Archived Fire Damage Blog Posts
Process of Fire Restoration
5/13/2021 (Permalink)
When it comes to fire damage, being prepared is crucial.
After a fire, the first 48 hours will mean the difference between "restoring" and "replacing" your property and/or personal belongings. SERVPRO of Naperville responds quickly and offers a wide range of restoration services, including fire, smoke, and soot removal, as well as content claims inventory and record restoration.
Here's what to expect from us if your home or company has been damaged by fire:
A priority responder will contact you within one hour of receiving notification of the failure.
Within four hours of receiving notification of a loss, our qualified technicians will arrive on site to assess the damage.
Within eight hours of being on site, trained technicians will be cleaning, restoring, and deodorizing in a tidy and effective manner. Pre-cleaning for restoration to avoid additional soot and smoke damage.
Detailed Explanation: A uniformed technician will take you through the job process step by step, describing what to expect and what to expect. We then use cutting-edge restoration methods to get your home or company back to normal in a timely manner.
Last Walk-through: Once the work is finished, we will do a final walk-through with you to ensure your satisfaction.
What to Do Until SERVPRO Arrives
3/31/2021 (Permalink)
A fire can be extremely dangerous. It leaves soot, smoke damage, and a slew of other issues in its wake. Ceilings, walls, woodwork, carpeting, and floors can all be affected by fire damage, requiring professional cleaning. The following pointers can assist in minimizing damage and increasing the likelihood of a successful restoration:
- To avoid soot particles being trapped in upholstery and carpet, limit movement in the house.
- Keep your hands clean at all times. Soot on the hands will soil upholstery, walls, and woodwork even more. Place old linens or dry, colorfast towels on rugs, upholstery, and carpet traffic areas.
- If the power is out, fully empty the freezer/refrigerator and prop the doors open to help avoid odors.
- Wipe soot from chrome kitchen/bathroom faucets, trim, and appliances, then apply a thin coat of lubricant to these surfaces.
- Pour RV antifreeze in sinks, toilet bowls, storage tanks, and tubs if the heat is switched off during the winter to prevent pipes and fixtures from freezing.
- To prevent soot particles from entering or exiting the HVAC machine, tape double layers of cheesecloth over the air registers.
If you've had a fire or would like to hear more about how SERVPRO of Naperville will assist you in the event that you do, call (630) 428-3700.
Every Second Counts
3/31/2021 (Permalink)
Time is of the essence in a fire. Seconds can mean the difference between members of our community escaping a fire safely or tragically losing their lives.
Everyone should have a fire escape plan in case of emergency.
- Mark two exits from each room and a route to the outside from each exit on a map of your home with all members of your family.
- Twice a year, practice the home fire drill. Conduct one at night and one during the day with your whole family, and practice using various escape routes.
- Teach your children how to escape on their own if you are unable to assist them.
- Make sure your house number is visible and easy to locate for the fire department.
- When you leave, close doors behind you to slow the spread of smoke, heat, and fire.
- Stay outside! Never return to a burning building.
via http://www.nfpa.org/
Soot and Smoke Cleanup
3/31/2021 (Permalink)
Smoke and soot are very invasive, and they can enter your home through different cavities, causing concealed harm and odor. Our crew will examine and reliably determine the extent of the damage using our smoke damage qualifications and experience to establish a detailed plan of action.
Facts About Soot and Smoke:
- Hot smoke rises to the upper levels and cooler areas of a building.
- Smoke seeps into the holes used by pipes to travel from floor to floor, circling plumbing systems.
- The type of smoke can have a significant impact on the restoration process.
Different Kinds of Smoke
Wet and dry smoke are the 2 types of smoke. As a result, various forms of soot residue are left behind after a burn. SERVPRO of Naperville will test the soot to assess the type of smoke damage that has occurred before starting the restoration process. The cleaning procedures would then be determined by the information gathered during the pre-testing. Here's a bit more 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.
Since every smoke and fire damage scenario is different, each one requires a custom solution tailored to the particular circumstances. We have the tools, expertise, and experience to restore fire and smoke damage. We will also treat your family with compassion and reverence, as well as your belongings.
Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – 630-428-3700
Accidents Happen
12/29/2020 (Permalink)
Accidents happen and here at SERVPRO of Naperville we understand!
If you do experience any fire damage call SERVPRO of Naperville immediately. With a 24/7 response time we will get our crew out there as soon as possible to try and prevent any further damage.
Listed below are some emergency fire damage tips in case something happens.
- Limit movement in the home to prevent soot from being embedded into the carpet
- Wipe soot from metal kitchen appliances
- Keep hands clean to prevent soot from spreading on walls
- Don’t attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces until contacting SERVPRO of Naperville
Home Fire Pit Safety Tips
7/20/2020 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Naperville wants you to have a safe summer!
Everyone loves a good bonfire on a summer night! Many of us are looking forward to gathering around the campfire and enjoying s'mores with family and friends. But before your fun filled night starts make sure you follow these safety tips from Allstate!
- Check wind direction before lighting a fire.
- Don’t use flammable fluids (gasoline, lighter fluid, etc.) to light or relight fires.
- Don’t wear flammable clothing (like nylon) or any loose-fitting clothing.
- Keep children and pets at least 3 feet away from the fire.
- Avoid using soft woods like pine or cedar, because they can “pop” and throw sparks.
- Keep a fire extinguisher, garden hose or bucket of water nearby.
Firework Safety
7/1/2020 (Permalink)
Fourth of July is right around the corner! I know everyone looks forward to the beautiful light display in the sky this time of the year. However, The National Safety council does recommend that we leave the fireworks to the professionals! If not properly trained on how to light fireworks it could cause serious injuries as well as damage to property. we have created a list of a few safety tips in case you do decide to partake in firework activities.
- Never allow young children to play with fireworks.
- Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities.
- Do not place any part of your body directly over a firework.
- Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
- Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire.
- Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.
If disaster does strike SERVPRO of Naperville will be here to help.