What Happens After a Fire

2/4/2021 (Permalink)

Damage Resulting From Fire

Often after a fire, there is a noticeable odor and structure and contents appearance. The sights and smells can be overwhelming and the feeling something needs to be done can be overwhelming. This is where a thoughtful reaction can save time and money. SERVPRO of Fayetteville is trained to respond to and restore your home or business to a preloss condition. 

If emergency services by fire and rescue are required SERVPRO of Fayetteville will begin services once access is permitted.  

The number one priority is safety. Certain hazards may be present. Individuals entering the structure and see what has happened should be aware of the damages and how this may have affected the structure. Overhead objects (ceiling, fixtures) may be compromised as well as flooring stability. Air quality may have been affected by the fire and resulting methods to extinguish the fire. Respiratory protection may be required in the initial stages of cleaning and deodorization. 

If the structure is safe to enter and cleaning and deodorization services have not begun there are a few tips to observe to prevent additional damage. SERVPRO of Fayetteville can provide a brochure with the following information in addition to other suggestions for water, vandalism, and harmful waste suggestions. 

*To prevent affecting areas not affected by the loss limit movement. Soot and affected water can be tracked throughout the house.                         *If electricity is turned off, prop open freezer and refrigerator doors.                                              *Turn off HVAC system. This can prevent spreading soot throughout the house.                   *Wear disposable gloves to prevent transferring soot to other surfaces.                                        *Certain methods are required for washing walls. SERVPRO of Fayetteville will provide this service.      *Do not consume food products as they may be contaminated.                                                    *Contact your pharmacist concerning medications before taking.                                                     *Wash clothing or send to laundry. There are specific methods for cleaning and deodorizing textiles. 

SERVPRO of Fayetteville is trained and prepared to assist with any size fire loss. 

Cleaning Contents After a Fire

2/3/2021 (Permalink)

Coffee Table Affected by Soot

There are several factors to consider when cleaning contents affected by residue generated by a fire. What was the source of the fire (what has burned), what times were affected (furniture, dishes, paintings, ceramics, etc.), the temperature of the fire, and the length of time (dwell time) since the fire occurred? 

The number one priority is personal safety. Indoor air quality is often affected by the fire results. Consider wearing gloves, respiratory protection, and disposable outerwear to prevent carrying soot to areas outside of the loss site. If you are displaced until mitigation is complete you may carry soot to your temporary residence. Remember to protect yourself and prevent spreading soot to other areas. 

Sources are often considered "wet" (petroleum-based, plastics, vegetable cooking oil, or animal-based cooking oil.) This soot is often sticky and may stain contents. "Dry" soot is often plant-based, or cellulose-based. Examples include paper, wood, certain furniture components. These are often easier to remove from surfaces, and are less likely to stain. Both "wet' and "dry" soot may have a strong odor. 

The longer the soot remains on surfaces the potential for damage increases. SERVPRO of Fayetteville provides emergency services to reduce damages to contents. 

Content material affects how well an item will clean, deodorize and not retain a stain. Porous materials (fabric, books, paper, unfinished drywall, paintings) are more receptive to soot and may prove more difficult to mitigate. Semi-porous materials (unfinished wood, plastics) often respond better to cleaning. Non-porous materials (glass, ceramics, metals, sealed wood) respond to mitigation with the least amount of residual effects. 

Contents are often removed (packed-out) from the affected structure to an off-site facility allowing more effective cleaning processes. SERVPRO of Fayetteville does utilize pack-out processes to ensure the best results.

Cleaning agents are an important aspect for successfully mitigating affected contents. SERVPRO of Fayetteville uses specific cleaning agents designed for the services provided which are EPA Registered.

Tip: Wear gloves when handling porous items to prevent staining the item. Your natural oils on your hands will set the stain in porous materials. Sometimes these stains are permanent. 

Did you Know That Smoke From Candles is Toxic?

5/6/2020 (Permalink)

Candles

The cheapest and most widely used candle is made of paraffin—which is derived from petroleum. When burned, it releases a toxin called toluene, which has been found to cause DNA strand breakdown, affecting the nervous system.

Smoke from candles is actually soot. Smoke is just soot and other particulates carried on the hot air rising off the flame. When you put the top on a jarred candle and trap the smoke, it cools. And, the particulates in the candle settle onto the candle and the inside walls of the jar.

If you notice your candle is burning lots of black smoke, cut the wick. It is recommended that cut your wicks down to no longer than 0.6 cm

Fireplaces, cigarettes and the burning of candles can all result in soot stains on walls. Though soot collects on other surfaces in the home, soot stains are easy to spot on light-colored walls. Aside from being unattractive, soot can create a health hazard.

In general, candles won’t set off your smoke alarm. However, they can cause a fire. 

Taking Preventative Measures Against Fires.

5/1/2020 (Permalink)

Spring Cleaning and Fire Safety

Spring Cleaning is upon us! And though deep cleaning floors and dusting shelves are important, don’t forget about fire safety. Below are some ways for you to do some preventative cleaning in your own home.

Replace batteries in your home.

Start with replacing the batteries in your Smoke Detectors, Carbon Monoxide Detectors and Flashlights.

Clean dryer vents routinely.

Other than routinely cleaning your lint filter out before and after loads, you should also be making sure that the outdoor dryer flaps are not blocked by build-up, animal nests, etc.

Check on any extension cords.

Check to make sure that extensions cords are not overloaded as they aren’t meant to be permanently used. This is also a good time to make sure that none of your cords are frayed or cracked. Replace where needed.

Propane/charcoal grills should remain outside.

Your propane/charcoal grill should be stored and used outside only. Make sure that grill is routinely cleaned. And most importantly, make sure someone is always tending the grill.

Clean up leaves and trash from around house.

Make sure to clean up dead leaves and trash from around your house. These items may be dangerous if exposed to heat.

Process of Fire Restoration

3/2/2020 (Permalink)

When it comes to fire damage, preparation is the key.

The first 48 hours after a fire often can be the difference between "restoring" vs. "replacing" your property and/or personal items. SERVPRO of Birmingham provides timely response with restoration services ranging from fire, smoke, and soot removal, to content claims inventory and document restoration.

If you have experienced fire damage in your home or business, here is what to expect from us:

One Hour: Within one hour from notice of loss, a priority responder will contact you.

Four Hours: Within four hours of loss notification, our certified technicians will be onsite to assess the damage.

Eight Hours: Within eight hours of on-site arrival, certified technicians will be working neatly and efficiently to clean, restore, and deodorization. Pre-cleaning for restoration, to prevent any further damage from soot and smoke.

Detailed Explanation: A trained and uniformed technician will walk you through the job process step-by-step, explaining what to expect and the anticipated outcome. We then use state-of-the-art restoration techniques to ensure your home or business is back to normal in an appropriate timeframe.

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

Smoke and Soot Damage

2/18/2020 (Permalink)

Smoke and Soot Damage can cause a long-lasting odor in your home

Smoke and soot can cause hidden damage and odor. Our Production Techs are experts when it comes to smoke damage who can accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a plan of action.   Facts about Smoke and Soot

• 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 Did you know there are actually different types of smoke? There is what is called wet smoke and dry smoke! Check out the two types below in more detail. 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. 

Fire Safety for Pets

2/18/2020 (Permalink)

Our pets need safety too

Pets can be considered family, too!

At any given moment, a fire emergency can take place in the Fayetteville area or abroad, and though unexpected; it can be beneficial to already have a plan in place for everyone in your home to evacuate and meet in a safe location. While you should always be most focused on keeping yourself and your family safe, you can also spend some time on pet preparation so that you can have a better chance of getting your pets out of danger as well. You can be better prepared to keep your pets safe during a fire emergency by following these safety tips:

Practice Evacuating 

In the confusion caused by a fire, it can be hard to think of everything you need to do right away. If you have a plan in place and practice it a few times, you can be better prepared to handle a fire emergency. This can not only be helpful for pet safety, but also for the safety of everyone in your household. 

Notice Where Your Pets Are 

An important part of the planning process can be noticing where your pets usually spend their time. It can be especially helpful to note where they hide when frightened. You don’t want to put yourself at risk by spending too much time searching for your dog or cat during a fire emergency, but you can be better prepared to get yourself and your pets out as soon as possible by having a checklist of areas you can look. 

Keep Collars and Leashes Handy

Fires can be especially frightening to pets. By keeping their collars and leashes handy, you can more easily guide them out of the house. If you are unable to find them, it can be easier for the fire department to get them out if they are wearing collars. It can be a good idea to hang leashes by the door you are planning to evacuate through. 

3 Grill Safety Tips | SERVPRO of Fayetteville

6/12/2019 (Permalink)

grills can cause house fires in not cleaned properly

Tips to Make Your Grill Safe | SERVPRO of Fayetteville

Backyard cookouts are a fun tradition and grill cleaning should be an essential task to prevent fires.

Grilling season is here in Fayetteville, NC and proper grill maintenance is often overlooked. Grill cleaning can be an important safety measure and key to preventing a grease fire. It is also an important part of creating a good meal. Here are some tips to keep your grill in top shape.

1. Understand Grill Maintenance Basics

There are usually several steps to cleaning your grill after use that apply no matter what type of grill you have. First, cook off food debris by heating the grill for 15 minutes. Once cooled, scrub the grates with a long-handled wire brush, though balled up aluminum foil may work in a pinch. Wipe vegetable oil on the grates with paper towels to prevent rust and food accumulation. Finally, clean the inside of the grill with dish soap and warm water. 

2. Take Extra Precautions, Pre and Post Season 

Besides grill cleaning after each use, there are a few things you should do each year before you grill for the first time and at the end of the season. One of them is to get a new wire brush each year. Be sure to clean the inside and outside of your grill with dish soap and water and use a grill cover when you store it.

3. Clean Charcoal and Gas Grills Properly

Gas grills have heat deflectors over the burners that should be cleaned with other removable grill parts. The burners can be removed to clean the gas ports. Blocked gas ports can affect the efficiency of your grill. Take time to check all gas lines to ensure that they are secured properly and there are no leaks.

Charcoal grills are often a bit simpler with regards to cleaning. After each use, remove the briquettes and brush out the ash. Otherwise, clean it with dish soap and warm water like you would clean a gas grill. 

Enjoy grilling this Summer knowing that your grill is clean and safe. If you have damage that has occurred due to a fire emergency SERVPRO of Fayetteville  is here to help. We are local and available 24/ 7, call us at 910-860-1163. 

Restoring Your Fire Damaged Home

5/16/2019 (Permalink)

Smoke & Fire Damage in This Fayetteville Home Can Be Restored by SERVPRO

A fire in your home can be a devastating experience. Knowing the appropriate steps to take after a fire event can help to limit the damage. Here is some information from SERVPRO of Fayetteville to help you handle this difficult situation.  

Contact Your Insurance Agent. When you and your family are safely outside of the house, you need to contact your insurance company. The agent, depending on the scope of the fire damage, will guide you through your initial steps. They may dispatch an insurance adjuster to document the damage for arriving at a monetary settlement. Filing a claim will be part of the fire damage restoration process, and it's important that you deal with your agent to secure the broadest coverage possible. You may wish to take detailed photos of your property to confirm the depth and scope of damages to your household possessions and structures. SERVPRO suggests that you ask your agent if our fire damage restoration company is on the approved vendor list. Usually, we are. We can assist in the claims process and paperwork as we coordinate with your agent the services required for restoration.

Cleaning and attempting to repair your house takes professional knowledge, equipment, and products. Even the smallest of fires can pose health and safety issues which necessitate the need for licensed professionals. DIY efforts fall can short, result in greater personal losses, extend repair time and increase expenses. 

Let the fire damage restoration professionals at SERVPRO of Fayetteville work on your behalf. We will come to your property and complete a thorough inspection and assessment that provide a clear understanding of the extent of the damages and an expedient and cost effective course of remediation. Some steps that could be a part of this process include:

• water removal

• content restoration, respond quickly to salvage furnishings, and structural materials, either on-site or pack out at our facilities

• sanitation

• deodorization

• smoke and soot cleaning and removal

• odor removal, air duct cleaning, vent cleaning

• final walk-through to ensure your complete satisfaction with the restoration

Call us for expedient fire damage restoration services. Our IICRC-certified specialists offer 24/7 emergency services, excellent customer service, and innovative fire damage restoration methodologies. We're ready to restore your property to its preloss condition--"Like it never even happened."

There is no substitute for training and experience. As fire and water damage specialists. Call us 24/7 for help at (910) 860-1163.

Removing Tobacco Odors From Your Home in Fayetteville

4/26/2019 (Permalink)

The smell of cigarette smoke can permeate a home and give it a stale smell. Thirdhand smoke refers to smoke that settles onto surfaces of your home and they remain long after smoke has ceased. If you have recently quit smoking or have moved into a home where the former residents  smoked indoors, you may be exposed to this type of passive smoke. Smoking also causes hundreds of deaths each year due to fires. Regardless of the reason behind your cigarette removal need, home deodorization is high on your list of priorities. If you have allergies or asthma, cigarette smoke can be especially irritating.

This odor can be difficult to remove. This is because cigarettes leave behind

• Toxic and irritating gases
• Tar vapors
• Smoke residue

Cigarettes produce toxic and irritating gases such as phenol, ammonia gases and carbon monoxide. They also release tar vapors that become sticky. These vapors, residues and gases are able to travel everywhere.

Ozone, or O3, is one of the few home deodorization techniques that actually works to combat this. That is because an ozone generator eliminates odor by oxidizing the air. The oxidized air is circulated through the air just as smoke is and so is able to get to all the places cigarette smoke does, effectively getting rid of the smelly residue.

If you have a smelly home, you can hire professionals in Fayetteville, NC that can help you identify the source and eliminate the problem. Many odors can be removed without a trace. Although cigarette smoke is one of the most offensive and prevalent odors, it is not the only one. Home deodorization can also include pet odors, mold growth, spill odors and other foul smells.

Oxidization is just one of many ways specialist might remove offensive smells. Sometimes special equipment and treatments are necessary to clean air ducts, carpets, upholstery and hard surfaces.

If cigarette smoke is the culprit, all of these surfaces and areas must be deodorized for your home to smell fresh and clean again. If you are feeling overwhelmed, you might benefit from a trained odor specialist at SERVPRO of Fayetteville. 

Call us today, 910- 860-1163 to schedule an estimate, SERVPRO of Fayetteville.

Preventing Commercial Fires

3/1/2019 (Permalink)

Fire in Commercial Kitchen

Fire damage to office buildings, motels, restaurants, and other small businesses can not only result in devastating physical property damage but the loss of company time and productivity. SERVPRO of Fayetteville is committed to helping you restore your business to it's prime conditions. However, it can be valuable for you and your business to know how to prevent commercial fire damage before it begins.

Here are the top three causes of commercial fire damage:

Appliances: Appliances such as furnaces, boilers heaters, and stoves can cause fires if they are not properly installed and checked regularly for maintenance issues. Smaller appliances like electrical equipment and circuitry can also cause fire damage if they are not operating as they should be or they are mishandled.

Human error: Some commercial fires are simply causes by human error and forgetfulness. Ensure that all employees know to turn off appliances such as space heaters and switch off microwaves and hotplates in the kitchen or break room. Something as small as a cigarette left un-extinguished can also lead to building fires.

Arson: According to Fireline, arson is one of the most common causes of fires in commercial buildings. Arson is planned and malicious intent to create a fire, whether by a malcontent employee, fired individual, or mentally unstable citizen. Security cameras, fire alarm systems, and keeping an eye out for suspicious behaviors can help prevent arson.

If you do seek restoration after a fire, SERVPRO of Fayetteville can provide assistance following commercial fire damage. Locally owned and operated, SERVPRO excels in fire damage as well as the water damage that accompanies firefighting efforts. A 24-hour emergency service company, SERVPRO offers top of the line technicians, special equipment, and personalized care.

For service contact SERVPRO of Fayetteville at (910) 860-1163.

The importance of cleaning your fireplace

2/11/2019 (Permalink)