Why Hiring Professionals for Fire and Smoke Damage Cleanup is Essential: Expert Insights and Key Benefits

12/18/2024 (Permalink)

Dive into the benefits of hiring experienced experts, like SERVPRO®, to handle fire and smoke damage cleanup.

Fire damage can devastate homes and businesses, leaving behind destruction and complex smoke damage that lingers in both visible and hidden places. In the aftermath of such events, many property owners are faced with a difficult decision—should they handle the cleanup themselves or hire professionals? The truth is that dealing with fire and smoke damage requires a level of expertise and specialized equipment that only professionals can offer. In this blog, we’ll dive into the benefits of hiring experienced experts, like SERVPRO®, to handle fire and smoke damage cleanup and why it’s crucial for the long-term restoration of your property.

The Scope of Fire and Smoke Damage

Fires cause more damage than what meets the eye. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), fire departments in the United States responded to an estimated 1.5 million fires in 2022 alone, causing approximately $18 billion in property damage. When it comes to fire and smoke damage, the destruction is not limited to structural issues. Smoke can seep into walls, floors, ceilings, and personal belongings, leaving a lasting odor and causing further degradation over time.

The Benefits of Hiring Fire and Smoke Damage Professionals

1. Access to Specialized Equipment and Expertise

Fire and smoke damage cleanup is a detailed and technical process that requires advanced equipment to ensure proper restoration. Professionals have access to high-powered tools, such as industrial-grade dehumidifiers, air scrubbers, and HEPA vacuums, that effectively remove smoke particles, odors, and moisture from the air and surfaces. Additionally, SERVPRO technicians are trained and certified to identify the scope of damage that might not be immediately visible, such as soot in the HVAC systems or smoke residue in insulation.

2. Faster Restoration Process

Time is of the essence when dealing with fire and smoke damage. The longer you wait to begin cleanup, the more difficult and costly the restoration process becomes. Professionals work swiftly to assess the damage and start the restoration process right away. With a team of experts on-site, the entire cleanup process can be completed faster than if handled by untrained individuals, reducing the risk of permanent damage.

3. Safe Handling of Hazardous Materials

During a fire, various materials in a home or building can become toxic when burned. While DIY cleaning may seem like a cost-effective option, it exposes you to potential hazards that you might not be aware of. SERVPRO professionals are equipped with personal protective equipment (PPE) and trained to handle and dispose of hazardous materials safely, ensuring that your home is restored in compliance with local and federal safety standards.

4. Preventing Further Damage

One of the key benefits of hiring professionals is their ability to prevent secondary damage. Fire damage doesn’t end when the flames are extinguished—residual moisture from firefighting efforts, smoke, and soot can continue to cause harm. SERVPRO specialists use proven techniques to address not just the visible damage but also hidden issues that can lead to mold growth, corrosion, or structural deterioration. This proactive approach can save you from costly repairs in the future.

5. Expertise in Insurance Claims

Navigating the insurance claims process after a fire can be overwhelming, especially if you're unfamiliar with the terminology and procedures. Fire and smoke damage cleanup professionals work closely with insurance companies and can help you document the damage, provide accurate estimates, and ensure that your claim is processed efficiently. This reduces the stress of handling paperwork and negotiations, allowing you to focus on your recovery.

6. Comprehensive Cleaning

A common misconception is that cleaning fire damage is simply about scrubbing soot off surfaces and removing charred items. However, the damage from smoke and soot can be extensive, affecting walls, furniture, and even unseen areas like ductwork. SERVPRO professionals are skilled in deep cleaning and deodorizing techniques that fully restore your home to a pre-fire condition. They ensure that all traces of smoke, soot, and odor are eliminated, giving you peace of mind that your home is safe and livable again.

Conclusion

When it comes to fire and smoke damage, professional cleanup is not just a smart choice—it’s often the safest and most effective one. With the help of specialists like SERVPRO, you can ensure that your property is thoroughly restored, preventing further damage, and expediting the recovery process. By relying on experienced professionals, you’re not just restoring your home—you’re safeguarding your investment and future.

Hiring fire and smoke damage cleanup professionals is an investment in your home’s long-term health and value. Their expertise, specialized equipment, and experience with insurance companies will help make a stressful situation more manageable, leaving you with the peace of mind that your home is in capable hands.

Fire Damage Restoration Steps in Naples for Clothing and Linens

3/17/2024 (Permalink)

Fire and smoke damage is not something that is easily cleaned up. Contact SERVPRO of Naples for professional services in your home.

SERVPRO® Restores Clothing and Linens Affected by Fire Damage

Naples, FL, is a coastal gem renowned for its stunning beaches. Popular beach destinations include Via Miramar Beach and Moorings Beach Private Park, which offer pristine natural surroundings and excellent shelling opportunities. Naples provides a dining experience to suit every palate. Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South are bustling dining hubs where visitors can explore a variety of restaurants, including Barbatella, Campiello, Jane's Cafe on 3rd, La Pescheria, and Alberto's on Fifth - Fine Italian Restaurant. Naples also boasts an array of upscale condominiums like Bayfront Condo of Naples Fl and Via Delfino Condominium, offering luxurious waterfront living.

Because synthetic fibers in numerous clothing items are ever present, smoke particles and odor molecules tend to adhere to fabrics if prompt fire damage restoration measures in Naples are not taken. Also, water, commonly used to extinguish fires, can lead to significant water damage to clothing and linens. Fabrics may become saturated, leading to discoloration. Water damage can also leave behind lingering odors due to dampness. Addressing these issues requires specialized knowledge and equipment, which is where SERVPRO's expertise comes into play. SERVPRO crews plan garment restoration by advising the client to categorize their clothing into three groups;

• Garments required urgently
• Attire needed for future use
• Seasonal clothing

If we employ a subcontractor, we ensure that the subcontractor creates a detailed inventory of clothing items before removing them from the work site.

Cleaning and Deodorization of Garments 

Only some skilled dry cleaning shops can remove the undesirable odors caused by fires. Inexperienced attempts may inadvertently exacerbate issues by setting residues or intensifying odors. SERVPRO crews understand the appropriate steps to ensure thorough and proper cleaning.

Stages and methods while cleaning and deodorizing garments

• Removing clothes from metal clothes hangers immediately
• Blowing out garments using compressed air
• Spraying garments with a solvent-based odor counteractant
• Thermal fogging may deodorize clothing

Conventional dry cleaning or laundering methods may not effectively eliminate smoke odors from garments. To address this issue, we enclose garments in bags and subject them to a fogging process. This fogging treatment can be applied before, during, and after cleaning, especially for garments heavily affected by residues and odor.

SERVPRO of Naples / Marco Island provides specialized fire damage restoration services tailored to each item's needs. Call us at (239) 302-5700. Faster to any size disaster™.

How to Restore Fire Damaged Walls and Ceilings in Naples

4/5/2023 (Permalink)

Our technicians can help you recover from fire damage after a disaster at your house. Call today to begin the remediation process.

Naples SERVPRO Fire Restoration Technologies Effectively Clean Smoke Residues

Home fire restoration is an overwhelming project for Naples homeowners to tackle. Without the right tools and knowledge, cleaning without professional intervention can unintentionally smear soot stains, spread smoke residues, and allow protein residues from cooking fires to release pungent odors on many surfaces. However, there are ways to address damage while saving time and money.

Naples SERVPRO fire damage restoration technicians are equipped with the necessary knowledge and technologies to thoroughly remediate soot and smoke soils and odors while preventing secondary damage to structures and contents. SERVPRO techs can also clean HVAC systems and remediate water damage from fire suppression.

Understanding Fire and Smoke Damage Soils and Why They Stain Surfaces

While some fire damage soils smear, not all do so. However, many fires are likely to feature dry and wet smoke residues.

• Dry smoke results from high-heat, high-oxygen fires, typically quickly extinguish. Items that produce this type of smoke include wood, paper products, and natural fibers like cotton, wool, and silk.
• Wet smoke typically results from slow-burning, low-heat, low-oxygen fires that affect synthetic materials like polymers and plastics.
• Homeowners should also be conscious of the presence of protein residues, which are greasy, pungent, and nearly invisible to the naked eye. Filmy proteins come from burnt meats, poultry, and fish and require specialized cleaning solutions to mitigate in full.

While fire soils are crucial to remediating them, consumer-grade solutions are not always sufficient for effective cleanup. They can even worsen stains in some cases. SERVPRO professionals can respond to Naples homeowners’ needs with 24/7 remediation, fire odor removal, and build-back services.

SERVPRO Soot Removal Solutions for Walls and Ceilings Before Restoration

Fire restoration technicians thoroughly clean both wet and dry smoke residues from walls and ceilings with specially-designed EPA-registered sanitation solutions and dry cleaning methods. Ceilings may require active peroxide cleaning for gentle but effective remediation with unique soils, textures, or porosity.

• SERVPRO Dry Cleaning Sponges are ideal for light to moderate fire damage soils and can be used to pre-clean dry residues before wet cleaning on grease fire damage areas.
• Wet cleaners, including detergents and alkaline solutions, are well-suited to oily smoke residues and heavier accumulations of dry soot.
• Meanwhile, active peroxide cleaning is deployed after soils are vacuumed or brushed off a ceiling. Then, a fan pattern can spray the stabilized hydrogen peroxide with a 40 to 60 psi sprayer.

SERVPRO techs can prep the space for painting if repainting proves necessary after a fire. This process, also called “cleaning for paint,” does not provide a complete visual indication of cleanliness but eliminates the required residues to prepare a wall or ceiling for repainting. Painted walls can be sealed with a pigmented alcohol shellac. This process salvages structures that have suffered heavy damage while returning them to a pre-damage condition. 

“Clean for no paint,” meanwhile, provides a full clean of light residues with a dry-cleaning sponge or mild, wet cleaning solution.

Property owners can call (239) 302-5700 for fire restoration services from SERVPRO of Naples / Marco Island. This team ensures that homes look and feel “Like it never even happened. after a home structure fire.”

How to Ensure Convenience During Fire Damage Restoration in Naples

4/4/2023 (Permalink)

If you find yourself in need of assistance with fire damage remediation, call SERVPRO at (239) 302-5700.

Effective Restoration in Naples Homes After Fire Damage

Restoring a property after a fire can take a toll on you mentally. Most homeowners are not familiar with the repair process. There are different aspects involved hence the need to consult a professional team. The problem with fire comes from flames, smoke, and soot. The quest to extinguish fire exposes properties to water or chemical agents. These elements combined can cause immense damage to your Naples home. Getting your home restored fast can help you get over the situation easier. SERVPRO has teams ready to help with any fire damage restoration project.

Fire damage restoration in Naples homes is not simply cleaning up soot from surfaces and items. It involves reconstructing or replacing drywall, floor coverings, and other structural components like cabinets. Behind walls are systems, such as plumbing, HVAC ducts, and electricity cables. When the drywall panels catch fire, these systems may be exposed.

SERVPRO crews assess to determine whether they need professional repairs before reconstructing the damaged wall. If drywall has soaked up water and the fire damages the outer paper layer, our teams help replace it. While a fire is an unfortunate event, it can create the opportunity to give your home a new look, expanding the scope of restoration.

Additional restoration services:

• Painting
• Wallpaper installation
• Fixture installation
• Smoke Cleanup 

Cleaning smoke and soot can be intensive because residues get everywhere, including where the fire did not reach. Our teams clean soot off the drywall and other surfaces properly without spreading or embedding it and causing further damage.

Mechanical resources for cleaning smoke residues:

• Compressed air
• Brushes
• Vacuums
• Blast cleaning
• Rubber sponges

The smoke odor usually dissipates over time. However, cleaning surfaces and removing post-fire residues is a better way to manage odor. For inaccessible areas, like the HVAC ducts, our crews use solutions like ozone generators to neutralize the odor-causing agents.

SERVPRO of Naples / Marco Island fire damage restoration team understands the impact a fire can have and thus responds fast to your call. Call us at (239) 302-5700. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

The Areas Most in Need of Cleaning After a Naples House Fire

9/1/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO can also clean your HVAC system after a house fire at your Naples home.

Structural Soot Removal Can Mitigate Fire Damage in Naples

Cleaning up soot and smoke residues can be a considerable undertaking after a widespread fire loss. Our experienced SERVPRO fire restoration team provides this thorough cleaning quickly to prevent greater damages and manage possible health hazards that could result.

Removing Soot and Smoke Soils from Fixtures and Building Materials

Fire damage in Naples homes can often appear the worst when soot and smoke residues are still on walls, building materials, and contents. Depending on the severity of these conditions, we have several approaches, including:

• Chemical Sponges
• Wet Cleaning with Solvents
• Dry Ice Pellet Blasting

Cleaning Out Soot from HVAC Systems

Soot and other airborne particles after a fire can use pathways created by the running HVAC system to reach other rooms of the house. As a result, the ducts can be coated with soot and smoke residues, requiring our air duct cleaning technicians endorsed by the National Air Duct Cleaning Association (NADCA) to work to remove soot safely.

Achieving Pre-Loss Condition for the Structure and Contents

Our fire restoration professionals aim to achieve a set objective and goal with our debris removal and surface cleaning. As with all fire restoration projects, the desired outcome is a preloss condition, which means returning the property to its state before the fire occurred. This focus makes restoration more efficient and gets occupants back in the house faster.

When your Naples home suffers the destructive effects of fire loss, homeowners look to experienced restoration professionals like ours to return their property to preloss condition. As widespread and damaging as fires can be, removing soot and smoke damage can help make a house feel like home again. Our SERVPRO of Naples / Marco Island team is ready to help 24/7 at (239) 302-5700.

The Emergency Services of Fire Restoration in Naples Homes

8/7/2022 (Permalink)

Cleaning up fire damage in your home is a daunting task. Call SERVPRO 24/7 for certified technicians that will mitigate the situation.

Our professionals can provide multiple mitigation solutions after an East Naples housefire.

After a fire threatens a Naples residence, it is up to the fast response of our SERVPRO team to begin isolating the damaged areas and providing efficient cleaning and recovery solutions. The mitigation process can help to provide immediate assistance in the overall restoration efforts, combatting primary concerns like standing water or airborne particulates.

What Steps Make Up the Mitigation Process?

Mitigation describes the first actions taken in fire and smoke restoration for Naples homes and businesses. As rapidly as conditions like soot particles and odors can spread throughout a home following extinguishment, having a preferred vendor for insurance work and fire restoration ready to help is critical. Our SERVPRO professionals show that We're Faster To Any Size Disaster by getting these emergency services started shortly after we arrive:

• Building Inspections – Initially, our team can evaluate the entire property for losses and any health/safety hazards that could hinder restoration.
• Drying – With water a primary element of the extinguishment process, many surfaces are damaged by pools of water that must get extracted and partially dried before other restoration can begin.
• Emergency Power – Most of the tools used for restoration are run by electricity, so we must establish portable power if the property is without it. 
• Reducing Odors – Indoor air quality is a considerable concern, so we deploy HEPA air scrubbers to help reduce airborne threats and odors. 
• Cleaning – Debris removal and bulk material discarding can reduce the harshness of present odors and soot circulation.

Emergency services are the lynchpin for the entire restoration process, offering the initial actions required to overcome pressing concerns immediately following fire extinguishment. Our SERVPRO of Naples / Marco Island team is ready to help get this recovery process started when you need it at (239) 302-5700.

Understanding Fire Damage in Your Naples Home

3/1/2022 (Permalink)

Our technicians can help you recover from fire damage after a disaster at your house. Call today to begin the remediation process.

SERVPRO Technicians Tackle ALL Aspects of Fire Damage During the Remediation Process

Fires can be very disruptive and upsetting. Many people are at a loss for what to do after a fire in their home, which is why when you experience one, you need experts from SERVPRO, a fire remediation company, to help you pick up the pieces. Our technicians skillfully clean and repair the damages left behind, including smoke and water damage. 

Fire damage restoration in your Naples home can be more complicated than you might expect. Several kinds of damage need to be addressed, plus each needs to be handled differently. You are looking at damage from soot, fire, smoke, and water from firefighting efforts. 

Soot 

Fires leave behind a lot of ash and soot. When it mixes with water, you are left with a gray-black sludge which makes cleaning difficult. Plus, it depends on the materials burned and how hot the fire was. It is easy to remove dry soot easily; however, oily soot takes more to clean up, especially on fabrics and porous surfaces. SERVPRO technicians can determine the kind of soot present in your home and clean them effectively. 

Fire Damage 

Fire damage is the most obvious and most straightforward to clean and restore. Many materials have visible damage or are destroyed. Some plastics, metals, and composites have damage that is hard to see and weakens them with no noticeable signs. It is important you have our experts inspect your property after a fire. 

Smoke Damage 

The most frustrating damage can occur from smoke damage. The odor lingers for a very long time if you do not let us treat it. Smoke seeps into surfaces in your whole property, getting into floors, walls, and furnishings in areas that weren’t even affected by the fire. We use specialized tools such as deodorizers and air movers to ensure all traces of smoke are gone. We check your ductwork and air filters as well. 

Water Damage 

Many people do not realize water damage can result from a fire. Efforts from firefighting often involve large amounts of water. Damage can happen to the plumbing as well, resulting in leaks. Any moisture can create mold damage, so it is essential to call us right away once the fire is out. 

SERVPRO of Naples/Marco Island has the experience and knowledge needed to quickly clean your property from fire damage. Just give us a call at (239) 302-5700 as soon as the fire is out so we can get your home back to the way it was. 

What is the Best Cleaning Solution for Fire Damage in Marco Island?

2/3/2022 (Permalink)

Call our certified SERVPRO technicians right away to assess the situation.

Only a Professional Fire Restoration Technician can Assess the Fire and Smoke Damage to a Marco Island Home.

Home fires happen in Marco Island just as often as in other places. A kitchen fire, an aromatic candle, or a malfunctioning appliance can all be behind the incident, but the result is the same. Soot and smoke travel easily through the home and leave behind devastation requiring specific cleaning solutions and methods to avoid more damage to the property. Rather than guessing at the most efficient way to clean after a home fire, rely on an expert team for advice.

A professional fire damage team in Marco Island is readily available when you call our 24/7 line, and we promptly dispatch our SERVPRO crew. Certified in fire damage restoration and supported by ample field experience, this is the most important call you need to make after a home fire. Part of our training concentrates on identifying the nature of each surface in your home and the best cleaning solution for it.

We may employ varying cleaning methods depending on whether the residue is dry soot or thicker. Chemical sponges may do the job, but wet cleaning techniques may be needed for thicker sludge-like remnants. Some of the products and techniques we use in our most challenging jobs include-

• Soda blasting
• Alkaline cleaners
• EPA-approved alkaline and solvent cleaners

When fire damage happens, you don’t need to worry about cleaning each specific item in your home. SERVPRO of Naples/Marco Island brings its expertise and equipment into your home to conduct a thorough evaluation and take care of the situation. Make a call to (239) 302-5700 as soon as you can, and let us worry about the rest. Our staff shares your goal of leaving your home “Like it never even happened.”

High Humidity Can be Challenging for Fire Damage Restoration in Naples

2/3/2022 (Permalink)

We have the resources to handle any size fire damage and disasters.

Let a Professional Fire Restoration Crew Help with Fire Cleanup in Your Naples Home

When we think of flames burning in a Naples home, we may focus on the flames, smoke, and ashes left behind. As visible as these are, they are all part of the environment in your home. Understanding what burned, how the fire traveled, and other environmental factors are essential to a comprehensive and successful fire remediation process. Relying on a team of experts used to handling the toughest restoration jobs gives you peace of mind and can help minimize its consequences.

Homeowners in Naples needing fire damage restoration services can count on our certified crew of experts at SERVPRO. Our understanding of fire damage theory combined with experience within the region prepares us to address the fire damage within environmental factors that may affect it, such as high humidity levels. Firefighters may also leave behind water as they extinguish the flames, increasing relative humidity and augmenting the damage you face. 

Our staff brings state-of-the-art measuring and extracting equipment to help restore environmental factors.

Excess humidity may prevent a fire from moving too quickly, but our SERVPRO team also knows that it can create a thicker sludge-like substance to spread and settle on your furniture and fixtures. Our staff knows which emulsifying solutions to help dislodge the soil and make its removal a bit easier. Wet smoke is also of concern when significant moisture is in the air. To tackle the acrid smell left behind, we may use one or several of the following-

• Air scrubbers
• Thermal Foggers
• Ozone generators

SERVPRO of Naples/Marco Island is your best ally when fire damage occurs. Call our team of experts at (239) 302-5700 and let us leave your home “Like it never even happened.”

The Effect of Soot and Smoke Damage on Kitchen Materials in Marco Island Homes

12/9/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Naples / Marco Island is here to assist when a fire strikes your home.

Restoring Marco Island properties after kitchen fires means thoroughly cleaning exposed materials. 

Kitchen fires present substantial obstacles for restoration professionals to restore comfortable living conditions. Our SERVPRO professionals work fast to regulate conditions, contain the damaged areas, and begin mitigating loss. We are ready 24/7 to help.

Protein Residues Are a Challenge

Beginning fire damage restoration in Marco Island homes starts with addressing soot and smoke residues throughout the kitchen. Grease fires make formidable soil deposits that require specific types of cleaning and recovery. Chemical processes or more aggressive approaches often include:

• Dissolving
• Emulsification
• Controlled Demolition

Compromised Cabinetry Requires Attention

Not only can residues and soot impact the surface of cabinets, but the wood grain can also be affected by threats like blistering, charring, and trapped odors. All of these conditions must be individually assessed and addressed. In many cases, especially beyond the direct impact of the fire surrounding the stove area, cabinets can be cleaned with dry and wet cleaning practices. The closer to the source, the less likely this restoration is consistently possible.

Removing Harsh Odors from the Room

Kitchen fires can often result in overwhelming smells and malodors. Burned food, for example, can have a formidable scent. Grease fires and protein residues also produce strong and palpable odors. Our responding professionals must first reduce the strength of these smells with counteractant practices before fully removing them with deodorization equipment and products.

Fire damage restoration can be an urgent need for homes contending with the effects of a kitchen grease fire or flare-ups from appliances like an oven. Thick residues and harsh odors can prevent comfortable living conditions, and our SERVPRO of Naples / Marco Island team can respond fast to help with mitigation. Give us a call today at (239) 302-5700.

What Areas Are Prioritized in Emergency Fire Mitigation for Naples Homes?

11/7/2021 (Permalink)

Affected by a recent fire? Team SERVPRO is standing by 24/7 365 days a year for your fire damage remediation call. Contact us right away, 24/7.

Emergency services focus on reducing the loss for Naples property owners with early action.

Because We're Faster To Any Size Disaster, our SERVPRO professionals are leading experts in emergency services and mitigative actions. We can focus on several areas immediately when we arrive.

Clearing Heaped Debris from the House

When fire damage restoration in Naples homes begins, the emergency services portion of this process targets fire debris first. Remnants of damaged materials and contents amplify hazardous conditions within the property. We move quickly to remove:

• Burned building materials
• Collapsed structural elements
• Ruined contents
• Ash
• Soot and smoke residues

Removing Water Used for Extinguishment

The extinguishment process can often require a substantial amount of water, which remains in the house on the floors and throughout the structure. Emergency services must focus on extraction and drying solutions for these damaged areas to prevent a greater harm from occurring, such as the development of mold on top of the structural and surface cleaning necessary to overcome soot.

Returning Utility Services

Fires can often disconnect or temporarily stop vital utility services to the house like water and electricity. Getting these services started again is critical, especially if the house occupants are not displaced and relocated. While we have trailered generators for portable power solutions to restore and recover properties, we also must utilize our general contractor license to complete necessary repairs essential to restoring specific needed services.

Relocating Smoke-Damaged Contents

Smoke damage can be detrimental and damaging, especially to your residence's personal belongings, furniture, and loose contents. Circulating soot and malodors target the porous surfaces available, which can ruin sensitive items without fast and deliberate action.

Emergency services play a critical role in the work completed for a house after a fire damage incident. Our SERVPRO of Naples / Marco Island team works quickly to mitigate loss and restore coastal homes after fires – give us a call today at (239) 302-5700.

SERVPRO Removes Odors During Fire Damage Restoration in Marco Island

10/15/2021 (Permalink)

Call our experts after you experience a fire disaster, we have training in fire & smoke restoration, odor control, upholstery & fabric cleaning.

We Have the Training and Tools to Remove Odors After Fire Damage

The most efficient method of removing odors from a burnt property is the simplest, cleaning. Cleaning debris and washing smoke residues from walls help remove the odor-causing particles and, therefore, the odor itself. Sometimes smoke residues are difficult to discern with the naked eye, making it necessary to use a white balancer to compare unaffected walls with those exposed to smoke. The most effective means of achieving this is to begin at the source of the fire and work your way outwards. When the white balancer matches the color of the wall, it is safe to say that there is no smoke or odor-causing residues. A professional service like SERVPRO can help residents to:

• Remove fire odor
• Professionally clean the property
• Remove smoke residues 

Approaching a professional fire restoration service in Marco Island is as easy as picking up the phone. While waiting for a restoration team to arrive on-site, it can be useful to open the windows and allow as much ventilation into the property as possible. This process allows many of the airborne odor particles to be replaced by cleaner outdoor air. It can also be prudent to perform light vacuuming of floors, surfaces, and walls. Some smoke residues do not bond with the surface and are easy to dislodge using a simple household vacuum. At SERVPRO, we advise against tackling smoke residues with household cleaning products or water. Certain smoke variants respond adversely to water or cleaning products, resulting in soot bonding with the surface or spreading out further, as is the case with greasy or oil-based soot. 

• Matching the smoke composition, oil or water, with a similar solvent is vital to dissolving and cleaning smoke residues from walls.
• Our trucks carry a full range of cleaning products that can be effective against all types of smoke residue.
• Advanced cleaning equipment such as rotary or jet washing equipment can be mobilized for stubborn smoke residues. 

We are experts at tackling smoke and fire odors in residential properties. Contact SERVPRO of Naples / Marco Island for fire restoration at (239) 302-5700.

Are Draperies and Upholstery Permanently Harm by Fire Damage in Naples?

5/14/2021 (Permalink)

Has your home suffered from recent fire damage? Call SERVPRO to assess the situation and remediate the damage.

SERVPRO Uses State-of-the-Art Machinery to Restore Fire Damage in your Naples Home

When a house fire starts, it releases smoke and can ignite surrounding materials. Direct exposure to flames often results in permanent damage. However, in many property fires, the most damage is caused by smoke which can often be cleaned rather than replaced. SERVPRO is an expert provider for:

• Fire and smoke damage
• Fire damaged homes
• Smoke remediation

Upholstery and Drapery machines are efficient at restoring fire damage in your Naples home. These machines use two tanks: one for cleaning solution and the other for waste. The setup of these systems includes a heating element, vacuum, and pump. Together these systems allow for efficient restoration of smoke-damaged upholstery and draperies.

• Solution tanks can be used for any material type as they support both water-based and solvent-based cleaning solutions, which allows for wet and dry cleaning, respectively.
• Waste tanks can store cleaning solutions for safe disposal at a designated waste facility.
• Temperature controls allow technicians to adjust machinery to suit sensitive organic fabrics.

For an efficient contents restoration, contact SERVPRO of Naples / Marco Island for fire damage at (239) 302-5700.

What Are Some Common Causes of Fire Damage in Marco Island?

4/23/2021 (Permalink)

Fires can happen without warning and you are going to need a company to come in and take care of the damage. Call SERVPRO for fire damage remediation.

In Marco Island, Certain Activities and Practices Increase Residential Fire Damage Risks. 

As a local homeowner, it pays to know what may increase your risk of house fires and chances of suffering catastrophic damage. Unfortunately, many of these risky activities and practices are common to South Floridians. 

Residential fires and related fire damage in Marco Island have impacted numerous area homes over the years. These destructive events have usually resulted from certain mistakes and accidents island residents experience while doing ordinary things. Some common mishaps include:

• Backyard barbecue/bonfire accidents that catch dry vegetation and other materials on fire
• Explosions caused by corroded or leaky propane tanks that have been stored
• Fires caused by cooking mishaps
• Fire and smoke damage resulting from residents falling asleep while smoking

As you can see, fire damaged homes result from any one of several things. When you are impacted by one of these unfortunate situations, you need quality house fire clean up and smoke remediation services.

If you ever experience a house fire and need help remediating fire damage, contact your neighborhood SERVPRO of Naples/Marco Island at (239) 302-5700 for assistance.

What Types of Fire Damage Restoration Services Are Available in Naples?

4/16/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has helped many homeowners recover from the effects of fire damage and our highly experienced crews stand ready to respond 24/7.

Naples Fire Damage Restoration Companies Perform Various Kinds of Work. 

When your home suffers fire and smoke damage, you are likely going to require multiple house fire clean up, smoke remediation, and fire damage restoration services. Therefore, it is crucial to find a company capable of performing all the work you need. 

SERVPRO, a Naples fire damage restoration company, is unique in that it can often complete most remediation work fire damaged homes require. Some of the fire and smoke-related issues our trained professionals are skilled at handling are:

• Foul persistent odors that make residences unlivable
• Harmful airborne particles that may produce health effects 
• Residue coated surfaces that could result in lasting damage
• Charred or destroyed structural elements
• Severely fire and smoke-damaged household contents
• Destroyed rooms and other areas

After completing our work, your home has usually been returned to its pre-fire condition. Often, homeowners cannot even tell a fire had even taken place.

With all that said, if you ever need fire damage restoration services for your Naples residence, call your helpful neighbors at SERVPRO of Naples/Marco Island at (239) 302-5700.

Fire Restoration Needs in Naples?

2/5/2021 (Permalink)

When it comes to your fire restoration needs, SERVPRO of Naples / Marco Island is ready to assist.

SERVPRO Can Handle Any Type of Fire Damage in Naples

While Florida may be known as the Sunshine State, it also clocks many lightning strikes that accompany the frequent thunderstorms, with an average of 3,500 cloud-to-ground lightning flashes that occur daily. The result of this is a Naples property can wind up with property damage from fires caused by lightning. However, there are steps homeowners can take to minimize this risk, such as:

• Install a residential lightning protection system, which may include lightning rods, grounds, and main conductors
• Unplug electronics and small appliances before intense storms arrive
• Transient voltage surge suppressors work to protect the electrical system in the house if no one is home and a lightning strike occurs
• Please read the fine print on your insurance and make sure it covers lightning strikes, as Florida is one of the top ten states for claims involving property damage from lightning

Top Things to Do During Great Weather in Naples

The city of Naples has excellent weather much of the year like the rest of Florida, and there are numerous outdoor activities. The Rookery Bay Reserve has a stunning ecosystem and wildlife to view in their natural habitats. Visitors can see small sea stars, dolphins, and sometimes, manatees. Kayaking is another popular pastime in this area. Participants in the daytime can see a host of wildlife. There are often opportunities for nighttime excursions that allow for viewing bioluminescent algae and water creatures that are generally not out in the day.

The proximity to the Gulf of Mexico makes Naples an ideal place for charter fishing excursions. Sportspeople of all experience levels can catch a diverse array of fish, including tarpon, kingfish, and sharks.

Exploring Mangroves in Naples

Mangrove trees are a huge part of the ecosystem in Florida. So much so that there are regulations about how many of the trees can get removed and limits for cutting limbs. The mangroves provide food for numerous fishes and provide nursery areas for many kinds of water dwellers, including fishes, crustaceans, and shellfish in their long, curved roots. One thing that makes the mangrove trees unique is that they are salt-tolerant trees and grow and flourish in salt and brackish water. The presence of these trees on the coastline protects the soils from erosion, surge from hurricanes and can take on the impact of tsunamis. Severe penalties can result from the removal of mangroves from private property without the proper authorization. 

How Can Professional Fire Restoration Restore Walls With Smoke Damage in Naples Homes? 

When SERVPRO handles fire restoration for Naples properties, great care is taken to remove smoke and soot from surfaces so as little as possible replacement needs. The techs accomplish this goal through the use of specialized cleaning agents and equipment such as: 

• Dry cleaning sponges to lift away dry smoke
• Cleaners with solvents to release the residue's grip on surfaces
• Specific solutions for smoke damage removal on hardwood floors and furnishings

SERVPRO of Naples / Marco Island at (239) 302-5700 is available 24/7 to handle any size fire restoration issues in local Naples properties.

Protecting Naples Attractions After a Fire Loss

1/6/2021 (Permalink)

Don't let fire damage ruin your enjoyment of Naples. SERVPRO can restore your home while you take advantage of all the area has to offer.

With Hundreds of Attractions and Landmarks Around Naples, Our Restorers Stay Ready to Help After Fire Disasters

Tourism is one of Naples' driving forces, with hundreds of attractions and desirable locations for relaxation and entertainment. This area is a coastal community that continues to draw in traffic through each season of the year. Much of this traffic is attributed to our natural vistas and protected land reserves, such as the Everglades National Park or the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge. These attractions have been a point of pride for the residents and tourists alike to respect the environment and the local spirit of caretaking for nature, including the multitude of beaches throughout our Naples and Marco Island area, which in itself can draw in hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.

Often considered one of the origin points for the sport of pickleball, Naples has also accommodated this growing trend with pickleball courts in most of its public parks. The sport has become so popular in our area that Naples has been the home of the US Open Pickleball Championship every year since the tournament began in 2016. This sport can also contribute to our community's increasing popularity to outside travelers and tourists visiting Florida.

Shopping Experiences in the Greater Naples Area 

As with any popular tourist destination throughout the country, the community would be remiss without its inclusions of outlet stores and shopping destinations for those looking to boost our local economy when they arrive. Shopping makes up a large share of the county's revenue, making Marco Island and Naples both profitable in all quarters of the year. Providing a variety of nationally recognized franchises and anchor stores can be a draw for tourists and the unique local offerings provided by shops and stores throughout downtown Naples or other more developed areas of the community.

• Coastland Center – This is a shopping mall located within the city that has been in business since the mid-70s. One of the premier destinations for shopping within the locale, Coastland Center is home to more than 120 stores and services. With roughly one million square feet of retail space and restaurants, this is an active pillar of the community year-round, accommodating both the influx and tourism through the year's warmer months and the steady local traffic expected from the 20,000 residents living in Naples alone.

• Waterside Shops – While not within the Naples city limits, Waterside Shops has become one of the attractions that anyone staying within Naples or nearby in areas like Pelican Bay or Marco Island can shop for whatever pleases them. While not as prominent and developed as Coastland Center, Waterside Shops features two primary anchor stores and close to 60 more stores and services throughout more than 250,000 square feet of space. Throughout this open-air mall, the leading retailers cater to a more luxurious audience with brands such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Rolex.

Cultural Centers and Museums that Preserve Naples History

Protecting the natural environment around Naples and Marco Island is as valuable as protecting our heritage, history, and culture that makes up our diverse community. Not surprisingly, there are multiple cultural centers and museums throughout the city and its neighboring areas devoted exclusively to protecting local history by preserving artifacts, stories, and promoting tourists' and locals' general education. Some of the historic properties and museums that often make the list of those visiting the attractions of Naples include:

• Naples Depot Museum - As a fully restored station by the Collier County museums organization, this cultural center focuses on exhibits devoted to transportation in Southwest Florida. A miniature railway runs around the property's perimeter, but even this is second to longstanding displays for the railroad, the Seminole tribes of the area, and antique vehicles.
  

• The Baker Museum - This facility used to be known as the Naples Museum of Art and has been in operation since 2000, and includes a diverse collection of art collected worldwide, with permanent exhibits devoted to Mexican art of the 20th century, sculptures, three-dimensional art, and pieces of American modernism.
  

• Golisano Children's Museum of Naples - A facility that is more than 30,000 square feet in size, children of all ages can see exhibits devoted to the swamps of the Everglades, mazes, banyan trees, and other incredible sites and interactive experiences.

Restoring Naples Homes and Businesses After Fire Losses 

Fires can be a devastating presence in your home and leave many property owners unaware of what their next steps should be. Because we can appreciate how quickly fires can get out of control, we are prepared for the mitigation that your property requires at all hours of the day. As a preferred vendor for local insurance companies to complete claims work, we are often notified quickly of emergencies even before property owners consider how restoration must occur.

As a leading fire restoration team in the area, we have a growing roster of experienced technicians capable of handling some of the most challenging post-fire recovery aspects. Soot cleanup is among the direst of circumstances. These circulating particulates are carcinogenic and acidic, making them a hazard to both the occupants of the house who become exposed and any hosting services upon which these particles come to rest. Cleaning these surfaces and affected contents varies considerably from one area of the house to the next, so careful evaluation goes into the appropriate approach and products to ensure the most efficient solutions.

From fire debris removal to deodorization, there are many steps and stages to fire restoration and the reconstruction necessary upon mitigation completion. Our SERVPRO of Naples / Marco Island team can help with nearly every aspect of restoration and repair your property requires. Contact anytime at (239) 302-5700. 

Come, Enjoy Nature and Fine Art in Naples.

12/14/2020 (Permalink)

Fire damage can be very hard and stressful to deal with. Let the know how of the company SERVPRO restore your home to preloss condition.

Experience the Beautiful Artwork of Carmelo Blandino at the Naples Botanical Garden. 

The Naples Botanical Garden is hosting an exhibit of Carmelo Blandino’s artworks between November 20th and January 10th.  Blandino’s unique large, mixed media art exhibit, which blends classic styles with modern expressionism, is inspired by botanical garden sights.  His abstract floral paintings highlight the interconnectivity of our biosphere and serve to enhance your time at the garden.  When planning your visit to the exhibit, remember the following essential details:

• The event takes place at the Naples Botanical Garden, located at 4820 Bayshore Drive in Naples.
• It is being held daily between 8 AM and 5 PM.
• Tickets can be purchased through the botanical garden’s website.

As fellow nature lovers, your neighbors at SERVPRO of Naples/Marco Island are pleased to welcome you to this exhibit.  At the same time, we would like to take the opportunity to warn you about another part of nature:  fire.  If you ever suffer from a fire-related event and need fire damage restoration, call us at (239) 302-5700 for assistance.    

How do I Remove the Smell of Fire from my Naples Condo?

7/31/2020 (Permalink)

Even if your area did not have a fire, you can still be effected from smoke damage and debris. SERVPRO can still assist, call us today.

Breathe Clean Air Again in your Naples Home by Calling a Professional Fire Restoration Technician 

It may be surprising that your Naples condo now smells like fire when the actual incident did not take place in your home. Many homeowners find out that smoke travels swiftly through ventilation systems and permeates clothes, carpet, furniture, and many other surfaces. Rather than attempting to clean your home with a store-bought cleaning solution, allow a fire restoration technician to review your needs and offer a solution to making your home smell fresh again.

In Naples, fire restoration services are at the core of our business. At SERVPRO, we pride ourselves in knowing the intricacies of smoke and soot removal, and our expertise becomes an asset when we arrive at your home. We have access to the latest equipment and technology in our industry, including those to help us deodorize, sanitize, and disinfect your home. When you call our 24/7 hotline, you can be sure that our cleaning solutions are effective as they are compliant with environmental regulations.

How can I deodorize my home?

Deodorizing is not as easy as it sounds. Most of us tend to purchase aromatic sprays, candles, and plug-ins to help us fight foul smells, but a fire may require something more robust. Our SERVPRO team investigates the smoke path so we can address it from the point of origin and throughout your home. A crucial task is controlling the spread of the smell through your air conditioning and heating vents, which we can achieve by creating barriers and adding deodorizing elements to the ducts. Some solutions can sound simple, such as deodorizing pellets, whereas others are more sophisticated. Some options available to our team include-

• Air scrubbers which help us filter the air and clean it
• Thermal fogging, which allow us to spray deodorizing solutions throughout your home
• Ozone generators which use an electric discharge to help neutralize and eliminate smell molecules

When you call SERVPRO of Naples/Marco Island, you can let the experts take the helm of cleaning your home. Whether the fire occurred in your condo or not, a call to (239) 302-5700 gives you access to experts in the field. Invite us into your home and let us leave it "Like it never even happened."

What Makes Fire-Related Smells So Difficult to Eliminate?

7/10/2020 (Permalink)

When fire damage happens, contact SERVPRO of Naples/Marco Island at (239) 302-5700. No matter how big or small the problem.

Fire-Related Smells in Your Naples Home Are Hard to Neutralize Partly Because Odorous Particles in Smoke Travel Everywhere and Penetrate Materials Deeply.

When materials burn in your Naples residence, a chemical reaction called “combustion” is taking place. This is the process by which solid materials, acted on by heat, are turned into gases. During the process, materials break down, and their components combine with oxygen to form new gaseous compounds. Since this reaction is not entirely efficient, not all solids convert to gas, and waste is left over. That results in smoke-filled with odorous solid particles and surface residues. Depending on the materials burned, these smell-producing substances are of varying degrees of difficulty to clean up. Different methods are usually required to effectively remove or neutralize each kind of odorous material.         

How Do Smoke Particles Make Deodorization a Difficult Task? 

Naples fire damage remediation companies like SERVPRO understand the process by which fire-related odors develop. They also know how the nature of smoke makes their job more of a challenge. The odorous particles in smoke go everywhere the smoke goes. That usually includes the highest reaches of your home and all of its most difficult-to-access areas. Some of the troublesome places smoke deposits smelly particles are:

HVAC system ducts

Attic rafters and insulation

Hidden and hard-to-reach sections of ceilings and walls

High fixtures

Irreplaceable possessions

The clouds of particulate matter generated by fires usually rise and coat HVAC ducts with a layer of soot. If not properly cleaned, your ventilation system circulates odorous particles throughout your home long after a fire has been remediated. 

Smoke particles especially impact porous materials and make them extremely hard to clean. The heat of a fire opens up the pores of these materials around your residence, making it easier for smelly smoke particles to penetrate them deeply. Once the fire ends and the surrounding environment cools, the pores contract and trap the odorous substances inside. Afterward, the temperature never rises enough to let it all escape back out of the affected structural elements and contents. However, when it does get warm and humid, strong odors often reappear.   

What Are the Different Types of Fire-Related Residues?

As your home burns, waste from the combustion process results in surface soot residues and airborne smoke particles. Smelly soot residues remain around the site where materials burn and smoke travels throughout your home, depositing odorous soot particles. In general, there are four primary types of residues:

Wet smoke

Dry smoke

Protein smoke

Fuel oil smoke

Each fire produces one or more of these waste products, depending on the type of materials burned, the amount of oxygen present, and the rate at which the fire burns. Protein and fuel oil smoke residues result solely from the materials burned, namely animal proteins and fuel oil. Wet smoke residues are created by slow-burning fires that are deprived of oxygen and consume synthetics. Conversely, dry smoke residues often develop due to oxygen-rich, fast-burning fires that consume natural materials.

What Are the Challenges of Cleaning Up Soot Residues?

In SERVPRO’s experience, each residue presents its unique challenges. Wet smoke residues tend to be the most difficult to clean up because of how they are created. These residues are formed by slow-burning fires that linger in an area for a long time, trap smoke near the heat source, and pick up more liquid components. Wet smoke residues, therefore, usually produce large, greasy/oily, easily smearable particles. Moreover, since the fire continues in one place for an extended time, its smelly products are more easily able to permeate materials thoroughly. Protein smoke residues are extremely odorous and can sometimes be invisible. They require a lot of work because, many times, your entire house needs to be fully cleaned to remove the smells of these residues. 

Other fire wastes, like dry soot and fuel oil smoke residue, are much easier to remediate. Dry soot is often less odorous and comes in the form of small dry particles. These usually do not penetrate surfaces and are easily wiped away. Fuel oil residues mostly just present a problem when they are dry and crusty. If restoration technicians are not careful, they could scratch surfaces as they are wiping these residues away.

How Can SERVPRO Neutralize Fire-Related Odors?

SERVPRO technicians are experts at handling the unwanted smells of fire damage. Some of the methods and tools they employ to neutralize odors are:

Clearing ventilation ducts with HVAC cleaning systems

Using air scrubbers, ozone machines, and Vaportek units to deodorize interior air

Deodorizing and sealing structural elements, HVAC systems, and difficult-to-access areas with ultra-low volume (ULV) foggers

Treating carpets and upholstery with injection devices and deodorants

Cleaning up greasy residues with wet cleaning methods, using solutions like tri-sodium phosphate (TSP)

Using dry sponges to remove non-grease residues

Using these advanced tools and techniques, SERVPRO is often able to make your home smell like it never even experienced a fire.

If you ever need help handling fire damage, call SERVPRO of Naples/Marco Island at (239) 302-5700.

Why Are the Contents of My Naples Living Room in a Pile After a Fire?

6/24/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Naples / Marco Island at (239) 302-5700 for assistance with any size fire damage restoration needed in your home.

SERVPRO technicians can clean up the aftermath of a fire in your Naples home

It can be shocking to view your home for the first time immediately after a fire. During the fire, one of the techniques firefighters use is to douse flaming items with water and move them to the center of the room. Each time something gets added to the pile, water is also added. Afterward, there is a pile of room contents and structural elements such as sheetrock that gets saturated in the center of the room. It may not look like the Naples home could come back from this, but with professional restoration services, the potential is there.

Are Furnishings Covered in Soot Beyond Fire Damage Restoration?

SERVPRO techs handling fire damage restoration in Naples homes, approach the cleanup carefully to ensure the best recovery methods get chosen based on the item getting cleaned and the nature of the smoke residues getting removed. When working on post-fire loss furniture, some things that weigh in on the potential for reuse include:
    •    The construction materials that make up the furniture
    •    If the piece has water damage
    •    Whether the joints of the furniture have heat damage

After testing the residue to determine if it needs a solvent-based proprietary cleaning agent that will not mar the surface to remove the smoke damage, the techs carefully clean the furniture and save the homeowner the cost of replacement.

How Do I Find a Contractor to Rebuild My Home After a Fire Loss?

When SERVPRO techs handle the restoration services, they have a general contractor license #CBC1261730 that means the techs can also handle any of the following tasks after mitigation efforts complete such as:
    •    Repairs and replacement to walls and ceilings
    •    Carpet cleaning
    •    Flooring installation
    •    Painting and any task needed to complete the renovation on the fire loss area

SERVPRO of Naples / Marco Island at (239) 302-5700 for assistance with any size fire damage restoration needed in your home. The technicians arrive quickly and work to bring your home to its preloss condition.

How Do I Find Out How Much It Will Cost to Repair the Fire Damage to My Home?

5/1/2020 (Permalink)

You can contact our professionals 24/7. Our fire damage experts are trained in fire & smoke restoration, odor control, upholstery and fabric cleaning.

Use the Experience of SERVPRO to Get an Accurate Estimate of the Restoration Costs for Your Marco Island Home

Recovering from a house fire in Marco Island can be a difficult experience. The physical damage can be horrifying, and just thinking about the cost of repair can be nearly as traumatic. You should rely on experienced experts to get a fair, accurate estimate and handle any issues that arise.  

How does the inspection and estimate process start?

SERVPRO professionals typically begin by listening to your account of the fire. They also examine and pretest all the damaged areas of your Marco Island home and review the results with you. This shows what items can be, which items can be cleaned and restored, and it helps identify any special concerns.

What other issues are addressed initially?

o Removal of all valuables and financial items

o Removal of medications

o Explanation of the cleaning process

o Identifying items that may need to be moved out  

How does the inspection process work?

SERVPRO professionals explain the scope of the inspection, including whether it includes the structure, the contents of the home, or both. They also clarify the damage and explain to what degree restoration will be possible.

What about the estimate?

Estimators start with a process called scoping in which they size up the extent of the damage. Tests and measurements are performed, the cleaning process is outlined, and any important variables are noted. A written estimate is included that outlines the costs to restore or replace structures and the contents of the home.

How are insurance issues handled?

Estimators work with insurance adjusters to clarify the necessary procedures and explain the cleaning and restoration process. They also justify any work being done on the property and explain why the work is necessary to restore the home as much as possible.

Rely on the expertise of SERVPRO of Naples/Marco Island to estimate the cost to fix fire damage in your home. Call us at (239) 302-5700 to schedule an assessment.

Learn more about Marco Island.

How Can I Clean Up the Fire Damage in My Attic?

4/8/2020 (Permalink)

Homeowners have to deal with many things which may include fire damage. Contact SERVPRO right away.

SERVPRO Technicians Can Take Care of Fire Damage in Your Naples Home

Attic fire damage is a fairly common issue, especially in Naples homes with damaged, aged, or improperly installed electrical components. Without fast action, these fires can quickly spread to the rest of your home, leaving you with hefty repair expenses after the fact. Soot and charring from fire damage, combined with saturation from firefighting efforts, can create acidic residues that can corrode surfaces and structures and belongings. Unfortunately, most consumer-grade products are not designed to tackle these highly specific situations.

However, there is a team that can help return your fire-damaged Naples home to its preloss condition at SERVPRO. These Institute of inspection cleaning and restoration certification (IICRC)-certified professionals are trained in disaster mitigation for both fire and water-related damages. Not only can these pros dry your structure after firefighting efforts have occurred, but they can use EPA registered biocides to address residues that might be affecting the safety of your home.

What Sets SERVPRO Technicians Apart From the Rest?

• High-quality training. SERVPRO technicians, franchise owners, and staff alike undertake hands-on courses that cover fire and water damage mitigation, as well as mold remediation, structure, and contents restoration, and many other needs to assist homeowners after a disaster occurs.
• 24-hour availability. SERVPRO teams are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, including all holidays, to render mitigation services that can restore your home.
• Sophisticated equipment. SERVPRO’s measurement, mitigation, cleanup, and rebuilding technologies both meet and exceed industry standards while providing a consistently high standard of cleanliness.

What Causes Attic Fire Damage?

• Electrical problems. Electrical malfunctions are the single most common culprit behind residential attic fire damage. Overloaded circuits, combined with breaker failures, can lead to an excess drive electrical power that ignites and creates a fire. Electrical arcing is another common source of ignition. FEMA estimates that 43% of all home attic fires stem from this concern.
• HVAC malfunctions. heating and cooling system issues are another major concern for residential attic fires. Approximately 5% of these fires are caused by home heating systems. You can have your system inspected by a professional once or twice a year to mitigate most issues and prevent the buildup of dust, debris, and other flammable materials that might fuel a fire.
• Natural sources. Current data estimates that approximately 13% of residential attic fires stem from natural sources like lightning, rainwater making contact with exposed electrical wires, or fallen trees colliding with the home’s electrical system. While there is no surefire way to safeguard against this type of fire, keeping your roofing in good shape and well-stocked with fire retardant materials can minimize your fire risk.

SERVPRO techs know that disasters never occur on a regular schedule. With that in mind, they strive to respond quickly to fire damage on your Naples property to restore your home to a safe and comfortable condition once more.

What Should I Include in My Fire Damage Insurance Claim?

First things first: after a fire, contact your insurer right away. They can then send an adjuster out to evaluate the damage. In the meantime, you also need to file a proof of loss claim, which entails itemizing damages and losses from the disaster that occurred on your Naples property.

Include the following information in your proof of loss claim:

• A police report that corresponds with the disaster.
• Records of any related injuries, as well as details about other individuals involved.
• Types of losses incurred, as well as their location and when they happened.
• Detailed descriptions of damaged items, including makes, models, and serial numbers where applicable.
• Records of any temporary repairs or other measures you took to protect your home.

Supplement your claim with pictures and videos where possible. SERVPRO technicians can also back these claims with their own inventory systems, photos, and video evidence.

How Can SERVPRO Respond to My Fire Damage Cleanup Needs?

SERVPRO teams can safely remove unsalvageable charred debris with the informed consent of homeowners and insurance adjusters. Before fire damage cleanup can begin, technicians perform water extraction and structural drying services to mitigate the effects of firefighting efforts.

Once your structures are adequately dry, technicians can focus on mitigating fire damage residues, starting with light, loose, and dry deposits before moving on to more substantial damages. Some components may require heavy-duty alkaline cleaners or blast media, like soda ash or corn cobs, to remove the charring. Your belongings may be moved to a SERVPRO warehouse in a pack out for off-site drying.

SERVPRO of Naples / Marco Island minimizes damage to your home and belongings with service that is Faster to Any Size Disaster. You can call (239) 302-5700 to have a 24/7 emergency response team come to your home to begin the mitigation process.

SERVPRO Talks About Restoring Kitchen Fire Damage in Naples

3/17/2020 (Permalink)

Kitchen fires begin and spread quickly. Never leave your stove unattended when in use.

Restoring a Naples Kitchen After Fire Damage 

Kitchen fires are easily the most common type of residential fire disaster. These incidents cause $1.1 billion in damages each year. While most reported fires are small, the damages they can leave behind can be challenging for homeowners to clean on their own. Worse still, charred residues, proteins, and grease impart foul odors and potentially corrosive materials that can damage your belongings in the long-term. 

If your Naples home needs rapid disaster mitigation from an experienced team, the pros at SERVPRO are ready to help. These IICRC-certified technicians possess the tools and knowledge necessary to return your home to a preloss condition. Your local SERVPRO strives to give back to the community not just by cleaning disaster-stricken dwellings, but also by providing support and raising awareness for organizations like the Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Foundation, the MS Society, and Big Brothers Big Sisters. 

Stopping Grease Fires Before They Can Start 

• Never leave the stove left alone when in use.In just 30 seconds at most, the smoke to turn into flames, so be vigilant. 
• Oil and water do not mix. When frying food with high water content, such as frozen foods, the grease can spread and burn you. 
• Take your time.Careful measurement of oil temperatures and deliberate pacing when adding oil to a pan minimizes fire risks.
• Have extinguishing options ready. These can include a Type B or Type K extinguisher, baking soda, salt, or a metal pot lid to smother flames. 

SERVPRO's Char Removal Tools

After a kitchen fire, technicians can clean the range and hood with mechanical cleaning measures and water- or oil-based detergent solutions. These EPA-registered cleaners are also useful for nonporous appliance casings. SERVPRO's Liquid Creme Cleaners remove heavy soiling from pots and pans without damaging stainless steel. Overhead cabinetry above the range that has been charred by a grease fire can have milder charring sanded away. Soot on flooring can be brushed, buffed, and polished off with rotating brushes and pads. 

SERVPRO of Naples / Marco Island is prepared to make your residence look, "Like it never even happened." Call (239) 302-5700 any time you need disaster mitigation, including nights, weekends, and holidays.  

More about Naples.

At Last, The Secret to Dealing with Lingering Odors After Fire Damage in Marco Island Is Revealed

9/29/2019 (Permalink)

Finding that a fire has engulfed your home office can be overwhelming. Contact SERVPRO for remediation services.

Odor Elimination Protocol after Fire Damage to Your Marco Island Home

Fire is the type of disaster that keeps on giving. Marco Island homeowners can face challenges days, weeks, and months after the blaze extinguishes. Persistent odors can linger, impairing air quality and providing an unwanted reminder of the crisis endured for you and your loved ones. We offer innovative, up to date odor control and elimination strategies, employing a step-by-step protocol and professional-grade equipment.

Remove Debris to Eliminate the Odor Source

Fire damage leaves your Marco Island home littered with debris, including charred contents and building materials. It is much more efficient to remove and properly dispose of the burned and malodorous items than to deodorize. Our crew members search out, bag, and discard of every charred and fire residue-coated article as a matter of course. Airborne residues can be encouraged to vacate interior spaces through the use of ventilation equipment. Fans and air scrubbers, equipped with HEPA filters, accelerate this process, exhausting the malodors along with the smoke and soot.

Deep-Clean Surfaces

During fire damage cleanup, the SERVPRO team moves from collecting debris to attacking and clearing away residues as an odor-eliminating strategy. The smoke created by the combustion of building materials and contents contains microscopic solids, deposited on surfaces in your home as soot. Each tiny particle can carry malodors, and the smoke and soot move on the super-heated air currents throughout all spaces in your home. Thorough cleaning of fire residues with appropriate products and tools is an effective strategy to reduce the post-fire stench significantly.

Recreate Odor-Causing Conditions

If odors continue to be noticeable even after debris and residue cleanup, combusting deodorizing substances in a thermal fogger is another SERVPRO strategy. The fogger disperses petroleum or solvent-based deodorant particles, reduced to approximate the size of odor-bearing soot solids in the odiferous spaces. Instead of covering up or masking the smells, the deodorant particles pair with the soot residues, neutralizing the malodors through chemical modification.

Seal Surfaces

In some cases, the smell infests porous structural components that cannot be cleaned thoroughly. If removal and replacement are too expensive or impractical, sealing the surface to prevent vaporization of the smell is an alternative. Difficult to reach expanses such as HVAC ductwork are also candidates for sealing. Painting or the spray application of a sealant are typical ways to limit continual odor emissions. 

Employ Cutting-Edge Technology

SERVPRO invests in advanced technology to help manage difficult odor issues. Ozone generators create free radicals that oxidize the odiferous particles, rendering them odorless. Photocatalytic oxidizers use ultraviolet light to produce hydroxyl radicals that deodorize by breaking down smelly residues into non-odorous carbon dioxide and water.

SERVPRO of Naples / Marco Island offers many solutions to persistent odors that trace back to fire damage. Call (239) 302-5700 to set up a deodorization evaluation.

Click here for more information about the city of Marco Island.

We Will Cleanup And Restore Your Marco Island Home

9/10/2019 (Permalink)

“Like it never even happened.”

Is My Carpet In My Marco Island Home Clean?

You may own a property in Marco Island and use it seasonally, or you may be a year-round resident of this idyllic spot. Regardless of your circumstance, finding out that a fire in a neighboring unit has caused damage to your property can be overwhelming. Even when fires are not catastrophic, or even in your place, their effect can be felt throughout the building. Soot and smoke travel through the air and take residence on top of your furniture and air ducts. Tempting as it may be to use disinfecting wipes to erase its trace, restoring your property takes more time and work than you would think.

When fire damage to your Marco Island property is of concern, reach out to SERVPRO and let our team leave your home in top shape. Even when your needs feel small, we can develop an action plan along with you to eliminate evidence of the fire while protecting your furniture and belongings.  

In our line of work, we often encounter homeowners who put much effort into cleaning their furniture and hiring specialists to clean air ducts. However, they often forget the carpeting in their home, which can be a repository of dust, fiber, ashes, and other contaminants. Failure to clean the carpet properly can counteract all your other efforts by releasing contaminants every time you take a step. Our SERVPRO team has access to an extensive inventory of equipment to target our cleaning solutions to your carpet and its specifications. For instance, silk or sisal rugs have particular cleaning guidelines to preserve them. Our crew knows that pre-treating the carpet with industry-grade solutions and breaking up the dust particles is essential to an effective cleanup process. Most homeowners do not know enough to take this initial step and risk staining their rugs in the process. It is also common to find property owners who oversaturate the carpet with a cleaning solution, and that can also result in stains. Your best option is to leave carpet cleaning to experts, so no trace of the fire is left behind.

SERVPRO of Naples / Marco Island is available 24/7 to protect your home. All you need to do is contact us at (239) 302-5700 and let us leave your home “Like it never even happened.”

For more about Marco Island click here.

Our Technicians Will Restore Your Marco Island Home After A Fire

8/27/2019 (Permalink)

Call us at (239) 302-5700 for quick remediation.

Restore Your Marco Island Home After Fire Damage Quickly By Hiring Professionals

When a home catches fire, the flames cause destruction that is harsh and easy to spot. The high temperatures and flames from a fire can ruin building materials and other items. If the fire is not dealt with quickly, the flames can spread throughout the house and cause much damage, jeopardizing the structural integrity of your home. Once the fire has been extinguished, you can feel relief, but the damage from flames is just a small fraction of the destruction that fire causes.

It is easy to overlook smoke damage. The smoke associated with fire damage in your North Fort Myers home can continue causing damage even after the fire has been extinguished. It can leave walls and ceilings discolored.

Cleaning smoke damage is challenging, and it can get worse if you do not go about the process correctly. Therefore, it's advisable to hire a fire restoration firm like SERVPRO to help you restore your home. We can perform a cleaning to combat odors and smoke damage effectively and adequately. Fire damages present different cleaning and restoration challenges. A burning house is many complicated reactions between various elements, including:

    •    The amount of oxygen, heat and moisture present
    •    The kind of material burning
    •    Airflow patterns in the house
    •    Kind of smoke residues present
    •    The of surfaces that heat and smoke impacts

One of the factors that our technicians consider to determine the difficulty of removing smoke residues is the type of surface fire has affected. Porous surfaces are more daunting to clean because they allow particles and odor to penetrate further. Non-porous surfaces like glossy, enamel paint, and wall coverings are easier to clean than paper wall coverings or latex paint. We also consider the age of the surface since older surfaces are harder to clean.

We have the right equipment and products for cleaning walls, ceilings, carpeting, woodwork, and floors. We pretest the surfaces and then use the appropriate cleaning products and equipment to clean and protect the different surfaces found in a home. Our SERVPRO technicians can also clean and deodorize restorable contents such as draperies, area rugs, furniture, and upholstery. Smoke from every fire is unique and may require a different approach to eliminate. Our Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technicians (FSRT) often employ strategies like bleaching, emulsifying, and changing pH to remove residues.

After the aftermath of fire damage in your home, you require prompt, professional help. SERVPRO of Naples / Marco Island can help you get rid of the smoke, soot, and odor to make it “Like it never even happened.” Call us at (239) 302-5700 for quick remediation.

For more about Marco Island click here.

Our Fire Damage Experts Can Repair And Restore Your Naples Home

6/25/2019 (Permalink)

Call us at (239) 302-5700 and let us leave your home, “Like it never even happened.”

Let SERVPRO Fix Your Fire Damage Even When You Are Not Home In Naples

Owning a home in Naples can feel like a dream come true. Its beautiful beaches, dining options, and overall quality of life is a welcome change of pace, particularly for homeowners who hail from colder parts of the country. Many communities make home ownership very easy, including keeping up the landscaping and care of common areas. However, even your beautiful home in Naples can be the victim of fire damage and leave you in need of a professional team to handle the restoration of your home.

When there is fire damage to your home in Naples, SERVPRO is here to help. Even when you are at a distance, you can reach our team through the 24/7 hotline and allow us to assess the damage to return your home to its original condition. Our technicians are credentialed by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and ready to handle even the toughest situations. Whether the damage to your home started in your property or a neighboring unit, we can make a targeted restoration action plan to mitigate your losses.

Our SERVPRO technicians pay close attention to the composition of each surface that burned and takes action as appropriate. Natural materials such as wood leave behind a fine dust-like residue, while manmade materials leave a stickier residue that requires specialized solutions and techniques to remove it from your home. As we restore your home, we document our progress so you may refer to it should an insurance claim require it.

Perhaps one of the most annoying consequences of a fire in your home is the smell it leaves behind. In Florida, where we rely heavily on air conditioning, your home can feel like the smell of smoke has permeated even the inside of the walls. To eradicate this effect, our SERVPRO crew has at its disposal a wide array of odor removal tools.

SERVPRO of Naples / Marco Island is your professional adviser even when you are away. Call us at (239) 302-5700 and let us leave your home, “Like it never even happened.”

For more about Naples click here.

We Will Guide You Through The Process Of Restoring Your Naples Home After Fire Damage

5/29/2019 (Permalink)

Our team has the training and equipment to restore your home to pre-damage condition after a fire, call us right away.

Safely Storing your Contents after Major Fire Damage in Naples

A major fire is something that most homeowners do not want to think about, but unfortunately, these events do happen. You can rest assured we have a tried and tested formula to help residents overcome significant events in a time efficient manner. Severe damages could result in structural weaknesses, and therefore you may be relocated while work is undertaken involving re-modelers, restoration technicians, and professional movers.

Homeowners who need their property restored after significant fire damage in Naples can rely on us to guide them through the process from start to finish. Our team has experience in performing restoration works on a property and the resources to get the job done in a time efficient manner. We understand that these are stressful events and communicate with you throughout to ensure a smooth operation.

When the scale of damage falls under a severe category, it is often necessary to remove all contents from the structure. Removing contents allows remodelers access to walls, ceilings, or floor that otherwise may be difficult to reach. SERVPRO recognizes that your possessions may carry sentimental value and can transport them to an external storage location while vital restoration work is underway.

A move out process begins with a careful inventory of all your possessions. Our personnel are professionals at packing and cleaning but can liaise with a third-party mover on your behalf to ensure professional loading and transportation. To avoid scratching or other cosmetic damages, our team can utilize furniture blankets, padding, and strapping. Items are inventoried onsite during packing and checked during unloading to account for any fire damages that could occur during transportation.

When a pack out occurs, SERVPRO communicates with you every step of the way. We can inform you of the scheduled start date, projected move date, when the professional movers are contacted and the actual move date. We understand that these situations are stressful and have found that consistent communication throughout has helped our customers come to terms with an emotionally trying situation.

Experience, trust, and communication are essential to our move out procedure. Contact SERVPRO of Naples / Marco Island at (239) 302-5700 to arrange yours.

Click here for more information about how to obtain a beach parking permit.

How Small Appliances Cause Fire Damage in Naples

5/8/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Naples / Marco Island knows how to remove the smoke and soot from your fire damaged home.

Repairing Fire Damage After a Naples Appliance Malfunction

Electrical appliances of all kinds are a part of everyday life, and we expect our devices to work reliably. However, a malfunctioning power cord on your blow dryer can cause more than potentially singed hair: it can leave fire damage and strong odors in your bathroom that can be tough to eliminate on your own.  

When an appliance malfunction leads to fire damage in your Naples home, certified SERVPRO technicians are available to assist you 24/7. Our focus on restoration over replacement means that our team is committed to mitigating damage and bringing your bathroom back to its pre-fire condition. Fire travels quickly, so we can also evaluate and clean other areas of your home that have been affected by smoke and soot.  

The first step after determining the type of smoke and soot damage is cleaning surfaces that have been affected by it. Porous surfaces such as bathroom wallpaper can be more challenging to clean due to their ability to absorb smoke particles and odors, especially if the bathroom was steamy after a hot shower during the initial fire. We then clean bathroom vents filled with smoke or odor causing particles. Items in our arsenal for cleaning vents include a vacuum and filter system to pull contaminants from smoke out of HVAC systems, as well as agitating tools to coax out hard-to-reach dirt.  

Our SERVPRO technicians handle odor control with a variety of tools, including HEPA air scrubbers, to cleanse the air of foul odors. The HEPA filters on air scrubbers, made with activated carbon and potassium permanganate, can capture particles as small as .3 microns, significantly smaller than what the human eye can easily perceive. Once odor-causing particles are sucked up and taken through the HEPA filters, it is cycled back out as clean, air. In cases where one technique alone cannot eliminate air, multiple methods of odor elimination may be used, such as portable ozone machines.  

SERVPRO of Naples / Marco Island is a leading name in disaster cleanup and restoration. If you need our services, call us today at (239) 302-5700.

Naples first golf course did not have a name. Read more here.

How Our Technicians Restore Your Miles City Home After A Chimney Fire

10/30/2018 (Permalink)

Even if your chimneys are clean blazes can still ignite inside of them.

Fire Damage Specialists In Miles City Talk About Problems With Chimneys

House fires can sometimes happen fast and can burn much of your Miles City home very quickly. Hundreds of thousands of homes suffered fire damage in the country each year. Out of those it is estimated that over 25,000 fires are caused by chimneys igniting. Chimney fires account for around $125 million in property damages each year. Many chimney fires ignite by excessive soot meaning that the number one cause of this type of fire damage is the failure to regularly clean fireplaces and chimneys.

However, even if your chimneys are clean blazes can still ignite inside of them. Once flames from inside a stack they get extremely hot and can cause excessive fire damage to your Miles City property. Once the inside metal gets hot the wood around the chimney can start to burn. These hot flames can then spread to other parts of your structure.

If the fire is extinguished quickly, it is possible that the damage is minimal. Sometimes the only problem present is smoke coming from the source of the fire and coating surfaces inside your house with soot residues. These soils can deteriorate finished surfaces and contaminate the air with burnt aromas. When mitigating issues associated with smoke, our SERVPRO technicians utilize a variety of techniques. Some surfaces get cleaned best with dry methods, and others need scrubbing with powerful chemicals.

In other situations, the fire spreads so fast that it burns and chars structural components before it gets put out. When this happens, our SERVPRO team must determine what items are burnt so severely that they must get removed and what items can be saved with mitigation procedures. During some projects, sections of the building's structure must be taken out and rebuilt entirely. There are also other cases where some structural components can be saved by sanding off the charred material and sealing the wood with a specialized paint.

Most mitigation projects dealing with burnt materials require a combination of both smoke removal and structural restoration. If you ever have a chimney fire at your home, call SERVPRO of Naples / Marco Island at (239) 302-5700 any time of the day.

Click here for more about Miles City.

How SERVPRO Can Restore Your Fire And Smoke Damaged Marco Island Home

10/8/2018 (Permalink)

A fire in the property can be a terrifying and daunting experience.

We Can Handle Smoke And Fire Damage In Marco Island

A fire in the property can be a terrifying and daunting experience. Smoke, soot, and flames can cause significant damage to your house and your personal belongings. Fire residues can also ruin furniture, carpeting, and flooring inside the structure. After the fire has been put out, dirt, soot, and heavy smoke residues often remain inside the home. Moreover, flames can burn or char materials in the house, which is why contacting a professional is wise.

SERVPRO fire damage restoration services in Marco Island can restore your property when possible. Our techs have the experience and can work fast to restore your home. Industrial air scrubbers, fans, and fogging equipment can be put to use to remove lingering smoke odors quickly. Also, the team can use professional strength cleansers to clean soot and dirt from the floors, walls, and ceilings. We may also employ odor removal deodorants to eliminate offensive smoke odors from materials affected by the fire such as drapes, clothing, and carpeting. In some cases, the crew may need to use advanced deodorization equipment such as a portable ozone machine. Ozone machines employ activated oxygen to neutralize and eliminate foul smoke smells. It is essential to note that ozone is not safe for humans or pets, so if we utilize this chemical, homeowners and pets must leave the house until the process is complete.

After our techs inspect the affected areas for damages, they can perform minor repairs to secure the structure such as boarding a window or door. Doing so can help prevent intruders from entering the premises as well as wild animals or critters. If you need significant repairs to your home, SERVPRO suggests that you get in touch with a general contractor. With the homeowner’s permission, our techs can remove unsalvageable items from the structure such as charred furniture and burned curtains, carpeting and clothing. We clean, sanitize and store all materials that are salvageable in a safe area on or off-site and return them after the restoration is complete.

When possible, our fast and efficient SERVPRO of Naples / Marco Island team can restore your home to its preloss condition. Contact us 24/7 at (239) 302-5700 anytime.

Click here for more about Marco Island.

Restoring Your Contents After Fire Damage In Marco Island

9/18/2018 (Permalink)

Personal contents that have experienced fire damage in Marco Island properties could benefit from restoration services.

Restoring Your Contents After A Fire

Replacement or refinishing of your home contents is costly, which could increase your insurance rates when you claim. Especially, in cases where the fire is caused by you. Contents damaged in a house fire can often be restored to their former glory with the right training, products and cleaning techniques, offering an excellent alternative to large insurance claims as well as preserving those sentimental items.

Personal contents that have experienced fire damage in Marco Island properties could benefit from restoration services. At SERVPRO we have a laundry list of potential techniques, equipment and methods to suit all kinds of materials, furnishings, and fabrics. If your contents hold sentimental value, it is worth contacting us to see what we can salvage.

Our years of expertise in the restoration industry has taught us to treat each service as unique. Different materials burn in different ways. The same goes for temperatures as well as indoor air circulation which all have an impact on the type of debris left behind and, therefore, the most effective cleaning products to use. In most cases, contents cleaning can be carried out on site, but we may need to take some contents to a facility to be deep cleaned.

When we visit your property, a SERVPRO fire technician can assess which types of materials respond best to different cleaning methods and products. Upholstery fabrics, for example, can shrink when treated with traditional wet-cleaning methods. For these porous or delicate materials, we can use foam cleaning to gently remove soot and smoke residue from the surface.

When synthetic materials burn at higher temperatures, it leaves behind thick smoke residue known as wet smoke. Where signs of wet smoke are evident, your SERVPRO technician may use abrasive cleaning methods to remove soiling from your contents. We can always tell which contents respond well to which cleaning without risking causing further damage.

Since our founding in 1967, we have saved thousands of dollars worth of damage by adopting a restore over replace method. If your contents have been damaged contact SERVPRO of Naples / Marco Island at (239) 302-5700 to see what you could save.

Click here for more about Marco Island.

Added Services Along With Traditional Fire Restoration for Your Marco Island Residence

7/30/2018 (Permalink)

If your home suffers from a fire, contact SERVPRO for effective fire damage remediation services.

Our SERVPRO Technicians Understand the Process of Fire Damage Remediation From Assessment to Restoration

Preserving your home is one of the priorities going through your mind when a fire ravages your Marco Island residence. You think of the structural damages that your home faces from the immediate fire yet to get extinguished and worry about how your home ever has the same look and function that you are used to seeing.

With the unexpectancy of fire damage in your Marco Island home, most families have little opportunity to remove contents from their house. These contents, along with the structural integrity of the house, remain at risk even after first responders extinguish the blaze. SERVPRO offers a few services in our traditional fire restoration projects that can help you through this trying time.
 
One of the first things that you can expect from our team of technicians is a thorough inspection with qualified individuals. This initial assessment details the areas of your home that have become too broadly damaged to salvage and details them into an overall projection of the work to get done and the estimated costs of completing these tasks.

Few people have the patience to deal with the questions and requirements of their insurance provider to file the claim to restore their home. Our SERVPRO professionals work alongside insurance adjusters to simplify to process for you and to get the work started much more quickly than if you handled all of the legwork on your own.

Finally, preserving the contents of your home from continual damage or worsening conditions is a big step in the work that we do. This process not only provides the space and ease of access for larger equipment needed to restore the home, but the removal of damaged items provides an opportunity for our technicians to clean, deodorize and restore individual items before bringing them back into your home at a later point.

Experiencing a fire in your home can leave you wondering how things will ever end up looking the way they used to. With the right professional assistance, you can have your home back to preloss conditions quickly. Give our SERVPRO of Naples / Marco Island fire restoration team a call anytime at (239) 302-5700.
 
Click here for more information on Marco Island.

Professional Restoration for Your Marco Island House Fire

6/30/2018 (Permalink)

After the firefighters leave, contact SERVPRO for fire damage cleaning and remediation efforts.

Team SERVPRO Remediates Fire Damage From Soot to Odor

There is nothing quite as taxing on your Marco Island home as a fire can be. With all of the natural disaster threats that many in the area are continually aware of, fire is often something that is less of a possibility to many homeowners. Unfortunately, with the broad array of ways that fire can break out in your home, it is an inevitability to affect several houses in the region throughout their life.

One of the surprising things about this unfortunate disaster is the ways that fire damage can vary in your Marco Island home. While often people think about structural concerns following a blaze, smaller fires might not leave such devastation. Instead, you deal with other effects such as smoke/soot damage that can prove equally taxing to face. Professional restoration can help you to overcome all of the issues that your house faces, and return it to preloss conditions quickly.

Our SERVPRO professionals all undergo extensive training in fire restoration and the appropriate equipment necessary to fully restore a home after such an occurrence. From the moment that our team arrives at your house, we get to work on assessing the full scope of the damage. Smaller holes and breaches in your home's exterior (often from extinguishment) get boarded up and tarped over to prevent further external damages while restoration is underway.

Contending with smoke and soot damage often requires specialized equipment like heavy-duty vacuums to pull soot from surfaces. Sponges and scrubbers also get used, wet or dry, to remove soot by hand. Smoke damage can spread out into many areas of the house and seep into fabrics and similar materials. Thermal fogging can break apart these harsh odor molecules and leave no scent behind.

While this is just a brief look at the fire restoration process, it can help you to appreciate the lengths that our team goes through to get the job done correctly. You can rely on our SERVPRO of Naples / Marco Island technicians to help you clean up the mess and move forward from the traumatic event. Give us a call anytime at (239) 302-5700.

Click here for more information on the city of Marco Island.

Cleaning Various Structural Components During Fire Damage Restoration In Marco Island

6/6/2018 (Permalink)

Your home or business cannot usually run after a fire damage incident.

Fire Damage Restoration

Your home or business cannot usually run after a fire damage incident. That means you may need restoration services before the next business day. Cleaning services are part of the restoration procedures, and with the technology that service providers use, it is possible to remove the smoke, soot, and odors. We are going to look at how we clean different structural components when attending to fire incidents in Marco Island.

Cabinets, lighting fixtures, attics, and insulation are part of the structural components that our SERVPRO technicians clean after fire damage events in Marco Island. The method we use when cleaning your cabinets is dependent on whether the surface is finished or not. Since soot particles can penetrate into crevices and recessed sections, we may decide to remove the knobs and any other hardware when necessary. With a dry cleaning sponge, we can remove smoke residues from a cabinet whose interior is made of unfinished wood. We may then use denatured alcohol and sanding to remove any remaining smoke residues.

When our SERVPRO technicians are cleaning the ceiling of your structure, we also clean the lighting fixtures. Before we start cleaning, we switch off the electrical power and then pretest our cleaning solutions so that we settle on the most appropriate one. The method that we use should not affect the fixture's finishing. We are careful when cleaning the chandeliers and depending on the situation we are dealing with, we may choose hand cleaning or decide to go with low-pressure steam cleaning. Where necessary, we can disassemble the chandeliers before doing the cleaning.

It is always challenging to remove residues from the attics since their surfaces are normally made of unfinished wood, are porous, and in most cases irregular in shape. By using a deodorizing pre-sealer or a duct sealer, we can seal any unexposed structural timber during the restoration. If there are some contents at the attics, we can remove them before doing the cleaning.

Our experienced team at SERVPRO of Naples / Marco Island is Faster to Any Size Disaster whether it is mold, storm, fire, or water damage related. Call us at (239) 302-5700 Residential Services and get services from a proven industry leader.

Click here for more about Marco Island.

Space Heaters Increase Fire Damage Risk in Naples

1/30/2018 (Permalink)

Placing your space heater too close to flammable objects such as blankets, towels, and curtains can cause a fire to start.

Tips for Preventing Fire Damage Caused by a Space Heater

Cold snaps in Naples are rare, but they do happen. Whether a native Floridian or a more recent resident moved in full time or only during the winter, coping with the chill can prove challenging. If the choice of warming the air in your home increases the risk of fire, residents must be cautious. When caution is not enough to evade fire, you need our help to recover your property from the damage.

An apparently simple solution for colder than typical temperatures in Florida is a space heater. A space heater is inexpensive and requires no major installation to bring warmth into a home, making it a popular choice. Naples residents need to know that 15 percent of the fire damage in U.S. homes traces its cause to heating systems, and over 40 percent of these fires attribute to space heaters. We are familiar with the devastation caused by a space heater accident or malfunction.

SERVPRO notes the most common ways a fire starts because of a space heater are the following:

• Placing blankets, curtains, or other combustibles too close to the heater
• Tipping of the space heater by children, pets, or anyone who trips over the cord
• Failing to keep the heater clean of dust
• Using an extension cord or power strip that cannot handle the load
• Continuing to use an outdated unit not up to code

The first three expose flammable materials to the intense heat of the coils. A fire set this way burns hot and fast. The last two threaten a possible electrical fire which can smolder or cause a fire between walls in the wiring. No matter what type of fire damage your home suffers, SERVPRO’s highly-qualified crews respond quickly.

Expect our crew to assess the situation thoroughly and design a comprehensive restoration plan to clean, restore, and arrange for repairs. Loose soot and ash receive a dry sponging and vacuuming while the stickier, thicker residues from a fire that smoldered are cleaned with sprays, solvents, and abrasives, chosen for efficient results based on the IICRC coursework our technicians mastered. SERVPRO deodorization specialists then evaluate the need for technologically advanced odor eliminating efforts like thermal fogging or hydroxyl generation if cleaning is inadequate to abate the smell.

Engage the services of SERVPRO of Naples / Marco Island with confidence if a space heater causes fire damage to your home. Call (239) 302-5700 24 hours a day to set up an assessment by our skilled fire damage experts.

To learn more about the Naples Fire Department and fire prevention click here.

There is Hope After Fire Damage Incidents in Naples

12/29/2017 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO we thoroughly inspect and restore your home after fire damage leaving it "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO’s Steps to Restoring Your Home after Fire Damage

There is no worse feeling like watching a fire damage incident take down your valued property, and the fire extinguishing trucks leave your compound. That is when everything becomes a reality, but hard to believe. Even with the frustration, there are some steps you are advised to take as a resident of Naples to restore your property.

During fire damage scenarios in Naples, acting fast is the key to mitigating the damage. If you decide to work with an IICRC-certified company like SERVPRO, then there are some things you should expect. The technicians first inspect your property to identify the source of fire and the extent of the damage. We then look at the kind of residues and the surface of your property. All this is important because we have to clean your property, find out what to restore and replace, address the unpleasant odors and much more.

After inspecting your property, we may find some debris that dissolves better in water - hydrophilic - and some that will not - hydrophobic. On the other hand, some dissolve better in oil - lipophilic - and some do not - lipophobic. Dependent on the type of debris, we choose an oil-based cleaning agent or water-based cleaning agent to do the job. In some situations, we may opt to use lubrication, chemical action, mechanical action, suspicion and dispersion as cleaning methods.

During a fire, all manner of waste is produced and irrespective of its form, cleaning it is necessary. The debris that results from the burning process can combine with water and fire extinguishing agents to form a waste flow of acids. That may make your business area an unsafe place for working and some surfaces to corrode. Our SERVPRO technicians use appropriate cleaning agents that neutralize the acidic waste, and after that, we use suitable deodorization techniques to guarantee your safety.

SERVPRO of Naples / Marco Island responds to all kinds of storm, mold, fire and water disaster. Call us at (239) 302-5700 and learn more about our proven restoration services.

Click here for more information regarding Naples, Florida.

Common Causes of Fire Risk After Flooding on Marco Island

10/21/2017 (Permalink)

Turning off the circuit breakers or even the main power switch when facing flooding in your home is important for you safety. Contact SERVPRO.

SERVPRO Technicians Take Precautions So That Damages Do NOT Compound After a Flood in Your Home

The last thing you may expect to exacerbate a flooding situation at your property on Marco Island is a structural or material fire. In fact, it happens more frequently than you might think, and can create a safety and property crisis. Learning from our experience and training can help you avoid this dangerous and costly situation.
 
Modern homes run and rely on dozens of electrical appliances. Refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, and ranges rule the kitchen. Washers and dryers, water heaters, and HVAC systems fill utility rooms. Electronics, lighting, and even high-end adjustable beds must plug in to operate. We recommend you unplug all of these items and many more you may own not on the list. Also, shut off your circuit breaker panels when you face flood damage to your home.
 
Cutting the power avoids fire risk in Marco Island in two significant ways during flooding. First, the possibility of sparks that could create a blaze is minimized or eliminated. Second, the disconnected appliances and other items can be evaluated to ensure they are dry and undamaged before you attempt to use them again. If the power has been cut to your home during the flood, it is especially important to make sure everything that relies on electricity to operate cannot become “live” when the power restores. The surge in electricity, particularly to submerged plugged in items, may cause fires and put you at risk for electrocution. SERVPRO technicians help determine how to safely re-engage your appliances and electronics after the flood waters recede and the spaces dry.
 
If you fuel a stove, water heater, dryer, or HVAC system with gas, that supply must be shut off as well during flooding. The flow of natural or LP gas in any appliance or to run a generator can create an inferno, with the fire now floating on the flood waters. Flammable fluids of any kind can ignite as they do not mix with water, so oil lamps, kerosene lanterns, and even cleaning solvents, paints, and other chemicals can start a fire despite or even because of the flood. SERVPRO technicians are vigilant about safety when cleaning up flooded areas that also contain volatile substances, following the industry best practices learned during IICRC training.
 
Have wiring and piping inspected before reestablishing gas or electric power after flood water remediation. Hidden damage, shorts, or leaks may result in unexpected fires, including smoldering inside the recently dried walls. SERVPRO works with other experts to ensure the home we helped restore does not contain previously unknown fire hazards.
 
Flood damage need not lead to destructive fires. Follow the lead of the experts at SERVPRO of Naples / Marco Island, available round the clock at (239) 302-5700, to restore your home without risk of collateral damage.

For more information regarding Marco Island, click here

Eliminating Smoke And Fire Damage Protects And Restores Your Naples Kitchen

9/20/2017 (Permalink)

Removing the presence of both smoke and fire damage can return your kitchen to the condition most suitable for cooking and preparing meals.

Eliminating Smoke And Fire Damage

Even the most experienced chefs can find themselves distracted while cooking up their latest masterpiece. That distraction disappears as soon as the smoke detector sounds. Because burning food continues to produce smoke for quite a while after removal from the oven, smoke damage can steadily accumulate inside your Naples kitchen and adjacent rooms. Cooking produces sticky by-products in the steam released, especially when the food includes meat and other high-protein items. However, these articles significantly increase whenever food burns, making the odor last longer.

Naples cooks and chefs who find their kitchens marred by smoke and fire damage can revitalize their favorite part of the house through proper mitigation. SERVPRO's technicians work hard to remove all traces of mishaps in your kitchen. If the surprises created in your kitchen included a small blaze that destroyed cabinetry, our Fire and Smoke Restoration (FSRT) certificates from the IICRC keep us prepared and ready to handle that expertly, as well.

Food tastes a certain way based on different factors, including how it smells to the individuals who eat that particular food. This is why a cold or the flu can change the way food tastes and is often behind the complaint of bland and tasteless meals. Smoke damage can affect the quality of future meals, just as fire damage can hinder your cooking routine.

We understand that serving healthy meals that your family finds delicious is important to you. Removing the presence of both smoke and fire damage can return your kitchen to the condition most suitable for cooking and preparing meals, and we have the skills and experience to make it happen quickly.

Removing charred areas of a kitchen prepares it for restoration work. Eliminating the areas with odor-producing particles tightly adhered accomplishes both cleaning and basic deodorization. Further neutralization of odors may require the use of hydroxyl generators. These are safer than traditional ozone machines and can safely run while people are in the home. These machines can also safely run around damp carpeting and plants, increasing their versatility and the effectiveness of our deodorization techniques.

SERVPRO of Naples / Marco Island can be relied on to fix whatever smoke and fire damage woes are affecting your kitchen. Reachable at any time, our local number is (239) 302-5700.

For more about the city of Naples visit https://www.naplesgov.com/.

The Dangers of Device Chargers and Fires in Marco Island

2/10/2017 (Permalink)

Inspect your chargers regularly. But if you do have a fire, call SERVPRO quickly to remediate.

SERVPRO Technicians Regularly Remediate Fire Damage

The number and variety of electronic mobile devices which need to charge are always increasing. These include mp3 players, tablets, laptops, cell phones, and e-readers. All chargers for these devices need space to breathe. They put off quite a bit of heat during the charge cycles that must dissipate with the right amount of ventilation. If you cover the devices and they cannot breathe, they can build up the heat and lead to a fire. The lithium-ion batteries installed in these devices have containers that are pressurized that can rupture when the temperature quickly rises, or melt down if it is hot for a long time. If your device has caused a fire, you will need a fire remediation company, such as SERVPRO.

Pillows, blankets, and bedding in your Marco Island home can block airflow and trap heat in your device. Therefore, do not leave your electronics charging on your bed while you are sleeping, as this can easily start a fire and cause fire damage.

You need to inspect your power cords and chargers on a regular basis for any excessive wear, as damaged cables can emit electrical sparks which can start a fire. Frayed or damaged cords should be thrown out right away. SERVPRO should be alerted immediately if you have experienced a fire because of a device charger.

One of the biggest risks is believed to be the availability of cheap, generic chargers. Safety and fire experts have reported that chargers on auctions sites are a lot cheaper than their branded counterparts, but that there is no guarantee that they meet safety standards. It was found that more than half had been wired with sub-standard components, and none of them complied with the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards.

Different devices need varying levels of charge. Generic chargers, therefore, run the risk of putting too much energy into a device, which causes the battery to overheat. A fire can quickly start, especially if it is left unattended.

Branded chargers are not as likely to create a problem since they are designed specifically for particular devices. They are the most reliable when it comes to fire safety.

Small fires can start quickly, and spread even faster. If your home has been damaged by a device or charger fire, contact SERPVRO of Naples/Marco Island immediately. We have the experience, tools, and skills to mitigate your fire damage correctly. Give us a call anytime at (239) 302-5700, so we can come out to your home and go over the repairs and process of remediation with you.

Fire Safety Tips for Condos and Apartments

1/30/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Tip: Have at Least One Fire Extinguisher in Your Home

SERVPRO Tips on Fire Extinguishers and More

The U.S. Fire Administration, during a typical year, home electrical problems account for 26,100 fires and $1 billion in property losses, claiming the lives of 280 Americans and injuring 1,000 more annually. Residential fires are often caused by electrical system failures, but much more are the result of overloaded circuits, long or frayed extension cords,  and incorrectly installed wiring, in fact, about half of all residential electrical fires involve electrical wiring.

In South Florida and Naples, fire damage is always possible in many of the apartments are older, so it is important that we make sure our equipment is up to date. If you don’t know how to do this, check in with your landlord, it is their job to make sure everything is up to standards and working. If you do not think your equipment is up to date, let your landlord know! As we have heard a thousand times, “it is better to be safe than sorry.”

Every apartment, condo, or home should be equipped with at least one portable fire extinguisher; SERVPRO  realizes that not everyone is as familiar with this technology as we are, so we have included some tips from our experience with advanced, automated building systems and knowledge of fire, security, and energy management systems. Having a working fire alarm dramatically increases your chances of surviving a fire. Fire extinguishers are one factor for an emergency response plan. Each family member should know what the pre-arranged escape route is to safety. Your home should have smoke alarms that are tested and working (do not forget to exchange out batteries) in all bedroom areas.

How to Operate a Fire Extinguisher
Remember the word PASS:
•Pull the pin. Make sure the nozzle is directed away from all individuals.
•Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
•Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
•Sweep the nozzle from side-to-side.
Larger facilities such as schools and university dormitories, public buildings, and hospital and medical facilities must also take precaution and heavily monitor each room and hallway throughout their buildings. Unlike a house or apartment, these facilities have hundreds of fire extinguishers which are part of automated systems that are monitored around the clock to make sure they are fully charged and operating properly. Recent technology has made it easier and more cohesive for the facility and building managers to monitor the fire system, HVAC  controls, building-wide communications, and life safety systems through integration in the environmental control system that shares information system-wide.

Overall, it is important to be familiar with your surroundings and remember what you learned in elementary school: stay calm and locate a safe escape. Every household should have a home fire escape plan and working smoke alarms. Fire extinguishers and alarms can save lives and property, but only if they are working correctly and appropriately managed. Since fire grows and spreads so rapidly, the number one priority for residents is to get out safely.

SERVPRO of Naples/Marco Island is ready 24/7 to assist you with any water, mold, or fire emergency you may confront by calling us at (239) 302-5700.

Marco Island Fire Damage & Restoration

11/28/2016 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO we understand that sometimes, things have the ability to go horribly wrong.

Fire Damage & Restoration in Marco Island

Accidental fires happen every day, and they don't just happen to the unfortunate. A simple mistake can lead to a devastating fire that billows out of control, leaving more damage behind that you ever thought was possible.

Luckily, there are many services available through our offices in the local area for all of your Marco Island fire damage restoration needs. When accidents happen, don't hesitate to give us a call, we're happily ready to assist you with whatever you'll need to get back on track.

At SERVPRO we understand that sometimes, things have the ability to go horribly wrong. Having a few friends over for dinner, watching a game or having a barbecue can tire anyone out; to the point to where they feel that some things are better left for tomorrow. So, you finish up the obvious and hit the bed.

The grill wasn't taken care of correctly, the garbage collected during the event didn't get disposed of, and the accelerant used to speed up the barbecuing process is sitting between them, acting as if it doesn't want to be the center of attention.

A high wind hits and topples the barbecue over onto the accelerant; the accelerant quickly spreads along the concrete patio floor to the garbage can. The trash eventually has flames soaring from inside that reach the patio canopy, burns through the screens, molding and even breaks the glass of your sliding door.

Now that the fire is inside, it jumps from fixture to fixture, furniture, and draperies, decimating your family room and heading to the rest of the house with a vengeance. By the time it reaches your fire alarms to warn you of the danger, it is entirely out of control.

You manage to get your family to safety, and the Firefighters easily extinguished the fire upon arrival. But now you have a seemingly unlivable space and don't know what to do next. That's where SERVPRO comes in; we have the expertly trained technicians and experience to assist you with all of your fire damage restoration needs.

SERVPRO responds to your call immediately and begins work to return your home to its pre-fire damage condition. We work with your insurance company and get you and your home the services that will correct your situation with as little interruption to your routine as possible.

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

Make the call to SERVPRO of Naples - Marco Island today; we're available to you 24/7 and will give you the services and respect you deserve. (239) 302-5700