House Fire Season

1/31/2023 (Permalink)

We often hear about a particular time of the year as being the “season for house fires,” meaning house fire disasters are on the rise from that month forward.  It is usually associated with colder weather when we start to use more home heating.  When it comes to your home, however, there is no “season” for a fire.  It can strike at any time.  The sad fact is that 2,500 people will be killed in fires over the next year.  13,000 people will suffer serious injuries related to fires and the loss of property – in terms of real dollars – will be more than $7 Billion!

SERVPRO of Forest and Magee provides expert restoration services if you have experienced a house fire.  If that is your situation now, please call (662) 779-1070 so we can begin restoring your home.  The residue left from a fire, known as soot, presents hidden dangers if not properly removed from your home and your possessions.  Soot is acidic in nature and within hours to days, it will begin to decay or even destroy whatever surface it comes in contact with.

Our homes are a collection of different types of materials, all of which represent unique risks once they have been exposed to the heat from a fire.  The structure itself is composed of wood and sheetrock.  Electrical wiring is wrapped with plastics and rubber.  Insulation is found in attics and behind walls.  Floors are made of wooden materials that have been coated with chemicals to preserve their beauty, or covered with synthetic materials found in carpets.  Each presents its own set of risks.  The water used to extinguish the fire also presents a different set of problems for furniture that comes in contact with it and personal belongings left on floors. 

SERVPRO of Forest and Magee technicians are trained to determine what can be salvaged and what needs to be discarded.  Each home contains items of sentimental value like pictures and heirlooms.  Until help arrives, pictures need to be removed from glass frames as quickly as possible so they can dry unless they have become stuck to the glass.  Valuable items like jewelry, weapons, ammunition, financial papers and other personal items should be removed from the home for safe keeping. 

Our restoration specialists treat the damaged contents of your home with the utmost respect and care.  Once cleaned and restored, we will safely store your property until your home is ready for your return.  Our job is to make your loss “Like it never even happened.” 

SERVPRO of Forest and Magee 24 Hour Emergency Water Damage Service

1/31/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Forest and Magee is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, large or small. When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage.

We Answer the Phone Ready to Help
Call Today - (662) 779-1070

We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO of Forest and Magee has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.

What to Expect

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed.

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:

• Your name and contact information
• Your insurance information (if applicable)
• The street address of the water-damaged home or business
• When did the flooding or water damage occur?
• What caused the water damage (if known)?
• Is there electricity available (on-site)?

About SERVPRO of Forest and Magee

SERVPRO of Forest and Magee specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

SERVPRO of Forest and Magee

1/30/2023 (Permalink)

What you want is access to a quality restoration company when recovering from storm damage in your Forest and Magee, MS area business. We have strategically located restoration teams with several years of experience helping businesses just like yours recover from storm damage throughout the area and all of the resources needed to assist you and your neighbors when an emergency situation strikes.

SERVPRO of Forest and Magee has a special DRT division  (Disaster Ready Team), who expertly trained teams composed of quality water, fire, mold, storm, and major event technicians, designed to assist you with cutting costs and saving time associated with the restoration of your business after a disaster. All of these teams are lead by an operations manager that assists with seamless communication and timely mitigation involving the recovery of your business. Services that SERVPRO of Forest and Magee provides to every business owner involves the mitigation of the wind, rain, and flood damage that causes substantial damage in a matter of minutes, requiring an immediate response and quick, efficient implementation to prevent excessive loss of revenue and productivity. It does not matter how small or large your property is; SERVPRO of Forest and Magee has the services, equipment, and personnel available to address the emergency affecting your business. We provide you with access to expertly trained storm and water damage restoration specialists, as well as cleaning and building preparation services to manage your restoration project from start to finish. Any storm can cause severe damage to your property when you are ill-prepared. Give us a call to help fortify your property against the wind, flood, storm, and tornado damage that this type of phenomenon generates. We can help protect your business and get things under control when everything is said and done. Contact SERVPRO of Forest and Magee at (601) 425-0119 for the professional restoration and cleaning services your company requires.

What is storm water

1/22/2022 (Permalink)

What is Storm Water?

Storm water is precipitation that does not soak into the ground, but instead runs off its surface. Natural processes, storm water runoff, and erosion typically accelerate because of human activity. Impervious surfaces such as driveways, sidewalks, and streets block precipitation from soaking naturally into the ground. Disturbed surfaces, such as construction sites, agricultural tillage, and forestry activities, also expose the soil’s surface, allowing sediment and pollutants to be transported more rapidly from a site. Storm water can carry and deposit untreated pollutants, such as sediment, nutrients, and pesticides, into surface-water bodies.

Concerns about storm water

If storm water is not managed properly, it can harm the environment:

Increased Surface Runoff

Increased surface runoff means that large volumes of water enter streams more quickly and at higher velocities, which can cause streambank erosion. Streambank erosion occurs as part of a stream’s natural efforts to regain stability by absorbing the energy of flowing water. When materials impervious to water, such as pavement and concrete, cover the ground or when soils are compacted, runoff increases.

Increased Soil Erosion

Raindrops hitting a soil’s surface and the movement of water (runoff) across it cause soil erosion. Disturbed soil, lack of vegetation, or both amplify such impacts, increasing erosion.

Water Quality Impairments

After picking up debris, chemicals, dirt, and other pollutants, storm water flows into storm sewer systems or directly into lakes, streams, rivers, wetlands, or coastal waters. In many cases, whatever enters a storm sewer system is discharged untreated into the water bodies

Storm Water Pollution Solutions

• Remember to turn off your sprinklers when it rains, to avoid water runoff; during winter, runoff can freeze causing slippery conditions.
• Bag your pet's waste, don't just leave it there. Leaving pet waste on the ground increases public health risks by allowing harmful bacteria and nutrients to wash into the storm drain and eventually into local waterways.
• Don't apply pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides before it rains. Contrary to popular belief, the rain won't help to soak these chemicals into the ground; it will only help create polluted runoff into our local creeks.
• Select native and adapted plants and grasses that are drought and pest resistant. Native plants require less water, fertilizer, and pesticides.
• Reduce the amount of paved area and increase the amount of vegetated area in your yard. Vegetation can help act as a natural filter for polluted storm water runoff.
• If you change your car's oil. Don't dump it on the ground or in the storm drain; dispose of it properly at an oil recycling center.
• Check your car, boat, or motorcycle for leaks. Clean up spilled fuels with an absorbent material, don't rinse the spills into the storm drain.
• Compost your yard waste. 
• Don't get rid of old or unused paint by throwing it down the storm drain; dispose of paint and other hazardous household waste at recycling facilities.
• Don't pump your pool water into the storm drain - pool chemicals can be hazardous to our creek habitats. Whenever possible, drain your pool into the sanitary sewer system where it can be treated.

Smoke and Soot Cleanup

1/22/2022 (Permalink)

Smoke and Soot Cleanup

Smoke and soot are very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.

Smoke and soot facts:

• Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
• Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
• The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.

Different Types of Smoke

There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of Forest and Magee will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:

Wet Smoke– Plastic and Rubber

• Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.

Dry Smoke– Paper and Wood

• Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.

Protein Fire Residue– Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire

• Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor.

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions. We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage. We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today (662)-779-1070

The difference in flood warnings.

1/22/2022 (Permalink)

Lately there has been flooding all over the United States: if you are unfamiliar with the difference between a flash flood warning, flood warning, and flood advisory; then read below! 

What is the difference between a Flood Watch and a Flood Warning issued by the National Weather Service?

• Flash Flood Warning: Take Action! A Flash Flood Warning is issued when a flash flood is imminent or occurring. If you are in a flood prone area move immediately to high ground. A flash flood is a sudden violent flood that can take from minutes to hours to develop. It is even possible to experience a flash flood in areas not immediately receiving rain.

• Flood Warning: Take Action! A Flood Warning is issued when the hazardous weather event is imminent or already happening. A Flood Warning is issued when flooding is imminent or occurring.

• Flood Watch: Be Prepared:A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for a specific hazardous weather event to occur. A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible.

• Flood Advisory: Be Aware: An Flood Advisory is issued when a specific weather event that is forecast to occur may become a nuisance. A Flood Advisory is issued when flooding is not expected to be bad enough to issue a warning. However, it may cause significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, it could lead to situations that may threaten life and/or property.

Information from http://www.floodsafety.noaa.gov/

For all of your water damage, cleanup needs call (662)-779-1070

Why SERVPRO?

1/19/2022 (Permalink)

A question that is always asked is “Why”? What draws us to choose? Why SERVPRO? SERVPRO is here to help in a time of need. When disaster hits, you need the one that is most trusted. We are the number 1 cleanup and restoration Industry

Reasons on “why” to choose SERVPRO:

• 24/7 Emergency Service
• Highly trained Specialists.
• Preferred Vendor Status
• Commercial or Residential Services
• Faster to any size disaster

SERVPRO of Laurel is here to help! Owners Bill and Donna have been serving since 2005. Bill and his group of SERVPRO technicians understand the stress and worry that comes with fire and water damage. Our goal is to minimize the interruption to your life.

SERVPRO of Laurel

601-425-0119

What is water restoration?

1/19/2022 (Permalink)

The following is provided by the IICRC. 

Companies that perform water damage restoration have to be skilled in a number of areas to stay current in their field. Technicians in the industry have to combat a number of threats, some visible and some invisible, before their job is done. Structural weakening, chemical runoff, electrical hazards, dangerous wildlife, and deadly microbes are all common risks technicians have to contend with. Without the proper education and equipment, a technician risks grave injury and may leave health risks behind for a family to encounter. Fortunately, technicians in the industry have access to the educational resources offered by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, or IICRC.

After getting certified in water damage restoration and a number of related fields, a professional in the field will be able to identify and neutralize any problems they are likely to face at a job site. In most cases, a technician is called to a home following a flood or plumbing disaster. In either case, the initial threat a technician has to encounter is hazardous standing liquid. Floods and sewage backups are normally host to dangerous chemicals, like oil runoff, bacteria and viruses. Before any repairs can be done on the home, a technician will need to be outfitted with the proper safety wear and begin investigating where the liquid is pooling. Moisture meters can detect the level of moisture in and behind drywall, carpet, and other areas. Using minimally-invasive tools, a technician can quickly find pockets of heavy moisture in areas not readily accessible.

This is important because only thorough drying will ensure that further destruction does not occur. Most companies use a combination of industrial  air movers and dehumidifiers to extract moisture from both materials and the air. This process can take some time, but diagnostic tools like moisture meters help technicians monitor the drying process. Once all of the materials inside the home have reached safe levels, mold and other microbial growth can be halted.

The most severe threats a water damage restoration company has to deal with are molds and other pathogens. These  contaminants can remain a major hazard for years after they have taken root, and can cause health problems while remaining hidden in vents or behind walls. Trained technicians are capable of neutralizing molds and other pathogens by utilizing special  cleaning products and quickly removing compromised materials. Being able to identify mold growth is an important skill for a professional, and stemming the growth of a colony can be the difference between saving a home and having to condemn it. Certified firms are capable of quickly working through a property and disposing of anything that is beyond repair. Anything that is salvageable but soaked is separated, cleaned properly, and promptly dried. If the building’s structural integrity has been affected, these technicians can identify it and alert the homeowner and the insurance representative to its presence.

Without professional help, a homeowner will never know for sure that their home is safe to live in again. This is why the help of a certified technician is so valuable. They don’t just repair homes, they restore normalcy.

Though IICRC does not in fact operate its own school, it does recommend the best water damage restoration technician training courses per industry standards. 

Time is of the essence after a major water disaster. Though Journeyman-certified technicians may be the right choice for water damage that does not threaten structural integrity, it is vital to bring an IICRC certified Master professional to the scene of a major disaster as soon as possible. Certified professionals use the skills they’ve learned in the accreditation courses to examine the structure, textiles, and the belongings, and will likely be able to control the damage, so no further damage will occur.

Furthermore, knowing the fastest and best means of drying the structure and textiles is imperative. Familiarity with the most effective processes and safest compounds to stop the spread of molds and microbes is also needed to protect people and animals in the environment. Graduates of the relevant IICRC-approved classes excel in these areas.

The importance of providing customer satisfaction cannot be over-emphasized. Each  certified technician  must pass a stringent series of exams prior to acceptance, and continual training is required. Complaints are taken seriously and must be handled promptly to ensure continued accreditation as a certified firm.

Water damage restoration technician training is a surefire way to  insure the latest and greatest procedures are used to protect a customer’s property. There are various courses of study and ways to learn the information, so IICRC works with both the consumer and the professional to guarantee the best experience.

Why and how to create a Business Continuity Plan

1/17/2022 (Permalink)

A wide variety of vulnerabilities in your business may lead to loss of income and customer loyalty when a disaster occurs. A business continuity plan, also referred to as an emergency response plan is a technique you may use to identify and prepare for potential problems, keeping your activities running with the least disruption possible.

5 Steps To Create a Plan

To make the process easier, the creation process is broken down into five steps. Consider each part with your business’s needs.

1. Business Impact Analysis: This is a questionnaire that allows you and your managers to assess potential emergencies and the materials required to deal with them. Preparation, distribution and evaluation of results are usually necessary elements of this first step in your business continuity plan.

2. Recovery Strategies: These are plans that allow you to analyze resource needs, the gaps between the required resources and those currently available, managerial choices of strategies to be used and action on those decisions.

3. Plan Development: This is the laying out of the actual emergency response plan, the arrangement of teams to implement recovery from the disaster, production of documentation and approval by management.

4. Training: This is the preparation of the team responsible for continuity actions.

5. Testing and Exercises: This is the creation of training and evaluation materials, which are then tried and implemented.

Value of the Plan for Your Business

An emergency response plan provides a clear, deliberate and well-thought-out way to deal with potential disasters at your business facility. Employees and management should be trained in the procedures that should make a crucial difference in the rapid recovery of your business.

Guidance in Developing Your Plan

There are online materials that provide detailed information on how to create your business continuity plan. Some of these materials are aimed at specific types of emergency services such as IT repair or commercial water damage mitigation.

Having SERVPRO of perform an ERP on your business is a great way to begin the process.

Call SERVPRO of Forest and Magee at

(662)779-1070

High Traffic Areas

1/17/2022 (Permalink)

Before and after photos of a recent Strip and wax job by SERVPRO of Laurel

SERVPRO of Forest and Magee often is involved in both maintaining and restoring high traffic areas on floors in both businesses and residential areas. Floors that are exposed to high traffic can often become an unbecoming part of a business or residence. SERVPRO stripped and waxed floors in a local church and the result was AMAZING! While restoring the worn areas of rugs, carpets, and hard surfaces is possible, routine upkeep and maintenance can add life to your high traffic areas. SERVPRO specializes in both areas and constantly produce results that are not only pleasing to the customer but are also above and beyond the expectations of most. If you have floors that are in need of deep cleaning and restoration or are just interested in extending the life and appeal of your floors... contact SERVPRO of Forest and Magee for more information. 662-779-1070