Tips for Hurricane Season from your Local SERVPRO

8/1/2022 (Permalink)

Call your local SERVPRO today! 662-349-6500

Did you know that hurricane season is June 1st- November 30th? We want to ensure our community is well prepared and informed of what to do in case the storms get way out of hand. To keep you and your loved ones are safe during this upcoming storm season, read along for these tips on what to do to be storm safe:

1. Know Your Risks: One the most important things you can do is understand how susceptible your area is to hurricane weather. Being informed of the likelihood of a hurricane and if your area is at risk by keeping up to date with weather announcement and local and governments 
2. Build an Emergency Kit: This one sounds simple, but it is often overlooked. Keeping an emergency kit that is stocked with water, canned foods, non perishables, and comfort items such as blankets and toys could be the difference between a disaster and an inconvenience. 
3. Review And Gather Documents: Review your policies ahead of time to see what is covered and if flood insurance is available to you. Gather important documents such as insurance policies, IDs, birth certificates, deeds, or even sentimental documents and keep them in a fireproof and waterproof safe. 
4. Be Informed: Knowing where to go and who to call is key to staying safe. Having an evacuation plan in place in the event of a disaster ensure members of your household know what to do in case home isn’t the safest place to be. Have a planned route and an alternate route to get to a safe place away from the storm.
5. Strengthen Your Home: Taking a look around your property to see if you are vulnerable in the event of a hurricane is a key factor in minimizing your risk of damage. By looking for vulnerable areas, you’ll be able to address them and fortify and susceptible areas around the home or property.

Implementing these tips will help you face this hurricane season and minimize the risk of your property being a victim of the elements. Keep SERVPRO in mind for all your storm damage restoration needs. 

6 disasters your insurance may not cover

12/16/2020 (Permalink)

When disaster strikes your home, Property Insurance, is supposed to be there to help you pick up the pieces. Most of the time, it does.

A Bankrate survey found that 81 percent were aware flooding is not covered by regular homeowners insurance. You may have heard earthquakes also require special coverage. Yet you may not know that there are other types of damage that are excluded from most policies as well:

Mold

At least 1,000 species of mold are common to the United States, according to the New York-based trade group the Insurance Information Institute.

Despite the threat, a standard homeowners insurance policy generally either limits coverage for mold damage or outright excludes it.

Some insurers offer an endorsement to expand coverage limits for mold claims but only if you are willing to pay more for your insurance, she says.

The best cure for mold is to prevent it from growing in the first place. If the basement floods after a rainstorm or a pipe is leaking, eliminate the moisture promptly.

Sewer backup

America’s sewer lines are rapidly aging, with some more than 100 years old. As more homes have been connected to these out-of-date lines, sewage backups have followed.

Other sources of backups include pipelines that handle both stormwater and raw sewage — and become overwhelmed in rainstorms — and blockages from tree roots that work their way into sewer-line cracks.

When a sewer backs up into a home, it can damage floors, walls, furniture and electrical systems. Standard homeowners insurance does not cover sewer backups.

The Insurance Information Institute says sewer-backup damage often can be covered for an additional premium of just $40 to $50 per year.

Sinkholes

Sinkholes can seem like something out of a horror movie. For example, there was the Florida man who was swallowed up in early 2013 when a sinkhole opened without warning beneath his bedroom.

Sinkholes are sudden gaps in the earth’s surface that occur after groundwater gradually dissolves rock such as limestone and carries bits of it away, creating large pores and cracks in bedrock. Once large cavities form underground, the land above it may suddenly settle or collapse, creating the sinkhole.

In the United States, sinkholes tend to cause the most problems in Florida, Texas, Alabama, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee and Pennsylvania, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Most home insurance policies will not cover damage associated with “earth movement,” such as an earthquake or sinkhole.

Florida is the only state in which insurers are required to provide coverage for sinkhole damage

Florida insurers must include insurance for “catastrophic ground cover collapse” — which refers to damage so severe, the home is uninhabitable — as part of standard homeowners insurance.

In every other state, earth movement is excluded from the insurance policy.

Termite infestation

Colonies of anywhere from a few hundred to several million termites can quietly and methodically devastate your home.

Wood, paper and dead plant material that is in contact with soil near the house provides termites with a ready source of food and an entry. And moisture accumulated around foundations and in poorly ventilated crawl spaces gives termites a source of water they need to survive.

Over time, termites can damage or destroy support beams and other wood features in a house. The National Pest Management Association estimates that termites cause $5 billion in damage in the U.S. each year.

If these unwanted guests cause wear and tear to your home, do not expect your insurer to bail you out.

Homeowners policies do not pay for termite damage.

Homeowners can avoid structural damage with early intervention.

Nuclear plant accidents

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, says nearly 3 million Americans live within 10 miles of an active nuclear power plant. If an accident at a nearby reactor leaves your home uninhabitable, standard homeowners insurance will not cover the claim. But that does not mean you will be unprotected.

A 1957 federal law called the Price-Anderson Act compensates people in the United States for any damage or injuries resulting from a commercial nuclear accident.

The law was called upon after the nation’s worst nuclear accident, at the Three Mile Island plant near Harrisburg, Pa., in 1979.

The insurance paid for the living expenses of families who decided to evacuate.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission says an insurance pool of more than $12 billion is available to pay out claims.

Claims covered under Price-Anderson include:

• Bodily injury.
• Sickness.
• Disease resulting in death.
• Property damage and loss.

In addition, individuals evacuated from an affected area can expect reimbursement for reasonable living expenses beyond what you ordinarily pay. The coverage does not pay your mortgage, does not pay for your normal food bills.

Some acts of terrorism

The recent Boston Marathon bombings were a reminder that terror can strike at any moment.

The Insurance Information Institute says terrorist attacks using nuclear, biological, chemical or radioactive weapons are considered “acts of war” that are fundamentally uninsurable. Standard home insurance policies do not specifically reference terror attacks.

However, the policy does cover the homeowner for damage due to explosion, fire and smoke, these are the most likely types of damage a home would suffer in a terrorist incident.

If you own a condominium or co-op, the policy you carry on your individual unit will protect your structure and possessions from damage related to a terrorist attack.

However, damage to common areas — including the roof, basement, elevator, boiler and walkways — is not covered unless your board purchases separate terrorism coverage.

Ready for whatever happens

12/16/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Desoto, Tate, & Tunica Counties is committed to providing fire and water cleanup and restoration services to reduce business interruptions and recovery costs. SERVPRO can provide:

• Over 40 years of experience as leading fire and water cleanup and restoration providers.
• A SERVPRO franchise nearby - more than 1,500 franchises servicing 48 states.
• More locations for faster responses.
• Quick response time to help ensure the damage is contained and the restoration process begins promptly.
• Large loss capabilities -  no fire or water damage is too big.

As many as 50% of businesses close down following a disaster, according to the latest research. Of the businesses that survive, the overwhelming majority of them had a preparedness plan in place. Pre-planning can serve as an insurance policy aimed at peace of mind. And knowing you are "Ready for whatever happens" speaks trust to your clients and employees that in the event you business is affected by a disaster, they don't necessarily have to be.

By developing a SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile for your business, you help to minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action. Know what to do, who to call and what to expect in advance is helpful in receiving timely mitigation and can help minimize the affects water and fire damage can have on your business.

Spring is Here...Now Time For Spring Cleaning!

3/21/2017 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of DeSoto, Tate, & Tunica Counties if you need help with your Spring Cleaning projects today!! 662-349-6500

Make doormats welcoming!

Shake 'em, wash 'em, swat 'em with a broom. Give them the toughest cleaning they can take. They’re your front line against tracked-in dirt—so keep them clean enough to function at peak efficiency.

Clean carpets and upholstery

Fabrics that have absorbed a winter’s worth of dirt, body oil, and germs will need a deep cleaning to get them ready for another year of wear—and for that close inspection by your relaxing guests. When you’re shampooing carpets or cleaning upholstery with a rented carpet cleaner, practice first in an unobtrusive area to make sure you have the knack of the machine and that the treatment won’t discolor fabrics or cause dyes to run. Move furniture just slightly—not out of the room or against the wall, as the old rules dictated—and place the legs of each piece back on top of small wax paper squares after shampooing. The wax paper will protect your carpet and keep the furniture legs from getting wet as the carpet dries. Open the windows to speed the drying process, which can take a day or more. If you’re not the furniture-shifting and machine-renting type, use a professional carpet and upholstery cleaner.

Wash walls, cabinets, baseboards, and woodwork

The walls may not look as if they need a bath—dust and soot fall to the floor, right? Most of it does, but just enough clings to vertical surfaces to warrant a seasonal or pre-holiday bath. Use a sponge and hand dishwashing detergent, washing the surface in sections. A sponge mop makes it easier to reach higher spots. Use two buckets: one for dishwashing detergent solution and another for wringing your sponge. Dry the walls and woodwork with a clean cloth.

Clean ceiling fixtures

Remove dust and dirt from ceiling fans and air-conditioner vents with a cloth and a vacuum with a soft nozzle attachment.

Check your coils

You should clean the refrigerator’s condenser coil, usually found behind the toe grille, with a long-handled bottle brush and a vacuum cleaner with an attachment hose to remove dust and lint. Built-up dust can shut down the unit by causing it to overheat. To remove dust from coils attached to the hard-to-reach back side of the fridge, carefully pull the refrigerator out several feet (newer models roll on casters) and vacuum thoroughly; finish by sweeping or vacuuming the floor area you’ve revealed. Expect to rediscover coins, bottle caps, and twist ties that you and the cat knocked over the past year.

Just a Little SERVPRO History Lesson

11/1/2016 (Permalink)

Pictured about is SERVPRO Corporate headquarters in Gallatin, TN.

SERPVRO of Desoto, Tate, and Tunica Counties' Mission Statement is to develop a team of quality people who focus on excellent service, fairness and mutual respect.

Founded in 1967, the SERVPRO Industries, Inc. Franchise System is a national leader of fire, water, mold and other specialty cleanup and restoration services. SERVPRO's professional services network of Franchises has responded to property damage emergencies ranging from multi-million dollar disasters to those suffered by individual businesses and homes. Providing coverage in 48 states, SERVPRO Franchise Professionals have established nationwide relationships with major insurance companies, commercial clients and individual homeowners.

In 1988, SERVPRO moved to Corporate headquarters from Sacramento, California to Gallatin, Tennessee. This was a strategic move to place the new location within 600 miles of 50 percent of the U.S. population and more SERVPRO franchises. In April 2005, SERVPRO again moved the corporate headquarters to a new 140,000-sqaure-foot building. The state-of-the-art building houses a newly designed training facility, the National Call Center and much more to meet the increasing growth of the Franchise System.

SERVPRO of DTT Understands No Damage is Small When it Comes to Your Home

10/21/2016 (Permalink)

Our GOAL at SERVPRO of Desoto, Tate, and Tunica Counties is to make it "Like it never even happened."

Your home is truly a reflection of you, your tastes and your personality. Suffering damage to your home can feel like a part of you has been damaged as well. We recognize a loss can make you feel vulnerable, invaded or robbed of part of your life. Your loss is unique - in how it started, the emotions experienced and the extent of the damage.

When damage affects your home, you want it to be restored to pre-loss condition. You cannot afford to let the marketability of your home be affected. That is why SERVPRO has professionally restored properties for over 40 years.

SERVPRO is the trusted choice for hundreds of insurance companies nationwide, because they know SERVPRO has the experience to do the job right.

The SERVPRO Experience:

• Fast Response  - Uniformed technicians will arrive on-site usually within four hours of notification.
• Convenient Service - With over 1,500 Franchises servicing 48 states, a SERVPRO Franchise is nearby.
• Damage Containment - Timely response can mean the difference between restoring property and replacing it.
• Extensive Experience - The SERVPRO Franchise System has been a leading provider of fire and water cleanup and restoration for over 40 years.
• Vast Resources - The SERVPRO Franchise System has large loss capabilities and can handle any fire or water damage - no matter how big or small.

Call SERVPRO of DTT today for your water or fire damage needs at 662-349-6500.

Day-to-Day Home Furnishings Care

6/22/2016 (Permalink)

Always pretest your upholstery before cleaning!

Furniture

To keep your upholstered furniture clean and looking its best at all times, weekly vacuuming is important, especially on the cushions. Routine vacuuming will prolong the life fo the fabric as well as extend the time between  professional cleanings.

If at all possible, keep furntiure out of direct rays of sunlight. The ultraviolet rays of direct sun will fade any fabric. Never brush fabric with a stiff fiber or steel brush which may distort the fabric. If cushions are reversable, reverse their position each week when vacuuming them.

Upholstery spotting must always be done with caution. Pre-test the product you use in an inconspicuous place on the back of the furniture to make certain there will be no damage. In the SERVPRO Spotting Kit, there is a Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner that will give you excellent results. Be sure to pretest it.

Drapes

The routine care of your drapes is relatively easy since they do not receive the same physical treatment your carpets and furtniture do. Vacuuming the drapes on a scheduled basis is the most important job you can perform. Dust particles in the air adhere to the drapery material more rapidly than sometimes meets the eye. On days when hte air is dry, a static charge will build up in your drapes which attracts dust particles at a considerably higher rate.

If you have any questions about how to clean and maintain your carpets, drapes, or upholstery, call SERVPRO ofDeSoto, Tate, & Tunica Counties at (662) 349-6500.

Animal Stains Hiding In Your Home

6/6/2016 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Desoto, Tate, & Tunica Counties today for all of your carpet cleaning needs!

Cats may be considered one of the cleanest animals and dogs may be man's best friend, but neither is necessarily a carpet's best friend. Negleted animal stains have always been a problem.

Two types of reactions can take place between the chemicals in the urine and those in the fiber dye.  Some dyes change color as soon as urine comes in contact with them. Often original color can be restored by immediate addition of a weak solution of ammonia and white vinegar. Pick an inconspicuous area of the carpet and test small amounts of solution to determine its effect on the fiber and dye. The other change develops slowly over a period of several months and results in a permanent change of fiber dye. Along with the dye change, some fibers become weakened or destroyed. After cleaning, these areas are more obvious because the soil, which hid the true color, has been removed.

The next time you are confronted with an animal accident, immediately absorb as much liquid as possible. Use the directions and products in your SERVPRO Home Spotting Kit, specifically made for these types of cleaning tasks. If you no longer have a Spotting Kit, wash the area with a solution of one teaspoon of neutral detergent (containing no bleach) to one cup of lukewarm water. Absorb into white tissues or toweling. Add a white vinegar solution (one part whtie vinegar or two parts water). Absorb as dry as possible. Place a 1/2 inch layer of white absorbent matieral over the area and weight down. Allow to dry for about six hours.

If immediate action is taken to remove the stain in this manner, no change in color should occur, and that forgotten accident will not become apparent after your carpet has been professionally cleaned.

To schdule your residential carpet cleaning today, call us at SERVPRO of DTT at (662) 349-6500.

For Immediate Service in Southaven, MS, Call SERVPRO!

5/12/2016 (Permalink)

We provide immediate service day or night at SERVPRO of DTT!

SERVPRO of Desoto, Tate, & Tunica Counties provides 24-hour emergency service and is dedicated to being faster to any-sized disaster in the Southaven, MS area. 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-Sized 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 24/7

(662) 349-6500

Residential Services

Whether your Southaven, MS home needs emergency flood damage 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 Southaven, MS 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 we have the training and expertise to respond promptly with highly trained technicians to get your property back to business.

• Commercial Water Damage Restoration
• Commercial Fire Damage Restoration

For Immediate Service in Desoto County, call SERVPRO of DTT

5/5/2016 (Permalink)

Desoto County Residents: We provide immediate service day or night!

SERVPRO of Desoto, Tate, & Tunica Counties provides 24-hour emergency service and is dedicated to being faster to any-sized disaster in Southaven, MS and surrounding areas. 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-Sized 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 24/7 (662) 349-6500

Residential Services

Whether your Southaven or surrounding area home needs emergency flood damage 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 Southaven, MS 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 we have the training and expertise to respond promptly with highly trained technicians to get your property back to business. Learn more about our Commercial services at: http://www.SERVPROdesototatetunicacounties.com/commercial-restoration-cleaning

• Commercial Water Damage Restoration
• Commercial Fire Damage Restoration

Hernando, MS do you have a Family Emergency Plan?

5/2/2016 (Permalink)

We at SERVPRO of Desoto, Tate, & Tunica Counties have a Family Emergency Plan, do you??

We want all of our SERVPRO customers and potential SERVPRO customers in Hernando,MS and surrounding areas to have a family emergency plan. The first step to being prepared in any situation is to have a plan. There's no place where that plan matters most than at home with the ones you love most. Do you have a family emergency plan in place today??

Here are a few tips from the American Red Cross:

"The American Red Cross suggests some basic steps to make sure you remain safe:

• Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, such as a fire
• Outside your neighborhood, in case you cannot return home or are asked to evacuate
• Choose an out-of-area emergency contact person. It may be easier to text or call long distance if local phone lines are overloaded or out of service. Everyone should have emergency contact information in writing or saved on their cell phones.

• Decide where you would go and what route you would take to get there. You may choose to go to a hotel/motel, stay with friends or relatives in a safe location or go to an evacuation shelter if necessary.
• Practice evacuating your home twice a year. Drive your planned evacuation route and plot alternate routes on your map in case roads are impassable.
• Plan ahead for your pets. Keep a phone list of pet-friendly hotels/motels and animal shelters that are along your evacuation routes." 

Please take action today to have a family emergency plan in place and make sure every family member is familar with that plan! If you have any questions about creating your own Family Emergency Plan, please contact us at SERVPRO of Desoto, Tate, & Tunica Counties at (662) 349 - 6500 and we will be glad to assist you!

Moving

2/16/2016 (Permalink)

The Desoto, Tate, & Tunica office has been busy moving to a new location in Southaven, MS this week. Pictures will be coming soon!

HVAC cleaning

9/29/2015 (Permalink)

Numerous calls have come into the office of SERVPRO of Desoto, Tate, & Tunica concerning HVAC cleanings in the Southaven, MS area. Call us today to get your appointment scheduled.