Fire Damage Odors

7/20/2022 (Permalink)

After Fire Damage, Does The Odor Ever Go Away?

Fire damage often comes with multiple layers of issues such as burned building materials and home contents, water or fire extinguisher residue and of course, foul odors from all of those factors.

SERVPRO was called to mitigate a fire damage in a home. The fire started in the kitchen when the homeowner's microwave oven caught on fire, and she opened the door to the microwave before the flames ran out of oxygen and extinguished. A fire extinguisher had been used to put out the fire, and the fine, powdery residue covered the area around the microwave. Although the homeowner removed the microwave, a strong odor permeated the kitchen.

Immediately on arrival, we contained the doorways and registers in the kitchen to inhibit the spread of soot throughout the home. Then we used handheld vacuums with HEPA filtration to clean up the fire extinguisher residue and soot from the cabinet surfaces. The cabinets over the microwave displayed smoke damage but no charring and were restorable through extensive cleaning.

Odor-causing soot particles can be smaller than the human eye can see, so we use specialized equipment such as our air scrubbers with HEPA filters to capture the particulate matter and assist in inhibiting strong odors left behind by the fire.

SERVPRO technicians engage in continuing education to stay on the cutting edge of the latest advances in the field of restoration sciences. When cleaning with our EPA-registered formulas is not enough to get rid of smoke odors, we have a diverse array of equipment to choose from such as ozone machines and Hydroxyl generators that neutralize odors at the molecular level.

In this case, thermal fogging was the solution chosen by our technicians. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to odors, and removal of odors requires the application of multiple approaches to eradicate them from the property and contents completely.

For assistance getting rid of fire damage and odors, call SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol at (423) 245-5552. Our certified technicians stand ready to help you 24/7 and make your fire loss “Like it never even happened.”

Fire Extinguisher Use

7/18/2022 (Permalink)

Do you know how to use a fire extinguisher?

Before you even reach for that fire extinguisher, make sure the fire is still in the incipient stage (the flames aren’t taller than you) and that it’s not threatening to block your evacuation route. If you’re good on both of those fronts, all it takes to effectively operate most fire extinguishers is remembering and executing the acronym P.A.S.S:

PULL the pin.

AIM the nozzle at the base of the fire.

SQUEEZE the handle to release the fire extinguishing agent.

SWEEP the nozzle from side to side until the fire appears to be out.

After executing the P.A.S.S. technique, don’t turn your back on the area of the fire as flames may still flare up. Remember to evacuate immediately and call 9-1-1 if the fire gets out of hand. 

Pull, Aim, Squeeze and Sweep until fire is out!

Contact SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol if you need cleanup at 423-245-5552.

Home Fire Safety

7/18/2022 (Permalink)

Home fire safety should start with a working smoke detector and a fire safety plan. If you already have those in your home, though, you may consider a fire extinguisher as the next step in fire preparedness. A fire extinguisher works to put out a small fire by removing one of the three components of the fire triangle: heat, oxygen, and fuel. The most common fire extinguisher removes oxygen from a fire by smothering it in a dry chemical foam. In a way, it’s a high-powered version of pouring baking soda on a grease fire, which makes it particularly relevant in the kitchen. If you’re going to invest in a fire extinguisher to help protect your home and family—which luckily isn’t a huge investment, with most home units coming in between $10 and $40—you don’t want a one-hit wonder. The National Fire Protection Association recommends a multipurpose extinguisher, which works to suppress fires from ‘ordinary combustibles,’ grease fires, and electrical fires. On the market, this translates to a fire extinguisher that is ABC rated, such as a unit with a 3A:40-B:C rating, or the slightly smaller 2A:10-B:C rating. Units with these ratings can be found at almost any home improvement store. Once again, having a working smoke detector in each room of your home should be your first priority in home fire preparedness. Two-thirds of home fire deaths occur in homes without working smoke alarms. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) recommends checking the batteries in your smoke detector once a month, changing them at least once a year, and replacing the unit altogether once it is 10 years old. Many fire departments offer smoke detectors and battery replacements at no charge. Contact SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol at 423-245-5552 if you need assistance. 

Firework Safety

6/2/2022 (Permalink)

If not handled properly and safely, Fireworks can be extremely dangerous, causing bodily injury and even structure fires.

The National Safety Council advises everyone to enjoy fireworks at public displays conducted by professionals, and not to use any fireworks at home. They may be legal, but they are not safe.

Fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires each year, including 1,300 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires and nearly 17,000 other fires.

If consumer fireworks are legal to buy where you live and you choose to use them, be sure to follow the following safety tips:

• Never allow young children to handle fireworks
• Older children should use them only under close adult supervision
• Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol
• Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear
• Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands
• Never light them indoors
• Only use them away from people, houses and flammable material
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person
• Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting
• Never ignite devices in a container
• Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks
• Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding
• Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don't go off or in case of fire
• Never use illegal fireworks

A Tip on SPARKLERS

Every year, young children can be found along parade routes and at festivals with sparklers in hand, but sparklers are a lot more dangerous than most people think.

Sparklers burn at about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals. Sparklers can quickly ignite clothing, and children have received severe burns from dropping sparklers on their feet. According to the National Fire Protection Association, sparklers alone account for more than 25% of emergency room visits for fireworks injuries. For children under 5 years of age, sparklers accounted for nearly half of the total estimated injuries.

Consider using safer alternatives, such as glow sticks, confetti poppers or colored streamers.

The best choice might be to grab a blanket and a patch of lawn, kick back and let the experts handle the fireworks show.

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher

7/13/2021 (Permalink)

Before you even reach for that fire extinguisher, make sure the fire is still in the incipient stage (the flames aren’t taller than you) and that it’s not threatening to block your evacuation route. If you’re good on both of those fronts, all it takes to effectively operate most fire extinguishers is remembering and executing the acronym P.A.S.S:

PULL the pin.

AIM the nozzle at the base of the fire.

SQUEEZE the handle to release the fire extinguishing agent.

SWEEP the nozzle from side to side until the fire appears to be out.

After executing the P.A.S.S. technique, don’t turn your back on the area of the fire as flames may still flare up. Remember to evacuate immediately and call 9-1-1 if the fire gets out of hand. 

Pull, Aim, Squeeze and Sweep until fire is out!

Home Safety

7/9/2021 (Permalink)

Home fire safety should start with a working smoke detector and a fire safety plan. If you already have those in your home, though, you may consider a fire extinguisher as the next step in fire preparedness. A fire extinguisher works to put out a small fire by removing one of the three components of the fire triangle: heat, oxygen, and fuel. The most common fire extinguisher removes oxygen from a fire by smothering it in a dry chemical foam. In a way, it’s a high-powered version of pouring baking soda on a grease fire, which makes it particularly relevant in the kitchen. If you’re going to invest in a fire extinguisher to help protect your home and family—which luckily isn’t a huge investment, with most home units coming in between $10 and $40—you don’t want a one-hit wonder. The National Fire Protection Association recommends a multipurpose extinguisher, which works to suppress fires from ‘ordinary combustibles,’ grease fires, and electrical fires. On the market, this translates to a fire extinguisher that is ABC rated, such as a unit with a 3A:40-B:C rating, or the slightly smaller 2A:10-B:C rating. Units with these ratings can be found at almost any home improvement store. Once again, having a working smoke detector in each room of your home should be your first priority in home fire preparedness. Two-thirds of home fire deaths occur in homes without working smoke alarms. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) recommends checking the batteries in your smoke detector once a month, changing them at least once a year, and replacing the unit altogether once it is 10 years old. 

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher

7/2/2021 (Permalink)

Pull, Aim, Squeeze and Sweep until fire is out!

Before you even reach for that fire extinguisher, make sure the fire is still in the incipient stage (the flames aren’t taller than you) and that it’s not threatening to block your evacuation route. If you’re good on both of those fronts, all it takes to effectively operate most fire extinguishers is remembering and executing the acronym P.A.S.S:

PULL the pin.

AIM the nozzle at the base of the fire.

SQUEEZE the handle to release the fire extinguishing agent.

SWEEP the nozzle from side to side until the fire appears to be out.

After executing the P.A.S.S. technique, don’t turn your back on the area of the fire as flames may still flare up. Remember to evacuate immediately and call 9-1-1 if the fire gets out of hand. 

Smoke Damage Can Cause Major Issues After a Fire

7/1/2021 (Permalink)

Wet Smoke Effects After Fire Damage In Bristol Homes

Wet smoke can be a challenging situation for Bristol homeowners to overcome after a fire loss incident. Knowing all of the ways that this can affect your property can help you to understand how many residents might require professional assistance. Wet smoke is an effect generated from fires that burn at a lower heat, so instead of combusting quickly and devastating substantial areas of the house, the fire smolders and releases a thick and clammy residue across nearby surfaces, contents, and materials. 

Ultimately, there are two ways in which wet smoke can become insurmountable fire damage for Bristol homeowners. The first of these is the process needed to eliminate and clean the thick residue these situations can leave behind. Wet smoke is also more notorious for widespread odors, which also require specialized equipment and products to remove entirely. Both of these are effects that the average homeowner has not prepared to face. 

The risk of wet smoke residue is the effect that it can have on the surfaces surrounding your home. With a thick coating, conventional cleaning approaches cannot address these concerns, and most often, make them considerably worse. Smearing is a severe concern when cleaning up residues, and staining can result even days later from inadequately cleaned surfaces, contents, and materials. Many have entrusted our SERVPRO team with employing our advanced techniques to remove this harmful effect without widespread damages to your property in the process. 

Odors during these slower and lower heat exchanges can get trapped in surfaces and materials throughout the home, even those not directly in the fire’s path. To remove these odors entirely, professionals like our SERVPRO team have advanced products and cleaning agents, as well as intricate equipment that can address the neutralize odors encountered at a molecular level. 

Combating the damage to your home after a fire loss incident often requires at least partial assistance from dedicated and certified restoration specialists like our SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol team. To make the effects of wet smoke fire losses “Like it never even happened,” give us a call today at (423) 245-5552.

Firework Safety this Summer

6/7/2021 (Permalink)

With Summer Coming up, celebrate it safely!

Fireworks can be a festive and fun way to celebrate the holidays. In the United States, no holiday is more widely celebrated with the colorful displays of pyrotechnics than the Fourth of July.

However, each year in July, thousands of people - both children and adults - are injured by fireworks while celebrating. According to a U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission study conducted in 2006, emergency departments treated more than 9,200 firework-related injuries from June 16 to July 16 (2006). Sparklers accounted for one0third of the injuries to children under the age of 5 in the same time period. Children under 15 accounted for 36% of estimated injuries.*

Since a large percentage of the injuries from fireworks are related to illegally made fireworks, the American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) encourages consumers to only use legal, approved fireworks. Of course, even then, the fireworks must be used as directed in a safe and responsible manner.

Though a professional fireworks display is the safest way to enjoy the aerial displays, the National Council on Fireworks Safety suggest the following tips for a fun, safe fireworks display.

SAFETY TIPS

• Only use fireworks outdoors.

• Be aware of and obey all local laws regarding the use of fireworks.

• Always have a bucket of water or hose nearby. If conditions are excessively dry, do not use fireworks.

• Alcohol and fireworks are a bad mix!

• Parents should pay special attention to children using sparklers. Sparklers can reach temperatures up to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit. Children should not throw or play games with sparklers.

How to Handle a Fire Restoration Job in Bristol

7/6/2020 (Permalink)

House Fire

How to Handle a Fire Restoration Job in Bristol

Coping with the effects of the house fire can be very taxing, particularly if you are uncertain about what you need to do to start the repair, clean up, and restoration process. There are a lot of things that need to take place after a fire, and it could be beneficial to know a few guidelines on how to deal with fire restoration tasks so that you can avoid risking your safety and further damaging your home. 

Contact Your Insurance Company for Fire Restoration

 After a fire has taken place, the first thing you should do is call your homeowner's insurance agent. He or she will be likely to send an insurance adjuster to your residence to assess the damages and come up with a cost estimate for repairs and restoration. Depending on your extent of coverage for water and fire damage, your insurance may actually cover all of your expenses.

Contact a Professional Restoration Company

After calling your insurance agent, you should call a professional restoration company like SERVPRO. We have the specialized licenses, team, equipment, and expertise to handle fire restoration, no matter how severe the damage is. 

Do Not Enter Your Home after a Fire.

Since it is common for fires to damage the structure of homes, you should not enter your home immediately after a house fire. Boards in your home may be fragile and brittle, and putting pressure on them can break them and cause injury to you. Additionally, it is likely that there is water damage from the attempts to put out the fire, which would have weakened the structure of the home even more. You could even be electrocuted if you go into your home, due to the large amounts of standing water in conjunction with electricity. It is highly recommended that you have a professional examine your home after such an event to make sure it is safe for you to enter. 

Fire and smoke damage is especially destructive. In many instances your Bristol property will also suffer from water damage from firefighting efforts. There are many steps that need to be taken after a fire, and several of these require specialized equipment that most homeowners will not have or know how to use properly.

If you experience Fire or Smoke Damage? Call the experts at SERVPRO today at 423-245-5552.

How to Estimate Fire Damage Costs in Kingsport

7/6/2020 (Permalink)

Fire in Your House Requires Restoration

How to Estimate Fire Damage Costs in Kingsport

Going through events that lead to fire damage in your Kingsport home are traumatic and can change your life drastically. Besides all of the cleanup work that is needed, including getting rid of items that are no longer usable, it is also necessary for you to calculate the total fire damage costs. These costs will include everything from equipment rental, trash disposal, the cost of hiring professionals, and the restoration of damaged property. To make this multi-step procedure easier, hiring a professional to calculate fire damage costs is advisable.

Contact Your Insurance Company

After contacting your homeowner’s insurance company, an adjuster will be sent out to survey the damage in your Kingsport home. The adjuster will look at the extent of the fire damage, the approximate value of the home and other factors to calculate the exact cost of damage. The cost the adjuster comes up with only covers the value of your home and depending on your insurance coverage, it may cover the cost of hiring a fire restoration company to help. All other household items require estimated values for insurance reimbursement. 

Include Lost Possessions in Fire Damage Costs

Included in the fire damage costs are possessions damaged to the point that they are tossed. Hiring a professional restoration company, such as SERVPRO,  to help total up the costs of these items is a good idea. The homeowner's investment for this service is well worth the cost. These professionals have the expertise to salvage items and thus lower your out-of-pocket expenses.

Include the Cost of Repairs in the Total Fire Damage Costs

It is advisable to hire a professional to help calculate the cost of repairing and restoring your home after a fire. The list of repairing and restoring partially damaged items and removing the odor of smoke from the home and possessions is partial. The cost of repainting the home and the repairing of the roof are also on this list. If the home is high-tech or historical, this will affect the final cost of repair and replacement.

Fortunately, there are professional services that are available to help you calculate fire damage costs. After you have consulted your homeowner’s insurance company, get in touch with a professional fire restoration company--SERVPRO. Allow this company to work in tandem with your insurance company to assess and restore your home to its previous condition.

Locally Owned, with National Resources

We are proud to be an active member of your community. SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol is locally owned and operated so we’re already nearby and ready to help Kingsport residents.

Faster to Any Size Fire Emergency

When fire and water damage strikes, a fast response is critical. We’re dedicated to responding immediately night or day to your Kingsport home. A faster response helps to prevent secondary damage and helps to reduce cost.  Call us.  (432) 245-5552.

Smoke Can Cause Major Issues After A Fire In Your Bristol Home

7/1/2020 (Permalink)

To make the effects of wet smoke fire losses “Like it never even happened,” give us a call today at (423) 245-5552.

Wet Smoke Effects After Fire Damage In Bristol Homes

Wet smoke can be a challenging situation for Bristol homeowners to overcome after a fire loss incident. Knowing all of the ways that this can affect your property can help you to understand how many residents might require professional assistance. Wet smoke is an effect generated from fires that burn at a lower heat, so instead of combusting quickly and devastating substantial areas of the house, the fire smolders and releases a thick and clammy residue across nearby surfaces, contents, and materials. 

Ultimately, there are two ways in which wet smoke can become insurmountable fire damage for Bristol homeowners. The first of these is the process needed to eliminate and clean the thick residue these situations can leave behind. Wet smoke is also more notorious for widespread odors, which also require specialized equipment and products to remove entirely. Both of these are effects that the average homeowner has not prepared to face. 

The risk of wet smoke residue is the effect that it can have on the surfaces surrounding your home. With a thick coating, conventional cleaning approaches cannot address these concerns, and most often, make them considerably worse. Smearing is a severe concern when cleaning up residues, and staining can result even days later from inadequately cleaned surfaces, contents, and materials. Many have entrusted our SERVPRO team with employing our advanced techniques to remove this harmful effect without widespread damages to your property in the process. 

Odors during these slower and lower heat exchanges can get trapped in surfaces and materials throughout the home, even those not directly in the fire’s path. To remove these odors entirely, professionals like our SERVPRO team have advanced products and cleaning agents, as well as intricate equipment that can address the neutralize odors encountered at a molecular level. 

Combating the damage to your home after a fire loss incident often requires at least partial assistance from dedicated and certified restoration specialists like our SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol team. To make the effects of wet smoke fire losses “Like it never even happened,” give us a call today at (423) 245-5552.

Foul Odors In Your Kingsport Home Are No Match For Our Fire Damage Experts

6/4/2020 (Permalink)

Our certified technicians stand ready to help you 24/7 and make your fire loss “Like it never even happened.”

After Fire Damage To A Kingsport Home, Does The Odor Ever Go Away?

Fire damage often comes with multiple layers of issues such as burned building materials and home contents, water or fire extinguisher residue and of course, foul odors from all of those factors.

SERVPRO was called to mitigate fire damage in a Kingsport home. The fire started in the kitchen when the homeowner's microwave oven caught on fire, and she opened the door to the microwave before the flames ran out of oxygen and extinguished. A fire extinguisher had been used to put out the fire, and the fine, powdery residue covered the area around the microwave. Although the homeowner removed the microwave, a strong odor permeated the kitchen.

Immediately on arrival, we contained the doorways and registers in the kitchen to inhibit the spread of soot throughout the home. Then we used handheld vacuums with HEPA filtration to clean up the fire extinguisher residue and soot from the cabinet surfaces. The cabinets over the microwave displayed smoke damage but no charring and were restorable through extensive cleaning.

Odor-causing soot particles can be smaller than the human eye can see, so we use specialized equipment such as our air scrubbers with HEPA filters to capture the particulate matter and assist in inhibiting strong odors left behind by the fire.

SERVPRO technicians engage in continuing education to stay on the cutting edge of the latest advances in the field of restoration sciences. When cleaning with our EPA-registered formulas is not enough to get rid of smoke odors, we have a diverse array of equipment to choose from such as ozone machines and Hydroxyl generators that neutralize odors at the molecular level.

In this case, thermal fogging was the solution chosen by our technicians. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to odors, and removal of odors requires the application of multiple approaches to eradicate them from the property and contents completely.

For assistance getting rid of fire damage and odors, call SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol at (423) 245-5552. Our certified technicians stand ready to help you 24/7 and make your fire loss “Like it never even happened.”

Fire Damage in Your Bristol Residence Can Call for Demolition and Water Removal Services

5/1/2020 (Permalink)

Don't let a fire friz you out, let SERVPRO tame the chaos!

Let SERVPRO extinguish your fire damage worries.  

Fires occur because of many reasons, including the spontaneous combustion substances with a relatively low ignition temperature like oily rags. Fires are among the most damaging events that occur in a home. They can cause significant smoke and soot damage. To deal with the destruction, using restoration services is essential.

If you have fire damage in your Bristol residence, the professionals at SERVPRO can assist you to deal with it. We can assess the damage and determine if the affected rooms are still structurally sound. It is not unusual to find seriously damaged structural components after a large fire. It may be necessary to remove ruined components and repair the affected areas so that you can continue to live in the home safely.

Our technicians can tear out the materials which are beyond repair while working carefully to avoid damaging your home further. We can remove the damaged items in preparation for reconstruction of the rooms by a residential construction contractor. We limit the complete the destruction of structural components so that your new construction efforts can be less expensive, and the work can be easier to complete.

SERVPRO franchise professionals have the appropriate equipment to concentrate on the damaged sections of a home. Once we are done with the demolition process, the affected areas can be ready for new materials. We place everything we remove in disposal containers and transport the waste from your property for safe disposal.

If there’s water from firefighting efforts or the sprinkler system, we can use different types of extraction equipment to remove it. Our extractors typically have a heater, pump, and vacuum system. These three components remain in use when cleaning upholstery and carpets. When mitigating water damage, only the vacuum system is required since we only use the extractor to remove water. We can use portable extractors to remove water from restricted areas. Our technicians then dry the water damaged areas using air movers and dehumidifiers.

When there is fire damage in your home, the skilled technicians at SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol can make it look “Like it never even happened.” Call us at (423) 245-5552 for quick and effective fire damage restoration services.

Kingsport Home Smell Like a BBQ Pit? Call SERVPRO for Smoke and Fire Restoration Services

5/1/2020 (Permalink)

The Scrabble Word for Smoke Cleanup in Kingsport? SERVPRO

Tackling Soot and Odor after Fire Damage in your Kingsport Home

When materials combust they release particles, gases, and aerosols into the surrounding environment. During a fire, gas like carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide can be lethal. However, once the materials have stopped burning they disperse into the surrounding atmosphere and no longer become a threat. What tends to remain are solid particles and aerosols in the form of soots and smokes. These can absorb odors, become an irritant if inhaled and are extremely small (.1-.4 microns); making them difficult to clean. Needless to say, after a house fire you need professional assistance to tackle odors and soot deposits.

A property that has signs of fire damage in Kingsport or the surrounding area can rely on us to get their home back to preloss condition whenever possible. The solutions are usually two stages, with the first relying on removing soots and the second tackling odors, which also involves restoring your indoor air-quality. SERVPRO can mobilize our local technicians adept in odor control and property remediation.

Smoke that settles on a surface, such as upholstery or table-tops, is considered soot. During the firefighting procedure, water can make soot set into porous materials- particularly fabrics. SERVPRO technicians can deploy a foam cleaning method which helps to draw soot from fabrics rather than risking permanent damage by scrubbing soots deeper into materials. Our Esporta washing system at our facility can be used for off-site cleaning when needed.

The odors that are left after a fire are often made up of particles from the materials that burned. These can quickly bond with sulfurs or chlorides and become an unpleasant reminder of the event. SERVPRO use air-scrubbers fitted with HEPA filters to remove these particles from the air. HEPA fittings filter air using charcoal and can remove particles as small as 0.3 microns (1 micron= 25,000th of an inch.)

If an odor remains after using air scrubbers, SERVPRO can fumigate the property using water-based thermal foggers. This equipment vaporizes solvents and releases them into the property. Since the vapor mimics smoke, it can help to find sources of odor and neutralize them. Foggers are typically non-harmful to inhabitants of the property.

A house fire can feel overwhelming, contact SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol at (423) 245-5552 for help.

Smoke Can Cause Major Issues After A Fire In Your Blountville Home

7/2/2019 (Permalink)

To make the effects of wet smoke fire losses “Like it never even happened,” give us a call today at (423) 245-5552.

Wet Smoke Effects After Fire Damage In Blountville Homes

Wet smoke can be a challenging situation for Blountville homeowners to overcome after a fire loss incident. Knowing all of the ways that this can affect your property can help you to understand how many residents might require professional assistance. Wet smoke is an effect generated from fires that burn at a lower heat, so instead of combusting quickly and devastating substantial areas of the house, the fire smolders and releases a thick and clammy residue across nearby surfaces, contents, and materials.

Ultimately, there are two ways in which wet smoke can become insurmountable fire damage for Blountville homeowners. The first of these is the process needed to eliminate and clean the thick residue these situations can leave behind. Wet smoke is also more notorious for widespread odors, which also require specialized equipment and products to remove entirely. Both of these are effects that the average homeowner has not prepared to face.

The risk of wet smoke residue is the effect that it can have on the surfaces surrounding your home. With a thick coating, conventional cleaning approaches cannot address these concerns, and most often, make them considerably worse. Smearing is a severe concern when cleaning up residues, and staining can result even days later from inadequately cleaned surfaces, contents, and materials. Many have entrusted our SERVPRO team with employing our advanced techniques to remove this harmful effect without widespread damages to your property in the process.

Odors during these slower and lower heat exchanges can get trapped in surfaces and materials throughout the home, even those not directly in the fire’s path. To remove these odors entirely, professionals like our SERVPRO team have advanced products and cleaning agents, as well as intricate equipment that can address the neutralize odors encountered at a molecular level.

Combating the damage to your home after a fire loss incident often requires at least partial assistance from dedicated and certified restoration specialists like our SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol team. To make the effects of wet smoke fire losses “Like it never even happened,” give us a call today at (423) 245-5552.

For more about Blountville click here.

Foul Odors In Your Bristol Home Are No Match For Our Fire Damage Experts

6/4/2019 (Permalink)

Our certified technicians stand ready to help you 24/7 and make your fire loss “Like it never even happened.”

After Fire Damage To A Bristol Home, Does The Odor Ever Go Away?

Fire damage often comes with multiple layers of issues such as burned building materials and home contents, water or fire extinguisher residue and of course, foul odors from all of those factors.

SERVPRO was called to mitigate fire damage in a Bristol home. The fire started in the kitchen when the homeowner's microwave oven caught on fire, and she opened the door to the microwave before the flames ran out of oxygen and extinguished. A fire extinguisher had been used to put out the fire, and the fine, powdery residue covered the area around the microwave. Although the homeowner removed the microwave, a strong odor permeated the kitchen.

Immediately on arrival, we contained the doorways and registers in the kitchen to inhibit the spread of soot throughout the home. Then we used handheld vacuums with HEPA filtration to clean up the fire extinguisher residue and soot from the cabinet surfaces. The cabinets over the microwave displayed smoke damage but no charring and were restorable through extensive cleaning.

Odor-causing soot particles can be smaller than the human eye can see, so we use specialized equipment such as our air scrubbers with HEPA filters to capture the particulate matter and assist in inhibiting strong odors left behind by the fire.

SERVPRO technicians engage in continuing education to stay on the cutting edge of the latest advances in the field of restoration sciences. When cleaning with our EPA-registered formulas is not enough to get rid of smoke odors, we have a diverse array of equipment to choose from such as ozone machines and Hydroxyl generators that neutralize odors at the molecular level.

In this case, thermal fogging was the solution chosen by our technicians. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to odors, and removal of odors requires the application of multiple approaches to eradicate them from the property and contents completely.

For assistance getting rid of fire damage and odors, call SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol at (423) 245-5552. Our certified technicians stand ready to help you 24/7 and make your fire loss “Like it never even happened.”

Click here for more about Bristol.

Fire Damage in Your Kingsport Residence Can Call for Demolition and Water Removal Services

5/16/2019 (Permalink)

Don't let a fire friz you out, let SERVPRO tame the chaos!

Let SERVPRO extinguish your fire damage worries.  

Fires occur because of many reasons, including the spontaneous combustion substances with a relatively low ignition temperature like oily rags. Fires are among the most damaging events that occur in a home. They can cause significant smoke and soot damage. To deal with the destruction, using restoration services is essential.

If you have fire damage in your Kingsport residence, the professionals at SERVPRO can assist you to deal with it. We can assess the damage and determine if the affected rooms are still structurally sound. It is not unusual to find seriously damaged structural components after a large fire. It may be necessary to remove ruined components and repair the affected areas so that you can continue to live in the home safely.

Our technicians can tear out the materials which are beyond repair while working carefully to avoid damaging your home further. We can remove the damaged items in preparation for reconstruction of the rooms by a residential construction contractor. We limit the complete the destruction of structural components so that your new construction efforts can be less expensive, and the work can be easier to complete.

SERVPRO franchise professionals have the appropriate equipment to concentrate on the damaged sections of a home. Once we are done with the demolition process, the affected areas can be ready for new materials. We place everything we remove in disposal containers and transport the waste from your property for safe disposal.

If there’s water from firefighting efforts or the sprinkler system, we can use different types of extraction equipment to remove it. Our extractors typically have a heater, pump, and vacuum system. These three components remain in use when cleaning upholstery and carpets. When mitigating water damage, only the vacuum system is required since we only use the extractor to remove water. We can use portable extractors to remove water from restricted areas. Our technicians then dry the water damaged areas using air movers and dehumidifiers.

When there is fire damage in your home, the skilled technicians at SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol can make it look “Like it never even happened.” Call us at (423) 245-5552 for quick and effective fire damage restoration services.

 Click here to find out more about Kingsport Fire Department History.

Bristol Home Smell Like a BBQ Pit? Call SERVPRO for Smoke and Fire Restoration Services

3/26/2019 (Permalink)

The Scrabble Word for Smoke Cleanup in Bristol? SERVPRO

Tackling Soot and Odor after Fire Damage in your Bristol Home

When materials combust they release particles, gases, and aerosols into the surrounding environment. During a fire, gas like carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide can be lethal. However, once the materials have stopped burning they disperse into the surrounding atmosphere and no longer become a threat. What tends to remain are solid particles and aerosols in the form of soots and smokes. These can absorb odors, become an irritant if inhaled and are extremely small (.1-.4 microns); making them difficult to clean. Needless to say, after a house fire you need professional assistance to tackle odors and soot deposits.

A property that has signs of fire damage in Bristol or the surrounding area can rely on us to get their home back to preloss condition whenever possible. The solutions are usually two stages, with the first relying on removing soots and the second tackling odors, which also involves restoring your indoor air-quality. SERVPRO can mobilize our local technicians adept in odor control and property remediation.

Smoke that settles on a surface, such as upholstery or table-tops, is considered soot. During the firefighting procedure, water can make soot set into porous materials- particularly fabrics. SERVPRO technicians can deploy a foam cleaning method which helps to draw soot from fabrics rather than risking permanent damage by scrubbing soots deeper into materials. Our Esporta washing system at our facility can be used for off-site cleaning when needed.

The odors that are left after a fire are often made up of particles from the materials that burned. These can quickly bond with sulfurs or chlorides and become an unpleasant reminder of the event. SERVPRO use air-scrubbers fitted with HEPA filters to remove these particles from the air. HEPA fittings filter air using charcoal and can remove particles as small as 0.3 microns (1 micron= 25,000th of an inch.)

If an odor remains after using air scrubbers, SERVPRO can fumigate the property using water-based thermal foggers. This equipment vaporizes solvents and releases them into the property. Since the vapor mimics smoke, it can help to find sources of odor and neutralize them. Foggers are typically non-harmful to inhabitants of the property.

A house fire can feel overwhelming, contact SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol at (423) 245-5552 for help.

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SERVPRO Can Prevent Secondary Fire Damage In Your Kingsport Home

2/27/2019 (Permalink)

If you have suffered from a fire call our team right away and we will help you prevent secondary damages. We are available 24/7 for your restoration.

SERVPRO - Emergency Services Needed After Fire Damage In Kingsport Homes

Most fires in a Kingsport home are usually small and restricted to one area like the kitchen with smoke and soot spreading out into the nearby dining area. In a smaller percentage of fires, however, physical damage can be severe and require additional steps to secure the home from further damage to even begin repair and restoration.

SERVPRO restoration teams can provide a series of emergency services designed to prevent secondary fire damage problems in Kingsport homes. They extend far beyond just boarding up doors and windows, taking care to keep the interior safe for the owner to occupy where possible and for our technicians to work.

At this time of year, flooding can still be a problem. Most water intrusion comes from inside the home though, so our teams examine the homes to ensure the plumbing leading into the home is insulated. If it is possible to restore electric and gas service, technicians work closely with the owner and the utility company to help bring the lights back on and heat throughout the home.

As they help get utilities restored, other SERVPRO team members remove all damaged property for disposal. Quick removal allows our inspectors to perform a thorough exam of the structure and determine what the team needs to operate and what to start on first. It also eliminates the source of many odors left behind by the fire.

After removing the non-salvageable property, our teams set up exhaust fans to circulate the odor-filled air, forcing it outside the home. We do this to provide a better environment for our technicians, the owners, and insurance inspectors. Once the fans are in place, our teams remove property still restorable to an unaffected part of the home or another location for cleaning and repair.

At SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol, our goal is to return you to your home as quickly as possible after a fire. If this is your situation now, call us today at (423) 245-5552 to get started on the process to restore your home. Regardless of the size of the fire damage, we are here for you.

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The Single Most Important Thing You Need to Know About Fire Damage Remediation in Kingsport

2/8/2019 (Permalink)

Fire damage residues can be removed with our proven process. Contact SERVPRO right away for remediation.

Eliminating Fire Damage Odors From Kingsport Homes

With a wide variety of commercial and federal industry, Kingsport is a lively, growing community along the Holston River. Residents and homeowners have weathered economic downturns just as well as they have survived fires and other disasters. That is not to say, however, that restoring each home from a fire is a simple task.

One of the hardest types of fire damage in Kingsport to remove from homes are the odors left by burned materials and their residues. To fully eliminate them, every SERVPRO restoration team uses four different methods: Removal, Clean, Recreate, and Seal.

The quickest way to eliminate an odor in a home is to remove the source. Burned material is not repairable, so removing it must be accomplished immediately not just to remove odors, but as a safety issue inside the home as well. Technicians remove and demolish if needed, property before taking any other actions. After finishing, they install fans at entry and exit points to increase air circulation, further reducing odors.

Next, our teams clean the odor causing residues that smoke and soot leave on surfaces. While dry, powdery residues are cleanable with cloths, brushes, and a mild detergent, others require special cleaners and tools. Sprinklers and other firefighting efforts can spread wet, sticky residues from slower burning fires, then form very hard, thick layers once everything cools down. These thicker layers may even require an agitation device to break them free of the surfaces they cover.

For odors that penetrated surfaces, SERVPRO technicians recreate the same conditions to eliminate them. A smoke cloud of odor-causing particles can deeply penetrate wood, fabrics, and other property. Our teams use a thermal fogger and a strong deodorizing agent to create a second cloud which can go just as deeply into the property. The chemical agent bonds with the original odor-causing particles and neutralizes them.

In a few cases, sealing the property is an effective, and cheaper option. For milder odors in walls that were not otherwise affected by the fire, our specialists can coat the surfaces with a paint containing a deodorizing agent. Another circumstance where this is an option is sealing off the exterior surface of air ducts from leaking odors into the HVAC system and circulating through the entire home.

Our goal at SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol is to return every home to its original, pre-fire condition. That includes eliminating odors that can linger for months or even years. If your residence went through a fire but still is not home yet, call us at (423) 245-5552 today. We are here for you.

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Restoring an Area with Fire Damage Protects Your Colonial Heights Home

8/26/2018 (Permalink)

Regardless of the size of the fire, proper remediation ensures that secondary damages and odors do not continue in your home.

SERVPRO Technicians Remediate Fire Damage Including Any Remaining Odors

A small fire caused by a charger for a cell phone or other electronic device can leave a terrible mess in your Colonial Heights home. These small-sized items can quickly overheat and their plastic components can melt, exposing interior parts. Small flames can easily catch surroundings on fire.
 
SERVPRO handles both large and small disasters, so mitigating fire damage in Colonial Heights from small electrical fires is the safest option for homeowners to choose. We can handle the mess and make things look like they did before, just “Like it never even happened.” We use special equipment to help us remove the damage, clean areas covered in soot from the fire, and deodorize when needed.
 
A crew of highly trained technicians carry any materials or furnishings that burned during the fire out of your home for disposal. We cut drywall in a manner that makes replacing the damaged area as simple and easy as possible. Damaged paneling also requires removal. We cut all of these materials into smaller pieces so we can bag them up with little risk of them ripping them. We also double our bags to increase their strength.
 
Sometimes, upholstered furniture also ends up wearing a coating of soot, but we can clean these items with the use of gentle brushes and a vacuum. More challenging pieces might require wet solutions to remove tougher deposits. We also clean wooden furniture pieces of soot deposits. Our cleaning technicians quickly clean up hard and non-porous items, like knick-knacks, hard plastic items that show no signs of melted areas or other damage, and any other locations or belongings where soot landed and clung to during the fire.
 
Any sized fire can create smelly spots in your house. We can send an Odor Control Technician (OCT) who can rapidly eliminate the scent left in your home. Thermal fogging can work for homes of any size and it is a highly effective method. For weaker but still persistent odors, other methods can produce the desired effects for you.
 
SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol serves our beautiful region, including Blountville, Blair Gap, and Long Island. When residents' homes sustain fire damage and other disasters, we are always on call to mitigate the damage. Contact us at (423) 245-5552 for 24/7 service.

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Overcoming Soot Damage in Your Bristol Residence

7/14/2018 (Permalink)

When you find yourself staring in disbelief at the fire damage in your home, it is time to contact SERVPRO for efficient remediation services.

Team SERVPRO Has the Experience to Eliminate Many Different Types of Soot Residues Remaining in Your Home After a Fire

Your Bristol home was not intended to stop fires before they spread to other areas of the house. In fact, most of the materials used for the construction of your home have the ability to catch fire and help it to spread throughout the structure. Unfortunately, this can spread the effects of this blaze all throughout your property and cause a lot of work for the professional restoration team that you choose to help clean up this mess.
 
Working to clean up the mess after the incident is over is no easy task, either. Most often the substantial effects that stand out are smoke and soot damages. These are common fire damages to Bristol homes, and they can often prove to be challenging to remove without the right equipment.
 
Fortunately, our SERVPRO professionals have the tools and expertise to help you through often widespread soot damages throughout your household. While the most concentrated of this effect can get found around the fires originating point where it burned the longest, this is not always the case. This matted debris and film from the combustion leaves a dark, often black residue on surfaces, furniture, flooring, and other materials.
 
Removing this residue requires multiple approaches. For wall surfaces, scrubbing with wet and dry sponges can often remove the bulk of the present film. Confined spaces like ductwork require high powered vacuums to get used instead.
 
Smoke damage often presents itself in the form of a harsh odor lingering in fabrics, carpeting and open spaces throughout affected areas of your house. Removal of this odor typically requires thermal fogging, a process that releases an unscented chemical compound into the environment and contents of the room to break apart odor molecules and leave no discernable scent behind.
 
There is very little that most homeowners can do alone to bring their homes back from the harmful effects of a fire. When you face these kinds of damages, seek out the professionals we employ at SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol. We can respond quickly and get your home back to preloss conditions as soon as possible. Give us a call 24/7 at (423) 245-5552.

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Inspecting Your Bristol Home For Damages After A Fire

6/5/2018 (Permalink)

When it comes to loss incidents, fire in your home can prove challenging to overcome.

Inspecting Your Home For Damages After A Fire

When it comes to loss incidents, fire in your Bristol home can prove challenging to overcome. Even without crippling structural damage, the effects of a recent fire can often be too far-reaching for the average homeowner to face on their own. Conventional cleaning efforts and general deodorization, for example, pale in comparison to the effectiveness of professional restoration services.

Reacting to the fire damage in your Bristol home can seem almost impossible. Once the extinguishment completes, you can get your first look at the effects of the fire and what you have to overcome to get your house back to the way it was. Fortunately, this is not a battle that you have to fight on your own. Our SERVPRO team gets trained to handle all manner of fire restoration, from soot clean up to deodorization to help make the steps towards getting your house to original condition more effectively.

Our estimator and project manager work to identify the full scope of the damage from the time that we arrive at your home. We survey every area, whether directly connected to the fire in your home or not. This thorough inspection ensures that all of the damage gets cataloged and that our SERVPRO professionals have the right equipment and strategies to contend with what they face.

This assessment of your damage gets delivered to the insurance company that covers your home. Most claims cannot get pushed through without a detailed itinerary of the work that needs to get done and a general estimated cost for materials and labor to restore the home to preloss conditions.

Whether the damage in your home was widespread or not, this process remains the same. Our professionals take great care in assessing the scope of the damage that your home faces so that no stone gets left unturned in the restoration process. You can trust our SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol fire restoration specialists to work quickly to bring your home back to how it should be. Give us a call anytime at (423) 245-5552.

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After A Fire Damage Takes Place In Bristol, Structural Components Require Cleaning

4/26/2018 (Permalink)

Our SERVPRO technicians have the proper equipment to safely remove soot from all your personal belongings.

Say No To Fire & Soot Damage and Say Yes to SERVPRO Restoration Services

Smoke coming from a fire that accidentally started inside your Bristol home can travel throughout the entire house. Smoke leaves behind soot residues on just about every surface it contacts. Cleaning materials and contents are cheaper than replacing them and works well in many different cases.

The cleaning stage can be the most time consuming, yet most essential part of the process. During fire damage restoration in Bristol, all affected contents and structural components get cleaned and deodorized. Certain structural components inside your house require specific methods and chemicals to remove all of the soot residues.

When cabinets get affected by smoke, different methods get used on the finished and unfinished parts of the cabinet. Finished wooden surfaces get cleaned with dry sponges or wet cleaning methods. Surfaces such as the wood inside the cabinet that is not finished first gets wiped down with a dry sponge that collects the soils and soot. If soils still exist, we use denatured alcohol to remove the soot so that it does not soak into the wood.

Lighting fixtures are other items that are attached to the building's structure and are prone to collect soot. Before we clean light fixtures we pretest the chemical mixtures to make sure it does not damage the finish on the fixture. We then turn off the power and remove the entire fixture and clean every part of it.

Windows also are common places for soot residues to exist. Cleaning smoke damage from windows requires cleaning the glass, frame and any components. When our SERVPRO technicians clean smoke damaged glass, we use a low-alkaline glass cleaner to prevent streaking.

The draperies and rods around your windows get removed and taken down for soot removal and cleaning. Fabric draperies get washed in a washing machine and deodorized. The rods that hold the curtains get cleaned with wet cleaning methods that remove soot from all of the cracks and grooves.

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The various items inside a home get affected by smoke differently depending on things like what fuel was burned and how hot the fire got. Soot residues are composed of different chemicals so one method may not work for all affected areas. Seeking out professional help from SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol by calling (423) 245-5552 after a loss can save you a lot of time and money.

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There is No Need to Panic After Experiencing Fire Damage in Colonial Heights

3/20/2018 (Permalink)

Smoke particles and soot settle on surfaces during a fire and SERVPRO removes during the restoration process.

SERVPRO’s Highly Trained Technicians Properly Clean Fire Damage

Despite the specialized fire prevention and detection systems that we have in our buildings, fire damage remains a top concern. It is also worth noting that different challenges arise from different fire situations. While we expect to remove the dirt that smoke residues leave behind, there are several processes that restorers perform to return your Colonial Heights home to its former state, and all that requires specific equipment and skills.

You need to treat all fire damage events in Colonial Heights as an emergency to prevent further damage. When our SERVPRO team arrives at your property, we perform a pretest and identify items we can replace, clean, and those that need further examination. From our inspection, it is possible to determine the scope of the loss and share with the adjuster, and after that schedule the estimated mitigation processes.

Given that smoke particles and soot settle on surfaces, removing them is necessary during the restoration. Our SERVPRO technicians know the behavior of smoke during a fire, and that makes it easy when finding the most massive smoke deposits. For instance, hot smoke settles typically around cold areas, and we usually find it near closed drawers, unheated rooms and outside windows and walls. Also, closing doors is not enough to stop the movement of smoke, and that is why our team always inspects all the rooms in the building.

There are a number of factors that determine the cleaning method we choose when cleaning surfaces and items. These include the amount of heat, the age of the surface, the moisture content, type of area, material type, air pressure and temperature change. For instance, it is hard to clean areas where the fire was too hot since in such cases the heat makes surfaces to become porous. Therefore, odors and residues can easily penetrate into those areas, and we might be forced to perform some refinishing once we complete the cleaning.

When water comes into contact with some smoke particles, odors may result. Where possible, our SERVPRO technicians remove the odor source and perform deodorization. When the smells are coming from cracks, we direct deodorizing fog or smoke into those spaces by using thermal foggers.

At SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol, We're Faster To Any Size Disaster whether it is storm, mold, fire or water related. Call us at (423) 245-5552 if you want your property to return to its preloss state.  

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Make The Correct, Informed Decisions Concerning Fire Damage In Your Bristol Area Home

3/8/2018 (Permalink)

Bristol Fire Damage and Prevention May Be Possible with the SERVPRO ERP Emergency READY Profile Plan

SERVPRO's ERP Plan Provides Fire & Smoke Support and Advice

In some cases, fire damage to your home may be unavoidable. Lightning could strike on or around your property; a neighbor could have a fire that spreads your way or a wildfire in the area could get out of control. Under these circumstances, it may be impossible to control the situation. 

However, there are still many steps you can take to limit the losses you suffer after fire damage strikes your Bristol family home. Having an existing relationship with a local fire restoration company can provide you with the best opportunity for recovery. Giving you access to the personnel, equipment, and resources necessary to mitigate fire hazards that already exist and the attention you deserve should a disaster occur.
 
A variety of fire hazards, such as those that arise from cooking, misuse, or negligence can be prevented by just changing your habits. Make the correct, informed decisions necessary to keep your home safe and help IICRC-industry certified technicians from SERVPRO protect your property the right way. Install fire-safety features throughout your home, including the smoke and fire alarms, fire doors, extinguishers, and fire resistant materials whenever possible.

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Fire potential still exists, regardless of what you do to prevent it. Get your family ready by creating a plan of action that each member of your family should follow to remain safe, obtain the proper insurance, and use every tool available to protect your investment the right way. SERVPRO works hard to limit any losses you might experience, by helping you eliminate existing hazards, and showing you how to minimize the effects of water, fire, and smoke damage in your home. 

SERVPRO's Ready Plan App helps provide accessibility to workers and gives pre-existing instructions that help get you back into your fire-damaged home, faster. By filling out an Emergency READY Profile, you gain access to expertly trained disaster mitigation and restoration providers, a no-cost assessment of your property and the ability to document critical information that helps reduce the stress involved in processing your insurance claim.
 
SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol stands ready 24-hours a day, 7-days a week to provide you with emergency cleanup and restoration services throughout the Blountville, Colonial Heights, Long Island area, call today. (423) 245-5552

Pack Out Alternative as Part of Fire Damage Plan in Colonial Heights

10/24/2017 (Permalink)

Rummaging through your property after a fire is overwhelming. SERVPRO technicians handle that and itemize your property for you and insurance claims.

SERVPRO Technicians Offer Many Options When Assessing the Scene After a Fire

When a fire causes significant damage in Colonial Heights, the immediate aftermath can be overwhelming to the homeowner. There are so many different issues to resolve in a short period that mistakes can be made, and solutions can be missed. Hiring a reliable restoration service helps sort and order tasks during this stressful time.
 
One way to manage a vital component to fire damage remediation in Colonial Heights is to participate in a pack out of documents and personal belongings. Our technicians receive specific and detailed training on how to implement a professional pack out. Working with our crew to accomplish a pack out is a wise way to divide fire damage recovery into manageable portions for you.
 
When SERVPRO packs out your home, expect all items to be removed to a safe and secure area for review at a later time. If there is an area on your property that is untouched by the fire and the remediation efforts such as a detached garage or another outbuilding we may stage the items there. In many cases, there is no clean space nearby, so we transport the items to an off-site spot.
 
Expect a detailed inventory to be developed by the SERVPRO workers as we box and remove the items. We create this paper chain of command to be able to locate needed items quickly and provide claim evidence for your insurance agency. Once the items are removed, you make decisions about the need and efficacy to restore any or all of them.
 
Since water damage commonly occurs during firefighting efforts, one of the first things to consider is whether documents and pictures should receive special treatment using a freeze-drying technique that removes water vapor after freezing items without permitting it to return to a liquid state. Although papers treated in this matter may still show some damage, it is an advantageous method to prevent the speedy destruction of wet papers that would be the result otherwise.
 
The upside of a pack out is to give you time when you can focus and not feel unduly rushed to sort through and determine which items to restore and which can be discarded. You also have information about coverage for the cost of restoring items and the probability of coverage of claims for the expense available from your insurance company when reviewing the packed out materials.
 
SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol provides a pack-out option for personal belongings during the fire damage restoration process. Ask about it when you call (423) 245-5552 to request a fire damage evaluation if you are curious about how this opportunity may benefit you.

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The Bad Habits That Could Put Your Bristol Home At Risk Of Fire Damage

7/22/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO TIP--Prevent Bristol FIre Damage by Inspecting Your Electrical Appliances and Wiring

Diligence Prevents Fire Damage to Your Bristol Property

No one wants to think about the possibility of a house fire, but it is a genuine risk that every householder needs to consider. A fire in the home has the potential to cause untold damage. In some cases, the cleanup operation involves a full pack-out of your possessions while your home is restored to a livable condition again.
 
SERVPRO is on hand to help clean and deodorize your Bristol home after fire damage. It is nice to know help is at hand – but is there anything you can do to help prevent a blaze from breaking out? The answer is yes, there is. Several home habits are easy to fall into but increase the risk of fire.
 
Unattended food left cooking on the stovetop is one of the leading causes of home fires. A few seconds is all it takes for an unattended pan to catch fire and start a terrible blaze. That is why we recommend always watching your food and never leaving the pan unattended.
 
Electrical safety awareness reduces the risk of home fires. Do not leave power drawing electrical appliances on when you exit the house. Switch everything off and unplug it before you go out and also before you go to bed at night. Check appliance cords regularly. Worn or damaged appliance cords are a fire risk, so if you notice any damage, replace the cord at once.
 
Dryer lint is another common cause of house fires. Clean your lint filter regularly and do not forget to check the drum and vent. It is also a good idea to check your dryer hose for lint clogs at least once a year. SERVPRO offers a vent and duct cleaning service to keep the circulation of the heated air from your dryer exiting properly. Save on electricity and help prevent home fires by calling us in once a year to check, and service if needed.
 
We also advise you to be very careful when burning candles. One small candle can spark a massive blaze. Make sure your candle is in a sturdy holder on a flat surface away from children, pets, breezes and loose drapes or throws. Always extinguish a lit candle before leaving the room.
 
In the event of a fire, SERVPRO is here to help. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster and have equipment including powerful HEPA vacuums and Esporta washers at our disposal to remediate soot and smoke damage and restore your home and belongings.
 
For help with fire cleanup, call SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol at (423) 245-5552 for help.

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From Start To Finish - Professional Fire Damage Restoration Services Available In Bristol

5/15/2017 (Permalink)

Charred Elements in a Bristol Home Require Fire Damage Restoration and Repair.

SERVPRO Restores Smoke & Fire Damage to Your Property

Most general contractor can dismantle, transport, and dispose of damaged materials or other contents found in your home after a fire. However, it takes true skill to eliminate smoke residue, clean and deodorize the entire structure and overcome specific challenges that make each situation we face unique.  

There are very few restoration companies that can say they handle your complete restoration process from start to finish. Most usually perform one function or the other and leave the rest up to you. When it comes to fire damage in your Bristol area home, you want someone who can do everything you need, while limiting your loss and recovering as much as possible.  
 
In most cases, fires that occur in your kitchen, living room, dining area, bathroom, or bedrooms provide technicians with repetitive actions that they face daily. These are sections of your home that often contain fewer complications and require easier solutions.  
 
What you want is a company, like SERVPRO that excels at dealing with fires that reach outside of common household areas such as your attic, basement, or crawlspaces. These areas provide restoration technicians with challenging circumstances that require a particular level of experience, execution, and expertise to overcome.   
 
As with most fires, heat causes smoke to travel throughout your home, rising to the highest section possible, your attic. Along the way, smoke residues and other particles settle onto various surfaces, including exposed timber used for structural framing in your attic.  
 
The longer these residues remain, the harder they are to dislodge, creating smoke odors and damaging a variety of materials, some that require extensive cleaning, fogging, and deodorization services that SERVPRO technicians provide. You can imagine that the tight, confined space available in most attics, makes this one of the biggest challenges for technicians with less experience.  
 
However, basements and crawlspaces under your home can be just as challenging. Fires produce huge amounts of ash and soot that, when combined with water used during firefighting efforts, provide additional challenges that any technician must understand how to handle correctly to protect your home properly.  
 
Thankfully, SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol has the edge over other companies when a fire reaches an area that restricts movement or poses specific challenges. Our technicians train hard to overcome situations just like this regularly, providing you with the services you deserve to recover quickly. Call Today. (423) 245-5552

Cleaning Up Attics And Basements After A Fire In Bristol

4/6/2017 (Permalink)

Fire cleanup in attics and basements are two challenging but also highly different tasks.

Fire Damage Cleanup

Fire cleanup in attics and basements are two challenging but also highly different tasks. Each carries a range of challenges and obstacles for SERVPRO technicians to overcome but in remarkably different ways. In many cases, the main areas of a home can be considered our comfort zones, where we see the fewest unique situations and are most practiced. However, we have the edge over other companies when the fire reaches above or below the main levels, as our technicians are trained to deal with these challenging areas.

Challenges In Attics
Perhaps the biggest general obstacle we have to contend with in fire damaged Bristol attics is smoke. Smoke tends to travel up through the home, and many fires dump the material and its residues into the home's attic. For the exposed timber that lines most American attics, this is a disaster, as smoke particles can penetrate deep into the material and prove difficult to dislodge. We often have to use our heaviest and longest thermal fogging programs in attics to remove all smoke smells and extensively clean surfaces by hand to get in a thorough clean.

Challenges In Basements
Basements can also feel the effects of smoke, but ash is a much more typical and burdensome factor. Fires produce large volumes of ash and soot, which can stain surfaces, clog pipes, destroy electronics, and emit a strong odor. It can also mix heavily with water, creating additional challenges for SERVPRO technicians. This material usually requires a heavy cleaning: we use various high-powered mixtures and solutions to scrub out every bit of it from the home, along with the same fogging machines used for attic smoke damage to remove odors that could otherwise last for years.

SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol is a local provider of fire restoration and cleanup services. Whether the blaze is large or small, we have the resolve and equipment to get things back to normal as quickly as possible. Call us 24/7 at (423) 245-5552.

Fire Damage In Bloomingdale

3/16/2017 (Permalink)

The truth is that smoke and soot contamination make up most of the cost damage when it comes to restoration and replacement of property.

Fire Damage Cleanup

The worst effects of fire are visual to most people. A charred roof or a burned out kitchen makes the heart skip a beat. The same is not true for the smoke residue which covers a living room wall or discolors the family sofa. The truth is that smoke and soot contamination make up most of the cost damage when it comes to restoration and replacement of property.

When it comes to restoring fire damage effects in a Bloomingdale home, SERVPRO follows four specific cleaning actions to loosen soils and residues from structure and property surfaces. They are mechanical, lubrication, chemical, and suspension and dispersion.

Mechanical Action
Agitation of the residue or soil is an effective way to loosen most of them from the surfaces they attach to when settling. Mechanical is the first action taken to pre-clean surfaces that have an excess of non-greasy, dry residues before applying water-based or solvent-based cleaners. It is necessary in some cases because depending on the surface, applying a liquid cleaner first increases particle absorption into the surface.

Lubrication Action
The goal here is to make the contamination slippery by breaking the connection between it and the surface. A lubricating detergent adheres to the soil and residues, making them slide off of the surface and into the cleaning solution.

Chemical Action
With this method, our technicians use a cleaner to change or alter the contamination. The conversion of the residue or soil helps break its connection to the surface; allowing for easier removal. Two of the products in our inventory are Natural Fabric Brightener and Shampoo Super Concentrate. When mixed, they are exceptional at removing stains from cotton fibers and wool carpeting.

Suspension And Dispersion
Suspension happens when a contaminant dissolves or emulsifies into one of our cleaning products. Dispersion occurs after the contaminant is agitated into the cleaning product and mixes completely with it.

Each of these methods is useful for a variety of surfaces and types of contaminants. SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol has decades of experience in using them to restore your home and property to its appearance before the smoke and soot. Call us at (423) 245-5552 today to get started with an initial inspection.

Fire Damage can cause Lingering Smoke Odors, but there are Solutions

9/23/2016 (Permalink)

Homes that have been damaged by a fire will also have a particular, and peculiar, odor to them.

Contact A Fire Damage Restoration Company To Remove Smoke Odors

There are many different parts to restoring a home after a house fire has blazed through it. Many times, areas need only a small amount of work, while other areas need to be completely gutted and rebuilt. At SERVPRO, we know that it isn't just a structural or aesthetic part of an area that we are rebuilding. We're also removing the aroma of burning materials as we work.

Homes in Long Island that have been damaged by a fire will also have a particular, and peculiar, odor to them. Technicians at SERVPRO are trained in the equipment used to remove this odor. From air scrubbers to ozone machines, we can have your odor problems under control quickly. There's no need to continue breathing in the tiny particles that cause the odors you're smelling. SERVPRO has the equipment needed to remove these particles.

We also understand that summertime heat and humidity can cause these odors to increase and that in the winter, the use of humidifiers, combined with the heat of your furnace, can mimic summer's environment. This can cause odors to resurface, making you uncomfortable at any time of the year. This can make it easier to remove the particles that create the odors, simply because they are now airborne and can be removed more easily. Other ways of deodorizing your home that can be done right after fire damage have been repaired and restored include fabric cleaning of upholstered furniture, cleaning of hard surfaces, repainting of walls and ceilings, and also injection of deodorizing chemicals into carpeting. At SERVPRO, we understand that there is more than one way a fire can create odor problems in a home, and we have more than one technique to eliminate those same odors.

When odors are still a part of fire damage in your home, call us, SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol at (423) 245-5552. We are available to advise you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We want to make your home-sweet-home a reality for you again.

Common Causes of Kingsport Commerical Fire Damage

5/25/2016 (Permalink)

When you're dealing with a commercial fire in Kingsport, SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol can respond and restore your home "Like it never even happened."

Common Causes of Commerical Fire Damage in Kingsport

In the United States, commercial fires are fairly common, meaning if you are a business owner in Kingsport, you might, unfortunately, experience commercial fire damage in Kingsport one day. The United States averages about eight thousand commercial fire occurrences every year. The nation sees around eighteen thousand injuries and three thousand fatalities with these annual fires, plus ten billion dollars or more in damages. Some of these commercial fires are out of anyone’s control, but a whopping eight five percent of commercial fires occur because of intent or error by someone. Therefore, it is always helpful for all who own or work in a commercial building to understand what the common causes of commercial fires are and how they can help to prevent them. 

Commercial Fires Common Causes 

The Kitchen  

Kitchen fires are usually associated with just residential fires, but they are the most common cause of any fire throughout the whole nation. Kingsport commercial fires which happen because of cooking are usually worker caused by the employee making food away from areas designated as kitchen areas. 

Electric 

People usually think that electrical fires are caused by electrician error, but this is not the case at all. Commercial fires in Kingsport are created because of a system which is overloaded or a building contractor who has not followed electrical coding. 

Boilers and Heaters 

This type of commercial fire occurs when heaters, boilers, and furnaces have not been properly cared for and lack the regular maintenance they should have. These fires also occur when the building is using these areas for storage. 

Smoking 

Even though smoking is not a leading cause of fires in the nation anymore, it still poses a threat. Commercial fires from smoking usually start in areas which have been designated for smoking or when the staff tries to sneak a smoke break inside the building somewhere. 

Arson 

Even though many times these fires happen in buildings which are left unused or are abandoned, they still will cause damage which is serious and will cost the owners of the building a large sum of money. 

Storage 

A lot of commercial fires start because workers and staff use storage methods which are improper. These methods generally place materials which are flammable in contact with a heating source, making the perfect setup for a fire to start. 

No matter the cause, Kingsport commercial fire damage can be quite devastating and costly to your business. To prevent any further damage, you will want to contact a professional company, such as SERVPRO, right away, so we can assess your damage and do the remediation you need to get your company back up and running as soon as possible. 

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

Contact us, SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol by dialing (423) 245-5552 any time of the day or night, and we will come to your property as soon as possible, so we get things back to normal for you. 

Blountville Fire Damage - What to Do When You Have Blountville Fire Damage

3/29/2016 (Permalink)

Fire is something that most homeowners never think they will have to contend with, but fires can start for a wide range of reasons.

Fire Damage Blountville - What to Do When You Have Blountville Fire Damage

Call SERVPRO for Fire Damage in Blountville
Fire is something that most homeowners never think they will have to contend with, but fires can start for a wide range of reasons. For example, you may have a grease fire in the kitchen when you are cooking, lightning may strike your home during a thunderstorm, or you may have an electrical fire caused by a short in a wire. Regardless of the cause of the fire that has ravaged through your home, you may now be looking for service for Blountville fire damage.

The Extent of the Damage
Even a little fire in your home can cause considerable damage, and there are several reasons for this. First, a small fire can put off a significant amount of smoke, and smoke can pass through every room in your home to cause widespread damage. Second, firefighters' efforts to put out the smoke often include the use of water or a fire retardant agent, and both of these substances can cause damage to your home and furnishings. These substances can combine with ash and soot from the fire to leave you with a charred, muddy mess in the home. These types of damage are in addition to the destruction left behind by the fire itself.

Restoring Your Home
Regardless of how large or small, your fire was, you want your home restored to like-new condition as soon as possible. Restoring your home requires removing the ashes, soot, water and fire retardant agent from the space as a first step. Humidity levels may also need to be restored to normal through water remediation services. In addition, the fire damage and smoke damage throughout the home will need to be removed, and some of the home may need to be re-built because of the fire damage.

Why You Need Professional Services
Some homeowners might want to restore their home on their own, but there are good reasons why you need professional Blountville fire damage restoration services. First, you need to act quickly to remove the water from the home to minimize the risk of mold growth. Some sections of the home that are exposed to the outdoors because of the fire may need to be sealed for your protection. After the initial steps have been completed, you may need professional services so that the home can be restored in the most efficient way possible without lingering signs of smoke or fire.

SERVPRO of Kingsport / Bristol is the company to contact for all your fire damage restoration needs. We understand the importance of responding to your request for service quickly, and you can rest assured that our local company has the equipment, supplies and manpower needed to get the job done right for you in the most efficient manner possible. Call us today at (423) 245-5552 for assistance with your Blountville fire damage restoration project.

The Value of Residential Fire Damage Cleanup in Kingsport

3/2/2016 (Permalink)

Smoke is basically fuel that didn't burn, made visible by the presence of small particles of carbon and other material.

Kingsport Fire Damage And Its Importance To Your Residential Home

It is important to get Kingsport residential fire damage cleanup services after a fire has caused harm to your property and belongings. After the fire has been put out, smoke and soot damage will remain. The proper cleaning techniques will need to be performed to make sure that your property is returned to the condition it was in before the fire. It is essential for these procedures to be done in prompt fashion because you want to know for sure that the structure of your home is secure before you go back into it.

Rely on Kingsport Residential Fire Damage Cleanup

Kingsport residential fire damage cleanup services can be a smart move after a fire has wreaked havoc on your home. The cleaning process will aid your home in its return to its former glory. It is important to do a thorough inspection to see what type of problems have occurred in your residential property. Your home will need to be cleaned from the top to the bottom with the right tools and products in every place that has suffered smoke damage.

The cleaning process will include floor mopping, and in some cases floor stripping, sealing, and refinishing will need to be done. Your walls and ceiling can be cleaned thoroughly to remove soot and to prepare them for repainting if it is necessary. Window cleaning is also an important part of the cleaning process. The inside of your windows are likely to be smudged from the smoke, so they should be cleaned well.

After a Kingsport fire, your ductwork should be looked at closely to see if smoke has damaged it. If it has, it is important for the situation to be remedied swiftly. Smoke clings to metal surfaces, so your entire system will need to be cleaned and disinfected to get rid of the lingering contamination.

Cleaning up your home is sure to be your top priority after a fire so that you can get back to living your normal life. It will be necessary to clean off soot from wood furniture, your upholstery, your electronic equipment, and much more. Everything that soot touches needs to be cleaned and sometimes sanitized. After that, your home will also need to be deodorized with unique products that will do more than just cover up the smell of smoke. You want to make sure that the smoke fragrance is completely annihilated.

You can trust SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol with all of your fire damage cleanup services. We are in a great location to serve your needs quickly after a fire has occurred so that your property can quickly return to its former glory.

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol is strategically located to respond quickly to your flood and water emergency event. When fire damage occurs in Blountville, Bluff City, or Mountain City, we have the resources and personnel to help. Call us today! (423) 245-5552

The Bristol Fire Department Demonstrates Fire Safety for the Holidays

12/9/2015 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Says Please Be Safe During the Holiday Season

The Burn Boxes Built by SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol Make Bristol Safer from Fire Damage

Our local Bristol Fire Department demonstrated how Bristol fire damage can be averted. Assistant Fire Chief Jack Spurgeon hosted the event along with several of his first responders. He got it off to a fiery start with a live fire demonstration of a burning Christmas tree. The objective was to show how a  commercial or home sprinkler system could  save valuable property and protect your family.

SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol is proud to have been involved in the construction of these burn cells as we contribute to the safety and well-being of our friends and neighbors in Bristol and Kingsport. Fire damage can be devastating anytime of the year. From our family to yours, please be careful as you enjoy the holiday season.

How to Estimate Fire Damage Costs in Bristol

8/13/2015 (Permalink)

Fire in Your House Requires Restoration

How to Estimate Fire Damage Costs in Bristol

Going through events that lead to fire damage in your Bristol home are traumatic and can change your life drastically. Besides all of the cleanup work that is needed, including getting rid of items that are no longer usable, it is also necessary for you to calculate the total fire damage costs. These costs will include everything from equipment rental, trash disposal, the cost of hiring professionals, and the restoration of damaged property. To make this multi-step procedure easier, hiring a professional to calculate fire damage costs is advisable.

Contact Your Insurance Company

After contacting your homeowner’s insurance company, an adjuster will be sent out to survey the damage in your Bristol home. The adjuster will look at the extent of the fire damage, the approximate value of the home and other factors to calculate the exact cost of damage. The cost the adjuster comes up with only covers the value of your home and depending on your insurance coverage, it may cover the cost of hiring a fire restoration company to help. All other household items require estimated values for insurance reimbursement. 

Include Lost Possessions in Fire Damage Costs

Included in the fire damage costs are possessions damaged to the point that they are tossed. Hiring a professional restoration company, such as SERVPRO,  to help total up the costs of these items is a good idea. The homeowner's investment for this service is well worth the cost. These professionals have the expertise to salvage items and thus lower your out-of-pocket expenses.

Include the Cost of Repairs in the Total Fire Damage Costs

It is advisable to hire a professional to help calculate the cost of repairing and restoring your home after a fire. The list of repairing and restoring partially damaged items and removing the odor of smoke from the home and possessions is partial. The cost of repainting the home and the repairing of the roof are also on this list. If the home is high-tech or historical, this will affect the final cost of repair and replacement.

Fortunately, there are professional services that are available to help you calculate fire damage costs. After you have consulted your homeowner’s insurance company, get in touch with a professional fire restoration company--SERVPRO. Allow this company to work in tandem with your insurance company to assess and restore your home to its previous condition.

Locally Owned, with National Resources

We are proud to be an active member of your community. SERVPRO of Kingsport/Bristol is locally owned and operated so we’re already nearby and ready to help Bristol residents.

Faster to Any Size Fire Emergency

When fire and water damage strikes, a fast response is critical. We’re dedicated to responding immediately night or day to your Bristol home. A faster response helps to prevent secondary damage and helps to reduce cost.  Call us.  (432) 245-5552.

How to Handle a Fire Restoration Job in Kingsport.

6/8/2015 (Permalink)

House Fire

How to Handle a Fire Restoration Job in Kingsport.

Coping with the effects of the house fire can be very taxing, particularly if you are uncertain about what you need to do to start the repair, clean up, and restoration process. There are a lot of things that need to take place after a fire, and it could be beneficial to know a few guidelines on how to deal with fire restoration tasks so that you can avoid risking your safety and further damaging your home. 

Contact Your Insurance Company for Fire Restoration

 After a fire has taken place, the first thing you should do is call your homeowner's insurance agent. He or she will be likely to send an insurance adjuster to your residence to assess the damages and come up with a cost estimate for repairs and restoration. Depending on your extent of coverage for water and fire damage, your insurance may actually cover all of your expenses.

Contact a Professional Restoration Company

After calling your insurance agent, you should call a professional restoration company like SEVPRO. We have the specialized licenses, team, equipment, and expertise to handle fire restoration, no matter how severe the damage is. 

Do Not Enter Your Home after a Fire.

Since it is common for fires to damage the structure of homes, you should not enter your home immediately after a house fire. Boards in your home may be fragile and brittle, and putting pressure on them can break them and cause injury to you. Additionally, it is likely that there is water damage from the attempts to put out the fire, which would have weakened the structure of the home even more. You could even be electrocuted if you go into your home, due to the large amounts of standing water in conjunction with electricity. It is highly recommended that you have a professional examine your home after such an event to make sure it is safe for you to enter. 

Fire and smoke damage is especially destructive. In many instances your Kingsport property will also suffer from water damage from firefighting efforts. We specialize in Bristol fire and water damage restoration, Kingsport fire damage clean-up,  Blountville smoke clean-up, Kingsport fire clean-up, Bristol fire restoration, Blountville fire and smoke damage and Kingsport fire restoration. There are many steps that need to be taken after a fire, and several of these require specialized equipment that most homeowners will not have or know how to use properly.

If you experience Fire or Smoke Damage? Call the experts at SERVPRO today at 423-245-5552.