3 Ways the Pros Will Remove the Smoke Smell From Your Home

6/28/2022 (Permalink)

Ozone machines help to clean out the air.

Three Ways To Remove Smoke Odor From Your Home

Even after the flame has been extinguished and the charred remains of your belongings have been removed, you'll notice that the smell of smoke lingers in your Albany, NY, home. Instead of using masking agents, such as air fresheners, to cover up the smell, the professionals cleaning your home will follow a strict protocol to keep the smell at bay. Here are three ways they will eliminate the smoke smell from your home. 

1. Remove Smoke Damage Residue
The first step in smoke cleaning is to remove the damage. This damage includes items burned in the fire and soot and smoke left on the walls. The cleaners will use a special vacuum to ensure that all traces of soot are removed from all surfaces. They will then use a specialized cleaner to remove the soot off the walls, which helps keep the smell from returning. 

2. Filter the Air
Even though you may not see it, there will be many soot and smoke particles in the air, which will cause the smoke odor to return over time if not treated properly. The odor removal professionals will use air filtration devices to clean and filter the air circulating throughout your home. If the smell remains after filtering the air, they will also use ozone machines to help clean the air, ensuring that the smoke cleaning process is successful. 

3. Seal the Surfaces
As the final step of the cleaning process, the cleaners will seal the surfaces in your home damaged by smoke. The specialized sealing agent will prevent any smoke particles from seeping through and can be painted over so there won't be any evidence of the fire left. 
Doing a thorough smoke cleaning can take some time and patience. However, when you trust the professionals to do it, you can rest assured knowing it's done correctly and that the smells won't return. 

How much Does Fire Damage Restoration Cost?

6/10/2022 (Permalink)

It is hard to estimate the costs associated with fire damage restoration because there is no such thing as an “Average” house fire. Factors that affect the overall cost of repairing fire damage include:

• Damage Level: was it just limited smoke and fire damage, or is the fire widespread and requires a thorough cleaning of the room or apartment?
• Removal Procedure: The removal procedure may result in damage that requires a self-cleaning fee. For example, water damage to walls and basements can result from a very small fire in a second-floor space.
• Type of Damage: From property fires to smoke, water, soot, and chemical damage (when using chemical fire extinguishers), prices vary depending on the damage caused and the rescue method used.
• Certain procedures must be followed immediately after a fire, and they can ensure that your home is protected from further damage and harm while the recovery process begins quickly. Contacting your insurance company is important, as is photographing the damage before touching or cleaning anything.
• Ventilating the room (if possible) helps remove odors, mold, and mildew, and contacting a Fire restoration company early is a good idea.
• The final step will help you find the amount of reclamation and refining required and will allow you to know the estimated process costs and schedule.

If you are looking for professional Fire restoration services in South Albany, contact SERVPRO. The Experts at SERVPRO provide emergency services throughout the year. Your qualified fire repair technician will arrive quickly and begin repairs immediately to stop the damage from spreading. You can expect quality repairs, efficiency, and fast response from them.

Fire Pit Safety Tips

6/7/2022 (Permalink)

Summer is truly here in New York and that can typically mean enjoying fire pits in the backyard. Many of us are looking forward to spending time gathering around them to enjoy time with family and friends. Before you start dreaming of movies on the lawn, moonlit nights, and s’mores, take a moment to check out some of these tips from Allstate to remember.

Backyard Fire Pit Safety Tips:

• Whether you prefer a built-in or portable fire pit, choose one that is not too large for the area. The pit should be a minimum of 10 feet away from any structures or combustible materials as well as away from trees, fences, sheds, power lines, and telephone wires.
• Make certain that the seating area is large enough and properly placed for comfort and ventilation.
• Check wind direction before lighting a fire.
• Don’t use flammable fluids (gasoline, lighter fluid, etc.) to light or relight fires.
• To start the fire, use a lighter to ignite crumpled pieces of paper covered with small sticks. Then, add larger sticks and a log or two to keep it burning. 
• Burn only dry material. Damp material will create excess smoke. 
• Don’t wear flammable clothing (like nylon) or any loose-fitting clothing.
• Never leave the fire unattended and keep pets and children far away from the fire as they will be attracted to it.
• Keep a fire extinguisher, garden hose, or bucket of water nearby.
• As the fire dies down, use a shovel, and spread out the ashes to allow them to cool down. Then slowly pour water over those ashes and watch them closely to be sure that no burning embers remain or reignite. Put the cooled ashes in a specially designated ash storage metal can. 

One Cleanup and Restoration Team Is Best for Full Fire Damage Recovery

4/29/2022 (Permalink)

When your property is affected by fire and soot, it's crucial that recovery and restoration work begin immediately to lessen the fire damage. Within a short period of time, the acidic qualities of soot and the penetrating qualities of smoke can leave permanent scarring. An experienced fire mitigation team quickly and thoroughly puts a stop to damage and completes the recovery process to get your company back into business.

Long-Term Fire Damage Begins With Initial Cleanup

One of the best reasons to work with fire cleanup and reconstruction experts for your full recovery is that lasting results begin as soon as the fire department leaves. The smoke and soot particles left in the air penetrate quickly into surfaces. Water from the fire department hoses is rapidly absorbed into carpeting, fabrics, wood, and structural elements. Technicians working toward full recovery perform many actions during their first trips to your property:

• Board up the building to prevent secondary damage and to improve security.
• Assess structural damage and stabilize the property as necessary.
• Determine what can be saved, cleaned, refurbished, and restored.
• Document damages for the insurance adjuster.
• Provide an estimate of the project, the costs, and the time frame.
• Discard unsalvageable items and store other belongings.

These initial steps provide an environment where the rest of the recovery process can be undertaken safely and efficiently.

Specialized Equipment Removes Smoke Damage

The main goal of the fire damage cleanup and recovery team is restoring your property and getting you back to work. Specialized scrubbers are used to eliminate smoke odors and soot stains. These tools are used on exterior and interior surfaces, including walls, ceilings, windows, patios, and sidewalks. Inside your building, cleansers and sanitizers are used to treat the same surfaces, as well as floors, the basement, and furnishings. Professional equipment, including ozone machines, are used to neutralize lingering particles and odors.

Water Damage Is Addressed Through Ventilation and Powerful Cleansers

Of course, there's a significant risk of water damage, so professionals must also get to work removing water from the building. This involves shutting off electricity, testing the integrity of structural elements, and monitoring levels of humidity. With high-powered fans and dehumidifiers, technicians dry the building and remove floating contaminants.

Progress Moves Forward Without Delays

When multiple recovery companies are hired to aid in the recovery of your property, there's a risk that mold growth will go unnoticed. Mold prevention begins with the tarping and boarding step, right after the fire department has left. This step continues as water-logged furnishings are removed from the building and as ventilation throughout the property is increased. During water extraction, further steps are taken to neutralize and remove any remaining mold particles.

A Speedy Recovery Matters

Recovering from fire damage doesn't have to take a long time. When you choose one experienced restoration team, each step is completed smoothly and without unnecessary delays. Each point of the process moves forward seamlessly. When a speedy recovery is essential to your company, contact a cleanup and restoration crew to see you through from beginning to end.

SERVPRO of South Albany County - Fire Damage Experts

3/18/2022 (Permalink)

In your lifetime you hope to never experience a fire damage to your home. A fire disaster can cause little to major damage to the structure of your home along with all the belongings. There are some easy things you can do to reduce the risk of a fire.

• Smoke spreads fast. Working smoke alarms give you early warning so you can get outside quickly.
• A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat, and fire. Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home. Install alarms in the basement. Smoke alarms should interconnect. When one sounds, they all sound.
• Large homes may need extra smoke alarms.
• It is best to use interconnected smoke alarms. One smoke alarm sound they all sound.
• Test all smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.
• A smoke alarm should be on the ceiling or high on a wall. Keep smoke alarms away from the kitchen to reduce false alarms. They should be at least 10 feet from the stove.
• People who are hard of hearing or deaf can get special alarms. These alarms have strobe lights in bed shakers.
• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.
• Smoke alarms are an important part of a home fire escape plan.

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 – SERVPRO of South Albany County at 518-456-1111.

Proven Fire Damage Methods Work Best for Albany Homeowners – Call the Pros!

2/28/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Arrives Fast for Fire Damage Restoration, Ensuring Your Albany Property Gets Back to Normal Quickly

Taking control of the cleanup of your home after a house fire can feel overwhelming. You may look at the devastation and feel at a loss for where to begin. Contacting a team to handle the fire and smoke damage is the only way to take this burden and stress off your shoulders. SERVPRO is available for 24/7 response, tackling the challenging cleanup and restoration of fire-damaged homes. Just make a call to get in touch with us, and we can have our fire and smoke restoration technicians (FSRT) at your door within hours to start the assessment and fire and smoke remediation process.

Fire and smoke damage restoration and cleanup in Albany goes a lot smoother with our team at SERVPRO. We have all the latest equipment and cleaning products to address contents cleaning, soot residue removal, and more. Restoring your home using our techniques will be a lot more cost-effective than spending money to replace items. These are a sampling of the options we have at our disposal to salvage your belongings:

• Wood Oil Soaps – These are great detergents that are mild, non-alkali, and just right for handling light soot residue removal on various wood surfaces.
• Dry Cleaning Solvents – When paired with our dry cleaning equipment, these petroleum-based solvents are great for handling light soiling on window treatments and various fabrics.  
• Volatile Dry Cleaning Agents – Perfect for spot-cleaning, volatile dry cleaning agents evaporate fast when battling harsh smoke and soot without leaving any residue behind. 
• Furniture Treatments – These polishes and various products work to clean up, polish, and help to protect your wood surfaces.

With any house fire cleanup project, our SERVPRO crew works to battle odorous particles, ensuring that no reminder of the blaze gets left behind. Everything gets cleaned and sanitized, leaving your home Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned!

Call SERVPRO of South Albany County at (518) 456-1111, and we can send a crew out to your home for fire damage restoration as soon as possible.

Why Hire a Multi-Specialty Disaster Firm for Fire Damage Restoration?

2/25/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO’s Expertise in Structural and Contents Hazard Assessment and Water Mitigation and Remediation Complement our House Fire Clean up Skills

When a homeowner surveys the wreckage after a household blaze in Albany, fire damage restoration reveals itself as a highly complicated set of tasks. Possessing only the ability to clean fire and smoke damage off surfaces is inadequate to return a fire-damaged home safely to “Like it never even happened.” Instead, the SERVPRO team brings a broad-based and comprehensive approach to fire and smoke damage restoration and cleanup.

Can SERVPRO Offer Multi-Faceted Water and Fire Damage Restorations?

First responders leverage both copious quantities of water and a range of chemical fire extinguishing chemicals to knock down a fire. SERVPRO considers the disaster as a whole, evaluating the scene for safety hazards first, some risks created due to the structure-saving firefighting efforts. Because SERVPRO crews are certified to manage and remove water and chemicals as well as fire damage in your home, our technicians await the project manager’s assessment to secure and abate all types of safety concerns before mitigation and remediation phases:

• Slip, trip, and fall risks caused by water and scattered debris

• Electrical hazards due to water-compromised wiring, boxes, cords, and soaked equipment

• Structural collapse worries, including trapped water in ceilings and other building cavities, as well as building materials weakened by water incursion, substantial charring, or both

Where Do SERVPRO Technicians Receive Training?

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) provides the framework and knowledge underlying SERVPRO crew members’ expertise. Our employees learn the industry best practices observed by either Water Damage Restoration Technicians (WRT) or Fire and Smoke Restoration Technicians (FSRT) or both. These and other disciplines mastered by our talented crews permit our team to manage all aspects of fire damage restoration, preceding according to research-based protocols.

Count on SERVPRO of South Albany County to guide fire damage recovery without delaying the process. We urge you to call (518) 456-1111 to consult with us on streamlining restoration, relying on our multiple disaster category mitigations and remediation certifications.

Fire Restoration for Your Albany Home

12/10/2021 (Permalink)

Get Professional Fire Damage Cleanup in Albany for Items that Require Special Care

House fires are destructive and can start because of faulty electrical wiring or equipment. Even after extinguishing a fire, damage to your property and possessions continues. It is therefore, critical to prevent further destruction by calling professionals who have expertise in dealing with smoke, soot, and odor.

You can call SERVPRO to assist you in cleaning up your fire damaged residence. We can assess the destruction that the flames, smoke, soot, or water has caused. Once we determine the amount of damage, we can come up with an estimate for cleaning up and restoring your house. A fire can ruin your home in many ways, including the following:

· Smoke may discolor the walls in a few minutes.

· Finishes on kitchen appliances may discolor within a few hours.

· Smoke can tarnish metal or cause etching in the glass after a short time.

· Smoke and ash can continue causing corrosion to materials the flames did not ruin.

Our technicians can remove smoke, soot, ash, and other residues that could have built up on different surfaces before they spread. We can also use deodorization products to remove unpleasant odors from curtains, carpets, and upholstered furniture. During the cleanup process, some items such as clothes, toys, jewelry, and food require special care. We use special cleaning procedures when cleaning such things.

Most clothes are made of artificial fibers and therefore smoke odor molecules, and smoke particles can bond with fabrics if you do not clean them quickly. To organize garment restoration, we recommend that you make three groups of clothes, namely:

· The clothes you need immediately

· The clothes you need at a later date

· Seasonal clothes

We inventory clothes before removing them from the fire damaged worksite. We take multiple steps to clean and deodorize clothing items, including removing them from metal hangers to prevent oxidization, eliminating loose, dry residues from fabrics, and spraying the garments with solvent-based odor counteracts.

When restoring toys, we do our best to ensure that we return them to a condition that is safe for children to play with them. We clean and sanitize toys, and if we have any doubts about their safety, we dispose of them.

The flames and heat of a fire can ruin foods, making them unsafe to consume. Our technicians dispose of food items that heat damage or smoke particles have ruined. We also evaluate canned foods to determine if they were too close to smoke and heat. We recommend disposing of food items that have discolored or scorched labels after you have inventoried them. Our SERVPRO technicians can also help you file your insurance claim using our contents claim inventory service (CCIS). The process involves identifying the salvageable and unsalvageable items and showing their value for easier settlements.

If you need fire damage cleanup services for items requiring special care, call SERVPRO of South Albany County at (518) 580-1111. We are dedicated to professionalism and can meet your needs in Albany, and neighboring areas. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

4 Essential Steps That SERVPRO Takes During the Fire Restoration Process

12/1/2021 (Permalink)

If a fire occurs in your building, it's vital that you take action quickly. One of the most important steps to take is beginning the restoration process, which SERVPRO is experienced at helping with. If you'd like to know more, here are four essential steps that SERVPRO takes during the fire restoration process.

1. Inspecting for Damage
One of the most important parts of restoration is inspecting the damage. By doing so, experts can determine the best course of action. Not only is this beneficial to the restoration process, but it may save you money if the damage is determined to be minimal. Here's what the fire restoration experts at SERVPRO generally look for:

• Smoke damage
• Soot damage
• Size of the fire
  
  

2. Stabilizing Vulnerable Areas
When a building has experienced a fire, it's likely that it will have some damaged structural parts. These are things like roofs, windows, and walls. In order to prevent further damage to your building (which would delay the fire rebuild), SERVPRO workers can stabilize these areas. Windows and walls can be boarded up, while a tarp may be laid over a roof.

3. Cleaning Damaged Items
Unfortunately, many of your items may be damaged during a fire. An essential part of fire restoration is getting your building back to its previous state, so SERVPRO has various cleaning techniques for restorable items.

4. Getting Rid of Smoke and Soot
After a fire, smoke, and soot may become entrenched in surfaces like ceilings and walls. This could cause a whole new series of problems, from discoloration to metal corrosion. Since SERVPRO has particular techniques and equipment available, this problem may be dealt with efficiently.

Experiencing a fire can be overwhelming. However, it's important not to give up or sink into despair. SERVPRO of South Albany County can help you get your building as close to normalcy as possible, even if rebuilding services are needed.

4 Essential Steps That SERVPRO Takes During the Fire Restoration Process

11/12/2021 (Permalink)

Contact SERVPRO if you're dealing with fire, soot or smoke damage.

Fire Restoration Process

If a fire occurs in your building, it's vital that you take action quickly. One of the most important steps to take in beginning the restoration process, which SERVPRO is experienced at helping with. If you'd like to know more, here are four essential steps that SERVPRO takes during the fire restoration process.

1. Inspecting for Damage
One of the most important parts of restoration is inspecting the damage. By doing so, experts can determine the best course of action. Not only is this beneficial to the restoration process, but it may save you money if the damage is determined to be minimal. Here's what the fire restoration experts at SERVPRO generally look for:

• Smoke damage
• Soot damage
• Size of the fire
  
  

2. Stabilizing Vulnerable Areas
When a building has experienced a fire, it's likely that it will have some damaged structural parts. These are things like roofs, windows, and walls. In order to prevent further damage to your building (which would delay the fire rebuild), SERVPRO workers can stabilize these areas. Windows and walls can be boarded up, while a tarp may be laid over a roof.

3. Cleaning Damaged Items
Unfortunately, many of your items may be damaged during a fire. An essential part of fire restoration is getting your building back to its previous state, so SERVPRO has various cleaning techniques for restorable items.

4. Getting Rid of Smoke and Soot
After a fire, smoke and soot may become entrenched in surfaces like ceilings and walls. This could cause a whole new series of problems, from discoloration to metal corrosion. Since SERVPRO has particular techniques and equipment available, this problem may be dealt with efficiently.
Experiencing a fire can be overwhelming. However, it's important not to give up or sink into despair. SERVPRO can help you get your building as close to normalcy as possible, even if rebuilding services are needed.

Only You Can Prevent a Cigarette Fire

11/4/2021 (Permalink)

A common cause of house fires, is from cigarettes. A cigarette fire can ignite bedding, curtains, or paper trash if not disposed of properly.

Residential fires are for the most part easy to both prepare for and prevent by taking a few simple safety measures and using good common sense. Should the worst happen, however, there are various places to turn to help get your life back together.

Tips To Prevent Fires

• Never smoke in bed.
• Smoke outside whenever possible, or next to a cracked window if the weather doesn’t allow.
• Always make certain the cigarette fire is fully extinguished. Running it under a tap before throwing it in the trash will ensure no paper waste catches lingering embers.
• Don’t toss a cigarette that’s potentially still burning into your garden.
• Regularly cleaning the ashtray will help prevent an ashtray fire and keep it free of residue. Filling it with sand will also ensure the cigarette is completely out.

What To Do If a Fire Occurs

Should a cigarette fire break out, it’s not the end of the world. First, call your insurance company to file a claim. They may also be able to recommend disaster and restoration companies for fire cleanup. Some other actions you can take are as follows:

• Get a copy of the fire report from the fire department.
• Carefully go through the damaged areas to recover undamaged or salvageable items.
• Air rooms out as much as possible to avoid further smoke damage to both your home and your lungs.
  
  

There are several ways to avoid disaster, including reviewing your homeowners or rental insurance policies to ensure that they provide coverage for fire cleanup and property loss. Also, keep all important documents in a fire-proof safe or a bank safety deposit vault. This is good advice for anyone, smokers and nonsmokers alike, and will prevent the complicated process of replacing documents such as Social Security cards and birth certificates.

Our SERVPRO Team Will Eliminate Smoke And Odors In Your Home After A Fire

10/11/2021 (Permalink)

Fires can happen at any time, and the most common culprits are cooking and heating equipment. Residual damage such as fire odor, smoke, soot, and ash always happens after a fire. Some water damage also commonly occurs while extinguishing fires. All homes contain different materials that burn and create unique cleaning and restoration challenges.

To restore your Albany home after fire damage, you need to take care of smoke, fire, and water damage. Our SERVPRO Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technicians (FSRTs) have experience in addressing these issues. Smoke and odors can emanate from burned wood or paper and melted plastics. Smoke damage typically falls into 4 categories:

    •    Dry smoke – Usually results from fast-burning and high-temperature fires.
    •    Wet smoke – Results from smoldering or low heat fires. The smoke from a wet fire has a smeary, sticky texture, and a pungent odor.
    •    Fuel oil soot smoke – It results from furnace smoke returns, which cause oily soot.
    •    Protein smoke – Fires that burn plants, food, or other organic matter emit this smoke. It discolors varnishes and paints and has a pungent scent.

Smoke can penetrate walls and other surfaces quickly and drift through air ducts. Smoke odor can remain in furniture and clothing if it not deodorized properly. Smoke also penetrates cabinets and drawers, meaning that if you do not clean up your house properly, the odor can continue to re-occur for long periods.

Smoke can also ruin delicate works of art such as sculptures and paintings. The same acid that damages wood and metals can discolor the paint on canvas and the stone that makes up sculptures. When this occurs, the beauty of an art piece diminishes, and its monetary value reduces. We can work with a curator to restore ruined artwork.

Our fire damage restoration process is proven and thorough. It includes finding the source of the fire to determine the type of smoke and odors present in a home. Our technicians also determine if any areas of a house are wet because of firefighting efforts. We extract the water using shop vacs and dry the affected areas using air moving and dehumidifying equipment. We also remove any charred contents that could seal in smoke and smells like burned wood and insulation.

We can clean affected surfaces to eradicate the soils or soot particles. We perform several cleaning actions based on the affected surface and type of smoke particles present. Our technicians often perform mechanical action before other cleaning actions. Mechanical action is useful for pre-cleaning excess, non-greasy residues from surfaces before applying solvent-based or water-based cleaning products. Our SERVPRO technicians also treat affected surfaces for smoke scents using dry solvent deodorizers and thermal fogging equipment.

To deal with the aftermath of a fire in your home, call SERVPRO of South Albany County at (518) 456-1111 to assist you. We can examine the extent of the destruction and take the right steps to make it “Like it never even happened.”

5 Common Causes of Fires (and How to Prevent Them)

6/4/2021 (Permalink)

Hundreds of thousands of fires each year destroy homes, cause harm and disrupt people's lives. Most of them are preventable.

Cooking Fires

Cooking is the number one cause of preventable home fires! You should not cook when you're tired, if it's the middle of the night, or if you just got home from a late night. If you do cook under any of these circumstances, you need to be extra careful.

You also should not cook while you're drinking, especially if you've been drinking more than one or two glasses of wine, because your full attention won’t be where it needs to be and can lead to something dangerous. 

Oftentimes in the event of a grease fire, the first instinct is going to be to get some water to put the fire out. Do not do this - this may cause the grease to splatter and can cause the fire to spread. Instead of that, cover the fire with a pan. Starved of oxygen, it will go out on its own. You can also use baking soda on some occasions.

However, if the fire becomes too much to handle or out of control and you start to get worried for your own safety, get out as quick as possible and call 9-1-1! 

Heating Fires

Of course, in the winter, you need to keep your home warm, especially in Albany. But heating elements like fireplaces or space heaters can be major causes of residential and commercial fires.

You should keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from that heating source. You should also turn the heater off when you're leaving the room or if you're going to sleep. While it’s always nice to go to bed toasty, it's not safe to do so!

Electrical Fires

Electrical fires are also all too common, but they can be avoided with a bit of common sense.

You should only plug in one heat-producing appliance at a time. For major appliances like refrigerators, plug those directly into outlets - don't use extension cords or power strips. Finally, use light bulbs with the right number of watts. Those watts are listed on the sticker on the side in most cases

Smoking Fires

Smoking is less common than it used to be, but it's still a major cause of preventable fires. In fact, according to the National Fire Protection Association, over 17,000 home fires per year were caused by smoking.

Store cigarettes and lighters high up or in locked cabinets so children cannot access them.

Put out your cigarette in a deep sturdy ash tray when you're done. Make sure it's away from anything that could burn.

Candle Fires

Candles can be a major cause of home fires, causing over 7,000 fires per year, especially over the holidays. You should ensure that candles are at least one foot away from anything that could possibly burn. Finally, blow your candles out before you leave the room or go to bed. Everybody likes a bit of ambiance, but it's not safe.

It's important to remember that fires are preventable so long as you know the risks. Still, it's important to be prepared for the worst case scenario, so take a look at developing an emergency response plan. And remember if you do have a fire, call SERVPRO of South Albany County at 518-456-1111.

Tips On Fire Damage Cleanup

2/15/2021 (Permalink)

We might view fires as something abstract, but they are very real. Fires happen every single day, to others due to a variety of reasons. So, one does not usually imagine the scenario in which they, themselves, would have to go through such an experience. This is why most of us, seldom read about what it is that we can do to help ourselves after. However, we are going to change that today. If a fire does happen to occur on your property, then fire damage cleanup tips are something that you should know as they will, undoubtedly, come in handy. 

What Exactly Is Involved In The Fire Damage Cleanup Process

First thing's first, to understand the tips that we provide for the fire damage cleanup process, you must first know exactly what it is that the process entails. The process involves the removal of any debris caused by the fire, resolution of any sort of water damage, and removal of standing water within your property. That is not all, to ensure that the air quality in your home is as good as it was before the fire, you must start by eradicating the smell caused by the smoke and removing any soot accumulation in your house and places, such as vents. 

Tips

Now that we know exactly what we have to do during the fire damage cleanup process, here are some tips that will make the entire process much more easy and efficient.

Safety

Before you start the cleanup process, it is vital for you to ensure that you are safe and using protective gear at all times. So, our first tip is for you to wear protective clothing, such as shoes with heavy soles and work gloves. Next, to make it easier for you to breathe through the dust particles, make sure that before you begin the cleanup process, you water the debris to minimize them. 

Efficiency

To make the cleanup process more efficient, there are certain ways in which you can make the products you are using work for you. Firstly, to reduce odors set in your clothes after the fire, you can use cleanup products that contain TSP, that is, tri-sodium phosphate. However, make sure to wear rubber gloves when using such products. On the other hand, when cleaning the walls of your property, make sure that you work on one small area of the wall at a time. You can easily use a mild detergent or soap to clean soot from your walls. In fact, you can even mix it with TSP for extra ease and efficiency. Work your way up as this will ensure that your walls don't have any streaking. Then, immediately rinse with clear water. Make sure that you wash your ceiling after you have cleaned all of the walls.  

When dealing with a situation such as fire damage cleanup, things can start to become quite overbearing and emotionally overwhelming. This is why you should take each task one step at a time and remember these tips and all will be well.

Will You Be Ready for a Fire Emergency?

2/3/2021 (Permalink)

It is important to prepare before a disaster occurs. Consider the following steps to help you better prepare for an emergency situation.

• Sign up for local alerts and warnings, download apps and/ or check access for wireless emergency alerts.
• Develop and test emergency communication plans.
• Assemble or update emergency supplies.
• Learn about local hazards and conduct a drill to practice emergency response actions.
• Participate in a preparedness discussion, training or class.
• Collect and safeguard critical documents.
• Plan with neighbors to help each other and share resources.
• Document property and obtain appropriate insurance for relevant hazards.
• Make property improvements to reduce potential injury and property damage.

Emergencies can happen anytime to anyone. Take action now to protect yourself and your property. SERVPRO of South Albany County is ready to respond any time of day or night.

Call SERVPRO of South Albany County to help make it "Like it never even happened," at 518-456-1111.

Candle Fire Safety Tips

12/3/2020 (Permalink)

As the holidays and cold weather approach, candles can make us feel cozy and happy! But it’s important to keep in mind that they are still an open flame and potential fire hazard. Thousands of home fires start every year due to candles. According to the National Fire Protection Association, the number may be as high as 8,200 annually. So be sure to never leave a candle unattended. Never burn a candle near anything that may catch fire. Keep candles out of reach of children and pets. Always trim the wick to ¼ inch, to prevent uneven burning. Having a working smoke alarm is one of the greatest tools for fire safety, so be sure to check your smoke alarms regularly. In the event of fire damage, SERVPRO of South Albany County can help you clean up the mess and restore your home to its original state!

Fire, Smoke and Soot Restoration is Critical After a Home Fire

11/15/2020 (Permalink)

Experiencing a fire in your home can be a devastating experience. The anguish of property lost to the flames is only compounded by the property left behind that survived the fire but still looks damaged beyond repair. SERVPRO of South Albany County understands how important it is to help homeowners get back to a place where it feels like the fire never happened at all, but time and experience are key to making that happen. Our fire damage repair and restoration services focus on the fact that fire, smoke and soot restoration is critical to recovery.

Fire Damage Process Overview

When a home fire occurs, reaction time and the steps to assess the damage are significant factors in restoring a home back to its preloss condition. That’s why it’s important to follow an emergency fire damage process; a routine that every highly trained SERVPRO technician follows when coming out to a home that has suffered fire.  SERVPRO’s quick response can reduce continued damage and save money by quickly responding to the incident. It starts with a quick response time to let a homeowner know someone is on the way to assess the damage. Within four hours of loss notification, a SERVPRO professional will be onsite to start mitigation services. A technician will walk the homeowner through the step-by-step process to explain what services are needed and what the expected outcome will be. For restoration of property, they’ll start pretesting for restorability. Once they understand the possible outcome, they’ll communicate findings to the homeowner to get the process started, cleaning, restoring and deodorizing the property. It ends with a final walkthrough so that the homeowner can see what work was completed.

Fire, Smoke, and Soot Restoration Services

There are essentially two types of cleaning that happen during restoration:  structure cleaning and contents cleaning. Structural cleaning relates to ceiling, walls, windows, floors, carpeting and woodwork. All need a thorough cleaning after a fire. In some cases, a simple cleaning may suffice while in other cases, the cleaning may serve as a preface to additional services such as painting.

Contents cleaning can save significant money over replacing items damaged by the fire. Area rugs, furniture, drapes and upholstery can be cleaned and deodorized, saving the homeowner significant expenses of having to replace these items. This cleaning can also be done for electronics, art, kitchen items, clothing, bedding and more. Many homeowners assume that once contents have fire, smoke or soot damage they need to be replaced but that isn’t always the case! Oftentimes cleaning and deodorizing will take contents back to their preloss condition at a fraction of the cost to replace it. SERVPRO’s highly trained fire damage restoration technicians will provide the homeowner with a list of items that can be restored.

Expertise dictates what kind of restoration is done

Different types of smoke cause different types of damage and need to be treated differently. Wet smoke, such as occurs with plastics, can leave items sticky, while dry smoke, such as wood or paper, can leave ash and powdery residue. Unfortunately, there is also damage done from trying to extinguish flames, such as fire extinguisher residue that requires a different type of cleaning. Working with fire damage experts make all the difference in how well the home is restored after fire damage.

Fire, smoke and soot restoration is critical after a home fire and must be handled by a professional that knows how to get the job done. SERVPRO of South Albany County wants to ensure that our customers can return to happily living in their homes after a fire disaster. We have extensive experience and training, including IIRC training and certification, needed to provide you with the level of service you deserve. Call us at (518) 456-1111 so we can help restore your residence after it suffers smoke or fire damage.

Fire, Smoke and Soot Restoration is Critical After a Home Fire

11/2/2020 (Permalink)

Experiencing a fire in your home can be a devastating experience. The anguish of property lost to the flames is only compounded by the property left behind that survived the fire but still looks damaged beyond repair. SERVPRO of South Albany County understands how important it is to help homeowners get back to a place where it feels like the fire never happened at all, but time and experience are key to making that happen. Our fire damage repair and restoration services focus on the fact that fire, smoke and soot restoration is critical to recovery.

Fire Damage Process Overview

When a home fire occurs, reaction time and the steps to assess the damage are significant factors in restoring a home back to its preloss condition. That’s why it’s important to follow an emergency fire damage process; a routine that every highly trained SERVPRO technician follows when coming out to a home that has suffered fire.  SERVPRO’s quick response can reduce continued damage and save money by quickly responding to the incident. It starts with a quick response time to let a homeowner know someone is on the way to assess the damage. Within four hours of loss notification, a SERVPRO professional will be onsite to start mitigation services. A technician will walk the homeowner through the step-by-step process to explain what services are needed and what the expected outcome will be. For restoration of property, they’ll start pretesting for restorability. Once they understand the possible outcome, they’ll communicate findings to the homeowner to get the process started, cleaning, restoring and deodorizing the property. It ends with a final walkthrough so that the homeowner can see what work was completed.

Fire, Smoke, and Soot Restoration Services

There are essentially two types of cleaning that happen during restoration:  structure cleaning and contents cleaning. Structural cleaning relates to ceiling, walls, windows, floors, carpeting and woodwork. All need a thorough cleaning after a fire. In some cases, a simple cleaning may suffice while in other cases, the cleaning may serve as a preface to additional services such as painting.

Contents cleaning can save significant money over replacing items damaged by the fire. Area rugs, furniture, drapes and upholstery can be cleaned and deodorized, saving the homeowner significant expenses of having to replace these items. This cleaning can also be done for electronics, art, kitchen items, clothing, bedding and more. Many homeowners assume that once contents have fire, smoke or soot damage they need to be replaced but that isn’t always the case! Oftentimes cleaning and deodorizing will take contents back to their preloss condition at a fraction of the cost to replace it. SERVPRO’s highly trained fire damage restoration technicians will provide the homeowner with a list of items that can be restored.

Expertise dictates what kind of restoration is done

Different types of smoke cause different types of damage and need to be treated differently. Wet smoke, such as occurs with plastics, can leave items sticky, while dry smoke, such as wood or paper, can leave ash and powdery residue. Unfortunately, there is also damage done from trying to extinguish flames, such as fire extinguisher residue that requires a different type of cleaning. Working with fire damage experts make all the difference in how well the home is restored after fire damage.

Fire, smoke and soot restoration is critical after a home fire and must be handled by a professional that knows how to get the job done. SERVPRO of South Albany County wants to ensure that our customers can return to happily living in their homes after a fire disaster. We have extensive experience and training, including IIRC training and certification, needed to provide you with the level of service you deserve. Call us at (518) 456-1111 so we can help restore your residence after it suffers smoke or fire damage.

Fire Damage: Dealing With Smoke Damage After a Fire

10/21/2020 (Permalink)

When a fire happens to your commercial property, there's a lot to handle in the aftermath. One aspect that is not immediately obvious is the task of smoke cleaning. This is an important step that should not be skipped, so be sure to add it to your to-do list.

What It Harms

Smoke damage doesn't just mean seeing some dark smudges on the ceiling. Smoke and soot spread quickly and can manifest on almost everything in your building. It will affect different items and surfaces in different ways. Some common problem areas can include:

• electronics
• documents
• furniture
• fabric materials
  
  

How It's Cleaned

Depending on what needs cleaning, there can be a method for every scenario. Specific items, such as those listed above, each require their own customized type of smoke cleaning, that should be conducted by a qualified remediation specialist. Surfaces such as walls and solid furniture can handle a process of dry to wet cleaning. For upholstery and fabric that will shrink if exposed to wet cleaning, there is an option called foam cleaning. Immersive cleaning is a form of wet cleaning in which smaller objects can be totally sunk into a cleaning solution. The list goes on for many more categories.

How It's Reported

If you've hired a smoke odor and cleaning service, they most likely can help you with your insurance claim, as well. You will probably need to inventory all your content that has been damaged by fire or smoke, and gather all you can to verify each item's value. Then you can contact your insurance to determine your coverage. If you don't already have coverage, this moment would also be a good time to consider adding it.

Fire damage  is a dynamic problem that needs to be approached from multiple angles. One of these angles that shouldn't be dismissed is that of smoke cleaning. Smoke damage can hinder functionality and cause a strong odor. Give it proper attention for a complete rehabilitation of your commercial property.

Grilling Safety Tips

6/10/2020 (Permalink)

Follow these tips to ensure your backyard BBQ's are fun and safe.

During the summer months, we do a lot of grilling outside. It's important to remember a few safety tips to keep grilling fun and enjoyable. 

First, keep the grill a few feet away from the house. If the grill gets out of control and a fire erupts, you don't want the flames to catch fire to the side of the home or any decking.

Use the grill in an open area. Do not use the grill where there is a ceiling, such as a covered deck area.

Keep the grill clean. If the grease tray gets too full, it makes it easier for it to catch fire. A grease fire can be very dangerous!

If you use a cover for your grill, wait until the grill has completely cooled before putting the cover on.

Lastly, don't walk away from the grill at any time. It's important to keep an eye on the grill so nothing happens.

And remember, in case something does go wrong and a fire occurs, SERVPRO of South Albany County is available 24/7 to help with your disaster. Give our office a call at (518) 456-1111.

Keep Dryers Lint Free

2/3/2020 (Permalink)

A dryer seems like a convenient, safe appliance that lets you forget it and go. However, if you don’t maintain it properly, a lint fire can happen, which can cause severe fire damage to your home. 

A Surprising Amount of Lint

Depending on your family size or how often you go through clothes, it is likely that you do a lot more laundry than you realize. An average family does approximately eight to 10 loads a week. Every load means small fabric, dust, and dirt particles are collecting in your dryer’s lint trap, vent and duct work. Lint is highly combustible, making it vital to eliminate.

Cleaning Out the Lint

Instead of dealing with a potential dryer fire and needing expert help in repairing the damage, good habits can go a long way.

Lint traps should be cleaned after every load. Most appliances make this easy. The trap usually slides out and the lint can be lifted off. Any lint that is leftover should be scrubbed off with a brush. Every few weeks, the screen should be rinsed with water. While the screen is out, vacuum in and around its entry point.

Approximately once a year, unplug the dryer and inspect the vent and hose or pipe connected to the dryer. Wipe lint off of the opening and clean any leftover in the hose or pipe. A brush can be used to clean the interior of the vent.

Don’t forget the exterior vent. Ensure the vent flap is still attached and working properly. Vacuum or wipe out the opening. This should be done a few times a year.

Extra Safety Tips

To further avoid a lint fire, ensure your dryer is properly installed. Additionally, avoid drying clothes stained with chemicals, gas, oil or cleaning products, and only operate the dryer while at home.

In most cases, a lint fire happens because of improper cleaning and maintenance. Taking a little extra to be safe is worth it.

How To Use a Fire Extinguisher

2/3/2020 (Permalink)

Types of Fire Extinguishers

There are many hazards within the home that can cause a fire to break out, but with proper care and basic safety, this is a rare problem. Accidents still do happen though, and it never hurts to be prepared if the situation calls for it. Owning a small fire extinguisher and having it in a handy spot, such as the kitchen pantry, can be a life saver.

Of course, making the decision to take it out and use it can be tricky, as you must know what type of fire it is, what type of fire extinguisher can be used safely, and whether or not it is a safe enough situation to handle it yourself without instead evacuating and calling the fire department. Consult OSHA’s website to determine which type of extinguisher would be the best for your home. There are many types, including multi-purpose, as well as Class K which is specifically for putting out a kitchen fire.

There are situations when even if you are able to get to the fire extinguisher, the fire may be growing too quickly, and it would be better to call emergency services before you attempt to control the situation.

Operate Your Fire Extinguisher

The following technique called PASS is useful for operating most extinguishers:

Pull: Pull the pin and break the tamper seal.

Aim: Aim at the base of the fire with the hose or nozzle.

Squeeze: Squeeze the handle.

Sweep: Use a sweeping motion to spray the chemicals along the base until it goes out, then wait to see if it reignites, and repeat if necessary.

If there are any doubts about your ability to handle a fire, evacuate and call 911. Especially in the case of a kitchen fire, burning oils are incredibly dangerous and having the right type of chemicals in your extinguisher is crucial for your safety. Fire damage restoration services are much more affordable than risking your life!

How to Maintain Your Microwave for Optimal Performance

1/1/2020 (Permalink)

Clean your microwave regularly, both inside and out, to keep it working effectively.

Arriving home at the end of the workday, the convenience of a microwave often makes it your go-to cooking appliance. It should come as no surprise that over 90% of U.S. homes have one. Depending on the features they offer, microwaves can be fairly expensive investments for many people but well worth the money in time saved. Since it would be missed if you didn’t have one, it’s important to maintain it for optimal performance and to avoid foul odors such as a smoke smell. Here are some tips to keep your appliance running efficiently while giving it the longest life possible:

1. Where to Place It

A space of three inches on all sides should be maintained. Microwaves tend to heat on the outside when operating, so the vents should be given ample space to dissipate the heat and avoid overheating. Keep it away from a sink or other water source; splashing water on it could cause a short or burn it out.

2. How to Keep It Running Efficiently

Microwaves require regular cleanings, both inside and out, to keep them working effectively. Everyone has had the annoying experience of food splattering during the heating process. If it’s not cleaned right away, it will dry and stick, causing a smoke smell from the burnt-on food and possibly damaging the appliance. Be sure to cover food as it heats. Clean with a soft rag and a solution of baking soda and vinegar to get rid of odors. Make sure to wipe around the vents and vent grill.

3. What to Avoid Placing in It

Whatever you do, avoid putting anything metal, even aluminum foil, in the oven. This will cause a fire or explosion. Be careful about reheating food in plastic dishes. Only use items that are labeled as microwave-safe.

If your home sustains fire damage from your microwave, call on SERVPRO of South Albany County’s fire damage restoration experts to assist with a thorough cleanup. These specialists can also help get rid of any lingering smoke smell. Call (518) 456-1111 today!

Think Twice Before You Plug That Space Heater In

12/23/2019 (Permalink)

Be sure to follow safety precautions when using a space heater to prevent a fire from happening.

It is that time of year when there is a chill in the air and a little extra warmth is needed. However if not used properly, space heaters can be very dangerous. Here are some great space heater safety tips to prevent a fire in your home this winter season.

Electric space heaters are generally more expensive to operate than combustion space heaters, but they are the only unvented space heaters that are safe to operate inside your home. Although electric space heaters avoid indoor air quality concerns, they still pose burn and fire hazards and should be used with caution.

1. Place heater on a hard, level surface
2. Turn heater off when you leave
3. Keep heater 3 ft. from the nearest object
4. Avoid using extension cords
5. Look for heaters with tip over and over heat protection
6. Keep heaters away from water and flammable items such as papers, blankets, and curtains. 

Educating yourself about the safety hazards that come with the improper use of portable heaters will help you achieve better peace of mind as you keep your home warm, comfortable, and fire hazard-free this winter.

Christmas Tree Fires Account for Millions of Dollars in Property Damage Annually

12/10/2019 (Permalink)

Christmas trees and holiday decorations account for millions of dollars in property damage every year. Please share these basic safety tips to ensure your family's well being this holiday season.

• Look for a fresh tree, these are less likely to catch fire. Vibrant green needles that do not fall off easily. The Frazier Fir is a great choice and has a softer needle that does not dry out as quickly.
• Remember to water your tree immediately after getting it home and once it’s in the stand. Continue to water the tree until it stops taking water.
• Keep your tree away from heat sources, candles and other electronics.
• All your Christmas lights should be UL or ETL/ITSNA tested for safety, and you should throw away damaged lights.
• Be sure to plug outdoor lights into a ground-fault circuit interrupter protected receptacle.
• Keep all your candles away from your Christmas tree, surrounding furniture and décor. If possible avoid candles all together, especially this time of year when there tend to be more flammable items around the home.
• Don’t forget to turn your Christmas tree lights off each night.
• When your tree's needles begin to fall, it is time to take it down.

Follow these guidelines and avoid being another statistic in the National Fire Protection Association or United States Fire Administration report this holiday season. Of course, if you do have an emergency contact us immediately along with the local emergency response departments needed. We will be there to help you get things back, "Like it never even happened."

Thanksgiving Safety Tips

11/25/2019 (Permalink)

The kitchen is the heart of the home, especially at Thanksgiving. Kids love to be involved in holiday preparations. Safety in the kitchen is important, especially on Thanksgiving Day when there is a lot of activity and people at home.

• Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food.
• Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently.
• Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay 3 feet away.
• Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
• Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
• Keep knives out of the reach of children.
• Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee
  maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
• Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.
• Never leave children alone in a room with a lit candle.
• Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.

Thanksgiving is the leading day of the year for home fires involving cooking equipment. Follow these tips from the National Fire Protection Association to ensure you have a safe and happy Thanksgiving. And remember, if you do have an emergency, SERVPRO of South Albany County is here to make it “Like it never happened.” 

Halloween Fire Safety Tips

10/28/2019 (Permalink)

Use battery-operated candles in your jack-o-lanterns to avoid potential fire hazards.

Halloween is a fun, and spooky, time of year for kids. Make trick-or-treating safe for your little ghouls with a few easy safety tips. 

• When choosing a costume, stay away from long trailing fabric. If your child is wearing a mask, make sure the eye holes are large enough so he or she can see out.
• Provide children with flashlights to carry for lighting or glow sticks as part of their costume.
• Keep all decorations away from open flames and other heat sources like light bulbs and heaters. Dried flowers,corn stalks and crepe paper catch fire easily.
• Use a battery-operated candle or glow-stick in jack-o- lanterns. If you use a real candle, use extreme caution. Make sure children are watched at all times when candles are lit. When lighting candles inside jack-o- lanterns, use long, fireplace-style matches or a utility lighter. Be sure to place lit pumpkins well away from anything that can burn and far enough out of the way of trick-or-treaters, doorsteps, walkways and yards.
• Remember to keep exits clear of decorations, so nothing blocks escape routes.
• Make sure all smoke alarms in the home are working.

Tell children to stay away from open flames including jack-o-lanterns with candles in them. Be sure they know how to stop, drop and roll if their clothing catches fire. Have them practice, stopping immediately, dropping to the ground, covering their face with hands, and rolling over and over to put the flames out.

Back to School, Fire Safety 101

9/19/2019 (Permalink)

This time of year children around the country start college. For many of them, it will be their first time living away from home, for others they will be returning to complete their studies and spend time with college friends. In recent years it has become quite common for colleges to build apartment-style dorm suites that allow a small group of students (normally 4-6) to share an apartment like space with common living spaces and, in some, even a kitchen. While this may be fun for the students it does present the potential for fire. Kitchen fires are the most common cause of residential fires and when so many young people have access to their own kitchen (some for the first time!) there is much more potential something could go wrong affecting everyone in the building! If your child is off to school be sure to remind them of the dangers of fire in the kitchen and that they have a working fire extinguisher nearby.

How Space Heaters Can Cause Fires

2/9/2019 (Permalink)

Space heaters continue to be a source of household fires resulting in fire damage. Sometimes it is a case of the space heater sparking a fire, or causing a plug to overheat and causing a fire inside a wall at the plug's location. Both types of fires leave water, smoke, soot and odor problems that must be addressed quickly to prevent secondary damage from occurring.

Once the fire is out in your home, your SERVPRO team can go to work for you. First, they quickly access the damage to gauge the scope of the fire and immediately begin to remove any standing water from putting out the blaze using the most expedient method for your situation.  

After removing the water, air movers can be used to dry the affected areas and discourage mold growth. Then, we can begin addressing the residual fire damage to the structure of the home. Smoke can contain soot, ash, and also harmful tars and carbons. Carbon monoxide is of particular concern, as it is harmful and has no odor to alert you to its presence. That is why it is standard for SERVPRO to test the burned areas for carbon monoxide to ensure your home doesn't contain harmful fumes.

We use special cleaners and dry sponges to remove smoke and soot residue on nonporous surfaces and objects. After thoroughly cleaning the floors and walls, the removal of the odor from the affected room or rooms is the final step in the remediation process. One method that effectively removes odors quickly is the use of a thermal fogger which recreates the heat and pressure of the fire and pushes deodorizer in the room and over possessions in the same manner the smoke penetrated them.

You can rely on the experts at SERVPRO of South Albany County to come to your home any time of the day or night to turn back the clock on your fire damage.

Avoid a Dryer Fire

2/9/2019 (Permalink)

Do you have a dryer? Of course you do. One of the most needed appliances in our homes can also cause the most damage if not taken care of properly. The fear of a dryer fire is one that is not commonly heard of, however, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there are an estimated annual 15,500 fires, 10 deaths and 10 injuries due to clothes dryer fires. Several hundred people a year are also subjected to carbon monoxide poisoning from improper dryer vent setups. The financial costs come to nearly $100,000,000 per year. In some cases faulty appliances are to blame, but many fires can be prevented with proper dryer venting.

Here are some small steps to take to Avoid a Dryer Fire:

1. Dryer's produce large amounts of lint. Be sure to clean the lint trap after EVERY use of the dryer.

2. Dryer Vents should ONLY be made of metal and be short and straight. Bends and curves result in lint buildup increasing the risk of a fire. 

3. Do not run the dryer when you are away from home or sleeping. 

Contact SERVPRO of South Albany County today for fire damage restoration.

How Fire Damage Can Continue to Affect Your Home

1/18/2019 (Permalink)

Fire damage does not end the moment the firefighters leave your home or once the fire has been successfully put out. More damage may result from the water that was used to extinguish the fire; therefore, our restoration team employs specialized techniques to attend to the various challenges that arise. Though the restoration procedures may sound the same, your property requires unique solutions after such experiences. 
 
The Fire Damage Restoration process begins the moment you call our SERVPRO team. We understand that such situations require an immediate response, and our representatives usually ask questions regarding the event. By responding to our questions, we are in a position to immediately respond with appropriate resources and equipment. To determine the extent of the damage caused by the soot, smoke, and fire, we perform a careful inspection of the building. The examination helps us to formulate a relevant plan of action. 

Some fire incidents may compromise the roofs, walls, and windows of your property. By offering immediate roof-tarp and board-up solutions, we can attend to such concerns. Such services ensure the security of the building is maintained and help in minimizing further damage. If water is present, we employ appropriate water removal techniques. For instance, pumps to physically extract the water, as well as using air movers and dehumidifiers to dry wet areas. 
 
When soot particles are mixed with water and penetrate hard to reach areas, rotting may take place, and the odor challenge may result. Our SERVPRO technicians are trained to locate and eliminate the unpleasant odors through a process known as deodorization. We can use thermal foggers to dispense deodorants into target locations and neutralize the odor causing particles. Where possible, we physically remove any decomposed particles to control the odor problem. 

Fire Damage in an 1800's Home

12/20/2018 (Permalink)

A fire occurred at our customer’s home in their kitchen due to a cardboard box catching fire near an electric stove. Our customer stated that there was 5 to 6 feet of backsplash affected by the fire and white ash from the cardboard and paper towels throughout the home. Our technicians spent several days properly cleaning the homes structure, contents, and upholstery.  Due to the ornate woodwork and moldings within the home, along with the historic wallpaper that dated back to the 1800’s, we took extra time to insure these areas were properly restored. In the photo you will see the wallpaper that covered the ceiling of the dining area and the ornate base of the dining room's chandelier. When our work was completed the customers were very satisfied with our quality of work and timely restoration. 

Our Process for Fire Damage Restoration

12/20/2018 (Permalink)

We’re not going to kid you. Fire damage restoration is tough work. People call SERVPRO of South Albany County frequently to ask for advice on how to clean up after a fire.  Here are seven of the best tips we give people who ask about fire damage restoration.

Most people can put these tips into practice. But remember that fire damage restoration takes time, work, and skill. Realistically consider whether you want to try these ideas on your own or whether you’d be better off hiring trained experts who will guarantee their work.

1. Remove Smoke Damage

With any fire you’ll have a degree of smoke damage to your walls, wall paper, and paint. If the smoke damage is not too serious, you should be able to scrub it clean with detergents and bleach. Soot from smoke damage is greasy stuff, so always try to dust as much of it off from a surface before trying to scrub the surface clean. Often, you’ll want to repaint, but make sure all surfaces are clean and dry before you paint.

2. Limit Activity & Other Simple Fire Damage Restoration Steps

Until your house is restored, limit your activity and movement in the house. This helps prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets. Keep people’s hands clean so you don’t further soil upholstery, walls, and woodwork. Protect your things by placing clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery, and carpet traffic areas. Before you clean know the best cleaning method for that particular cleaning job (one example: Clean and protect chrome with a light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.) Wash both sides of the leaves on your houseplants. Change your HVAC filter and tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers.

3. Get Rid of Mold & Mildew

Firefighters are great. They save many a live and many a home. But they do introduce mold and mildew into houses when they must use water to extinguish the fire. SERVPRO highly recommends you hire fire damage restoration professionals to deal with mold and mildew. Mold and mildew can cause serious health problems. It’s difficult for a nonprofessional to know for certain if he’s clean up all the areas affected by the mold and mildew. And mold and mildew can contaminate your furniture, carpets, clothing, mattresses, walls, and vents. The best thing you can do immediately is to air out every room and clean out all vents and filters.

4. Replace Carpets. Clean And Dry Your Floors

Your floors and carpets end up absorbing the worst of the damage from all the water used to put out a fire. In almost every case, SERVPRO recommends that you pull up any carpets that have water damage and replace them. Water can also seep underneath vinyl flooring and into the cracks in hardwood. You must address this. If you have experience with flooring, you can lift it up and clean under it. But you may want to call a professional fire damage restoration company to assist you.

5. Avoid Smearing Soot Into Clothing

Cleaning smoke damage from clothing is one of the biggest jobs you’ll have after a fire. Make sure you don’t smear the greasy soot into the clothing or just throw the smoky clothes into the wash. Often times dry cleaning is the best bet, and you should ask around local dry cleaners to see if any have experience with post-fire laundry. Removing odor is another issue and we’ve covered it in another blog post.

6. Scrub, Soak, And Cleaning Dishes

Dishes are also important items to clean thoroughly after a fire because they will be in contact with your food. Scrub all dishes well, let them soak in a solution of bleach and water (2 tablespoons of bleach per gallon) for at least 20 minutes and scrub some more for safety. When in doubt, if a dish, pot, or pan won’t come clean, cut your losses and throw it out – especially rubber or wooden dishes that absorb smoke.

Restaurant Fire Damage Restoration

12/20/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of South Albany County was called after this fast food restaurant had a fire that started near the fryer in the kitchen area.  The fire department extinguished the fire, which turned this fire and soot job into a water job as well.  While the employees and customers were safe, there was work to be done to get this restaurant cleaned out and back to operation. Our fire and commercial cleaning crews were ready to respond. They used the professional drying equipment first, then moved on to the demo work, then finished with the detailed cleaning phase. Our team worked with the restaurant owners to make this process as smooth as possible.  

Are You Prepare for a Home Fire?

12/20/2018 (Permalink)

House fires can be devastating for a family. You may never truly feel prepared, but there are steps you can take to become prepared. The American Red Cross has gone to great lengths on their web page providing tips and suggestions on home fire prevention. 

The 7 Ways to Prepare for a Home Fire

1. Install the right number of smoke alarms. Test them once a month and replace the batteries at least once a year.
2. Teach children what smoke alarms sound like and what to do when they hear one.
3. Ensure that all household members know two ways to escape from every room of your home and know the family meeting spot outside of your home.
4. Establish a family emergency communications plan and ensure that all household members know who to contact if they cannot find one another.
5. Practice escaping from your home at least twice a year. Press the smoke alarm test button or yell “Fire“ to alert everyone that they must get out.
6. Make sure everyone knows how to call 9-1-1.
7. Teach household members to STOP, DROP and ROLL if their clothes should catch on fire.

Preventing Electrical Fires

12/20/2018 (Permalink)

Electrical fires are one of the top five causes of fires in manufacturing plants. Here a non-exhaustive list of specific electrical hazards:

• Wiring that is exposed or not up to code
• Overloaded outlets
• Extension cords
• Overloaded circuits
• Static discharge

The damage caused by these fires can quickly compound thanks to several of the other items on this list. Any of the above hazards can cause a spark, which can serve as an ignition source for combustible dust, as well as flammable liquids and gasses.

How to prevent electrical fire incidents

As with the previous risks, the key to preventing electrical fires is awareness and prevention. This involves training, maintenance, and following best practices. Here are a few to put into practice right now:

• Don’t overload electrical equipment or circuits.
• Don’t leave temporary equipment plugged in when it’s not in use.
• Avoid using extension cords, and never consider them permanent solutions.
• Use antistatic equipment where required by NFPA or OSHA.
• Follow a regular housekeeping plan to remove combustible dust and other hazardous materials from areas that contain equipment and machinery.
• Implement a reporting system so that anyone who observes an electrical fire risk can report it without consequences.

For more information on electrical safety, consult NFPA 70: National Electrical Code and OSHA’s “Electrical Safety in the Workplace.”

10 Fire Tips for Your Home

1/28/2018 (Permalink)

For most people, homes are one-time assets, containing their most precious belongings. A home is the most important thing you own. It is prudent to ensure the security of your home and family from destructive elements such as fire.

Many homes are destroyed due to fires. Fires may occur due to accidents through carelessness or negligence. It is therefore essential to know of ways and means to keep your house safe from fires.

Listed below are 10 tips for ensuring fire safety for your home:

1 Install a few smoke detectors, preferably on each level. Smoke detectors help save lives and property with early-warning mechanisms. All instructions regarding smoke detectors must be observed scrupulously.

2 Maintain and test smoke detectors periodically. Replace smoke alarm batteries. Most detectors give out signals when the batteries get low to avoid the danger of forgetting about you batteries.

3 Keep an eye out for potential fire hazards. Look for things like frayed or torn cords on electrical devices such as televisions, stereo systems, lamps or computers. Watch out for heaters that are too close to flammable items such as clothing, fabric, books, magazines or old newspapers.

4 Keep match boxes and lighters out of reach of children. Children are fascinated with fire, and curiosity can get dangerous. Keep temptation at bay by hiding matches and lighters. Better still, keep them locked away.

5 Stay on guard when cooking or baking in the kitchen. Many home fires begin in the kitchen. It's always best to be cautious and exercise care in attending to areas that are prone to fire accidents.

6 Have an emergency fire-exit plan handy at all times. Family members should be aware of this plan, and safety drills are in order from time to time. Escape plans have helped families to be safe in fires.

7 Always exercise caution when using, placing or lighting candles. Candles can easily allow other things to catch fire if you are not careful. Have proper candle holders, protective covers and extinguishers for candles.

8 Avoid electrical fires by always unplugging all electronic devices and appliances after use. Plugged-in appliances and electronic devices are fire hazards.

9 Take good care of fireplaces or wood-burning stoves that you use during the winter. Ensure proper safety and upkeep of such devices and keep children out of reach of fire.

10 Teach children about the hazards of fire and ensure they are aware of fire safety rules. Remember, the wellbeing of your family is important and everyone is responsible in understanding the hazards of fire.

Holiday Safety Tips to Prevent Fires

12/19/2017 (Permalink)

Lights, candles, action- it’s the holiday season again. Brightly lighted decoration, elaborate meals and large gatherings are all apart of traditional holiday celebrations. Unfortunately, these seasonal traditions also cause an average of 230 home fires each year, with an average of 4 deaths, 21 injuries and $17.3 million in property damage.

Christmas tree lights and candles are just two of the holiday traditions that increase the likelihood of a fire starting in your home. There are about three times as many cooking-related fires on Thanksgiving Day and almost twice as many on Christmas Day as there are on non-holidays. It only takes a single distracted or careless action to turn a family get-together into a tragedy.

Homeowners can help keep their homes and their families safe during the holiday season by understanding the dangers and taking some simple, commonsense precautions.

Holiday Cooking Fire Facts
Thanksgiving Day has three times the average number of reported home structure fires involving cooking equipment.
The two other peak days for cooking-related fires are Christmas Day and Christmas Eve.

Holiday Cooking Safety Tips
Supervise items on the stove top. Fifty-eight percent of Kitchen Fires involve ranges: homes with electrical cook tops have a higher risk of fire than homes with gas cook tops.
Keep flammable items-potholders, packaging, wrapping, wooden utensils, loose clothing-away from the stove top.
Don’t let lack of sleep or alcohol consumption affect your ability to concentrate on preparing the meal.

Holiday Decorating Fire Facts
Half of all holiday decoration fires start because the decoration is too close to a heat source.
On average, 32 candle fires are reported each day. December is the peak month for candle fires.

Holiday Decorating Safety Tips
Keep all decorations away from heat sources like radiators, portable heaters and fireplaces.
Use flameless candles.
If you do use traditional candles, burn them in sturdy candle holders, well away from the drapes and other flammable materials. Never leave them unattended and never allow them to burn down to less than one inch in length.

Christmas Tree Fire Facts
50% of live tree fires occur between December 22 and January 5.
31% of tree fires are caused by electrical problems.
14% involve decorative lights.

Christmas Tree Safety Tips

Keep live trees well-watered to reduce the chance of fire.
Check wiring on lights for breaks and wear, replace worn strings and don’t exceed manufacturer guidelines for connecting multiple strands of lights.
Don’t leave tree lights plugged in when you are away from home or asleep.

“We hope these tips will be a reminder to area families to make fire prevention a priority in their holiday preparations, so they can spend the season enjoying family and friends, not dealing with the aftermath of a fire.”

For more fire prevention tips and information about fire and water damage restoration services, contact SERVPRO of South Albany County at 518-456-1111.

Tips for Cleaning Your Chimney

12/19/2017 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of South Albany County, we know the lovely warm glow a chimney can add to any home. Sitting in front of a fireplace in your Nashville home on a crisp day is a wonderful way to relax and enjoy an evening with family. There is nothing more important than keeping your home and family safe. To help keep those fires going, it's useful to make sure the chimney is periodically cleaned. Chimney cleaning can help a fireplace stay in good shape and reduce the risk of a fire breaking out in your home. Additionally, the chimney allows smoke, fumes and dangerous toxins escape the home through its ventilation. Read on for some helpful tips on having your chimney services.

Inspect the Brick

All chimneys should be completely cleaned at least once a year. Proper cleaning is important to make sure that the chimney is in good working order. Any homeowner should also perform an inspection on their own. This can help identify any potential problems that must be addressed as soon as possible. It's a good idea to bring a flashlight and have a good look at the floor. All the ashes in the chimney accumulate here. The flooring needs to be kept in good shape to make sure the fire can be turned on. Note any problems with the brick surrounding it. The bricks used in a fireplace are more heat tolerant than ordinary bricks. They need to be maintained to prevent any fire in the fireplace from spreading to other areas of the home. If a single brick is out of place, this can make the rest of the chimney far less functional.

Have a Look Up

After having a good look at the area surrounding the fireplace, it's a good idea to have a look at the rest of the chimney. Put on some old clothes and get in the area surrounding the fireplace. Have a look at the chimney area. You should see if there's any obstruction or other issues. Small birds and rodents often find themselves stuck or you could have a thick layer of creosote and soot sticking to the flue and masonry inside the chimney. When this gets too thick, all it takes is a spark and you have a chimney fire on your hands.

According to the National Fire Prevention Association, 30 percent of home fires are caused by chimney fires. Be sure your home is not one of them and have your chimney cleaned regularly. If you do run into trouble with smoke or fire in your home, give us a call. At SERVPRO of South Albany County, we take pride in making it like it never happened.

5 Ways to Prevent Electrical Fires

12/19/2017 (Permalink)

In the United States, 50,900 fires each year are attributed to electrical failure or malfunction, resulting in 490 deaths and 1,440 injuries. And almost every one of those injuries or deaths could have been prevented. The fact is that many fires of this nature happen because of human error. Taking preventative steps now will help you avoid a fire in the future. Here are five ways you can prevent such a fire in your home or business.

1) Fix or replace broken plugs and cords

Frayed electrical cords and broken pugs can overheat or throw off sparks. Both of these can cause a fire. It is not difficult to replace most appliance cords or plugs. If you are not able to do the work yourself, an electrician can do the work for you.

2) Don't overburden electric outlets

Plugging too many appliances or electronics into the same outlet can cause overheating. An overheated plug can spark or blow out completely and cause a fire. If you need to plug more than one thing into an outlet, use a power strip with built-in overload protection.

3) Have faulty wiring fixed

If you have flickering lights, buzzing outlets, or breakers that constantly trip, you have faulty wiring somewhere. Faulty wiring is often hidden in the walls or ceiling cavities. So, leave faulty wiring to an electrician. He can diagnose and fix the problem quickly and effectively.

4) Keep flammable materials away from electrical appliances

Your home and business abound with flammable materials, such as paper, rugs, draperies, towels, and blankets. Keep electrical appliances well away from these flammable materials. This includes electric heaters, hair dryers, irons, and lamps. Never hide cords under rugs because they can overheat and cause fires.

5) Get an electrical inspection done

If your home or business is an older property, consider a thorough inspection performed by a professional electrician. Older homes often contain aluminum wire or even knob and tube wiring, which are both prone to cause fires more than modern copper wiring. It may be time to rewire your century-old building.

Each of these tips will help you prevent an electrical fire from starting in your home or business. Now, if the worst happens, and you do sustain damage from a fire, you need the help of professionals to get your home and business straightened out. Call on the fire damage restoration specialists here at SERVPRO of South Albany County.

For Fires, Every Second Counts

12/18/2017 (Permalink)

Every second counts during a fire. Fire experts agree; people have as little as two minutes to escape a burning home before it's too late to get out. In a matter of moments, a small flame can become a major fire, making it critical to be prepared and have an escape plan in place. A survey conducted by the American Red Cross shows only 26 percent of families have developed and practiced a home fire escape plan. Once a plan is developed, it is critical everyone in the home understands the plan; the best way to do this is by practicing the escape plan at least twice a year. Increase your chance of surviving a fire by ensuring you have working smoke detectors in place, building an escape plan, and then practicing the escape plan. The following are a few suggestions to help you develop an emergency escape plan. 

Draw a map of each level of your home and show all doors and windows. Find two ways to get out of each room. Make sure all doors and windows that lead outside open easily. 

Consider escape ladders for sleeping areas on the second and third floors. Only purchase collapsible escape ladders evaluated by a recognized testing laboratory. Store them near the window where they will be used.

Choose an outside meeting place a safe distance in front of your home where everyone can meet after they've escaped. Make sure to mark the location of the meeting place on your escape plan. 

Teach children how to escape on their own in case you cannot help them. Plan for everyone in your home, with special considerations for elderly or disable individuals. 

Practice your fire escape plan during the day and at nighttime, at least twice a year. 

Keep Fall Fire-Free

The fall season brings cooler temperatures, beautiful colors, and an abundance of outdoor activities. Plan ahead this season to help ensure it is safe and fire-free. 

• Fall decorations, like dried flowers and cornstalks, are highly flammable. Keep these and other decorations away from open flames and heat sources, including light bulbs and heaters. 
• Keep emergency exits clear of decorations so nothing blocks escape routes. 
• Teach children to stay away from open flames. Be sure they know how to stop, drop and roll if their clothing catches fire. 
• Remember safety first when choosing a Halloween costume. Consider avoiding billowing fabric. If you are making your costume, choose material that won't easily ignite if it comes into contact with heat or a flame. 
• It is safest to use a flashlight or battery-operated candle in a jack-o-lantern. Use extreme caution if using a real candle. Place lit pumpkins away from anything that can burn, and ouf of they way of doorsteps, walkways, and yards. 

A Business Plan...For Fire Emergencies

An emergency escape plan is not required for all businesses; however, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends building an emergency action plan to protect yourself, your employees, and your business during an emergency. OSHA suggests the following steps when developing such a plan. 

• Organize an Emergency Preparedness Procedures review with employees to review your company's emergency plans. You may wish to select an individual or team of individuals to lead and coordinate your emergency plan.
• Once a plan is developed, post evacuation procedures, including routes and exits, where they are easily accessible to all employees. Ensure all exits and routes are clearly marked and well lit, wide enough to accommodate the number of evacuating personnel, and unobstructed and clear of debris at all times. 
• Conduct office evacuation exercises and drills. Designate a safe spot outside of the facility where employees can regroup, recover, and conduct a head count. Once completed, evaluate how well the plan worked and if additional training or exercises are needed. 

Fire Safety Tips for the Winter

12/3/2017 (Permalink)

Use proper fire safety tips this winter

The winter season is just around the corner.  This means that home fires occur more often by unattended candles, space heaters, wood stoves and fireplaces. Taking the necessary fire safety tips into consideration is crucial.  

At SERVPRO of South Albany County, we want to remind everyone to follow some simple steps to protect your home and family from fires this winter. Practicing the best fire safety is how you can be most prepared for unexpected disaster in the winter.

7 Fire Safety Tips 

Here are some fire safety tips to prevent most heating related fires from happening:

• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.
• Have your chimneys and vents checked. Fireplaces produce creosote which can ignite. If you light fires frequently, you need a chimney sweep service once a year. When you burn wood, make sure it's dry and seasoned so that it produces more flame and less smoke.
• 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.
• Test smoke alarms. Make sure batteries are fresh. Place smoke alarms in the kitchen, laundry room and in bedrooms.
• Beware of lit candles. Candles can set the mood for relaxation, and that's how they get forgotten or knocked over by kids or pets. Light candles only when you're around to watch them and blow them out when you're ready to leave the room.
• Beware of space heaters. The name should give you a clue space heaters need space. Like fireplaces, people and pets should not be allowed to sit any closer than three feet.
• Don't put space heaters near curtains, tablecloths or other fluttering fabrics. Make sure the space heaters you buy have automatic shut-offs before reaching dangerous temperatures.

If you have the unfortunate experience of fire or smoke damage in your home or business call SERVPRO of South Albany County.

We are available 24 hours a day and are always Here to Help! Call Us Today –(518) 456-1111

Tips for Smoke Alarms

12/3/2017 (Permalink)

Have you checked your smoke alarm recently?

In the event of a deadly home fire, a working smoke alarm will significantly increase your chance of survival.

Tips for Smoke Alarms

Follow these tips to insure you're prepared.

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, all throughout the home.  Upstairs, downstairs, basements.  Make sure you have inside and outside of bedrooms.
• Replace the entire smoke alarm every 8-10 years.
• Test your batteries monthly.
• Once a year, replace batteries in smoke detectors that are battery-powered and hard wired smoke alarms. (the only exception are detectors that contain 10 year lithium batteries.)
• Install both ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms, or dual sensor smoke alarms, which contain both ionization and photoelectric smoke sensors.

There will be times that you may be cooking something that puts off smoke.  Even though its tempting, never disable your smoke alarm.  That one time could be a costly mistake.  Never ignore the sound.  Always react promptly until you ultimately know that your safe and there is not a fire.  In the event you are put in that situation, make sure you are safe and leave the building.  Your life is more valuable then the contents inside. 

When fire impacts your home or place of business, call on the professionals to get the job done. You don't have to wait, you can reach a team member any time of the day or night. We are on standby for you  24/7, 365 days a year! We can guarantee that anytime you call, you will get a SERVPRO professional on the line to help.