but a pungent odor is more commonly found with mold. 

It's important to remember that mold and mildew need to be stopped at the source, otherwise the problem is likely to return.  Moisture is the key to their survival and reproduction, so the source of the excess moisture needs to be located and repaired. 

Think you have a mold issue?  We're always here to help!  Give SERVPRO of Oxford/Batesville/Clarksdale a call at 662-281-1881, and we'd be happy to schedule an inspection and plan a course of action.  We'll make it "Like it never even happened."

Post-Construction Cleaning

8/23/2022 (Permalink)

Whether you’re taking on a lengthy renovation project or building a whole new commercial structure, it can leave a huge job to clean up.  The cleanup process can last several weeks, but we can help get your business back up and running in no time!  SERVPRO offers a huge range of cleaning services which includes post-construction cleanup.  Our highly trained team knows how to clean every bit of your newly built/ renovated space, whether it be a kitchen, large office building, or warehouse space. As a part of a national franchise system with over 40 years in the cleaning industry, SERVPRO of Oxford/ Batesville/Clarksdale will deliver on our promise of exceptional results. 

Call us today at 662-281-1881 for more information!

We're always here to help.

The Stages and Categories of Hurricanes

8/22/2022 (Permalink)

During Hurricane Season, you tend to hear TV meteorologists talking about different terms and categories to classify the storm.  What do they actually mean?

Where do hurricanes actually begin?  As a storm builds from a thunderstorm to a hurricane, it passes through 4 distinct stages:

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

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

Tropical Storm: forms when the maximum sustained winds have intensified to 39-73 mph. Storms are typically given a name at this stage and are characterized by problems caused from very heavy rainfall.

Hurricane: finally forms when surface pressures continue to drop, and winds reach 74 mph. There is now a clear and definite rotation around a calm center or eye. 

Hurricanes have their own categories which are defined by the Saffir Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale: 

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 property damage that could occur with the maximum sustained wind speed of a particular hurricane; it does not consider the potential for other dangerous events that often accompany hurricanes, like tornadoes, flooding, and storm surge.