Obstacles for Efficient Fire Restoration in Midtown Memphis

9/15/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

These Factors Can Slow Fire Damage Restoration

Fire restoration requires many layers of cleaning and recovery. When occurring as part of a Large Loss project like the many office buildings in the city, several factors might produce immediate obstacles to restoration after a fire gets extinguished. Our SERVPRO team can overcome these hurdles to provide our efficient:

• Smoke damage remediation
• Odor removal
• Surface cleaning
• Water restoration

Damage to the Structure

Among the most significant obstacles to fire restoration in Midtown Memphis offices is damage to the structure. Bulk materials and compromised structural elements must often be cleared and discarded before the building's official fire restoration work can begin. To determine where controlled demolition might be needed, our SERVPRO production management reaches the residence and begins a thorough inspection of the structural elements for water, soot, and smoke damage.

Lingering Water Damages

Another concern that could slow fire cleanup getting started is overcoming water damage. Considerable volumes of water are used by firefighters and the sprinkler system of the office building to put out the flames. The extinguishment can leave behind pools of water, puddling, and other moisture pockets that must get addressed by our SERVPRO professionals before fire cleanup can start.

The Claim Approval Process

Sometimes, the condition of the building is not a factor but rather the pace of damage claim approval. Your insurance provider plays a direct role in green-lighting restoration work to begin, even when you have personally chosen SERVPRO to complete this work. While emergency services can start to prevent the situation from worsening, we must still coordinate with adjusters for the total recovery needs. 

After a fire, you want to ensure that cleanup and restoration can happen as efficiently and quickly as possible. With our experience and fast response, we can provide mitigative strategies to help your office open its doors again. Call SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis at 901-454-4975

When you Midtown Memphis home floods

9/15/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

Restoring a Residence After Flash Flooding in Midtown Memphis 

Flooding occurs in all 50 states, causing billions of dollars in yearly damages. While most floods come from heavy rains and river swells over days or weeks, flash flooding poses serious concerns. In just a short time, a flash flood can cause colossal destruction to homes and infrastructure, leaving homeowners overwhelmed by the amount of cleanup and restoration ahead of them. 

When your Midtown Memphis residence has suffered a flash flood, IICRC-certified SERVPRO technicians are only a phone call away from providing service that can return your home to a preloss state. These restoration experts undergo extensive education on disaster mitigation, restoration, and repair to ensure that homeowners have a safe and comfortable residence once more. Technicians, staff, and franchise owners also receive additional education opportunities to expand their knowledge of mitigation and restoration standards and procedures. 

Preparing Your Home for Flash Floods

If you have time to prepare, take the following steps to minimize damage:

• Clear out drains, downspouts, and gutters to prevent water from penetrating your home. Check on any sump pumps and moisture detection systems on your property to ensure they work. 
• Elevate furniture, appliances, electronics, and other items to keep them out of the reach of floodwaters. 
• If you have not already, consider elevation for water heaters and an exterior backflow valve to minimize the risk of sewage backup. 
• Have an emergency kit with important documents, first aid, prescriptions, and contact information. 

How SERVPRO Dries Flood Damage

After extracting floodwaters  and debris and sanitizing the space thoroughly, SERVPRO technicians rely on air movers and dehumidifiers for most of the drying process. These two devices pull moisture out of surfaces, wall cavities, and flooring and replace it with warm, dry air. 

The key to effective drying, however, is a consistent and active measuring of surfaces with a variety of moisture sensors and meters, as well as infrared imaging and thermohygrometers, to assess the relative humidity of both flood-affected structures and the air itself. This process determines accurate drying goals and times and ensures that materials are returned to humidity levels that are appropriate for the structure without encouraging microbial proliferation. 

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis is proud to serve homeowners by being Faster to Any Size Disaster. Call 901-454-4975 for an experienced mitigation team with cutting-edge tools.

No Days off for Disasters

9/15/2022 (Permalink)

Summertime is here and we are all looking forward to warmer days and vacation getaways. The changing season presents us with the opportunity to lay back, enjoy the sun, and let the wind carry our worries away. 

But even with your away messages set and your phones on do not disturb, in our line of work, we’ve noticed that water damage doesn’t always get the memo. While you are away from home, water (in all classes) could be trickling inside your home just waiting upon your return. 

Summer storms, flash floods followed by sewage backups , clogged gutters and downspouts, cracks in the foundation that expand due to the heat; these are all common culprits when for this season’s water damage events. 

One of the easiest ways to prevent these potential dangers from ruining your summer is: (1) Regularly keep up with maintenance on the outside of your home and (2) If you plan to be away from your home for an extended period time, it’s best to shut your water main off. You won’t need it and it greatly minimizes the risk of water running through your home. 

Don’t let the headache of a water damage keep you from enjoying your summer vacation, but if you do arrive and notice that you now have an indoor pool in your living area, our team of IICRC water damage restoration certified professionals are more than happy to help get you back to a vacation state of mind! 

How Can I reduce the level of flood damage in my home?

9/15/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

For many Midtown Memphis residents, any storm-related flooding can be a traumatic event. While there are methods to prepare for flooding like reinforcing your roof or removing expensive furniture, there is little help in an emergency's immediate aftermath. Our SERVPRO technicians can help you overcome flooding by performing vital mitigation acts quickly after a storm event.

Flood mitigation in Midtown Memphis  may include actions like removing standing water from the home, drying inner rooms, or temporarily storing possessions at our warehouse. Contacting a highly qualified restoration company immediately after discussing your coverages with your insurance carrier can go a long way to reducing the losses caused by a flood after the fact.

What preventative measures are useful for storm areas?
- Taking out a flood insurance policy
- Maintaining water disposal in the home such as basement sump pumps, gutters, and drainage
- Turning off water mains access ahead of time to avoid backups

Do floodwaters permanently damage furnishings?
Furnishings are frequently victims of flood damage for residents. We understand how many items may be difficult to replace in a home, so our dedicated SERVPRO technicians are expertly trained in contents restoration. Larger items like sofas may benefit from temporary removal to a dry area where they can be thoroughly dehumidified to remove any excess moisture. Our technicians can also apply an extensive range of cleaning products and techniques to return upholstery to its preloss condition. By pre-testing on discrete areas of the fabric, we can avoid lasting damages of color fade or spot.

What restoration is available for furnishings?
- Thorough drying of the affected furniture
- Special services for leather, satin, or other unique upholstery
- Buffering and mechanical cleaning of furniture fibers

An unexpected summer storm can lead to extensive damage to both your home and its contents. Contact our SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis at 901-454-4975for assistance.

3 Types of Water in a House Spill

8/26/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

Water Categories:

A home water spill can be a disappointing and confusing experience, especially if it is your first time. All of a sudden, you have a distressing quantity of liquid loose in your home in Midtown Memphis. Depending upon the situation, it could even continue to release more water into a room. Your first step should be to turn off all the water to that pipe or appliance. If you are dealing with contaminated water, you should immediately call for the services of a professional water damage mitigation team in your area. The company will dispatch a crew to your area to get  the situation under control. A water spill could involve any of the three types of water. It is important to know a little about each one. 

1. Clean Water: this is likely to come in from the home through a supply line. It is clear, drinkable water and usually comes out of taps in your kitchen or bathrooms. While it can still cause damage to your home, it is not always an emergency. 

2. Gray Water: This is mildly contaminated water and has a gray appearance that comes from impurities in the water. Liquid from a washing machine or a dishwasher machine would fall into this category, as would water from a toilet bowl provided there are no feces present. The water can do damage to household items and structures much quicker than clean water and it should be cleaned up as soon as possible. 

3: Black water: This refers to water from a sewage spill of from gray water that has sat around for a long time. It usually looks dark and nasty with unpleasant odors. It should be treated as an emergency and cleanup should be undertaken by trained professionals with appropriate equipment. While contaminated water is always a serious concern, all water spills in your home require careful cleanup. Some situations call for professional services. 

Flood Damage in your Midtown Memphis Home

8/26/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Midtown Memphis

Cleaning after Flood Damage in Your Midtown Memphis  Home

Taking care of flood damage in Midtown Memphis  is no easy task and should be taken seriously to mitigate any further damage, such as dangerous mold infestations or rotted out walls. Due to contaminants found on the ground, flood water is black (category 3) water. Typically, occupants need to leave during the contaminant removal process to protect themselves from dangerous bacteria. SERVPRO restoration specialists wear the appropriate personal protective gear like face respirators, including HEPA particulate/organic filters, full-body suits, waterproof boots, and nitrile gloves when exposed to black water. This PPE personal protective equipment is donned according to the contamination level and environment.

The SERVPRO crew chief or project manager helps to establish building containment involving sealing off doorways or openings with 6-mil polyethylene plastic and tension poles. Outside of this containment area, there is typically a decontamination chamber created where workers exit and remove debris. The HVAC system does not run in the contaminated area since the air system could spread particles throughout the home. However, an air filtration device blows clean air into the affected area from outside the building, but the contaminated air cannot go into the unaffected area. This is known as negative pressure.

Technicians remove solid waste, debris, and silt from the affected area, sometimes using shovels or rakes. If there are more than 2 inches of standing water, technicians use a submersible pump to remove it from the home. Typically, however, flood water recedes, and portable extraction devices remove the excess water from the flooring and other materials within the home. It is essential to understand your local and state regulations regarding the disposal of contaminated water. If using a portable extractor, wastewater is often flushed down the toilet, requiring disinfection later.

SERVPRO restorers sometimes make flood cuts several inches above the damage in the drywall. This is to ensure the removal of contaminants and allows the wall cavities to dry appropriately. Dehumidifiers and high-velocity air movers assist in drying the affected areas after cleaning. They may also be used to keep the relative humidity (RH) down in unaffected areas to limit secondary damage.

A Severe Storm can Leave you Midtown Memphis home in urgent need of water removal

8/26/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

A city that is settled on a water source has the chance of flooding during a storm, leaving many homeowners needing water removal services. A particularly severe storm can cause your home to flood with several inches of water inside of it. Any lower levels in your home will have water sinking into them. Reaching out for professional help is wise as soon as the damage happens.

Waiting to call for Midtown Memphis water removal services to remediate the damage that the storm caused can be dangerous for the overall quality of your home. When contaminated water damage has breached the interior, Microbial growth occurs from the Black Water. Having mold grow in your home is generally never a good thing. Additionally, water can ruin your belongings. Rapid extraction and drying are keys to mitigating storm damage and possible demolition. We aim to salvage your belongings, keepsakes, and contents whenever possible.

SERVPRO understands how vital your belongings and home are to you. That is why we always strive to get to your home quickly after your call.

Our skilled technicians can bring advanced technologyto help swiftly remove the water.

• Truck-mounted extractors
• Portable wet vacs
• Rover riding extractors
• Specialized wands for various surfaces
• Sump Pumps
• Trash Pumps

After we rid your home of the flood water, SERVPRO can focus on setting up an ideal environment for drying out your home. We use trade tools like desiccant dehumidifiers and air movers to keep the airflow over the damp places constant. Simultaneously, we can dry out the contents of any items. The drying is monitored for effectiveness, and an antimicrobial agent is applied to disinfect affected areas of the structure.

Do not wait if a storm floods your home. Contact SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis  by phoning (901)454-4975.

We always strive to make you feel "Like it never even happened."

Commercial Disaster Response: Roof Leaks

5/24/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

If you've ever been unfortunate enough to have a roof leak, you know how frustrating it can be. A roof leak can cause storm-related damage and damage to the property, but it also causes major issues with water buildup. Of course, if your roof is leaking due to an issue like heavy rain or ice accumulation, then your commercial buildings will likely collect this excess water in the form of puddles on the ground below. However, when you have a roof leak, the water will spill over the roof's edge and begin to pool beneath your commercial buildings. Usually, this means that there is too much water pressure within the structure, causing damage.

Here are some common causes of roof leaks that can lead to catastrophic water damage in your commercial buildings:

1. Leaky Gutters

Gutters are an important part of any roof system. They are designed to direct rainwater off the roof and into a gutter system. It is very common for gutters in commercial buildings to become damaged because of heavy rain. Due to heavy rain, a layer of leaves builds up on top of the gutter, and eventually, this accumulates into large clumps. To have your gutters properly cleaned out, it is best to have them inspected either by an experienced roofer or a professional roof cleaner. This will allow the gutters to be cleaned and maintained regularly not to accumulate debris that can damage them.

2. Unvented Chimneys

Several forces can damage a chimney, but even with regular cleaning and maintenance, a chimney can eventually fail. It is very common for chimney caps to develop cracks or holes due to corrosion. This can lead to water pooling inside the structure, which leads to leaks and damages caused by water. Once a chimney is damaged, the structure will need to be replaced.

3. Decaying Roofing

There are different types of roofing material for different weather conditions. Some types of roofing are more durable than others, and some types of weather may cause the material to deteriorate more quickly than others. Regardless of which type of roofing you have, it is very common to develop small cracks or leaks in the form of downed shingles or rotted areas in your building's roof. If you look at the condition of your roof during heavy rain or after the rain has stopped, you may notice that the shingles are bent and torn, or some areas appear to be older than other areas of your roof. This usually means that roofing is leaking and is causing damage to your commercial building.

4. Corroded Pipes

Pipes are very important to every structure to have running water and drainage. However, pipes can develop leaks over time due to corrosion and neglect by the property owner. One of the biggest leaks within a pipe system is from corroded faucets in sinks or showers. When pipes are corroded, they may become damaged and begin leaking contaminants through them.

Flooding/ Rising Water

5/24/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

No matter the size of the disaster, SERVPRO Storm Team can assist a franchise with capacity and resources to get the damages restored!

There is a long list of reasons why SERVPRO is the premier choice for cleanup and restoration. We brag about our efficiency and professionalism, our technology and equipment. But something that sets us even more apart from the others is our ability to respond to the volume that a major storm event causes.

A large storm event caused by flood, fire, or other natural disaster that surpasses the local franchise's capacity to service in a timely manner can be taken care of by the SERVPRO System. When a storm event like this occurs, The SERVPRO System can provide state of the art restoration services through the best area coverage in the restoration industry. SERVPRO Storm Teams mobilize their crews and are deployed with additional equipment and crews to service property owners, no matter the loss size.

When a storm event occurs and there is major damage, SERVPRO comes together as One Team to help! 

No matter the size of the disaster, SERVPRO Storm Team can assist a franchise with capacity and resources to get the damages restored!

Why Mold Damage Calls for Expert Intervention in Midtown Memphis

4/25/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

SERVPRO Offers Skilled Mold Damage Remediation in Midtown Memphis

Mold infestation can be a significant problem in any business or home in Farmington with plumbing issues, failed attempts at water removals, or a leaking roof from storms. Once you suspect black mold or mildew developing within any area of your property, you must get in touch with mold remediation professionals to begin assessment and cleanup. With SERVPRO in your corner, we get in fast to determine the problem so that we can restore your property “Like it never even happened.”

Why is hiring professionals best when handling mold damage in Midtown Memphis. There are many reasons, with one central point being that DIY methods alone will not work or worsen the problem. Things to keep in mind when wondering whether or not to call in the pros for mold problems:

• Mold is everywhere, and it only takes moisture, the right temperature, and an organic food source to thrive and colonize.
• Mold remediation is a must because it can damage your belongings, building materials, and structural elements.
• Mold can cause health effects, which means you need a company trained to handle it with care and precision using best practices for mold cleanup

We want our area customers to know that any company offering total mold removal should be avoided. Microscopic mold spores are everywhere, and there are also countless types of mold. While you can get surfaces clean and remove colonies, it is impossible to rid any environment of mold completely. It would be wise if you had a team like us in your corner that understands the best and safest ways to restore relative humidity, address the root cause of the mold infestation, and ensure all surfaces and contents get the Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned seal of approval.

Proven Processes to the Rescue

With each call we get for a homeowner or business owner that suspects mold growth; we bring a full arsenal of advanced instruments, EPA-registered antimicrobials, cleaning agents, and proven procedures. We work to determine and monitor moisture levels throughout the air, surfaces, and each sub-surface. Based on our findings, we work on a mold remediation plan that involves drying and careful extrication of moisture and mold contamination. There are some standard steps we follow for all mold cleanup projects:

• We complete a comprehensive assessment of mold infiltration, contain spores, and inhibit them from growing in uncontaminated areas of your Midtown Memphis  property. 
• Humidity control helps us battle the root cause to halt mold growth. This may involve using water extraction tools with drying and dehumidification equipment.  
• We then work to apply disinfectants and antimicrobials to thwart future mold growth and eliminate any chance of musty odors lingering.

SERVPRO can Clean your Commercial Kitchen in Midtown Memphs

4/25/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

Kitchens are familiar places for fires to start. Commercial kitchens are not immune to accidents, and it is possible that someday a fire starts inside your Midtown Memphis restaurant. After the building gets cleared by the fire department, it is time to assess the damage.

The number one priority is to secure the burnt area and make sure it is safe for your employees and customers. SERVPRO's commercial fire damage professionals in Midtown Memphis know how to complete the restoration process by causing as little of a strain on your business operations as possible. Many times we complete the work outside of business hours so that your restaurant does not lose revenue as a result of the mitigation process.

When starting the cleanup and restoration process, our SERVPRO specialists remove anything that is severely burnt and needs to get replaced. Once all of the charred debris gets discarded, the next step is deodorization. Pungent odors sometimes have multiple sources that get removed to start the deodorization process. Protein-fueled blazes from meats are especially malodorous. Mechanical means can be used to neutralize the odors by recombining the odor-causing into no-offensive or no odor at all. Hydroxyl generators are a safe bet for this.

After items that create foul odors get discarded, surfaces that odor particles stick to get cleaned. Many times cleaning all of the soot residues inside a structure eliminates most pungent odors. However, sometimes odor particles penetrate deep into materials, and other methods get used to rid the area of the awful smells.

If foul smells are still present after all surfaces are clean, the conditions that caused the odor particles to penetrate building materials get recreated. We create smoke behavior by using chemical fogging equipment. Chemical foggers disperse microscopic particles of deodorization chemicals into the structure.

Response Time

4/25/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

Very Important

Experts have concluded that the first 24 to 48 hours after water damage are the most critical. This time frame is the most critical to help the prevention of permanent damage and growth of mold and bacteria. Proving the importance of getting the SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis team out to the scene in a quick time manner.

When the SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis team arrives, they will assess the extent of the water damage, and begin the process of removing all water and drying the affected area. Doing this in a quick manner will decrease the extent of damage caused by the water issue. Even though doing this in a quick manner will decrease the extent of damage, SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis  will take moisture readings. By taking moisture readings we will be able to ensure that all areas are dry before moving to the repairing stage. Every step that we take will be to help decrease the number of repairs that need to be done.

However, if repairs are needed, SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis can complete these repairs due to having an in-home construction business. This is a great added feature that SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis has, making us a one-stop shop for all matters needed after water damage has occurred.

In conclusion, SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis is available 24/7 to make sure this happens in a quick manner. They understand the importance of time in all restoration matters.

SERVPRO- You can count on us to Help

4/25/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

A storm, flood or plumbing problem can leave your home or business with extensive water damage.  Immediate action is necessary to mitigate the damage.  SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis specialize in repairing and restoring your property. 

• Highly Trained Restoration Specialists

We specialize in water damage restoration, with training focused on restoring salvageable items, accelerating drying time with documenting the entire restoration process.

• Customer Care

We have years of experience in the cleanup and restoration industry.  We care about you and your property and want to help you get back to normal after you have water damage to your home or business.

• # 1 in the Cleanup and Restoration Industry

We’ve earned the reputation as a trusted leader in the restoration industry and specialize in fire and water damage, specialty cleaning, mold, and so much more.

• Easier Insurance Claims Process

We will help you navigate the insurance process and coordinate the necessary paperwork for a quicker, easier experience.

We have many years of experience working in all kinds of business settings and buildings:

• Small Office Buildings
• Large Office/High-Rise Office Buildings
• Apartment Buildings
• Restaurants
• Hotel/Motels
• Small Retail Stores
• Large Retail/Big-Box Stores
• High-Rise Residential
• Manufacturing and Industrial
• Government/Military

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis  has a team of highly trained technicians that are available 24-hours a day to help with all of your restoration needs.  Please contact us at 901-454-4975

Water Damage Starts in Many Ways

4/6/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

Water Damage Starts in Many Ways

Always Rely on SERVPRO to Restore Your Water Damaged Property

Water damage does not just happen when a pipe bursts or a water heater can no longer stand the pressure. The truth is, water damage inside a home can come from practically anywhere. While two of the most common causes are burst pipes and leaky water heaters, it can also happen due to a faulty washing machine or dishwasher. This type of damage can also occur as a direct result of storm damage which destroys the roof or some other structural part of the house, effectively leaving it open to the elements. It also happens in the event of a fire as the first responders attempt to put out the flames. It is inevitable there will be a certain amount of water present in the home. The question is, how should you handle it when this type of thing happens to you?

Fortunately, when you are dealing with water damage in Midtown Memphis, you can rely on SERVPRO to help you come to terms with everything that is going on. In fact, we have spent some years perfecting our techniques when it comes to repairing water damage and performing restoration services in businesses and homes of all sizes. We use proven techniques that get the best results because we understand that you want to be able to preserve as many of your possessions as possible.

When you have any crisis inside your home, whether the damage is confined to one room or one hallway or present throughout the entire home, you need professionals who know what they are doing. At SERVPRO, we can provide you with one of the most important elements that you will ever have when it feels like your entire world has been turned upside down- peace of mind. You might look at your home and wonder how anybody would ever be able to clean up a mess like that. Still, you can rest assured that we have both the expertise and the equipment to get it done, and we have plenty of experience when it comes to handling challenging situations. 

We incorporate special wet vacuums as well as dryers (air movers and dehumidifiers) to help dry items out as quickly as possible, and we utilize reliable, proven techniques to restore as much as possible. The good news is that even when it looks like there isn't anything that can be done and everything is lost, there is a better-than-average chance that SERVPRO trained IICRC technicians will be able to get the job done on your behalf. The truth is, if you try to clean things up yourself, you don't really know what you're dealing with. The water damage could be far more significant than it appears on the surface.

We can check for any structural deficiencies, restore your home and your personal possessions, and ensure that you don't have to deal with mold growth. We don't recommend that anyone attempts to clean up black mold on their own, so it requires the services of an organization like ours to safely get rid of the water and inhibit the growth of mold. You and your family deserve a safe and healthy home environment.

If you find yourself in a situation where you are directly impacted by water damage, the main thing you have to do is take action. The longer you wait, the worse the problem could potentially become.

Therefore, you should not hesitate to contact SERVPRO in Midtown Memphis at 901-454-4975 We can tell you exactly what you are facing, what it will take to restore the damage, and whether or not we can fully restore everything to its preloss condition.

Typical Causes For Commercial Water Damage

4/6/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

When we talk to local Midtown Memphis business owners regarding potential water damage events, they often visualize a massive storm wiping out power lines, flooding offices, and shutting down businesses for days at a time. It is true that commercial water damage is often the result of floods and water that stems from weather events and storms, although living in Midtown Memphis; hurricane-like storms are few and far between.
 
However, many entrepreneurs and business space renters forget that storms and severe weather aren't the only causes of floods and water damage. Commercial water damage in Midtown Memphis is surprisingly common year-round, and it can drastically affect the operation of your business. Here are some of the typical causes of water damage to commercial buildings. 
  

1. Malfunctioning sprinkler systems 

Some older office and retail buildings still have outdated sprinkler systems that work in conjunction with fire protection systems. While such sprinklers can come in handy during a fire emergency, they can also cause commercial flood damage if they are faulty or in need of replacement. This could easily damage inventory and business assets.

2. Damaged appliances and equipment 

This cause of commercial flood damage is more common in restaurants and catering facilities, as well as any business that has appliances and equipment that make use of water. If the appliance fails and sends water across your building, especially during late hours when no one is around, you may come back to work and face a water emergency. 
 
3. Broken pipes and plumbing 

Just like in a residence, if the plumbing system in your workplace fails water damage could be the result. If you question the stoutness of your building's 
pipes, contact SERVPRO for a thorough inspection and assessment. 
 
4. Backed up sewer lines 

This is another cause of commercial water damage that often catches business owners by surprise. Should the sewer line to your building back up or become damaged, realize the potential dangers of contaminated Black Water which can cause health effects and ruin products and office furnishings. SERVPRO has certified IICRC technicians to deal with this type of water damage.
 
If your business has suffered commercial water damage, SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis 

When the storm rolls out, SERVPRO rolls in

3/31/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

When you are in the middle of a crisis, it can be difficult to make the right decision. If your home is on fire, the first thing you should do is call 911. If a storm has dropped a power line in front of your office, you would call the power company. These choices are rational, normal choices but whom would you call after the fire is out? Who do you call after the storm ends and you notice the damage is worse than you thought?  The water and fire damage have affected your property, lightning damaged your siding, wind blew off your shingles, or a tree fell and caused damage.

You call SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis. Our Team is efficient, experienced, and we are open 24/7. We have a trained team of IICRC certified professionals who can take care of water damage, storm damage, fire and smoke damage, and flood damage. SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis comes when you call, and we show up ready to work.

Our Storms Teams are ready to roll in when the storm rolls out. Call SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis if a storm has caused damage to your home or business 24/7 901-454-4975

What Building Services Does SERVPRO Offer After Water Damage?

3/31/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

Water damage can come from several sources - a leaking pipe, a running faucet, a washing machine overflow, or even a natural disaster such as flooding or storm damages. . While prolonged exposure to water damage leads to mold and odor issues, you don’t have to wait- call the professionals! At SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis , we have the training , equipment, and expertise to properly restore your Memphis commercial building. The water damage restoration process is three-fold: it involves the water removal, cleanup, and drying process, which we document to verify that your Memphis property has been dried thoroughly. We also work with your insurance provider to manage the paperwork for a stress-free claims process. When we’re through the restoration journey, your Memphis business will be at its preloss condition or better!

What Types Of Building Services Can SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis Provide? 

• When your business has been affected by water damage, the immediate concern should be implementing temporary measures until the experts arrive to prevent further damage. 
• These measures can include placing roof tarps and boarding up to remove debris and secure the building. 
• We offer a full range of building restoration services , including document drying and drywall installation to furniture restoration and floor repairs (hardware AND linoleum). 

What Does The Water Damage Restoration Process Look Like In Midtown Memphis 

• It is crucial to note that every water damage scenario is different, but the general process stays the same. 
• Once you call us, a representative will walk you through the crisis and ask several questions to help us understand the scope of damage and types of equipment to bring. 
• After we gather information, the water extraction process starts almost immediately. This is because the drywall will break down, and furniture starts to crack along with a musty odor that will overtake your Nashville property if water damage is not taken care of ASAP. 
• Once we finish the extraction process, drying and dehumidification begin. We use specialized equipment to access the remaining water hidden in plain sight. Our knowledgeable team uses room measurements, relative humidity, and temperature to determine the number of air movers and dehumidifiers to bring for drying your property. 
• Next, we clean and sanitize all restorable structures and items damaged by water. Our team is trained to remove odors and deodorize your property through a number of techniques. 
• Finally, the restoration process begins! This means we restore your Midtown Memphis business to its preloss condition through a series of major or minor repairs.

This franchise is independently owned and operated. 

SERVPRO Gives Tips of How to Restore Fire Damage in Midtown Memphis

3/25/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

Guidelines on Handling Fire Damage in Your Slidell Home

A fire can start in your house because of inadequate wiring or electrical equipment with a frayed or loose cord. Dealing with a fire is devastating and emotionally draining. After such an incident, you must determine what to repair or replace. It hurts to sift through memories. Before making any move, you need to know the right steps to deal with fire and smoke damage. 

After a fire damage in your Midtown Memphis property, the priority is returning it to its pre-accident condition quickly so you can start living normally again. You can enter your house after a fire marshal declares it is safe to do so, but beware of damaged structures that could be unstable such as stairs. Avoid leaning or putting your full weight on them. It is also crucial to wear heavy-duty gloves and respiratory protection before spending time in a fire-damaged house. 

Taking images of the damages right away is also vital since they can help you and your insurance firm throughout the claims filing process. If possible, take pictures of the area where the fire started and all the affected structures and contents. It is also important to call SERVPRO franchise professionals to help you clean up your home. We offer emergency services. Our Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technician (FSRT) can arrive at your property quickly when you contact us to begin the remediation process. 

We assess the extent of destruction in a home by looking at how far the soot and smoke have traveled and note how badly the flames affected the walls, furniture, cabinets, and other items. By understanding the extent of the damage, our technicians can take the right steps to restore your fire damaged home. 

Our technicians can prevent the destruction from worsening. For instance, if the fire burned a hole in your roof, rainwater could come through the ceiling. Our technicians can use roof tarps to prevent water from entering your property. Firefighting efforts may cause water damage to your house. The fire could also have created a pipe or water tank to burst. We can remove the water using equipment like: 

• Wet/dry vacuums 

• Air movers 

• Dehumidifiers 

Our SERVPRO technicians can also check for moisture in flooring, walls, carpeting, and your possessions using moisture meters and moisture sensors.  We then can dry all items out effectively.  Smoke and soot damage often causes a building to appear stained and dark. Our technicians can clean up the soot, dust, and smoke using feather dusters, vacuums, brushes, dry cleaning sponges or compressed air. We use these tools to produce friction that agitates and loosens smoke residues. We also have access to chemical cleaning additives known as counteractants, which break down smoke at the molecular level to eradicate the odor. 

If a fire has occurred in your home, call SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis to help you with the clean-up efforts. We have the tools and expertise to deal with the destruction, making it appear “Like it never even happened.”

The types of smoke damages that can happen in your home

2/24/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

Some Midtown Memphis homeowners could not tell you what smoke damage can do to their homes, let alone what differences exist between various types of smoke after a fire near them. Our trained technicians have the expertise and the education to quickly access your property following a fire to make determinations such as the type of smoke damage to ensure the appropriate equipment is brought on site to restore the home quickly.

When it comes to understanding the difference between smoke types when you experience fire damage in your home won’t help you resolve the situation any quicker, but it can help to narrow it down for those experienced enough in restoration to make a significant difference fast.

Wet smoke damage produces considerable smoke, which can seep into fabrics, furniture, and other areas not directly impacted by the spread of the fire itself.

Dry smoke is often the opposite, with its cause coming from rapidly spreading fires burning at very high heat. The spread of this situation produces a thinner smoke and a powdery residue. While much of the unaffected surfaces can get cleaned with traditional solvents and detergents, these types of fires often require our SERVPRO professionals to utilize controlled demolition techniques to prepare the area for reconstruction.

Chimney Fire Damage in Midtown Memphis?

2/7/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

More fires happen in December, January, and February than at any other time of the year. SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis  offers these heating equipment safety tips from the National Fire Protection Association:

• Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional
• Never use your oven to heat your home
• Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters, or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions
• Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed
• Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel-burning space heaters
• Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.
• Install wood-burning stoves following the manufacturer’s instructions or have a professional do the installation. All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
• Install and maintain CO alarms to avoid the risk of CO poisoning. If you smell gas in your gas heater, do not light the appliance. Leave home immediately and call your local fire department or gas company.

Call Us!

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis  has a team of highly trained  technicians on-call and ready to assist you with fire damage in Midtown Memphis . Call us today at 901-454-4975

Franchises are Independently Owned and Operated.

Important Pet Fire Safety Tips

2/7/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

When discussing home fire safety plans most families talk about what to do and where to go as it relates to the humans in their family. This is extremely important, as the priority in the event of a fire is to get every family member out of the house as safely and quickly as possible. Establishing a family plan, and reviewing it at least twice a year, is critical to protecting your loved ones in a home fire. But what about your furry family members? Including your pets in your fire safety family plan is highly recommended.

We strongly advise for families to practice their fire escape plan and that should include pets as well. Before going over details, it is important to note that while protecting your pet is something that should be attempted, you should never delay escaping or put yourself or family members in danger in order to rescue a pet.

The American Red Cross has offered some valuable tips for pet fire safety in your home. According to the National Fire Protection Association, approximately 1,000 home fires are started accidentally by pets each year. Keep these tips in mind to prevent your pets from accidentally starting a home fire:

1. Pay attention to stove knobs. We recommend covering them if leaving the house or removing them completely.
2. When leaving the home, make sure that your younger pets are not near any hazards that could potentially start a fire.
3. Never leave a pet unattended near an open flame.
4. Be extra careful about candles. We recommend getting flameless candles for your home.

A home fire is one of the scariest things that a family can experience. While a fire is something that most people think will never happen in their home, being prepared is critical to keeping you and your loved ones safe. At SERVPRO, we have many years of experience in fire damage repair and restoration. Contact our office today for any and all fire damage restoration needs.

Fire damage?

2/7/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

The cause of these fires are primarily due to heating equipment such as space heaters. The different ways space heaters can cause a fire are:

• Lack of cleaning around space heaters and/or inside chimneys
• Placing heaters too close to combustibles
• Basic flaws in the design of the heater
• Leaks involving liquid or gas heaters

Here are some ways that you can help prevent winter fires and protect yourself and your family:

• 
  Turn off space heaters when leaving a room
• Give space heaters at least 3 feet clearance all the way around from household items
• Clean around space heaters regularly, especially inside of the chimney
• Install smoke detectors
• Keep a fire extinguisher in your home and educate yourself on how to use it

• Why let SERVPRO handle fire damage and odor control?

  Because the longer that your home sits without restoration efforts, the more difficult it is to salvage your contents and materials. Even if some elements like your HVAC system, light fixtures, and appliances seem to be untouched, there could be soot deposits wreaking havoc.

  • Once our Green Fleet arrives on the scene and the first responders give the green light for re-entry, our crew chief begins the assessment. 
  • All unsalvageable materials, contents, and charred debris gets safely disposed of.
  • Water removal services and drying begin if any standing water or chemicals are present from fighting the fire.
  • Controlled demolition gets done to replace any unsalvageable building materials with brand new materials.
  • Meticulous cleaning, sanitizing, and deodorizing help wrap up the project, leaving your home like-new once again.

Unfortunately, even with precautions fires can still happen in your home. If you do suffer fire or smoke damage in your home, have no fear we are here to help! We have certified trained technicians that specialize in fire and smoke damage. Please call us, SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis 

We Are a One Stop Restoration Company

2/7/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

In a previous blog post we discussed the fact that making your emergency “Like it never even happened,” is most often a two-step process.  First there is the clean-up/mitigation of the damage done by the water, fire, smoke, mold, or other disaster.  And while our primary goal is to save as much of the structure and contents as we can during the mitigation process, very often we must remove or displace some things so that we can properly mitigate the damage.  For example, sometimes cabinets need to be  removed, in order to get air circulating behind them, so that proper drying can take place. 

This leads to the second step in the process which is the rebuild process.  In this process we put things back in their proper place and replace things that could not be saved like drywall, carpeting etc…In our previous example, the cabinets would be put back in place during the rebuild process. 

Not all restoration companies are able to rebuild after a disaster.  With some restoration companies the customer needs to find a second company to do the rebuild work.  At SERVPRO of Appleton however, we have two full-time carpenters on staff, as well as a host of excellent subcontractors to handle all the customer’s rebuild needs.  While each of these steps is a separate service and billed independently, it is helpful for the customer to have one contractor managing the process and dealing with the customer’s insurance company.

This also means that we are more than just a restoration company.  Our rebuild team would be happy to give you a quote for any of your home remodeling projects.  You need not have an emergency to call SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis  Call our office today at 901-454-4975 for more information. 

Crime Scene Clean Up

1/26/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Midtown Memphis

What are some biohazard examples?

• Human blood and blood products. This includes items that have been contaminated with blood and other body fluids or tissues that contain visible blood.
• Animal waste. 
• Human body fluids. 
• Microbiological wastes.
• Pathological waste
• Sharps waste.

 A biohazard is defined as any biological substances that pose a threat to the health of living organisms. By now you know that biohazards can include certain bacteria, viruses and medical waste.Across the world, the biohazard symbol is used to report and warn people of any dangerous substance that may cause harm to them. It was first adopted in the 1960s to indicate possible exposure to biological substances that may contain toxins, viruses, or medical waste.

Exposure to biological and chemical contaminants can pose serious health consequences. A failure to properly remove such substances can contribute to unhealthy and dangerous environments. SERVPRO Franchise Professionals are trained to safely clean and remove biohazardous substances and dispose of them properly in accordance with OSHA and health regulations.

Equipped with the necessary safety apparatus and cleaning products, SERVPRO Franchise Professionals are here to help transform any unsafe environments back into clean, safe homes and offices.

Related Cleaning Services

• Overview of Cleaning Services
• Air Ducts & HVAC
• Biohazard
• Carpet & Upholstery
• Ceiling, Floors & Walls
• Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned
• Document Restoration
• Drapes & Blinds
• Odor Removal
• Sewage & Toilet Overflow
• Trauma & Crime Scene
• Vandalism & Graffiti
• Commercial Cleaning Services

How to Perform Commercial Water Removal in Memphis

1/26/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

Hiring a Company Like SERVPRO is the Right Way to Perform commercial Water Repair in Midtown Memphis

Commercial buildings such as apartment buildings are always at risk of water damage for different reasons like appliance malfunctions, and broken pipes. Water can leak into floors, ceilings, walls and furnishings, among other areas. When this happens, you need the services of a water restoration company with expertise in removing water from commercial properties. SERVPRO has the resources to return your apartment building to its normal state.

We offer 24-hour emergency Commercial water removal services in Memphis. Immediate water restoration is vital for preventing significant problems down the road. If you fail to deal with water damage of any magnitude, it can cause issues in your commercial property such as:

• Mold infestation
• Unpleasant odors
• Warping of wooden structures
• Damage to carpets and upholstery
• Rotting of structural timber

Water might also have a safety impact on affected apartment units if it gets into electrical fittings. You may have units that tenants do not want to occupy because of unpleasant smells or mold growth, and this can affect your revenue. SERVPRO’s commercial water repair services include:

Assessing water damage

Our water restoration technicians can visually insect the affected area to determine the cause of the leak. It is essential to tackle the leak before removing the water. We can use thermal hygrometers to locate moisture within your home. This equipment measures both relative humidity and temperature. Some thermo-hygrometers also measure the dew point.

Water extraction

Water causes more damage the longer it remains on affected surfaces. Our SERVPRO water restoration technicians (WRT) can use extraction equipment like light wands and wet/dry vacuums to extract the water.

Drying 

SERVPRO uses professional grade equipment to dry the areas that water damage has affected. The goal for drying buildings is to return materials to their normal content levels. We can use various ventilating or drying systems to direct airflow into wall cavities, and replace moist air with dry air.

If your commercial property has sustained water damage, call SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis  for water extraction services. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

SERVPROxide

1/24/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

One of our products SERVPROXIDE^TM is our proprietary hospital-grade disinfectant registered with the EPA. It is a stabilized chlorine dioxide-based antimicrobial which carries the EPA’s lowest toxicity rating. The product itself doesn’t carry any fragrances other than a mild cleaning odor which dissipates quickly making it a great product for people with chemical or odor sensitivities. There are many different applications for SERVPROXIDE^TM. It can eliminate odors through disinfecting and oxidation rather than just covering them up. That can be done by applying the product directly with towels or through misting or spraying which is often used when we clean HVAC systems. It has even been utilized in electrostatic spraying for an even application on surfaces inside buildings. In fact, SERVPROXIDE^TM is the disinfectant we have used when we have been asked to clean and disinfect COVID-19 in homes and businesses here in Wichita. The CDC recommends the usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar types of organisms to COVID-19 and SERVPROXIDE has EPA-approved claims against things like Feline coronavirus, Canine coronavirus, staphylococcus, E.coli, Salmonella, Rotavirus, and Swine flu. When you use SERVPRO, you can have rest at ease knowing that our team is using hospital-grade disinfectant registered with the EPA. Our chemists are even able to advise us in unorthodox situations to utilize our suite of cleaning products to clean and deodorize even the strongest and strangest combination of smells and soils.

Getting your business ready for a disaster

1/24/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Midtown Memphis

Have you stopped to consider whether or not your business is truly ready for whatever happens?

Sure, you may have your shelves stocked and your labels printed with restock orders on the way. But do you have a plan in place for when the unexpected happens and you’re stuck with picking up the pieces?

Disasters are a natural part of life here in Memphis. When you take into account the year, or better yet, the decade, we’ve had so far, it would be wise to consider how your business may be affected when these disasters strike. Whether it’s an unprecedented pandemic, a historic freeze that forced the whole south central region of the United States to come to a screeching halt, or your average thunder, lightning, and hail storms that seem to make a weekly appearance. In this region, anything can happen. 

You may know SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis  as your go-to disaster restoration company, which we are. But do you also know that we specialize in helping your business get disaster ready as well? One of the ways we enjoy serving our community partners is by creating Emergency Ready Profiles, or ERPs, for their commercial properties. 

When our dedicated, local SERVPRO Representatives meet with local business owners and facility managers, we gather important materials such as building information, utility shut off locations, and key contacts. Not only is this information important as it pertains to the daily tasks of a facility manager, but it’s also pertinent in the event of an emergency or disaster when time is of the essence. 

One of the key benefits in setting up an ERP with our team is having all of your essential property information in one place. In addition to keeping such relevant information organized, your local SERVPRO representative will contact you periodically to update any changes to your profile. 

Becoming disaster-ready is a process and our team is eager to help you get started! To set up your free Emergency Ready Profile, call our office today to speak to one of our representatives and ensure that your business is "Ready for whatever happens", just like SERVPRO. 

How Does Smoke Impact Your Fire Damaged Memphis Home?

9/16/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

Certified Technicians at SERVPRO Efficiently Remediate Smoke and Smoke Residue Damage

A fire incident can potentially ruin your home. The fire can cause structural and cosmetic damage that takes a long time to restore. Apart from the flames, one of the most significant factors causing extensive damage is the smoke and soot during a fire.

The smoke residue adheres to the exposed surfaces of your home and causes discoloration and even structural damage. Understanding the behavior of smoke during a fire can help you understand the restoration process better. The temperature of the smoke itself and the temperature of the surrounding surfaces affects the extent of the fire damage.

The temperature of the smoke

Smoke rises away from the fire and is carried to different places by a process known as convection. Fire produces heat, and as a result, the air above the fire becomes hot, expands and becomes lighter. The lighter air moves up, and its place is taken by the denser cold air. The process generates air currents called convection currents. It is due to these currents that the smoke rises to the top.

Now, as the temperature of the air increases, the pressure it exerts against the surfaces increases as well. What it means is that hotter fires produce a hotter smoke that is forced against the surfaces. The smoke particles in such fires can go deeper into the surface pores and cause extensive damage. SERVPRO professionals understand the theory behind the smoke and design strategies accordingly.

The temperature of the surrounding surfaces

Hotter smoke moved toward colder surfaces. As the hot smoke migrates to the colder surfaces such as outside walls, closets, and unheated rooms, these are damaged the heaviest. It can be surprising to see how much smoke residue finds its way into drawers and closets. SERVPRO technicians can use multiple techniques to clean surfaces that are heavily damaged by smoke and soot.

A fire incident can be quite a traumatizing experience, but it is essential to seek professional help as soon as you can. Technicians have a better chance of successfully restoring your home if they can get to work before the damage becomes permanent.

Faster to Any Size Disaster in Midtown Memphis

9/16/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis has been responding to property damage emergencies in Memphis  for many years. In this picture, you see a family room where the roof has collapsed due to water damage. When we arrived, we immediately assessed the situation and contacted the insurance adjuster. We tarped the roof to prevent further water damage and began the cleanup process. We bagged and removed all of the dirty and saturated insulation and the damaged drywall.

After the area was completely cleaned, we set up powerful air blowers and dryers to dry the area. We documented the drying process to ensure the area was restored to normal moisture levels. We supervised the repairs to the roof and managed the restoration through to completion.

We offer a full range of restoration services, including:

• Board Up
• Carpet Repair and Installation
• Document Drying
• Dry Cleaning
• Drywall Installation
• Drywall Removal
• Electronics Restoration
• Fine Art Restoration
• Furniture Restoration
• General Contracting
• HVAC Services
• Move Out
• Painting
• Portable Power
• Roof Tarp
• Scalable Resources
• Temporary Fencing
• Temporary Warehouse Space
• Tree Removal

Call Us Today!

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphishas a team of highly trained technicians with specialized training and experience to restore any residential or commercial property damage. Call us today at 901-454-4975 We’ll restore your property damage in Midtown Memphis , “Like it never even happened.” 

Franchises are Independently Owned and Operated.

Flood Risks

9/16/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

If you’re in the process of buying a house or you’re looking for a new homeowners insurance policy, you might be familiar with what a flood zone is. If you don’t know what they are, you might want to start reading about them.

Zoning for Floods?

A flood zone is an area in a specific geographical space that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has determined has at least some risk of flooding. There are four primary types of zones, which correlate to the severity or category of excessive water events that can occur in that area.

• Moderate to Low-Risk Areas
• High-Risk Areas
• High Risk – Coastal Areas
• Undetermined Risk Areas

How to Find Your Zone

Each area’s zones are depicted on a community's Flood Insurance Rate Map, also known as FIRM, which can be found online at https://www.fema.gov/flood-insurance-rate-map-firm. You can also contact your local municipality or look on their website, most cities will have zoning information available online. You can try searching for the term “flood elevation certificate” for faster results. 

Some people may think that these zones can only be found next to a large body of water or along a river or stream, but that’s not the case. Houses that are nowhere near a body of water can experience a flood if there’s a large rainstorm. 

Emergency Preparedness

Knowing what kind of flood zone you live in can also be helpful for storage options and emergency preparedness. If you live in a high-risk zone, for example, you probably don’t want to put boxes directly on the floor, and you might want to increase the number of your emergency supplies. 

If you weren’t aware that your home is potentially at risk for a flood, and a storm causes water-related damage, you should contact a storm damage specialist in your area to determine your best course of action and get the damage repaired as quickly as possible. 

Preparing for a Storm Loss

9/16/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

Hurricane peak season  runs for the months of July, August and September.  Now is a great time to start thinking about your preparedness efforts, in the event of a hurricane or strong storm.

After experiencing last year’s more active than normal hurricane season, Property Managers in Midtown Memphis  should prepare in case we are threatened by inclement weather.

Here are some tips

• Plan ahead
• Come up with a “Playbook.” The playbook or manual should include employees’ phone numbers, emergency contacts, who is responsible for what, etc.
• Talk with your employees and determine who will be considered essential personnel
• Have a meeting with the building owners and then meet with tenants to inform them of the action plan in case of inclement weather
• Prepare an evacuation route and post it throughout the building
• Think about implementing an automated email, text, or voicemail message to keep your tenants/employees informed
• Have all the insurance information up to date and keep it in a safe place
• If evacuation is mandatory, nobody should remain in the building

• If you don’t know where to start, give us a call today so we can tell you about our Emergency Ready Plan.

  Call SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis today at 901-454-4975 

Flood damage repairs

9/15/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

Flood Damage Repairs

Choosing SERVPRO over other options offers you a full-service restoration company able to handle all aspects of your home’s flood damage from the initial inspection through the numerous steps necessary to dry out, clean, restore and repair your dwelling and personal belongings. Because we are part of a national fellowship of franchises, we can leverage enough crews and equipment to bring your home to preloss condition, even if we are also helping some of your similarly situated neighbors and local businesses. Our staff also supports you through any claim submission processes with your insurance company.  We are aware of local rules and regulations concerning the many issues resulting after flooding and pledge to return your home to its preloss condition so you and your dear ones can resume residence safely and comfortably.  

A call to SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis at 901-454-4975 is the most critical decision you can make after floodwaters from our local rivers invade your neighborhood. Place your trust in us, and we strive to exceed your expectations as we restore the damage flooding has done to your home.

When you need professional Water damage cleanup, mold remediation, or fire restoration, you only need to call one company. We provide the cleaning and restoration from start to finish. SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis can restore a roof after a storm, a kitchen from a fire, and the electronics from smoke damage. We want the best for our Memphis community because we live and work here along with you.

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

As a trusted leader in the restoration industry, SERVPRO has over 1,700 Franchises in the U.S. and Canada that are ready to help. SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis professionals have the advanced training and equipment needed to clean or restore your home. We also have the resources to respond faster to any size disaster.

SERVPRO Drying System

9/15/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

Drying out wet materials and contents inside your Midtown Memphis warehouse is an essential part of the restoration process. After standing water and moisture in carpet gets extracted, building materials must be dried so that more damage does not occur. To help speed up the natural evaporation process air moving and dehumidification systems get implemented.

If moisture sits inside your business' warehouse for too long items stored there may get ruined. If moisture resulting from a commercial water damage incident in Midtown Memphis  does not get removed within 24 hours, mold can develop on building materials and contents such as tools or products stored for your company. Mold can cause health effects with some people and commonly develops inside a building that contains excessive moisture in the air and building materials.

When drying out moisture inside a structure, our SERVPRO technicians use air movers and dehumidifiers to create an environment that speeds up the drying of wet materials. The pieces of equipment get arranged in places that do not impede foot traffic and hinder business operations. The air movers get set up so that they push air in a counterclockwise motion hitting walls at a 45-degree angle to push the wet air away from the walls. The dehumidifier then pulls water out of the air, dispenses it in liquid form, and exhausts out warm, dry air that gets used in the air flow created by the air movers.

As water naturally evaporates off of wet materials the air close to it holds moisture. The air movers push this moist air into the center of the room where the dehumidifier can remove the water vapor. However, we do not position the air movers directly at the dehumidifiers because that would reduce the quantity of warm air coming out of them. Dehumidifiers instead get placed so that air movers can intake the hot, dry air exhausted out of them after water vapor is removed.

The correct positioning of drying equipment can reduce the time it takes to dry out moisture inside your warehouse thus saving your company money. Calling SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis after a loss can prove to be beneficial to your business.

3 Categories of Water That Can Cause Damage to Your Home

9/13/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

Any kind of water damage in your Midtown Memphis  home is likely to cause you a fair amount of stress and frustration, but not all water damage is the same. Contaminated water can bring additional problems. Depending on the category of water involved, how it should be handled will vary. There are three different categories of water that you should be aware of.

1. Clean Water
The easiest type of water damage  to remove is that caused by clean water which is also known as category 1. This is the water that will usually come from sources like faucets, pipes and supply lines. Like other categories of water, it should be removed as quickly as possible to prevent secondary damage like mold or rust, but it does not contain harmful contaminants.

2. Gray Water
Category 2 water is also called gray water and is moderately contaminated. Chemical contaminants may be present in this water. When appliances such as washing machines or dishwashers break, this is the category of water often involved. Flooded toilets that only contain urine will also fall under this category as well as clean water that has leaked through multiple levels of a building and picked up contaminants.

3. Black Water
Black, or category 3, water contains high amounts of contaminants. This can include sewage, waste, mold spores and bacteria. This water commonly comes from overflowing plumbing fixtures and flooding from storms. Category 1 or 2 water that is not cleaned quickly enough can also become category 3. Because it is highly contaminated water, it is best to have it removed by a professional Water damage remediation company.
Although water of any type can damage your home, contaminated water often requires more cleanup and repairs. It is important that affected areas of the building as well as damaged belongings are thoroughly cleaned or replaced to prevent the spread of mold and bacteria. To ensure they are done correctly, these tasks should be performed by professionals.

Who is the Best Restoration Company in the Midtown Memphis area?

9/13/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

Ever asked yourself WHY SERVPRO is a proven industry leader in fire damage restoration? To begin with, we use advanced technology and techniques when restoring your property to its original state. We adhere to the standards set by the IICRC (The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification). For instance, we may use infrared cameras to detect locations affected by the water that was used to extinguish the fire. Also, we can use hygrometers and moisture detectors to determine the level of moisture saturation in your Midtown Memphis home or business.

Strong odors can develop in your property after it experienced a fire damage event in Midtown Memphis. Our SERVPRO team uses appropriate equipment to remove the contaminants and improve the quality of air in the structure. Some of the devices that we use during deodorization and odor removal include thermal Foggers and air scrubbers. Spraying the air with a fragrant has never been a good way of dealing with the odors. Our team locates and removes the odor-causing particles. Through thermal fogging, we dispense deodorizing agents that neutralize the smell-causing particles.
 
We understand that restoration and cleaning situations require an immediate response, and that is why we are strategically located. We know that no disaster is too big or too small, so, we give every call the seriousness it deserves. By acting quickly, we increase the chances of salvaging most items and low the restoration costs.
 
Depending on the surfaces we are attending to and the soot particles in your property, our SERVPRO technicians may decide to use dry or wet cleaning methods. We never repaint surfaces as a way of dealing with soot; we have to choose an appropriate cleaning procedure before we do the needed repainting. We have faced all fire damage incidents you can think of, which means we are competent enough to work for you.
 
SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis responds 24 hours a day, seven days a week to all commercial and residential cleaning and restoration needs. Call 901-454-4975 when you need help you can rely on after facing water, fire, storm, or mold damage.

It’s Hurricane Season – Take Steps to Prevent Water Damage

9/7/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

Hurricane rainfall presents opportunity for water damage to your property. Leaks and floods can cause damage to your property and require that you temporarily move out of your building while it’s restored. This presents a challenge as you want to get back to business as usual as soon as possible! Furthermore, severe leaks can lead to floods which can increase your risk of exposure to mold, chemical injuries and more.

Fortunately, these inconveniences are preventable! Whether your water emergency occurs in an office building or big box store, it is imperative that you take measures to prevent leaks and damage to your property. Keep a look out for the following:

Damaged Windows

Water can seep through windows that aren’t properly sealed. This can cause mold build-up and damage to walls. Because caulk, the material that’s often used to seal windows, breaks down over time, be sure to have your windows resealed regularly.

Broken Pipes

Changes in pressure throughout the year and cold weather can cause pipes to break and burst. Although there are some tell-tell signs of this issue, such as water stains on walls or floors or an unpleasant and musty smell, detecting leaky pipes is challenging. With that said, it’s best to consult a professional to help determine whether your property has broken pipes.

HVAC Problems

Hurricane season often coincides with colder temperatures so we crank up the heat! However, ducts in the HVAC system can get worn out and damaged over time, especially during seasons like this, and cause leaks. For that reason, the system needs to be cleaned regularly and any water in it needs to be removed. Like broken pipes, it’s sometimes difficult to determine whether your HVAC system is causing a leak, so it’s best to consult a professional.

One of the best ways to get ahead is to create an Emergency Ready Profile . This is an immediate plan of action for how to restore your building after a disaster and get back to business. Additionally, we have 360 degree technology to document preloss conditions, including your equipment and where it was before disaster struck.

Fire Damage and Your Home: How We Help

9/7/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

Fire damage affects the structure or your house and belongings. Here at SERVPRO, we understand that your family’s keepsakes, furniture, and belongings all contribute to what transforms a house to a home. Fire damage, including smoke and even soot, can quickly threaten your family’s belongings. That’s why we specialize in restoring contents damaged by fire, water, and mold. Our SERVPRO professionals have the necessary expertise to help you preserve the irreplaceable keepsakes, and save money by salvaging what items can be restored to their pre-fire states. 

We use any of the following methods for cleaning your home: dry or wet cleaning, foam cleaning, abrasive cleaning, and immersion cleaning. What’s more, if your home requires more intensive restoration and cleaning, our SERVPRO professionals can additionally help plan and conduct an efficiently organized move-out, and later move-in of the home. This can allow for additional protection from damage and a quicker remodel of the home. Our services are subjective to what your insurance coverage is.

Additionally, SERVPRO can restore your electronics damaged in a fire, as they pose serious hazards from acid containing smoke residues and corrosion. Electronics should be inspected and cleaned only by a qualified technician. Please Do Not attempt to operate any electrical device subject to fire damage.

Call SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis Today 901-454-4975

SERVPRO Professionals are the Storm Damage Experts

8/6/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

Quick Response and High Standards Will Leave you Satisfied after Remediation

When heavy rains and high winds hit hard, property destruction and loss can be devastating to you as a homeowner. Structural damage to the exterior of your home is followed by interior devastation from water and winds. Storm damage is rarely isolated to just a few buildings in an area adding the challenge of finding a restoration company that can respond swiftly to your needs to an already anxiety-provoking situation. SERVPRO delivers the help you need swiftly even when a local disaster is widespread as we are able to call upon a network of over 1,650 franchises nationwide to respond if the need is great.
 
Storm damage in Midtown Memphis  can feel overwhelming, but your fear and panic will disappear when our team of professionals responds to your water, wind, and flooding repair and restoration needs. Your particular situation is of paramount importance to us, and you need not worry that your repairs and restoration will take a back seat even when many in your area are struggling to recover from the same issues you face. Choosing our company puts in motion a vast support system, but our local ownership means you will receive a personalized approach to your particular situation, efficiently returning your home back to its pre-storm condition just “Like it never even happened.”
 
Placing your trust in SERVPRO for your storm damage needs will reap benefits that less qualified companies simply cannot deliver. We use state-of-the-art equipment to clean, repair, and restore your home and in the process, we also restore your and your family’s peace of mind. Our technicians are highly trained and qualified. We also work closely with your insurance company, ensuring that all the work necessary is approved and compensated according to the terms of your policy. Our high standards and relentless drive to do the job on time while meeting local specifications means you and your family will quickly return to the quiet enjoyment of your house and neighborhood. We are not satisfied until you are happily back in your restored dwelling.
 
Once you make sure that your family is safe after a major storm, your first call should be to SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis. Call 901-454-4975  24/7 and begin the road to recovery by scheduling an inspection with our storm damage experts.

The 3 Essentials of Water-Damage Protection for Your Business

8/6/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

Understanding the Three Essentials of Storm Preparedness

The right amount of water in the right place is life-sustaining. When too much water makes its way to the wrong place, it can endanger lives and property. Weather conditions that cause flooding are a primary contributor to commercial property damage. Understanding the three essentials of storm preparedness may help you avoid costly water damage restoration, due to a severe weather event.

Staff Preparation

Preparing your coworkers may prove essential if rising water becomes a reality. Consider the following measures.

Registering with an emergency notification service

Providing your staff with emergency preparedness training by a water emergency specialist

Posting building evacuation routes

Preparing an emergency kit with first aid, water, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, towels, and blankets

Choosing an emergency preparedness team leader

With your staff now prepared, you may want to bring your building into compliance with flood-safe practices.

Building Preparation

A few precautions can help you avoid costly water damage to your facility. Winterizing your irrigation backflow preventer in cold winters can prevent broken pipes. It may be useful to equip your sump pump with a battery backup that can allow the pump to run, even in a power outage. Regular cleaning of gutters and storm drains can prevent flood-favorable conditions from developing near your structure. With your staff and facility prepared, the third area to address is your financial protection.

Insurance Coverage

Because water-related damage can result in the destruction of irreplaceable items, insurance coverage is recommended. If your business is located in a high-risk area, you may have been required to purchase a separate flood insurance policy when you purchased the property. Even if your flood risk is low, you may still benefit from a policy that includes coverage for other common types of water damage, such as roof or pipe leaks.

Because water cleanup is generally a disruptive and costly process, you may ultimately be glad you devoted some time to prepare. Taking care of a few preventive measures could prove well worth the trouble by minimizing the impact on your valuable property and your bottom line.

SERVPRO is ready when Storms or Floods hit

8/6/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis specializes in storm and flood damage restoration.  Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we.

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis  provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays.

Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.

Resources to Handle Floods and Storms

When storms hit Midtown Memphis, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.

After the storm, call SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis for a quick response to help limit any further damage to your home or business!

If you or your business experienced a fire in a commercial building,Call Us Today 901-454-4975

Is standing water dangerous?

5/12/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Midtown Memphis

Surface water can affect your Midtown Memphis home and its tenants in multiple ways. While this standing water can absorb into materials and ultimately allow for the deterioration of exposed structural elements, pooling can also present potential health effects or hazards for those exposed and remaining in the area. 

SERVPRO offers fast extraction and drying solutions for your Midtown Memphis home after a flood. 

We can help reduce the standing water concerns by offering efficient flood removal for Memphis homes. To accomplish this, we can call upon a wide array of extraction and moisture removal tools in our broad inventory. 

What Tools Are Best for Drying Up Flood Damage? 

Because every flooding situation is different from the last, there are different tools and devices that are best to remove water or dry the area. Identifying the most efficient solution is always the priority, as the sooner standing water gets addressed, the less damaging flooding typically becomes. Some of the standard water removal and drying tools include:

• Air Movers
• Dehumidifiers
• Positive Pressure Systems
• Floor Mat Systems

After a flood, you want your home to look like it did before the disaster as soon as possible. Our SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis  team can help anytime you need us. Call us today at 901-454-4975

Storm Damage and Restoration Cleanup

5/12/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

When your business has been damaged by fire, water, or storm damage, the immediate concern should be temporary protective measures such as placing roof tarps to prevent additional damage, and boarding up to secure the building and remove water and debris.

After protecting and securing the structure, professionals at SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis can begin the restoration process. Your business may need reconstruction work to get your property back to its preloss condition. 

The professionals at SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis can simplify the restoration process by handling both the initial damage mitigation and rebuilding the affected areas. Having one qualified company for the entire process can save time and keeps costs low.

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis can provide this continuity by supervising a full range of restoration services that will bring a building back to full functionality.

• Board up
• Document Drying
• Dry Cleaning
• Drywall Installation
• Drywall Removal
• HVAC Services
• Painting
• Carpet Repair and Installation
• Electronics Restoration
• Furniture Restoration
• Hardwood Floor Repair
• Move Out
• Roof Tarp
• Tree Removal

Why SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis? 

• A Trusted Leader in the Storm and Water Restoration Industry.
• Faster to any size disaster.
• Faster to any size emergency.
• No job too large.
• Catastrophic storm and major event response.
• Every large loss is supervised by a commercial operations manager to help ensure seamless communication and timely mitigation.
• Our ability to dispatch trained production professionals.
• We cut costs through the strategic placement and oversight of temporary labor.
• 24-hour emergency services
• Ready to help 24/7/365

We're a locally owned company with natural resources.   We are proud to be a part of our community and strive to provide the residents and business owners in our area the fastest response times and our best work each and every day.

Why SERVPRO Is a Top Choice for Biohazard Cleanup

5/10/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Midtown Memphis

SERVPRO is a leading choice for biohazard cleanup in Midtown Memphis. Here their experts explain how they go above and beyond for their customers and stand apart from the competition.

Without the right tools and expertise cleaning up a biohazard incident, such as a sewage backup, can be both dangerous and difficult. That's why it's best to take advantage of the services of a licensed biohazard cleaning company like SERVPRO.

SERVPRO has over 23 years of experience providing industry-leading biohazard cleaning

Why SERVPRO Is a Top Choice for Biohazard Cleanup

When choosing a biohazard cleanup company, experience matters. A contractor that can handle a wide range of pathogens ensures the cleanup process will go smoothly regardless of any unexpected developments.  SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis offers a comprehensive range of biohazard cleanup services.

Sewage Backups

Sewage backups pose significant property damage and health risks. SERVPRO is an Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) certified firm with applied microbial remediation technicians. Their biohazard cleanup crew can remove the sewage, clean all surfaces, and eliminate odors along with harmful microorganisms. 

Blood-Borne Pathogens

Blood and other bodily fluids and tissues left behind after an accident, death, or crime are difficult to remove from carpets and other absorbent surfaces. SERVPRO goes deep into the fabrics and cracks to remove every trace of the incident.

Illegal Drug Manufacturing Labs

After taking possession of a property formerly used for illegal drug manufacturing, professional biohazard cleanup is mandatory. That’s because manufacturing meth and other illicit substances generate harmful compounds and odors that cling to surfaces.

SERVPRO can remove these unsafe residues according to federal and state laws. The company's deep biohazard cleaning can make any property safe again.

The experts at SERVPRO also have experience with:

• Tear gas cleanup
• Animal waste
• Chemical spills
• Homicide cleanups
• Hoarding situations

Be Prepared for Spring Storms

4/13/2021 (Permalink)

Severe weather can happen at any time, anywhere. Being prepared to act quickly is very important when it comes to staying safe during a weather event. Below are tips to help you be prepared for a storm.

Know Your Risk

The first step to becoming weather-ready is to understand the type of hazardous weather that can affect where you live and work, and how the weather could impact you, your business, and your family. Check the weather forecast regularly, obtain a  Weather Radio, and learn about Wireless Emergency Alerts. Severe weather comes in many forms and your shelter plan should include all types of local hazards.

Take Action

Take the Next step in severe weather preparedness by creating a communications plan for your home and business. Put together or purchase an emergency kit. Keep important papers and valuables in a safe place.

Be the Example

Once you have taken action to prepare for severe weather, talk to your friends and family and have them do the same.

If a storm disaster strikes your home or business call SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis  to help with you restoration needs. 901-454-4975

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

How Mold Grows

4/8/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

There are many mold scares in the United States because it can be a huge health issue, mold can destroy a house, and be very hard to get rid of. Mold can be an epidemic for some homeowners because their home is food for mold! The way mold spreads is through spores in the air, which does not always mean it will lead to a mold epidemic in your home. Mold can not grow on dry surfaces. The only way it can spread is with wet surfaces. A simple solution is to keep your home dry, and you won't have a mold problem. Although, it is not always that easy!

Tips to keep your home dry and the humidity low to avoid getting mold: 

• Before taking a bath, shower, or cooking a meal on the stove, turn on your exhaust fan. This will suck up any moisture getting into the air.
• After taking a bath or shower, leave your shower curtain open to air out the tub.
• Make sure to dry any wet areas immediately!
• Ventilate, ventilate, ventilate!
• Open some windows if it starts getting humid and burps your house.
• Monitor your humidity levels indoors.
• Equip your home with mold-resistant products.
• Clean and repair roof gutters and try to direct all water away from your home.

Kitchen Fire tips

4/6/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

How to Put Out a Small Kitchen Fire in Your Home

The consequences of a small kitchen fire range from ruining your favorite pan to destroying the whole kitchen. Being well-versed in the right solutions as well as using your best judgment is your best defense.

However, it’s important to remember that a kitchen fire is most manageable when it’s still small, and we have a better shot at putting out a fire in the kitchen when we catch it immediately. We do this by not leaving cooking unattended.

Knowing how to put out a kitchen fire means understanding that not all are alike. We’ll go over each scenario so you’ll know how to respond appropriately.

Microwave or Oven Fire

You’ve made popcorn a thousand times, but this time you pushed the wrong button or added an extra digit to the cooking time. Accidentally cooking something to the point where it burns is the usual cause of microwave fire.

Oven fires can also be started when the baking is well overdone, or if flammable material drips down to the heating element. Oven fires can also happen when an oven gets to be too dirty from food particle buildup.

You may have a reflex to open the oven door, but do not open the door. Instead, how to put out an oven fire is to allow it to suffocate. Leaving the door closed, you’ll turn off the oven or microwave oven to stop the cooking (unplug when possible).

Eventually, the flames will consume all of the oxygen, and oxygen is what the fire needs to sustain itself. The flames should eventually snuff out, but if they persist, call the fire department.

Fire on a Stove

A stray uncooked noodle rolls underneath the burner. If it gets too close to the gas flame or the electric coils, it will catch on fire. Stove fires happen when oils or bits of food make contact with the heating element. 

As you would with an oven fire, it’s best to put out a stovetop fire with something that can cover the flames and deprive it of oxygen. A large or pan lid would be best for this. Cover the flames and let them die off.

Salt and baking soda are also effective with putting out stove fires. Douse the flames with either of these items (but not flour as it may make it worse).

The big lid approach is a lot less messy than pouring out salt or baking soda. Next, we’ll explain why we avoid using water to put out a kitchen fire.

Grease Fires

Fats are a part of the American diet, so when we prepare foods we may have grease from animal fat or use oils for cooking. Say you wanted to try adding olive oil to the water when boiling pasta. If the water starts to boil over, the oil mixed with it makes contact with the burner and a fire starts. The same thing could also happen with oil spills or grease splatters from a pan. Grease fires are more precarious to put out compared to other kinds of fire.

• Don’t use water to put out grease fires. Water won’t put out the fire, it will just divert the grease and thus spread the fire. 
• For a small fire, use the big lid trick as mentioned earlier. Turn off the burner and cover the burning pan or the burner itself with the lid tightly so it’s deprived of oxygen.
• Pour baking soda or salt on the flames until it’s snuffed out (again, do not use flour).
• Use a water-soaked towel to smother the flames. This is different from pouring water on the flame.
• Use a fire extinguisher, pointing it at the base of the flames.

Commercial Mold Service

4/5/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

Commercial mold Remediation Services in Midtown:

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis trained restoration specialists understand how mold actually grows and the best methods for remediation in your commercial property.

Whether you're dealing with a mold infestation in your office building, apartment complex, restaurant, or store front in Midtown - Our team is here to help! We understand that every hour we spend cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity for your business - So we work hard to get the job done as soon as possible.

Our Commercial Mold Remediation Process

Every plan for commercial mold remediation is unique and depends on the amount of mold to the types of materials that are affected, but the general process stays the same.

1. Initial Contact & Taking Information 901-454-4975
2. On-Site Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment
3. Mold Containment to Prevent It From Spreading
4. Air Filtration
5. Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials
6. Cleaning Contents and Belongings
7. Restoration

Call SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis for immediate assistance with commercial mold. 

901-454-4975

Did Your Business Have Water Damage?

3/31/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

Water damage is one of the most challenging issues that a property owner can face because of different factors. First, they can cause severe damage to one’s establishment and belongings when left unresolved. Second, it can cause the growth of mold.

WHAT IS WATER

In a nutshell, it is the type of damage done on a structure and the belongings within due to excessive moisture and collected water. This usually happens in least-visited spaces of the establishment where water can collect without notice. They are also usually the lowest depths of one’s property like crawl spaces and basement.

Here is some equipment that might be needed for water damage…

AIR MOVERS

As the name suggests, it is an equipment used to move air, but in its process, it actually helps dry water-damaged flooring and surfaces by forcing moisture to evaporate more quickly.

DEHUMIDIFIERS

Another piece of equipment that can help in water damage restoration is the dehumidifier since it is specifically designed to deal with excessive moisture. Aside from that, it can also help maintain the humidity of an area to a set level.

AIR SCRUBBERS

You would probably have to deal with airborne contaminants as well, especially if you can smell the musk of mold in the air. You will need an air scrubber for that which filters out any particles in your indoor air.

RESTORATION MOISTURE METERS

Finally, you will need a Restoration moisture meter. It is a device that gauges the severity of water damage on a surface or an area by assessing the moisture present. It is a must for you to have if you’re planning to do all the restoration on your own.

Here at SERVPRO we have all this equipment to help get your business back up and running and leave it “Like it never even happened.”

Be ready: Storm Damage

3/31/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

Severe weather can happen at any time. 

Storm damage includes hazardous conditions produced by thunderstorms, strong winds, large hail, & flooding.

Know your risk:
Landslides 
Floods 
Thunderstorms and lightning 

Develop an emergency plan based on your local weather hazards and practice your plan.

• Make a family emergency plan
• Be informed about emergency alerts 

If your home or business suffers damage from a storm, know who to call to quickly get help.

When you are dealing with storm, flood, and water damage, immediate action is crucial.  You should choose the company with storm damage experience and expertise that has the resources and equipment to handle the job.

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis  responds immediately to your flood and storm damage emergencies. We have the storm damage restoration experience and specialized equipment to restore your home or business back to pre-storm condition.

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis can respond immediately to storm and flooding conditions.

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, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property. Our training program includes the following:

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

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis is locally owned and operated ready to respond to any of your storm damage incidents.

Have Storm or Flood Damage?
Call Us Today 901-454-4975

Why SERVPRO is the Top Pick for Fire Restoration

3/25/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

Why SERVPRO Is the Top Pick for Fire Restoration

SERVPRO differs from other fire restoration companies by embracing a philosophy of restoring, rather than replacing, a building damaged by fire. Their team can arrive immediately after a fire to begin work. SERVPRO’s fire damage Restoration service includes:

• Building inspection to assess the extent of the damage
• Board-up and tarp service to prevent further damage
• Water removal from firefighting efforts
• Elimination of smoke and soot
• Cleaning and sanitizing with industrial scrubbers
• Restoring and repairing the building to pre- fire damage.

 At SERVPRO Midtown Memphis we are always available to help you keep your business fire safe. In the event of damages sustained from fire or water, we have the experience and know how to complete a cleanup project quickly and efficiently, getting you back to work as soon as possible.

Our Highly Trained Restoration Specialists can restore your Home or Office

2/26/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Midtown Memphis

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis is an IICRC firm. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.

IICRC Certified Firms must

• Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.

• Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.

• Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.

• Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.

• Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.

The IICRC Develops The Standards For The Restoration Industry

The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals.

Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.

About SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis 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 and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: 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.

Avoiding fire in your residential or commercial property

2/12/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Midtown Memphis

A fire in your residential or commercial property can spread quickly and become a deadly fire within a few minutes. Just a few precautions taken beforehand can protect you and your apartment. 

* Inspection first: Take a good look around your home to make sure all potential hazards have been identified and eliminated. 

1. Use surge protectors in place of overloaded circuits or extension cords

2. Appliance cords that are frayed or cracked are replaced immediately 

3. No cords are being extended under rugs or between rooms. 

4. Space heaters are not being used near flammable materials, such as furniture and drapery. Make sure your space heaters are always turned off when the room is empty or everyone is going to bed.

5. No matches or lighters are in reach of children. 

6. Candles and incense are never left unattended- make sure these items are far away from curtains and other flammable materials. 

*Kitchen Safety:

1. Never leave food cooking on your stove unattended

2. Keep towels and potholders away from cooking areas

3. Don't wear loosely fitted sleeves while cooking

* Smoke alarms

1. Make sure there are alarms in your apartment and that they are functioning correctly. 

How fire smoke can impact your home or business

2/12/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Midtown Memphis

Fire can leave your home or business devastated. Even after the fire is extinguished, soot and smoke can leave it's mark as a reminder that there was a fire. This is why it is vital that you work with your insurance company and professional restoration company. 

Soot is a black powdery substance that is produced when a fire does not completely burn. Soot attaches to surfaces leaving a dirty trail. Soot can have an impact on your HVAC system, which can recirculate into the air in your home or business. 

The combination of water and smoke creates a wet black substance, which can be a challenge to clean. It may spread further creating more damages to your property. 

The smell of smoke is not visible. It can be trapped in your furniture, draperies, clothes, and carpets. 

If your property sustains smoke or soot damages from a fire, SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis is available 24/7 to help. Call today 901-454-4975

SERVPRO is available 24/7/365

2/12/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Midtown Memphis

When your residential or commercial property has been impacted by water, fire, or mold damage, it is crucial to respond quickly. SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You will always speak to one of our team members who will be able to guide you through the process. 

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis also works closely with many of the insurance agencies personally with the goal to make it "Like it never even happened."

 Here are a few things you can expect from our team

*Quick response. Time is money. We understand that the faster our response, there is the potential of less costly restoration.

 *Prompt arrival at the damage site. Our professionally trained technicians will be able to continue to offer support and guidance to you every step of the way. 

 *A throughout inspection and one on one communication. We take each project as if it were our property. It is important to us that we communicate with you every step of the way, providing the next steps.

Let our team help you the next time you are faced with a property disaster. 

901-454-4975

SERVPRO can restore your stuff

2/12/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Midtown Memphis

Having to deal with a fire at your home or business is bad enough. Seeing your belongings afterward can be devastating. SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis is here to help! We aren't magicians, but we can work some magic. We can't un-melt anything, however, we are restoration specialists. 

Many things considered unsalvageable can be saved! At SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis, we take care of your property and your belongings. When necessary, we are trained and equipped to pack and transport your belongings to our facility for cleaning and storage while your property is being restored. Anything that we cannot save will be boxed and labeled for your inspection. All salvageable items will be returned to you "Like it never even happened."

Commercial Restoration Services

1/18/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

When it comes to commercial and residential restoration services, SERVPRO is a leader in the industry. Available 24 hours a day and seven days a week, SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis responds quickly to your Memphis business’s fire, water, and mold damage emergencies. No commercial project is too big, because we have access to the resources of a nationwide network of 1,650 Franchises.

There's never a convenient time for fire or water damage to strike your business. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we'll be there fast with the help you need. 

• Commercial Water Damage Restoration
• Commercial Fire Damage Restoration
• Commercial Mold Remediation
• Commercial Storm and Major Events
• Disaster Recovery Team

No Job Is Too Large

The SERVPRO Commercial Large Loss Division is composed of our best of the best in restoration. Our elite large-loss specialists are pre-qualified and strategically positioned throughout the United States to handle any size disaster. Every large loss is supervised by a commercial operations manager to help ensure seamless communication and timely mitigation. 

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 commercial property.

If your business suffers a major loss, call (901-454-4975)

Water Damage vs. SERVPRO

1/5/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

We have had several hurricanes this year. And while we are not along the coast we still get the after effects caused by these storms. We end up with lots of wind, rain, and ground water. 

This can cause many stresses on our homes. Employees at SERVPRO are trained on handling each scenario when dealing with water damage. We follow strict guidelines to make sure we don’t cause more damage and to keep your home or business safe from potential peril in the future. 

Water left untreated can cause significant mold and other micro organisms to grow. You also do not want to over-dry your home or business. Many materials have some amount of moisture already in them. By over-drying, you can harm the integrity of the material. There is a balance of moisture in the air to the walls and floors. Moisture too high can cause it to be soft and flimsy, moisture too low can cause it to be dry and brittle. 

SERVPRO is trained and certified to make sure we know and understand the perfect balance. We are held to the highest of standards to take care of your home without any worries. We understand that water damage can be super stressful. We want to help ease your mind and take some of the stress off of you.

Caring and Giving Back

1/5/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

During this very uncertain time of the covid-19 pandemic, many of us are stuck at home and bored. We also have those people on the other side of the spectrum who can’t miss a day of work because what they do is so important. I am talking about our First Responders. Fire and Police Departments never close. They are here to maintain order and keep us safe. That is why we are taking this time to try and give back to a few of our local communities during this time. They are putting their lives at risk even more so now than before. They don’t know who they may come in contact with, whether they have been sick or mentally unstable due to seclusion. We are so proud to know they are out there doing what they do best. We have been able to give back to our communities by cleaning some of their facilities during this time so they can stay healthy while trying to protect us. We at SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis can not express how much we appreciate all of our First Responders out there for everything they do to keep us safe each and every day.

Can you be ready for anything?

1/5/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

From fires to storms to vandalism, your business could be disrupted. Can we think of every possible scenario? No, but we can prepare and surround ourselves with a team that will get us back into business as fast as possible. Now you have to ask what does that team look like? It should consist of all the key personnel that are needed to run the business. Do I have their contact information readily available? Most businesses have a file record of those folks but what if that file was compromised in the fire or flood? Can you retrieve those files from anywhere? If they are stored in the cloud you can.

What about key vendors that routinely are maintaining your building like HVAC or your Plumbing company? Would it not be convenient to call them and ask, can you meet me ASAP at the office I am on my way there? What about having the convenience of calling your insurance company and already knowing the policy number and having it available as well? What if you needed to order new supplies to replace damaged inventory? Do you have those numbers and your customer account number handy?

Do you know the number of the water and power company? How about the non-emergency number to the local police or fire dept.?

All of this and more is possible with the SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile. (ERP). It is available on Google Play and iTunes Store. With some planning and preparation, you can be ready for anything even if you can’t think of everything you would need it for.

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis will be glad to assist in the planning and development of an Emergency Ready Profile plan. All you need to do is call us 901-454-4975 and we will be happy to assist.

Frozen pipe season is coming, so be ready to protect your plumbing.

1/5/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

The colder months are coming and from what we hear it is going to be a cold snowy winter. We live in a colder climate here in Midtown Memphis. Frozen pipes in your business can be a big mess. When pipes freeze, they expand and may burst, leading to major water repairs.

Some helpful tips to prevent frozen pipes:

Water conservationists’ frown on allowing faucets to drip, but letting even a small amount of water to flow through pipes at all times can do a lot to prevent pipes from freezing. A steady drip is all that is needed to keep the pipes free from ice accumulation.

Many pipes do not have proper insulation to prevent them from freezing in cold weather. Pipe sleeves and heating tape can be applied to insulate the pipes. It is also a good precautionary measure to caulk around gaps where cold drafts can affect pipe temperatures.

Shut off any outside water sources that you don't need, especially if you are expecting particularly low temperatures. When a building is left unattended, make sure the thermostat is set no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Open cabinet doors under sinks and in storage areas to allow heat from the room to circulate around uninsulated pipes.

Dealing with frozen pipes

Hairdryer – This is one of the safest and most effective ways to thaw a pipe. Open the faucet and then heat the pipe by working back toward the area where the blockage has occurred.

Space heater – A small heater can work much faster than a hairdryer. Simply direct the heater toward the frozen area of the pipe.

Make sure you and your employees know where the shut off valve is located. If you are dealing with frozen pipes or water damage from frozen pipes in your commercial building call SERVPRO as soon as possible.

Getting wet carpet and pad out may be necessary

9/21/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Midtown Memphis

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis 

Drying and Dehumidification 

After the water removal step, your floors and walls may look dry at first glance, but they are still wet to the touch. Most building materials, like drywall and wood, are porous and will retain significant water. The retained water will cause these materials to warp, swell, or break down and can also cause mold damage.

Drying and Dehumidification 

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis professionals will manipulate temperature and relative humidity to remove the remaining moisture. They use specialized equipment, including industrial air movers and dehumidifiers to remove water retained by building materials and other hard to access moisture. They'll carefully monitor the processes using moisture meters until the materials return to acceptable drying goals. 

* Use dehumidification equipment

* Use monitoring equipment to track progress

Monitor floor and walls 

They check the moisture levels to monitor the drying process.

* Monitor Floors 

* Monitor Walls 

Drying Equipment 

* Industrial grade dehumidifiers help prevent secondary water damage like swelling and warping of floors, walls and furniture

* High speed air movers create airflow across walls, carpets, pads, and furniture which accelerates the evaporation of moisture. 

3 Reasons to have Fire Insurance for your business

9/16/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Midtown Memphis

Three reasons you may want to consider

When you have a business in Memphis Tn, it is important to have fire insurance policy. This type of insurance may prove beneficial in several ways after an emergency. Here are three reasons you may want to consider.

1. Insurance May Cover Restoration Costs

In many cases, a fire restoration at a place of business can include a number of costs for both structural repairs, fire cleanup, content cleaning, document restoration, and any additional services that might be recovered. That can be a lot of services you may not have initially realized may be necessary. Commercial insurance takes these types of repairs into account and may include them under your plan.

2. Insurance May Recommend a Restoration Service

Another important aspect of fire insurance is the fact that in many cases they have preferred restoration service vendors they live to work with. These are usually certified professionals who may have a number of tools that allow them to communicate and work with your insurance provider. This means you won’t have to waste time looking for a trusted team, as your insurance agent may already have their number on file.

3. Insurance May Cover Secondary Damages

If your policy includes secondary damage coverage you may find that the cost of some unexpected repairs may be covered. Secondary damages are damages that occur as a result of the initial problem. For example, the need for a smoke cleanup, or water damage repairs could occur after a fire. 

Maintaining a fire insurance policy for your business can be a good idea for a number of reasons. A fire policy may be able to cover a number of costs associated with cleanup and repairs, including the services of a restoration crew. Your insurance provider may even recommend a specific team for you to work with. Additionally, depending on your policy, secondary damages may also be covered which can help with unexpected damages.

Protecting your water damage claim

9/16/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Midtown Memphis

3 Things to do to protect your water damage claim

Bursting pipes, sewage backups, or overflowing toilets, there are so many catastrophes in residential properties, which is the primary reason to pay for insurance coverage. However, as most water mitigation companies in Memphis Tn, will tell you, insurance is only part of the battle. It is tricky enough to get full water coverage, but if you do, you need to protect any claim to ensure you receive payment. There are at least three things you need to do to protect your claim.

1. Mitigate further loss
2. Call your insurer
3. Document everything

Mitigate Further Loss
When dealing with water damage, first mitigate further loss. An insurer wants to know you did everything possible to minimize the extent of the damage. For example, if you are dealing with bursting pipes, did you turn off the water supply? Or, if you have a hole in your roof, did you cover it with a tarp to prevent rain from entering the property? If you fail to implement mitigation steps, an adjuster may decline your claim.

Call Your Insurer
Call your insurer immediately after the damage occurs. Most insurance companies expect clients to call to report damage within the first 24 hours. If you wait any longer than a day, you risk the acceptance of your claim. Also, the faster you call the insurer, the sooner an adjuster is sent to your home.

Document Everything
While you may need to wait for a claims approval before you fix a broken pipe, there are likely other repairs you can make. However, document everything and keep receipts. Take pictures of the original damage to show the adjuster. If repairs cannot wait, Gather bids to prove you researched the companies before hiring.
Any home can have water disasters, like bursting pipes, but the approach to filing an insurance claim may differ from insurer to insurer. Make sure you contact your insurance company and know your responsibilities, so you avoid risking your coverage.

Addressing Water Damage after a Fire

9/16/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Midtown Memphis

Friend or Foe? Is water a collaborator in fighting a fire or an accomplice to the damage sustained? Water, if not correctly used, it can be a double-edged sword in a fire hazard. It might initially sound counter-intuitive to consider water damage after a fire hazard. Still, water is involved in every stage of a fire hazard.

At the beginning of a fire

If you have fire sprinklers, these are activated by smoke or heat. Some sprinkler systems are activated only in specific rooms where the fire is detected, while others are an all-or-nothing system. As the whole room or area gets sprinkled with water, materials also get sprayed.

During the fire

If the fire spreads and gets hotter, utility pipes get damaged. Fire quickly melts and damages PVC water pipes, and leakages occur. If the water pipes are copper, the fire heats the water and builds up pressure in the pipes. Cracks and joints can burst open, flooding the immediate area.

Fighting the fire

The main weapon firefighters deploy a fire with is their water hose. The pressure, force, and sheer amount of water brought to bear on a building is often enough to douse a fire, break properties, and drench everything. It is a common sight for furniture and household items to be soggy in the aftermath of a fire due to this step.

After the fire

At this phase, it is essential to quickly address the damage from the previous stages, as water damage can have a lasting effect. When water damage is left unaddressed, the damage compounds over time. The moist environment and soaked materials are perfect conditions for mold to grow. 

Carpets get damaged, drywall, and the ceiling soaks up water, compromising their structural integrity and aesthetic appeal. Unaddressed, water damage from a fire constitutes a danger. The seal around appliances such as sockets and bathtubs weaken and break lose, opening up an opportunity for infestation by moisture-loving pests such as pill bugs. Electrical shock is another risk unaddressed water damage can pose.

It is imperative to contact a restoration expert as delay often leads to further damage and rising costs. Their understanding and help would also help get your home/office back to normal as soon as possible. Contact SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis to address your fire and water damage concerns. 

Who Cleans up Commercial Water Damage in Memphis?

9/10/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Midtown Memphis

The trained, certified team members of SERVPRO bring years of experience and advanced equipment to handle any size commercial water damage situation in Memphis.

When the aftermath of a plumbing issue, toilet backup, or other issue happens in your commercial property, you need to get going on the cleanup as soon as possible. The equipment that your regular janitorial crew uses to maintain your building may be inadequate for the type of cleanup and drying that the mitigation of water damage requires. Mainly when the issue is groundwater or a sewage backup into the property, repairs to the walls, floor, and replacement to some articles that absorbed the water can occur. It is crucial to use the services of a restoration service company that understands cleanup, sometimes also means prepping for repairs. 

What are Flood Cuts and Why Do Commercial Water Restoration Companies Rely on Them?

It may seem counterproductive to remove wet sheetrock rather than dry it, but this is a standard method used by commercial water restoration companies to lessen the damage from excessive moisture at your Memphis property. 

This process for flood cut is:

* The technicians locate the waterline within the sheetrock

* Measuring several inches over the waterline, the wet building materials get cut off. 

* This action opens up the interior wall cavity for drying.

* To repair, a replacement piece of sheetrock gets fitted into the space and sealed in place with joint compound. 

The clean cuts make any repairs needed after the fact simple. This attention to removing the least amount of building materials possible during the cleanup helps property owners keep the overall cost down for the restoration from water damage. 

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis at 901-454-4975 servers the area with cleanup and remediation of damage from water, fire, mold or biohazzard issues in local properties. They remain the premier choice among commercial water restoration companies for any job size. 

What are the Most Common reasons a home needs fire damage cleanup?

9/10/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

SERVPRO brings professional equipment to the Memphis homes for the best outcome from any type of fire loss. 

The most common cause of house fires happens in the kitchen, with the most common scenario being someone cooking with oil gets distracted, and the pan overheats and catches on fire. This problem can get elevated if water gets thrown on the hot grease. The hot oil causes water to turn immediately into steam, and as it expands, it quickly feeds and spreads the flames. Other frequently seen causes in home fires include:

* Furnace malfunctions

* Smoking in bedrooms

* Faulty electrical systems

* Unattended candles 

* Children playing with matches or lighters 

What is the Best Cleaner used for Fire Damage? 

Unfortunately, when it comes to fire damage cleanup in Memphis properties, there is not a one-cleaner-fits all solution. The residues left behind by a fire can get placed in two main categories: dry or wet. While dry is one of the easier types of smoke damage types to get off surfaces, it cannot get mixed with liquid cleaning agents or it can get driven deeper into surfaces. Wet smoke smears easily and can be difficult to remove without the use of cleaning solutions with solvents in them. 

SERVPRO technicians test every surface before cleaning to ensure the right method gets chosen for both the type of corrective action needed and the surface getting wiped. 

How restorable are the walls and ceilings post fire?

Seeing the walls and ceilings in your home after a fire can be disheartening. The black smoke damage can appear to coat surfaces and may look difficult to remove. SERVPRO technicians have two choices when it comes to these surfaces. First, whenever possible, they use their professional cleaning agents to lift away the smoke residues and leave the surface clean. However, in some solutions, the soot gets driven into the surface due to the hot air expanding during the fire. When that scenario occurs, the use of a sealant to seal off the odorous soot preps the walls and ceilings for priming and painting. 

Soot-Covered Furnishings May Have Restoration Potential

Many factors determine whether or not hardwood furnishings can get cleaned for reuse. First and foremost, if they are actually wood. Pressed wood and other composites generally react badly to the extreme temperatures of a fire and even worse when they come into contact with the water used to extinguish it. Other considerations are:

• If there is charring or unrepairable damage to the furniture
• The length of time exposed to water
• How quickly the restoration efforts began

SERVPRO has specially formulated cleaners for all types of wood and can remove even greasy wet smoke residues from hardwood furnishings. In some cases, the item may require refinishing afterward, but the surface will be clean and prepped for it. 

Can Carpet Get Restored After a Fire Loss?

Much like furnishings, the carpet may have cleaning potential. SERVPRO technicians inspect it to see evidence of fiber melting, water damage, and other problems. If the carpet has the potential for restoration and reuse, the techs can use their deep cleaning methods, such as their steam cleaning units that pull away dirt and soot without leaving cleaning residues behind.  

Window Treatments and Other Fabric Items

When clothing or window treatments get affected by smoke damage, and they do not require dry cleaning, the techs have access to robust Esporta washing systems that can return the items to the food-grade level of cleanliness after just one wash. Things that have the potential to shrink or bleed when they come into contact with water will need alternative methods of cleaning.

Odor Control Methods are a Must After Fire Loss

Before any type of repairs or rebuilding can happen within the loss areas, odor control applications need to happen. The technicians may use multiple methods to ensure that any remaining fire odors within the home get eradicated. They have light modes such as time-release gel pellets for on-going odor control or stouter practices such as thermal fogging or hydroxyl generators that actually change the soot particles at the molecular level and eliminate their ability to produce odors. Thermal fogging is particularly useful when applied to objects with deeply embedded odors as the heated fog penetrates porous objects in the same manner as the hot air did during the fire. This enables the solvent to reach and neutralize odors within things. 

What is Muck- out cleaning after a storm?

9/10/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

Flooding can leave your Memphis home in disarray. Natural flooding invites debris, mud and other contaminants into your home that must get addressed along with countless other damages. With flooding scenarios, it is vital for this cleaning and recovery effort to begain as soon as possible. Migrating water can have detrimental effects on structural cavities and exposed materials, especially when contamination is a threat. 

Understanding the severity of the situation can allow our professionals to address flood damage in Memphis properties in distinct stages. The removal of debris, mud and other solids that have entered the home through national flooding can have multiple benefits for the property overall. Some of the reasons that we conduct this muck out cleaning during the emergency services phase of recovery include:

Identify structural vulnerabilities

Reduce present bacterial

More efficient drying 

Reduce odors

What cleaning practices can protect exposed surfaces?

 Removing the debris in the house is often insufficient to address contamination concerns that can often arise with natural flooding. These situations get deemed blackwater events, which assume that standing water in your home has encountered some contaminant level to make conditions hazardous to those exposed.

Addressing these concerns of contamination often requires efforts like controlled demolition to discard overly saturated or exposed materials and contents. Once the structural framework becomes visible and evaluated, we can focus on cleaning and protecting these areas from contamination and bacteria through surface cleaning approaches with our potent EPA-approved products.

What Steps Ensure that Flood drying happens as it should for my Memphis Home?

9/10/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

Extraction and drying are essential elements to our flood restoration work in Memphis homes and involve multipal tools, technologies, and experience to complete correctly. 

Flooding can present rapidly changing conditions for your Memphis home. As challenging as these disasters can be, the right response from qualified restoration professionals can help prevent the situation from getting out of control. We have skilled experts in flood restoration and water recovery that can implement the right tools to protect your property as efficiently as possible when we arrive. 

Much of the flood water removal for damage in Memphis homes hinges on an assortment of extraction and drying tools. These industry leading devices are vital in helping to manage flood losses by removing present surface damage concerns. At the time, other technologies and machines can work on labeling other areas of interest where thorough drying might be necessary. 

What initial readings and details are necessary?

It can be essential to identify any possible atmospheric or environmental conditions that could impact the efficiency of drying your home. Moisture content is often one of the first factors to determine, and this might also include identifying where migration of flood loss effects has occurred. It is not challenging for water to find its way into structural cavities between wall systems, so we utilize sophisticated technologies like thermal imagery and hygrometers to detect moisture pockets and dampness to address these concerns as they get discovered.

Beyond standing water concerns, which can often be a substantial obstacle after flooding, we also must ensure that the entire impacted area gets prepared for extraction and drying efforts to come. Part of this venture's success hinges on isolating the affected regions of the property while preventing cross-contamination or migration of these effects to areas currently undamaged by flooding. We document conditions upon inspection with our SERVPRO DryBook software.  

What Extractors Are Best for Floodwater? 

Flooding  almost always comes with a need for extraction and water removal. The tools used to do this vary based on the severity of the damage and where these threats might be in the house. With dozens of potential extraction units ranging from truck-mount pumps in our Green Fleet to mobile extractors like our wet vacuums, we have the right tools and technologies to address the conditions in your home after a flood loss incident. Flooding typically requires multiple water removal tools, including:

• Submersible Pumps – These pumps are often a vital need after a flood, as standing water can exist in various areas. Trash pumps are the common choice to pass debris present in natural floodwater.

• Truck-Mount Pumps – For excessive water damages after a flood, extractor trucks can have a fast and powerful impact. These pumps can remove water at 300 psi, making them the most efficient removal tool in our equipment inventory.

• Wet Vacuums – When water depths drop below two inches, pumps are less effective. Vacuums and their attachments can help to remove surface water and trapped moisture in materials like carpets.

Who Maintains Drying Equipment While It Runs? 

We often set up drying tools throughout your house in the appropriate places and allow them to run for several hours or longer unsupervised. We can trust in the efficiency of our tools and technologies, and it ensures that we can help begin the restoration process without being an overbearing presence in your house. Once affected area barriers and boundaries have been established in your home, we anticipate the devices to be left alone until our return.

We can reevaluate the drying process effectiveness and modify the placement and volume of drying tools like air movers, dehumidifiers, and drying mats to suit the new conditions. There are several reasons that we do not continuously watch drying progress, and these include:

• It can save you money
• It can give you time to process the changing situations
• We are not continuously needed through the drying phases

Is the Desiccant or the Low-Grain Refrigerant Dehumidifier Better? 

Dehumidifiers  are a vital part of the drying process for many flood-damaged homes. The choice between desiccant and low grain refrigerant options often involves the conditions of the house and the unaffected areas or external influences like humidity levels. Desiccants can be a wise choice when dry air can get brought back into the property through the exhaust. When overly moist conditions exist outside of the house, low grain refrigerant models might be a better and more efficient option for moisture content inside.

Quick Tips for Storm Safety Anywhere you Go

8/6/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

Summertime in Memphis Tn is a great time to enjoy the great outdoors, but when sudden storms pop up, staying safe is of paramount importance. Thunderstorms may come and go quickly, but while they are in the area, they can cause flash flooding and concerning amount of damage.

While the safest place to be during a storm is at home, if a sudden storm pops up when you are away, here are some practical tips for safety. 

Know your options for shelter: When you are made aware of a severe weather scenario and are safely at home, remaining there is the best thing you can do so you can wait out the storm. If you are caught out in a storm, you can shelter in your car as long as you can pull over safely and cut off your engine. Remember to park your vehicle on high ground when possible.

Practice electrical safety: A lightning strike can hurt a structure in many ways, but the most common way is via power surge. As the lightning travels through the home's electrical system, the wires will become overwhelmed with charge and transfer that to anything plugged into an outlet. If you can, go through the area you are in and unplug everything before a storm. 

Avoid direct contact with concrete: Concrete structures are so sturdy in part because of how they are built. As concrete is poured around metal, it creates a great structure—but also causes a concern if there is lightning nearby. The metal in concrete can disperse electricity if the building is struck by lightning, so avoid touching these surfaces directly if possible.

Stay indoors for at least 30 minutes:  If you are out enjoying the day when a storm rolls in, make sure you are not rushing back out too soon and putting yourself in danger. Lightning strikes can travel tremendous distances causing officials to urge people to stay inside for at least half an hour after the last clap of thunder. 

Contact us at any hour to learn more about our storm restoration process 

Preventing Damage During a Flood

8/6/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Midtown Memphis

Flood damage is possible in any building. While it’s certainly more common in a flood plain, any area that receives significant rainfall during a storm could experience some effects. There are ways, however, to prevent damage to your commercial building during a flood. Here are some tips for keeping your business safe and dry.

1. Build on High Ground

A great location is the best way to prevent flooding. When you are scouting for places to build, consider the relative elevation of your options. If the lowest level of your building is above flood level, it is unlikely to flood due to rising groundwater. Let gravity work in your favor whenever possible.

2. Maintain Your Property

You may not be able to choose a higher location, but you can choose to inspect your property and make timely repairs. Flood damage experts advise that you clean downspouts and gutters frequently, ridding them of debris that may cause water to pool on your roof. Check your roof, walls and foundation for cracks or other weak points where water could get in. Make sure your windows are sealed properly against outside elements.

3. Dry Proof the Building

In addition to making sure there are no vulnerable points where water can enter your building, you can prevent storm damage by actually setting up barriers to water that directs it away from your foundation. Make sure the grade around your building slopes away from its base. This helps storm water flow naturally in the other direction. You can build miniature dams to reroute the flow as well. Finally, install a sump pump in your basement to get rid of any water that does find its way in.

If you can choose the location of your building, higher ground can prevent a lot of flood damage. Even if your property is in the middle of a flood plain, however, you can still take measures to keep it from flooding.

SERVPRO is the Answer for Water Damage Cleanup and Restoration

8/6/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Midtown Memphis

Water in a business or in a home can cause serious damage to your property. This situation becomes far worse considering that the moisture creates a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and mold. This circumstance exposes the individuals to possible environmental issues.

The restoration process involves drying the housing unit, decontamination, and repairing damaged elements. A quick response when there is a case of water or flood damage is crucial for to prevent secondary damages. Here are a few steps to take when dealing with water damage: 

1) Contact the Emergency Line
Making a call to the emergency operators is recommended as the first and crucial step to ensure that lives are saved, and there is a mitigation measure against further loss of property. Details of the location and the status of the scene are crucial in ensuring an efficient restoration process.

2) Inspection and the Analysis of the Water in a Home or a Business
A professional assessment of the magnitude of the water damage in your business or home is crucial in determining the class as well as the category of destruction. Classes of water damage refer to the gravity of the water absorbed in the various parts of the structure including the extent of the damage to the exterior. The categories define the after effects on the clean water systems and the sewer systems. This information is vital in establishing the best solution to restore the property back to its original state.

3) Water Removal for a Residential or Commercial Building
The professionals then extract the water to ensure there is mitigation of secondary water damage. The removal process involves the use of high-powered suction pumps and vacuums. The possibilities of bacterial and fungal growth are reduced thanks to the rapid water cleanup, and this helps in preventing an outbreak of diseases.

4) Drying
In light of the main aim of restoration, the drying process is meant to reduce all moisture levels in the house to preloss conditions. Drying can take several weeks to be completed and once done, the dehumidification process begins. Scientific methods have been recognized to the less invasive methods adopted in today’s drying measures.

5) Cleaning
The water cleanup service involves washing the clothes, furniture, and other personal belongings. For the business situation, the cleaning would be more demanding because most of the items in the office are electronic equipment and files. Once completed, the SERVPRO professionals begin sanitizing the home or business items.

6) Restoration
The final step deals with rebuilding the home or the business back to its original condition before the flood damage. The amount of repair and replacement is contingent upon the severity of the flood damage.

We are Cleaning Experts

5/12/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

During this unprecedented time caused by the global pandemic of coronavirus, this is a reminder to our customers that we are specialist in cleaning services, and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards. 

Specialized Training

We are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis. 

The CDC encourages cleaning of the high-touch such as counter, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC's guidance for commercial include:

*Kitchen/Food Areas

* Bathrooms

* Schools/Classrooms

* Offices

* Retail Spaces

* Water fountains

* Shelving/Racks

* Sales counters

* Carpets and rugs 

* Stair handrails

* Elevator cars

* Playground equipment 

* Fitness equipment 

Specialized Products:

The CDC recommends usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to the coronavirus. Multiple products in the SERVPRO product line  the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims. While there is currently no product tested against this particular strain of the coronavirus, we are following all guidelines as provided by the CDC and local authorities.

Call today for a Proactive Cleaning 

If your home or business needs deep cleaning services, call the experts today - SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

901-454-4975

We are Cleaning Experts

5/12/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

During this unprecedented time caused by the global pandemic of coronavirus, this is a reminder to our customers that we are specialist in cleaning services, and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards. 

Specialized Training

We are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis. 

The CDC encourages cleaning of the high-touch such as counter, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC's guidance for commercial include:

*Kitchen/Food Areas

* Bathrooms

* Schools/Classrooms

* Offices

* Retail Spaces

* Water fountains

* Shelving/Racks

* Sales counters

* Carpets and rugs 

* Stair handrails

* Elevator cars

* Playground equipment 

* Fitness equipment 

Specialized Products:

The CDC recommends usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to the coronavirus. Multiple products in the SERVPRO product line  the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims. While there is currently no product tested against this particular strain of the coronavirus, we are following all guidelines as provided by the CDC and local authorities.

Call today for a Proactive Cleaning 

If your home or business needs deep cleaning services, call the experts today - SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

901-454-4975

3 Tips for Storm Preparation

5/12/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

Take these Three Precautions:

While you cannot prevent the storms themselves, though, there are several ways you can prepare for the potential flooding problems they can cause. If the forecast calls for stormy weather, take these three precautions.

1. Elevate Equipment 

Electronic equipment is particularly susceptible to flood damage if water flows into your building during storms. Any equipment, particularly on the lower levels of the building, should be elevated off the ground. That way, even if your floor is covered in a few inches of water, the equipment itself can stay clear of the floodwaters.

2. Protect Furniture

Likewise, any furniture that could be subjected to flooding should be protected. You can purchase rubber covers for the bottoms of your desks or chairs, shielding the wooden parts of the furniture from damage. Storm restoration  experts recommend elevating any piece of furniture that would be destroyed in the event of a flood off the floor, protecting it from extensive damage. You may also consider spraying fabrics with a water guard that repels moisture, protecting them from water damage and mold.

3. Shield Exteriors

The best way to protect the inside of your building from storm damage is to keep water out of it altogether. When a storm is approaching, place sand bags around the exteriors of doors and windows or any other area where water could easily enter your building. If your building is in a low-lying area that floods easily, you should also consider setting up a water barrier around the perimeter of your building to keep the flood away from its foundation. Flooding during storm season doesn't have to cause devastating damage to your commercial building.  With the proper precautions, you can protect your most sensitive equipment and maintain the structural integrity of your building.

We're Ready... Are you?

3/24/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

If you are a commercial or residential property manager you know preventative maintenance is key to avoiding a possible water, mold or fire damage loss. Here are a few tips and reminders from SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis: 

*Make random inspections of heat and air units, particularity those with external access. Specifically, look for insulation that has settles and no longer cover pipe as intended. 

* Reinspect any plumbing or external work to make sure proper installation is in place and that there are no vents where cold air can blow in. 

* Check doors, windows and heat in vacant units.

* Remind tenants of protocol for reporting any water situation and not to ignore any signs of water intrusion or leaking. Let them know you are prepared for anything that happens. 

* If you have vacancies, you should consider relocation options for renters in the event there is displacement. 

* Make sure your on-call crews are ready to roll and that there is back up. There should also be clear protocol for structural emergencies that includes calling OUR TEAM or experts here at SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis for all your water fire, and mold remediation needs. 

If you or someone you know succumbs to any type of water, fire or mold damages, give us a call 901-454-4975

How we can help with your water damage?

3/24/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

If water damage does occur in your home or commercial property, immediately call SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis 901-454-4975 for restoration services.

SERVPRO's team will:

*Assess damage for restorability and safety. 

* Determine the extent of the moisture content in effected areas.

* Move and prop up furniture on blocks if necessary. 

* Extract the water

* Remove carpets and carpet pads if necessary. 

* Spray and treat germs and bacteria in contaminated areas. 

* Start the drying process with air movers and dehumidification equipment. 

* Ensure rooms are completely dry and conduct a walk through with homeowners to guarantee customer satisfaction. 

At SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis our first question is always: is the source fixed or do you need help fixing the source? No job is to big or small for our crew of certified and highly trained experts. 

Bonfire Fun!

3/24/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

We at SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis have a few tips as we move into the summer grilling and bonfire season. 

Bonfire Tips:

1. Keep a hose or bucket of water nearby so that if an ember or spark gets outside the fire pit you can put it out. 

2. NEVER leave a bonfire unattended. 

3. Make sure everyone stays at least 3 feet away from the fire. 

4. When you are done with the bonfire, make sure the entire fire is out. Use water to spray the area down. 

5. Make sure to walk around the yard before going inside for the night. Check for any sparks or embers. 

Fun times can quickly turn into a catastrophe. We hope you have a fun and safe time having bonfires this summer. As always, we at SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis are here to help you in the event you have a fire or water damage. 

Severe Weather Safety

3/24/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

Severe weather can happen any time, anywhere. Each year, Americans cope with an average of the following:

*10,000 severe thunderstorms

* 5,000 floods or flash floods

* 1,300 tornadoes 

* 2 Land-falling deadly hurricanes

Approximately 98% off all presidential declared disasters are weather related, leading to around 650 deaths per year and nearly $15 billion in damages. Knowing your risk of severe weather, taking action, and being an example are just a few steps you can take to be better prepared to save your life and assist in saving the lives of others.  

KNOW YOUR RISK: The first step to becoming weather ready is to understand the type of hazardous weather that can affect where you live and work, and how the weather could impact you, your business, and your family. Check the weather forecast regularly, obtain a Weather Radio and learn about wireless emergency alerts. Severe weather comes in many forms, and your shelter plan should include all types of local hazards. 

TAKE ACTION: Take the next step in severe weather preparedness by creating a communicating plan for your home and business. Put together or purchase an emergency kit. Keep important papers and valuables in a safe place.

BE an EXAMPLE: Once you have taken action to prepare for severe weather, share your story with co-workers and family and friends on Facebook or on Twitter. Your preparedness story will inspire others to do the same.  

Coronavirus: Sanitation standards at SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

3/24/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

SERVPRO professionals are trained in adhering to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards. SERVPRO franchise professionals offer cleaning services, including the removal of biohazard contaminants. 

They have the specialized training and products to get your property back to business. 

About Coronavirus The CDC is responding to an outbreak of a respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China and has spread to 60 locations internationally ( as of this publication) including cases in the United States. The virus known as the Coronavirus disease 2019 (abbreviated " Covid-19') is thought to spread mainly from person to person or through respiratory droplets when an infested person coughs or sneezes. It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possible their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads. 

Understanding Damage to your Commercial Property

3/24/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

We do not want your business to have any type of damage. The bottom line is damage that has the potential to impact a residential property can also impact a commercial building. 

TYPES OF DAMAGES

*Storm: Damage caused by strong winds and heavy rain can remove roof tiles, break windows, plus more. Storm damages can be devastating and can cause delay in business. 

* Water: Water damage is typically due to burst pipes, floods, or rain. In any case, this can result in contaminated water affecting surfaces and furniture, but also mold growing and eroded belongings. Electricity and water damage quickly become volatile when combined. 

* Fire: Fire damages can result from a gas stove, faulty outlet, or candles and cigarettes that are not properly put out. This can also cause severe destruction to your property, which requires cleaning and restoration services. 

* Mold: As a highly unhygienic and unappealing, mold spreads quickly around properties as air- borne spores and remediation is very important to prevent if from rapid growth. Mold grows in any moist environment. Even that small leak under your office's bathroom sink can eventually attract mold to grow. 

If you have any questions or a problem that you are having, do not hesitate to call SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis 901-454-4975

How SERVPRO cares for your belongings during water damage restoration

3/24/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

Water damage incidents can result in widespread damages around the affected Memphis property, depending on how much water spills or how long it takes to start the restoration process. Restoration teams view the damage from a unilateral position, such as the value of the affected items or the physical traits of such materials. The homeowner may have a different perspective on the loss. 

When addressing water damage incidents here in Memphis, SERVPRO crew chief's listen to the homeowner's concerns and record them, right from arrival and throughout the restoration process. In many cases, concerns center on:

*The affect on structure materials

* The fate of Personal Belongings 

* The time needed to complete restoration

* The cost of restoration 

Water can have adverse affect on structural supports such as frames or other installations as in floors and sub-floors, especially if traces of moisture are left unaddressed during the restoration. Our SERVPRO technicians check how far the water migration reaches immediately after arriving at the loss sight. We use both penetrative and non penetrative moisture meters allowing us to inspect any section of the property without causing additional water damage.

Our SERVPRO team technicians go the extra mile to ensure any highly valued items are salvageable where possible. 

Call SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis to help manage any situation "Like it never even happened." 

901-454-4975

How Does Lightning Cause a Fire?

2/26/2020 (Permalink)

When the lightning struck the home, it blew out the wall sockets.

Most cloud- to- ground lightning strikes come from the negatively charged bottom of the cloud traveling to the positively charged ground below. These lightning strikes can cause fire and property damages. If you're the tallest object, then lighting can strike you. 

During the five-year-period of 2007-2011, NFPA estimates that U.S. local fire departments responded to an estimated average of 22,600 fires started by lightning per year. 

In this photo, a Memphis resident experienced just this. Lightning struck her home causing it to catch fire. 

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis was called in to clean the aftermath. We understand you may be feeling confuses, stressed, and more than a little vulnerable. Our technicians will treat your family with empathy and your home with great care. 

Avoiding a fire in your apartment

2/24/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

A fire in a small space, such as your apartment can spread quickly and become a deadly fire within a few minutes. Just a few precautions taken beforehand can protect you and your apartment. 

* Inspection first: Take a good look around your home to make sure all potential hazards have been identified and eliminated. 

1. Use surge protectors in place of overloaded circuits or extension cords

2. Appliance cords that are frayed or cracked are replaced immediately 

3. No cords are being extended under rugs or between rooms. 

4. Space heaters are not being used near flammable materials, such as furniture and drapery. Make sure your space heaters are always turned off when the room is empty or everyone is going to bed.

5. No matches or lighters are in reach of children. 

6. Candles and incense are never left unattended- make sure these items are far away from curtains and other flammable materials. 

*Kitchen Safety:

1. Never leave food cooking on your stove unattended

2. Keep towels and potholders away from cooking areas

3. Don't wear loosely fitted sleeves while cooking

* Smoke alarms

1. Make sure there are alarms in your apartment and that they are functioning correctly. 

How smoke impacts your home or business

2/24/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

Fire can leave your home or business devastated. Even after the fire is extinguished, soot and smoke can leave it's mark as a reminder that there was a fire. This is why it is vital that you work with your insurance company and professional restoration company. 

Soot is a black powdery substance that is produced when a fire does not completely burn. Soot attaches to surfaces leaving a dirty trail. Soot can have a impact on your HVAC system, which can recirculate into the air in your home or business. 

The combination of water and smoke creates a wet black substance, which can be a challenge to clean. It may spread further creating more damages to your property. 

The smell of smoke is not visible. It can be trapped in your furniture, draperies, clothes and carpets. 

If your property sustains smoke or soot damages from a fire, SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis is available 24/7 to help. Call today 901-454-4975

We are available 24/7/365

2/24/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

When your residential or commercial property has been impacted by water, fire or mold damage, it is crucial to respond quickly. SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You will always speak to one of our team members who will be able to guide you through the process. 

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis also works closely with many of the insurance agencies personally with the goal to make it "Like it never even happened."

 Here are a few things you can expect from our team

*Quick response. Time is money. We understand that the faster our response, there is the potential of less costly restoration.

 *Prompt arrival at the damage site. Our professionally trained technicians will be able to continue to offer support and guidance to you every step of the way. 

 *A throughout inspection and one on one communication. We take each project as if it were our property. It is important to us that we communicate with you every step of the way, providing the next steps.

Let our team help you the next time you are faced with a property disaster. 

901-454-4975

Deodorization and Getting Rid of Odors

1/21/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis Air filtration set up removing smoke odor from local Air B&B

Odors from smoke, pets, decomposition or mold can cause lingering odors in your home or business. A simple surface clean doesn't necessarily get ride of these smells. 

Technicians here at SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis provides specialized services that can rid your home or business of offensive odors. 

Our professionals do not cover up lingering odors with a fragrance; they seek out and removes the sources of the odor. Once the source is found, we use SERVPRO'S own proprietary line of cleaning products to treat and prevent the odor from returning. Any restorable item in affected areas will also be professionally cleaned and deodorized. 

Whether it's fire, water or mold damage, or just a stubborn odor that refuses to go away, SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis is here to help make it "Like it never even happened."

Give us a call today 

901-454-4975

Always be looking for water damage

1/7/2020 (Permalink)

The problem is the longer you wait after having a water damage, the more damage you are actually causing to your home or business. When you have water damage the best thing to do is shut off the water source that is causing the damage. If the damage is coming from something you are unable to cut off then you may need to contact a plumber in your area. Once this is completed then you want to call SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis to come out and assess the problem. It doesn't matter the size of the damage we will be able to help get it under control. 

Water damage can be difficult to spot but here are some signs you can look for in your home or business:

* Water rings on your ceiling or walls

* Soft or sagging on your ceiling or walls

* Wet or soggy carpets

* Warping in your wood flooring 

Commercial Cleaning Experts

1/7/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

You don't have time to worry about the common wear and tear that gradually soils your office. When grime, odor and moisture challenges go beyond the scope of your regular janitorial staff, call SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis. Whether it's removing an odor problem or deep cleaning flooring or carpets, you can rely on SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis to make your work space look it's very best. 

Your local SERVPRO franchise professionals will get the job done right and get it done quickly, because the SERVPRO Advantage includes these benefits: Award- Winning Training / Nearly 50 years of experience / Exclusive cleaning products

Specialty Cleaning Services:

*Air ducts and Hvac

* Bio-hazard

* Carpets and Upholstery

* Ceilings, Floors and Walls

*  Drapes an Blinds

* Odor Removal

* Sewage

* Trauma and Crime Scene

* Vandalism 

Latest Technology to help ensure your property is dried quickly and efficiently

1/7/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

At SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis we appreciate the professional software that SERVPRO corporate provides, especially DryBook . We use the latest technology to help ensure your home or business is dried quickly and efficiently. 

DryBook is proprietary software designed to guide our crews in the proper implementation of the ANSI/IICRC S500 Standard and Reference Guide for Water Damage Restoration. 

DryBook is a propriety tool that:

Manages industry equipment

Provides real-time documentation on the drying process

Validates that services are executed to industry- standards

Reports to all stakeholders involved 

Allows real-time updates through DryBook Mobile integration 

Using SERVPRO DryBook improves results and restores your property at a faster rate, getting you back in your home or business faster. 

Call SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis today

901-454-4975

1-4-8 Policy for your business

1/7/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

Here at SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis, our top priority is customer service. When disaster strikes in your home or business you want someone to be there in a timely manner and you want to be well taken care of. If you have experienced a water or fire loss in your business or home you know the emotions that come with it. We are here to help. We will respond promptly so that we can help you get your home or business back to "Like it never even happened."

We have a 1-4-8 policy here at SERVPRO. We have 1 hour to call you back, 4 hours to get onsite, and 8 business hours to have a verbal briefing with you or your insurance company. Our owners prioritize getting onsite quickly. SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis had made this our top priority within our business, and continue to do so to make sure that we can help you get back to how you were before the loss. 

Helping Schools

9/18/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis was called to help assist a local High School that had water flood due to overnight flash floods

Helping Schools Provide Clean, Healthy Environments for Our Children

Educational institutes can depend on their local SERVPRO Franchise Professionals for fast, thorough service in the event of a fire, water or mold damage. With 24 hour emergency response SERVPRO Franchise Professionals provide mitigation, cleanup and restoration services to reduce recovery costs and to help ensure minimal interruption to your curriculum. 

Your local SERVPRO Franchise also provides expert cleaning for emergencies or special needs exceeding routine janitorial capabilites, including stain removal, upholstery and drapery dry cleaning, indoor air quality and vandalism cleanup. 

Our Franchise Professionals are trained to clean and sanitize building materials, surfaces and contents following restoration industry standards, using professional cleaning products and EPA registered cleaners and disinfectants. 

SERVPRO - In a Class By Ourselves:

*Over 1,700 Franchise Nationwide

* Serving America Since 1967

* Trusted by Hundreds of Insurance Companies Nationwide

* Nationwide Disaster Recovery Team

*24- Hour Emergency Response 

When Severe Weather Hits Memphis Tn

9/11/2019 (Permalink)

The odds of being struck by lightning in your lifetime is 1 in 3,000.

Flooding presents a serious risk to your commercial or residential property, the occurrences of interior and coastal flooding or other intrusion events is becoming more common. It only takes 24 hours following a water intrusion before your property is in jeopardy of secondary damages. 

Severe weather can cause damages to your roof leaving your home or business vulnerable to water damage. SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis has a 24 hour emergency service. Our emergency service team is equipped to handle the following: 

Property assessment

Temporary roof repair

Debris clean up

Water clean up

Structural water dry-out

We also offer a complete reconstruction service so you can work with one contractor to make things "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis professionals are ready to address any and all damages you may have. If you experience wind and storm damage to your home or business contact our office at 901-454-4975

How to Prepare Your Business for a Fire

9/9/2019 (Permalink)

Being prepared for a business fire is an essential part of any disaster preparation plan. While a fie might seem unlikely, mistakes and unexpected things do happen. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best, and if you experience the worst, there are fire remediation solutions to get you back on your feet in no time. 

Fire Extinguishing Equipment 

For proper fire preparation, ensure you have enough fire extinguishers around the building and make sure they are updated. They should be stamped with a date, which should be less than a year old. The extinguishers must also be mounted correctly and without any obstructions around them. If your building has a hood system, it is necessary to have it inspected twice per year. If you have a sprinkler system, the sprinklers themselves should not have anything within 18 inches of them. Fire doors must also be clear and fully functioning. 

Employees

It's also important to talk about the possibilities of a business fire with your employees and make sure they are trained on what to do in potential emergency situations. Make sure they keep combustibles away from heat sources, properly use and store flammables, and know how to operate fire extinguishers and where they are located. It is not a bad idea to conduct fire drills occasionally, especially for larger businesses with many employees. 

Keep your building safe

To prevent fire damage, it is also important that other parts of the building are up to code and safe to operate, as well as clutter-free for employees to safely do their jobs. 

Electrical outlets should not have exposed wiring.
Extension cords should generally only be used as a temporary solution.
Electrical panels should have at least 36 inches of clearance.
Hallways should be clear of unnecessary trash or clutter.

Water Damage Response Tips for Property Owners

9/4/2019 (Permalink)

Even small water damages have the potential to cause serious structural and indoor air quality issues over time. The key to avoiding costly future restoration is to handle every water problem as a real threat to your property. 

These tips are for clean water situations only:

1. Shut off the water source if possible, and if it can be done safely. 

2. Remove excess water by mopping and blotting.

3. Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions for even drying. Do not put cushion covers in washing machine.

4. Place aluminum foil or wood blocks under furniture legs.

5. Hang furs and leather goods separately at room temperature. 

6. Remove oriental or other colored rugs from wet carpeting. 

7. Do not use a regular vacuum to remove water. 

8. Do not turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet, and keep out of areas where ceilings are sagging from retained water. 

9. Do not leave books, magazines or other colored items on wet carpeting. 

If you have any questions or need help to ensure your property is drying properly, contact SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis today 

901-454-4975 

SERVPRO's Disaster Recovery Team

9/4/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO's Disaster Recovery Teams were recruited to serve your policyholder's commercial large loss needs. This elite group of large loss specialist are pre-qualified and strategically positioned throughout the United States with substantial resources through a network or over 1,700 Franchises. Corporate review and communication on every file helps meet the predetermined client-specific needs. Immediate response, 24/7/365, through 1-800-SERVPRO will minimize business interruptions. 

With the ability to mobilize local command centers, along with the resources of more than 1,700 Franchises nationwide, no disaster is too big. Recent mobilizations of the Catastrophic Storm Response Teams include:

• 2017 California wildfires
• 2017 Hurricane Irma
• 2017 Hurricane Harvey
• 2016 Hurricane Matthew
• 2015 Carolina floods
• 2014 Polar Vortex
• 2012 Sandy
• 2010 Nashville floods
• 2008 Ike
• 2007 Chicago floods
• 2007 Ohio floods
• 2007 California wildfires
• 2005 Katrina/Wilma/Rita

When Fire and Water take control of your life, we help you take it back

9/4/2019 (Permalink)

Mitigation requires quick action. The faster a SERVPRO Franchise Professionals arrives on - site to perform cleanup and restoration, the better the results- including loser claim cost. 

Fire, Smoke and Soot Restoration Services include-

*Structural Cleaning- After a smoke or fire damage, ceilings, walls, woodwork, carpeting and floors will often need a thorough cleaning.

*Content Cleaning- All of the restorable contents in affected area will be professionally cleaned and deodorized

* Deodorization- SERVPRO Franchise Professionals provide specialized services that rid your home or place of business of offensive odors left by fire or smoke damage. 

Emergency Fire Damage Process Overview

* One Hour- Within one hour from notice of loss, SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis will contact you to arrange for service. 

* Four Hours- Within four hours of loss notification, a SERVPRO Franchise Professional will be on-site to start mitigation services. The key to reducing damage and saving money is to respond quickly to your damage. 

* Detailed Explanation- A trained, uniformed and equipped SERVPRO Franchise Professional will walk you though the job process step-by-step, explaining what to expect and the anticipated outcome. 

* Pretesting- SERVPRO  Franchise Professional will begin pretesting for restorability, working from the source of the damage outward. 

*Eight Hours- Within eight hours of on-site arrival, a verbal briefing of the scope will be communicated to the appropriate person, normally your adjuster or property manager

* Cleaning, Restoration & Deodorization- SERVPRO Franchise Professional  will work neatly and efficiently to help you regain control of your property when a damaging event has taken over

* Final Walk- Through- After the work has been completed, a final walk-through will be conducted with you to help ensure your satisfaction 

For more information call our office at 901-454-4975

Emergency Ready Profile

9/3/2019 (Permalink)

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 what ever happens" speaks trust to your clients and employees that in the event your business is affected by a disaster, they don't necessarily have to be. 

By developing a SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile for your business, you minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action. Knowing what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation and can help minimize how water and fire damage can affect your business. 

The SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile is a start up approach that provides the critical information needed to begin mitigation and recovery services. It is designed to serve as a quick reference of important building and contact information. By working with SERVPRO'S Emergency Ready Profile, your business can receive the benefit of over 50 years of experience in reducing the impact of any natural or man-made disaster. 

This is a no cost assessment for your facility. This means there is no need to allocate funds, giving you a great value at no cost! 

Call our office at 901-454-4975 to learn more on how to set up this profile for your facility and get prepared before disaster strikes! 

Steps You Can Take to Prevent Flooding from Heavy Rainfall

9/3/2019 (Permalink)

The biggest cause of flooding due to heavy rain is drainage issues. Once water starts pooling above or below the ground, it can seep into your home or business through the cracks or directly through the walls. If you notice pooling around your home or business you should call a professional to come in and assess the drainage around the area. Additionally, there are some actions that you can take that will help prevent flooding during a heavy rainfall 

1. Use less water during heavy rainfall- Doing simple things such as running the dishwasher, doing laundry or taking a shower will only make problems worse. The access water entering the sewer causes an increased chance of a flood or sewage backup. 

2. Clean your gutters- Although gutters are not the direct cause of flooding, they can cause pooling of water around the foundation of your home or business. 

3. Check the landscaping around your home or business- The ground around the foundation of your home or business should slope away from the property. 

4. Fix cracks and gaps in the foundation of your home or business- It is very important to fix any cracks or gaps in the foundation as soon as you can. 

5. Waterproof the foundation of your home or business- Although foundations are waterproofed when they are build, the coasting only lasts for a limited amount of time. 

6. Install a drainage system- If you seem to be having flooding problems often around the foundation of your home or business, it may be a good idea to look into installing a drainage system. 

If you have any questions about water or flooding damage, please do not hesitate to call SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis 901-454-4975

Storm Damage Cleanup and Restoration

8/13/2019 (Permalink)

When you are dealing with storm, flood, and water damage, immediate action is crucial. You should choose the company with storm damage experience and expertise that has the resources and equipment to handle the job. SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis can respond immediately to storm and flooding conditions. 

Why choose SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis?

We're Faster to Any Size Disaster : we are dedicated to responding immediately to water and storm damage emergencies. A fast response  lessens the damage, limits further damages, and reduces cost. 

We're Highly Trained Storm Specialists: As leaders in the storm and water damage industry, we have advanced training and expertise, not to mention a tremendous amount of hands on experience. We use this training and experience to quickly dry your home and restore it back to pre-storm conditions. 

We Have the Resources to Handle Storm and Disasters: We can access the resources and personnel of 1,700 Franchises to handle major storms and disasters. 

Emergency Storm Tips

8/13/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis provides 24 hour emergency services and is dedicated to being faster to any size disaster. 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

Residential Services: Whether your home needs emergency flood damage or your home packed and moved, you can depend on us. Our technicians have extensive cleaning and restoration training and can make your property look its best. 

Commercial Services: There's never a convenient time for fire or water damage to strike your 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. 

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis Faster to Any Size Disaster

8/13/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis understands the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your life and home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly me it "Like it never even happened."

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. Backed by a nationwide system of more than 1,600 qualified franchises, no damage is too large or small for SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis. 

As a locally owned and operated business, we live and work in this community too. We are close by and ready to respond immediately when you need cleaning or restoration services. We're also part of a national network of over 1,700 franchises, which allows us to respond quicker with more resources. For major storms and disaster, we can call upon special Disaster Recovery Teams for additional resources. 

SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile

5/30/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

As a leader in restoration and disaster prevention, the professionals at SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis has your business best interest.

One of the ways we are looking out for your business is through an Emergency Ready Profile. The creation of an emergency ready profile allows you to work with a qualified SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis  representative to develop a plan of action for when disaster strikes.

1. What is it?

An Emergency Ready Profile is a file created for your business that contains an emergency plan of action. This profile allows you to minimize any prolonged business interruption by ensuring that SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis is ready and prepared to help with a simple phone call.

2. How Can It Help?

The ERP helps provide you with a level of security that many businesses do not have after experiencing a Fire or Water loss. After one of our reps assess your facility, identifying a line of command, and establishing an emergency profile, you will know that when disaster strikes, a qualified professional has your back and knows just what to do and who to contact.

3. Does It Matter for Your Business?

The research doesn’t lie: After a fire or water loss many businesses — about 50 percent — have to close down. Having an Emergency Ready Profile in place allows SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis to take action immediately following a fire or water loss. By taking fast action, you can limit business interruption, meaning that you can get back to doing what you do best as quickly as possible. 

4. How Can You Get Started?

You can get started creating your emergency profile by contacting a SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis representative at 901-454-4975. Once you have initiated contact, a representative will reach out to find out the best time to schedule your facility’s free assessment.

An ERP is an excellent way to protect your business and your interests.

Did we mention that it is......FREE!

Cleaning and Maintenance

5/6/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

The appearance and condition of your physical property speaks volumes about you as a business person. When a client comes to see you in your place of business, their first impression of what you do will be what they see.

 When it comes to cleaning and maintenance, many business owners find it a challenge to make time to get it done, and that’s understandable. You are busy running your enterprise - we get it!

A professional cleaning and restoration company can sit down with you and create a schedule for routine cleaning and maintenance that will be perfect for your business. They can come in and assess what needs to be done, and then do it. No more concerns about the little things like light bulbs or dirty walkways, and if the carpet needs to be deep cleaned, they will schedule that with you and take care of it while you do what you are best at.

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis is experienced in cleaning and maintenance, and we have the expertise necessary to get the job done, and get it done right. 

Aftermath of a Storm

4/15/2019 (Permalink)

Mold grows out of tiny spores. Spores are tough enough to survive indoors or outdoors in harsh conditions. Spores can survive for years. Scientists have found ancient mold spores that could grow into mold.

Standing water and moisture can lead to mold growing in your home. Mold does not need visible water to grow. Humidity inside the home is enough. Small amounts of water vapor can help mold grow.

SERVPRO  of Midtown Memphis  knows that storm or flood damage can allow the mold spores to open up. Any dampness can lead to mold.

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis can remediate mold that grows on:

• Wood
• Paper
• Carpet
• Insulation
• Drywall
• Crawl spaces
• Attics
• Basements
• Bathrooms
• Anywhere in your home or business

The team here at SERVPRO Midtown Memphis is standing ready to help you in any way we can. We have the expertise to handle water damage and fire damage and specialize in mold remediation. If you have sustained water damage to your business or property, give us a call to

Eight Things You Need to Know About Mold

3/4/2019 (Permalink)

How much do you really know about mold?

1. There isn’t an effective way to eliminate all mold and spores in your home. The way you can control indoor mold growth is by controlling moisture in your home.
2. Fix sources of water problems or leaks to help prevent mold growth
3.  Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-60%) to decrease mold growth by:
   1. Ventilating bathrooms, dryers and other moisture-generating areas
   2. Using air conditioners and de-humidifiers
   3. Increasing air flow in your home
   4. Using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing and cleaning

1. Clean and dry damp or wet surfaces and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
2. Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely. Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles, that are moldy, may need to be replaced.
3. Reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces like windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, or floors by adding insulation.
4. In areas where there is continual moisture, such as bathrooms, do not install carpeting.
5. Mold spores can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance if moisture is present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods.

If you do have problems with mold, SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis  can help. We can find and fix sources of moisture that may have contributed to the mold problem and mitigate any mold damage. Call us at 901-454-4975 today.

5 Most Common Places a House Fire Starts

2/23/2019 (Permalink)

Taking basic precautions can help prevent fires at these five most common locations in your home

A fire can start almost anywhere in your home, but some areas are more likely to catch fire than others. America’s 350,000 annual house fires happen for many reasons—faulty electrical wiring, overheated appliances, unattended candles and fireplaces—but taking simple precautions at these five locations may prevent a fire at your home.

Kitchen

Half of all residential fires start in the kitchen due to appliances that use heat/electricity, cooking-related incidents (such as an unattended oven or stovetop), or fabric and material (a dishcloth, for example) that's too close to heat or a flame. An oven/stovetop with baked-on grease and residue can easily cause grease fires. Never leave food cooking on a stovetop unattended.

For Fire Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis 

Appliances that operate with electricity, gas or heat are potential fire hazards. Appliances 15 years or older are particularly prone to fire damage, especially if they aren't regularly cleaned, inspected and maintained. It's a good idea to only run appliances when you're at home.

• Dryers: lint, fiber and dust buildup is a primary cause of a laundry room fire. Keep vents and filters clean by removing lint after each use, and at least once a year, clean the lint from the exhaust hose at the back of the dryer.
• Dishwashers: heating elements in the dishwasher can overheat and catch fire, especially in older models.
• Microwaves: although convenient, microwaves can be dangerous if you heat food or materials that are flammable, such as aluminum foil, Styrofoam or certain plastic containers.
• Toasters/Toaster Ovens: the electrical elements inside a toaster can become faulty over time and may not turn off, which could start a fire. Crumbs can accumulate and become stuck at the bottom of the toaster, so clean it regularly. Never leave these appliances unsupervised when in use.

Bedroom

There are many potential fire hazards in bedrooms: bedding, curtains, plush items, mattresses. Mattresses made after 2007 are flame-retardant and comply with higher safety standards, so if yours is older, consider purchasing a new one. Install smoke alarms in each bedroom and make a fire escape plan that includes two ways to exit the room (usually through the door and a window).

For Fire Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis 

Chimneys and Fireplaces

Chimneys and fireplaces can develop structural problems over time, which can cause temperatures to burn too high or chimney liners to loosen or detach, which can allow burning embers and ash to escape to combustible areas in walls, attics and roofs. Keep chimneys and fireplaces cleaned and maintained, and have them inspected and professionally cleaned at least once a year or when there is a quarter-inch buildup of creosote or soot. Keep rugs, tapestries and other fabrics away from the fireplace, and always keep a spark screen in front of the fireplace.

Living Room

Like bedrooms, living rooms contain many potentially flammable items: electronics, drapes/curtains, furniture. Candles are among the leading fire hazards in living rooms. Never leave a burning candle unattended and place it away from flammable/combustible objects.

What to do until helps arrives at your fire damage

2/23/2019 (Permalink)

A fire can leave behind soot, smoke damage and a host of other problems. Ceilings, walls, woodwork, carpeting, and floors will often need thorough professional cleaning. If your home or business suffers a fire, it is important to take the appropriate steps to prevent further damage until your local SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis arrives. The following tips may help reduce damage and increase chances of a successful restoration.

DO:

-Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpet.

-Keep hands clean. Soot on hands can further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork. n Place dry, colorfast towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas.

-If electricity is off, empty freezer/ refrigerator completely and prop doors open to help prevent odor.

-Wipe soot from chrome kitchen/ bathroom faucets, trim and appliances, then protect these surfaces with a light coating of lubricant.

-If heat is off during winter, pour RV antifreeze in sinks, toilet bowls, holding tanks and tubs to avoid freezing pipes and fixtures.

-Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers to stop particles of soot from getting in or out of the HVAC system.

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

2/23/2019 (Permalink)

We are proud to serve our local communities

We Answer the Phone Ready to Help – Call Today at 901-454-4975

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 Midtown Memphis 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.

Some questions that one of our representatives will ask you, include:

• 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)?

Smoke and Soot Cleanup

2/23/2019 (Permalink)

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage? Call Us Today – 901-454-4975

Smoke and soot is very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allow 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 Midtown Memphis 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.

Be Prepared for an Emergency

1/10/2019 (Permalink)

Water Damage with Commercial Property

There’s never a convenient time for flooding or water damage to strike your business. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.

• 24 Hour Emergency Service
• Faster to Any Size Disaster
• A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry with over 1,700 Franchises
• Highly Trained Water Damage Restoration Specialists

Water Damage or Flooding? Call Us Today 901-454-4975

Commercial Water Restoration Presents Unique Challenges

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis has the training, experience, and equipment to handle large commercial flooding or water damage emergencies. Whether your water emergency occurs in a small office building or big box store, we will respond quickly to mitigate the damage and manage the restoration project through to its completion. 

• Water Damage Restoration Technician
• Applied Structural Drying Technician
• Odor Control Technician
• Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning Technician

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis can respond immediately to your commercial water damage emergency regardless of the size or scope of the damage. We are part of a national network of over 1,600 Franchises with special Disaster Recovery Teams placed strategically throughout the country to respond to large scale events and disasters.

Preparing your Commercial Building for Fire Damage

1/10/2019 (Permalink)

Preparing your Commercial Building for Fire Damage

Is your building prepared for a fire emergency? Fire is a serious risk to the safety of any business, threatening to cause extensive damage to the premises and endanger staff and other people that are on site when a fire breaks out.

Keeping your business prepared for a fire emergency is an important part of being a responsible employer. Being prepared for a serious fire reduces the risk of extensive damage to your building and make staff and emergency rescue workers safer.

In this post, we’ll share three standards that your building should meet in order to become more prepared against the threat of a serious fire. Is your building entirely ready to deal with a serious, unexpected fire breaking out?

 Being fire safe once and lapsing isn’t an option – it’s important to be prepared for a fire emergency at all times.

It’s also important that your building exceeds the fire code’s requirements if you see it as being a potentially risky environment. View the fire code as a minimum level to meet and aim to exceed its requirements to make your building safer for occupants.

Install heat and smoke venting to make firefighting easier

If you own a large commercial or industrial building, installing heat and smoke vents can significantly improve its safety in the event of a large fire breaking out. Heat and smoke vents prevent smoke and heat from being trapped inside your building.

This means that heat can vent out of your building, reducing its interior temperature and preventing fire from spreading laterally throughout the building. Vents also let smoke escape your building, reducing the risk of fatalities from smoke inhalation.

Effective venting also improves visibility inside your building, allowing people to get out of your building in the event of a fire more easily. This increased visibility allows firefighters to more easily navigate your building to extinguish a serious fire.

Finally, heat and smoke venting lets firefighters easily locate the center of a fire in a building. This allows them to respond quicker and start fighting the fire effectively, potentially saving lives and reducing total damage to your building.

Apply extra caution if your building contains flammable materials

Buildings that contain flammable materials such as fuel or materials that burn at a rapid rate need to apply extra caution in dealing with fire. Responding quickly can save lives and prevent flammable materials from contributing to a fire’s spread.

This preparation can involve installing heat and smoke vents to prevent fire from spreading laterally throughout your building, using a more effective alarm system or simply by exceeding the fire code in every respect.

With the right level of monitoring and response, it’s possible to respond to a fire in a tiny amount of time, potentially saving lives and preventing a small fire from turning into a larger, far more dangerous one.

Is your commercial or industrial building as fire safe as it could be?

Being prepared for a fire emergency is an important part of running a responsible, safe and trustworthy business. If a fire were to break out in one of your company’s buildings, would you be fully prepared and ready to respond to it safely?

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 your business is affected by a disaster, they don’t necessarily have to be.

By developing a SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile for your business, you minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action. Knowing what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation and can help minimize how water and fire damage can affect your business.

Give us a call here at SERVPRO Midtown Memphis  at (901)454-4975 for any questions or to plan your Emergency Ready Plan

Faster To Any Size Disaster

1/10/2019 (Permalink)

24 Hour Emergency Service

Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis  provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays. You can expect an immediate response time, day or night.

Need Emergency Service? Call Us 24/7 – 901-454-4975

Faster to Any Size Emergency

In many cleaning and restoration situations, immediate action is needed. With over 1,700 U.S. and Canadian Franchise locations, SERVPRO is strategically positioned to be faster to any size emergency. An immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs.

Water is particularly invasive, quickly spreading throughout your property and being absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, etc. SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately.

Water Damage Timeline

Within Minutes

• Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path.
• Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery, and 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 begin 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.

Commercial Water Damage

1/10/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

If water damage strikes your business at any time SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis  has the trained technicians and skilled knowledge to clean the disaster up "Like it never even happened." Fast response is the key to minimizing the loss in water damage jobs. Water starts to evaporate on its own if the cleanup process doesn't start immediately. The air absorbs the evaporated water and redistributes the moisture to other items like ceiling tiles and drywall. The result is secondary damage that can dramatically increase the claims cost. Some examples include:

• Mold spores start to colonize
• Hardwood floors start to buckle
• Plaster and sheetrock sag and crack 
• Vinyl loosens from the floor

If you have any water damage you can call us at (901)454-4975 or check out more on our website at http://www.SERVPROofmidtownmemphis.com

Storm Response Program

1/10/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis has joined the Storm Response Program that is in place throughout the Unites States to assist in times of major disaster. The Storm Response program is four geographically based teams of franchises that is capable of managing catastrophic events from small local microbursts to massive hurricane responses that handle thousands of incidents that bring in hundreds of tons of equipment and even thousands of crews. Storm Team members are committed to being in a constant state of readiness to respond in a storm affected area.

Our staff receives extensive training and spends significant time planning and preparing on a regular basis.  Our dedicated, professional staff responded and were onsite within 24 hours of receiving the call.

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis is constantly reviewing prior storm events to determine how we can improve our response and capabilities. We have dedicated supplies, equipment, vehicles and a Storm Response trailer in our fleet that is stocked with supplies that are dedicated to a quick and efficient response.

What to do until SERVPRO Arrives!

9/2/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

If you have a water damage from a clean source such as water supply lines, sink overflows, tub overflows, or appliance malfunctions, here are some things to do before SERVPRO arrives.

• Shut off the source of the water.

• Turn off circuit breakers for wet areas of the building if the access panel is safe from electrical shock.

• Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting

• Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removing lamps and tabletop items

• Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions for even drying

• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting

• Remove to a safe, dry place any paintings, art objects, computers, documents and other materials that are valuable or sensitive to moisture.

• Use wooden clothespins to keep furniture skirting off damp floors

• Hang draperies with coated hangers to avoid contact with wet carpeting or floors

We're available and can respond 24/7/365. Please call 901-454-4975

Camp Fire Safety

8/30/2018 (Permalink)

Anyone out there been camping? I love it! It is easy to get caught up in the love of nature and forget about some important details. So here are a few tips to keep your camping experience safe.

• Tip #1: Don’t build a fire under low trees.
• Tip #2: Don’t leave the fire burning without someone watching it.
• Tip #3: Put the flames and coal out completely before going to bed. Remember only you can prevent a forest fire.

About SERVPRO Midtown Memphis

SERVPRO Midtown Memphis understands the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your life and home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO Midtown Memphis  specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage. SERVPRO Midtown Memphis can also mitigate mold and mildew from your home or business.

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. With a nationwide system of qualified franchises, no damage is too large or too small for SERVPRO Midtown Memphis

If you would like to schedule service for your home or business, please call us today at 901-454-4975

Serving you since 1967, SERVPRO is the cleaning and restoration brand you know and trust.

Insurance and Payment Information

For a stress-free claims process, SERVPRO works with your insurance to help manage the insurance process and paperwork.

Your Belongings and Storm Damage

8/28/2018 (Permalink)

Storm and water damage affects not only the structure of your house but also your belongings. SERVPRO Midtown Memphisunderstands that your home is more than a structure; your family’s furniture, clothing, keepsakes, and other belongings help transform a house into a home.

If You Have Questions or Need Help, Call Us Today – 901-454-4975

Contents Restoration

SERVPRO Midtown Memphis specializes in restoring contents damaged by storms and other water damage events. Our expertise and our “restore” versus “replace” mentality can help you save money while preserving precious keepsakes that can’t be replaced. We pretest your contents to determine what items can be restored back to their condition before the water damage. We utilize several methods of cleaning your contents, including

Dry Cleaning - Used for cleaning light residues or to pre-clean prior to cleaning.

• Wet Cleaning - An effective cleaning method for removing moderate to heavy residues.
• Spray and Wipe -Effective for items that can’t withstand cleaning.
• Foam Cleaning - Used for upholstery fabrics that might shrink or bleed if cleaned.
• Abrasive Cleaning - Involves agitation of the surface being cleaned. 
• Immersion Cleaning - Contents are dipped into a bath of the cleaning product.

Move-Outs/Pack-Outs

If your home requires extensive restoration or cleaning, SERVPRO Midtown Memphis  can conduct an organized, efficient move-out of the affected area. A move-out will provide several benefits, including:

•  A quicker remodeling process
•  Protecting items from potential damage
•  Protecting contents from further on-site damage

When restoration is completed, we will work with you to coordinate the move-in according to your needs. The services offered upon move-in may depend on your insurance coverage.

Electronic Cleanup

Water-damaged electronics can present a serious hazard. Do not attempt to turn on or operate any electrical device that you suspect has been damaged by water. We will coordinate the restoration of your electronics, including:

•  Television sets
•  DVD players
•  Computers
•  And more

The key to restoring electronics is taking prompt action to prevent further damage. We start by cleaning the exterior of electronic devices to help stop further corrosion and damage. Electronics will be cleaned and inspected by a qualified electronics technician

Document / Photograph Drying

When your valuable documents, including photographs, are damaged by water, extreme caution should be taken to help ensure the water damage does not destroy the document. Although some documents may not be restored to pre-water damage condition, SERVPRO Midtown Memphis can save a great deal and help minimize additional damage. 

Depending on the type of documents and the level of water damage, we have five options for the restoration of documents:

• Air Drying
• Dehumidification
• Freezer Drying
• Vacuum Freeze Drying
• Vacuum Thermal Drying

Water Damage Timeline

8/27/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

Flooding and water damage is very invasive. SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs.

Within Minutes

• Water quickly spreads throughout the property, saturating everything in its path
• Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery, and 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 begin 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 may 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 Midtown Memphis

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis  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. Give us a call if you have any questions (901-454-4975)

How Water Damage Affects Carpeting in Your Memphis Home

8/24/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

When a pipe bursts or water enters your Midtown Memphis home through faulty roofing, the water will follow gravity as it flows into your home. If your home has carpeting, it is important to know how water damage can occur in the event of a water disaster. Carpet fibers are porous so water can soak into the material and hold moisture. If carpeting gets saturated, glues can weaken causing the backing to peel away from the fibers.

Padding and Subfloors Can Also Be Affected

Carpet can also hold in moisture causing microbes to develop on the surface of the subfloor underneath. When mitigating water damage in Midtown Memphis, our SERVPRO technicians take extra measures to save carpeting materials. When the padding underneath the carpet gets wet, it can disintegrate and fall apart. Pad often gets removed and replaced since it is typically inexpensive to install.

How moisture is removed

We follow a water repair process that is proven to work and do not cut corners to save time at your expense. The first step in removing moisture from carpet is to extract it using specialized equipment. Either a portable or truck-mounted extractor gets used to pull water into a disposal tank. Industrial strength wands are applied to the wet carpet and are connected to the water extraction equipment. Extracted water travels from the extractor to the truck mounts where it is kept until properly drained elsewhere,

After extraction is completed, drying equipment gets set up to dry out the carpet inside your apartment. Air movers push air in a circular motion speeding up the evaporation process. Dehumidifiers then get utilized to pull moisture out of the environment and lower the property's relative humidity.

In some cases, the carpet gets extremely wet and the subfloor underneath also gets affected by moisture. In situations like these, our SERVPRO water damage restoration technicians pull up the carpet and place an air mover underneath it to float the flooring material drying the floor covering from underneath while drying the wooden subfloor at the same time. Once moisture levels in both affected elements return to what they were before the loss occurred, the air movers get removed.

Professional Water Damage Services

Before we finalize the project we use carpet tools to put the material back into the same condition, it was before drying procedures took place. The last step usually involves cleaning the carpeting with disinfectant solutions. If you ever need help dealing with wet floors, call SERVPRO Midtown Memphis at 901-454-4975 24 hours a day.

What to do when you home or office floods

8/20/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

A flooded home is a devastating event for any homeowner. It has the ability to ruin many of your possessions in addition to your property itself. Due to the fact that water damage can quickly become permanent if not addressed as soon as possible, if you do suffer flood damage to your home, it’s important that you call the professionals at SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis to help restore the home. However, there are some things that you can do before they arrive. Here are some things you can do immediately after a flood to start the restoration process.
 
Call Your Insurance Agent
Regardless of how bad a flood has hit your home, it’s likely done some significant damage to some of your possessions and to the structure of your home. Soon after you recognize the damage, you should call your insurance agent. Most water damage in the home is covered by homeowner’s insurance policies but you’ll want to contact them to make sure as there could be exclusions.
 
Check Before Entering Home
Before you re-enter your home after flood damage, check for any structural damage that may have occurred. Severe flooding or water damage has the ability to compromise the integrity of the structure. If you enter the home without closely inspecting what you’re walking into, the building could potentially collapse, trapping you inside. Once you’ve entered the home, you should be very careful about where you’re walking, especially if you’re moving from carpeting onto a hard surface.
 
Document Evidence
Once you have entered the home, document the evidence of that damage that has been done by taking photos of it. If there are any questions, particularly by your insurance company about the validity of your claim, you’ll have evidence to show them. While you document the damage, save any items that you can. Some items, such as porous materials, may have been damaged beyond repair. When the SERVPRO crew arrives to restore the home, they’ll save as many items as possible. But if there are items that have not been damaged, you can take them out to avoid any further potential damage.
 
Take Inventory
While you’re examining the damage that has occurred in your home, make a list of the damage or lost items in the home. Make sure to include the date they were purchased and their value with any receipts you may have. Store that list with any inventory of your possessions that you may have taken before the flood. If any of your possessions must be disposed of, which some may, make sure you have photographs of the items.
 
Turn Off Power
After the flood damage occurs, turn off all power, especially to the affected rooms. Also refrain from using any electrical appliances as you could electrocute yourself if you’re standing in water. Keep the power to the home off until an electrician can come and thoroughly inspect the system to ensure it’s safe to turn back on again.
 
Prevent Mold
Mold thrives in environments where moisture is present which makes flooded parts of a house ideal for mold growth. The existence of mold in a home can be hazardous so it’s important to prevent the mold from growing if at all possible. Removing any wet contents from the home as soon as possible will help to prevent such mold growth around the home.
 
Proper Protection
Regardless of how well you think you can clean up after a flood, you should call the professionals at SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis  to ensure that as much of your property is salvaged as possible. But if you do decide to start the cleanup process before they arrive, it’s important that you are properly attired. Wear long sleeves, pants, gloves, and boots when dealing with flood water to ensure your safety.
 
If you suffer flood damage in your home, you should contact the professionals at SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis  to clean up. But if you want to get the process started prior to their arrival, these tips will help you remain safe.

Are you Prepared for a power outage?

8/9/2018 (Permalink)

Photo of a first aid kid

Ready Kit

You may need to survive on your own after an emergency. This means having your own food, water and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least 72 hours. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours or it might take days. Depending on the nature of the disaster road conditions may prevent help from arriving in a timely manner. 

Additionally, basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment and telephones may be cut off for days or even a week, or longer. Your supplies kit should contain items to help you manage during these outages.  If the power goes out keep your pipes from freezing by shutting off the valve that allows water to come into your home. Then, open any drain valves and all faucets and let them run until the pipes are empty (it's helpful to identify these valves in advance). Next, flush all toilets and pour denatured alcohol into toilets and sinks to prevent water in the traps from freezing. Do NOT use automotive antifreeze in case there's trouble with your water system; you don't want the antifreeze to contaminate your drinking water. You may, however, use nontoxic antifreeze that's made for winterizing motor homes.

Be prepared for a power outage by keeping necessary items centrally located in your home. Take the time to ensure that everyone in your family is aware of the "kit." Periodically check your kit to see that batteries operate properly. The following is a list of items that are suggested to keep on hand:

1.     Flashlights for each family member

2.     Battery-operated radio and clock

3.     Extra batteries

4.     Containers of bottled water

5.     Canned, freeze-dried or dehydrated food, powdered milk, baby supplies for infants

6.     Non-electric can opener

7.     List of important phone numbers

8.     First-aid kit

Following a disaster, there may be power outages that could last for several days. Stock canned foods, dry mixes and other staples that do not require refrigeration, cooking, water or special preparation. Be sure to include a manual can opener and eating utensils. The following items are suggested when selecting emergency food supplies. You may already have many of these on hand.

•Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food.

•Choose foods your family will eat.

•Remember any special dietary needs.

•Avoid foods that will make you thirsty.

•Choose salt-free crackers, whole grain cereals and canned foods with high liquid content.

•Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables and a can opener

•Protein or fruit bars

•Dry cereal or granola

•Peanut butter

•Dried fruit

•Nuts

•Crackers

•Canned juices

•Non-perishable pasteurized milk

•High energy foods

•Vitamins

•Food for infants

•Comfort/stress foods

These and many other helpful tips are available at ready.gov Here is the link to winter tips for before during and after a winter storm  When winter weather strikes the Winston Salem area knowing what to do until SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis arrives will make a difference.  Call us directly at 901-454-4975

"Like it never even happened."

What is black mold

8/8/2018 (Permalink)

Mold growing up a wall

With so many articles about toxic black mold in the news, you may be wondering exactly what it is and if you should be worried about it. You may even be in a panic because you’ve found mold growing in your home. The good news is that the mold in your home is probably not the type of mold that’s toxic. The bad news is that if you have any type of mold growth in your home, you may want to call a mold remediation  specialist in Midtown Memphis TN, to begin cleanup. Whether it’s a species toxic to human health or not, mold can do extensive damage to your house

The Low Down on Mold

Mold is a type of fungus, which means it’s a distant cousin to yeast and mushrooms. There are over 100,000 species of mold, and many of them are black. Of course, not all of these are likely to grow in your home. However, of the four most common types of mold to be found inside your house, half of them (species of Alternaria and Cladosporium) are likely to be black. The highly toxic species of black mold, Stachybotrys chartarum, isn’t rare, but it is less common than other household molds.

Why It Thrives

Stachybotrys chartarum, like all mold, thrives in places that are damp. Mold spores are found everywhere, so if you have areas in your home that are consistently moist, spores can land there and grow into a visible colony. This can be a damp corner of a poorly ventilated bathroom, the wall below a leaky window or a basement where groundwater is seeping through the concrete. To keep your home free of mold, follow the following tips to prevent excess moisture.

• Repair leaks
• Do regular maintenance on plumbing
• Keep indoor humidity below 50%
• Ventilate rooms

What To Do If You Have Mold

If you find mold growing in your home, don’t attempt to clean it up yourself. If it is Stachybotrys chartarum a mold removal service in Midtown Memphis, TN, can ensure that the cleanup is done quickly and efficiently while keeping your family safe.

Kitchen Safety: Don't get distracted

8/7/2018 (Permalink)

A pan on fire on the stove burner

Everyday the number one cause of a house fire is from cooking. Unfortunately, fires caused by cooking can be the most smelly and difficult to mitigate. 

Without a doubt the majority of fires we see at SERVPRO, started in the kitchen. We’ve got some tips to make sure that the only thing that could be burning in that kitchen is this evening’s dinner – and we can’t help you with that one.

• Before you leave the kitchen, double-check that the over and burners have all been turned off. Most fires happen because the person doing the cooking gets distracted and forgets that they are cooking.
• Keep all paper towels, pot holders and kitchen towels away from the burners.
• In the event that things do get a little out of hand be sure to have a fire extinguisher handy for most kitchen fires. If you’re dealing with a grease fire – baking soda is your best bet.

If the fire is small, cover the pan with a lid and turn off the burner. Throw lots of baking soda or salt on it. Never use flour, which can explode or make the fire worse. Smother the fire with a wet towel or other large wet cloth. 

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 901-454-4975

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis 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.

Recovering Your business from Water Damage

8/7/2018 (Permalink)

Commercial Water Damage Events creates Challenges

Flooding and water damage events at Midtown Memphis  commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large scale event, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. In many instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility

Restoring Commercial Properties Presents Unique Challenges

Our professionals are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a 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.

When Storms or Floods hit Midtown Memphis, SERVPRO is ready!

8/1/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis specializes in storm and flood damage restoration.  Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.

When widespread damage occurs to an area, a local restoration  company may not be able to make an assessment shortly after the disaster. Unfortunately, a slow response can cause a property to acquire more issues, such as mold growth, structural damage and more. With a large loss response, however, professionals can quickly assess a property, and after a thorough assessment, experts can assist in preventing additional damage and can begin restoration.

Faster Response: Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.

Heat Safety

7/31/2018 (Permalink)

It is hot out there! And the hottest part of summer is yet to come. Here at SERVPRO we worry about our crews, but we also worry about you. That’s why we want to share some tips for those of you who are out working in the heat.

• Tip #1: Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Drink about half your body ounces in water and remember to hydrate and stay hydrated, days in advance
• Tip #2: Try to stay out of the sun in the hottest part of the day but if you must work in the sun choose lightweight clothing including hats and sunglasses.
• Tip #3: Don’t forget to use sunblock.

We hope you’ve enjoyed these heat safety tips. And remember, when the unexpected happens call SERVPRO Midtown Memphis

Restoring Your Commercial property after a water damage

7/27/2018 (Permalink)

Flooding and water damage events at Midtown Memphis commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we're dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large scale event, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. In many instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.

SERVPRO Midtown Memphis

7/26/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis 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.

SERVPRO's call center operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The call center staff is trained in IICRC Standards and emergency mitigation.

The call center staff confirms the quick dispatch of an emergency team to your home or business to start the emergency mitigation process. 

SERVPRO's call center staff follow-up is designed to deliver customer satisfaction and a comprehensive electronic file when the project is complete. 

With top of the line equipment and time tested cleanup and restoration techniques, SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis has the expertise to help make your house or business back to "Like it never even happened." 

"What about your stuff"

10/31/2017 (Permalink)

Having to deal with a fire at your home or business is bad enough. Seeing your belongings afterward can be devastating. SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis is here to help! We aren't magicians, but we can work some magic. We can't un-melt anything, however, we are restoration specialists. 

Many things considered unsalvageable can be saved! At SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis, we take care of your property and your belongings. When necessary, we are trained and equipped to pack and transport your belongings to our facility for cleaning and storage while your property is being restored. Anything that we cannot save will be boxed and labeled for your inspection. All salvageable items will be returned to you "Like it never even happened."

Restoring Your Memphis Business After A Water Damage Event

11/1/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

Flooding and water damage events in Memphis businesses are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large-scale event, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. In many instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.

Restoring Commercial Properties Presents Unique Challenges

Our professionals are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.

About SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis 

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a 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.

When Storms or Floods hit Memphis, SERVPRO is ready

11/1/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Midtown Memphis

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis specializes in storm and flood damage restoration.  Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition. 

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.

Resources to Handle Floods and Storms

When storms hit Memphis, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today (901)454-4975

"Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

Memphis Residents: Follow These Mold Safety Tips If You Suspect Mold

11/1/2016 (Permalink)

If you see visible mold, do not disturb it. You can inadvertently spread the mold infestation throughout your home. When mold is disturbed, the mold can release microscopic mold spores which become airborne and can circulate inside your home or business.

What to Do:

• Stay out of affected areas.
• Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
• Contact SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis for mold remediation services.

What Not to Do:

• Don’t touch or disturb the mold.
• Don’t blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth.
• Don’t attempt to dry the area yourself.
• Don’t spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold

Cleaning mold, when found, should be done very carefully in order not to spread it to other areas that may not have a mold issue. Cleaning mold by the homeowner should only be done if the area is very small, and never with bleach. Bleach can only change the color of the mold, leaving you a false sense of safety.

SERVPRO professionals are trained and ready to take on any mold remediation projects at home and businesses. 

Faster to your Memphis Water Disaster

11/1/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

Faster To Any Size Disaster

Flooding and water damage is very invasive. Water quickly spreads throughout your home or business and gets absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, and more.  SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs. 

Water damage can have many sources, from loose appliance hoses to natural disasters.

Regardless of the source SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis can handle any size disaster. 

*Flooding and storm damage

*Leaking appliances, water heaters, plumbing, ect

*Overflowing toilets, bathtubs, and sinks

* Flooded basements

* Tornadoes and thunderstorms

* Hurricanes and tropical storms

* Sewage backups

* Flooding from firefighting efforts 

Memphis Smoke and Soot Cleanup

11/1/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Midtown Memphis

Fire damage, including smoke and soot, affects not only the structure of your house but also your belongings. SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis understand your family's furniture, clothing, keepsakes, and other belongings are the very things that make a house a home.

When a fire emergency strikes, the damage can often feel overwhelming. SERVPRO can help ease the worry and confusion during the recovery process by offering our Contents Claim Inventory Service which provides a detailed and accurate list of your belongings.

Our content claim inventory services include:

*Preloss list and value of contents

*Detailed and accurate report

*Better infromation to settle claims quicker

*Assistance with burden of proof for claims

*Peace of mind when you need it the most

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 Midtown Memphis 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:

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- (901)454-4975

Our Highly Trained Restoration Specialists can restore your Home or Office

10/19/2016 (Permalink)

We are an IICRC Certified Firm

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis is an IICRC firm. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.

IICRC Certified Firms must

• Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.

• Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.

• Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.

• Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.

• Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.

The IICRC Develops The Standards For The Restoration Industry

The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals.

Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.

About SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis

SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis 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 and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: 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.