Recent Fire Damage Posts

Smoke and Soot Damage

6/28/2022 (Permalink)

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

Smoke and soot facts:

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

Different Types of Smoke

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

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

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

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

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

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

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

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

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

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – 229-388-8837

Fire Prevention In Your Home

4/5/2022 (Permalink)

Overloaded outlet This overloaded outlet is an example of what an outlet looks like if it is a fire hazard. Unplug anything that is not in use to avoid a fire.

Power Hungry

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

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

Electrical Safety 

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

  • Routinely check electrical appliances and wiring. Frayed wires can cause fires. Replace all worn, old or damaged appliance cords immediately. 
  • Replace any electrical tool or appliance if it overheats, shorts out causes even small electrical shocks or gives off smoke or sparks. 
  • If an appliance has a three-prong plug, use it only in a three-slot outlet. Never force it to fit into a two-slot outlet or extension cord. 
  • Use electrical extension cords wisely; never overload extension cords or wall sockets. 

Emergency Fire Damage Restoration Process

12/21/2021 (Permalink)

Emergency Fire Damage Restoration Process:

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

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

A Smoke Alarm Could Save Your Life!

12/21/2021 (Permalink)

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

According to the National Fire Protection Association,

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

With any questions you may have regarding fire or smoke damage in a home within Tifton, Cook, Berrien, Crisp or any surrounding areas, give us a call at 229-388-8837

Creating a Fire Escape Plan

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

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

Creating a Fire Escape Plan

12/21/2021 (Permalink)

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

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

Some Facts on Smoke & Soot

1/29/2021 (Permalink)

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

Smoke and soot facts:

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

Different Types of Smoke

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

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

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

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

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

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

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

Emergency Fire Damage Restoration Process

1/13/2021 (Permalink)

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

Emergency Fire Damage Restoration Process:

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

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