Can My Home Be Returned to Like-New Condition After a Fire?

2/17/2023 (Permalink)

Regardless of the overall size or scope of the incident that took place at your home.

When You Have Fire Damage at Your Home, SERVPRO Has Proven Techniques for Impressive Results

The impact of a fire, large or small, can be extremely devastating for your family. It is not uncommon to feel lost while not knowing what steps to take next. The good news is that SERVPRO is available to come to your home for emergency service seven days a week, 24 hours a day. All you have to do is give us a call, and we will have a crew arrive at the front door of your property in as little as a few hours. We work hard to bring your home back to pre-fire condition so that you can enjoy your surroundings again. Even if you feel as though all is lost, we do have the restoration techniques and workforce to provide unmatched results.

What Should Happen After the Fire?

After the flames get extinguished, you must wait for approval from first responders on the scene to enter safely. Once you contact SERVPRO to clean up fire damage, our team arrives, and the crew chief begins the assessment. During the initial inspection and walkthrough, we note the damage to formulate a plan that utilizes the best equipment and restoration techniques for the job. We must work to restore and salvage whatever is possible to save your cherished belongings while also saving you money.

Will Air Quality Throughout My Interior Be an Issue?

Due to the soot and smoke particles left behind from a blaze, indoor air quality (IAQ) is always a concern. Along with smoke and soot, moisture left from water extinguishing the flames can bring the potential for mold and mildew. We have skilled IAQ technicians at SERVPRO who can ensure the right equipment and products are used to restore air quality throughout the project. We can ensure your interior has breathable air between our methods and industrial-grade filtration while also battling microbial contamination and stubborn smoke odors.

Some of the tools we use to balance IAQ include:

Air Scrubbers: Air scrubber equipment reduces the debris and particulates from the surrounding air while cutting back on microorganism threats that pose a problem with moist conditions. This equipment pulls in contaminated air and traps airborne debris before putting out clean air.

Hydroxyl Generators: This is equipment with dual-action, working to deodorize your home's interior by chemically altering odor-causing compounds while working on purifying the air through filtration. Some units feature onboard activated charcoal filters that embed airborne molecules.

What About the Soot on Various Surfaces?

Charring is a typical result of a fire from the heat generated by the flames. During a standard restoration project, we work to restore, resurface, and replace materials as needed. We utilize a broad range of proven techniques and specialized equipment to handle even the most stubborn residue from soot and smoke. For example, soda blasting with a combination of sodium bicarbonate and pressurized air helps to blast away slight charring and residue carefully. The bonus is that sodium bicarbonate is a deodorizer, so it serves a dual purpose of battling smoke odors. 

The nature of particles from soot and smoke is that they settle on ceilings, walls, and various flat surfaces quickly after a fire. DIY methods alone are often very time-consuming and may be extremely counterproductive. Our skilled technicians on the job bring best practices for each unique situation as we use dusting, vacuums, pressure washers, and dry or wet methods for handling the soot throughout your Hayward home. During this cleanup, our previously mentioned HEPA filtration also ensures that any particles that we loosen do not become airborne for redistribution throughout the interior.

For any areas that call for further intervention, we put controlled demolition practices into place to ensure restoration to like-new conditions.

Will All Smoke Odors Be Gone?

With the methods we use, the removal of smoke odors is something we excel with at SERVPRO. Every step breaks down residue, and we also have measures that help locate any areas where odorous particles may be hiding.

• Pack-out services for cleaning contents off-site may help prevent smoke odor transfer into your home's unaffected areas.
• We carefully clean all soot-covered surfaces, leaving no area without treatment. 
• Technicians have access to a range of EPA-approved antimicrobials and cleaning agents to facilitate cleanup faster.
• We may use thermal fogging machinery for pungent odors to recreate the situation that brought on the odor penetration.
• We can also seal off some areas to keep odors from popping up, including walls and the ductwork for your HVAC system.

Regardless of the overall size or scope of the incident that took place at your home, SERVPRO of Deltona is there for your fire damage repair needs. 

Developing an Action Plan for Your Business

12/5/2022 (Permalink)

Kitchen Fire in Deland, FL

Developing an Action Plan for Your Business

Whether you're running a small family business or the CEO of a large corporation, you should be concerned about safety. Everyone has different needs when it comes to emergency plans and procedures; however, if you are looking for some guidance on how to put together an effective one here's what we suggest:

Identify the Fire Hazards

In the event of a fire, it's important to know what you're up against. To start, take stock of your business and its potential fire hazards: Does your office have flammable materials like paper, plastic, or cardboard? Is there a risk of an electrical fire? How about cooking oil in the kitchen? Are there any combustible gases that could explode if exposed to an open flame?

Next, look at where potential sources of fires may be located. Do they include furnaces and boilers in buildings shared with others? Do they include equipment such as air conditioning units or refrigerators that store flammable liquids or gases?

Finally—and perhaps most importantly—make sure you have the right safety equipment on hand. This includes fire extinguishers for small blazes; smoke detectors for high-risk areas like kitchens; carbon monoxide detectors for offices (especially those near heating systems); and other relevant devices such as sprinklers or carbon dioxide systems that could help prevent smaller outbreaks from becoming large-scale disasters

Identify Potential Victims

The next step is to identify who might be harmed and how. Who are the people in your business? What are their responsibilities? What are the risks to them, to your business, or both?

Who might be harmed by an emergency situation (or event) and how it may impact them depends on the nature of your business. It's important to think about all areas including:

• The physical environment--who is employed there and what tasks do they perform;
• Your employees--who are they, what do they look like, what do they sound like when talking on the phone;
• Your customers--who are they, where do they hang out online (for example), what kind of information do you collect from them;   *The public--what kind of services do you offer (for example community outreach programs)?

Evaluate, Remove and Reduce the Risks

Next, you will want to evaluate, remove, and reduce the risks:

• Evaluate: Now that you've identified the risks, it's time to assess how likely they are to occur and what kind of impact they could have on your business.
• Remove: Once you've identified the risks, think about ways of removing them or reducing their impact. You may not be able to remove all of them, but every little bit helps.
• Reduce: Now for the fun stuff! How can you minimize or reduce the likelihood of these threats occurring? This might mean increasing employee training, installing smoke detectors in key areas, or even purchasing insurance policies (if available).

Test Your Plan

Once you have developed an emergency action plan for your business, it's important to test and review it on a regular basis. A well-tested and reviewed plan will help keep your business safe in the event of a disaster.

If there is any doubt about whether or not your plan still works, we recommend that you take the time to go through it with someone else who can give feedback and suggestions on how to improve it. This will help ensure that all areas have been covered, so nothing falls through the cracks in future disasters.

As well as looking at what has changed since you last tested or updated your plan (new staff members may require training or additional procedures), check whether any new areas need addressing - such as offsite storage facilities which now open up access points into the building. You should also look at any gaps which might exist between processes within departments - some things may overlap while others do not touch at all; this could lead to confusion during an actual emergency situation where time is precious!

Introduce the Plan

Explain why you are introducing the plan. You should explain to employees why it is important to have an emergency action plan, what will be covered in the plan, and how they can contribute to developing it. Share the EAP with staff as soon as possible. They should also be given an opportunity to give feedback on any parts of the EAP that they think need changing or improving before it is finalized and implemented.

In conclusion, developing an emergency action plan is not just a legal requirement but also an opportunity to think about what you could do in the event of a fire or other emergency. It’s important that everyone who works in your business understands their role and knows what actions they need to take if there is an emergency. By taking the time now to develop and test your plan, you can rest assured that it will work when needed most.

When an emergency does strike your Deltona North business, Give SERVPRO of Deltona North a call!

Resources: The HSC's website has lots of information on EAPs, including a template to use for your own plan. You can also download the list of emergency contact numbers from their site.

3 Helpful Tips Regarding Smoke Alarms

6/1/2022 (Permalink)

The number of smoke detectors needed in your house depends on how large it is. Each floor should have at least one alarm.

While it is a small device that you likely think little about, the smoke alarm is an important part of every Volusia County home. It can alert you to a fire in time to prevent serious damage or allow you to safely leave the building in the event of a serious blaze. There are a few important pieces of information that you should know about this useful item.

1. How Many Alarms Do You Need?
The number of smoke detectors needed in your house depends on how large it is. Each floor should have at least one alarm. Also, make sure that there is an alarm in each individual bedroom as well as one outside of each sleeping area. If you have a basement or attic, these should have their own alarms as well.

2. How Should You Maintain Them?
Keeping your alarms in working condition can help prevent the need for fire damage remediation and serious repairs by quickly making you aware of a conflagration. Every smoke alarm should be tested at least monthly to ensure it is functioning properly. Dust and debris should be removed to prevent the sensors from malfunctioning. Most alarms will need to be replaced at least every 10 years.

3. How Often Should You Change the Batteries?
Depending on the type of smoke detector you have, this varies. Devices that use traditional 9-volt batteries need to have them replaced every six to 12 months. This includes hardwired alarms that use batteries as a backup in case of a power outage. If your alarm uses a lithium battery, this does not need to be replaced.
Having a smoke alarm in each area of your home as well as properly maintaining them is a vital way to help keep you and your family safe if you experience a fire. Test them regularly and change the batteries often to keep these useful little devices ready in case of an emergency.

What Happens When Smoke Damage is Left Untreated

4/25/2022 (Permalink)

If there is still smoke residue left after a fire, call for a fire damage repair immediately to prevent further issues down the road.

After a fire, the most important thing is to get your home back to normal as quickly as possible. But while your primary focus should be on the physical and emotional wounds of the event, you may have to take care of some secondary issues before you can get back to normal as well. For example, if your home was damaged in a fire, you will need a fire damage repair professional to come in and clean up the smoke residue and soot that remains. 

Here are some issues that could happen down the road if you keep smoke damage left untreated.

Structural Damage

When not treated properly, smoke residue can cause structural damage to walls, ceilings, flooring, and other items in the home. When firefighters use water to extinguish flames and it mixes with smoke residue, this can trap moisture. As a result, this will cause wood items and other surfaces in your home to deteriorate.

More extensive damage in the house

Ultimately, the most important thing to remember is that smoke residue can cause a wide variety of issues on its own. Additionally, it can also make the damage from a fire worse. This can lead to more extensive damage throughout your home, such as busted fixtures, ripped linens, holes in drywall, and more. Fire damage is never fun to deal with, but the more serious the damage, the more important it is that you get it dealt with quickly.

The good news is that once the smoke residue is cleaned up, your home will be structurally sound again. Fire damage restoration is the best way to prevent this from happening in the first place.

Decreased home value

With so many people trying to sell their homes, checking a home’s value is the first thing that buyers will look at when deciding whether to purchase yours. With smoke residue lingering throughout your house, it’s going to look less appealing to buyers. 

Conclusion

All these consequences are important to consider when it comes to smoke residue cleanup. Not only will it help to prevent future issues, but it can also help to mitigate some of the ones that your home suffered. If you find that there is still smoke residue left after a fire, call for a fire damage repair and make sure that you get it cleaned up immediately. Doing so will mitigate the damage it has on your home, as well as help mitigate the financial costs associated with it.

Safer Alternatives to Leaf Burning

4/19/2022 (Permalink)

If your home has been damaged by fire, immediately look for 24 hour fire damage repair and restoration to restore your home as soon as possible.

When leaves start to pile up, we tend to reach for the matches, but chances are that you will be doing more harm than good. With the number of risks involved in burning leaves, it is best to avoid them altogether. If a fire is not in your plans, there are better alternatives to burning leaves.

Why shouldn’t you burn leaves?

Firefighters and 24 hour fire damage repair and restoration experts agree that burning leaves is not a good idea. Even though it seems convenient, especially when there has been a pile of dry leaves surrounding your home, and you want to rid yourself of them, it is not worth the risk.

Moreover, if your property is also prone to bushfires, burning leaves can easily spark another fire and cause a lot of damage to your home. When this happens, you will have to immediately look for fire damage restoration companies near me. Otherwise, you can be in for a lot of trouble.

There are better ways to dispose of your leaves without any risks involved. Here are safer alternatives to leaf burning.

Make a compost pit.

If you have a pile of leaves from your backyard and you want to avoid burning them, consider making a compost pit. Cover it with a lid — something that prevents unwanted pests and animals from getting inside. Composting can take several weeks, but it will reduce the amount of waste in your landfill by taking your leaves and turning them into compost, which can be used in your garden.

Mulch your leaves.

Mulching is a great way to reduce the number of leaves you have in your yard, but it’s also a great way to keep your yard fire-free. You just need to collect the leaves and put them in a pile. Use your lawnmower or grass cutter to cut your leaves into smaller pieces, and then spread them around the base of your plants. The best part about mulching is that it reduces the amount of heat your lawn absorbs from the sun. Aside from that, it can also reduce the amount of water your plants need and prevent weeds from sprouting.

Contact lawn care services.

If you have a lawn that you simply don’t have the time to care for, then it may be time to hire a lawn care service. This is a great way to avoid having your yard on fire and it can also save you money. Most lawn care services will pick up your leaves and spread them around your landscape as well, reducing the amount of yard that needs to be mowed. They’ll take care of everything, so you don’t have to worry about having those leaf piles again.

Conclusion

Keep in mind that during a fire, a lot of things happen very quickly. If your home has been damaged by fire, immediately look for fire damage restoration companies near me and see if there's 24 hour fire damage repair and restoration that can help restore your home as soon as possible.

Keep Electrical Cords from Becoming a Fire Hazard

4/15/2022 (Permalink)

Keeping your electrical cords and wiring in good condition is one of the best ways to prevent a fire hazard.

When something goes wrong with electrical wiring in your home or office, it can create a big mess. That’s because electricity travels through thin metal wires that are enclosed in plastic conduits or ceilings. If exposed, the wires can become a fire hazard. When that happens, you need to immediately contact a 24 hour fire damage repair and restoration company. Make sure to contact fire damage restoration companies near me as soon as possible as this is not something you should deal with on your own. 

With a few electrical safety tips, you can save yourself time, money, and worry. Here’s how to keep electrical cords from becoming a fire hazard.

Limit the Amount of Electrical Waste

One of the easiest ways to keep electrical cords from becoming a fire hazard is to reduce the amount of electrical waste in your home or office. This means no more twiddling with the power button on your electronics when you’re finished using them. Instead, try using a power strip or outlet that has a circuit breaker built-in. This will cut your devices off from the power source when you turn off the switch. This is especially helpful if you have a lot of electronics that are outdated or not being used.

Remove or Cover Worn Out Wires

When you have multiple electrical wires in one area, they’re susceptible to damage and moisture. A worn-out wire will often become damaged and the moisture can lead to a fire hazard. A good way to keep your electrical cords from becoming a fire hazard is to remove or cover worn-out wires. This can be as simple as unscrewing a light socket and removing the socket and its cover. This also helps avoid tripping over wires.

Use GFCI Outlets

Outlets are one of the most common causes of fires in homes and offices. That’s because they’re easy to trip over, especially when you’re wearing shoes or when someone else is using the same outlet. When unplugging devices, make sure to turn off the GFCI circuit breaker. 

Secure Old Wires with Cables

If you have an old wiring job in your home or office, it’s best to secure the exposed wires with cables. This will help prevent damage and moisture intrusion. Start by running the cables inside walls or into a conduit. Then secure the cables with staples or screws. 

Don’t Over Tighten Wires

This is one of the most important tips when it comes to keeping your electrical cords from becoming a fire hazard. Over tightening, wires can cause damage to the cord and the electrical connection. This will reduce the wire’s ability to conduct electricity. Instead of using a cord that is too short, buy a longer cord and use it properly. 

Conclusion

Keeping your electrical cords and wiring in good condition is one of the best ways to prevent a fire hazard. If your home or office has caught fire, you should look for fire damage restoration companies near me. A 24 hour fire damage repair and restoration can immediately restore your property and secure your electrical cords in the future.

How to Remove Smoke Soot from Walls After a Fire

4/6/2022 (Permalink)

Although there are many ways to remove smoke soot, it is important that you contact a 24 hour fire damage repair and restoration right after a fire.

Dealing with fire damage to your home is never fun. You need to be prepared to deal with the loss of your things and even deal with all that smoke soot. Fire and smoke damage like soot and even smoke odor can destroy the interior and exterior of your property. Cleaning up soot from walls requires expert attention which is why you should look for fire damage restoration companies near me that offer 24 hour fire damage repair and restoration as soon as possible.

While waiting for the cleaning team, here are a few ways you can remove smoke soot from your walls.

Sweep the wall and ceiling.

Using any regular broom or even duster available, you will want to sweep the walls and ceiling to remove and prevent any soot from accumulating. This way, it’s also a lot easier to clean the walls afterward.

Vacuum your wall.

Once you’ve swept the walls, you can vacuum the walls to remove any remaining soot. A powerful vacuum with a strong motor will get the job done quickly. It is important to vacuum the walls after any cleaning product is applied, as some cleaning materials can leave residue behind and cause more damage than necessary.

Use a wet mop and a scrub.

This will help to loosen any remaining soot and debris before you can begin to scrub the walls. Spray water or cleaning solution and let the water sit on the walls for a few minutes before you begin to scrub. Scrubbing lightly with a soft-bristled brush or scrubber will help to loosen the soot and debris, allowing it to be easily wiped away. Make sure to clean the walls from top to bottom, including the ceiling.

When doing this, make sure that you wear gloves, a face mask, and any other protective clothing. Even firefighters and fire damage cleanup professionals use protective equipment due to the risks involved in fire damage cleanup.

Use a grease cleaner.

Grease cleaners are effective for removing soot, especially when the soot is mixed with grease. Grease collects in the ventilation system of the home, which is one of the reasons that soot fires are dangerous. These cleaners will not only remove grease and oil, but they will also remove any soot that has accumulated in the ventilation system. When choosing a grease cleaner, make sure to use one that is labeled as being safe for use on walls and ceilings. If you can, choose something that is environmentally friendly to prevent further chemical exposure in your surroundings.

Conclusion

Soot residue can be extremely challenging to remove and if you're not careful, it can even cause more damage to your home. Although there are many ways to remove smoke soot from walls all by yourself, it is extremely important that you contact a 24 hour fire damage repair and restoration right after a fire. Make sure to look for fire damage restoration companies near me that are committed to cleaning smoke damage and soot residue from your home safely and effectively.

5 Useful Tips to Remember When Dealing with Fire Damage

9/8/2021 (Permalink)

Kitchen fires can cause serious damage.

A fire can be a devastating experience for anyone, but it is especially hard for those who don't know what to do when faced with the aftermath of a fire. According to a 2020 report issued by the National Fire Protection Association, a fire department in the U.S responds to a fire every 24 seconds. If you’re dealing with fire damage, try not to panic and call for professional help. The best thing you can do is seek help from fire damage restoration services as soon as possible. 

Here are useful tips to remember when handling fire damage to prepare you if your home or business ever suffers an unfortunate event like this one.

Open windows in the room where fire damage has taken place for ventilation.

The first thing you should do after a fire is to get some fresh air into the room in which you have suffered from fire damage. Open all windows and doors to remove toxic smoke particles that can cause irritation of the throat, nose, or lungs and need medical attention later on. If you have a vacuum, use it to suck up any loose smoke particles from furniture, drapes, and carpets.

Turn off all electronics and objects that are near the fire damage, such as computers.

Turn off the main power supply of your home or business to prevent any risk of a fire starting again because someone left an appliance turned on that shouldn't be running until it has been checked by a professional for damage.

Avoid attempting to clean up potential hazards and dangers, including asbestos, mold, or lead paint. 

Cleaning up fire damage can release particles and dust into the air which could irritate the eyes, nose, throat, lungs, or skin. There is a risk of poisoning and it's important to leave the clean-up process up to professionals.

Call your insurance company to file a claim as soon as possible.

If you have fire damage, call your insurance company immediately even if it does not seem like anything was damaged by the blaze. There is no point in wasting time and money with unnecessary repairs or expenses when filing a claim can take care of them for you. 

Seek professional help if you are unsure about what to do next.

When it comes to fire damage, there is no time for trial and error. Seek the help of a fire & smoke restoration technician as soon as possible if you are uncertain about how to proceed after an unfortunate event like this has happened in your home or business. A fire & smoke restoration technician has access to industry-exclusive tools that allow them to get things back into the condition it was before a fire occurred – "Like it never even happened."

Conclusion

Fire damage can be a life-changing event, but it doesn't have to be devastating if you know what steps to take after the fire is put out. You can save time and money by seeking the help of fire damage restoration services right away.

Basic Procedure For a Fire Restoration Project

7/2/2021 (Permalink)

Fire damaged room

Seeing your home go up in flames can be an emotionally draining experience. However, you have to act quickly to prevent further destruction. Any delay could potentially drive the damage cleaning costs through the roof as the structure sustains more water damage, and mold builds up in the walls.
Here’s the basic procedure for a fire restoration project:

• Initial contact
• Assessment
• Board up and tarp
• Cleanup and rebuilding
  
  

Call a Restoration Company

Call a fire restoration service as the first thing you do after getting off the phone with insurance. Regardless of the time of day, a representative from the cleanup service should pick your call and schedule an inspection ASAP. Consider that as an essential feature of a restoration company when shopping around.

Inspection

The cleanup service should come to check out the damage. During this visit, the expert will be assessing the extent of fire, soot, and smoke damage throughout the house. They will also identify things that can be salvaged and those that need replacement. At the end of this exercise, the service should be able to give an accurate quote for the job.

Board up and Tarp Services

On the first day of work, the restoration team will start by sealing any holes in the house. For example, if a fire burns a hole through the roof, sealing it will keep rainwater out, preventing further water damage and mold growth.

Clean up and Rebuilding

Your average restoration services will clean up the soot, get rid of burnt materials, and remove water from a fire-damaged home. Only the best will go the extra mile to rebuild the structure and make it habitable. Look for a service that covers cleanup to finishing work and everything in between.
Generally speaking, fire restoration is a multistep process that will breathe life into your burnt structure, making it a home again.

4 Candle Alternatives for Fire Safety

6/1/2021 (Permalink)

Strings of lights are designed with fire safety in mind

Here are Four Fire-Safe Candle Alternatives

Candles are used to create decorative lighting effects or release fragrances. Whether you are looking for safer mood lighting or a way to diffuse a scent without any risk of a candle fire, here are four fire-safe candle alternatives.

1. Battery-Powered Candles

A flameless electric alternative to candles can be placed anywhere for decorative or lighting purposes. Electric candles come in a wide variety of colors, heights, thicknesses and designs. Some battery-powered models are also designed to release fragrances.

2. Strings of Lights

Another way to get a candle-lit look is to string up Christmas or fairy lights. Strings of lights are designed with fire safety in mind. Choose from strands of single-color or multicolor bulbs. It is also possible to set up lights to blink or flicker if desired. Ultra-efficient LED bulbs make replacements affordable and keep energy costs low.

3. Candle Warmers

A candle warmer may be the best option among these candle alternatives for fans of scented candles. A warmer makes it possible to enjoy these fragrances with a much lower fire risk. A warmer may be a base on which a candle sits or resemble a lamp.

4. Diffusers

Reed diffusers do not resemble candles. For a different look, reeds in oil can be an attractive, creative and flameless way to release a scent. Diffusers have an even lower risk of fire than an electric candle warmer.

Most candle fires occur around the holidays. Battery-powered candle alternatives and strings of lights are safer options for illuminated decorations. Warmers and diffusers are useful for spreading a fragrance throughout a home with a lower risk of fire. If a fire starts due to a candle or any other cause, you should attempt to extinguish the flames or contact the fire department. Fire damage restoration experts can restore or replace damaged building materials at a residence in Volusia County.

What To Do When Your Home Is Fire Damaged

12/4/2020 (Permalink)

Never leave your stove unattended!

When you have experienced a fire in your home, one of the first things you want to do is call your insurance company. Find out everything you can about your policy to ensure that you know exactly what it will cost you to begin the repairs. 

Then, you call us.

We are leading experts in fire restoration for homes and commercial properties; and we are here for you 24/7 every single day. 

As soon as you call we will set up a time to come to your home and assess the damage. From there, we will help you make a plan begin the restoration process. 

Fires can leave the affected area looking completely destroyed. So, one of the first things we will do is clean up! This includes water extraction, smoke and soot removal from floors, walls and ceilings, and cleaning all restorable items that were damaged by the fire. 

We will also try and protect your home from any further damage by tarping part of the roof or boarding up windows and doors if needed. 

Finally, the restoration process begins and we work to restore your home to pre-fire condition, "Like it never even happened." 

If your home or commercial property has recently been damaged by a fire, give us a call at: (386) 574-0864.

Fire Damage Restoration 101

11/10/2020 (Permalink)

Fire Damage In A Kitchen

Basic Procedure For a Fire Restoration Project

Seeing your home go up in flames can be an emotionally draining experience. However, you have to act quickly to prevent further destruction. Any delay could potentially drive the damage cleaning costs through the roof as the structure sustains more water damage, and mold builds up in the walls.
Here’s the basic procedure for a fire restoration project in Central Florida:

• Initial contact
• Assessment
• Board up and tarp
• Cleanup and rebuilding
  
  

Call a Restoration Company

Call a fire restoration service as the first thing you do after getting off the phone with insurance. Regardless of the time of day, a representative from the cleanup service should pick your call and schedule an inspection ASAP. Consider that as an essential feature of a restoration company when shopping around.

Inspection

The cleanup service should come to check out the damage. During this visit, the expert will be assessing the extent of fire, soot and smoke damage throughout the house. They will also identify things that can be salvaged and those that need replacement. At the end of this exercise, the service should be able to give an accurate quote for the job.

Board up and Tarp Services

On the first day of work, the restoration team will start by sealing any holes in the house. For example, if a fire burns a hole through the roof, sealing it will keep rainwater out, preventing further water damage and mold growth.

Clean up and Rebuilding

Your average restoration services will clean up the soot, get rid of burnt materials, and remove water from a fire-damaged home. Only the best will go the extra mile to rebuild the structure and make it habitable. Look for a service that covers cleanup to finishing work and everything in between.
Generally speaking, fire restoration is a multistep process that will breathe life into your burnt structure, making it a home again.

How Many Smoke Detectors Should I Have In My Home

11/10/2020 (Permalink)

A Smoke Detector

Top Reasons One Fire Alarm Isn't Enough

The value of smoke detectors has been well established. Experts estimate that having a fire alarm in your house can significantly cut the risk of fire damage or injuries. But many homeowners think just one alarm is enough to reduce the risk. The truth is that not having enough alarms in your West Volusia home can be almost as bad as having none at all. In fact, there are several reasons why one alarm isn’t typically enough.
Public awareness has made fire detectors one of the most common fire-prevention devices in a home. As a result of public awareness efforts:

• As many as 96 percent of American homes are believed to have alarms
• Smoke alarms have contributed to cutting the risk of home fire fatalities by nearly half
  
  

Clearly any alarm is better than none. But to be effective, it’s key that you have more than just one.

One Per Room

It’s natural to think that an alarm in a common area is enough. But experts say at a minimum, you should have one alarm per room. This can help protect your property against fires that can start in unexpected places like bathrooms.

Bigger Means More

A typical detector is only effective for about a 900 square-foot area of a building. Use your home’s measurements when buying detectors. For example, a 2,000 square-foot home should have at least three alarms.

Level Up

Fires that start on one level often result in destruction to other levels of the home. This can be prevented by having detectors on every level, which experts suggest.
Having at least one fire alarm definitely increases your protection against a fire. Take things a step further by equipping your home with the ideal number of alarms. Use these tips or talk to your local fire and smoke damage cleanup experts to learn more about how many alarms your home truly needs.

Be Careful in the Kitchen

5/13/2020 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of West Volusia we know how devastating a fire of any type can be. Kitchen fires, especially those from an oven or stove top mishap, tend to cause more damage than initially recognized. The proteins released from a grease and/or oil fire spread quickly and the residue adheres to most anything. 

There are a few things SERVPRO of West Volusia would like you to know in the event of this type of fire. 

*Do not use water to try and put it out. Call the Fire Department immediately and get outside.

*Once it's safe to return, do not try wiping the walls. You will only smear the residue making it more difficult to clean. 

*Call the professionals at SERVPRO of West Volusia. For 40 years we've been helping home and business owners recover from fires. 

At SERVPRO of West Volusia, we make it "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO of West Voluisa

386-574-0864

After a Fire

5/9/2020 (Permalink)

A destructive force like a fire can make it difficult to gauge what your first move should be. Here is a list of actions to take in the event that you are affected by a fire. 

•  Immediately contact the fire department and evacuate to a safe location
• Determine if anyone needs medical attention, and respond appropriately
• Find a safe place to stay if necessary, or if this proves to be difficult you may contact your local disaster relief agency, such as Salvation Army or American Red Cross which can help you find a temporary place to stay.
• Make sure doors and windows are secure, and secure any valuables as well. 
• Call SERVPRO of West Volusia to begin restoring your home or bussines.

SERPVPRO will clean any affected items you wish to restore. SERVPRO is also equipped to clean any of four different soot types, dry smoke, wet smoke, protein smoke, as well as fuel oil smoke residues. 

SERVPRO of West Volusia

386-574-0864

Dealing With A Fire Aftermath

10/21/2019 (Permalink)

It's important to know what to do following a fire.

We are heading into a season of dryer air. 

Like a hurricane or any other natural disasters, wildfires bring up the urgency for people to understand what they are dealing with, should they ever be caught in that situation. One of the most important things to understand is wildfires can get out of control and the result can be disastrous.  

 If you find yourself as a victim of this event there are a few necessary measures to take immediately:

1. Ensure the health and safety of those involved. This is best achieved through emergency personnel. As soon as possible, make sure you seek help. 

2. When the situation is SAFE and CONTAINED, it is important to assess the damage to your home or place of business, in the case of a wildfire, this should involve both your insurance and local authorities. 

3. Restoration. SERVPRO understands what a devastating and trying time this is for you and your family. Know that we are here to make the restoration process as seamless and as comfortable for you as possible. We will walk with you through this process from beginning to end. 

A Few Smokey Facts

10/21/2019 (Permalink)

It is important to know the facts when dealing with smoke damage following a fire.

SERVPRO of West Volusia has been handling Fire Damaged homes and businesses for 35 years. Here are a few important things to know:

Smoke and soot are very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience 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 West Volusia will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

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

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

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

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

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

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

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

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?

Call Us Today –386-574-0864

FIre Safety Plan

7/10/2019 (Permalink)

Having a fire safety plan for your family is so important. In the event of a fire, every family member knowing exactly what to do could truly be life-saving. That's why here at SERVPRO of West Volusia County we strongly support the creation of home fire escape plans in every household.

If you do not already have a plan in place for your home, here are a few tips for creating one! 

1. Family members should know two ways to get out of every room in the home. 
2. Make specific escape routes and plans for homes with two stories or more.
3. Pick a meeting place outside of the home where your family will go in the event of a fire. 
4. Home fire drills should be performed to make sure that the plan in place works well. 
5. Make sure every member of the family knows how to call 9-1-1. 

For all of your fire restoration needs, give us a call at (386) 574-0864.

Christmas Home Hazards

12/11/2018 (Permalink)

It's the most wonderful time of the year! With Christmas only a couple of weeks away, trees are up and decorated, Christmas candles are filling the house with smells of sugar cookies or cinnamon, and lights are up outside to add that extra sparkle after dark. 

While all of these are beautiful ways to delight in the spirit of the season, we want to ensure that you take the proper safety precautions to keep your family and home safe. 

Did you know that December being the peak period for home fires started by candles or misuse of lights? 

Here are a few tips that may help prevent a fire hazard in your home: 

1. Keep those Christmas tress watered! Make sure that you check the water level each day, to help avoid the tree drying out and becoming a fire hazard. 
2. Do not leave outside Christmas lights on while you sleep. Turn them on for a few hours a night, and then turn them off. (This saves electricity too!) 
3. 40% of home decoration fires are started by candles. Make sure you place candles in a safe location when burning and do not leave unattended. 

We encourage you to always be mindful of potential fire dangers and remain cautious no matter what time of year. However, we ask that you be EXTRA careful during this season. 

However, if you were to find yourself the victim of a home fire - you can trust SERVPRO of West Volusia to have you back to normal in no time!

Fire Prevention Week - What You Should Know

10/1/2018 (Permalink)

House fires can cause a lot of damage very quickly.

Did you know that National Fire Prevention Week 2017 is October 8-14? It is a necessity for your family to stay up to date on fire safety because it truly saves lives.  

That’s why this year’s Fire Prevention Week theme: “Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out!” is so important. It reinforces why everyone needs to have an escape plan.

This is important not only for your home but for your place of business as well. If there is a fire one day while you are in the office, have you thought about your escape plan? Does your company have one in place? 

These are all vital questions to ask and the essential reason that Fire Prevention Week exists. 

Bringing awareness to fire safety and its importance.

That is what this is all about! So sit down with your family and come up with an escape plan in case of a fire. Make sure you as well as your co-workers are up to date with the escape plan at your job too! 

You can also to follow SERVPRO of West Volusia county on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! We will be bringing you fire safety tips and trades throughout Fire Prevention Week! You can also find a bunch of resources on fire safety by visiting the American Red Cross website, as well as NFPA.org. 

Remember, fire restoration is one of our specialties here at SERVPRO of West Volusia county.

If you are ever in need of our services, give us a call at (386) 574-0864.

Fireworks and Fire Safety

7/2/2018 (Permalink)

The 4th of July is just days away!

SERVPRO of West Volusia County wants to help you celebrate safely with your family, so here are a few firework safety tips we think you should be aware of:

1. It is important that you know about and abide by the local firework laws set in your area. (This can help avoid putting a damper on your holiday with a ticket or violation fee.)
2. Have an adult read the instructions on the fireworks before lighting. (This can help to prevent a small mistake, with a potential big consequence.) 
3. Adults should ALWAYS assist their kids when setting off fireworks. (This will help keep the process safer.)
4. Set off your fireworks in a clear area. (Keep away from trees, homes, people, buildings, etc.)
5. Finally, clean up when your done! (Please don't litter.)

These simple tips can go a long way in helping prevent you from getting hurt or accidentally starting a fire when operating fireworks.

Happy 4th of July from all of us at SERVPRO of West Volusia County!

Remember, if you experience a holiday mishap, SERVPRO is always Here To Help! Click here to learn more about Fire Damage Restoration.

SERVPRO of West Volusia County: 386-574-0864