Focus on Safety to Avoid Backyard Fire Hazards and Property Damage from Grills, Fire Pits, and Candles

6/28/2024 (Permalink)

Open flames are hazardous year-round, and the transition to warmer weather brings additional fire hazards to your backyard. As our community continues to navigate the global pandemic, outdoor gatherings in small groups have become more common, making our outdoor spaces more active than ever. BBQs, fire pits, portable heaters, and other open flames, while enjoyable and useful, pose significant risks for accidental damage.

Spring and Summer Fire Hazards in Your Backyard

Summer is a season of fun, family gatherings, pool parties, and vacations, but it's also a prime time for home fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association, between 350,000 and 400,000 home fires occur annually in the U.S. Understanding common causes of residential fire damage and taking preventive measures is crucial to ensuring your safety.

Common Causes of Residential Fire Property Damage

Grilling: Summer often begins with firing up the grill for holidays and barbecue dinners. Grilling is a popular activity, but it comes with risks. Each year, approximately 5,700 home grill-related fires occur, leading to significant property damage and potential injury.

• Prevention Tips: To prevent barbecue fires, always check for gas leaks before use. Regularly clean your barbecue to avoid grease build-up that can ignite. Designate a safe barbecuing area that is free of clutter, away from structures, and out of reach of children.

Fire Pits/Heaters: Fire pits provide warmth and a cozy atmosphere on cool summer nights. Their popularity has surged, but so have fire-related injuries and accidents.

• Prevention Tips: When using a fire pit, place it at least 10 feet away from anything flammable, including your house and overhead tree branches. Ensure children and pets stay at least 3 feet away from the fire. Never leave a fire unattended, and make sure it is completely extinguished before going inside.

Electrical Fires: Residential air conditioners cause about 2,300 fires each year. These fires often result from inadequate wiring, heavy electric loads, short circuits, or other electrical malfunctions.

• Prevention Tips: Using fans can help manage your thermostat settings, potentially allowing you to set your A/C a few degrees higher. Adjusting fan blades clockwise can direct airflow downward, preventing hot air from rising and triggering the A/C unit unnecessarily. Regular maintenance and inspections of your electrical systems can also help prevent these types of fires.

Candles/Torches: Candles and torches add ambiance and help fend off mosquitoes, but they also pose significant fire risks.

• Prevention Tips: Place torches at least 6 feet away from the house and other structures. Avoid placing them under trees or overhangs. Never leave an open flame unattended. Always keep an eye on any flames and ensure they are entirely extinguished before retiring for the night.

Be Prepared: Fire Safety Measures

Being aware of fire risks is essential, but being prepared is equally important. Regularly check the batteries in your smoke detectors and ensure you have functioning fire extinguishers accessible. In case of a fire emergency, professional help is crucial for effective recovery.

The Damage Caused by a Property Fire

Fire damage is complex and multifaceted. Recovering from a fire involves addressing immediate damage as well as preventing further harm from smoke and soot. Professional intervention is key to managing this process efficiently and effectively. SERVPRO of Medford offers expert fire damage restoration services, helping to assess and mitigate damage, remove and restore items, and document losses. Their IICRC certified specialists are ready to assist in restoring your home and property to their pre-fire condition.

Why Choose a Professional Disaster Restoration Company Like SERVPRO?

SERVPRO of Medford provides comprehensive emergency restoration services tailored to your specific needs. Their experienced team understands the importance of a rapid response to minimize damage and begin the recovery process. Here’s what they offer:

• Full Damage Assessment: Their crews will thoroughly assess the extent of the damage, identifying areas that need immediate attention and potential hidden damages.
• Inventory and Documentation: They will conduct a complete inventory of all items removed from your property, taking photos and detailed documentation. Salvageable items will be carefully restored and returned after the restoration process.
• Swift Restoration: Technicians work quickly and carefully to restore your property, aiming to minimize disruption and get your life back to normal as soon as possible.
• Comprehensive Services: SERVPRO provides a wide range of services, including smoke and soot damage restoration, water removal, and structural repairs.
• Insurance Coordination: Their team can work directly with your insurance company to streamline the claims process and address any concerns you may have.
• Construction and Rebuild: Experienced construction managers can seamlessly handle repairs to both interiors and exteriors, ensuring your property is fully restored.

By hiring a trusted leader in fire and water damage restoration, you ensure that your home repairs are handled professionally and effectively. It’s essential to find a reliable and experienced fire restoration expert capable of offering a full range of services to address all aspects of fire and water damage.

Fire safety is a critical consideration for every homeowner, especially during the warmer months when outdoor activities increase. By understanding common fire hazards and taking preventive measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of fire-related incidents. If you do experience a fire, professional restoration services like those offered by SERVPRO of Medford are vital for a successful recovery. Stay vigilant, stay prepared, and enjoy your backyard safely this summer.

SERVPRO® is the Right Choice for Fire, Smoke and Soot Damage Cleanup and Restoration Following a Long Island Property Fire

1/16/2024 (Permalink)

Our team has the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damaged property, "Like it never even happened.". 

SERVPRO® Offers Quality Professional Fire and Smoke Damage Cleanup, Mitigation, Restoration and Reconstruction Services

Electrical fires are a leading cause of structural fires and property damage to Suffolk County private and commercial property. Home and Business owners are using more electrical appliances and equipment each day, many local homes and businesses were not designed for our ongoing and ever-growing electrical consumption needs. It’s easy to take for granted the power coming from our walls but if you’ve ever tried to switch on the microwave while the oven, dishwasher and coffeemaker were on before a family dinner and the lights shut off, you’ve created an electrical circuit overload.

This residential fire damage cleanup and restoration project was the aftermath of a fire that started in the family room. When our crews arrived quickly, on the same day as the property damage event there was significant smoke and soot damage throughout the entire home. The homeowners were surprised how quickly the smoke and soot damage traveled. If an electrical overload has caused fire, smoke and soot damage to your home or business, you need the professional assistance of a disaster restoration company. Choosing SERVPRO for your restoration needs, you’re working with professional remediation specialists with the proper training and experience to clean up damages from fire, including smoke and soot. Our fire damage restoration team works quickly to restore your home or business, “Like it never even happened.”

Circuit breakers play an important part in preventing fire damage in every property's electrical system.

When the current of electricity going through a circuit is too much for it to handle, an electrical overload can happen. Usually, it occurs when you have too many devices plugged into a single circuit, but it can happen with older homes if you are trying to run an appliance that uses excessive energy. Acting as an important safeguard, a circuit breaker will “trip” shut off the electric flow, protecting your home or business from an electrical circuit overload that can cause the circuit to overheat, which could cause damage to appliances and ultimately result in a fire. While circuit breakers are reliable and do a good job preventing residential and commercial fires due to overloads, if the power surges are excessive, they can, over time, result in electrical fires.

The three most common causes of a “tripped” circuit breaker are:

• Overloaded Circuit
• Short Circuit
• Ground Fault

Typically, electrical fires are at their peak during the winter months with additional lighting and heating equipment creating the most common concerns. It’s becoming more important to continue to practice electrical safety all year long air conditioners, mini fridges, pool equipment and outdoor appliances can all contribute to circuit overloads throughout Spring and Summer.

Signs of Overloaded Circuits

The most obvious sign of an electrical circuit overload is a breaker tripping and shutting off all the power to your Long Island property. Other signs can be less noticeable; buzzing sounds, burning smells, and unusually warm devices also can indicate other wiring problems, such as loose connections or short circuits. If any of these problems persist after you’ve taken steps to prevent circuit overloads, contact an electrician.

• Dimming lights, especially if lights dim when you turn on appliances or more lights.
• Buzzing outlets or switches.
• Outlet or switch covers that are warm to the touch.
• Burning odors from outlets or switches.
• Scorched plugs or outlets.
• Power tools, appliances, or electronics that seem to lack sufficient power.

Following a residential or commercial property fire from a circuit overload, or other fire disaster. It’s important to contact your local SERVPRO of Medford for professional fire property damage cleanup and restoration help and services, our first step is to assess the damages.

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

When you experience fire or smoke damage to your local New Jersey home or business you might not be sure what steps to take next. Once the fire department has left and you have called SERVPRO, wait for the professionals to arrive, our fire damage remediation specialists will guide you through the fire property damage disaster restoration process. No restoration project is too big or too small, SERVPRO professionals are always ready to answer your property damage help call.

1. Initial Inspection- One of our trained managers will come inspect your property for damages and see how intensely the fire/smoke affected your home and determine with you and/or your adjuster what steps need to be taken next.
2. Structure/Content Clean- Depending on what has been determined in step one, SERVPRO will start the process of cleaning and restoring your home and/or contents, including cleaning walls and ceilings, personal belongings, ducts, etc.

Restoration & Reconstruction

Residential or Commercial Fires often causes significant structural damage and often require repairing and rebuilding your property. SERVPRO of Medford offers comprehensive reconstruction services for both residential and commercial properties our professionals are uniquely qualified and prepared to meet your reconstruction needs. Our construction team works quickly and effectively, working with you to survey the extent of the damage, develop a plan for reconstruction, and assess whether your property is safe to occupy. Our SERVPRO crews are ready to undertake reconstruction projects of any size, structural repairs and rebuilding may only involve a portion of your property, or in some cases a complete rebuild may be necessary.

Contact our restoration staff today if your property has been damaged and needs repairs or construction services.

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

SERVPRO's October Focus: Elevating Fire Safety Awareness and Preparedness

10/11/2023 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO, we understand that fire safety is a year-round concern, but dedicating October to this critical cause allows us to amplify our message and inspire a heightened sense of urgency. Fires can strike unexpectedly, and their consequences can be devastating. Our goal for this month is to empower you with knowledge, equip you with preventive strategies, and ensure that you and your home are prepared to face the unexpected.

Fire Prevention Tips for Common Causes of Home Fire Damage

What to expect from our SERVPRO professional fire damage restoration process across Long Island 

Every year, there are between 350,000 and 400,000 home fires in the U.S. (according to the National Fire Protection Association). Any building is at risk of catching fire for a variety of reasons, knowing the most common reasons for residential fire damage can be important to fire prevention. SERVPRO of Medford has been providing property disaster cleanup and restoration service to fire damage victims for nearly 30 years, our IICRC certified fire damage restoration specialists arrive ready to rescue and recover your home and property following a fire, “Like it never even happened.”

OUR SWIFT RESPONSE:

Fires can strike suddenly, leaving a trail of devastation in their wake. In a recent fire emergency, our SERVPRO team displayed unmatched agility, containing the afflicted areas with remarkable speed, preventing the perilous spread of hazardous soot, smoke, and toxins. We've earned our reputation as trusted leaders in the restoration industry, armed with the latest training and cutting-edge equipment, so you can rest assured that your property is in the capable hands of dedicated and competent restoration professionals.

SERVPRO of Medford responds quickly to your fire damage emergency with skilled technicians to your home, our team’s primary goal is to mitigate additional damages with preventative procedures and neutralize and recover sustained damages using expert skill, experience, and equipment.

SIMULTANEOUS RECOVERY OPERATIONS:

Fire restoration is a multi-faceted endeavor, with several recovery operations unfolding in tandem. While some of our crew members focus on water extraction and demolition, others are meticulously inventorying and packing up items, relocating them to prevent further damage from exposure to contaminated areas. Smoke and soot, minuscule but relentless, infiltrate building materials, furniture, and porous possessions. Our industrial-strength air scrubbers and vacuums, featuring HEPA filters, come to the rescue, capturing soot, purifying the air, and neutralizing odors. In addition to fire damage, we provide restoration and rebuilding services for water and mold damage, facilitated by our highly qualified construction team. This not only ensures a smooth and hassle-free recovery process but can also minimize costs and shorten the timeline for completion.

KEY STEPS TO FIRE RESTORATION:

Isolate Fire-Damaged Areas:
Commencing with containment, we restrict odors and debris from permeating the air throughout your home, containing the damage at the source of the fire and the affected sections of your residence.

Water Damage Remediation:
The fire suppression process entails a substantial volume of water, which can be as destructive to your home as the fire itself. Our SERVPRO professionals prioritize water extraction to minimize this secondary damage.

Pack-Out for Contents:
An integral facet of effective fire damage mitigation is the relocation of your furnishings and personal possessions to safeguard them from sustained exposure to contaminated air and debris. Our innovative contents claim inventory service generates a digital record of affected property, streamlining interactions with your insurance provider. Our specialized contents technicians evaluate the items earmarked for relocation, devising and implementing efficient strategies for cleaning, drying, deodorizing, and disinfecting.

Customized Soot Removal:
Smoke and soot infiltrate virtually every nook and cranny of your residential property, extending far beyond the fire's point of origin. The residues from the fire travel through the air, coating surfaces with insidious soot particles. Our experts assess the soot to ascertain the specific type of smoke damage incurred, thereby tailoring our cleaning procedures accordingly. Swift action is paramount to curtail the damage since soot must be eradicated before it begins etching, distorting, discoloring, and disintegrating wood, carpeting, fabric, drywall, plastic, metal, and glass.

COMMON CAUSES OF RESIDENTIAL FIRE PROPERTY DAMAGE DISASTERS:

• Cooking:
  An alarming majority of house fires stem from cooking-related incidents, particularly when individuals leave a hot oven or stove unattended. Fire prevention strategies include vigilance, the use of timers, and the removal of flammable objects and materials from cooking areas and surfaces.
• Heating:
  Space heaters, both portable and stationary, account for 32% of these fires, many of which result from homeowners neglecting to clean heating equipment or chimneys. Fire prevention measures encompass annual cleaning and inspection of heating equipment to ensure proper functioning. Additionally, when using space heaters, position them away from combustible objects and turn them off when leaving home.
• Electrical Systems:
  Lighting sources are the culprits in most electrical fires, causing over $1 billion in property losses annually. Proper fire prevention necessitates the engagement of qualified electricians for all electrical projects. Furthermore, many fires arise from improper installations by homeowners. To prevent such disasters, replace frayed or damaged cords, avoid overloading outlets, and use bulbs of the correct wattage for lamps.
• Candles:
  Candles contribute to 5% of home fire fatalities, with an average of 35 home fires caused by candles reported daily in the United States. Preventing such incidents requires a simple yet crucial rule: never leave burning candles unattended and extinguish them before retiring for the night.

Fires cause massive amounts of damage to a residential property; the flames, soot and smoke can destroy structural materials, interior and exterior items, and personal processions. The aftermath of a fire brings a massive amount of water damage, toxic chemicals, harmful soot pollution and unhealthy smoke levels. First responders often extinguish the flames quickly, but soot and smoke move even more rapidly, spreading damage throughout the entire property. Even a minor fire can bring significant smoke and soot damage throughout your home. We can provide property damage restoration service near you, SERVPRO is here to help with highly trained IICRC certified fire damage restoration experts and advanced technology and equipment to restore your home and possessions and provide knowledge and experience when you need it most.

SERVPRO Offers Quality Professional Fire and Smoke Damage Cleanup, Mitigation, Restoration and Reconstruction Services

5/12/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is the Right Choice for Fire, Smoke and Soot Damage Cleanup and Restoration Following a Long Island Property Home or Business Fire

Electrical fires are a leading cause of structural fires and property damage to Suffolk County private and commercial property. Home and Business owners are using more electrical appliances and equipment each day, many local homes and businesses were not designed for our ongoing and ever-growing electrical consumption needs. It’s easy to take for granted the power coming from our walls but if you’ve ever tried to switch on the microwave while the oven, dishwasher and coffeemaker were on before a family dinner and the lights shut off, you’ve created an electrical circuit overload.

This residential fire damage cleanup and restoration project was the aftermath of a fire that started in the family room. When our crews arrived quickly, on the same day as the property damage event there was significant smoke and soot damage throughout the entire home. The homeowners were surprised how quickly the smoke and soot damage traveled. If an electrical overload has caused fire, smoke and soot damage to your home or business, you need the professional assistance of a disaster restoration company. Choosing SERVPRO for your restoration needs, you’re working with professional remediation specialists with the proper training and experience to clean up damages from fire, including smoke and soot. Our fire damage restoration team works quickly to restore your home or business, “Like it never even happened.”

Circuit breakers play an important part in preventing fire damage in every property's electrical system.

When the current of electricity going through a circuit is too much for it to handle, an electrical overload can happen. Usually, it occurs when you have too many devices plugged into a single circuit, but it can happen with older homes if you are trying to run an appliance that uses excessive energy. Acting as an important safeguard, a circuit breaker will “trip” shut off the electric flow, protecting your home or business from an electrical circuit overload that can cause the circuit to overheat, which could cause damage to appliances and ultimately result in a fire. While circuit breakers are reliable and do a good job preventing residential and commercial fires due to overloads, if the power surges are excessive, they can, over time, result in electrical fires.

The three most common causes of a “tripped” circuit breaker are:

• Overloaded Circuit
• Short Circuit
• Ground Fault

Typically, electrical fires are at their peak during the winter months with additional lighting and heating equipment creating the most common concerns. It’s becoming more important to continue to practice electrical safety all year long air conditioners, mini fridges, pool equipment and outdoor appliances can all contribute to circuit overloads throughout Spring and Summer.

Signs of Overloaded Circuits

The most obvious sign of an electrical circuit overload is a breaker tripping and shutting off all the power to your Long Island property. Other signs can be less noticeable; buzzing sounds, burning smells, and unusually warm devices also can indicate other wiring problems, such as loose connections or short circuits. If any of these problems persist after you’ve taken steps to prevent circuit overloads, contact an electrician.

• Dimming lights, especially if lights dim when you turn on appliances or more lights.
• Buzzing outlets or switches.
• Outlet or switch covers that are warm to the touch.
• Burning odors from outlets or switches.
• Scorched plugs or outlets.
• Power tools, appliances, or electronics that seem to lack sufficient power.

Following a residential or commercial property fire from a circuit overload, or other fire disaster. It’s important to contact your local SERVPRO of Medford for professional fire property damage cleanup and restoration help and services, our first step is to assess the damages.

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

When you experience fire or smoke damage to your local New Jersey home or business you might not be sure what steps to take next. Once the fire department has left and you have called SERVPRO, wait for the professionals to arrive, our fire damage remediation specialists will guide you through the fire property damage disaster restoration process. No restoration project is too big or too small, SERVPRO professionals are always ready to answer your property damage help call.

1. Initial Inspection- One of our trained managers will come inspect your property for damages and see how intensely the fire/smoke affected your home and determine with you and/or your adjuster what steps need to be taken next.
2. Structure/Content Clean- Depending on what has been determined in step one, SERVPRO will start the process of cleaning and restoring your home and/or contents, including cleaning walls and ceilings, personal belongings, ducts, etc.

Restoration & Reconstruction

Residential or Commercial Fires often causes significant structural damage and often require repairing and rebuilding your property. SERVPRO of Medford offers comprehensive reconstruction services for both residential and commercial properties our professionals are uniquely qualified and prepared to meet your reconstruction needs. Our construction team works quickly and effectively, working with you to survey the extent of the damage, develop a plan for reconstruction, and assess whether your property is safe to occupy. Our SERVPRO crews are ready to undertake reconstruction projects of any size, structural repairs and rebuilding may only involve a portion of your property, or in some cases a complete rebuild may be necessary.

Contact our restoration staff today if your property has been damaged and needs repairs or construction services.

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

Suffolk County properties and businesses choose SERVPRO for professional fire disaster restoration services

5/12/2022 (Permalink)

Our restoration process begins with a thorough inspection of your Suffolk County property, assessing the extent of fire and smoke damage and determining what equipment and services are most necessary and recommended. Our emergency response service crews are available right away to begin the most effective techniques for cleaning and restoring your property and possessions, including soot, smoke and stain removal, odor removal and deodorizing, our restoration professionals are here to help with all the recovery solutions you need to restore your property just like it was before.

Our SERVPRO team starts planning your complete property cleanup and recovery from fire damages right away, with an initial inspection our staff is always ready to help.

Every property disaster is unique, our experts will assess your specific situation, the amount of damage, and if there are any safety concerns for you, your family, and our team members. Before professionals can get the fire restoration process started, our team will determine the extent of damage by using some of the following methods:

• Testing for soot or smoke damage
• Documenting the destruction
• Determining which assets are salvageable

Our SERVPRO manager and crew chief will formulate a plan based on the amount of damage to your property from your fire disaster to restore your home to its original condition. Our team will explain the plan, the timeline, and the overall cost. Once a plan is in place, homeowners can focus on their personal recovery and trust our experts in fire damage recovery to work on their behalf to expedite the phases of the mitigation, restoration, and rebuilding process. Our SERVPRO rapid response team offers real-time mitigation solutions designed to protect the contents and the structure of your home as much as possible, sometimes areas of your home are too badly damaged to restore. We can use controlled demolition techniques on the fire-damaged structural elements of the property to remove only what cannot be saved. When this happens, our licensed contracting division can help provide comprehensive support to our customers from the initial inspection through entire reconstructions of leveled properties. Along with our mitigation and restoration tactics, our licensed contractors work to efficiently replace the removed materials to minimize our impact on your life in this traumatic time to get you back into your home quickly.

SERVPRO SMOKE, SOOT & ODOR REMOVAL & CLEANING SERVICES

• Immediate placement of HEPA air scrubbers and hydroxyls to begin soot and odor mitigation
• Contact insurance carrier/adjuster to give them the size and scope of the project
• Clean the ash and soot residue that builds up on surfaces, including walls, cabinets, and furniture
• Coordinate the cleaning of soft goods, such as clothing, bedding, draperies, furniture, etc.

Customized Soot Removal

Smoke and soot damages are especially invasive attacking every space of your residential property, including areas far from the actual fire. The residue from the fire travels with the air coating surfaces SERVPRO of Medford will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Quick action is crucial to minimize damages; soot must be removed before it begins etching, distorting, discoloring, and disintegrating wood, carpeting, fabric, drywall, plastic, metal, and glass.

After your home suffers a puff back, the spread of soot can cause wide-spread damages throughout your home and can feel especially overwhelming and discouraging. SERVPRO of Medford restoration professionals have extensive training and experience to clean and remediate the damages your property is facing.

Our team will perform a complete smoke and soot damage cleanup, loss documentation, oil smoke odor removal, property recovery and disposal of non-recoverable items, and a tailored solution to return your building and contents to preloss condition and reverse the signs of your oil burner property damage event. Calling SERVPRO after a home or business puff back provides an advanced cleanup and restoration solution complete with advanced equipment, expert knowledge, and experience that you can trust to restore your home and possessions, “Like it never even happened.”

Spring and Summer backyard barbeque safety tips to avoid property damage

5/11/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is always here to help, with years of experience and commitment to property damage cleanup and restoration throughout Suffolk County. Barbeque safety is a key component to avoid seasonal fire damage to your property and injury.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), U.S. fire departments respond to an average of 8,900 home fires involving grills, hibachis, or barbecues every year. Unfortunately, almost all these fires can be prevented. Fortunately, with some simple precautions, your family can enjoy a safe grilling season.

Backyard Grilling Safety Tips to Avoid Fire Damage

Monitor and control the fire - Never leave the grill unattended. Avoid flare ups during cooking by keeping your grill clean, scraping the grates, and cleaning the trays to remove grease and fat buildup each time you use the grill. Keep a spray bottle of water handy in case of a small flare-up.

Position your grill in a safe place - choose a location for your grill that open and well ventilated, at least 10 ft away from structures including your home, deck railing, eaves, and low hanging branches.

Keep the grill out of a high-traffic area - Be sure to warn adults and children alike of a hot grill. The surface of a grill can heat up to dangerously high temperatures – certainly hot enough to cause serious burns. Keep kids and pets at least 3ft away from the grill, even a grill that's turned off and cooling down can cause serious burns.

Have a plan to put out a fire - Have the correct type of fire extinguisher within reach and, if you are using a gas grill, make sure you know where the emergency cut-off is before you start cooking. Keep matches, lighters, and combustible liquids out of reach and sight of children.

SERVPRO is a trusted leader in the property restoration industry; our team is ready to respond to your emergency property fire damage event, quickly and effectively with unparalleled training and equipment. Giving you peace of mind that your property is being cleaned and restored by caring and competent restoration professionals.

Often during a fire restoration, many recovery operations need to happen simultaneously, some of our crew will work on water extraction and demolition, while others will inventory and pack up items to move to another location to help prevent further property damage from exposure to contaminated areas. Smoke and soot particles are small and can get deep inside building materials, furniture, and other porous items. HEPA filters help our industrial strength air scrubbers and vacuums capture soot, purify the air, and neutralize odors. Our SERVPRO of Medford location is fortunate to offer restoration and rebuilding services following a property disaster from fire, water, or mold. Using our highly qualified construction team will help keep your recovery process moving steady and hassle free, often it can also minimize costs and completion time.

Focus on safety to avoid backyard fire hazards and property damage from grills, fire pits, and candles

3/23/2022 (Permalink)

Spring and Summer Fire Hazards can lead to property fire damage, our team is here to help with safety tips.

Open flames are hazardous whatever time of year, the changing of the season to warmer weather brings outside spring and summer fire hazards to your backyard. This year as our community continues to endure the global pandemic and people are encouraged to entertain in small groups outdoors and with social distance, outside spaces will likely see more use. Much like every other type of property disaster, BBQ’s, fire pits, portable heaters, and other cooking or recreational flames can cause accidental damage. 

Spring and Summer Fire Hazards can cause property damage in your backyard

Summer is a fun time for most, family and friends gather for pool parties, and people take vacations, but Summer is also a prime time for home fires. Every year, there are between 350,000 and 400,000 home fires in the U.S. (according to the National Fire Protection Association). Your home is at risk of catching fire for a variety of reasons no matter what the season, knowing some common reasons for residential fire damage can be important to fire prevention. SERVPRO of Medford has been providing property disaster cleanup and restoration service to fire damage victims for nearly three decades, our IICRC certified fire damage restoration specialists arrive ready to rescue and recover your home and property following a fire, "Like it never even happened."

Common causes of residential fire property damage disasters:

Grilling: Nothing announces the arrival of summer like firing up the grill. In the summer months, many people grill outdoors for various holidays and barbecue dinners. In fact, 5,700 home grill-related fires occur each year. 

Prevention tips: To prevent barbecue fires, check for gas leaks before use, regularly clean your barbeque, and try to create a dedicated safe barbecuing space that is free of clutter and away from children.

Fire pits/Heaters: On cool summer nights, kids and adults alike will enjoy a cozy place to gather and stay warm. Fire pits are known to be a great source of warmth and ambience. Unfortunately, due to the increase in popularity, the number of fire-related injuries and accidents is on the rise as well. The good news is that with the proper safety precautions, a fire pit can be safely enjoyed by the whole family.

Prevention tips: Before striking the match, never place a pit closer than 10 feet from anything flammable, including your house and overhead tree branches. Keep children and pets at least 3 feet away from the fire. 

Electrical fires: About 2,300 residential air conditioners start fires each year. These fires are usually the result of inadequate wiring while having to deal with heavy electric loads, short circuits, or other electrical malfunctions. It’s not just the AC that catches on fire, if your AC heats up, flammable materials near your unit can catch on fire. Fires are most likely to occur when it’s hottest outside—between 2 and 8 p.m. 

Prevention tips: Using fans may allow you to set your thermostat a degree or two warmer than you may have been able to stand otherwise—especially if you rotate the blades clockwise, which directs airflow downward and prevents hotter air from rising up and signaling the A/C unit to kick on.

Candles/Torches: A flickering flame is both comforting and exciting, they are guaranteed to elevate your backyard living space. Adding candles and torches can provide ambient lighting and fend off mosquitoes and other nighttime insects when used with citronella. Yet, similar to anything that involves a fire or open flame, It’s important to exercise caution when installing, handling, and storing these creative outdoor lighting options.

Prevention tips: It’s important to exercise caution with these lighting options, consider placement carefully no not place torches under trees, overhangs or near other flammable materials. Position torches at least 6 feet away from the house or other structures. Never leave an open flame unattended, keep an eye on any flames and ensure they are entirely out before you go inside for the night.

Be aware of the risk of fires and prepare by checking the batteries in your smoke detectors and having functioning fire extinguishers. If you find yourself faced with a fire emergency this summer, we are here to help!

The Damage Caused by a Property Fire 

To repair the property entirely after experiencing a damaging fire, you will need to seek the help of a professional team like SERVPRO. Fire damage is multi-faceted and to recover as much of your property as possible contacting professionals right away with experience, equipment and training will help avoid additional repairs and costs. Our Long Island SERVPRO technicians know what steps to take to assess your property and possessions, they can look for hidden damages and quickly start to mitigate concerns to avoid further damage from smoke and soot, documenting damages and removing items for restoration. 

Why Choosing a Professional Disaster Restoration Company, like SERVPRO is Important?

SERVPRO of Medford offers Emergency Restoration Services in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit your unique Long Island property damage disaster needs. Our staff and restoration managers understand that a rapid response is critical to your recovery, our team will provide comprehensive cleanup, mitigation, restoration and rebuild options following a property fire disaster. SERVPRO is a trusted leader in the restoration industry providing advanced technology and training to a nationwide team of skilled technicians and project managers. Our crews have vast experience and knowledge offering a wide variety of restoration services to recover your commercial property with minimized cost and business interruption.

• Our crews will assess the full damage of your property taking necessary steps to save as much of your inventory, appliances and equipment, furnishings, and inventory as possible.
• They will do a complete inventory of all items removed from your property taking photos and documentation and return all salvageable items back to your business following the restoration process.
• Our technicians work quickly and carefully to get your business up and running as soon as possible. Our project managers and staff will follow-up to make sure you are satisfied or address any other concerns.
• Our construction managers can seamlessly begin putting back together damages sustained to interiors and exteriors during your fire disaster. Our staff can work with your insurance and answer any concerns you may have about the process.

If your property needs fire damage repair, find an experienced and certified fire damage restoration service near you.

Hiring a trusted leader in fire and water damage restoration ensures that your home repairs will be properly handled after fire damage. It‘s essential to find a reliable and experienced fire restoration expert who is able to offer a range of services. This includes everything from smoke damage restoration to soot damage repair to water restoration and removal.

Fire Prevention Tips for Common Causes of Home Fire Damage

3/4/2022 (Permalink)

What to expect from our SERVPRO professional fire damage restoration process in Suffolk County

Every year, there are between 350,000 and 400,000 home fires in the U.S. (according to the National Fire Protection Association). Any building is at risk of catching fire for a variety of reasons, knowing the most common reasons for residential fire damage can be important to fire prevention. SERVPRO of Medford has been providing property disaster cleanup and restoration service to fire damage victims for nearly 30 years, our IICRC certified fire damage restoration specialists arrive ready to rescue and recover your home and property following a fire, “Like it never even happened.”

When beginning property restoration services after a fire, our professional containe the damaged areas to stop further spread of hazardous soot, smoke, and toxins. SERVPRO is a trusted leader in the restoration industry; our team is ready to respond to your emergency fire property damage, quickly and effectively with unparalleled training and equipment. Giving you peace of mind that your property is being cleaned and restored by caring and competent restoration professionals.

Often during a fire restoration, many recovery operations need to happen simultaneously, some of our crew will work on water extraction and demolition, while others will inventory and pack up items to move to another location to help prevent further property damage from exposure to contaminated areas. Smoke and soot particles are small and can get deep inside building materials, furniture, and other porous items. HEPA filters help our industrial strength air scrubbers and vacuums capture soot, purify the air, and neutralize odors. Our SERVPRO of Medford location is fortunate to offer restoration and rebuilding services following a property disaster from fire, water, or mold. Using our highly qualified construction team will help keep your recovery process moving steady and hassle free, often it can also minimize costs and completion time.

FIRST STEPS TO FIRE RESTORATION:

Isolate Fire Damaged Areas

SERVPRO professionals will start with containment to help restrict odors and debris from contaminating the air throughout the house and keep the damage contained at the source of the fire and affected areas of the home.

Water Damage Remediation

Fire suppression and rescue uses a lot of water, and it can be just as destructive to structural components and contents as the fire. Our SERVPRO professionals will take the steps needed to minimize the damage by prioritizing water extraction.

Pack-Out for Contents

Fire damage mitigation and restoration is more effective when furnishings and personal possessions are relocated to avoid continued exposure to contaminated air and debris. Our contents claim inventory service creates a digital listing of the affected property, very helpful when corresponding with your insurance company. Specialized contents technicians evaluate the pack-out items’ conditions and recommend and implement efficient strategies to clean, dry, deodorize, and disinfect them.

Customized Soot Removal

Smoke and soot damages are especially invasive attacking every space of your residential property, including areas far from the actual fire. The residue from the fire travels with the air coating surfaces SERVPRO will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Quick action is crucial to minimize damages; soot must be removed before it begins etching, distorting, discoloring, and disintegrating wood, carpeting, fabric, drywall, plastic, metal, and glass.

Common causes of residential fire property damage disasters:

Cooking: Most house fires are caused by cooking-related incidents, specifically, a person leaving a hot oven or stove unattended.

Prevention tips: Always keep an eye on cooking equipment while it’s in use. Use a timer to remind you cooking is in progress. Make sure to remove flammable objects and materials around cooking areas and surfaces.

Heating: Portable and stationary space heaters accounted for 32% of these fires, but most resulted from the homeowner’s failure to clean heating equipment or chimneys. 

Prevention tips: Have heating equipment cleaned and inspected every year to ensure it’s working properly. When using space heaters, situate them away from combustible objects such as clothing, furniture and bedding and turn them off when you leave home.

Electrical systems: Lighting sources are responsible for most electrical fires. Fires started through electrical systems represent more than $1 billion in property losses each year. 

Prevention tips: Use qualified electricians to handle your electrical projects, many fires are the result of improper installation by homeowners. When using electrical appliances, replace frayed or damaged cords, refrain from overloading outlets with plugs and use bulbs of the proper wattage for lamps.

Candles: Candles are responsible for 5 percent of home fire deaths, and on average, 35 home fires caused by candles are reported each day in the United States. 

Prevention tips: Don’t leave burning candles unattended and put them out before going to bed.

Fires cause massive amounts of damage to a residential property; the flames, soot and smoke can destroy structural materials, interior and exterior items, and personal processions. The aftermath of a fire brings a massive amount of water damage, toxic chemicals, harmful soot pollution and unhealthy smoke levels. First responders often extinguish the flames quickly, but soot and smoke move even more rapidly, spreading damage throughout the entire property. Even a minor fire can bring significant smoke and soot damage throughout your home. We can provide property damage restoration service near you, SERVPRO is here to help with highly trained IICRC certified fire damage restoration experts and advanced technology and equipment to restore your home and possessions and provide knowledge and experience when you need it most.

Stay Alert! A simple mistake could create a cooking fire holiday disaster!

11/18/2021 (Permalink)

Minimize damages and displacement with fast mitigation, content management, professional containment, and post-damage construction services.

SERVPRO TIP: Bring a cooking utensil and a timer with you if you NEED to leave the kitchen while cooking.

Holiday cooking and preparations can take a few days, and entertaining guests while making a meal can be distracting. Being in the kitchen that entire time can seem impossible. While it’s never a good idea to leave the kitchen while cooking, sometimes it’s inevitable. If you must, taking a timer and a utensil may help you remember what you were doing before you got distracted. If you are cooking on the stove, frying, grilling, or broiling food, please turn off the heat source and move your food to a safer place before leaving the room. For more amazing tips from our team to help your meal, your family and your property stay safe this holiday season, look below.

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says 6 out of 7 cooking fires occurred while the cook was out of the kitchen, and 2/3rds of these fires happened in the first 15 minutes of cooking. The BEST WAY you can do to keep you and your family and property safe this year, ALWAYS watch what you’re cooking. If you’re using the stovetop, stay in the kitchen and watch closely. Also, experts recommend setting a timer periodically to remind you to check the oven.

Our SERVPRO team wishes every friend, family, and neighbor a joyful, pleasant, safe and disaster free holiday season. We hope the next few weeks are full of hope, love, gifts, and yummy food. We also know the destruction that can come from a simple mistake, and we are always here should any fire, flood or plumbing damage cause a hiccup in your holiday celebrations. For big or small disasters our team is here to support your property restoration and rebuild needs with professional know-how and empathy for any situation.

Get Cleanup, Restoration, and Rebuilding in One Place

SERVPRO of Medford is uniquely qualified to offer property owners the services of mitigation, restoration, and reconstruction. Instead of having one company do the cleanup and another company repair or rebuild fire loss areas in the home, you can use a single company for both needs.

SERVPRO FIRE DAMAGE MITIGATION/RECOVERY SERVICES:

Our Commercial Fire and Water Damage Restoration Process

Our experienced SERVPRO of Medford restoration specialists are trained to clean and restore your Suffolk County property with as little disruption as possible.

• Emergency Contact
• Inspection and Fire & Water Damage Assessment
• Immediate Board-Up and Roof Tarp Service (if needed)
• Water Removal and Drying
• Smoke and Soot Remediation
• Cleaning, Restoration and Repairs

SERVPRO CONSTRUCTION SERVICES:

• Site Containment / Temporary Shoring
• Selective Demolition
• Full-Scale Carpentry
• Complete Exterior/Envelope Reconstruction
• Interior Build-Out and Finishes
• Complex Installation and Interior Finishes
• Historic Reconstruction and Restoration

Fire or water damage to your home is frustrating and needs to be dealt with by trained professionals to ensure further damage does not continue to impact your property down the road. The SERVPRO of Medford team has decades of experience and training to overcome the unique challenges that can come with both residential and commercial property disasters. Our IICRC certified restoration specialists work quickly and efficiently to minimize damages and displacement with fast mitigation, content management, professional containment, and post-damage construction services for a faster recovery.

Cooking Safety Tips

• Keep flammable items such as wooden spoons, potholders, towels, and paper towels clear of the stovetop. Keep flammable items such as paper packaging or plastic bags clear of cooking appliances such as toasters, toaster ovens, deep fryers, or electric skillets.
• Make sure smoke alarms are installed and working correctly before cooking.
  
• Keep a lid nearby when you’re cooking to smother small fires. Just slide the lid over the pan and turn off the stove top. Then simply leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled off.
  
• Clean the oven and stovetop regularly to remove any food debris and clean up spills immediately. Avoid loading your stove up with pots and pans, cooking too many meals at once it can increase the risk of grease fires.
  
• Completely cool small appliances before storing them, allow hot grease or other trash to cool before disposal.
  
• Keep children and pets away from cooking surfaces. If you have children in the house, consider using the back burners of the stove.

WHEN DISASTER STRIKES SERVPRO IS HERE TO HELP!

Working with our team and fast action could mean the difference between restoring your home or business quickly or needing extensive and expensive reconstruction. Our SERVPRO team never stops being READY to handle your fire, water, or storm property disaster, we have the best staff, with the best resources standing ready to answer your call quickly and restore your home or business, “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO provides emergency response service and effective remediation for furnace puffbacks this fall and winter on Long Island

10/14/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Emergency Response Service for puffback cleanup and restoration aids with fast smoke and soot removal to avoid additional damages.

Fall is officially here, furnaces across the Northeast are getting turned on for the first time as the colder weather descends. When an oil or gas furnace is operating properly, there is little to no soot generated as the fuel is burned to create the heat you need to warm your home or business. Unfortunately, it only takes one leaky or clogged burner to create a dangerous situation leading to an explosion known as a puff back. SERVPRO of Medford has helped countless home and business owner’s cleanup, remediate and restore smoke and soot property damage caused from an oil or gas furnace puffback or fireplace puffback.

A residential or commercial furnace malfunction causes a puffback, when an oil or gas burner backfires, sending black, sticky soot and debris through the furnace or boiler's exhaust system, and throughout your home or business you’ve experienced a puffback. There are two types of puff backs, one type happens all at once, like a balloon popping, emitting soot, smoke and debris throughout your property. A puffback can also happen more gradually, as if someone was holding the end of a balloon and letting the air seep out slowly. If you have a forced air system, the problem can worsen as your heating ducts can spread the soot into every corner of your home, with the same efficiency that they spread heat. Although there is no guaranteed way to prevent a puffback, annual inspection and maintenance of your oil burner or furnace can greatly reduce your risk.

Once a Puff back occurs soot spreads throughout your home, covering your furniture, drapery, wall, ceilings, and other property and possessions. The soot coverage may range from a light dusting to a more concentrated ash. Soot is black and sticky and brings some major cleaning and deodorizing challenges and concerns. Though it may look like a DIY project, it’s best left to professionals to handle soot removal and cleaning because it has the potential to spread easily and become an even bigger concern. Soot is not only extremely messy and pungent, it may be carcinogenic, and needs to be cleaned and deodorized properly to avoid secondary damages to your property and your family.

Long Island chooses SERVPRO for professional disaster restoration services after a furnace puffback

Our restoration process begins with a thorough inspection of your Long Island home, assessing the damage and determining which equipment and services are necessary. Our Emergency response crews are available right away to begin the most effective techniques for cleaning and restoring your property and possessions, including soot, smoke and stain removal, odor removal and deodorizing. Our restoration professionals are here to help with all the recovery solutions you need to restore your property just like before.

SERVPRO SMOKE, SOOT & ODOR REMOVAL & CLEANING SERVICES

• Immediate placement of HEPA air scrubbers and hydroxyls to begin soot and odor mitigation
• Contact insurance carrier/adjuster to give them the size and scope of the project
• Clean the ash and soot residue that builds up on surfaces, including walls, cabinets and furniture
• Coordinate the cleaning of soft goods, such as clothing, bedding, draperies, furniture, etc.

Quick action is necessary to minimize property damages after a fire or furnace puff back, smoke and soot are easily absorbed by many materials within your property and can have a lasting effect. Smoke and soot can be absorbed by almost all your possessions including, furniture and building materials, especially porous materials and surfaces. Soot’s chemical composition is a major challenge for post puffback repair, secondary damages can start to occur immediately. Puff back cleanup experts will assist you during your puff back event, providing you services and solutions every step of the cleanup and restoration process. Puff back cleaning services can include; odor removal from your structure and contents, structural soot cleanup and smoke damage cleanup, pack-out and claim assistance, contents cleanup and smoke damage mitigation.

After your home suffers a puff back, the spread of soot can cause wide-spread damages throughout your home and can feel especially overwhelming and discouraging. SERVPRO restoration professionals have extensive training and experience to clean and remediate the damages your property is facing.

If your home or business experiences a puffback, you should:

• Notify your insurance agent immediately
• Throw away all exposed food
• Call a repairman to fix the malfunctioning oil furnace
• Call SERVPRO to begin cleaning and deodorizing all affected areas immediately

Our team will perform a complete smoke and soot damage cleanup, loss documentation, oil smoke odor removal, property recovery and disposal of non-recoverable items, and a tailored solution to return your building and contents to preloss condition and reverse the signs of your oil burner property damage event. Calling SERVPRO after a home or business puffback provides an advanced cleanup and restoration solution complete with advanced equipment, expert knowledge and experience that you can trust to restore your home and possessions, “Like it never even happened.”

How to change seasons with your heating and ventilation system

Now that the seasons are changing, it’s almost time to make the switch from cooling to heating your home. By transitioning seasons wisely, you can have your home and HVAC system primed for maximum comfort and efficiency throughout the fall and coming winter. Here are four ways to make the transition go smoothly:

CHECK AIRFLOW AT THE REGISTERS

Closed or obstructed registers can upset pressure balance within the HVAC system and cause a loss of efficiency or even an unexpected equipment shutdown due to overheating. To prevent these issues, make sure that your registers are open and not blocked by furniture, area rugs, long curtains or similar items. SERVPRO has professional air duct cleaning services to keep your HVAC/air duct system working smoothly, scheduling proper cleaning and maintenance can improve your indoor air quality and energy efficiency lowering your operational costs over time.

REPLACE THE AIR FILTER

Transitioning seasons is also the perfect time to check the air filter and replace it if it shows any visible dirt accumulation. Having a fresh filter in place ensures that air can flow freely through the HVAC system, which helps avert the problems caused by restricted airflow.

SCHEDULE HEATING SYSTEM SERVICE

A thorough furnace checkup by a certified technician can verify that key components are working safely and reliably, so your home or business stays comfortable and there’s less risk of exposure to deadly carbon monoxide gas.

Fast fire disaster property damage cleanup and restoration services for Suffolk County

2/27/2021 (Permalink)

If you have experienced fire or smoke damage in your home or business it is important to contact the SERVPRO team for quick and effective mitigation and restoration, depending on the surface material and the duration and time elapsed, damage from soot and smoke may be completely reversible. Smoke and soot cleanup is expensive and time-consuming, our SERVPRO professionals take careful steps to minimize further damage from soot staining, mold and mildew, rust and corrosion and improve the air quality in your home following a fire emergency. Our trained professionals have the knowledge, skills and equipment to restore your property quickly and efficiently saving you valuable time and money.

SERVPRO works quickly to restore your home or business after all types of fire damage.

The Damage Caused by a Property Fire 

When you experience a property fire, big or small it’s best to contact a fire damage restoration company in your area to mitigate the damage and put you on a quick road to recovery. To repair the property entirely after experiencing a damaging fire, you will need to seek the help of a professional team like SERVPRO. Fire damage is multi-faceted and to recover as much of your property as possible contacting professionals right away with experience, equipment and training will help avoid additional repairs and costs. Our technicians know what steps to take to assess your property and possessions, they can look for hidden damages and quickly start to mitigate concerns to avoid further damage from smoke and soot, documenting damages and removing items for restoration. 

When Can Restoration Begin?

Once you have a fire at your property and first responders extinguish the fire, save valuable time by calling our team to set a crew in motion to begin the fire damage cleanup, and property restoration process. After the emergency crew on the scene tells us that your home is safe to enter, we can begin the assessment phase. Our team will assess the interior, inspect structural elements, and take note of the damage. This allows us to formulate a detailed plan of action on how to proceed, including the right equipment for the job. Early mitigation is the best way to cut down on the onset of secondary damage, which then reduces the costs.

• Eliminating Fire Damage Residue
  Our SERVPRO technicians will assess and pre-test many damaged areas and property to decide the precise type of clean and fire damage remediation services needed for your commercial disaster. Our crews use various wet and dry methods to clean different materials most effectively. We can also use specialized cleaning methods such as soda blasting which offers deodorization qualities and also helps restore charred surfaces without causing further damages.
  
  
• Remove Smoke Odors
  Odor control after a fire is a crucial part of the restoration process, odor-causing particles are microscopic SERVPRO has advanced equipment to eliminate the microscopic odor-causing particles and reverse your commercial property damage concerns.
  
  
• Guarding Against Mold
  Water is a big help when putting out fires, however it can have a lasting negative impact on the structural elements and contents of your building. Our SERVPRO IICRC certified water or mold remediation specialists work to extract the remaining water quickly, and can take proactive actions against mold growth if necessary.

It is important to contact trained technicians from SERVPRO to minimize damages and complete your fire restoration faster

Many factors contribute to the increased risk of fire during winter months

Keeping warm in the winter months can be challenging, homeowners often use secondary heating sources to supplement furnaces and radiators to help keep warm. Fireplaces, wood burning stoves, space heaters, or electric blankets can produce comfortable heat for smaller, more targeted areas of your home at a fraction of the cost of turning up the thermostat for the entire home. These heat sources also pose their own unique risks, and it's important to take safety precautions when using them. Typically, electrical fires are at their peak during the winter months, staying inside using additional lighting, heating and other electrical equipment causes increased strain on your electrical system, that can sometimes result in a fire. 

Common Sources of Electrical Fires

• Faulty outlets and appliances:  worn or frayed cords can be enough to spark a fire and have it spread to flammable surfaces in your home like carpets, drapes, and rugs. Avoid running electrical cords under rugs to minimize wear and tear that can contribute to fire risks. Do not remove the grounding prong from a cord for use in a two-prong outlet.

• Light fixture failures: Always check the maximum recommended wattage on your lights and avoid using bulbs that go over that limit. Placing flammable materials like paper or cloth over a lampshade can also start a fire.

• Extension cords: Extension cords are meant to be a temporary measure for appliance usage. If you are using an extension cord because you do not have the type of outlet you need for your appliance, talk to your local electrician about installing new outlets that are compatible.

Property owners can minimize electrical fire risk with a variety of safety measures, including the following:

• Avoid overloading outlets or power strips and the use of extension cables as a long-term power source.
• Have your wiring inspected to ensure that it is up to code per the standards set by the National Electrical Code (NEC). A licensed electrician can mitigate potential faults such as rusty contacts in an outlet. A professional can also advise you on inspection intervals.
• Use protective measures like surge protectors, ground-fault circuit interrupters, and arc-fault circuit interrupters.

SERVPRO provides complete cleanup, restoration and rebuild services after fire damage to your property

2/24/2021 (Permalink)

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

When you experience fire or smoke damage to your local Long Island home or business you might not be sure what steps to take next. Once the fire department has left and you have called SERVPRO of Medford, wait for the professionals to arrive, our fire damage remediation specialists will guide you through the fire damage restoration process.

1. Initial Inspection- One of our trained managers will come inspect your property for damages and see how intensely the fire/smoke affected your home and determine with you and/or your adjuster what steps need to be taken next.
2. Structure/Content Clean- Depending on what has been determined in step one, SERVPRO will start the process of cleaning and restoring your home and/or contents, including cleaning walls and ceilings, personal belongings, ducts, etc.

Restoration & Reconstruction

Residential or Commercial Fires often causes significant structural damage and often require repairing and rebuilding your property. SERVPRO of Medford offers comprehensive reconstruction services for both residential and commercial properties our professionals are uniquely qualified and prepared to meet your reconstruction needs. Our construction team works quickly and effectively, working with you to survey the extent of the damage, develop a plan for reconstruction, and assess whether your property is safe to occupy. Our SERVPRO of Medford crews are ready to undertake reconstruction projects of any size, structural repairs and rebuilding may only involve a portion of your property, or in some cases a complete rebuild may be necessary.

Contact us today if your property has been damaged and is in need of repairs or reconstruction services.

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

We're Here To Help You

If you do experience a fire, professional fire restoration services like SERVPRO of Medford can handle the entire fire cleanup process—from assessing the smoke and fire damage to rebuilding your home—"Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO of Medford provides complete cleanup, restoration and rebuild services after fire damage to your Brookhaven property

10/19/2020 (Permalink)

Our IICRC certified professionals are prepared 24/7 to restore your home after a fire. SERVPRO is always here to help!

Consult SERVPRO to developing a complete plan to rebuild and restore your home after a property fire.

Whether it is a small fire in the kitchen or something more significant, most homeowners and families can feel overwhelmed. Some disasters that affect your Brookhaven home offer little hope of a fast restoration and recovery. Instead, large fire situations can pose a great risk to homeowners and the occupants of the household until substantial work occurs to the property to return it to a safe and secure preloss condition. Calling our local SERVPRO team puts you in contact with our highly-trained and experienced staff to answer your questions about the fire disaster restoration and recovery process… should your family move out until repairs are made, how can the odor from the smoke ever be removed?  When a fire causes widespread structural damage and other secondary concerns throughout the property. You need a team with the experience and the skill sets to restore and rebuild all of the damage to your house, not only a portion of it. Our team has lots of experience with fire damage situations and can provide suggestions and helpful information regarding what to do in these situations. Most importantly, we will develop a complete restoration plan in conjunction with your insurance provider that will cleanup, restore and rebuild your home and property “Like it never even happened.” We respond quickly and our emergency teams are available every day, 24 hours a day.

Planning your property cleanup and recovery from fire damages

Every property disaster is unique, our experts will assess your specific situation, the amount of damage, and if there are any safety concerns for you, your family and our team members. Before professionals can get the fire restoration process started, our team will determine the extent of damage by using some of the following methods:

• Testing for soot or smoke damage
• Documenting the destruction
• Determining which assets are salvageable

Our SERVPRO manager and crew chief will formulate a plan based on the amount of damage to your property from your fire disaster to restore your home to its original condition. Our team will explain the plan, the timeline, and the overall cost. Once a plan is in place, homeowners can focus on their personal recovery and trust our experts in fire damage recovery will work on their behalf to expedite the phases of the mitigation, restoration and rebuilding process. Our SERVPRO rapid response team offers real-time mitigation solutions designed to protect the contents and the structure of your home as much as possible, sometimes areas of your home are too badly damaged to restore. We can use controlled demolition techniques on the fire-damaged structural elements of the property to remove only what cannot be saved. Our licensed contracting division can help provide comprehensive support to our customers from the initial inspection through entire reconstructions of leveled properties. Along with our mitigation and restoration tactics, our licensed contractors work to efficiently replace the removed materials to minimize our impact on your life in this traumatic time to get you back into your home quickly.

Phases of a complete fire damage property restoration

• Cleanup: After a disaster occurs, licensed technicians focus on restoring your residence to a clean and safe condition.
  
  
• Restoration: This process can include installing new tile, cleaning your HVAC system, repainting walls, and repairing nearby carpet that may have been affected by the fire.
  
• Rebuilding: If the structural damage in your home from the fire requires more work to restore, SERVPRO contractors can repair flooring, install new wall joists, hang the drywall and much, much more.

Our team is available 24/7 to offer our comprehensive solutions including emergency mitigation, restoration, and reconstruction for customers affected by fires. You can depend on our SERVPRO of Medford IICRC-certified technicians to arrive quickly to protect your property as much as possible.

Fire Damage Cleanup and Restoration Solutions for local Brookhaven homes and businesses

7/1/2020 (Permalink)

Our primary goal is to mitigate damages with containment procedures and recover sustained damages using expert skill, experience and equipment.

SERVPRO Fire Damage Cleanup and Restoration Professionals Can Handle Any Size Brookhaven or Riverhead Property Disaster

Having a fire in your Suffolk County home can seem quite devastating, even if you know what to look for after the smoke settles. All of your cherished possessions can sustain damage and often leave you wondering what comes next. No one should ever face events such as these alone, which is why we train diligently to provide you with the SERVPRO quality restoration services you need to turn things around.

Knowing the proper steps to take and which company to turn to after experiencing fire damage to your Medford property can play a significant role in your restoration effort. While many property owners can feel relief from prior research, SERVPRO is an industry leader in property disaster restoration. Choosing SERVPRO of Medford provides an experienced project manager and crew with extensive training and advanced technology to implement a cleanup, mitigation and recovery plan unique to your fire damage concerns.

If you have experienced fire or smoke damage in your Medford home it is important to contact the SERVPRO team for quick and effective mitigation and restoration, depending on the surface material and the duration and time elapsed, damage from soot and smoke maybe completely reversible. Smoke and soot cleanup is expensive and time-consuming, our SERVPRO professionals take careful steps to minimize further damage from soot staining, mold and mildew, rust and corrosion and improve the air quality in your home following a fire emergency. Our trained professionals have the knowledge, skills and equipment to restore your property quickly and efficiently saving you valuable time and money.

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

When you experience fire or smoke damage to your local Long Island home or business you might not be sure what steps to take next. Once the fire department has left and you have called SERVPRO of Medford, wait for the professionals to arrive, our fire damage remediation specialists will guide you through the fire damage restoration process.

1. Initial Inspection- One of our trained managers will come inspect your property for damages and see how intensely the fire/smoke affected your home and determine with you and/or your adjuster what steps need to be taken next.
2. Structure/Content Clean- Depending on what has been determined in step one, SERVPRO will start the process of cleaning and restoring your home and/or contents, including cleaning walls and ceilings, personal belongings, ducts, etc.

Restoration & Reconstruction

Residential or Commercial Fires often causes significant structural damage and often require repairing and rebuilding your property. SERVPRO of Medford offers comprehensive reconstruction services for both residential and commercial properties our professionals are uniquely qualified and prepared to meet your reconstruction needs. Our construction team works quickly and effectively, working with you to survey the extent of the damage, develop a plan for reconstruction, and assess whether your property is safe to occupy. Our SERVPRO of Medford crews are ready to undertake reconstruction projects of any size, structural repairs and rebuilding may only involve a portion of your property, or in some cases a complete rebuild may be necessary.

Contact us today if your property has been damaged and is in need of repairs or reconstruction services.

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

Call our local restoration experts at SERVPRO for emergency kitchen fire cleanup and repair

2/26/2020 (Permalink)

It’s important to practice fire safety habits each day, because cooking and other fire related activities are regularly scheduled activities most days

Residential fires are some of the most difficult situations we encounter. Not because our crew is unprepared for the event, but because the personal loss of a home and possessions is extremely painful for the owners and can lead to a highly scrutinized job site. Our crew is prepared for this and sympathizes with the anguish each homeowner feels after a disaster has impeded their life. We are trained to move quickly understanding that every moment saved at the onset of disaster recovery increases the chance of a successful mitigation exponentially. 

Comprehensive Reports Assist in Filing Insurance Claims

SERVPRO technicians create detailed reports that include photos and a full description of whether the item was a loss or underwent restorative efforts for reuse. Having these reports helps expedite the filing of insurance claims. The technicians also give recommendations for any needed repairs or reconstruction that the home needs to attain pre-fire damage loss status.

Get Cleanup, Restoration, and Rebuilding in One Place

SERVPRO of Medford is uniquely qualified to offer property owners the services of both restoration and reconstruction. Instead of having one company do the cleanup and another company repair or rebuild fire loss areas in the home, you can use a single company for both needs. 

Continue your property recovery following a residential fire disaster with SERVPRO construction services

• Site Containment / Temporary Shoring
• Selective Demolition
• Full-Scale Carpentry
• Complete Exterior/Envelope Reconstruction
• Interior Build-Out and Finishes
• Complex Installation and Interior Finishes
• Historic Reconstruction and Restoration

Year after year cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires and fire injuries. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cooking accounts for about 47% of home fires and 45% of the fire-related injuries reported across the country each year. Although, NFPA says Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and Christmas Eve are the peak days for cooking fire mishaps, probably because of all the distractions on those days. It’s important to practice fire safety habits each day, because cooking and other fire related activities are regularly scheduled activities most days of the year.

REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE IN THE KITCHEN

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says 6 out of 7 cooking fires occurred while the cook was out of the kitchen, and 2/3rds of these fires happened in the first 15 minutes of cooking. The BEST WAY you can do to keep you and your family and property safe this year, ALWAYS watch what you’re cooking. If you’re using the stovetop, stay in the kitchen and watch closely. Also, experts recommend setting a timer periodically to remind you to check the oven.

OTHER FIRE PREVENTION TIPS INCLUDE

• Roll up sleeves and don’t wear loose fitting clothing that could catch and open flame or heating element
• Ban children and pets from a 3-foot “safe zone” around the stove
• Keep the stove and oven clean, turn pot handles in to avoid spills and cleanup any messes when appropriate
• Keep potholders, dishtowels, oven mitts, food packaging and other clutter off and away from the stove.
• Clean cooking equipment thoroughly because built-up grease can catch fire.
• wait for grease to cool before disposing, tossing hot grease in a trashcan could turn into a disaster

Smoke detectors are your first line for defense against a fire disaster situation so make sure you have one installed in or near the kitchen and make sure it’s working properly.

After a fire disaster impacts your local Long Island home, the cleanup of fire debris, removal of harmful chemicals and pollutants and minimizing damage to the building structure needs to happen quickly. The more time that passes after the fire event and before restoration services begin gives soot the opportunity to spread throughout the property causing contamination and corrosion. Contact our staff for help with your cleanup and property restoration; we have years of experience and the answers you are looking for.

Long Island Commercial Fire Damage Cleanup and Repair Service

2/26/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO can provide services to prevent further damage, help determine which items can be restored and rebuild your property completely.

Fire damage can have a devastating affect on local businesses SERVPRO is here to help providing emergency and rebuild services to local property owners and managers

Fires cause massive amounts of damage; destroying structural materials and business items, also bringing massive amounts of water damage, toxic chemicals, harmful soot pollution and unhealthy smoke levels. First Responders often extinguish the flames quickly, but soot and smoke move even more rapidly. The moment authorities permit you to reenter your dwelling the clock starts on a successful restoration. SERVPRO of Medford understands the need for speed and assigns skilled technicians to your job within hours of your first call.

COMMON TYPES OF COMMERCIAL FIRE DAMAGE

• Burnt Structure; framing, roofing, doors, drywall, flooring and cabinets
• Office Property and Equipment; furniture, supplies and appliances
• Soot and Smoke Damage; HVAC unit, surfaces, air quality
• Odor; smoke and toxic chemicals from damaged structure and contents
• Water Damage; results of fire suppression system and local Fire Department efforts
• Mold Damage; water damage left untreated can quickly cause mold growth

Smoke and soot damage are especially invasive attacking every space of your commercial property, including areas far from the actual fire. The residue from the fire travels with the air coating surfaces. This debris must be removed before it begins etching, distorting, discoloring, and disintegrating wood, carpeting, fabric, drywall, plastic, metal, and glass.

CONSIDER CLEANUP REQUIREMENTS: SERVPRO of Medford can provide services to prevent further damage, help determine which items can or cannot be refurbished and which structural elements do and do not need to be repaired or replaced.

SERVPRO of Medford CAN HELP WITH YOUR COMMERCIAL PROPERTY REPAIRS FOLLOWING A FIRE DISASTER

1. Secure your business site including board up and tarping services
2. Protect areas unaffected by the fire with barriers and storage if necessary
3. Assess the affected areas for a full scope of damages
4. Take a detailed inventory of damaged property and materials
5. Detect, neutralize, and remove harmful gases and toxic materials
6. Determine the best cleaning, repair and restoration solutions for your property
7. Restore, replace and repair building materials with our skilled building/restoration teams

SERVPRO of Medford has the training, experience, and equipment to handle large commercial fire damage emergencies. Whether your fire emergency occurs in a restaurant, motel, or office building, our crew will assess the damage in each room and plan proper procedures, using dry or wet cleaning strategies matched to the character of the residue found and the materials affected. Systematically SERVPRO of Medford progresses through your business room by room to assure all harm is reversed and the corrosive soot and smoke permanently eliminated.

We answer the phone ready to help with your property damage

As a leader in property damage restoration and repair services, we have helped countless families and businesses through very unpredictable and devastating residential and commercial property losses. We understand you may not know what to do in a disaster situation; SERVPRO of Medford can help by responding faster with professionals who can help you through the restoration process.

SERVPRO of Medford offers a Custom “EMERGENCY READY PROFILE” Preparation Service; one of our professional will come to your commercial property and assess your proper emergency service solution should you have a disaster in the future. The preparation process is quick and easy and makes the aftermath of a disaster simple, because all the details are assessable to our staff and technicians should you need us.

Fireplace and Chimney Fire Damage Restoration Services for Nassau and Suffolk

2/25/2020 (Permalink)

Fire creates smoke and soot, and the tiny particles float in the air and will become trapped in drapes, carpets and furniture, SERVPRO is here to help

When artic temperatures move to the Northeast Long Island homeowners get warm and cozy by their fireplaces and wood-burning stoves. It is important to remember proper maintenance and fire safety when starting that fire this season, for the first time and each time after. Fireplaces and wood-burning stoves pose a considerable fire threat to your home and family, a fire can result in the loss of personal items, property and even life. Taking proper precautions when using your fireplace or wood-burning stove can help you avoid a property fire disaster negatively impacting your life this winter.

Chimney fires and puff-backs can cause major destruction to your home and possessions; smoke and soot can continue to cause damage long after the flames have gone out.

If you have experienced fire or smoke damage in your Brookhaven home it is important to contact the SERVPRO team for quick and effective mitigation and restoration, depending on the surface material and the duration and time elapsed, damage from soot and smoke maybe completely reversible. Smoke and soot cleanup is expensive and time-consuming, our SERVPRO professionals take careful steps to minimize further damage from soot staining, mold and mildew, rust and corrosion and improve the air quality in your home following a fire emergency. Our trained professionals have the knowledge, skills and equipment to restore your property quickly and efficiently saving you valuable time and money.

SMOKE AND SOOT CONCERNS FOR YOUR PROPERTY

Even a minor property fire or a season of outdoor fires and BBQs can cause or contribute to significant smoke or soot damage to your Suffolk County home’s interiors and exteriors, including your HVAC unit. Our SERVPRO restoration specialists know a lot about the secondary damages from soot and smoke that happen as the result of a blaze. Whether the fire was from a recreational source like a fireplace, outdoor fire pit or grill, or the fire was the result of a fire mishap and a property disaster. Fire creates smoke and soot, and the tiny particles float in the air and will become trapped in drapes, carpets and furniture, or collect on surfaces and inside your HVAC system. When these issues arise and you see soot residue or smell smoke odors, the solution is the same.

SERVPRO restoration professionals will address widespread effects of fire damage including soot and smoke residue that can stain surfaces with appropriate equipment and cleaning products to minimize damage. For structural concerns, we have a team of licensed contractors within our SERVPRO crew that can help to address both temporary construction solutions to prevent worsening damage while mitigation is underway and full-scale reconstruction and build back after that. Calling your local SERVPRO Fire Cleanup and Restoration Professionals will provide top quality services, experience, knowledge and trust that our Brooklyn fire damage restoration crews will quickly restore your home or business, “Like it never even happened.”

WHILE YOU COZY UP TO YOUR FIREPLACE or WOOD-BURNING STOVE PRACTICE THESE FIRE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS:

Before making a fire in the fireplace, open the damper and crack open a window, keep the screen closed to encourage airflow up into the chimney. Light a match, blow it out and watch the smoke to see if it is properly going up the chimney. To increase the draft in your chimney, burn your fires hot and for short periods of time instead of all day. Improper airflow can cause smoke and soot damage to your home’s contents. Poor airflow can result from excessive creosote deposits, closed or plugged dampers, malfunctioning flues, and chimney blockages or a dirty cap, always remember never leave a fire unattended.

Avoid using wood from recently cut trees, they contain high levels of moisture that contributes to additional smoke and deposits inside your chimney. Seasoned and dry wood appears dark, has cracks on the end and will sound hollow when hitting another piece of wood. Look for signs of creosote and soot buildup, creosote is a dark substance that accumulates if wood isn’t burning completely, it’s a major factor in chimney fires and a good reason to have an annual inspection to avoid costly fire property damage and repairs.

SERVPRO professionals have all the tools, equipment, and experience necessary to manage your entire Long Island property restoration from beginning to end. Our team work tirelessly to produce quality results from quick and effective mitigation, to putting the finishing touches on any repairs and reconstruction needed to complete the job.  

• Fire & Smoke Restoration Technician
• Odor Control Technician
• Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning Technician
• Water Damage Restoration Technician

SERVPRO of Medford services Suffolk County providing full-service solutions for all your fire, smoke, sewage and water emergency situations 24/7, 365, day or night. Call us today for access to fully IICRC certified cleaning and restoration professionals you can trust.

SERVPRO of Medford Summer fire safety tips to avoid home fire damage and disaster restoration services.

7/1/2019 (Permalink)

July is the peak month for outdoor fire mishaps and property damage concerns. It’s important to keep safety in mind!

Don’t let an outdoor fire ruin your summer vacation, SERVPRO of Medford has some helpful tips for preventing Long Island fire property disasters.

Summer is finally here, and it’s a great time to tryout some new grilling recipes and perfect your marshmallow roasting technique. Spending summer evenings outdoors cooking yummy things on the grill and relaxing with family and friends by the fire pit are wonderful ways to make great Long Island summer memories. July is the peak month for outdoor fire mishaps and property damage concerns. It’s important to keep safety in mind when enjoying these fun but hazardous activities this summer, SERVPRO wants your summer to be remembered for fabulous food and outdoor entertaining, not the charred steaks and a burnt building.

SMOKE AND SOOT CONCERNS FOR YOUR PROPERTY

Even a minor property fire or a season of outdoor fires and BBQs can cause or contribute to significant smoke or soot damage to your Holbrook or Holtsville home’s interiors and exteriors, including your HVAC unit. Our SERVPRO restoration specialists know a lot about the secondary damages from soot and smoke that happen as the result of a blaze. Whether the fire was from a recreational source like a fireplace, outdoor fire pit or grill, or the fire was the result of a fire mishap and a property disaster. Fire creates smoke and soot, and the tiny particles float in the air and will become trapped in drapes, carpets and furniture, or collect on surfaces and inside your HVAC system. When these issues arise and you see soot residue or smell smoke odors, the solution is the same. Calling your local SERVPRO Fire Cleanup and Restoration Professionals will provide top quality services, experience, knowledge and trust that our Long Island restoration crews will quickly restore your home or business, “Like it never even happened.”

When the wind changes while your outdoor fire or BBQ is going it can bring secondary fire damages like smoke and soot concerns to the interiors and exteriors of your home. That’s why it’s always recommended that you avoid outdoor fires during windy evenings and you should pay special attention while cooking. Smoke and soot can permeate your walls, surfaces and air ducts leaving unseen odors throughout your property. Consulting a full-service cleanup, restoration and repairs company is your top-priority to keeping restoration costs lower and salvaging as much of your property and possessions as possible. SERVPRO has a long history in the restoration industry and we focus on salvaging and restoring your contents and structure. SERVPRO provides exceptional fire, smoke and soot damage restoration services and experience, balanced with efficiency and cost-effective techniques in response to your property damage disaster.

Learn more about our superior Fire damage cleanup and restoration services here.

Want to know more about how SERVPRO can help with smoke odors and soot damage in your home following seasonal outdoor fire property damage?

SERVPRO of Medford has been providing disaster restoration services including, fire, smoke, flood and water damage for nearly 30 years, we have learned that property damage happens even to the most cautious of homeowners. A fast response is critical as fire residue can immediately damage structural components and contents, the contamination grows progressively worse and more expensive to remediate as time passes. SERVPRO is Faster to any size disaster, arriving at your home as soon as possible with a full complement of Fire & Smoke Restoration Technicians (FSRT) and the products, tools, and equipment needed in our well-stocked service vehicles.

The training our crews complete from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) prepares them to use effective strategies that clean up the charring, soiling, and odors post-fire. SERVPRO’s professional fire restoration specialists and high-tech commercial equipment ensure quick and effective cleanup, removal and repairs of your property and contents following smoke, soot and ash surface buildup and damage before it continues to spread.

SERVPRO’s Proven Soot and Smoke Damage Cleaning and Deodorizing Process:

• Clean the soot residue that builds up on surfaces before it continues to spread.
• Neutralize the odor to keep them from returning
• Remove soot residue from at-risk items including brass, aluminum, chrome, marble, tile, fabrics, carpets and upholstery.
• Deodorize carpets, curtains and clothing and other porous materials

Learn more about soot damage and other secondary fire damages including different methods for cleaning and restoring your residential or commercial property and contents correctly.    

Even when your belongings are in good shape, and the cleanup is minor, the lingering odor can be overwhelming. Our SERVPRO crew has a variety of approaches to use, including deodorizing pellets, charcoal-activated filters, and even ozone air purifiers. Here are just a few examples of materials and possible restoration solutions; Porous materials like drywall, wood and furniture often require ozone treatments to remove the smoke smell. Upholstery, carpeting, drapes and other fabrics are often dry cleaned with special chemical deodorizers to neutralize the smell, then either steam or dry cleaned. The exact deodorization process will vary depending on the extent of the fire smell and the type of materials involved.

Contact us today if your home has experienced smoke or soot damage from an outdoor fire mishap or an accidental fire disaster.

On average 8,800 home fires start from barbeque grills, fire pits and outdoor fireplaces, SERVPRO of Medford is here to help with fire property damage emergency services, whenever you need us. Our local SERVPRO professionals can answer your emergency call 24-hours/7 days per week! Our priority is servicing our local community, and we want to provide a few simple outdoor fire and grilling safety tips can help prevent injury and keep your home and property safe from potential fire damage and the need for local fire damage cleanup and restoration services, this season.

REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE FROM OUTDOOR GRILLS & FIRE PITS… NEVER LEAVE YOUR BURNING GRILL OR FIRE UNATTENDED!

Tips for Backyard Grill and Fire Pit Fire Safety

• Keep at least a safe 3-foot clearance around the entire grill or fire pit. Keep kids and pets clear of this area too!
• Move the grill away from the house and fence, and move it out from underneath any overhangs. Do not use the grill under trees or near shrubbery.
• Regularly clean out the grease traps on your grill to prevent grease fires.
• Never leave your grill unattended!
• If using charcoal, make sure the coals have cooled completely before disposing of them in a metal container.
• Keeping a fire extinguisher or a big box of baking soda in the vicinity is good idea in case a fire does breakout.
• Drag a hose over to where you’re burning. If you have a sprayer on your hose, turn the water on and keep it on until you’re through with your fire in case of an emergency.
• Never have a fire under trees or overhangs, near shrubbery, or close to the house.
• Keep flammable materials away from fires.
• Never have a fire on a windy day!

SERVPRO of Medford is here to help you enjoy your summer season, connect with us on FACEBOOK let us know about your new grill recipe or if you have a favorite summer safety tip.

SERVPRO Professionals Offer Quality Fire and Smoke Damage Cleanup, Restoration and Reconstruction Services

5/2/2019 (Permalink)

Fire leaves different kinds of soot on surfaces depending on what burned in your Suffolk County residential or commercial property.

SERVPRO is the Right Choice for Fire Damage Cleanup and Remediation Following a Suffolk County Long Island Home or Business Fire

Home and Business owners in Suffolk County are using more electrical appliances and equipment each day, many Long Island local homes and businesses were not designed for our ongoing and ever growing electrical consumption needs. It’s easy to take for granted the power coming from our walls but if you’ve ever tried to switch on the microwave while the oven, dishwasher and coffeemaker were on before a family dinner and the lights shut off, you’ve created an electrical circuit overload.

This residential fire damage cleanup and restoration project was the aftermath of a fire that started in the family room. When our crews arrived quickly, on the same day as the property damage event there was significant smoke and soot damage throughout the entire home. The homeowners were surprised how quickly the smoke and soot damage traveled. If an electrical overload has caused fire, smoke and soot damage to your home or business, you need the professional assistance of a disaster restoration company. Choosing SERVPRO for your restoration needs, your working with professional remediation specialists with the proper training and experience to clean up damages from fire, including smoke and soot. Our fire damage restoration team works quickly to restore your home or business, “Like it never even happened.”

Circuit breakers play an important part in every property's electrical system.

When the current of electricity going through a circuit is too much for it to handle, an electrical overload can happen. Usually, it occurs when you have too many devices plugged into a single circuit, but it can happen with older homes if you are trying to run an appliance that uses excessive energy. Acting as an important safeguard, a circuit breaker will “trip” shut off the electric flow, protecting your home or business from an electrical circuit overload that can cause the circuit to overheat, which could cause damage to appliances and ultimately result in a fire. While circuit breakers are reliable and do a good job preventing residential and commercial fires due to overloads, if the power surges are excessive they can, over time, result in electrical fires.

The three most common causes of a “tripped” circuit breaker are:

• Overloaded Circuit
• Short Circuit
• Ground Fault

Typically, electrical fires are at their peak during the winter months with additional lighting and heating equipment creating the most common concerns. It’s becoming more important to continue to practice electrical safety all year long air conditioners, mini fridges, pool equipment and outdoor appliances can all contribute to circuit overloads throughout Spring and Summer.

Signs of Overloaded Circuits

The most obvious sign of an electrical circuit overload is a breaker tripping and shutting off all the power. Other signs can be less noticeable; buzzing sounds, burning smells, and unusually warm devices also can indicate other wiring problems, such as loose connections or short circuits. If any of these problems persist after you’ve taken steps to prevent circuit overloads, contact an electrician.

• Dimming lights, especially if lights dim when you turn on appliances or more lights.
• Buzzing outlets or switches.
• Outlet or switch covers that are warm to the touch.
• Burning odors from outlets or switches.
• Scorched plugs or outlets.
• Power tools, appliances, or electronics that seem to lack sufficient power.

See our facebook page for links and resources about additional concerns regarding electrical fires

Following a residential or commercial property fire from a circuit overload, or other fire disaster. It’s important to contact your local SERVPRO for professional fire cleanup and restoration help, our first step is to assess the damages.

Fire leaves different kinds of soot on surfaces depending on what burned in your Suffolk County residential or commercial property. Even a small blaze produces acidic smoke and soot that needs to be cleaned up. During your initial fire damage inspection, SERVPRO of Medford will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Depending on how much smoke damage there is, there are various methods we can use to clean up the surrounding walls and ceiling.

Soot composition can vary quite a bit depending on the underlying causes. All types of soot cause at least some darkening, and in severe cases, any type of soot can look completely black.

Dry Soot 
Dry soot is caused by very hot fires burning natural ingredients swiftly. It has a dry, dusty texture and almost no smell. Dry soot is often easier to manage than mold or storm damage. In many cases, removing it is as simple as using a vacuum with a HEPA filter on all surfaces. 

Wet Soot 
If a fire smolders for a while on low heat and burns high moisture items, wet soot may be created. This is essentially dry soot that has mingled with steam to create a sort of soggy, sooty mess. Cleaning up wet soot requires a combination of fire damage and water damage strategies. 

Oily Soot 
When plastics, rubbers, and other products containing oil are burned, soot can turn into a sticky, greasy substance. If you try to wipe it up, it will just smear instead of going away.  Also, because it contains oil, it will be resistant to water-based cleaning products. Unlike dry soot, oily soot will cling to any surface, even vertical areas. 

Protein Soot 
Protein-based soot is a particular type of greasy soot that tends to occur as the buildup in kitchens or the product of a kitchen fire. It involves overcooked proteins that turn to soot, and it has a very pungent odor. This type of soot is quite hard to get rid of, and the odor may linger if it is not cleaned up properly. 

Each type of soot gets a different cleaning method. Our technicians check out all damage and match the best cleaning method to soiling. Once damage does happen, our technicians are fully trained and certified under the guidelines of The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) to restore your home to its original state. Local teams learn the latest procedures to clean carpets, furniture and surfaces of soot and to remove the smoke odor that can linger for weeks in an untreated home. One fire site can need a variety of cleaning methods. We can handle it all.

Our Fire Damage Restoration Specialists use commercial grade vacuums to remove soot and other residue. Our blowers and exhaust fans can be adapted to work from a large family room to a small laundry closet. We use a wide-variety of cleaning products specialized for every surface in a home from marble countertop cleaners to soaps and dry sponges that gently remove soot and not the paint underneath. We can use HEPA grade filtration systems, air scrubbers, and ozone machines to help improve the Indoor Air Quality.

For Fire Disaster Property Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO of Medford at (631) 732-4952

When dealing with soot damage, our SERVPRO teams have a few different options available

Dry Clean the Soot 
If you primarily have dry soot in your home, you can use dry cleaning methods to pick up most of the soot. These methods are essentially the same methods you would use for removing dust. A dry cloth can remove soot from tables and furniture, while a vacuum can pick it up off of carpets, upholstery, and flooring. Dry-cleaning will ensure that powdery soot does not smear into a blackened grime. 

This method is a little tedious, so it is normally only recommended for smaller areas of soot. It can be helpful for doing a basic clean up and ensuring the soot does not spread before you can get more help. Keep in mind that if you try a dry-cleaning method and the soot begins to smear, you may need to try a wet cleaning method. 

Wet Clean the Soot 
A wet cleaning method can be effective if you have wet or oily soot. To use this method, combine soap with water to lightly scrub an area with soot. Try testing it in a small area to ensure that it can actually pick up soot without making the mess worse or damage the underlying surface. 

Wet cleaning soot does have some benefits because it can pick up soot that is mixed in with oil or moisture. However, it is quite time-consuming and requires a lot of effort. Another downside of wet cleaning soot methods is that they are only feasible on tile or other waterproof surfaces. Using water to clean drywall, wood, or electronics is not advisable. 

SERVPRO of Medford has some helpful tips to keep your kitchen safe from fire damage.

11/16/2018 (Permalink)

Cooking fires are the most common cause of home fires, follow these tips to help prevent potential cooking hazards in your home this holiday season.

Don’t let a cooking fire ruin your holiday season, SERVPRO of Medford has some helpful tips for preventing fire property disasters.

While most of us are thankful for spending time with loved ones and eating too much delicious food on Thanksgiving. There are more potential hazards in your Long Island kitchen than over stuffing your turkey or yourself.

Year after year cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires and fire injuries.  According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cooking accounts for about 47% of home fires and 45% of the fire-related injuries reported across the country each year. The NFPA says Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day and then Christmas Eve. Make sure you keep yourself and your family safe this year with these safety tips.

Smoke detectors are your first line for defense against a fire disaster situation so make sure you have one installed in or near the kitchen and make sure it’s working properly.

IF A FIRE DOES HAPPEN, CONSIDER THESE SAFETY TIPS

• Just get out, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
• Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number after you leave.
• For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.
• Keep a lid nearby when you’re cooking to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.

People often try to put out cooking fires themselves with a fire extinguisher or even water. NEVER use water on any grease fire. Store fire safety equipment in a cabinet or under the sink – It’s important to have a fire extinguisher close by as well as a box of baking soda or salt for grease fires. The first step you can take is turning the stove off and having a lid handy to put over the pan you can also smother the fire with baking soda or salt. If the fire is in your oven just close the door and turn off the heat. Done improperly your Suffolk County cooking fire can spread to other parts of the kitchen, any time you are unsure of how to combat a fire your best option is to leave and call your local fire department.

CREATE AND PRACTICE A FIRE ESCAPE PLAN
In the event of a fire, remember that every second counts, so you and your family must always be prepared. Escape plans help you get out of your home quickly.

Practice your home fire escape plan at least twice a year, more often if you have small children. 

Some tips to consider when preparing this plan include:

• Find two ways out. Visit each room of your house and find two ways out, including windows and doors. Make sure all escape routes open easily so you can get outside, and install emergency release devices on any security bars on doors or windows. Practice feeling your war out in the dark and with your eyes closed.
  
  
• Involve children in planning. Consider having your children help create a fire evacuation plan. Draw a map of the home and have children mark two exit routes and the locations of smoke detectors. Make sure your children know NOT to hide from firefighters or other first responders.
  
  
• Choose a meeting spot. Decide on a meeting place outside, such as a neighbor’s house, mailbox or stop sign. It should be in the front of the house so emergency responders can see you when they arrive. Agree not to go back into the house after you leave.
  
  
• Have a backup plan. If the planned exit routes are blocked and it’s not possible to leave the house, close all doors between you and the fire. Place a towel under the door and go to an exterior-facing window. Call the fire department to report your location.

Whether you’re trying a new cooking technique or cooking your signature dish the way you have countless times before; practicing these important holiday safety tips can help you to avoid major mishaps that could lead to smoke or fire damage.

SERVPRO of Medford wishes you a safe and happy holiday season. If your home does experience fire or smoke damage, give us call at (631) 732-4952. We can restore your home “Like it never even happened.”

Fire and Water Damage in your Laundry Room can cause serious damage to your home.

8/6/2018 (Permalink)

FACT: Typical life expectancy of a washing machine is 10-11 years, during that time it can wash up to 5,000 loads.

When someone mentions they have a laundry emergency, most people’s first thought would be a red wine or grass stain, but here at SERVPRO of Medford a laundry emergency is a much BIGGER deal! What you aren’t thinking about is without proper inspection and maintenance those appliances you rely on can really lead to a serious disaster in your home.

Washing Machines typically run a few times per week in most homes, and the typical life expectancy of a washing machine is 10-11 years, during that time it can wash up to 5,000 loads. Washers come with 3 hoses filled with water: hot water, cold water and a drain, that gives that appliance 3 opportunities to suddenly leave you with a laundry room flood, or worse widespread water damage.

To complete a full cycle of laundry you have to put those wet clothes somewhere, and it is convent that the clothes dryer is located right next to the washing machine, right? No one forgets to throw in the laundry detergent when doing a load, but forgetting to dispose of your dryer lint, well that can cause BIG problems. Dryer lint is very combustible, the accumulation of lint in your dryer and vent can reduce airflow, causing your dryer to overheat. An improperly vented dryer can have dangerous consequences and is a leading cause of fire damage in homes.


Steps to prevent a laundry emergency in your home:

1. Inspect the hoses on your washing machine regularly, remember to check for leaks thoroughly but be sure not to disconnect them. The best way to check is to start a small load on a short cycle and make sure you don’t see any water, with each cycle. Better yet replace rubber hoses with a stainless-steel option, they have a longer life span.

2. Give your washer some room, keeping it 6” away from the wall can help prevent the hoses from kinking. Also, make sure you don’t see a lot of movement, an imbalanced washer can move around enough to loosen or cause added stress on your hose connections.

3. If you seem to have continued problems with your washer install a flood stopper. It’s placed on the floor near your washing machine and when it detects water it can shut off the water supply.

4. It is recommended to have your dryer exhaust system cleaned at least twice a year. Make sure you remove lint from your filter and underneath it every time you start a new load. Don’t use dryer sheets and fabric softener and remove the back of the dryer regularly to remove trapped lint.

5. Check that your dryer vent outside is lifting/venting properly. When installing the duct line keep it as short as possible to accumulate less debris. Keep the area around your dryer free of dust and other debris.

Accidents sometimes happen even after taking proper precautions and performing routine maintenance in your home. We here at SERVPRO of Medford have responded to dozens of calls for water or fire property damage caused by laundry emergencies. We specialize in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after fire, smoke or water damage. Our professional staff has the equipment, expertise, and experience to respond faster to any size disaster.

If you have a laundry emergency caused by Fire/Water Damage! SERVPRO of Medford is always here to help!

Providing 24 Hour Emergency service, 7 Days a week, (631) 732-4952 we are just a phone call away!

FIRES HAPPEN! Once the fire is out, the recovery process begins. SERVPRO of Medford is here to help!

6/28/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Medford’s local professionals have been successfully helping Medford, NY homeowners with fire damage for over 27 years. We provide 24-hour emergency service and are dedicated to responding FASTER to any size disaster. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it "Like it never even happened."

24-Hour Emergency Fire Restoration Service

Call SERVPRO of Medford at (631) 732-4952 we’re ready 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help with all your damage remediation needs. 

First Steps After a Fire:

• Safety: Ask the firefighters or proper authorities on the scene if it is safe to go inside.
• Call your Insurance provider: Let them know what happened so they can start a claim and initiate the paperwork for you.
• Contact loved ones: Call to let everyone know you’re okay or let people who weren’t home know what happened.
• Secure the residence/business: Prevent theft by locking the doors and covering windows or holes. If, you need help contact SERVPRO of Medford, we are here to help!
• Obtain a copy of the fire report: The report specifies all the necessary information about the fire including the time, casualties, date and the extent of fire damage.
• Your current location: Notify friends, family, employers, schools, utilities & services of your temporary location. If you need somewhere to stay you can also contact the American Red Cross for assistance.

CONSIDER CLEANUP REQUIREMENTS: SERVPRO of Medford can provide services to prevent further damage, help determine which items can or cannot be refurbished and which structural items do and do not need to be repaired or replaced. We can help you with providing estimates to insurance companies for the cost of damages and will help walk you through the process of thoroughly deodorizing, cleaning and repairing your home.

SERVPRO Steps for a Fire Damage Emergency:

Step 1: Emergency Contact

The restoration process begins when you call the SERVPRO of Medford, which is staffed 24 hours a day. Our representative will ask a series of questions regarding the fire damage event that will help us dispatch the nearest SERVPRO of Medford Professional with the appropriate equipment and resources.

Step 2: Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment

Our Professionals will carefully inspect and test adjoining rooms of your property to determine the extent of the fire, smoke, and soot damage. This step is crucial to developing a plan of action.

Step 3: Immediate Board-Up and Roof-Tarp Service

Fire damage can often compromise windows, walls, and roofs. To maintain security and to protect against further damage, the SERVPRO of Medford Professional can board up missing windows and walls and place tarps on damaged roofs.

Step 4: Water Removal and Drying

The water removal process begins almost immediately and removes the majority of the water. They will then use dehumidifiers and air movers to remove the remaining water and complete the drying process.

Step 5: Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces

The SERVPRO of Medford Professionals use specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces.

Step 6: Cleaning and Sanitizing

They will clean all of the restorable items and structures that were damaged by the fire. They use a variety of cleaning techniques to restore your belongings to pre-fire condition. They’re also trained to remove odors using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.

Step 7: Restoration

Restoration is the final step—getting your home or business to its pre-fire condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet; or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.

If You Have Questions or Need Help, Call Us Today

SERVPRO of Medford at (631) 732-4952

Prevent Smoke Damage From Your Fireplace

12/21/2017 (Permalink)

Prevent Smoke Damage From Your Fireplace

The weather outside is frightful and there is nothing better than curling up on a cold night to the warm glow of a fireplace. Unfortunately, fireplaces can also pose a smoke and fire hazard to your home. There is, however, nothing particularly soothing about unwanted fireplace smoke puffs that spill into the home while the fire is burning. Fires can also start when hot embers from the fire catch on residue from unclean chimneys.

If you are someone who likes to use their fireplace during the winter here are a few tips to prevent smoke or fire damage to your home.

Nobody likes a drafty house, but a house that is relatively airtight may not be able to supply enough outside air to the fire, resulting in a negative pressure in the home. Well-insulated homes can benefit from an outside air supply vent installed in the fireplace to satisfy the fire's needs.

Exhaust fans—like in kitchens or in forced air heating systems—can cause negative pressure, which will drag the smoke from your fireplace into your home. Turn off exhaust fans before settling down by the fire.

Only use your fireplace when it is cold out. The difference between the indoor and outdoor air helps the smoke draft properly. If it is too warm the smoke will have nowhere to go.

Make sure that the damper is open all the way. Sometimes there is a rain cap or even another damper on top of the chimney, which may be obstructed and needs attention. This can also be a fire hazard, so be careful.

Wet firewood can create heavy smoke. Make sure you only use seasoned firewood that is dry in your fireplace.

If you experience smoke or fire damage from your fireplace this winter contact the experts at SERVPRO of Medford. Their smoke damage experts can clean your furniture, curtains, walls, and floors to get rid of not only the black soot, but the foul odor it leaves behind.

Types of Smoke Damage

7/20/2017 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot is very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action. 

Smoke and soot facts:

• Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
• Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
• The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.

Different Types of Smoke

There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of East Windsor will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

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

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

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

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

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

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

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

What to Do After a Fire

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There is nothing quite as devastating as a house fire and once the smoke clears and the fire trucks drive away the real work rebuilding begins. It may be a daunting task, especially when there is such a mess left behind, but it is possible to rebuild.

The first thing you should do after a fire is contact your insurance company within the first 24 hours. Your insurance company will advise you on how to handle the aftermath of your fire and possibly be able to recommend a professional fire restoration company, such as SERVPRO of Medford. A fire restoration company provides services to prevent further damage, help determine which items can or cannot be refurbished and which structural items do and do not need to be repaired or replaced. They provide estimates to insurance companies for the cost of damages and will help walk you through the process of thoroughly deodorizing, cleaning and repairing your home.

Things to remember after a fire:

• Don’t use any electrical appliance that was in or around the fire.
• If the ceiling or floor above is wet do not use any ceiling lights or fans.
• Prevent soot from getting everywhere by not touching anything.
• Do not wash drapes or other materials that may require dry cleaning.

Hiring a professional like SERVPRO of Medford right after a fire can save you time and money.

Call SERVPRO of Medford at (631) 732-4952