Smoke and Soot Damage

6/1/2023 (Permalink)

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 Thomas, Colquitt and Grady Counties 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 – 229-236-1902

Firework Safety

5/26/2022 (Permalink)

Fireworks are always a fun way to celebrate summer holidays, and even New Year's Day! Although fun, they can also be dangerous if proper safety measures are not taken seriously.

Memorial Day is coming up, lets talk legal firework safety!

• Never allow young children to handle fireworks and only allow older children to handle them with adult supervision
• Never use fireworks if impaired by drugs or alcohol
• Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands
• Anyone around or using fireworks should wear protective eye wear
• Never light them indoors and use them away from houses and buildings
• Never point them or throw them at people
• Never ignite them in a container
• keep a bucket of water nearby to put out fireworks that do not go out on their own, and to soak them before throwing them out
• Never use illegal fireworks

We have compiled these tips from the National Safety Council. Read more here: https://www.nsc.org/home-safety/tools-resources/seasonal-safety/summer/fireworks

Follow these steps and enjoy your firework show. Happy Memorial Day!

As always, SERVPRO of Thomas, Colquitt and Grady counties is here to help. Call us at 229-236-1902.

Preventing Home Electrical Fires

4/4/2022 (Permalink)

This overloaded outlet is an example of too many plugs into one. Unplug anything that is not in use to avoid this happening.

Power Hungry

According to a report from the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), home electrical fires claim the lives of 280 Americans each year. During a typical year, home electrical problems account for 26,100 fires and $1 billion in property losses. About half of all residential electrical fires involve electrical wiring. Many electrical fires are caused by overloaded circuits and extension cords. December and January are the peak months for electrical fires, but of course, they can happen at any time during the year. The USDA says fires occur more often in these months due to the increased time spent indoors, which also increases the use of lighting, heating, and appliances.

Many electrical fires can be avoided if basic safety precautions are taken. 

Electrical Safety 

Review the following tips to reduce your risk of electrical fires.

• Routinely check electrical appliances and wiring. Frayed wires can cause fires. Replace all worn, old or damaged appliance cords immediately. 
• Replace any electrical tool or appliance if it overheats, shorts out causes even small electrical shocks or gives off smoke or sparks. 
• 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. 
• Use electrical extension cords wisely; never overload extension cords or wall sockets. 

Make Sure to Get your Outdoor Fireplace Inspected

1/24/2022 (Permalink)

When a fireplace malfunctions, it can cause significant damage to the outdoor living space, or indoor.

Don't be caught with a fireplace that malfunctions and catches fire. Many times, we get a call that a fire was caused by a fireplace, and it hasn't been inspected before use. Animal dander, hair, and other debris can get into the chimney and cause it to fail.

Another reason for a fireplace to catch fire is if the fire break is not properly installed, it can cause heat to transfer to the structure of the home, causing ignition. Pictured, an outdoor fireplace caught fire, catching the exterior wall on fire as well. Fortunately, there was no fire damage to the interior of the home, but in the home there was smoke damage and a pungent smoke odor we were able to remove with our ozone machine and thorough cleaning. 

Emergency Fire Damage

12/28/2021 (Permalink)

Did you know that every 18 seconds a fire occurs in the United States? If this happens to you, even a small kitchen fire, we will be there to restore your household.

Emergency Fire Damage Restoration Process:

1. A SERVPRO franchise professional will contact you within one hour to arrange for service.
• We understand the importance of letting you know help is on the way, right away.
2. Within four hours, a trained professional will arrive on-site prepared to begin emergency mitigation services, if necessary.
• Timely response is key to preventing further damage.
• Timely mitigation can mean the difference between restoring property and replacing it.
3. The loss site will be reviewed with you, and your questions and concerns will be addressed. A SERVPRO Franchise professional will:
• Identify the source of loss.
• Identify the source of your concerns.
• Identify the types of residue present.
• Identify safety issues.
4. A SERVPRO Franchise Professional will begin pretesting for restorability. By Pretesting, four key questions are answered:
• What is unable to be restored?
• What is restorable and what methods of restoration will be most effective?
• What areas and items are unaffected?
• What areas need to be reviewed by the Adjuster or Property owner?
5. The scope of the project will be communicated to you or your adjuster if a claim has been filed. If so, your adjuster will receive a verbal briefing within eight business hours.
6. The structure and contents will be cleaned and restored by SERVPRO Franchise Professionals.
7. After the work has been completed, a final walk-through will be conducted with you to help ensure your satisfaction.

Here at SERVPRO, we understand the trauma of fire disasters and as a leader in fire and water cleanup and restoration, our number one goal is returning damage to its preloss condition, doing all we can to make it “Like it never even happened.”

The Fire Damage Restoration Process

11/29/2021 (Permalink)

The Fire Damage Restoration Process

SERVPRO Franchise Professionals know just how devastating a fire can be. Fire and water damage can leave your house unsafe and unlivable. They're trained to clean and restore your home with as little disruption as possible. Below is how we restore from start to finish, and to make your home or business "Like it never even happened."

Step1: Emergency Contact

Step 2: Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment

Step 3: Immediate Board-Up and Roof-Tarp Service (if needed)

Step 4: Water Removal and Drying (if water damage is present)

Step 5: Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces

Step 6: Cleaning and Repair

Step 7: Restoration

For immediate help call SERVPRO of Thomas, Colquitt & Grady Counties at 229-236-1902.

Fire Damage Emergency Tips

11/25/2020 (Permalink)

What you can do until help arrives

After any fire damage situation, your primary focus should be safety:

• Is it safe to stay in the house?
• Electrical and "slip and fall" hazards are some of the most prevalent concerns.
• Only do activities that are safe for you to perform.
• Wet materials can be VERY heavy. Be careful!

Have A Fire or Smoke Damage Emergency?
Call us at 229-236-1902!

What To Do After A Fire

• Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets.
• Keep hands clean so as not to further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork.
• Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas.
• If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator and prop doors open.
• Clean and protect chrome with light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.
• Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves.
• Change HVAC filter.
• Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers.

What NOT To Do After A Fire

• Don't attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces or shampoo carpet or upholstery without contacting your SERVPRO Franchise Professional.
• Don't attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, heat or water without consulting an authorized repair service.
• Don't use any canned or packaged food or beverages that may have been stored near the fire, heat or water.
• Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet. The wiring may be damaged.
• Don't send garments to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set smoke odor.

Creating a Fire Escape Plan

3/17/2020 (Permalink)

Fire spreads very quickly in a home. You and your family can have one to two minutes to get out once the smoke alarm sounds. One way to be prepared for a fire, is to have a fire escape plan prepared. Not only should you make sure there are smoke detectors on every level of the home and in every bedroom, knowing your way out when they sound is key to being safe in a house fire situation. When making a Fire Escape Plan, pull together everyone who lives in your home and consider drawing a floor plan of your house. Try to create two exits out of each room. If the fire escape plan is to be used during an actual fire, closing doors behind you is a good way to slow the spread of fire and smoke

Make sure when you are figuring out where to exit, that each exit is clear of furniture and the windows that are used as exits can open easily. Choose a meeting place that is a safe distance from your home that everyone can meet. After creating a fire escape plan, put the plan to the test so everyone is on the same page.  And finally, never go back into a house that is on fire for any reason!

A Smoke Alarm Could Save Your Life!

1/2/2020 (Permalink)

Smoke alarms that are installed and maintained can reduce death, and fire injuries. When a fire starts, smoke spreads quickly and a smoke alarm will detect it in order to get you out of your home! 

According to the National Fire Protection Association,

• Closed doors in homes slows down the spread of heat and fire.
• Make sure there is a smoke detector in every bedroom and outside of each sleeping area. There should be a smoke detector on each level of the house.
• Electrical smoke alarms are safer than battery, they will be interconnected and when one sounds, they all will. 
• Make sure you test the smoke alarm at least once a month. You can just press the test button to be sure it is working. 
• When you hear a smoke alarm sounding, go outside and stay outside. Do not go back inside of your home for anything!
• Smoke detectors need to be replaced every ten years. 

With any questions you may have regarding fire or smoke damage in a home within Thomas, Colquitt & Grady Counties or any surrounding areas, give us a call at 229-236-1902

Some Facts on Smoke & Soot

12/30/2019 (Permalink)

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 developing 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 Thomas, Colquitt & Grady Counties 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. 

Cook Safely this Thanksgiving

11/25/2019 (Permalink)

According to the National Fire Protection Association, fire departments responded to about 1,570 home cooking fires on Thanksgiving in 2016, the peak day for such fires. The No. 1 reason? Unattended cooking.

USFA offers the following helpful tips to backyard chefs who plan to deep-fry a turkey for Thanksgiving:

1. Turkey fryers should always be used outdoors a safe distance from buildings and any other flammable materials.
2. Never use turkey fryers in a garage or on a wooden deck.
3. Make sure the fryers are used on a flat surface to reduce accidental tipping.
4. Never leave the fryer unattended. Most units do not have thermostat controls. If you do not watch the fryer carefully, the oil will continue to heat until it catches fire.
5. Never let children or pets near the fryer even if it is not in use. The oil inside the cooking pot can remain dangerously hot hours after use.
6. To avoid oil spillover, do not overfill the fryer.
7. Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touching pot or lid handles. If possible, wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from oil splatter.
8. Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and be careful with marinades. Oil and water do not mix, and water causes oil to spill over causing a fire or even an explosion hazard.
9. The National Turkey Federation (NTF) recommends thawing the turkey in the refrigerator approximately 24 hours for every five pounds in weight.
10. Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby. Never use water to extinguish a grease fire. If the fire is manageable, use your all-purpose fire extinguisher. If the fire increases, immediately call the fire department for help.

Thanksgiving is a time for food, family, fun and fellowship. Here at SERVPRO, we want you to be safe as you enjoy your holiday.

From all of us at SERVPRO of Thomas, Colquitt & Grady Counties, we wish you a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

Emergency Fire Damage Restoration Process

11/14/2019 (Permalink)

Did you know that every 18 seconds a fire occurs in the United States? If this happens to you, even a small kitchen fire, we will be there to restore your household.

Emergency Fire Damage Restoration Process:

1. A SERVPRO franchise professional will contact you within one hour to arrange for service.
   • We understand the importance of letting you know help is on the way, right away.
2. Within four hours, a trained professional will arrive on-site prepared to begin emergency mitigation services, if necessary.
   • Timely response is key to preventing further damage.
   • Timely mitigation can mean the difference between restoring property and replacing it.
3. The loss site will be reviewed with you, and your questions and concerns will be addressed. A SERVPRO Franchise professional will:
   • Identify the source of loss.
   • Identify the source of your concerns.
   • Identify the types of residue present.
   • Identify safety issues.
4. A SERVPRO Franchise Professional will begin pretesting for restorability. By Pretesting, four key questions are answered:
   • What is unable to be restored?
   • What is restorable and what methods of restoration will be most effective?
   • What areas and items are unaffected?
   • What areas need to be reviewed by the Adjuster or Property owner?
5. The scope of the project will be communicated to you or your adjuster if a claim has been filed. If so, your adjuster will receive a verbal briefing within eight business hours.
6. The structure and contents will be cleaned and restored by SERVPRO Franchise Professionals.
7. After the work has been completed, a final walk-through will be conducted with you to help ensure your satisfaction.

Here at SERVPRO, we understand the trauma of fire disasters and as a leader in fire and water cleanup and restoration, our number one goal is returning damage to its preloss condition, doing all we can to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Fire Damage in Whigam, GA

5/30/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Thomas, Colquitt & Grady Counties recently got a fire job in Whigam, GA. The fire starting in the bathroom and was caused by a portable heater. The fire affected every room in the home. First all of the contents needed to be removed from the home, and packed into a storage POD. Once all of the contents had been removed, SERVPRO could begin the demolition. The demolition lasted for 4 days, and the entire house had to be gutted. All of the cabinets, flooring, drywall and insulation had to be removed. Equipment was placed in the home to dry out areas that were still wet from the firemen. SERVPRO was able to wrap up the demolition and mitigation as quickly as possible, so that the customers could begin reconstruction. They were very happy with how quickly SERVPRO of Thomas, Colquitt & Grady Counties performed the clean up from their fire. 

Fire Damage in Pelham, GA

5/30/2019 (Permalink)

We recently got a call for a fire job in Pelham, GA. The fire started in the attic when lightening struck the home. The entire home was affected by smoke damage, and over half of the home was affected by fire damage. The fire department used water to put the fire out, which meant we also had to dry the areas that were still wet. Once all of the contents were removed we were able to start the demolition to the affected areas. Most of the insulation had fallen, which you can see in the picture of one of the bedrooms. After all of the demolition had been completed we could start drying. A home fire is never an easy situation for a family, but we were happy to quickly respond and start mitigation.