Recent Fire Damage Posts
The Critical Importance of Immediate Action After a Fire-Bartow County
3/18/2024 (Permalink)
A small flame can turn big quickly
The aftermath of a fire is undoubtedly one of the most emotionally taxing periods for families and individuals. In those initial days following the blaze, amidst the shock and devastation, lies a crucial window of opportunity. It's a time where every moment counts, where swift action can mean the difference between salvaging what remains and facing irreparable loss. As the flames are extinguished, the clock begins to tick relentlessly, making it imperative to take the necessary steps to save your home and belongings.
The first rule in the aftermath of a fire is crystal clear: do not delay, and certainly, do not attempt to tackle the cleanup and restoration process alone. This is not a DIY project. The risks are far too great, and the consequences too dire.
Experienced professionals understand the urgency of the situation. Within the first two days following the incident, a reputable fire restoration team should already be on-site, ready to assess the damage and initiate the restoration process. Time is of the essence, and that's why our team is available round the clock, ready to respond to emergencies at a moment's notice.
Why the rush? Because with each passing hour, the potential for further damage looms larger. Soot and smoke residues left behind by the fire can continue to wreak havoc on the structural integrity of your home, leading to corrosion and compromise. To mitigate these risks and ensure comprehensive restoration, action must be taken swiftly, ideally within that critical two-day window.
Fire cleanup and restoration are not tasks to be taken lightly. Behind the visible damage, there may lurk hidden dangers—structural weaknesses, compromised air quality, and the looming threat of mold growth. These are hazards that demand professional expertise and specialized equipment.
Our team comes equipped with state-of-the-art tools designed specifically for the challenges posed by fire-damaged properties. From industrial-grade dehumidifiers and air movers to HEPA vacuums and specialized cleaning chemicals, we have everything needed to purify the air, eradicate hazardous particles, and restore your home to its pre-fire condition.
Moreover, our approach goes beyond mere cleanup. We prioritize safety and structural integrity, enlisting the expertise of structural engineers and licensed contractors to assess and address any underlying issues. This comprehensive approach ensures not only the preservation of your property but also the safety of those who inhabit it.
Attempting to tackle fire restoration alone is not only ill-advised but potentially dangerous. A DIY approach can exacerbate existing damage, lead to costly repairs, and even compromise the safety of your home in the long run. Don't take chances—leave it to the professionals.
At SERVPRO of Bartow County, we understand the gravity of the situation, and we're committed to being there for our clients when they need us most. Whether it's providing immediate assistance in the wake of a fire or guiding you through the restoration process, we're here to help.
If you've experienced a fire and need prompt, professional assistance, don't hesitate to reach out. Call us today to learn more about our fire restoration and repair services, or for 24/7 emergency assistance. The first few days after a fire are crucial, and we're here to ensure that you have the support and expertise you need to navigate this challenging time.
Time Is of the Essence When It Comes to Residential Flames | SERVPRO of Bartow County
3/14/2023 (Permalink)
When a crisis occurs in your home, quick action is critical, and the faster you act, the safer you can be. Residential fires are an emergency that especially requires a rapid reaction considering
it only takes about two minutes for flames to spread!
The clock is ticking when there are flames in the picture, from making a quick evacuation to being on time with your fire prevention methods. Being alert and responding quickly is exactly what you need to stay two steps ahead of a fire in your Acworth home.
We’ve put together some helpful information to help you and your loved ones add timeliness to your fire safety strategy:
A Timely Response
When a fire breaks out in your home, you only have a few minutes to put it out before it spreads. Thankfully, there are many tools and methods you can utilize to ensure every single spark of a fire emergency is handled with swiftness.
Working smoke alarms are the most helpful tool you’ll need to keep your fire prevention efforts on track. As long as you maintain your alarms, you will be instantly alerted of any threat as soon as it arises, giving you ample time to react.
Knowing where your home’s fire extinguishers are located is another way to put out flames before they cause too much damage. Keep your extinguishers in an easily accessible location, preferably in the areas of your home where your family spends the most time.
A Swift Evacuation
Fire has many characteristics, and speed is among its most destructive ones. While you may not have time to prevent damage in the midst of a residential fire, you will have time to evacuate if you have a plan in place.
Your evacuation plan must include a few key components to ensure that your entire family can safely exit your home.
Start by highlighting two exit points that every member in your family can get to when flames break out. That means having two ways to exit any room in the house.
Make an effort to ensure your home’s exit route is clear of clothes, trash and any other items that could slow you down during an emergency. The last thing you want is a pile of clothes
blocking your route to safety!
Finally, find a meetup spot outside of your Acworth home that everyone can report to once you’ve made your fast exit. This is the finish line of your evacuation strategy and a safe location
to call for assistance to ensure the flames are extinguished as soon as possible.
Are you facing the aftermath of a fire emergency? SERVPRO of Bartow County can be at the scene rapidly to restore your losses and bring you back home.
SERVPRO Can Restore Your Fire-Damaged Home | SERVPRO of Bartow County
3/9/2023 (Permalink)
For quick repairs following a fire, get in touch with our team at SERVPRO of Bartow County.
No one ever wants to suffer home damage, especially due to a house fire. House fires in particular can be disastrous and cause widespread damage to your home and property. Because fire can spread quickly, it can get out of control before you even know you have an issue.
Standing in the aftermath of a house fire can cause a lot of emotions for your entire family. Thankfully, our SERVPRO of Bartow County team is here to help you fully recover. Our team of professionals fully understands fire damage restoration and we will be there for you in your time of need.
Check out our restoration process below to learn how we can help you recover faster and more thoroughly than our competition.
Let Us Take Over
Your first priority should always be your family’s safety during, and immediately after, a house fire. Make contact with those you love, and make sure everyone is accounted for and safe. After you have done that, it’s time to get us on the phone.
Our first conversation will include a lot of questions! We want to make sure we fully understand your unique fire situation so we can pack up our trucks with the right tools and equipment.
Now that we are all packed up and have a team assembled, we are ready to roll! We get right to work doing a walkthrough of your home to assess the damage and adjust our plan if needed.
Getting Your Home Clean
Our first step is to secure your home to make sure the damage doesn’t spread or get worse due to the elements. This includes addressing any broken windows, boarding up walls or laying down tarps to protect your home.
Now we can focus on cleaning! We bring in our industry-leading cleaning equipment to help remove the soot and smoke, and we pull out fire-damaged debris at this time as well. We follow that up with a thorough sanitization and odor removal.
Reconstructing Your Home
Seeing your home damaged can be overwhelming, so we particularly enjoy this step in our process! We can fully rebuild any part of your home that was damaged by the fire. This includes laying new carpet, building walls, hanging new drywall or even rolling on fresh paint.
We are even skilled enough to rebuild entire sections or rooms of your home. Our goal is to always ensure a full recovery for our customers.
For rapid repairs following a fire, get in touch with our team at SERVPRO of Bartow County! We will work as quickly as possible to return you to a safe and fully restored property.
How to Decorate Safely this Season | SERVPRO of Bartow County
12/21/2022 (Permalink)
SERVPRO is here to help 24/7 even during the holidays. If your home or business suffers fire or smoke damage, call us today!
The most wonderful time of the year is upon us! We will soon be surrounded by twinkly lights, delicious food and great family traditions. While this season is one to look forward to every year, though, it is also the peak time for house fires.
There are steps you can take to reduce your risk of suffering a house fire during the holidays. Even just some simple preventive measures can help you safely enjoy your cozy home this season.
Common Fire Hazards
- Decorating your home can be a wonderful way to ring in the holiday season, but they can be the cause of a massive house fire! In fact, fire departments in the United States are called to 790 structural fires a year due to decorations catching fire.
- Be careful not to place or hang any decorations that are too low above a fireplace or near a heat source. Even just a simple spark or an overheated element is all it takes to start a dangerous blaze.
- If you choose to cut down a fresh tree or choose one from the lot, keep it watered daily and sweep up any fallen needles immediately. If you are an artificial tree family, make sure that your tree is fire-resistant. All decorations and lights need to be unplugged or turned off before going to bed as well.
Additional Fire Hazards in the Home
- Candle use is also at an all-time high during this time of year. Whether you are using them for the ambiance or they are a part of your family traditions, they can pose a fire threat if you aren’t careful.
- Candle safety can be as simple as only lighting them when you are present and never leaving them unattended. Pets and small children should also not be able to access them either.
- Do you go all out in your yard during the holiday season with lights and outdoor décor? We love these types of houses! Just make sure that the decorations you use are tagged for outdoor use and can withstand the elements.
- It is also important to never pierce the cords or wiring with something while hanging them on your house or in your trees. Opt for fire safe hooks or other approved materials.
- Lastly, do a full check of the smoke detectors in your home to make sure they are ready to work for you if a disaster does occur.
You deserve to enjoy all that there is to see and do in our area this year! Whether you are planning to attend the Cartersville Christmas Village or are whipping up your famous buttermilk pie, know that your your team at SERVPRO of Bartow County is here for you! We will answer your call right away and get started to restore your home so you can get back to enjoying the holidays.
Have smoke or fire damage in your house? Contact us today to get cleaned up fast.
Do You Have These Basic Tools in Your Acworth Home? | SERVPRO of Bartow County
11/2/2022 (Permalink)
If your home or other property has suffered fire damage call SERVPRO today so we can make your fire disaster "Like it never even happened."
Winter is right around the corner, and although it is the coldest season of the year, this time is the most common for creating household flames. And while taking measures to prepare your home for a fire emergency is helpful, having the tools to control and prevent flames is even more beneficial.
When it comes to being fire-ready, you can never be too prepared. So, why not pack your home full of tools that will guarantee your safety if a fire breaks out?
The best way to protect your home and everyone inside from fires is to safeguard your home before they ignite. Consider investing in a few of these fire-fighting essentials to keep flames at bay.
Smoke Alarms are a Must
- When it comes to fire safety, smoke alarms are one of the most beneficial tools to have in your home. In fact, a working smoke alarm cuts your risk of harm or injury in half!
- You can stay one step ahead of flames by installing an alarm on every floor or bedroom of your home. Unless your alarm’s instructions say otherwise, make sure to switch out the batteries at least once a year.
- A smoke alarm is only able to do its job when you make an effort to keep it in good shape, so don’t forget to test each alarm in your home monthly. Additionally, your smoke alarms should be replaced once every 10 years.
Utilize a Fire Extinguisher
- You never know what could happen when you are cooking with your family during the holidays, so tools like fire extinguishers are a big help. You shouldn’t limit this tool to your kitchen, though; make sure to keep a fire extinguisher on every floor and in multiple rooms.
- A fire extinguisher is most effective when you understand how to safely utilize it. Before storing yours in a safe location, make sure you and everyone else in your home understand how to operate this helpful tool.
Consider Sprinklers in Your Home
- Home fire sprinklers are an efficient safety measure and can douse flames quickly as soon as they spark. This can prevent flames from spreading throughout your home and creating even more damage.
- Home sprinklers and a smoke alarm can be an effective fire-fighting combination. Once flames are detected in your home, you won’t just be notified by your alarm, your sprinklers will instantly go to work to extinguish any active flames.
Another approach to preparing for the devastation caused by flames is to keep SERVPRO’s phone number handy. We can be on the scene ASAP to restore anything you’ve lost.
Home Fire Prevention Tips | SERVPRO of Bartow County
7/12/2022 (Permalink)
If your home is damaged in a house fire, SERVPRO of Bartow County is here to help. Contact us for any fire restoration needs.
2022 is already off to a busy start in terms of house fires reported by the American Red Cross. They have responded to more than 20,000 house fires so far, and that number is not even the total number of fires that have happened so far this year.
While having a fully functioning smoke detector in your home is still the best way to prevent death and extensive damage from a house fire, there are other small things you can do in your daily life to help minimize your risk.
Clearing Clutter
Clutter can easily become an issue in our homes if we allow it to build up over time. Are your hallways, stairwells or entryways magnets for excess things like shoes or toys? These things create tripping hazards if a hasty exit is needed in an emergency.
Extra clothing or blankets left out can also be additional fuel to a home fire or can even spark a fire if left too close to water heaters or other heating units. Allowing your spaces to stay as open as possible can help slow the progression of a fire if one starts in your home.
Do you make a habit of utilizing every outlet in your home and use power cords frequently? Overloaded extension cords are a very common catalyst for house fires. Try not to leave things plugged in when they are not in use, and take care to not load up an extension cord simply because there is space to do so.
Leave plenty of space between furniture and wall outlets to allow for proper air flow and prevent overheating.
Your Yard as a First Defense
Your yard can actually be your first line of defense if a fire starts outside. Intentional landscaping can create a fire barrier around your home and slow a fire down while giving your fire department valuable time to get to you.
Some states like California have imposed defensible zone regulations due to their proven ability to slow home destruction. Even though we live in Georgia, we can still benefit from implementing this idea in our own yards.
To do so, consider how you space your plants and make sure to keep the flowerbeds and other landscaping clear of debris.
Clean It Up
Doing a good spring-cleaning can also help minimize your risk of house fires. Simple dusting or kitchen cleaning projects can greatly reduce any potential house fires. Dusting around outlets and appliances and taking special consideration of your stove are great places to start.
Our homes serve us in so many ways these days—we work, play and relax in them more than ever. Do your part in protecting your home by implementing some of these strategies.
If you have experienced fire damage or want to learn more about SERVPRO of Bartow County’s fire damage restoration services, contact us today. We’re here to act fast, 24⁄7.
What Is the Timeline of a House Fire? | SERVPRO of Bartow County
3/3/2022 (Permalink)
No matter what type of smoke or fire damage your home might suffers...SERVPRO of Bartow County can help restore your property to preloss condition.
It is a certainty that house fires are a traumatic event, but many people do not realize exactly how scary they can be. House fires happen extremely quickly, often taking mere minutes from spark to full engulfment, and for those caught nearby, escaping quickly is of the utmost Importance.
Understanding how fires start and spread is scary, but it is wise so that you can heed their danger and understand the importance of prioritizing safety. Below, we have detailed the typical timeline of a house fire to illustrate just how quickly flames can spread.
The Typical Timeline of a House Fire
| The First 30 Seconds |
| 30 Seconds to 1 Minute |
| 1 to 2 Minutes |
- After the one-minute mark, the fire will be intense, and the smoke will be, too. Fires typically reach around 190 degrees Fahrenheit at this stage, and smoke becomes thick enough to obscure sight.
| 2 to 3 Minutes |
- At this point, the fire can reach around 400 degrees Fahrenheit and will be devouring nearly anything in its path. Because the fire is so hot, nearby items may start to catch fire even if they do not have direct contact with the flames.
| 3 Minutes Plus |
- At around the three-minute mark, the fire will reach over 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hot enough for every object in the room to burst into flames. The oxygen will be sucked out of a room by the fire using it for fuel, and windows will typically shatter.
*If your household has experienced damage due to a house fire, SERVPRO of Bartow County is the team to call at 770-387-7455 or visit www.SERVPRObartowcounty.com for more information on our fire and smoke restoration services. Our fire restoration experts are here 24/7—contact us today to learn more.
Cómo un Incendio Puede Afectar su Negocio | SERVPRO del condado de Bartow
1/27/2022 (Permalink)
Un incendio es algo que ningún empresario del condado de Bartow quiere considerar la posibilidad de que ocurra, pero desafortunadamente, puede ser una amenaza grave para las empresas de cualquier tipo. Si bien ciertos negocios, como restaurantes o instalaciones de fabricación, pueden correr un mayor riesgo de que se inicie un incendio, incluso los propietarios de edificios de oficinas o tiendas minoristas deben ser conscientes de que es una posibilidad muy real.
Más allá del daño general causado directamente por las llamas, hay muchas otras formas en que un incendio puede afectar su negocio que quizás no haya considerado. Lo mejor que pueden hacer los dueños de negocios para mitigar su riesgo es comprenderlos y planificar con anticipación una recuperación rápida para disminuir el impacto en su negocio en general. Llame a SERVPRO del Condado de Bartow para obtener un Plan de preparación para emergencias GRATIS que preparará mejor sus instalaciones en caso de que experimente daños por agua, fuego o humo.
Cómo los Incendios Comerciales Pueden Afectar a Una Empresa
Los Incendios Comerciales Pueden Causar Daños más Allá de las Llamas | Si bien lo más importante en lo que la gente piensa cuando considera el daño de un incendio comercial es la carbonización de las llamas, hay otros tipos de daños que también deberán abordarse. El fuego no solo produce hollín que puede adherirse a casi cualquier superficie, sino que también puede producir humo que genera olores persistentes incluso después de que se hayan solucionado los demás daños. Además, debido a que la mayoría de los espacios comerciales están equipados con sistemas de rociadores, a menudo también hay que lidiar con daños por agua.
Los Incendios Comerciales Requieren el Cierre de Negocios | Incluso en el caso de un incendio relativamente pequeño, la recuperación llevará tiempo para su negocio y, a menudo, requerirá el cierre de sus puertas a medida que se aborden los daños y se restaure su edificio. Para disminuir el tiempo que su negocio debe permanecer cerrado, es importante tener un plan de restauración ya implementado para que sepa exactamente qué hacer y a quién llamar de inmediato.
Los Incendios Comerciales Pueden Generar Problemas de Seguridad | Si un incendio impacta partes integrales de su edificio, como paredes, pisos o techos, puede presentar problemas estructurales que deben abordarse. Es importante que la empresa de restauración que elija comprenda cómo manejar este tipo de trabajos para mantener su edificio en buenas condiciones después de un incendio.
*Si experimenta un incendio comercial en su negocio, puede contar con nosotros. Comuníquese con SERVPRO del condado de Bartow al (770) 387-7455 en cualquier momento para obtener más información sobre nuestros servicios de restauración comercial o para informar daños a su edificio.
The 4 Stages of Fire and How to Put a Fire Out | SERVPRO of Bartow County
1/7/2022 (Permalink)
If your home or business has any damage, SERVPRO of Bartow County is ready around the clock to help you recover.
Have you ever heard of the term tetrahedron? Don’t worry, there’s not going to be a quiz at the end of this blog. We want to discuss the fire tetrahedron and what that means. In short, a fire requires four components in order to burn, live or grow—hence, the tetrahedron.
The 4 Things a Fire Needs to Live
| Fuel | Just like people need fuel in order to live, a fire does, too! Simple everyday items like wood, paper, plastics and other organic materials are all that a fire needs to help it ignite.
| Heat | Different things require a different amount of heat to make a fire burn. Some things simply melt, whereas other items will combust, causing damages.
| Oxygen | What makes a fire so scary is one of the sources it needs is air! And obviously, air (or oxygen) is everywhere. Oxygen will feed a fire, helping it to grow and live on.
| Chemical Chain Reaction | This is the feedback of heat that fuels a fire and causes a chain reaction. This helps a fire provide the heat necessary to keep the fire going.
The 4 Ways to Stop a Fire
- Cool It | While this may be common knowledge, the easiest way to put a fire out is to cool it down. This is usually done by dousing it with water from a water hose or bucket, but it’s important to remember that it can take a lot of water to put out flames.
- Smother It | If the fire becomes too large or the cooling agent isn’t working, another way to help is to stop feeding the fire. A fire can’t live without oxygen, and if you deprive it of air, it will eventually succumb. That’s where “stop, drop and roll” comes from. When your clothing catches on fire, laying down on it will smother the flames by removing oxygen.
- Starve It | A fire will continually burn as long as it has something to feed off of. Removing fuel sources will help diminish the fire.
- Interrupt the Chain Reaction | This one’s a bit more complicated. In some cases, chemicals can be used to stop the fire. A chemical known as halon was previously used to break up the chain reaction, but since it has an elevated potential for ozone depletion, it is prohibited.
If the fire tetrahedron makes a wreck of your home or business, we’re ready around the clock to help you recover. Contact SERVPRO of Bartow County anytime for fast, thorough cleanup and recovery after a fire.
The Main Causes of House Fires | SERVPRO of Bartow County
11/9/2021 (Permalink)
Regardless of the cause, SERVPRO of Bartow County is here for you if your home is affected by fire.
A residential fire is a frightening experience, and one every homeowner wants to avoid. Fires are unpredictable and seem to start from nowhere, causing damage to the home. Homeowners go to great lengths to avoid fires, but despite years of ad campaigns and awareness advertisements, more than 25% of all fires still occur in the home.
What are the top causes of these house fires and what can we do to reduce that number? Let’s take a look at how we can prevent them.
| Cooking | Cooking leads the list as the top cause of home fires and injuries, although, interestingly enough, not casualties. Almost half of all home fires start in the kitchen, and the No. 1 reason is unattended cooking. Want to avoid a fire at home? Stay in the kitchen at the stove or grill while your food is being prepared.
|Heating Equipment | Heating equipment is responsible for 14% of all home fires nationally. A combination of mishaps, equipment malfunctions and flammable materials placed too close to heat sources lead to this scenario, and portable space heaters are the top culprit.
| Electrical Fires | Electrical safety has improved over the years as new technology is introduced and building codes are updated. While appliances and electrical devices in the home are generally more efficient and require less electricity, there are more of these devices in the home, driving up the usage of electricity. Faulty wiring and the overloading of circuits are factors that contribute to electrical fires at home. Other top causes are the use of frayed or faulty outlets and appliance cords or extension cords that are damaged.
| Intentional Fires | Unfortunately, over 28,000 intentional home fires are started every year. Intentional home fires, or arson, still happens at an alarming rate. Some of the reasons are pyromania, crime concealment and vandalism.
| Smoking Materials | According to the CDC, smoking has declined by two-thirds in the past 50 years after the Surgeon General warned of health consequences. But tragically, despite only being responsible for 5% of home fire occurrences, fires started by smoking materials are the leading cause of civilian fire deaths.
Regardless of the cause, SERVPRO of Bartow County is here for you if your home is affected by fire or smoke damage. Contact your locally owned SERVPRO team, SERVPRO of Bartow County today at (770) 387-7455 or visit www.SERVPRObartowcounty.com to see how we can help.
Why Choosing a Team that Cares is Vital for Restoration | SERVPRO of Bartow County
11/2/2021 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Bartow County is here to help make fire damage "Like it never even happened." Give us a call 24-hours a day for emergency fire restoration.
A house fire is something that no one wants to experience, but like many other emergencies in life, they can’t always be avoided. Having a fire in your home is a traumatic experience—not only are there the physical considerations of getting to safety to consider, but there is also the damage to your home and belongings that can take a long-lasting emotional toll.
If you have experienced a house fire, recovery may feel like a daunting process, but it is possible. Working with the right team of fire restoration experts can make all the difference in the aftermath, which is why we are always here to help. Read on to learn more about our house fire restoration process.
Why You Should Choose a Team That Cares for House Fire Restoration
| We can get to you quickly when you call us | Fires can cause extensive damage to homes, but putting them out can as well. Often, firefighters may have to break windows, cut holes in roofs and fully saturate the home with water to fight back the flames—and seeing this kind of damage to your property can be jarring. That is why we prioritize having a quick response whenever you call us. We are here 24/7 and can get started on your restoration right away, so we can get the process moving forward quickly.
| We can work with your insurance company | Contacting your insurance company is one of the first things you should do after a fire so you can get the claims process underway—but for people who have just been through a traumatic event, sitting on the phone with an insurance company is the last thing they likely want to do. We can handle a major portion of the insurance communications on your behalf to streamline the process.
| We will help move you in and out | Experiencing a house fire can take a toll on everyone’s mental health, as can all of the tasks one must do afterward. Our team of restoration professionals can help you salvage belongings to move out while they work, and will help you get your things back once restoration is complete.
*If your Bartow County home or business experiences a fire, you can depend on SERVPRO of Bartow County to help you with the restoration process. We are here 24/7 to tell you more or to respond to damage—contact us today at (770) 387-7455 or visit www.SERVPRObartowcounty.com to learn more.
Autumn Weather Means Football...and an Increased Risk of Fire | SERVPRO of Bartow County
9/22/2021 (Permalink)
Be mindful about fall fire safety. Always remember that SERVPRO of Bartow County is the trusted leader in the restoration industry.
Anybody else tired of the intense heat of summer? While it might not feel like it quite yet, fall is quickly approaching! It officially begins on Sept. 22 this year.
As fall sets in, the evenings are starting to cool. The oppressive humidity is dropping as the seasons begin to change. Football is being played everywhere, and people are making plans to go camping. Fall is perfect for many fun activities. But as seasons change, so do the fire risks; each season brings its own potential fire hazards as outdoor activities begin. So grab a pumpkin spice latte, and let’s assess the fire risk for the season.
- Fire Pits, Grilling and Campfires -
- Fire pits see increased usage as we spend more fall evenings outdoors and grills are used at tailgates and at home.
- Make sure your grill is cleaned of excess grease before starting it this fall. Failing to clean the grill properly, removing grease specifically, is the No. 1 cause for grill fires.
- Building a campfire is almost as important as knowing how to properly extinguish it. Use a match or lighter to set fire to dry leaves or twigs, then add dry wood and bigger sticks.
- Never use an accelerant like kerosene or lighter fluid. Your fire should be built away from structures and out from under trees.
- Make sure to extinguish the fire completely with water and ensure no embers are left. Any embers you leave behind can start up again with the right breeze.
- Yard Cleanup and Pruning -
- Even though the best time to trim shrubs and trees is just prior to spring, many homeowners do this activity in the fall of the year. Your yard is almost certainly full of dry, brown leaves, and many people like to burn them as a disposal method.
- This is fine, provided it’s legal in your area, but only burn leaves in an area that can be controlled and have a water source that can reach the fire if needed.
- Precautions for Space Heaters -
- Make sure to take the proper precautions with portable space heaters. They are one of the most frequent causes of home fires in fall and winter.
- Keep your heater away from anything flammable on any side. Ensure it has the proper safety mechanisms such as an automatic shutoff should the heater be tipped over or overheat.
- Halloween -
We’ll share more on this later in an upcoming blog post, but candles, decorations and even costumes can be fire hazards. Be attentive and responsible as you celebrate Halloween.
*If your Cartersville or Acworth home should suffer fire or smoke damage, remember the trusted leader in the fire restoration and recovery industry...SERVPRO of Bartow County. You can contact SERVPRO of Bartow County at (770) 387-7455 to get your property fully restored, including odor removal that will make that annoying smoke smell “Like it never even happened.”
How Cooking Fires Commonly Get Started | SERVPRO of Bartow County
9/2/2021 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Bartow County is here to help make your home's fire damage "Like it never even happened." Give us a call 24/7...we're always here to help!
Cooking is something that most of us do in our homes every single day, but did you know that every time you cook, you are at risk for a fire starting? Cooking is the No. 1 cause of fires within the home, and there are a number of ways that these dangerous fires can begin. Because of how often most people use their kitchen, it can be easy to become lax about fire safety, which can quickly lead to an emergency scenario.
Practicing fire safety is important every single time you switch the stove on. Below, we will be looking at some of the main causes of kitchen fires so you can be certain you are practicing prevention each and every time you use your kitchen.
The Common Ways That Cooking Fires Start
- When Food is Left Unattended on the Stovetop | Leaving food unattended is one of the most dangerous things you can do while cooking, as it increases the likelihood that a minor issue will lead to a fire that goes unnoticed until it is too late. It is important to always stay in the room while you are cooking and to never use appliances if you are drowsy or have consumed alcohol.
- When Flammable Objects Are Too Close to the Stove | Putting flammable objects near the stove is something many people do not realize is dangerous until it is too late. Dish towels, pot holders and wooden cooking utensils are all fire hazards when they are near a hot stovetop eye, so be sure to keep the area directly around the stove clear for safety.
- When Grease is Allowed to Build Up | Grease fires are extremely dangerous because they only grow worse when doused with water, which is many people’s first instinct in a fire. Trapped grease can become highly flammable, whether it is built up on the cooktop or thrown away while still hot.
- When Items Are Stored in the Oven | If you store items in the oven, it can be very easy to forget about them until it is too late—as in, when the oven is turned on and the item inside catches fire. Whether it is food, cutting boards or something else altogether, avoid storing anything in your oven and always check inside before preheating.
*If you have fire damage in your home, you can count on SERVPRO of Bartow County for restoration assistance. Contact us at any time to learn more about house fire damage and how we can help.
Preventing Grill Fires at Your Summer | SERVPRO of Bartow County
8/6/2021 (Permalink)
If your home experiences fire damage call SERVPRO of Bartow County 24-hours day. We are always here to help!
In our opinion, it is indisputable that grilling is one of the best parts of summer! Whether you prefer burgers, steaks or fresh vegetables, grilling is a great way to get outside, keep your kitchen from getting warm and enjoy a fresh-cooked meal with a taste that can’t be beat.
While Atlantans are big fans of grilling, we are even bigger fans of grilling safely. Grill fires are far more common than you might think. Grills are the cause of more than 10,000 fires every year according to the National Fire Protection Agency, causing over $149 million in property damages.
Fortunately, grill fires are something that can typically be prevented with good maintenance and smart cooking habits. Be sure to stay safe as you grill out this summer!
| What Is a Grill Flare-up? |
- A flare-up on the grill is often confused with a grease fire, but they are not the same thing. A flare-up on the grill is the result of fat from food dripping down into the heating element of the grill.
- While they are normal, if your grill is too close to a deck, structure or home, they can quickly spread and cause serious damage.
| How Can I Prevent a Grill Flare-up? |
- Clean Your Grill After Every Use - One of the most important things you can do to prevent flare-ups on your grill is getting into the habit of cleaning it regularly. The buildup of fat deposits on the grill can quickly lead to flare-ups if they are not addressed.
- Trim Excess Fat - If you are cooking fatty meats such as steak, trim off as much fat as possible to avoid the likelihood of a flare-up occurring. If you are using a marinade, minimize the amount of oil you use to reduce the flammable material that is coming into contact with the grill.
- Use a Two-Zone Cooking Method - A two-zone grilling method refers to adding coals on one side of the grill, while leaving the other side empty so it remains cool. That way, if a flare-up occurs, you can quickly move the food to the cooler area of the grill while the flare-up dies out.
*If you have fire damage from grilling or anything else, you can count on SERVPRO of Bartow County to help. Contact us today at 770-387-7455 or visit www.SERVPRObartowcounty.com to learn more about our fire restoration services and how we can assist you.
The Risk of Wildfires and the Role of Defensible Space | SERVPRO of Bartow County
7/26/2021 (Permalink)
If your home is damaged by fire or water loss event, SERVPRO of Bartow County is ready and able to restore your property to preloss condition.
There are many risks property owners have to deal with, and one that is happening with more frequency is wildfire. You might not think of wildfire as being a common source of house fires, but the risk is higher than you’d think. Each year, billions of acres of land burn across the country, and that land contains many houses. But you can take steps to protect your home and property.
Simply being more careful with fire is a great first step. According to the National Park Service, 85% of fires are caused by humans. Beyond being more careful, creating a “defensible space” around your property is a great way to reduce the risk of damage from a wildfire.
What Is Defensible Space?
Defensible space is a technical term for a fire break. In order for wildfires to survive and thrive, they need fuel. The more fuel available, the hotter and faster the wildfire moves.
By removing the fuel around the outside of your property and creating a buffer zone, aka defensible space, a fire approaching your house will slow and firefighters will have a chance to control and eventually stop the wildfire. You create defensible space by removing combustible materials, such as debris, and incorporating fireproof elements in your landscaping.
Defensible space is required by law in California, but in Georgia, it’s simply a recommendation—a recommendation that can save you a lot of heartache in the long run.
Wildfires Are on the Rise
While we often think of wildfires occurring only on the West Coast, that’s simply not true. Every single state was affected by the destruction of wildfires in 2020. Of the 59,000 wildfires last year, over 10,000 occurred in California. Here in Georgia, we experienced 1,699 wildfires, burning 5,677 acres of land.
While the risk is lower in Georgia, lower is not the same as zero. It’s important to take steps to protect your home, and defensible space is one way to do so.
*If your home is damaged by fire of any sort, wild or not, SERVPRO of Bartow County is ready and able to repair the damage caused. Get in touch today at (770) 387-7455 to get the SERVPRO of Bartow County pros on your team.
Fire Safety Checkup for the Warmer Months | SERVPRO of Bartow County
6/7/2021 (Permalink)
Restoring fire and smoke damage is one of our specialties. Contact SERVPRO of Bartow County to learn more.
Spring is a favorite time of year for many—maybe it’s because the weather is warming up and the outdoors begins to call. Maybe it’s a reminder that the cold of winter doesn’t last forever. Maybe it’s simply that you can use it as an impetus to restart some of those lapsed goals you set on January 1.
Regardless of the reason, something about the season just feels right.
There are also lots of social events around this time—family and high school reunions, outdoor parties, and really just any old excuse to cook food outdoors. This also means there’s a rise in fires and accidental combustion around the country.
In fact, spring sees more daily fires on average than any other time of year. But there are some easy cleanups and maintenance things you can do right now to prevent home fires this season.
Let’s look at the most common places to start:
The Grill
Grills receive the most blame for springtime fires, but truly it’s because they’re the most likely culprit. Grills create easy opportunities for fires to start—the close proximity of flame, heat, gas and grease combine for a potentially combustible situation. Evaluate your grill’s stability and ensure it’s in working order, checking all connections and openings. Make sure it’s at a safe distance from anything flammable (including the house), and clean it thoroughly between uses. Almost 20% of grill fires are due to poor cleaning.
The Fire Pit
Spring and summer is a great time to hang out in the backyard with friends, but keep safety first. Before you start your pit fire, fill a bucket with water and keep it beside the pit. It’s an emergency douser, and when the time comes to quell the fire, you can use it to slowly pour over the fire until the embers aren’t glowing. Keep kids away from the fire, for their safety and to prevent accidents. Don’t add leaves or pine needles to the fire, as they can create flying embers.
Chimneys & Dryer Vents
It’s recommended that you have your chimney cleaned out annually, so do that now to avoid caking and clogging. Also check the connections and hose of your dryer to make sure no flammable lint is collecting in the vent pipe.
SERVPRO of Bartow County technicians are on hand 24⁄7 for emergencies. If you encounter fire damage at your home or business, no matter the cause, we will be there faster and have it cleaned up sooner. Call or click today and experience the SERVPRO difference.
SERVPRO of Bartow County Fire Mitigates & Restoration Services
1/18/2021 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Bartow County is here 24/7 to help put your home or business back together once the flames have been extinguished.
Rental properties are a great way to collect passive income. That’s why more and more Bartow County property owners are turning their residential and commercial properties into rental spaces. One important thing to look at when making the decision to rent out your property is to evaluate your insurance policy to insure you have coverage in the event that your tenants damage your property, especially when it comes to fire and water damage coverage. It is also a great idea to require or suggest that your tenants purchase rental insurance. Rental insurance tends to be quite affordable and can be a lifesaver in the event that a fire or water loss occurs.
SERVPRO of Bartow County is here to help both tenants and property managers/owners when fire or water damage happens. For nearly a decade we’ve been the company you can turn to in your time of need and can make fire damage “Like it never even happened.” Offering 24-hour emergency service 7-days a week to Cartersville, GA and the surrounding North Georgia area, SERVPRO of Bartow County is the fire restoration company to call when your property is damaged by fire. We will arrive on site in as little as 2-hours in most cases and can secure your fire damaged property with our emergency boardup and tarping services. Our IICRC certified technicians will restore your property to preloss condition according to IICRC standards and restoration methods using our proprietary SERVPRO restoration products and equipment.
Residential and Commercial Construction Services Provided:
- Demolition, Debris Removal, Board-ups & Site Security
- Appraisals, Estimates & Permit Acquisition
- Post-Mitigation Reconstruction Including All Aspects of New Construction & Remodels - Electrical, Painting, Plumbing, Flooring, Roofing, and Structural Framing
Emergency Fire Damage Process Overview
ONE HOUR
- Within one hour from notice of loss, SERVPRO of Bartow County restoration professionals will contact you to arrange for service. You’ll know help is on the way!
FOUR HOURS
- Within four hours of loss notification, SERVPRO of Bartow County professionals will be on-site to start mitigation services. The key to reducing damage and saving money and precious belongings is responding quickly to your damage. In most cases and when required our mitigation and restoration technicians can be on site with a couple of hours to secure your property and begin the mitigation process.
DETAILED EXPLANATION
- A highly trained, uniformed and equipped SERVPRO of Bartow County fire restoration professional will walk you through the job process step-by-step, providing you with a detailed explanation of services. This will give you an anticipated outcome and let you know what to expect.
PRETESTING
- A SERVPRO of Bartow County fire restoration specialist will begin pretesting for restorability, working from the source of the damage outward.
EIGHT HOURS
- Within eight business hours of on-site arrival, a verbal briefing of the scope will be communicated to the appropriate person, normally your adjuster, property manager or owner.
CLEANING, RESTORATION & DEODORIZATION
- SERVPRO of Bartow County fire restoration professionals will work neatly and efficiently to help you regain control of your property when a damaging event has taken over. We will use state-of-the-art restoration techniques to ensure your property is taken care of right the first time.
FINAL WALK-THROUGH
- After the work has been completed, a final walk-through will be conducted with you to help ensure your satisfaction.
Restoration Construction & Remodeling Services
Let SERVPRO of Bartow County’s Construction team truly make it “Like it never even happened.” With almost a decade of experience serving Cartersville, GA home and business owners, we are recognized experts in the restoration industry. Each job is directed by a dedicated Project Manager to provide a high-quality experience built around a single goal: returning your home to its preloss condition!
The SERVPRO of Bartow County Construction & Remodeling Advantage:
- Single Contact - Having just one point of contact and an advocate for your repair ensures there is someone who is familiar with every detail of your project and is your direct line to a fully restored home or business.
- Expedited Restoration Process - Being a one-stop shop accelerates the repair process because our knowledge of your damage allows us to coordinate work simultaneous to the mitigation team, saving time.
- Design-Quality Workmanship - Attention to detail drives our passion to deliver quality workmanship that will make you proud of your remodeled space.
- On Time & Under Budget - Our professional construction service providers will work with your insurance company to restore you home to its pre-damaged condition. As a full-service provider we can streamline your repairs to begin soon after cleanup is finished to minimize downtime, using industry-leading technology to help ensure a timely and on-budget completion.
SERVPRO of Bartow County is locally owned and operated, so we’re already close by and ready to respond immediately when you need us. We’re also part of a national network of over 1,700 Franchises, which gives us access to more resources for larger cleaning or restoration projects or major storm scenarios. We are proud to serve the Bartow County community.
As part of a network of 1,800+ locally owned and operated restoration companies, SERVPRO of Bartow County is here to help - 24 hours a day, seven days a week, we are Here to Help.
SERVPRO of Bartow County Fire Restoration Testimonials
Wilson of Cartersville, GA - “Carl was very pleasant and helpful. He stayed to do the job well into the morning on Thanksgiving morning!!! I really didn’t know what I was doing and he explained everything to my satisfaction. Very knowledgeable and courteous. Definitely went above and beyond! Definitely would use again, but honestly praying I don’t need to!!!”
Amanda H. of Adairsville, GA - “We had a great experience with SERVPRO! They were fast, hardworking, very polite and nice! Highly recommended!”
Rebecca B. of Marietta, GA - “They did a fantastic job. Leslie and Anastasia world fast and did everything. They turned my very stressful situation of packing from a fire into a non stressful pack up and move. They did everything so I could be with my kids.”
Matt of Cassville, GA - “Thanks for all of your hard work. I would recommend your company to all of my friends and family.”
More Customer Reviews
*If you enjoyed this blog check out SERVPRO of Bartow County’s related Fire Restoration Blogs: ”Cleaning Fire & Soot Damaged Brick & Masonry - PART 1”; “Cleaning Fire & Soot Damaged Brick & Masonry - PART 2’; “Fire Prevention in Bartow County, GA”; “Fire Cleanup in Cartersville GA Home”
SERVPRO of Bartow County - 2020 Thanksgiving Restoration Newsline Contest
11/2/2020 (Permalink)
Read the following information, then hop on over to SERVPRO of Bartow Count's Facebook page for change to win a FREE Honey Baked Ham!
SERVPRO of Bartow County would like to announce our 2020 Thanksgiving Restoration Newsline Contest! This contest was created to help educate the Bartow County community on the perils of home fires, and what you can do to help prevent both residential and commercial structure fires. One lucky participant will win a FREE Honey Baked Ham courtesy of SERVPRO of Bartow County.
CONTEST RULES:
- Comment on the SERVPRO of Bartow County 2020 Thanksgiving Restoration Newline Contest post with the answers to following questions (this post will be pinned to the top of our page for your convenience or you can click here for a direct link).
- What is the leading cause of residential fires?
- On average, how many structural home fires occur every year?
- Who can restore your home or business to preloss condition once the fire has been extinguished and smoke has cleared?
- Tune in for our Facebook Live drawing to see if you’ve won!
2020 Thanksgiving Restoration Newsline
Did you know cooking equipment is the leading cause of residential fires? As the holiday season begins and you find yourself in the kitchen more often while friends and family, fire precautions should be top of mind.
A property owner experiences a flood of emotions when a fire ravages their business or home. Fear, uncertainty, stress, and doubt about the future of the property and their livelihood can be overwhelming to the property owner long after the flames have been extinguished and the smoke has cleared. After the first wave of heroes have rescued the property, Let SERVPRO of Bartow County help you restore it to its preloss condition. Combining rapid response, the utmost professionalism, and open communication throughout the entire job process, we strive to restore not only the home or business structure, but the customer’s peace of mind as well.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) offers the following eye-opening statistics on structure fires:
- Most home fires and fire casualties result from five causes:
- Cooking
- Heating
- Electrical distribution & lighting equipment
- Intentional fire setting
- Smoking materials
- More than one-quarter (27%) of reported fires occur in homes within the last year.
- Even worse, 79% of fire-related deaths were caused by home fires.
- On average, U.S. Fire departments respond to an estimated average of 354,400 home structure fires per year, resulting in $6.9 billion in direct property damage.
If the unthinkable happens and a fire strikes your home or business, give the experts at SERVPRO of Bartow County a call at (770) 387-7455 or visit SERVPRObartowcounty.com for more information. We will help make it “Like it never even happened.”
Using a Portable Fire Extinguisher
A portable fire extinguisher can be a life and property saving tool when used correctly. In order to operate a fire extinguisher, the NFPA suggests remembering the word PASS.
- Pull the pin. Hold the nozzle pointing away from you and release the locking mechanism.
- Aim low. Point the fire extinguisher at the base of the fire.
- Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
- Sweep the nozzle from side-to-side
Read the instructions on the fire extinguisher and become familiar with them before a fire breaks out. Encourage your family members and co-workers to do the same. Remember, Extinguishers do have their limitations! It is also important to ensure you have the correct type of extinguisher for your home or facility. Refer to the next section of this blog to learn more about the different classes of fire extinguishers and the types of fire each are designed to extinguish.
Choosing the Appropriate Class of Fire Extinguisher
- Class A: This is the most common extinguisher and can be used to put out fires in ordinary combustibles such as cloth, wood, rubber, paper, and many plastics.
- Class B: Used on fires involving flammable liquids, such as grease, gasoline, and oil
- Class C: Designed for fires involving appliances, tools, or other equipment electronically energized or plugged in.
- Class D: For use on flammable metals; often specific for the type of metal in question. These are typically found in factories and commercial applications.
- Class K: Intended for use on fires that involve vegetable oils, animal oils, or fats in cooking appliances. Generally found in commercial kitchens.
*If you’ve enjoyed this blog feel free to check out some of SERVPRO of Bartow County’s Previous Restoration Blogs: “Smoke Alarms Save Bartow County Lives”; “Fire Prevention in Bartow County, GA”; “SERVPRO of Bartow County Fire Restoration Procedures”; “The SERVPRO Difference”; “SERVPRO of Bartow County: Carpets to Catastrophes”; “Fire Cleanup in Cartersville GA Home”
Cleaning Fire & Soot Damaged Brick & Masonry - PART 1
10/13/2020 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Bartow County is open 24/7 and can help you recover after a fire loss. If you have fire damaged brick or masonry give us a call today!
Oftentimes brick and masonry elements are damaged by smoke and fire during home fire. A blockage in the chimney could cause smoke to backflow out of the chimney, filling the room with smoke and staining the walls, brick fascia of the chimney, and the contents of the room. Smoke and soot can be very tricky to remove from just about any surface but can be particularly difficult to remove from brick or masonry work.
Brick and other stone work tends to have porous uneven surfaces with very tiny nooks and crannies that can hold smoke and soot particles. The best way to remove both visible smoke damage and smoke smells is to remove the source of the damage or smell. This means removing every particle of soot and smoke residue. In the case of brick and masonry smoke and soot damage can be very difficult to remove without the proper tools, cleaning products, and training.
SERVPRO of Bartow County is a leader in the Bartow County fire restoration industry and has both the training and tools to mitigate and restore any size fire restoration project. We also have a Contents Department that can clean and restore fire damage belongings like electronics, textiles, artwork, keep-sakes, and heirlooms. The following is a step-by-step guide on one of two SERVPRO protocols for cleaning building materials and the structure of a fire damaged property.
This protocol utilizes both acidic and neutralizing cleaning and restoring products to restore brick and masonry work to preloss condition. This method also requires specific personal protective equipment (PPE) and extensive knowledge and experience working the professional cleaning products utilized in the process. You should never put yourself in harm's way by taking on a restoration project, unless you are properly trained and experienced in the fire restoration field.
Needed Equipment:
5 Gallon Buckets (3); Stiff Bristled Brushes (3); Protective Plastic Sheeting
SERVPRO’s Proprietary Cleaning & Restoration Products:
SERVPRO’s Stone and Porcelain Cleaner; SERVPRO’s Wall and All Surface Cleaner; SERVPRO’s Bridght-N-Neutral Cleaner
Required PPE:
Goggles; Safety Glasses; Chemical Resistant Gloves; Face Shield; Respirator
Important Notes:
Exterior Cleaning - Take caution with plants, shrubs etc...Collect run-off and be careful with overspray.
Interior Cleaning - Take caution with carpets, wood laminate, tile or other floor coverings. Cover these areas with plastic to protect from overspray.
Pretest an inconspicuous spot before proceeding with cleaning
DO NOT USE SERVPRO Stone and Porcelain Cleaner on polished marble, granite or other masonry surfaces. This will cause irreversible damage to the surface.
How to Remove Soot & Smoke from Brick & Masonry
Masonry Cleaning Technique #1
Professional Cleaning Product Preparation (label your buckets to avoid confusion of solutions)
- Bucket #1 - Acid Solution - Pour 2 cups of SERVPRO Stone and Porcelain Cleaner into one gallon of HOT water. Place 1 stiff bristled brush with this bucket and do not use this brush with any of the other solutions in any of the other buckets.
- Bucket #2 - Neutralizing Solution - Pour 2 cups of SERVPRO Wall and All Surface Cleaner into one gallon of HOT water. Place 1 stiff bristled brush with this bucket and do not use this brush with any of the other solutions in any of the other buckets.
- Bucket #3 - Clean Water Rinse - Fill bucket half way with HOT water. Place 1 stiff bristled brush with this bucket and do not use this brush with any of the other solutions in any of the other buckets.
Cleaning
Acid Clean
- Pre-spray or dip a stiff bristled brush into acid solution from Bucket #1 and scrub the solution into the affected brick or masonry area.
- Let the acid solution dwell for 15-30 minutes to allow the acid to break down the microscopic soot and smoke residue particles.
- Spray or dip a stiff bristled brush into clean clear water from Bucket #3 and use to rinse the surface free of the acid solution. When you rinse the acid solution from the affected area the broken down soot and smoke particles will also be rinsed away.
- Repeat previous 3 steps as needed until the surface is clean.
Neutralize
- Pre-spray or dip a stiff bristled brush into neutralizing solution from Bucket #2 and scrub into the affected brick or masonry area.
- Let the neutralizing solution dwell for 15 minutes to stop the chemical reaction and fully neutralize any acid residue left behind in the acid solution cleaning steps.
- Rinse the surface thoroughly with clean clear water to remove any residual neutralizing agent residue.
- Interior - Dip stiff bristled brush into clean clear water from Bucket #3 and scrub into brick.
- Exterior - Pressure wash or rinse with water hose.
Repeat Acid Clean and Neutralize procedures as needed until the surface is clean.
SERVPRO of Bartow County is Bartow County’s Preferred Fire Restoration Company... Don’t Take Our Word For It....
Take a look at what some of our Bartow County customer have to say about their experience working with SERVPRO of Bartow County: Google Reviews, Facebook Reviews, & A+ BBB Accredited Business Reviews
*If you enjoyed this blog check out some of our previous Blogs on Fire Restoration: “SERVPRO of Bartow County Fire Restoration Procedures”; “The Different Types of Smoke”; “Fire Cleanup in Cartersville GA Home”; “Fire Prevention in Bartow County, GA”; “October is Fire Prevention Month in Bartow County, GA
Cleaning Fire & Soot Damaged Brick & Masonry - PART 2
10/13/2020 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Bartow County is here to help 24/7. Let us make your brick or masonry fire damage "Like it never even happened."
This is a continuation from our previous blog. “Cleaning Fire & Soot Damaged Brick & Masonry - PART 1” that covered one of the other ways SERVPRO of Bartow County cleans and restores fire damaged brick and masonry. The previous method utilized several SERVPRO proprietary cleaning products by taking advantage of their acidic and neutralizing properties. The method we will discuss in this blog utilizes a single SERVPRO product, SERVPRO’s Waterless Masonry Cleaner.
The Waterless Masonry Cleaner is sprayed, brushed or rolled onto the fire damage brick or masonry area. The application should be very thick. At least a 1/16 of an inch thick. After the Waterless Masonry Cleaner dries it will feel rubbery to the touch and will have bonded with the soot and smoke residue on the surface of the brick or masonry that would be otherwise nearly impossible to remove. Once completely dry the Waterless Masonry Cleaner can be peeled away from the brick and/or masonry work, removing the smoke and soot residue along with it. Warm wet towels can then be used to scrub the surface clean and remove any residual Waterless Masonry Cleaner.
This method of removing fire and soot damage from brick and masonry requires specific personal protective equipment (PPE) and extensive knowledge and experience working the professional cleaning products and tools utilized in the process. You should never put yourself in harm's way by taking on a restoration project, unless you are properly trained and experienced in the fire restoration field.
Needed Equipment:
SERVPRO’s Waterless Masonry Cleaner; Brushes; Rollers; for larger areas Airless Sprayer (Must be chemical resistant sprayer; Must be capable of delivering 0.9 gpm or higher; Minimum tip size 0.015 inches or 0.017 inches); towels
Required PPE:
Goggles; Safety Glasses; Chemical Resistant Gloves; Face Shield; Respirator
How to Remove Soot & Smoke from Brick & Masonry
Masonry Cleaning Technique #2 using Waterless Masonry Cleaner
SURFACE PREPARATION
- MASKING (Use Plastic polyethylene sheets)
- Cover areas where cleaning is not desired, including adjoining surfaces where over spray may travel.
- Plants should be covered before and during application.
- MIXING
- If the product has separated mix with a drill. DO NOT SHAKE OR DILUTE.
COVERAGE RATE
- Wet film thickness should be 14-28 mils.
- Test thickness with a painters thickness gauge.
- 50-100 ft2 per gallon depending upon application method and surface porosity.
APPLICATION
- Apply a thick, even layer. Optimal wet film thickness should be 14-28 mils.
- Required thickness may vary.
- If the product is applied too thin, it will be more difficult to remove.
- Do not apply to exterior surfaces if temperature is above 90° F and in direct sunlight
*Tips on Spray Application
- Thoroughly vacuum the affected area to remove any dry loose soot first!
- Spray on surfaces that are at 50F or higher. Cold surfaces will prolong the drying out process and it could take much longer to completely dry out to be properly peeled off.
- Do not apply outdoors on surfaces at 90F or in direct sunlight as this will cause the product to over-cure and become very difficult to peel.
- The product will turn from white to a light amber color when it has dried and is ready for peeling. Test a few areas first to insure it is thoroughly dried out and ready to peel before proceeding.
- You can use a brush or roller on smaller surfaces such as fireplaces or statues but use an airless sprayer for optimum application on larger areas. The airless puts down such a nice uniform layer for better peeling.
- Spray at least 1/16" wet layer or you will have problems peeling it. It should peel off in sheets. If sprayed thin you will be picking at it and will need to spray again thicker to remove it better if you do not want to be picking at it. As a rule of thumb a penny is ~1/16th of an inch to the top of Lincoln's head. So insert a penny to insure you have sprayed enough by seeing if the coating is at the top or better of Lincoln' head. They also sell professional depth gauges at any paint or hardware store.
- Clean up is a breeze with water (warm water for faster results). Just run it through the sprayer and other areas.
- Remove over-spray before it dries out with a wet rag.
- Always start the airless sprayer pump at the lowest pressure setting and slowly build up the pressure until an adequate fan pattern has been generated.
- Build a thick uniform layer to ensure even cleaning and ease of removal
*Tip for Brush or Roller Application
- Build a thick uniform layer to ensure even cleaning and ease of removal
DRY TIME
- Let SERVPRO’s Waterless Masonry Cleaner dry for a minimum of 24 hours and no more than 3 days.
- It will be completely dry when it is yellowish in appearance and rubbery to the touch.
REMOVAL
- Peel the dried Waterless Masonry Cleaner away from the surface as if it were latex paint. It should come off in large pieces.
- Use a damp sponge to wipe the surface clean if necessary.
CLEAN-UP
- Thoroughly clean sprayer before storage
- Soak brushes/roller in water overnight
- DO NOT use paint thinners or solvents
SERVPRO of Bartow County is Bartow County’s Preferred Fire Restoration Company... Don’t Take Our Word For It....
Take a look at what some of our Bartow County customer have to say about their experience working with SERVPRO of Bartow County: Google Reviews, Facebook Reviews, & A+ BBB Accredited Business Reviews
*If you enjoyed this blog check out some of our previous Blogs on Fire Restoration: “Fire Prevention: Not Every Hero Wears a Cape”;”Every Second Counts in a Cartersville House fire”;”Cleaning Smoke and Nicotine Smells From Your Acworth GA Home”; ”10 Helpful Tips for Cleaning Up After a Bartow County Fire”; “SERVPRO of Bartow County | Smoke and Soot Cleanup”; “American Red Cross Fire Fact Sheet”
October is Fire Prevention Month in Bartow County, GA
10/6/2020 (Permalink)
October is fire prevention month in Bartow County, so let's all do our part in keeping this fall fire free!
October is Fire Prevention Month and an excellent time to examine the emergency preparedness plans for your home or business, including your fire escape plan. Do you have a fire escape Plan? Have you changed your smoke alarm batteries within the last year? Are you prepared for whatever happens?
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) sets aside a designated week each October to focus on fire prevention. This year Fire Prevention Week is October 4th through the 10th. The 2020 theme is, “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!” This topic works to educate everyone about the simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves, and those around them, safe in the kitchen.
Did you know?
Cooking is the number one cause of home fires and home fire injuries, according to NFPA. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of fires in the kitchen. NFPA notes that once a fire alarm goes off “you could have less than two minutes to get out safely,” yet only 8 percent of people surveyed said getting out was the first thought they had after hearing a fire alarm go off. Creating, implementing, and practicing a fire escape plan for your home or business may be the difference between safely and tragedy. Make a plan today!
As the number one choice in cleanup and restoration, we stand on over 50 years of experience and expertise to help ensure you stay safe, informed, and ready for any disaster that comes your way. The time to prepare is now. Call SERVPRO of Bartow County to make sure your home and business are “Ready for whatever happens.”
Keep Fall Fire Free
The fall season brings cooler temperatures, beautiful colors, and abundance of outdoor activities. Plan ahead this season to help ensure it is safe and fire-free.
- It is safest to use a flashlight or battery-powered candle in a jack-o-lantern. Extreme caution must be used if you choose to use a traditional candle.
- 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.
- Remember safety first when choosing a Halloween costume and consider avoiding billowing fabrics which may pose hazards.
- Keep emergency exits clear of decorations so that nothing blocks escape routes.
- Teach children to stay away from open flames, and be sure they know how to STOP, DROP, and ROLL in the event that their clothing catches fire.
Facts and information provided by the National Fire Protection Association, nfpa.org
The holiday season is a time for gathering with friends and family to enjoy fellowship and quality time. As the weather outside turns frightful, we rely on the warmth of our homes to host gatherings with loved ones. Of course, if disaster does strike during the holiday season, SERVPRO of Bartow County is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. SERVPRO of Bartow County cares about the Bartow County community and wants everyone to be prepared and well educated in fire safety. In the event of a home fire, everyone's number one goal should be escaping the fire safely. Belongings and personal items can be replaced, but lives can’t be replaced. SERVPRO of Bartow County can help you and your family recover after a fire by restoring your property and rebuilding your homes structure.
We live and work in this community too; we might even be neighbors. As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of Bartow County is close by and ready to respond to your smoke or fire damage emergency. We are proud to be an active member of the Cartersville community and want to do our part to make our community the best it can be.
We are proud to serve our local communities:
For more information on Fire Safety check out some of our previous blogs: “Smoke Alarms Save Bartow County Lives”; “Fire Prevention: Not Every Hero Wears a Cape”; “Every Second Counts in a Cartersville House fire”; “Celebrate Safely This Fourth Of July”; “How to Inspect a Fire Extinguisher”
Fire Prevention in Bartow County, GA
10/5/2020 (Permalink)
If your home or business suffers fire damage call SERVPRO of Bartow County today. We are here to help 24/7!
Do you know the most common source of home fires? Do you have measures in place to help prevent or lessen the severity of a house fire, should it happen to you? Let's take a look at the most common reasons house fires occur.
- Kitchen Fires - Most kitchen fires start on the stove top. In fact, kitchen fires are the number one source for home fires according to the U.S. Fire Commision (USFA).
- Heating Equipment - Space Heaters, generators, and fireplaces are involved in 1 out of 6 house fires.
- Appliances - Dryers are the cause of 9 out of 10 appliance fires.
- Electronics & Outlets- overloaded and overheated power cords can quickly ignite a fire
- Overcluttered, Overpacked areas can cause the worst of fires.
While we can’t always prevent fires from starting, we can be prepared to put fires out and have plans in place to insure you and your family’s safety. Now that we know the most common reasons a house fire can start in a home, let's take a look at how we can prevent these types of fires.
- Keep textiles away from stovetops and always remember never throw water on a grease fire. To extinguish grease fires, you must suffocate by depriving them of oxygen.
- Make sure heat sources are kept away from flammable materials. Remember to unplug space heaters and never leave burning candles unattended. Fireplaces should be inspected and maintained once a year to prevent chimney fires.
- Appliances should be maintained and kept in good working order. Lint screens should be cleaned after each cycle and vents should be cleaned and maintained periodically.
- It is a best safety practice for each electronic device and appliance to have their own outlet. If this is not possible, be sure your outlets are not being overloaded. The most obvious way to know if your outlets are overloaded is a breaker tripping and power going off. If you notice your lights dimming or cords giving off heat, this is also a clue that something isn't quite right.
- All homes should be equipped with working fire alarms and extinguishers. Both fire alarms and fire extinguishers need to be checked for proper functionality, maintained, and replaced periodically.
- A fire escape plan should be established and practiced with everyone living in the home. Escape routes should outline at least two ways to exit each room. For example, two escape routes for a bedroom might be the bedroom door and bedroom window. Escape routes must be kept tidy so it is easy to exit the room in case of an emergency.
*For more information on fire safety and US fire statistics visit www.usfa.fema.gov
SERVPRO of Bartow County is here to help you and your family recover after a fire loss. We are proud to have served the Bartow County community for over a decade and have helped hundreds of families recover after water and fire loss events. We work with all insurance companies and are even listed as preferred service providers for many of the major insurance providers like State Farm, Farmers, Auto Owners, American Family Insurance, Metlife, and The Hartford. SERVPRO of Marietta West has a great working relationship with our local agents. Choose the fire restoration company that more home and business owners trust with their most important assets...SERVPRO of Bartow County.
Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call SERVPRO of Bartow County Today – (770) 387-7455
Since each smoke and/or fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific situation. We will treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care. SERVPRO of Bartow County is here to help. We have the expertise, equipment, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage home to preloss condition. If your home or business is affected by fire damage call SERVPRO of Bartow County and let us make it “Like it never even happened.”
Fire Cleanup in Cartersville GA Home
1/15/2020 (Permalink)
If your home suffers fire damage...call SERVPRO of Bartow County! We can make it "Like it never even happened."
The following is a walk-through of the services performed by SERVPRO of Bartow County during the restoration of one of our residential customers homes located near downtown Cartersville, GA. The house was a single level ranch style home built on a concrete slab, with a combination of brick and vinyl siding. While SERVPRO has a firm and strictly followed policy concerning the disclosure of our customer’s personal information, this homeowner gave us express permission to share his “restoration story”.
It is always SERVPRO of Bartow County’s goal to save and restore all salvageable items whether it be storm damaged roof, fire damaged cabinets, water damaged basement, household contents, or a mold restoration project. However, in some cases it is not cost effective to restore certain item(s), and not in our customer’s best interest to restore said item(s) or material(s). SERVPRO of Bartow County has our customers best interest at heart and will always do our best to restore every item entrusted to our care.
Cause of Loss: The cause of loss was due to a stove fire. The homeowner was cooking and was called away from the kitchen for several minutes. The fire started after a hot pot of cooking oil ignited causing a grease fire and direct fire damage to the stove top, range-hood, flooring, ceiling, and surrounding cabinets and counter tops. Smoke and soot filled the house affecting 100% of the surfaces in the home, particularly porous materials and horizontal surfaces. Along with the fire damage, water was used by the Cartersville Fire Department to extinguish the fire. This caused category 3 water damage to the kitchen due to the potential chemicals, heavy metals, and microorganisms that could be present in the water.
- Kitchen: In the kitchen, the walls, cabinets and counter tops were 100% affected by smoke and fire damage. The adjuster determined that the cabinets, counter tops, dishwasher, refrigerator, and garbage disposal would be cost prohibitive to restore and allotted the homeowner’s claim budget for full replacements of the cabinets, counter tops and appliances. The sink and appliance water lines and gas lines were capped for fire safety purposes and to prevent accidental water damage during the restoration process. Around 40% of the drywall in the kitchen was damaged beyond repair by fire, requiring 150 square feet of sheetrock to be removed. The remaining 255 square feet of walls in the kitchen were damaged by smoke and soot, but could be restored. SERVPRO fire specialist heavily cleaned the fire damaged walls using SERVPRO’s commercial grade soot and smoke removal cleaning agents and tools. The affected areas were treated with antimicrobial agents to prevent mold growth due to the previous presence of water in the affected area. The ceiling was 100% affected requiring 160 square feet of sheetrock to be removed along with 160 square feet of blown in insulation from the ceiling and attic. The engineered hardwood floors were 70% affected requiring 105 square feet of flooring to be removed from the kitchen due to category 3 water damage as a result of extinguishing the stove top fire. The water was extracted and all engineered floors were removed along with all baseboards and trim pieces. Once demo was completed our fire specialist team used HEPA vacuums to remove fine smoke particles clinging to surfaces in the kitchen. As the final step in the deodorization process, the room was treated with a hot thermal fog to encapsulate and neutralize any remaining odor causing microscopic particles.
Pack-out and Contents Restoration: Salvageable Items in the kitchen were photographed, documented and carefully packed for storage and restoration off site at our 15,000 square foot textile restoration facility, while the mitigation and construction teams completed their work. Food items were photographed, documented and disposed of due to possible contamination. Using our Morantz ultrasonic cleaning equipment, our contents department cleaned and restored our customers items like dishes, cooking utensils, silverware, and other common kitchen items. The cleaned and restored items were then repacked, stored with care and ready to be returned to our customer’s home after construction was completed.
Construction: During the reconstruction phase our construction department hung 160 square feet of drywall on walls, 150 square feet of sheetrock on the ceiling, and installed 150 square feet of flooring in the kitchen. All 150 square feet of ceiling was resurfaced with acoustic texturing (popcorn ceiling). The construction department prepped and painted the kitchen walls for a total 415 square feet. Then installed, prepped and painted 82 linear feet of new base shoe and baseboards in the kitchen. They also replaced and installed new counter tops and cabinets from Life Art Cabinetry, as well as all new appliances from Whirlpool, Samsung, and Frigidaire. The old sink and existing sink P-trap, were replaced with a new double basin sink from Kohler, along with a new sink trap and plumbing faucet fixtures from Delta. All 150 square feet of engineered hardwood floors were eventually replaced with some of Shaw Floors high-end vinyl plank at our customers request (It was not cost effective to replace the engineered hardwood floors with the same brand and line of engineered hardwood floors, due to that particular line of flooring no longer being in production. The adjuster allowed for full replacement of the flooring with a comparable building material).
- Laundry Room: In the laundry room, the walls and ceiling were 100% affected by smoke damage and required 221 square feet of heavy soot and smoke cleaning. SERVPRO’s fire specialist heavily clean the fire damaged walls using SERVPRO’s commercial grade soot and smoke removal cleaning products and tools. Our fire restoration specialist also removed 100% of the engineered hardwood floor for a total of 33 square feet of category 3 water damaged flooring. 100% of the baseboards and trim were affected by the category 3 water damage totaling 24 linear feet of trim and baseboards removed. All 33 square feet of sub-flooring was treated with antimicrobial agents to prevent mold growth. The washing machine and dryer were both deemed non-salvageable by the insurance adjuster due to the prohibitive cost of restoration and relative low cost of full replacements. The adjuster allotted the homeowner’s claim with funds sufficient to replace them with comparable models. One light fixture was removed for deep cleaning along with 10 linear feet of wire shelving. Once demo was completed and appliances were removed, our fire specialist team used HEPA vacuums to remove fine smoke particles clinging to surfaces in the laundry room. As the final step in the deodorization process, the room was treated with a hot thermal fog to encapsulate and neutralize any remaining odor causing microscopic particles.
Pack-out and Contents Restoration: In the laundry room there were very few contents to be cleaned or packed out. Wire shelving was cleaned using specialty soot removal sponges and were stored on site for re-installation by the construction department.
Construction: During the construction phase the engineered hardwood flooring was completely replaced with 33 square feet of vinyl plank flooring to match the free-flowing floors from the kitchen. The walls were prepped and painted, totaling 188 square feet of freshly painted walls, and the ceiling was resurfaced with acoustical texturing totaling 33 square feet of newly resurfaced ceiling. The restored light fixture, shelving and new appliances were reinstalled to complete the restoration of the laundry room.
- Master Bedroom: In the master bedroom, the carpet and pad were both 100% affected by category 3 water damage, requiring 200 square feet of carpet and pad to be removed along with 62 linear feet of baseboards. Once the carpet and pad were removed the affected 200 square feet area was cleaned with professional cleaning and antimicrobial treatments to prevent future mold growth. Throughout the 702 square foot area, the ceiling and walls were 100% affected by smoke damage, but could be restored and heavily cleaned using SERVPRO’s commercial grade soot and smoke removal cleaning agents and tools. The ceiling fan and light fixtures were removed, cleaned and stored on-site for reinstallation by our construction team. Other parts of the room like the windows and doors were also heavily cleaned using HEPA vacuums and soot-removal-sponges in anticipation of a fresh coat of paint. As the final step in the deodorization process, the room was treated with hot thermal fog to encapsulate and neutralize any remaining odor causing microscopic particles.
Pack-out and Contents Restoration: Salvageable items in the master bedroom were photographed, documented, and carefully packed for storage/restoration off site at our 15,000 square foot textiles facility, while the mitigation and construction teams completed their work. Using our Morantz ultrasonic cleaning equipment, our contents department cleaned and restored our customers belongings like pieces of furniture, clothing, window treatments, blinds, bed frame, mattress, bedding and linens. The cleaned and restored items were then repacked and stored with care, ready to be returned to our customer’s home after construction was completed.
Construction: During the construction phase the old water damaged carpet and pad were replaced with 200 square feet of Shaw Floors high grade carpeting and pad. The newly cleaned walls were then prepped and painted with the homeowners chosen Behr Premium Plus Paint. 192 square feet of ceiling was re-textured with acoustical ceiling texture sealant and paint. The newly restored ceiling fan and light fixture were then installed, along with the freshly painted and restored doors, window seals, trim and baseboards
- Master Bathroom: In the master bathroom, the ceiling, walls and floor were all 100% affected by smoke and soot damage. The floor and bathroom vanity both suffered minor water damage which SERVPRO was successfully able to dry and restore to preloss condition. The vanity was temporarily removed to facilitate drying and treated with antimicrobial agents as a precaution to prevent mold. 46 square feet of the flooring was also removed due to category 3 water damage and was treated using professional cleaning agents and antimicrobial treatments to prevent mold growth in the future. The floors, walls and ceiling were heavily cleaned using soot and smoke removal sponges and HEPA vacuums to remove odor causing microscopic soot and smoke particles. The light fixtures, shower, toilet, sink and vanity were also cleaned and restored on-site to preloss condition using SERVPRO’s proprietary restoration and cleaning technology. The room was treated with a hot thermal fog to encapsulate and neutralize any remaining odor causing microscopic particles, as the final step in the deodorization process.
Pack-out and Contents Restoration: With the exception of the homeowners medicine cabinet and several towels, there were very few items to be packed out for cleaning and restoration from the master bathroom. Items like toothbrushes and hygiene products were documented and discarded due to smoke and soot contamination. It is inadvisable and unsafe to use any hygiene products exposed during water, fire or mold loss events.
Construction: The construction phase began with prepping and painting all 205 square feet of master bathroom walls and resetting the toilet, vanity, counter tops, lighting fixtures, sink faucet and P-trap. The ceiling was refinished using textured acoustical paint and sealant and the baseboards and trim were also refinished with a fresh coat of Behr paint.
- Dining Room: In the dining room, 100% of the floors, walls and ceiling were affected by smoke and soot damage. 156 square feet of flooring was damaged beyond cost effective restoration, due to category 3 water damage and was removed along with 43 linear feet of base shoe and trim. The affected water damage area was treated with SERVPRO’s line of antimicrobial agents to prevent mold growth. The floors, walls and ceiling were also cleaned using smoke and soot restoration sponges and HEPA vacuumed to remove odor causing smoke and soot particles. The entire dining room was then finally treated with deodorizing thermal fog to encapsulate and neutralize any remaining soot or smoke particles.
Pack-out and Contents Restoration: In the dining room there was a medium sized china hutch, a large dining room table, and six dining room chairs. The contents of the china hutch was carefully documented and evaluated for restoration and packed up for off-site cleaning at our cleaning and storage facility. The table, chairs, and china hutch were cleaned to remove smoke and soot buildup from the surfaces, then carefully wrapped with moving blankets for off-site cleaning and restoration as well. At our 15,000 square foot cleaning and storage facility, textile restoration specialists utilize the latest in textile restoration technology to restore our customer’s belongings to preloss condition. Once restored the contents and furniture were carefully packed into moving boxes, ready to be moved back in as soon as the mitigation and construction teams completed their work.
Construction: During the construction phase, the dining room walls were prepped and painted, along with the base shoe, trim and doors. 156 square feet of premium vinyl floors from Shaw Floors were installed to match the free flowing floors from the kitchen. The ceiling was refinished with acoustical textured sealant and paint to complete the restoration of the dining room.
- Living Room: In the living room, the flooring was 100% affected by category 3 water damage, resulting in the removal of all 193 square feet of non-salvageable floating floors. The flooring, walls and ceiling were 100% affected by smoke and soot damage, resulting in 891 square feet of heavy cleaning with SERVPRO’s line of commercial soot and smoke restoration equipment such as HEPA vacuums and dry-chem soot removal sponges. In addition to the heavily cleaned structure, the light fixtures,ceiling fan, door and windows were removed, cleaned on-site, and safely stored for re-installation by our construction department once the mitigation process was completed.
Pack-out and Contents Restoration: In the living room, there was a large couch, love-seat, coffee table, two end tables, and an entertainment center which held a large flat-screen TV, all of which SERVPRO of Bartow County was able to successfully restore to preloss condition. The living room furniture, electronics and Bric-à-brac items were documented, given an initially cleaning on-site to remove surface soot and smoke buildup, packed safely for transport, and further restored off-site at our specialized restoration and storage facility. Once the items were restored to preloss condition they were carefully packed and safely stored to be returned to our client after the mitigation and construction phases were completed.
Construction: During the construction phase, the living room walls were prepped and painted, along with the window trim, baseboards and base shoe. The newly restored ceiling fan and light fixtures were reinstalled after 193 square feet of the living room ceiling was resurfaced with acoustical textured sealant and paint.
- Hallway: In the hallway, the flooring was 100% affected by category 3 water damage and 27 square feet of vinyl flooring was removed along with 20 linear feet of baseboards and base shoe. The affected area was then cleaned with SERVPRO professional antimicrobial treatments to prevent mold growth in the house. The walls and ceiling were 100% affected by smoke and soot damage, requiring all 245 square feet of drywall/sheetrock to be heavily cleaned using SERVPRO’s soot and smoke restoration sponges and other fire restoration techniques. There were five doors along the hallway and a lighting fixture that were all successfully cleaned and restored by our highly trained technicians. As the final step in the mitigation and odor removal process, all 260 cubic feet of the hallway was treated with hot thermal fog to seal and neutralize any microscopic soot and smoke particles.
Pack-out and Contents Restoration: The hallway had very few contents, however there were several family pictures and canvas paintings that hung in the hallway that were damaged by smoke and soot. The artwork and pictures were documented, carefully packed and transported to our advanced contents restoration facility for specialty cleaning and restoration. Once cleaned and restored to preloss condition they were repacked and awaited return to our customer upon completion of the mitigation and construction phases.
Construction: During the construction phase, 27 square feet of premium vinyl plank flooring, 20 linear feet of baseboards and 20 linear feet of base shoe was installed. The drywall in the hallway was prepped and painted along with the newly installed baseboards and base shoe. After the ceiling was resurfaced with textured acoustical sealant and paint, the restored light fixture was reinstalled. The family photos and painting were returned and hung in their original places in hallway “Like it never even happened,” completing the restoration of the hallway.
- Guest Bedroom: In the guest bedroom, the carpet was 100% affected by water damage and required that all 165 square feet of carpet and pad to be removed, along with 61 linear feet of baseboards to facilitate drying of the structure. Antimicrobial treatments were applied to the affected water damaged sub-floor to prevent future mold growth. The walls and ceiling were 100% affected by smoke damage and soot buildup, requiring 562 square feet of drywall/sheetrock to be heavily cleaned using professional smoke restoration techniques. The light fixture and ceiling fan were carefully removed, cleaned/restored and stored on site for re-installation. Our highly trained fire restoration technicians used HEPA vacuums to remove fine smoke and soot dust from the entire 727 square foot area. Then as the final step in the mitigation and odor removal process, all 1,320 cubic feet of the guest bedroom was treated with hot thermal fog to seal and neutralize any microscopic soot and smoke particles that could possibly remain.
Pack-out and Contents Restoration: The guest bedroom was fully furnished, complete with queen sized bed, two night stands, a wall-mounted TV, an American Signature Furniture dresser set, and several medium sized moving boxes of keepsakes and bricker-brac. Everything in the room was documented, evaluated for restorability and packed for transport to SERVPRO’s contents restoration facility where our talented team of fire restoration specialists cleaned and restored the items to preloss condition. After being restored small items were wrapped in packing paper and packed into moving boxes. The furniture was covered and wrapped with moving blankets to prevent unintentional damage during storage and transport back to the homeowner’s home.
Construction: During the construction phase, 165 square feet of new premium carpet was installed along with fresh carpet pad and 61 linear feet of baseboards. The baseboards, door jams, window seals and walls were prepped and painted using Behr Marquee Paint. Part of drywall prep-work involved repairing a portion of damaged drywall that required a drywall patch. The ceiling was resurfaced using acoustical textured sealant and paint, then the lighting fixture and ceiling fan were reinstalled to complete the construction phase in the guest bedroom.
- Guest Bathroom: In the guest Bathroom, the flooring was 100% affected by water damage and all 46 square feet of the flooring would have to be removed along with 24 linear feet of baseboard and trim. The affected water damaged area was treated with commercial grade antimicrobial agents and SERVPRO’s professional cleaning agents to prevent mold growth from developing in the future. The bathroom sink, toilet, door, vanity, counter tops, double light fixture, and mirror were removed to facilitate drying and to allow our fire restoration specialist to clean and restore these items. Once cleaned and restored they were safely stored on site for the construction team to reinstall at a later date. Including the bathtub, the entire bathroom was HEPA vacuumed and heavily cleaned using specialized soot removal sponges to eliminate soot and smoke dust that could cause malodors.
Pack-out and Contents Restoration: With the exception of a few towels, there were very few items to be packed out for cleaning and restoration from the guest bathroom. Items like soap, toothbrushes and other hygiene products were documented and discarded due to smoke and soot contamination. It is inadvisable and unsafe to use any hygiene products exposed during water and/or fire loss event.
Construction: During the construction phase, 38 square feet of luxury vinyl plank flooring was installed in the guest bathroom, as well as 25 linear feet of both baseboard and base shoe. The freshly restored walls were prepped and painted along with the newly installed baseboards and base shoe. The restored vanity, double light fixture, counter tops, sink, toilet and mirror were reinstalled, after the old sink P-trap and toilet supply line were replaced. The ceiling was resurfaced with texture acoustic sealant and paint to complete the remodel of this smoke and water damaged bathroom.
- Trophy Room: In the trophy room, the carpet was 100% affected by category 3 water damage which meant that all 197 square feet of carpet and carpet pad was to be removed as well as 66 linear feet of baseboards to facilitate the drying process. The ceilings and walls were 100% affected by smoke damage and soot, requiring 510 square feet of heavy cleaning and restoration onsite by our fire restoration specialists. The single lighting fixture was removed, cleaned/restored and carefully stored on-site for re-installation by the construction team. HEPA vacuums were used to remove odor causing smoke particles and soot from 655 square feet of surfaces in the trophy room and hot thermal fog was used to encapsulate and neutralize any remaining odors in the affected 1153 cubic foot area.
Pack-out and Contents Restoration: In the trophy room there were many sensitive and irreplaceable collectibles including personalized autographed footballs, baseballs, shoes, and photographs as well as fragile trophies, commemorative pennants and championship rings. All of which had varying levels of smoke and soot damage. Special attention was taken when documenting the items and evaluating the damage to each item. The collectible items were then packed in protective bubble wrap and transported to our advanced textile restoration facility to be meticulously cleaned and securely stored. After the items were restored to preloss condition, they were repacked and stored in our 15,000 square foot climate controlled facility. Ready to be returned and restaged in the homeowner’s newly renovated trophy room once mitigation and construction completed their work.
Construction: During the construction phase, 197 square feet of new high grade carpet and carpet pad were installed in the trophy room as well as 66 linear feet of baseboards. The walls were prepped and painted along with window trim, door, and newly installed baseboards. The ceiling was refinished with textured acoustical sealant and paint. Then the light fixture was reinstalled to complete the restoration of the trophy room.
Fire Damage Repair and Restoration
SERVPRO of Bartow County has provided first rate fire restoration services in North Georgia for over 15 years. We also benefit from the backing of over 1,600 franchises nationwide, so you know we have restoration and drying equipment close by, no matter where you live. SERVPRO of Bartow County is a preferred service provider for most major insurance companies. This means that we have years of experience working with both insurance adjusters and agents. By having this positive relationship established, we are able to circumvent problems lesser experienced restoration companies run into on a daily basis, and get you back to "Like it never even happened," faster!
If you have experienced a home fire in Cartersville GA, CLICK HERE to contact us or call SERVPRO of Bartow County today (770)387-7455!
Related Fire Services
The Different Types of Smoke
11/11/2019 (Permalink)
Would you really want to trust your life to a fire extinguisher that looks like this? Your fire extinguisher should be inspected and well maintained.
The damage to your property following a fire can often be complicated due to the unique behavior 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.
SERVPRO of Bartow County professionals are thoroughly trained in fire cleanup and restoration and know the different types of smoke and their behavior patterns. Knowing this information is vital to proper restoration. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of Bartow County technicians will survey the loss to determine the extent of impact from fire, smoke, heat, and moisture on the building materials and its contents. The soot will then be tested to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. Pretesting determines the proper cleaning method and allows your locally owned SERVPRO of Bartow County professionals to focus on saving your precious items.
SERVPRO of Bartow County professionals know smoke can penetrate various cavities within the structure, causing hidden damage and odor. Their knowledge of building systems helps them investigate how far smoke damage may have spread. The following points are additional facts you may not know about smoke.
- 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.
Types of Smoke:
- Wet Smoke - (Plastic and Rubber) Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, and 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 materials rather than from a fire) Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor.
- Fuel Oil Soot - (Furnace puff backs) While “puff backs” can create havoc for homeowners, SERVPRO of Bartow County professionals can, in most cases, restore the contents and structure quickly.
- Other Types - (Tear gas, fingerprint powder, and fire extinguisher residue) Special loss situations require special care.
Choosing the Appropriate Fire Extinguisher
Fire extinguishers should always be easy to access if there is an emergency. You don’t want to have to search for it once a fire breaks out. Don’t block fire extinguishers with furniture, boxes or any other items. Everyone who lives in the household should know where the closest fire extinguisher is located and how to use it in case of an emergency.
- Class A: This is the most common extinguisher and can be used to put out fires in ordinary combustibles such as cloth, wood, rubber, paper, and many plastics.
- Class B: Used on fires involving flammable liquids, such as grease, gasoline, and oil.
- Class C: Designed for fires involving appliances, tools, or other equipment electronically energized or plugged in.
- Class D: For use on flammable metals; often specific for the type of metal in question. These are typically found in factories.
- Class K: Intended for use on fires that involve vegetable oil, animal oils, or fats in cooking appliances. Generally found in commercial kitchens.
*for more information about smoke damage check out our previous blog "Don't Let Your Cartersville Apartment Go Up In Smoke".
SERVPRO of Bartow County Fire Restoration Procedures
10/14/2019 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Bartow County is ready for what ever size disaster. If you've suffer a home fire or are in need of smoke odor removal, better call SERVPRO!
Mitigation requires quick action. The faster a SERVPRO of Bartow County team member arrives on-site to perform fire, smoke, and soot cleanup and restoration, the better the results (including lower claim costs). Within four hours of a loss notification, a SERVPRO of Bartow County trained professional will be on-site to help ensure a fire damage is handled properly by utilizing the following services:
Structural Cleaning
After a smoke or fire damage, ceilings, walls, woodwork, carpeting, and floors will often need a thorough cleaning. Your experienced local SERVPRO of Bartow County professional will pretest to determine the extent of damage, then use the specific equipment and cleaning products required to clean and protect the different types of surfaces found within the structure.
Contents Cleaning
All of the restorable contents in the affected areas will be professionally cleaned and deodorized. This includes area rugs, furniture, draperies, and upholstery. SERVPRO of Bartow County can provided wet or dry cleaning services. Additionally, all of the other restorable contents will be cleaned and deodorized to preloss condition. This includes electronics, art, wood furniture, kitchen items, clothing, bedding, and much more. Finally SERVPRO of Bartow County professionals can provide an inventory list of all "to be claimed" items for agents and their policyholders.
Deodorization
SERVPRO of Bartow County professionals provide specialized services that rid your home or place of business of offensive odors left behind by fire or smoke damage. SERVPRO of Bartow County technicians do not merely cover up lingering odors with a fragrance; they seek out the sources of the odor and remove them.
If you or some one you know has experienced fire or smoke damage, call SERVPRO of Bartow County (770)387-7455! We are the fire and smoke restoration professionals that can make it "Like it never even happened."
Don't take our word for it. Check out what some of our valued customers have had to say about working with SERVPRO of Bartow County.
Check out our reviews on Google, Yelp, and Facebook!
Smoke Alarms Save Bartow County Lives
10/14/2019 (Permalink)
Smoke detectors can be your last line of defense against home fires. Make sure that your home has fully operational smoke alarms!
Smoke alarms save lives when properly installed and maintained according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). In homes, smoke alarms should be in every bedroom and on every level, including the basement. In office and commercial environments, check your states requirements (GA state requirements)or contact your locals Fire Marshal to help ensure all codes are met.
Test smoke alarms monthly using the test button. Smoke alarms with non-replaceable batteries need the entire smoke alarm unit replaced every ten years. Other alarms need batteries replaced every year and the unit replaced every ten years. If the alarm chirps signaling low battery, take the proper steps to replace the unit or the batteries immediately. Never disable or remove the battery from an alarm. Almost half of fires where smoke alarms were present but did not activate had missing or disconnected batteries (NFPA).
In larger commercial facilities, hard wired or wireless smoke alarms offer benefits such as not needing to be tested as often and activating throughout the entire building if smoke is detected in just one area (NFPA).
If you need hep installing, testing or changing batteries in you smoke alarms contact your local Bartow County fire department, an electrician or the American Red Cross. Be sure your home or workplace has a fire emergency plan in place and conduct regular fire drills. For more information on emergency preparedness, contact SERVPRO of Bartow County!
When fire or water damage puts the things that matter most on the line, you need the very best help on the line, as well. That's why knowing the easiest ways to contact SERVPRO of Bartow County is so important. Just go to www.SERVPRObartowcounty.com or call (770) 387-7455 to get the team that's faster to any size disaster. We're a leader in giving control back to homeowners, property managers, and even entire communities after ravaging effects of water or fire. So whether you're responsible for 1,000 square feet or 100,000, be ready for the worst, with the very best. SERVPRO of Bartow County your trusted local SERVPRO franchise.
Take a look at some of our before and after fire restoration images, or check us out on Youtube!
Fire Prevention: Not Every Hero Wears a Cape
10/8/2019 (Permalink)
Make sure your appliances and other electronic devices do not have frayed power cables or exposed wiring!
October is Fire Prevention Month and an excellent time to examine the emergency preparedness plans for your home and business, including your fire escape plan. Do you have a fire escape plan? Have you changed your smoke alarm batteries within the last year? Are you prepared if a disaster strikes?
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) sets aside a designated week each October to focus on fire prevention. The 2019 theme is “Not Every Hero Wears A Cape, Plan and Practice Your Escape!”
According to the NFPA, once the fire alarm goes off, “you could have less than one or two minutes to escape safely,” yet only 8% of people surveyed said getting out was their first thought after hearing a fire alarm. Creating, implementing, and practicing a fire escape plan for your home or business may be the difference between safety and tragedy. Make a plan today! Escape planning and practice can help you make the most of the time you have, giving everyone in your home or business enough time to get out.
How do you define a hero? Is it a person who is courageous and performs good deeds? Someone who comes to the aid of others, even at their own personal risk? A hero can be all of those things! A hero can also be someone who take small but important actions to keep themselves and those around them safe from fire. When it comes to fire safety, be a hero in your household or community.
SERVPRO of Bartow County wants you to stay safe, informed and prepared to help ensure you are ready for any disaster that comes your way!
Every Second Counts in a Cartersville House fire
10/8/2019 (Permalink)
You and your family or co-workers should familiarize yourselves with your buildings emergency fire escape plan. Remember practice makes perfect!
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% of families and businesses have developed and practiced a fire escape plan. Once a plan is developed, it is critical that everyone in the home or office 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 it. The following are a few suggestions to help you develop an emergency escape plan.
- Draw a map of each level of your home or business and show all the 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 like Consumer Reports. Store them near the window where they will be used.
- Choose and 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 area on your escape plan.
- Teach children how to escape on their own in case you cannot help them. Plan for everyone in your home or office, with special consideration for elderly or disabled individuals.
Smoking Can Cause House Fires
10/7/2019 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Bartow County can make it "Like it never even happened"!
In recent years, the average number of US home fires attributed to smoking accounts for about 5% of all reported home structure fires. This is an average of 18,100 home fires per year, which resulted in over $475 million in direct property damage. Nearly 600 souls were lost year-to-year from 2012-2016 and another 1,100+ were injured each year during the same time period. On average one in twenty home fires are caused by smoking related materials. Of these home fires nearly one in ten results in some type of injury and one in four result in a fatality(s).
While these statistics can be best interpreted as depressing and disheartening we can glean some valuable information from this data. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) tirelessly collects and reports on these types of events in an effort to educate the public and prevent fires. The NFPA has reported in recent years that home fires caused by smoking materials are on the decline. This is particularly true when compared to the early 90's and is sharply down in comparison to the 70’s and 80’s. This could be attributed to a few reasons like the improvements in fire safe building materials, the US Fire Safe Cigarette Act of 1990, and an overall decline in the number of smokers.
SERVPRO of Bartow County is Cartersville’s premier fire restoration company and is available 24/7! If you need help cleaning up after a fire, call the pros at SERVPRO of Bartow County. We are the restoration team that can get the job done right the first time. When you call SERVPRO you can rest assured our team will restore and treat your home as if it was their own.
Smoking Fire Safety Tips
- If you smoke, use only fire-safe cigarettes. Fire-safe cigarettes are cigarettes that have been engineered to self-extinguish if left unattended.
- If you smoke, smoke outside. By smoking outside you lessen the probability of catching a structure on fire.
- Keep cigarettes, lighters, matches and other smoking materials in a safe place, out of the reach of children.
- If you smoke, safely dispose of cigarette butts. Use a deep and sturdy ashtray and make sure it is located a safe distance from other objects or structures.
- Do not discard smoking materials like cigarette butts and ash in vegetation that could easily ignite such as mulch, potted plants or landscaping, peat moss, dried grasses, or leaves.
- When disposing of cigarette butts and ash smother them with sand or water to make sure that they are completely extinguished.
- Elderly individuals are at higher risk of dying in a home fire caused by smoking materials.
Are Electronic Cigarettes Safer?
There have been several documented cases of home fires caused by electronic cigarettes or “vaping”. Lithium-ion Batteries commonly used in e-cigarettes have been known to catch fire and even explode under certain conditions. These batteries have exploded or caught fire while being used, as well as when they were being charged and when they were simply being transport. Electronic cigarettes should be used with caution and have not been shown to be a safe alternative to smoking. For more info on the health risks of vaping click here.
Cleaning Smoke and Nicotine Smells From Your Acworth GA Home
8/6/2019 (Permalink)
There is a tried and true method that will removal almost any odor, and it applies to almost all types of smells, including smoke. The “big secret” is somewhat simple, but the devil is in the details. In order to successfully remove any odor, you must first remove and/or clean the source of the smell. Once the source has been permanently neutralized, technicians will clean all surfaces paying special attention to horizontal surfaces. Even dust sized particles can carry smoke and nicotine smells, so all surfaces must be thoroughly cleaned using HEPA vacuums and professional cleaning products.
We will be taking a closer look at cleaning smoke and nicotine smell from your Acworth, Ga home. The following bullet points are some typical steps or procedures SERVPRO professionals use to clean smoke and nicotine from homes and businesses.
- Cleaning is done using the top-down method. This process’s name is relatively self explanatory. It is best to clean smoke or nicotine residue starting with the ceiling and working your way down the walls, and all the way down to the floors. This will minimize the potential of re-soiling cleaned areas and insure that no spots are missed during the cleaning process.
- Wet clean all color safe or glossy finished walls and trim surfaces with a light detergent.
- We clean color safe or glossy finished cabinets, light fixtures, windows, and any other surfaces that aren’t part of your regular cleaning process with a light detergent.
- During the cleaning process, special attention is focused on horizontal surfaces. Horizontal surface provide an easy place for odor particles to land and can build up if not cleaned regularly. Examples of not commonly cleaned horizontal surfaces include door jams, window seals, window treatments/blinds, cabinet tops, and crown molding.
- Only soft white cloths are used to do this type of cleaning. We use soft white cloths to prevent damaging the surface, but also to verify that the nicotine is being removed. Because the cloth is white our technicians will be able to see yellow residue developing on the cleaning cloth as they clean. This indicates that the process is working and that the nicotine particles are successfully being removed. We will repeat this cleaning process until no yellow residue appears on the surface or cloth used to clean the surface.
- It is advisable to also have your ductwork thoroughly cleaned and HVAC filters replaced. Smoke and nicotine odor particles are typically airborne at some point, so it is likely that they have contaminated your HVAC system. Duct cleanings are an important step in removing smoke and nicotine odors.
- Thermal fog the entire affected area. Thermal fogging is a process where heat is applied to our professional deodorizing products using a thermal fogging machine. This machine releases a fog that smoke and nicotine odor particles are drawn to and are absorbed by, thus neutralizing the odor.
Nicotine and smoke odors are probably one of the more common odor related issues and can be cleaned up quickly and effectively by well trained and well equipped professionals. SERVPRO of Bartow County has tons of experience cleaning and restoring nicotine and smoke damaged homes and businesses. Our team of trained professionals have the knowledge base and experience to take on even the challenging odor issues.
Call SERVPRO of Bartow County for Smoke and Nicotine Odor Removal - (770) 387-7455
10 Helpful Tips for Cleaning Up After a Bartow County Fire
7/26/2019 (Permalink)
Your not alone. SERVPRO of Bartow County is here to help cleanup after a house fire! We can make it "Like it never even happened"!
Home fires are some of the most destructive things on the face of the Earth. Seeing your house go up in flames is can be a heavy financial burden as well as emotionally damaging. If you have ever experienced a house fire in Bartow County you probably know exactly what we are talking about. It is important to focus on the positive when faced with such adversity. Take solace in the fact that you don’t have to face this catastrophic event alone. SERVPRO of Bartow County is here and can help you regain your grip on reality when everything feels like it is going out of control. SERVPRO of Bartow County can make it “Like it never even happened”!
What should I do once I am ready to start the fire cleanup process?
Often times when customers call on our services they wanting to know what they can do while help is on its way. The following are some easy to follow guidelines to help the cleanup process get started, and prevent additional damage to your property:
- Try to limit movement in affected areas of the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into textiles like upholstery, carpet, and clothing.
- Be mind full of what you touch and keep your hands clean. Touching clean items or areas with soot on your hands will further soil upholstery, furniture, clothing, and walls.
- Use dry, colorfast towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery, and in traffic areas to reduce additional damage during the cleaning process.
- If the power is off, find a suitable place to store all the items in your freezer and refrigerator.Once the appliances are empty prop the doors open to help prevent odor.
- If the temperatures could drop below freezing and the heat to your house is off, winterize your plumbing by pouring RV antifreeze in sinks, toilets, and tubs to avoid freezing pipes and fixtures.
- Turn off your HVAC system, change the filters, and leave system off until a trained professional can inspect the system.
- You can use cheesecloth to prevent soot particles from traveling through the HVAC system by affixing several layers of cheesecloth to the air registers.
- Don't attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces without first contacting trained professionals like SERVPRO of Bartow County
- Attempting to shampoo carpet or upholstered furniture without first consulting trained professionals is ill advised.
- Do not attempt to clean any electrical appliances (TV sets, radios, etc.) that may have been close to fire, heat, or water without first consulting an authorized repair service.
- Do not consume any food or beverages that may have been stored close to fire, heat, or water as they may be contaminated.
- If ceiling is wet, do not turn on ceiling fans. Wiring may be wet or damaged and could cause an electrical shock. Air movement may create secondary damage.
- Don't send garments to the dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set in smoke odor.
Don’t forget the number one rule...Stay calm and call SERVPRO of Bartow County (770) 387-7455
Celebrate Safely This Fourth Of July
7/1/2019 (Permalink)
From our family to yours...have a safe and fun Fourth of July!
SERVPRO of Bartow County would like to wish you and your family a happy Fourth of July! The Fourth of July, that time of the year that we celebrate with friends and family at barbeques and picnics. With traditions like fireworks and bonfires, there may be some potentially dangerous situations along the way. In order to celebrate safely when it comes to these events, consider the following tips provided by the U.S. Fire Administration.
- The best way to enjoy fireworks is to view public fireworks displays put on by professionals.
- If you plan to use fireworks, ensure they are legal in your area.
- Always read the directions and warning labels on fireworks. If a device is not marked with the contents, directions and warning label, do not light it.
- Supervise children around fireworks at all times
- Stand several feet away from lit fireworks. If a firework does not go off, do not stand over it to investigate. Pour water over it and dispose of it.
More July Fourth Safety Tips
- Never light fireworks indoors or near dry grass.
- Keep a bucket of water and/or fire extinguisher nearby. Know how to operate the fire extinguisher properly.
- Do not wear loose clothing while cooking at a barbeque
- Use caution when using lighter fluid on a barbeque. Do not add fluid to an already lit fire, as the flame can flashback into the container and explode.
- Never grill in an enclosed area, as carbon monoxide could be produced.
See what our customers have to say about working with us or check us out at the BBB.
If you or someone you know is in need of fire restoration and clean up give SERVPRO of Bartow County. We’ve taken the hassle out of water restoration and can get you back to preloss condition in no time. We are a premier service provider for most national insurance providers and use the industry standard, Xactimate estimating software.
SERVPRO of Bartow County | Smoke and Soot Cleanup
10/11/2018 (Permalink)
Smoke and soot damage can cause a pervasive odor in your Bartow County home.
Smoke and soot is very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action. Smoke and soot facts:
- Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
- Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
- The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.
Different Types of Smoke
There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of Bartow County 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 – (770) 387-7455
October Is Fire Prevention Month
10/11/2018 (Permalink)
October is fire prevention month, a perfect time to examine emergency preparedness plans for your home and business, including your fire escape plan. Do you have a fire escape plan? Have you changed your smoke alarm batteries within the last year?
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) designates a week each October to focus on fire prevention awareness. The 2018 theme is "Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere." This theme hopes to create awareness in the steps necessary to reduce the chance of a fire and how to react in the event a fire does happen. The National Fire Protection Association states the following:
- "LOOK" for places fire could start. Take a good look around your home. Identify potential fire hazards and take care of them.
- "LISTEN" for the sound of the smoke alarm. You could have only minutes to escape safely once the smoke alarm sounds. Go to your outside meeting place, which should be a safe distance from the home and where everyone should know to meet.
- "LEARN" two ways out of every room and make sure all doors and windows leading outside open easily and are free of clutter.
Stay safe and prepare now to help ensure you are ready for any disaster. Find additional safety tips on our website www.SERVPRObartowcounty.com
Locally Owned Company with National Resources
We live and work in this community too; we might even be neighbors. As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of Bartow County is close by and ready to respond to your smoke or fire damage emergency. We are proud to be an active member of the Cartersville community and want to do our part to make our community the best it can be.
We are proud to serve our local communities:
American Red Cross Fire Fact Sheet
10/9/2018 (Permalink)
The Fire Restoration Professionals - SERVPRO of Bartow County -
Damage caused by a fire is devastating for your family and your home. It’s a stressful and confusing time, so you’ll need a caring expert to guide you through this crisis. Our professionals will always treat you with respect and empathy, and we’ll always treat your home and belongings with great care.
SERVPRO of Bartow County has the water and fire damage training and expertise to help you through this tough time. Once the fire department leaves, your Cartersville home may suffer from water damage caused by firefighting efforts. We have the specialized fire and water damage restoration training, personnel, and equipment to handle fire and water damage and can quickly restore your home to pre-fire condition.
Please refer to our Fire Damage Tips - Until Help Arrives Guide and follow these tips to protect yourself and your property.
- The American Red Cross responded to more than 74,000 disasters in communities across the United States last year and 93 percent of these were fire related.
- The American Red Cross is responding to 10 percent more home fires today than it was six years ago.
- Nationally, the number of home fires is on the rise with the number of fires increasing 8 percent since 2000. The average cost of a home fire in 2006 was more than $17,000.
- Eighty percent of Americans don’t realize that home fires are the single most common disaster across the nation.
- Only 26 percent of families have actually developed and practiced a home fire escape plan.
- Fires kill more Americans each year than all natural disasters combined, and affect people from all backgrounds and geographic locations.
- In 2006, a home fire was reported every 80 seconds, and someone dies from a home fire every 204 minutes.
- Children under five and adults over 65 are more than twice as likely to die in a home fire than the rest of the US population.
- African Americans in this country are disproportionately affected by home fires, and account for 25 percent of all fire deaths while they represent less than 13 percent of the population.
- Cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries. And, two out of three cooking fires start with the range or stove.
- Heating fires are the second leading cause of home fires.
- Smoking is the leading cause of home fire deaths.
- In 2005, 74 percent of home fire deaths occurred in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
- Sprinklers and smoke alarms together cut your risk of dying in a home fire 82% in relation to having neither.
- Each year over 200 people die from carbon monoxide produced by fuel burning appliances in the home including furnaces, ranges, water heaters and room heaters.
- High-rise fires are more injurious and cause more damage than all other structure fires.
Have Questions? Call Us Today – (770) 387-7455
We live and work in this community too; we might even be neighbors. As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of Bartow County is close by and ready to respond to your smoke or fire damage emergency. We are proud to be an active member of the Cartersville community and want to do our part to make our community the best it can be.
We are proud to serve our local communities:
Don't Let Your Cartersville Apartment Go Up In Smoke
10/3/2018 (Permalink)
Emergency Water Cleanup & Fire Restoration - SERVPRO of Bartow County
If you life in an apartment or condominium in Cartersville Georgia (or anywhere else for that matter) the United States Fire Administration (USFA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would like to advise you of the following fire safety measures.
Building Fire Safety
- Don’t prop open exit or stairway doors. These are installed to slow the spread of heat and smoke if there is a fire.
- Speak to your apartment manager if you see a damaged smoke alarm, fire extinguisher or an emergency light that has burned out.
- Make sure your apartment has working smoke alarms inside each sleeping room. Test them every month. Replace the batteries every year.
- Tell your apartment manager if you think there is a problem with one of your smoke alarms.
Be Prepared
- Create an escape plan. Discuss how you will get outside. Practice your plan.
- Count the number of doors there are between your apartment and the nearest fire exit. Memorize the number in case you have to find the exit in the dark.
- Know where all the exit doors and stairs are on your floor.
- Learn your building evacuation plan if you have one. Create and practice an escape plan for your own apartment.
Stay Calm
- In the event of a fire, stay calm. Move to the exit as you have practiced. Call the fire department once you are outside.
- If your door feels warm to the touch, do not attempt to open it. Call 9-1-1 and tell the dispatcher your apartment number and that you can’t open your door.
- Stuff the cracks around the door with towels, rags, bedding, or tape. Cover vents.
- Wait at a window and signal for help with a flashlight or by waving a white cloth.
- If your apartment door is cool to the touch, open it slowly. Stay low and check for smoke or fire in the hallway. If the hallway is safe, follow your building’s evacuation plan.
- Never use an elevator to escape a fire. Always use the stairs.
Wait Outside for the Fire Department
- Once you are outside, move away from the building. Give firefighters and fire trucks plenty of space.
- Stay outside. Do not go back inside for any reason.
- If you think someone is still inside, tell firefighters where you think they are.
- Wait until firefighters tell you it’s safe to go back inside.
Call SERVPRO of Bartow County (770) 387-7455
Locally Owned Company with National Resources
We live and work in this community too; we might even be neighbors. As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of Bartow County is close by and ready to respond to your smoke or fire damage emergency. We are proud to be an active member of the Cartersville community and want to do our part to make our community the best it can be.
We are proud to serve our local communities:
Fires Are Preventable: Protect Your Cartersville Home
9/26/2018 (Permalink)
When it comes to your home, business, or property, there are certain safety precautions that can be taken to help prevent fires. Ready.gov shares the following tips on home fire prevention.
Electrical and Appliance Safety
- Frayed wires can cause fire. Replace all worn, old or damaged appliance cords immediately and do not run cords under rugs or furniture.
- If an appliance has a three-prong plug, use it only in a three-slot outlet. Never force it to fit into a two-slot outlet or extension cord.
- Immediately shut off, then professionally replace, light switches that are hot to the touch and lights that flicker.
Fireplaces and Wood Stoves
- Inspect and clean wood stove pipes and chimneys annually and check monthly for damage or obstructions.
- Use a fireplace screen heavy enough to stop rolling logs and big enough to cover the entire opening of the fireplace to catch flying sparks.
- Make sure the fire is completely out before leaving the house or going to bed.
Call SERVPRO of Bartow County (770) 387-7455
Locally Owned Company with National Resources
We live and work in this community too; we might even be neighbors. As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of Bartow County is close by and ready to respond to your smoke or fire damage emergency. We are proud to be an active member of the Cartersville community and want to do our part to make our community the best it can be.
We are proud to serve our local communities:
How To Recover Your Cartersville Home After A Fire
8/20/2018 (Permalink)
In addition to being physically and emotionally draining, home fires are typically financially taxing. Of course, your family’s health and safety are your first priority, but over the weeks and even months that follow, you will need to take some practical steps to recover your financial well-being. This is where SERVPRO of Bartow County can help lift the burden of both emotional and financial stress. Our trained professionals help family recover precious belongings, family heirlooms, and critical documents every day.
Here are some prudent steps you can take once everyone is safe and you are ready to start the recovery process:
- Contact your insurance agent as soon as you can to report how, when, and where the damage occurred.
- Be prepared to provide a general description of the damages (a list/photographs of damaged or lost items are helpful in most cases).
- Do not through away items you plan to claim without discussing it with your agent or adjuster.
- Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpet.
- Keep hands clean. Soot on hands can further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork.
- If electricity is off, empty freezer/refrigerator completely and prop doors open to help prevent odor.
- Leave system off until a trained professional can check the system;Change HVAC filters once system has been checked.
- Don't attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces without first contacting trained professional.
- Don't attempt to shampoo carpet or upholstered furniture without first consulting trained professional.
- Do not attempt to clean any electrical appliances (TV set, radio, etc.) that may have been close to fire, heat or water with out first consulting an authorized repair service.
- Do not consume any food or beverages that may have been stored close to fire, heat or water, as they may be contaminated.
- If ceiling is wet, do not turn on ceiling fans. Wiring may be wet or damaged and cause electrical shock, and air movement may create secondary damage.
- Don't send garments to the dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set in smoke odor.
Call SERVPRO of Bartow County for all of your fire restoration needs (770)387-7455
If you found this article useful, check out our related blog "Fire Damage: What To Do Until Help Arrives"
For more helpful advice, our friends over at the American Red Cross have published this guide - Disaster Recovery: A Guide to Financial Issues.
You many also find some helpful direction in replacing vital documents after a disaster below:
Driver's License: Georgia Department of Motor Vehicles (or appropriate state issuing authority)
Government Issued ID: Contact the issuing authority
Insurance Policies: Your insurance agent or company
Military Discharge: Department of Veterans Affairs, Papers 1-800-827-1000 or TDD/TTY 1-800-829-4833
Passports: Visit State Department website
Birth, Death, Marriage and Certificates: Georgia Bureau of Records (or appropriate state issuing authority)
Social Security or Medicare Cards: Visit www.ssa.gov or your local Social Security office or 1-800-772-1213 or TDD/TTY 1-800-325-0778
Credit Cards: The issuing financial institution, as soon as possible
Titles to Deeds: Records department of the area in which the property is located
Stocks and Bonds: Issuing company or your broker
Wills: Your attorney
Income Tax Record: The IRS center where filed, your accountant or 1-800-829-1040
Citizenship Papers: Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, 1-800-375-5283
Mortgage Papers: Lending Institution
Who do you call after the fire department leaves?
7/31/2018 (Permalink)
Did you know SERVPRO of Bartow County cleans up all the chaos after the firemen leave your home? We clean up the fire damage left behind from the brutal flames, smoke, soot, water, and fire retardant. SERVPRO of Bartow County has been tasked with job of removing the debris, then demolishing the walls and removing that debris and then assisting with the starting back over building the house from the inside out.
SERVPRO of Bartow County cleans up the fire damage left behind from brutal flames, smoke, and the lifesaving fire extinguishing techniques used by your local fire department.
If you have suffered from a fire damage or smoke damage and do not know who to turn to, call
SERVPRO of Bartow County today (770)387-7455
We will walk you through the process every step of the way, and make it "Like it never even happened."
Distraction is a Significant Cause of Fire Damage in Cartersville GA
10/18/2017 (Permalink)
Smoke Odors and Fire Cleanup Performed by SERVPRO Professionally
Household fires frequently elicit an “if only” remark from the homeowner after the flames die down. “If only” I had turned off the stove before watering the flowers. “If only” I checked to make sure curtains were tied back when I turned on the space heater. “If only” I blew out the candles on the dining room table when my guests and I retired to the living room after dinner.
We hear these stories regularly when assessing homes for needed fire damage restoration in Cartersville. Letting a pot boil dry because you get caught up chatting with a neighbor is a not uncommon tale, but yours ignited a blaze. Smoke and soot quickly covered every inch of your kitchen and the space on your laminate countertop where you placed the red-hot pan suffered a deep and unsightly burn. Our fire damage restoration and repair team assesses the situation and lists the tasks needed to transform a sooty, smelly mess to preloss “Like it never even happened.” condition.
You put out the fire in the pot with a chemical extinguisher and were glad that kitchen structure did not sustain damage from open flames. Even though charring, other than the melted counter, is minimal, you are astonished at how far the soot drifted through your home. The smell of burning plastic is pervasive as well. The SERVPRO project manager we send to evaluate takes note of the widespread nature of soot and smoke damage and devises a plan to clean up the various residues and eliminate that horrible odor.
Technicians on our SERVPRO team hold certifications in Fire and Smoke Restoration, Odor Control, Upholstery and Fabric Cleaning, and Carpet Cleaning received from completing IICRC courses. All of these specialties are crucial as we move from room to room in your Florida home cleaning up the ash and soot from all surfaces. Making professional decisions on the tools to use and the products that enhance the equipment's cleaning action is essential to a successful outcome. Fire damage cleaning is not a “one size fits all” process. Light dustings of soot vacuum or dry-sponge up well, while sticky airborne residues from the melted countertop may need a solvent and abrasive scrubbers to eliminate.
Repair of the counter top and the deodorization procedure are likely to be our last jobs. Depending on the depth of the melted area, the burn mark may buff out or the damaged piece might have to be removed and a new portion installed. SERVPRO approaches deodorization step by step, beginning with the removal of the offending substance and then moving to high-tech solutions like thermal fogging, ozone machines or hydroxyl generators. You can rely on our expertise on all counts.
SERVPRO of Bartow County is more than ready to rescue you and your family from a momentary lapse that resulted in fire damage to your home. Call for a consultation at (770) 387-7455.
Welcome to Bartow County right here!
source:http://www.SERVPROwestpalmbeachfl.com/
What to do Following a Fire at Your Home or Business
10/18/2017 (Permalink)
One of the most devastating experiences you can face in your lifetime is a fire in your home or business. If that occurs, there are some specific steps you need to take to best protect your property in the aftermath of a residential or commercial fire.
Emergency Fire Damage Response
A crucial step that you need to take in the aftermath of a fire in home or fire in business is obtaining prompt emergency fire damage response from a professional. The reality is that fire in home or fire in business damages are best mitigated if a professional team is on site as soon after a fire as possible. The reality is that not every fire restoration company in operation has the ability to provide a rapid response for you.
Securing the Premises
Another important step following a fire in home or fire in business is securing the premises. This includes securing the premises from further damage, but also from others who might try to enter the property inappropriately.
The process of securing the premises following a fire includes a proper board up. The board up process covers the obvious, including windows. However, when it comes to the board up process, doors are likely to be damaged. Indeed, the board up effort may need to include sections of walls as well. In the aftermath of a residential or business fire, engaging a professional who is experienced in all elements of securing the premises, including appropriate board up, is vital.
Covering the Essential Elements of Fire Damage Restoration
Appropriate fire damage restoration is a multifaceted endeavor. The process begins with essential fire cleanup. Fire cleanup is a task that must commences in a timely manner to prevent further degradation of the premises. In addition, fire cleanup in a prompt manner is necessary to open the doors for the remaining tasks that must be undertaken to remediate fire damage. Fire cleanup is best undertaken by a professional.
Once the preliminary cleanup tasks are completed, the focus moves to address issues like addressing smoke damage, soot damage, and smoke smell. Once again, in order to appropriately address smoke damage, soot damage, and smoke smell after a fire in home or fire in business, professional assistance is a must. In order to thoroughly address issues like smoke damage, soot damage, and smoke smell, a home or business owner must have access to a professional with suitable skills and equipment. As part of the fire restoration process, smoke damage, soot damage, and smoke smell must be addressed in a timely manner to protect the property and minimize the long-term impact of fire damage.
Residential Versus Commercial Fire Damage
When seeking fire damage restoration services, you need to make sure that you select a restoration company that focuses on residential or commercial fire damage, or both areas, depending on your specific needs. The reality is that there are difference in what needs to be addressed when it comes to residential and commercial fire damage. You must access a restoration company that works in the realm of residential or commercial fire damage remediation, depending on the nature of your situation.
Expenses and a Fire Restoration Company
There are notable price disparities between fire damage restoration professionals. Although you must be quick in obtaining assistance, you can take a reasonable amount of time to engage in at least some price shopping. Take the appropriate amount of time to examine the price points of fire restoration services available in your community. In addition, make sure you examine the scope of services offered by a particular restoration provider. In the final analysis, you are best served engaging a professional that provides comprehensive restoration services for your home or business.
source:www.SERVPROnorthnaples.com/
How to Inspect a Fire Extinguisher
10/13/2017 (Permalink)
In the event of a home fire get to safety immediately and call 911 - Then call SERVPRO of Bartow County
When was the last time you took time to check the fire extinguisher that sits under your kitchen sink? Or the one hanging from a dusty hook in your garage? If you’re struggling to remember, it’s time to check it. Like any other piece of safety equipment, a home fire extinguisher should be inspected regularly to ensure it’s in proper working condition. A fire extinguisher in good working condition is your first line of defense when a home fire erupts.
Ideally, you should inspect your portable home fire extinguishers every month.
Tips for Performing a Monthly Fire Extinguisher Check
Every fire extinguisher, whether disposable or rechargeable, has a manufacturer’s label or tag. Read the tag and follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance suggestions.
If the tamper seal has been broken or is cracked, a disposable fire extinguisher needs to be replaced. If it’s rechargeable, it needs to be serviced professionally. Check the locking or pull pin as well to make sure it’s in the correct position. If the pin missing, the fire extinguisher needs to be inspected or serviced by a professional.
- Inspect for physical damage.
Physically inspect the fire extinguisher for obvious damage. This may include but is not limited to dents, corrosion, cracks and obvious leakage. If a fire extinguisher has leakage, it’s no longer under full pressure and may not work properly when you need it most. Check the fire extinguisher nozzle as well, to ensure it’s not clogged by grime, dust, bugs or leakage from the unit itself.
- Check the pressure gauge.
Check that the pressure gauge needle indicates the fire extinguisher pressure is in the optimum operating range. Often the correct pressure range will be designated by green on the gauge.
- Is the fire extinguisher full?
During your monthly check, lift the fire extinguisher and determine if it still feels full. If there has been a leak, it will feel light, and it won’t have the right amount of pressure to work correctly.
If you have a dry chemical fire extinguisher, it should be shaken once a month during your inspection. This helps prevent the chemical dousing agent from solidifying at the bottom of the unit.
- Write inspection date on tag.
Keep track of every inspection date by writing it on the fire extinguisher tag.
- Ensure easy access to your fire extinguisher.
Fire extinguishers should always be easy to access if there is an emergency. You don’t want to have to search for it once a fire breaks out. Don’t block fire extinguishers with furniture, boxes or any other items. Everyone who lives in the household should know where the closest fire extinguisher is located and how to use it in case of an emergency.
In the event of a fire emergency, first make sure to get people safely away, then call 911. A home fire extinguisher can be used to put out or control small fires, but it’s still safest to call professional fire fighters before you attempt to control a fire on your own.
If you need professional fire, smoke or water damage cleanup after a fire, call the experts at SERVPRO of Bartow County - (770) 387-7455 -
Source: www.SERVPROauburnrocklin.com/
Repairing Your Cartersville Property After A Fire
9/29/2017 (Permalink)
Don't face this type of mess on your own. Call the professionals at SERVPRO of Bartow County!
Has your home recently been damaged by fire? If so, you’re probably eager to get started cleaning up and restoring your home and belongings. Most people who suffer fire damage want their lives and their homes to return to normal as soon as possible. But many don’t know the costs. According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost to repair smoke and fire damage in the metro Atlanta area is $6250.
Fire damage can make areas of your home unusable until the fire damage has been repaired. More extensive fire damage may make your entire home unsafe and you may have to live in temporary housing or with relatives until cleanup and repair work is completed. No matter how minor or significant the fire damage restoration work is, you want to know how long it will take. The timeline depends on the restorative process and whether you take the opportunity to do remodeling at the same time.
- Starting Fire Damage Repair Work
It can be difficult to determine how and where to get started with fire damage repair work. The first step in the repair process is to remove water from the home if firefighters used water during the extinguishing process. Water extraction can be completed by the professionals from SERVPRO of Bartow County quickly and properly. We arrive in our green vehicles stocked with equipment and supplies to tackle any cleaning and restoration need you have.
SERVPRO of Bartow County can also suggest to you and your adjuster what items and materials are salvageable. Keep in mind that smoke damage can also be a problem. Some items, such as carpeting and your HVAC system, may need to be professionally cleaned to remove the smoke odor from your home.
Repairing your home after you have suffered fire damage is not something that you want to attempt on your own. A fire damage restoration project requires a considerable amount of time and energy to complete. SERVPRO can help you restore your property in minimal time with minimal costs. Our IICRC certified cleanup and restoration technicians have the skills and assets to do a quality job. We are a locally owned and operated, water and fire damage restoration franchise.
Call SERVPRO of Bartow County 24/7 - (770) 387-7455 -
For additional information about our restoration services Visit us at http://www.SERVPRObartowcounty.com/
Source: www.SERVPROthequadcities.com/
SERVPRO Salvages Cartersville Fire Damaged Homes Quickly
8/21/2017 (Permalink)
House fires can be dangerous and messy, call SERVPRO of Bartow County for cleanup!
A home fire can be one of the most damaging experiences a homeowner can face, something no one should ever face alone. Fire does not simply cause damage to your home; it ruins your life, destroys personal belongings, and often leads to loss of fond memories that you can never get back.
You can help prevent fire damage in your Cartersville area home by learning more about various events that happen in your neighborhood. By discovering more about these incidents, you can eliminate common causes that affect you in your home. Remember, every home is susceptible to fire damage, making it necessary for you to understand how to protect yourself properly.
Having an experienced, licensed, and IICRC certified fire damage restoration technician on your side would not hurt, SERVPRO can help put the pieces back together after disaster strikes. We can fully manage your restoration process and provide you with any additional services required to return your property to normal working order after an event occurs.
Consider this, fires cause much more than heat and smoke damage. You would need to include water extraction, various types of cleaning, sanitation, deodorization, and many repairs to that list to be more accurate in your evaluation. SERVPRO technicians can provide you with each of these services, including repairs that often include replacement of framing materials, drywall, painting, and finish work necessary to return your home to normal.
It is a firefighter's job to put out fires and save lives, leaving additional damage and water in their wake, they are not concerned with saving the contents of your home. It simply is not in their job description. However, every SERVPRO technician takes the time to address items individually, taking a restore versus replace mentality that often returns damaged items to a quality condition you can enjoy for years to come.
Making the call to SERVPRO of Bartow County puts your home in expertly trained hands that you can count on to put every effort into restoring your home properly after a fire.
Learn more about what our technicians can do for you, call our office and begin your homes recovery, today. (770) 387-7455
Source: http://www.SERVPROevergreenparksouthchicagocity.com/
SERVPRO Helps Prevent Fire in Your Bartow County Home with Dryer Vent Cleaning
8/2/2017 (Permalink)
Protect your Bartow County home from fire damage with dryer vent cleaning!
House fires affect millions of people every year at the cost of over $500 Million. Smoke detectors have proved their value every year, saving lives and homes from total loss. Most house fires start in the kitchen, but a significant number still occur in a place most forget about once the item is installed, the dryer vent.
A dryer vent cleaning cost may seem like an avoidable charge, but it is needed to prevent fire in your Bartow County home. There are over 15,000 dryer fires each year, and the accumulated property damage cost exceeds $70 Million annually. SERVPRO has the personnel and equipment needed to keep you from adding to those numbers in the coming year. This vent cleaning can also reduce the workload of your clothes dryer while lowering energy usage.
A dryer inside the house or apartment uses a metal exhaust pipe (galvanized iron or steel usually) to vent hot air to the outside of the home. The zinc-coated material is designed to handle the highest dryer setting and more, but not open flames from burning, built-up lint. Since this is an exhaust pipe and smoke seeks the easiest access, a vent fire goes undetected by the smoke detectors much longer than a fire anywhere else in the house.
If your dryer is in the garage or under a carport, the chance for a major fire is reduced, but not eliminated. The flexible vent tube may not run under the house, but it is still at risk. The buildup of lint can still ignite, destroying your dryer and the washer next to it. As the flexible, plastic pipe melts, the burning material quickly ignites drywall and other building material. Worse, there is the possible loss of a car, boat, ATV or RV that might be parked next to the dryer as well.
Our SERVPRO technicians can eliminate this threat with an inspection. We can attach an air mover which introduces high-velocity air flow into your vent for just a few minutes. If the build-up has caked against the sides of the pipe, they use a brush with a telescoping handle to scrape the sides and then reattach the air mover to blow the lint outside your home. For a flexible conduit, we detach it from the dryer and clean it outside using either an air mover or your own garden hose to wash it out.
The cost for vent cleaning is minor compared to other restoration and cleaning work. It is significantly cheaper than removing fire damaged drywall and cleaning smoke and soot covered property. If you need our services or would like an inspection...
Contact SERVPRO of Bartow County - (770) 387-7455 -
Source: http://www.SERVPROsouthnashville.com/
Holiday Fire Facts
12/16/2016 (Permalink)
- One of every three homes Christmas tree fires is caused by electrical problems
- Although Christmas tree fires are not common, when they do occur, they are more likely to be serious. On average one of every 31 reported home Christmas tree fires result in a death compared to an average of one death per 144 total reported home fires.
- A heat source too close to the tree causes one in every four of Christmas tree fires.
- Two out of five home decoration fires are started by candles
- One-third of all candle fires start in the bedroom.
The holiday season is a time for gathering with friends and family to enjoy fellowship and quality time. As the weather outside turns frightful, we rely on the warmth of our homes to host gathers with loved ones. Of course, if disaster does strike during the holiday season, SERVPRO of Bartow County is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Call SERVPRO of Bartow Country for all of your mitigation and restoration needs - (770) 387-7455
Celebrate Safely This Holiday Season
12/16/2016 (Permalink)
Pretty lights, candles and decorations are just a few of the items bringing charm and cheer to the holiday season-however, if they are not used carefully your holidays may go from festive to frightening.
The American Red Cross offers the following safety tips to hel greatly reduce the fire rick in your home or business this holiday season.
- Place Christmas trees, candles and other holiday decorations at least three feet away from heat sources like fireplaces, portable heaters, radiators, heat vents and candles.
- Make sure that light strings and other holiday decorations are in good condition. Do not use anything with frayed electrical cords and always follow the manufacturer's instructions.
- Always unplug tree and holiday lights before leaving the property or going to bed.
- Never use lit candles to decorate a tree. Always extinguish candles before leaving the room or going to bed.
- Use only sturdy tree stands designed not to tip over. Keep curious pets and children away from Christmas trees.
- Keep anything that can catch fire (pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils,paper or plastic bags, food packaging, and towels or curtains) away from your stove top.
- Designate one person to walk around your property to ensure all candles and smoking materials are properly extinguished after guess leave.
SERVPRO of Bartow County wishes you a safe and happy holiday season!
Fire Damage: What To Do Until Help Arrives
10/11/2016 (Permalink)
Kitchen Fire
A fire can leave behind soot, smoke damage and a host of other problems. Ceilings, walls woodwork, carpeting , and floors will often need a thorough professional cleaning. If your home or business suffers a fire, it is important to take the appropriate steps to prevent further damage until SERVPRO of Bartow County arrives. The following tips may help reduce damage and increase chances of successful restorations.
Do:
- Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpet.
- Keep hands clean. Soot on hands can further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork.
- Place dry, colorfast towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas.
- If electricity is off, empty freezer/refrigerator completely and prop doors open to help prevent odor.
- Wipe soot from chrome kitchen/bathroom faucets, trim and appliance, then protect these surfaces with light coating of lubricant.
- If heat is off during winter, pour RV antifreeze in sinks, toilet bowls, holding tanks and tubs to avoid freezing pipes and fixtures.
- Change HVAC filters; leave system off until a trained professional can check the system.
- Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers to stop particles of soot from getting in or out of the HVAC system.
Don't:
- Don't attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces without first contacting SERVPRO of Bartow County.
- Don't attempt to shampoo carpet or upholstered furniture without first consulting SERVPRO of Bartow County.
- Do not attempt to clean any electrical appliances (TV set, radio, etc.) that may have been close to fire, heat or water with out first consulting an authorized repair service.
- Do not consume any food or beverages that may have been stored close to fire, heat or water, as they may be contaminated.
- If ceiling is wet, do not turn on ceiling fans. Wiring may be wet or damaged and cause electrical shock, and air movement may create secondary damage.
- Don't send garments to the dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set in smoke odor.
Contact SERVPRO of Bartow County at (770) 387-7455
Can you do it in under 2 minutes?
10/11/2016 (Permalink)
Fire Safety
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 to 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 make the location of the meeting place on your escape plan.
- Teach children how to escape o their own in case you cannot help them. Pla for everyone in your home with special considerations for elderly or disabled individuals.
- Practice your fire escape plan during the day and at nighttime.
Helpful Tips to Keep Your Home and Family Safe from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
9/19/2016 (Permalink)
Make sure you check your carbon monoxide detectors when you check your fire detectors.
Carbon monoxide is often call “The Invisible Killer”. It is an odorless, colorless gas created when fuels (including: wood, natural gas, gasoline, propane, methane, and oil) burn inefficiently. Carbon monoxide is particularly dangerous because it can be a bi-product of using many household heating or cooking devices. It can be ingested into your body by simply breathing. Carbon monoxide poisoning is often times confused with flu symptoms, food poisoning and other illnesses. Some symptoms include: nausea; shortness of breath; dizziness; light headedness; headaches (any combination of these symptoms). High levels of carbon monoxide can be fatal.
- Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home and in other locations where required by applicable laws, codes or standards.
- For the best protection, interconnect all carbon monoxide detectors throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for placement and mounting height.
- Choose a carbon monoxide detector that has the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
- Call your local fire department’s non-emergency number to find out what number to call if the carbon monoxide detector sounds.
- Test carbon monoxide detector at least once a month; replace them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- If the audible trouble signal sounds, check for low batteries. If the battery is low, replace it. If it still sounds, call the fire department.
- If the carbon monoxide detector sounds, immediately move to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door. Make sure everyone inside the home is accounted for. Call for help from a fresh air location and stay there until emergency personnel.
- If you need to warm a vehicle, remove it from the garage immediately after starting it. Do not run a vehicle or other fueled engine or motor indoors, even if garage doors are open. Make sure the exhaust pipe of a running vehicle is not covered with snow.
- During and after a snowstorm, make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove, and fireplace are clear of snow build-up.
- A generator should be used in a well-ventilated location outdoors away from windows, doors and vent openings.
- Gas or charcoal grills can produce carbon monoxide — only use outside.
SERVPRO of Bartow County for all of your mitigation and restoration needs - (770) 387-7455
You Have So Much Invested In Your Property; Trust Professionals to Protect Your Most Valuable Asset!
9/12/2016 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Bartow County has all the equipment and trained personnel necessary for what ever size job you may have.
The Right Equipment
SERVPRO understands that using professional equipment make a measurable difference in reducing claims loss expense. When time matters, technology and equipment must be counted on to preform. SERVPRO of Bartow County will answer your call with fast action, exceptional equipment, and trained, uniformed personnel. Certainly, the right tool for the job is vital to timely mitigation and restoration, but perhaps more important, SERVPRO fire damage professionals are thoroughly trained in fire cleanup an restoration. for instance, knowing the different types of smoke and their behavior patterns are vital to proper restoration.
- Wet Smoke - Plastics and Synthetics; Low heat, smoldering pungent odor, sticky, smeary
- Dry Smoke - Paper and Wood; Fast burning, high temperatures, dry powdery non-smeary residues.
- Protein - Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor.
- Other Types - Tear gas, fingerprint powder and fire extinguisher residue.
Pretesting determines the proper cleaning method and allows SERVPRO of Bartow County to focus on saving your precious items. Isn't that what really matters?
Deodorization Equipment
- Ultra Low Valume (ULV) Foggers will atomize liquid deodorizing agents, producing a fine mist that easily penetrates sites where odor-causing residues accumulate. The device can also be used to apply fungicides and disinfectants.
- Thermal Foggers dispense solvent-based products in large volume, dense fogs suitable for confined areas. The fog consists of tiny particles of deodorant solution that pair with and neutralize odor-causing particles.
If you or your business has experienced any size fire loss and need help restoring or mitigating the home or business please contact SERVPRO of Bartow County at (770) 387-7455
SERVPRO of Bartow County Smoke and Soot Cleanup
8/16/2016 (Permalink)
Smoke and Soot Damage Can Cause a Pervasive Odor in Your Bartow County Home.
Smoke and soot is very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.
Smoke and soot facts:
- Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
- Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
- The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.
Different Types of Smoke
There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of Bartow County 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 – (770) 387-7455
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