Keeping the Flames Under Control at Home | SERVPRO of Dover/Stillwater

6/1/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Dover/Stillwater is here for you whenever disaster strikes.

What is your favorite meal to whip up in the kitchen? Whether you delight in a three-course meal or a cup of mac and cheese, we all spend a considerable time in the kitchen preparing food.

In the majority of cases, we rely on heat and flame to cook our food to perfection! Because of that, it should be no surprise that the vast majority of house fires start in the kitchen. We explain some easy ways to stay fire-safe while making your meals below. 

Safety Tips  

All it takes is a single spark or wandering flame to cause a serious fire in a matter of seconds. Start by preparing your space before you even light a burner or turn on your stove. 

Remove flammable materials from around your stove, like pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils and decorations. You should also be mindful of the clothes you are wearing when you are cooking. Loose sleeves, apron strings and even long hair can be dangerous near a flame, so keep your sleeves rolled up and your hair pulled back.

Grab a lid for the pot or pan you are using and keep it on the counter while you are cooking so you can quickly toss it over a growing flame to snuff it out. If a spark flares up, you can easily take control without having to reach for your fire extinguisher.

Remember, grease and water do not mix, so never use water to put out a grease fire. You always smother a grease fire.

What to Do First

Whether you are trying out a new recipe or making a dish you have made hundreds of times, fire is unpredictable and can start at any time. If you are near the flames when they erupt, either smother the flames with your pot lid or grab a fire extinguisher to put them out that way. 

If a fire starts in the oven, do not open the door. Simply turn off the oven and wait for the fire to slowly run out of fuel and extinguish itself. 

Keep in mind that these fire-extinguishing methods only work if you feel comfortable staying to fight the fire. Your safety should always be your top priority, so remember that it is OK to back away and call 911 if you are in danger. Stay low below the smoke line, and get outside as quickly as you can. 

Where Our Team Comes In 

Once the fire is out and the trucks roll away from your drive, our team will be there to take over the next steps in your restoration. We are fully trained to handle every aspect of your fire and water damage, and we can even rebuild the entire affected area.

We will work hard to clean, sanitize, deodorize and restore your beautiful home in no time at all! Once we are through, you will never know that a fire broke out in your kitchen or anywhere else in your home.

Don’t wait to call SERVPRO of Dover/Stillwater if your home suffers fire damage. We are Here to Help®!

Practical Things to Note about Soiling in Dover Homes from Fire Damage

9/14/2022 (Permalink)

When a fire occurs in your Dover home, don't hesitate to call SERVPRO. We are trained and experienced in all phases of fire damage restoration.

SERVPRO Offers Guidance and Assistance in Dover to Facilitate Fire Restoration

After a property disaster, many thoughts may run through your mind. The physical damage to valuables and structural elements is usually the primary concern, especially after fire incidents, since the heat and flames consume materials. Such incidents also leave Dover properties heavily soiled. Therefore, when preparing to address the damage, you should have a solid plan to tackle the soiling it causes.

Some of the things you notice in your Dover property after fire damage may not paint a clear picture. For instance, if the incident seems minor and is restricted to one area, such as the bathroom, you might assume every aspect of restoration needed, including the cleaning process, would be easy. However, an experienced team like SERVPRO understands that surface evaluation can be deceiving when dealing with fire.

The combustion process has many byproducts, and most soil various materials, whether fabrics, wood, stone, and plastic, in many ways. Ash, dry soot, and wet smoke residues are the most common results. Quelling the fire also contributes to soiling since it introduces water or fire-retardant chemicals within the house. The water readily dilutes residues driving them deeper into materials or causing staining in fabrics. 

Some important things to note:

• A small fire does not always leave minimal soot
• Soot is not a homogeneous residue
• Fire intensity influences the physical condition of soils

The amount or quality of residues you have to remove from your property depends on what transpires during combustion rather than how far the flames spread. If the blaze is scorching, it consumes materials almost entirely, thus leaving minimal deposits. Residues also tend to be fine. On the other hand, a smoldering fire only manages partial combustion, thus leaving significant wet residues. 

Synthetic and Organic Residues

Fire residues can be simply described as a mass of black or gray deposits embedded or accumulating on surfaces. From this perspective, cleanup is expected to be straightforward, wiping off residues from surfaces. In reality, fire residues greatly vary, which affects the ease of cleaning. One of the factors with the most significant impact is whether the materials burnt are organic or synthetic. Organic material is a naturally occurring substance such as wood or cotton fiber, while synthetics are artificial and include plastics. 

Qualities of soot from organic sources:

• Fine and powdery
• Less pungent
• Dry and easy to clean

The cleaning challenge is significant if the soiling left in your house by fire comes from synthetic materials. Such deposits tend to adhere to surfaces. Alternatively, the residues can be wet and smeary. Our SERVPRO technicians use distinct approaches to deal with soling from such residues. In the case of upholstery or fabrics, we use the salvage cleaning technique using 1 percent chlorine solution bleach. For structural materials such as wood, highly abrasive methods such as sanding or blast cleaning help strip off the stubborn layers of residue accumulating on the surfaces. For china and crystal, especially in kitchenware, the acidic properties of wet smoke residues can cause etching. Timely cleaning is the best solution to such an outcome. A method like ultrasonic cleaning helps remove the fire residues fast and effectively. 

SERVPRO of Dover / Stillwater has years of experience and is well prepared to handle any aspect of fire damage at your property, making it “Like it never even happened.” Call us at (973) 810-2825. 

Understanding Fire Damage Remediation in Dover

7/12/2022 (Permalink)

Fires happen every day. Be prepared to call SERVPRO to get your home back. We are standing by 24/7 for your emergency call.

Fire Debris Removal Experts In Dover Discuss The Importance Of Air Scrubbers

If a fire ever sparks inside your Dover home, the results could be catastrophic. An inferno can quickly grow if given enough oxygen and fuel, which could cause you to have to conduct fire debris removal. If the blaze burns hot and long enough, it could torch many of your building materials and contents. In some situations, items can be restored, but in others, they must be removed and replaced.

For example, if wooden items such as your wall studs get torched and are charred more than a quarter-inch deep, they may have to be removed and replaced by a professional restoration company like SERVPRO. As a part of several fire debris removal projects in Dover, burnt items must get removed and properly disposed of. It is vital that when removing charred items, soot does not spread to previously unaffected areas. Sometimes, we set up a containment chamber to trap any dust and soot created during the demolition process.

During several restoration projects where our SERVPRO technicians set up containment chambers, we also utilize air scrubbers. These scrubbers suck in the contaminated air and push it past a high-efficiency particulate air or HEPA filter. The filter traps any dust or soot particles before the air gets exhausted from the machine.

We can attach the air scrubber to the containment chamber by cutting a hole on the side and attaching plastic to the air scrubber. The hole cut into the contained area. Once the air scrubber is turned on, negative air pressure is created inside the contained region. The negative air pressure causes any dust created during the demotion process to be sucked into the scrubber and pulled past the HEPA filter so that the debris does not spread to previously unaffected rooms in your house.

Air scrubbers can also clean or scrub the air in an affected area after all burnt items have been removed and replaced. Once all charred contents and building materials have been discarded in sealed plastic bags, the air scrubbers can continue to pull any dust or soot out of the atmosphere. Air scrubbers can also be run in unaffected areas of your building to ensure that no dust or soot remains inside your home.

For professional assistance after a fire, call SERVPRO of Dover / Stillwater at (973) 810-2825 24/7. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

We Put The Flames Of Worry Out In Dover After A Fire

5/23/2022 (Permalink)

Our certified technicians are ready to restore your home 24/7 after a fire. We have state of the art equipment to remove soot and smoke damage.

Fire Damage Dover – Kitchen Stove Fires

One of the most common causes of a fire in the home is grease fires that begin on the kitchen stove. A fire can begin almost anywhere in your home. However, a kitchen fire can start due to inattention, distraction, and bad luck. If a fire starts, get everyone, including pets, out of the house and call 911. First responders can deal with the fire while your family remains safe.

The technicians at SERVPRO in Dover understand how stressful fire damage in your home can be. Cherished heirlooms may be lost. Your life is disrupted. Even the material used by the fire department to control the fire causes damage to your home and contents.

Where to Begin

Homeowners are often overwhelmed by conditions in their homes and wonder how their families can recover. Our SERVPRO crew chief can develop a plan to put everyone's mind at ease. The first step is to assess the loss, e.g., is it safe to enter the home? What rooms are impacted? What is the extent of the fire, smoke, soot, and water damage?

SERVPRO can also provide board-up services to cover broken windows and tarps to cover the roof to prevent further damage. We also help manage the paperwork required by your insurance company.

Restoration Of Your Home

Depending on the extent of the damage, restoration of your home may require the removal of water from basements, floors, and walls. We clean all surfaces. We wash all hard surfaces, and walls are wiped down, and all of your contents can be removed and cleaned.

Fire-damaged structures such as cupboards, countertops, and even wall structures may need to be replaced depending on the extent of the damage.

Smoke odors may remain even after a thorough cleaning. We deploy ozone generators and thermal fog deodorizers to remove smoke odors in your home. The occupants of the house may need to leave home for a few days while this process is applied.

We work closely with your home insurance company and contractors to ensure your home is restored after a fire, "Like it never even happened."

Call SERVPRO of Dover / Stillwater at (973) 810-2825 for 24/7 service. We proudly serve Hopatcong, Jefferson, Wharton, and surrounding areas. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Cleaning Soot Residues During Fire Restoration in Dover

4/12/2022 (Permalink)

Smoke is produced with even small fires. But no worries! SERVPRO knows how to remediate the damage.

SERVPRO Provides Fire and Smoke Remediation Services in the Dover Area

After a fire inside your home gets extinguished, one of the most visible forms of damage can be the presence of soot residues. Not all fuels get combusted when things burn, and partially combusted particles get released as smoke. When the smoke travels through the air, it can solidify when it touches cooler surfaces and turn into soot.

Fire restoration in Dover often involves a large amount of soot cleaning. Soot residues can be present on your building materials and contents, like your furniture. Our SERVPRO technicians know that figuring out how to clean the various types of soot can be a significant portion of the remediation project.

When cleaning soot residues, the process must break the bond between the soot and the affected item. We can use the following four methods to loosen the soils from the affected surfaces in your home:

• Mechanical Action: Agitating the affected surface is often an effective way to dislodge soot residues. For example, we can use mechanical action to pre-clean a surface before using water-based chemicals.
• Lubrication: When we use a chemical to lubricate an item, we make it slippery. Lubrication can help break the connection between the soot and the affected surface.
• Chemical Action: We can also use products that chemically alter the soot. The changes made to the soil's molecular structure can allow it to be removed from the affected item.
• Suspension and Dispersion: In some cases, it is best to soak your affected contents in a cleaning solution.

Other services available after you suffer from a fire:

• Smoke Remediation
• Fire Debris Removal
• Fire & Water Damage Restoration
• Structural Deodorization

If several of your contents ever get covered in soot residues after a fire ignites in your home, call SERVPRO of Dover / Stillwater at (973) 810-2825.

Fire Damage Cleanup in Your Dover Home

4/12/2022 (Permalink)

Smoke produced by a kitchen fire is challenging to remove.

Oven Hoods And Kitchen Fire Damage Cleanup in Dover

Kitchen fires are not as uncommon as you might think. The scale of harm that occurs during an event like this is usually relatively small- the structure remains intact with minimal permanent damage to appliances and contents. However, the smoke produced by a kitchen fire is challenging to remove with just household products and creates a thick, unpleasant odor. Using a professional restoration service increases the chances of returning your home to its preloss condition.

Animal fats are incredibly flammable and one of the common reasons our customers require fire damage cleanup in Dover. Although mainly composed of carbon, smoke also carries chemicals present in the material burning. Where protein is concerned, smoke or soot deposits are typically greasy, and using the wrong products can spread soiling around rather than removing it. SERVPRO technicians conduct a pre-test to know what type of smoke we are dealing with and the best way to remedy each type.

We understand that you want to get back to your everyday life as quickly as possible after a kitchen fire. Although the flames are usually contained to a specific area, smoke rises upward and can travel around the home as smoke cools, ash, and soot drop onto countertops and flooring. You can assist in the cleanup operation by lightly wiping off some soot from some of these surfaces. SERVPRO specialists communicate with you every step of the way and direct you to areas you may wish to help with during service. Some sites, however, require professional attention and should remain the sole responsibility of your technician.

Cooking appliances are frequently fitted with hoods. These hoods feature fans that expel cooking odors. When a fire occurs, the hood and inside the ventilation shaft can become soiled, causing malodors. SERVPRO can thoroughly clean and deodorize inside the oven hood to prevent this from becoming an ongoing issue in your home.

Restoring a property requires professional assistance. Contact SERVPRO of Dover / Stillwater at (973) 810-2825 to arrange a call out.

Does the HVAC System Need Cleaning After a Fire?

1/29/2022 (Permalink)

When fire damages your HVAC system, SERVPRO fire damage restoration specialists have you covered.

When Fire Damages Occur in Hopatcong Homes, Damages like Soot and Odors Can Move Through Ducts and Damage the Entire System and Connected Rooms.

Tracking the progression of fire loss effects throughout your Hopatcong home is a vital effort for the first job scoping process. Understanding the full measure of current damage and the expected path of odors and soot before containment barriers and equipment can be installed can ensure that the right tools and products are brought into the staging area assembled near the damaged region of the property. This inspection needs to be as thorough as possible to ensure that every possible impacted area of the house has been documented.

Fire restoration for Hopatcong homes and businesses is often more intricate and involved than many property owners realize. Our objective in recovery is to restore over replacing damaged structural elements, especially when the exposed surfaces can be more valuable than the costs of removing and replacing. Essential aspects of your household can get overlooked in self-inspections by homeowners, such as the HVAC system. When this network of air ducts becomes compromised, it could be damaging to all areas of the home.

What Makes HVAC Cleaning Important?

During a structure fire, ducts can fill with hot smoke and move quickly to colder areas of your house, seeking a temperature and pressure equilibrium. This rapid movement through the system can leave the inside of these ducts heavily compromised by soot and smoke residues in Hopatcong. If you do not successfully and thoroughly clean this air circulation network before your appliance begins to run again, you can recirculate these potential contaminants and particulates throughout the house in areas that have already been cleaned and restored by responding fire restoration technicians like our SERVPRO team. A thorough inspection of the system can identify threats such as:

• Smoke Particles
• Soot
• Debris
• Odors

When Do Air Ducts Get Inspected for Damage?

During the job scoping phase, where a restoration plan ultimately gets determined and the damage to the property gets cataloged, we can assess the impact smoke and soot have had on the HVAC system. Air ducts can attract ionized and magnetized particles circulating in the air after a fire gets extinguished, which can continue to threaten this network of ducts until the appropriate measures get taken to either clean up the present damage or to seal up openings and vents into the ducts until cleaning and restoration complete in other areas of the house. The condition of the system often comes down to a few questions the evaluating project manager must ask:

• Where Was the Fire? – Understanding where a fire spread can show where it might have entered the ducts. Determining the supply side or the return side can help to narrow where and if damages might exist within the air ducts. 
• How Long Did the Fire Burn? – The disaster's longevity can also indicate the likelihood of residues and soils becoming a factor throughout the HVAC system. The shorter the incident, the less likely soiling occurred or became overwhelming to clean. 
• Was the HVAC System Running? – Because conditioned air is a luxury that most homes and businesses have, it is often likely that no matter the time of year, the system runs to heat/cool the environment. The intake of dirty air from the fire loss can move through all avenues and pathways of the ducts in your home. 

When Should Cleaning Take Place?

Cleaning up your HVAC system after a fire loss involves multiple products and tools, many of which typically get used in air duct cleaning services commonly, such as drill-powered whips, brushes, and vacuums. During mitigation and restoration, the cleaning of this area of the house can begin. Approaches, products, and equipment used vary based on:

• Type of Damage – Varying residues present different concerns for technicians, as wet smoke is thicker and more challenging to remove than dry smoke. 
• Severity of Residues – The concentrations of these coatings can require different pre-cleaning actions for agitation, like brushing and vacuuming. 
• Smoke Odors – Negative air chambers can often be a vital containment measure for duct cleaning, but there are also deodorizing tools like ULV foggers that can remove smoke odors trapped in the ducts.
• Accessibilities – How readily the damaged areas can get reached and restored plays a role in the necessary recovery approaches.

Regardless of how damaged or compromised HVAC systems might become after a housefire, our SERVPRO of Dover / Stillwater team can help with efficient cleaning and recovery solutions. Give us a call anytime disaster strikes at (973) 810-2825.

Do Hopatcong Residents Use Fire Restoration Services to Get Rid of Odor?

12/25/2021 (Permalink)

Fire damage restoration is no DIY project. SERVPRO uses the latest technology and equipment for every fire damage remediation service.

SERVPRO in Hopatcong Can Help with Odor-Control and Other Fire Restoration Needs

Reacting to a fire loss situation can be difficult without prior experience. Common household materials can combust quickly in a house fire producing unpleasant smokes, odor, and staining. While most dangerous toxins such as monoxide disperse quickly after extinguishing a fire, other poisons such as sulfur- which can cause unpleasant odors, often stay in a property for several weeks. Using tried and tested methods, SERVPRO technicians can help reduce the amount of odor in your home. Reducing odor is possible with deodorants, odor counteracting beads, and traditional cleaning methods. The most effective measure against fire damage is to enlist the help of professionals. We can help with:

• Smoke and odor removal
• Disposal of fire debris
• Documenting damages

A professional fire restoration service in Hopatcong can help organize and manage all the processes necessary to return your home to its preloss condition. At SERVPRO, we pride ourselves on communicating clearly with homeowners to help ensure a smooth restoration and ease the transition they face when dealing with damaged property. Our services include specialist content cleaning methods that often help restore items that may seem unsalvageable to a preloss condition. Some of our contents cleaning services include:

• Professional dry-cleaning can help remove odors, soots, or stains from clothes, bedding, and draperies following a fire. 
• Odor removal for large soft furnishings includes mattresses, bean bags, and upholstery. 
• Expert care for high-value organic fabrics such as leather cleaning, satins, and silk restoration to help bring your home back to its preloss original condition. 

Take ownership of your property restoration. Contact SERVPRO of Dover / Stillwater for fire restoration at (973) 810-2825.

Is Fire Debris Removal Necessary in Dover Homes?

9/27/2021 (Permalink)

When a fire occurs in your home, don't hesitate to call SERVPRO. We are trained and experienced in all phases and sizes of fire damaged homes.

There Are Many Advantages to Specific Emergency Services Before Mitigation, Like Debris Removal.

Emergency services are a step that our professionals and contractors can take to reduce the severity of damage in your Dover property after events like fires occur. While this heading could indicate several tasks happening simultaneously, one of the most pressing of these actions taken in the early stages is debris removal. This approach is vital to limiting the severity of many threatening conditions that could exist after extinguishment. 

Many insurance providers cover fire debris removal for Dover homes, even if there are variances and discrepancies in what other services and corrective actions might be covered by your policy. This valuable phase of mitigation can have multiple benefits to the structure and even reduce the time and cost of restoration overall. Some of the advantages of fire debris removal for your home include:

• Reduces Concentration of Odors
• Limits Circulation of Soot
• Makes Structural Concerns Identifiable

What Other Emergency Services Can SERVPRO Provide?

Because we also feature in-house contractors on our roster, we can offer a much broader range of emergency services beyond fire debris removal. While it is critical to begin this phase first, our contractors can also work on sealing structural breaches in the roof and other areas of the property created by fire or first responders extinguishing the blaze. We can also utilize this opportunity to begin controlled demolition to prevent structurally weak elements and areas of the house from collapse to protect both the occupants of the house and our responding technicians.

Every phase of restoration and recovery after a fire damage incident is essential for your home. However, the initial actions taken, such as temporary construction solutions and debris removal, can have lasting effects throughout the entire restoration process. No matter what your home needs, our SERVPRO of Dover / Stillwater team can help when you call (973) 810-2825.

Hopatcong House Fire?? Yikes!! Call SERVPRO for Help!

7/23/2021 (Permalink)

You can depend on our technicians to respond quickly to fire damage in your Hopatcong property.

Fire Damage Cleanup in Your Hopatcong Home

Fire safety in your Hopatcong home begins with fire prevention, considering once a fire starts, there is very little time to respond. Within just a moment or two, the blaze can become life-threatening. It is therefore essential that you and your family know what to do if a fire breaks out. Working smoke alarms on each level and enclosed rooms of your home are very important and are the first step to fire safety. 

If your family has been unfortunate enough to experience a fire and fire damage in your Hopatcong home, it is sure to be something you don't ever forget. To help you forget in some ways, SERVPRO is always here to help. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster. As a professional remediation company, we have the training and tools to restore your home to the way it was, whenever possible.

It would help if you also created an escape plan that outlines various escape routes from each room of your home in an emergency. Once you have a strategy in place, practice it as a family to ensure that everyone in your household knows how to get out of the house if a fire were to occur. Be sure to have fire extinguishers in easy to reach places, especially the garage and kitchen.

House Fire Clean Up

With some smoke conditions, SERVPRO staff may use mechanical action to remove the residues without applying a cleaning product. Light concentrations of smoke particles that are not greasy, as produced from dry smoke, can be cleanable from nonporous surfaces. These mechanical actions make only mild agitation and are safe to use on almost all surfaces. 

We can use a feather duster to remove residues on furniture with hard surfaces. Paintbrushes of various sizes are suitable for brushing residues from ornamental or decorative areas of hard surface furniture. A vacuum can take heavy deposits of loose smoke particles and smoke webs off ceiling and wall surfaces. We use a cleaning brush attachment to agitate the residues from the surface. Compressed air blows loose residues from electronic equipment with regulated compressed air. We are careful to control the amount of air pressure that we apply. For significant fire damage, we recommend having an electronics company deal with the cleaning of the devices.

Other things you can do for the safety of your home are regularly servicing your heating system to make sure it is working right and keeping your clothes dryer free of lint. Be careful as well not to overload any circuits and supervise your cooking closely. 

SERVPRO of Dover / Stillwater understands that sometimes fires can still happen, so when your home in Dover, Hopatcong, or Jefferson has suffered from a fire incident, we are here to help. Call us at (973) 810-2825 as soon as the flames are extinguished so we can get to you and help you restore your home as quickly as possible, "Like it never even happened."

Hopatcong Property Owners Know to Call SERVPRO for Smoke and Odor Removal

6/30/2021 (Permalink)

Team SERVPRO arrives on the scene with the experience and the equipment to get the fire damage remediation job done right! Call today.

Why We Use Hydroxyl Generators on Fire Damages in Hopatcong Homes

Part of our ability to help homeowners whenever disaster strikes our communities is having the best equipment and tools. We can restore properties efficiently and effectively. Fires can often have widespread damages beginning at the combustion site and often reaching far beyond the immediately affected areas. When choosing the right professionals to restore these damages in your home, the choice comes down to the availability of skilled employees and adequate equipment to do the job right, like our team offers.

While many machines and specific equipment that our professionals use to restore fire damage in your Hopatcong home, one of the standard devices of this process is our hydroxyl generators. These are multi-faceted pieces of equipment that can help keep our SERVPRO professionals on-site safer and improve several aspects of the damage to your property from the fire simultaneously. Smoke and soot residues are often more insidious and damaging than the actual flames and water damage from the extinguishing efforts.

Hydroxyl Generator and Ozone Machines for Fire Damage Restoration

One of the best features of the hydroxyl generator is the size of the unit. While our team has many of these machines, many homes only require us to use one or two at any given time. Our machines can often treat thousands of cubic feet per unit, offering a broad affected area that these units can work to improve from a central position within your damaged home. The partner for these generators--ozone machines--are heavy-duty air cleaners and neutralizers of airborne particulates but are very limited in their use. Ozone, O3 molecules are dangerous, and no plants, people, or pets can be on location during this clarifying state. Circumstances dictate the equipment our FSRT fire and smoke restoration technicians utilize.

These machines get favored for fire recovery by our SERVPRO professionals because they can address several levels of indoor air quality concerns. With an onboard HEPA air filter, these machines can trap dust, debris, soot, smoke particles, and ash to reduce potential contaminants in the environment. Also, these units work to begin the often challenging road of odor removal and deodorization for the open areas of your home. 

While many steps are part of the fire recovery process for your home, it all begins with the right equipment and the expertise to use it. Let our SERVPRO of Dover / Stillwater rapid response team show you the benefits of our industry-leading equipment by calling (973) 810-2825.

Does SERVPRO provide Fire Restoration of Contents Damage in a Dover Home Fire?

6/21/2021 (Permalink)

Residues and other fire damage need to be cleaned correctly. Team SERVPRO is ready to remediate your home after a fire.

SERVPRO Uses a Variety of Techniques to Remove Smoke Residue from Materials in Dover Homes

The type of smoke residue from a fire in Dover can vary a great deal depending on the kind of fire, the material burned, the temperature of the fire, and of course, how long the fire burns before being extinguished. Grease fires on the stove produce a heavy, oily residue, while fires that are starved of oxygen can produce smoke residues distributed throughout the home.

SERVPRO employs a combination of cleaning actions while completing fire restoration in Dover homes and businesses. We use mechanical, lubrication, chemical, suspension, and dispersion techniques to deal with every type of soil and porous or non-porous surfaces. Saving your contents is one of our priorities to reduce replacement costs and return treasured family heirlooms.

Clients who decide to begin cleaning up after a fire sometimes actually do more damage. Attempting to clean an item using the wrong approach can cause smudging and drive the residue deeper into the surface, especially if it is porous. For example, water does not dissolve greasy smoke residue. Other residues may require the cleaning fluid to stay in place for some time to absorb the residues.

Let the experts at SERVPRO help you with all of your fire restoration needs, including:

• Fire damage remediation
• Smoke damage remediation
• Complete house fire cleanup

Call SERVPRO of Dover / Stillwater for fire restoration in Dover and surrounding areas. We can help 24/7. Call (973) 810-2825.

Local Dover Residents Rely on SERVPRO After Fire Damage

3/22/2021 (Permalink)

Fire restoration should be handled by a top notch company. SERVPRO has the man power and experience for any size job.

SERVPRO Supports the Dover Community with Fire Damage Restoration Services

SERVPRO technicians know the one constant in all post-fire cleanup jobs; no two situations are exactly alike. That is why the techs get detailed information during the initial call to bring every item needed in their green service vans.

When cleaning up Dover fire damage, there are a few similar obstacles that SERVPRO technicians prepare to encounter. The polar opposite of fire is water. However, water damage is a very typical occurrence in properties, and it is not uncommon to need to extract water while also cleaning off surfaces covered in smoke resides. Other regular situations the techs run into frequently on post-fire cleanups include:

• Duct cleaning
• Mixing custom solvent-based cleaning agents for use on specific surfaces without marring
• Controlled demo on the interior to handle water or soot removal

When a fire has happened in a single area of a home, if the HVAC system or foot traffic from the damaged area to other parts of the structure occurred, there is a good potential for cross-contamination. In these cases, the techs have the equipment to restore the ductwork to a clean state for reuse.

SERVPRO of Dover / Stillwater at (973) 810-2825 brings years of experience to every Dover fire damage restoration job, ensuring the best outcome for property owners.

Can Fire Restoration Work for Wood Furniture in Dover Homes?

2/15/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has the latest fire restoration techniques. Their technicians and equipment are ready 24/7 365 days a year.

SERVPRO Brings Years of Experience to Fire Restoration in Dover Properties

When wood furnishings get exposed to fire damage, the outcome can range from reuse to disposal. But the result cannot get predicted from a simple visual inspection.

SERVPRO technicians use several fire restoration methods on Dover furnishings to bring them back to the same state as before the fire. The scoping of the fire damage throughout the home include close inspection of the furniture. It is not unusual for the techs to find tables and other articles covered in soot and needs detailed attention to restore the piece. The techs used cleaning agents specially formulated for use on wood to lift away the residues while doing as little harm to the finish as possible. 

The techs determine the restoration potential in each furniture piece by looking for damages such as:

• Cracked or split joints from heat or water exposure
• Charring 
• Residues on an otherwise undamaged surface

Once the mitigations efforts complete. The piece gets a final inspection to determine if the wood requires refinishing or not. 

SERVPRO of Dover / Stillwater at (973) 453-0401 brings the latest fire restoration methods to local Dover properties. 

Dover Livestream – An Evening with James Gedeon & Friends

11/27/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is looking forward to the music livestream for Dover residents!

Music Lovers Do Not Want to Miss this Livestream for Residents of Dover, NJ, and the Surrounding Areas

Music soothes the soul and warms the heart. During times of social distancing, the ability to watch a wonderful concert from the comfort and safety of your own home is priceless. An Evening with James Gedeon & Friends - an upcoming show at the Mayo Performing Arts Center will be live-streamed for your listening and viewing pleasure. This is your chance to enjoy melodies from singer-songwriter, and former Morristown Onstage champion, James Gedeon.

• Date: Saturday, November 28, 2020
• Time: 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm
• Where: Online – high-quality live stream from the Mayo Performing Arts Center
• Cost: $20 per livestream

Accompanying James Gedeon on stage includes bassist Bruce Alcott, drummer Lou Gioia, and keyboard player Jim Nuzzo.

SERVPRO of Dover/Stillwater is proud to support our local community for live events such as these, especially during trying times and the need for social distancing. If you have a fire in your home and require professional fire damage restoration, we have the technology, workforce, and methods to get the job done. Contact us by calling (973) 810-2825, and we will send our Green Fleet to your property to get started as soon as possible.

What Does Fire Damage Restoration of Homes in Stillwater Involve?

8/23/2020 (Permalink)

The lingering effects of fire damage can be hard to deal with. Contact SERVPRO for professional remediation services.

SERVPRO Provides Skilled Technicians to Help Speed Up or Simplify the Process for You

In the event a fire affects your Stillwater home, you may want to know what restoration involves, for planning or other purposes, before you embark on the process. SERVPRO can lay out the process clearly for you and help you deal with all aspects of the loss "Like it never even happened."

What is the general progression of a restoration process?

The process of fire damage restoration in your Stillwater home is likely to depend on the level of damage the property suffers. However, some steps are common, starting with:

• Removal of damaged materials
• Cleaning of soils from surfaces and materials
• Restoration of salvageable materials
• Managing odors and refinishing surfaces

How do I differentiate materials to remove or restore?

Some forms of damage are easy to classify as salvageable or unsalvageable. For instance, removal of materials like drywall or insulation remnants seared by flames is necessary. However, if the same materials are caked with residues, the decision may not be clear-cut. Our SERVPRO technicians make the decision based on:

• The type of material involved 
• The level of damage
• The cost of replacement compared to repair

For insulation, removal is necessary even when there is no physical damage apart from soot deposits. Cleaning such deposits is more expensive than replacement, while leaving them in place can lead to long-term odor issues. For deposits on drywall, we check what type of residue is involved. In the case of wet smoke residues, we can opt for removal since cleaning is difficult and may not remove all residues.

How easy is it to clean a fire-damaged house?

Cleaning after fire damage is a relative process influenced by many factors, including the size of the property and intensity of the fire. The resources available for cleanup also determine how hard or easy the process is likely to be. Our SERVPRO technicians readily access a wide range of agitation equipment, cleaning chemicals, ladders, and other elevated platforms to simplify the process.

If poorly planned, fire-damage restoration can be complicated. Call SERVPRO of Dover / Stillwater at (973) 810-2825 to help plan and execute the renovation of your home. 

Click here for more information about Stillwater.

Who Can I Call for Fire Damage Removal in Dover After an Attic Fire?

5/31/2020 (Permalink)

Fires can often take you by surprise. Mitigate the situation with a quick call to SERVPRO. We are available 24/7.

Certified Mitigation Professionals Eliminate Fire Damage from Your Dover Property

Attic fires can spark quickly and get out of hand suddenly. The extent of damage to both your home’s structure and its contents can be overwhelming to consider after the danger has passed. However, there is a team that is ready to help you restore your home.

If your Dover home has suffered attic fire damage, SERVPRO is available to assist you 24 hours a day, seven days a week. SERVPRO is committed to providing homeowners with mitigation, cleanup, and rebuilding services that return fire-damaged properties to a preloss state.

What Causes Attic Fires?

The three most common causes of residential attic fires include:

• Electrical failure. Malfunctioning electrical systems are the most likely culprit behind a whopping 43% of attic fires. Overloaded circuits and outlets, damaged wiring, and pests can all contribute to a higher risk of an electrical fire.
• Natural causes. Natural sources like lightning, felled tree branches, and rainwater account for 13% of home attic fires.
• HVAC malfunction. A simple buildup of lint or debris in your home’s HVAC system can lead to a fire risk, especially when the heater is running. Home heating and cooling systems account for approximately 5% of attic fires.

How Can SERVPRO Salvage My Home?

Preserving structural materials can be a challenge after an attic fire. Charring on wood fixtures and flooring may require blast media for removal, while some soot deposits can simply be removed with Crumbly Cleaner or a dry cleaning sponge. Technicians can move the contents of your home off-site for cleaning and restoration as needed, including documents, electronics, and keepsakes.

SERVPRO of Dover / Stillwater provides disaster mitigation that keeps your home looking, “Like it never even happened.” Professional restoration is a phone call away at (973) 810-2825.

Click here for more information about Dover.

How Do I Get Rid Of The Smell Of Fire Damage From Contents?

4/21/2020 (Permalink)

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

SERVPRO Helps in Dealing with Fire and Smoke Issues by Cleaning Dover Properties Where Damage is Identified

Bad odor is a common outcome after fire incidents affect properties. The odor might affect different things, including structural components or the contents held within the premises. When carrying out the restoration process, it is easy to overlook contents, especially when they do not exhibit signs of physical damage. However, looks can be deceiving, so there is a need to clean and deodorize various contents in a house to remove all traces of fire-related odors in Dover.

Which contents are likely to emit odor?

Fire and smoke cleaning when there is damage in your Dover property requires a skillful approach to guarantee a positive outcome. Unlike other forms of fire damage, the areas where odor emanates from might have direct or indirect fire damage. Remember, smoke, which is responsible for most odors, filters effortlessly to most sections of the house through convection air currents. Contents made from non-porous materials such as plastic can only produce an odor when physically affected by the fire. However, other contents made from porous and semi-porous materials allow penetration of odor, especially when exposed to smoke. Such contents can emit odor even when no physical damage is noticeable and include: 

• Wooden furniture
• Upholstery items 
• Fabrics

Is the smell of smoke harmful?

The smell your nose picks up is more of an alert signal that there is an underlying issue. It may not have a significant effect apart from the discomfort it causes you. However, the underlying issues that cause the smell can be harmful to the house occupants or even lead to property damage over time. 

If the smell emanates from aerosols or particulate matter suspended in the air, there is a significant problem since such materials can cause respiratory issues when breathed in over extended periods. Our SERVPRO technicians take corrective steps such as ventilating the area to remove the particulate matter, thus eliminating the risks they pose as well as the odor they produce. In most cases, we use axial air movers, which produce high volumes of air, thus forcing the particulate-filled air out of the property. 

Residue deposits on contents can also cause the smoky smell you experience. Residues such as soot have corrosive properties, which can damage finishes on contents or cause stains.  Removing the residue helps protect the items from permanent damage while also dealing with the odor.

What steps are crucial for odor removal?

• Removal of charred materials
• Residue cleanup from contents
• Ventilating rooms
• Deodorizing affected contents

Odor removal is a multistep process that requires a combination of different steps to achieve the intended goal. Our SERVPRO technicians start by evaluating the loss site to establish crucial issues that need attention. We remove contents damaged beyond repair for disposal. We also use specialized cleaning procedures such as soda blasting to remove charring from surfaces on salvageable furniture or other wooden contents.

Most contents require a thorough cleaning to remove soot and other smoke residues that they collect during the fire. We use various approaches, including spray wiping and immersion, depending on the material or other characteristics of an item. Our technicians also have skills to disassemble some items such as chandeliers or electrical fittings such as lighting accessories to carry out the cleaning process effectively. Where necessary, we use specialized cleaning equipment such as sonic cleaners and upholstery cleaning equipment to deal with various forms of soiling. 

How does deodorization help?

Although removing soils such as soot eliminates a certain percentage of the odor experienced after fire incidents, it is hard to purge all smells through cleaning alone. Deodorizing contents helps breakdown remaining odor molecules. Since some odor molecules penetrate beyond the surface of materials, deodorization is the only way to reach such odor molecules.

Different procedures are necessary for deodorization to be successful. Our SERVPRO technicians mix water-based deodorizers with the cleaning agents we use when cleaning some contents. We also apply deodorizers through:

• Direct spraying
• ULV fogging
• Thermal fogging

Methods such as ULV fogging deliver the deodorizer in the atomized state while thermal fogging recreates the conditions of odor penetration by mimicking smoke. The two methods allow deeper penetration into materials reaching all odors. The deodorizer can pair with odor molecules neutralizing them or work in other ways, such as digesting or sanitizing. From experiences gained over the years while restoring fire-damaged properties, our technicians understand the best approaches to tackle each situation. In many cases, we combine different deodorization techniques to achieve the desired goal or to quicken the process. 

The odor emanating from contents can ruin the outcome of fire damage restoration in your Hopatcong, Jefferson, or Stanhope home. SERVPRO of Dover / Stillwater has experienced crews that can clean up and deodorize all items eliminating all odors from the fire, "Like it never even happened." Call us at (973) 810-2825.

Fixing a Fire Damaged Living Room can be Overwhelming for Your Stanhope Home

10/13/2019 (Permalink)

Fire damage in any part of your home can be overwhelming. Contact SERVPRO right after the fire fighters leave for best remediation results.

How Dry Cleaning Can Restore Your Fire Damaged Home In Stanhope

When your home and personal belongings are burned by a fire, your first instinct may be to start washing all of it. However, not everything can withstand water without getting further damaged. A fire in the living room can leave your drapes and upholstery fabrics a smoky mess, but these materials are very particular. Typical wet cleaning methods might not be the best approach for restoring your home. 

SERVPRO uses dry cleaning techniques for fire damage in Stanhope homes when the affected materials are not strong enough for aggressive wet cleaning. Dry cleaning is also used in the initial, pre-wet cleaning process where light to medium soils, soot, and dust are brushed and wiped away. In the case of the living room fire, dry sponges and vacuums are effective methods of getting rid of the initial layers of smoke before deep cleaning begins.

A living room fire can mean that furniture, rugs, curtains, lamps, and walls are ruined by smoke. In the case of upholstery and drapery, a highly specialized process is employed to clean these fabrics without ruining them. Some wet cleaning methods can shrink drapery fabrics. Dry foam shampoo applies detergent and clean drapes with little to no moisture required. When upholstery needs to be dry cleaned, a series of steps are begun to ensure that these materials are cleared of the effects of smoke. In fact, SERVPRO has 8 upholstery cleaning methods to ensure a thorough restoration. 

When textiles are too sensitive to be cleaned with wet products, they can be dry cleaned with solvents made from oil instead of water. Our dry cleaning machine is safe for most upholstery and drapes, but some fabrics are still better off with hand-drying techniques. Heatable upholstery and drapery solvent can be applied directly or with a towel and then patted dry. All surfaces are toweled multiple times and in different directions to agitate the fibers and shake loose any remaining smoke molecules. After your fabrics have been cleaned, the final restoration can begin. 

Get the right kind of cleaning for your expensive fabrics after a living room fire. Contact SERVPRO of Dover / Stillwater at (973) 810-2825 for fire restoration services. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.  

Click here to learn more about Stanhope.

Our Professionals Discuss How To Remediate Minor Damage After A Fire In Dover

9/5/2019 (Permalink)

“Like it never even happened.”

How To Remediate Minor Fire Damage In Your Dover Home

Dealing with minor fire damage in your Dover home can be incredibly unnerving for the average homeowner. After a small kitchen fire, it is understandable if you feel as if the damage was not extensive enough to reach out for professional help. However, you may feel overwhelmed by the task of remediating the damage yourself. For this reason, SERVPRO can offer some professional advice to help you make the most out of a DIY remediation job.

Even if the fire damage in your Dover home is minimal, it is essential to make sure you have access to all of the supplies that you may need to remediate it. Fire doesn't only leave behind unsightly soot stains, but a foul smell as well. To remediate the fire damage, you need some necessary supplies, such as:

    •    A chemical cleaner, designed to break down grime
    •    Something to scrub the soot with
    •    A ventilation fan
    •    Paint

Once you have your supplies, you can remove your stove and then begin to use the cleanser and scrub together. Professionals, like SERVPRO, have access to many cleaning solutions, specifically designed to address multiple types of soot. It is a possibility that when you remediate the damage in your kitchen, you may impact the paint on your wall. You may find that you need to sand down the general area and apply a fresh coat of paint after removing the soot from your wall.

Once finished, you may notice that the general malodor that the fire left behind remains. Unfortunately, there is not too much you can do about this without professional equipment. A SERVPRO technician could use something like a thermal fogger to address the odor on a particle level. However, as most average people do not have access to advanced cleaning and restoration equipment, you could use a fan to try and air out of the area.

Remediating fire damage in your own home is difficult, but not impossible. However, if at any time you feel out of your element, or unsure of the next step, it is never too late to reach out for professional help.

When your home has suffered sudden fire damage, do not allow hesitation to take over. Reach out to SERVPRO of Dover / Stillwater by dialing (973) 810-2825. Day or night, we're open 24/7 and able to help you.

For more about Dover click here.

Smoke Poses a Severe Threat to Home Electronics

12/17/2018 (Permalink)

Fire loss in Hopatcong,NJ residence

Fire can damage your home in ways you never considered. Smoke, for example, spreads tiny particulates throughout your home. Standard fire cleanup procedures handle most of this damage, but your electronics may still be at risk. Smoke can deposit corrosive residue on sensitive electronic components and circuit boards. In time, the corrosion may cause the device to fail. The solution is to evaluate all your devices for smoke damage and consider the recommended actions.

Insurance Coverage Affects Your Decision to Evaluate and Repair or Replace

It is a good bet that your decisions regarding damage to home electronics have a lot to do with who is paying. You will probably follow insurance company instructions if they are paying for everything without a deductible. You will want to be more selective if you are paying. Here are some things to consider.

1. The device was in a smoky area of your home, and the internal fan was running. If this device is important to you, it is the perfect candidate for fire cleanup. The internal fan that keeps the device cool instead filled the enclosure with smoke. Turn it off immediately. The device should be evaluated and probably cleaned or replaced.
   
   
2. The device was in a smoky area of your home but was turned off. You should have this device evaluated if it is important to you. It should have suffered minimal damage with the fan turned off.
   
   
3. The device was not important to you. The device might be an old TV or computer that you would rather replace than repair.
   Only Skilled Technicians Should Evaluate Smoke-Damaged Home Electronics
   Evaluation of smoke damage is not a job for just any electronics store in the Hopatcong, NJ, area. Inspection of fire-damaged equipment requires someone who knows what to look for and how to repair it. When you bring in a local team of fire cleanup experts, they will help address your home electronics restoration needs.

How To Mitigate Damage After a Fire

11/21/2018 (Permalink)

Cleaning after fire damage in Hopatcong,NJ

Fire Restoration Steps

No matter the extent to which they spread, flames that break out in your building can prompt a lengthy rebuilding time. Fire alone can cause significant damage to your commercial property in Hopatcong, NJ, but fire cleanup is only one part of the mitigation process. Smoke and water cleanup are also necessities. There are several steps fire restoration experts have to take to bring your building back to normal.

1. Removal of Damaged Items

The first thing technicians will probably do is clear out the area that was affected by the fire. All furniture, office supplies, equipment and files are taken from the space. Damage drywall, flooring and ceiling tiles also need to be removed.

2. Control of Excess Moisture

When the temperature rises in the building and sets off the sprinkler system, thousands of gallons of water pour into your building. Firefighters pump even more water in to douse the flames. Before anything can be fixed, water cleanup must occur. Excess water is siphoned out, and surfaces are dried.

3. Removal of Smoke and Soot

Smoke and soot get everywhere during a fire. Fire damage repair experts use certain techniques for smoke cleanup that mimic the conditions of the fire to grab these particles even from tight crevices.

4. Disinfection of Remaining Surfaces

After everything is dry and smoke has been remediated, technicians will disinfect every surface to remove bacteria or any other germs. They use industrial cleaners and special equipment to ensure that the environment will be a safe place when employees return.

5. Restoration of Interior

Once all the surfaces have been cleaned, the restoration team can rebuild the damaged interior structures and begin moving clean, salvaged items back into the building. The building can be occupied after this is complete.

While it's understandable that the fire is your focus, keep in mind that fire remediation usually includes water cleanup as well. Your mitigation experts will need to do both to make the building usable again.

What Does Fire Cleanup Involve?

10/23/2018 (Permalink)

Smoke damage restoration to kitchen in Jefferson,NJ

Fire cleanup starts with a thorough inspection and continues through mitigation and restoration phases. Depending on the extent of a fire, eliminating soot and smoke damage may take a long time. It is important to start the cleaning and restoration process as soon as possible after a fire to limit the extent of damage to a residence located in Jefferson, NJ.

Inspection and Protection

A fire damage restoration company should inspect the extent of fire damage. These experts can provide several services such as

• Helping a homeowner obtain documentation to file a fire insurance claim
• Boarding up broken windows or covering roof holes with tarp
• Putting up security fencing to prevent unauthorized access to the residence

It is important to limit exposure and access to keep out debris and keep soot from getting ground into flooring material.

Removal of Contents

Contents exposed to fire or smoke damage will need to be cleaned or replaced. A cleanup service may provide

• Off-site smoke cleaning
• Soot damage restoration
• Storage options

It is a good idea to keep contents away from the site of a fire until the restoration process is complete.

Cleaning

The cleaning process may start with the removal of any standing water resulting from fire suppression efforts. A cleanup service will then work to remove smoke and soot from porous and nonporous materials and surfaces using specialized methods.

Restoration

The restoration phase may involve purifying the air with one of the following methods:

• Air scrubber
• Air duct cleaning and filter replacement
• Hydroxyl or ozone machine
• Thermal fogging
• Vapor modification
  

Portions of a residence may need to be rebuilt depending on the extent of the fire damage. Reintroduce or replace contents only after restoration is complete.

Residential fire cleanup can be a very extensive process. For the best results, rely on experienced fire and smoke damage restoration specialists based in Jefferson, NJ.

How To Efficiently Address Water Damage After a Fire

8/22/2018 (Permalink)

If your business ever endures a fire, your building will likely sustain multiple forms of damage. In addition to direct fire destruction, your office space may be saturated with water, requiring extensive water cleanup efforts.

Why Water Damage Is Likely

Any existing water damage will originate from two sources. As fire burns, it creates smoke, which can activate the building’s sprinkler system. To fully extinguish the blaze, firefighters will spray it with water, further saturating your work area.

The Cleanup Process

Depending on the severity of the fire, the entire fire cleanup process can take some time to complete. The water cleanup phase is an important aspect of the process and involves several steps.

1. Dry Out the Space

Drying out the affected part of your building is an important first step. You can increase ventilation by opening windows. You can also use fans and a dehumidifier to expedite the process.

2. Remove Wet Materials

Carpet, drywall and insulation are three materials that you will need to promptly evaluate and remove if saturated. These items can become breeding grounds for mold and mildew and usually need to be replaced.

3. Dry Out Office Equipment

In addition to walls and flooring, your office furniture and equipment will probably also show signs of water damage. You need to dry and individually assess each item for salvageability. To prevent short-circuiting printers, computers and other electrical devices, unplug them and consider having a professional restoration team assess their viability.

4. Prevent Mold Growth

Part of the smoke cleanup process involves cleaning intact walls and surfaces with a dry chemical sponge or a mild detergent. Once these areas are clean, you may want to spray with them a water and bleach mixture to prevent mold and mildew.

5. Verify the Space Is Dry

Allowing your office space to completely dry before finalizing repairs is important to help prevent future mold growth. Before replacing insulation, drywall and carpets, verify the absence of moisture.

With time and effort, a business in Dover, NJ, can successfully recover from a fire. Although tedious, the water cleanup phase is an essential part of the process that must be completed before your building can be properly restored.

For more on Dover click here. 

3 Electronic Items That Can Be Damaged by Smoke

7/26/2018 (Permalink)

Fire cleanup in your Dover, NJ, home can help you restore some of your most precious possessions.

After a fire, many items inside your Dover, NJ, home may be damaged in ways you cannot see. Among the most vulnerable are your electronic devices, especially those that perform a variety of functions. A fire cleanup service may be able to advise you on how to have these items restored, and understanding how smoke might affect the functionality of your electronic items can help you decide which might need replacing and which can be repaired.

1. Interactive Televisions

Many flat-panel televisions have interactive features that allow you to access streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu and Pandora. After a fire, these televisions may have internal smoke damage that you cannot see. Metal wiring might be most at risk, as smoke can eat away at delicate components once it finds its way inside the unit. You may want to avoid operating your interactive television until it can be examined by a professional repair service.

2. Laptops

Because laptop computers have so many intricate parts, it is wise to ask a fire cleanup service about how to restore them after a fire. Smoke can enter the unit through its USB ports or fan, which can cause serious damage to the metal in the processing core. Using any laptop that has been exposed to smoke from a house fire can be dangerous, so you may want to shut yours down until it can be cleaned properly.

3. Tablets and Cell Phones

Many of today’s tablets and smartphones can perform almost as many functions as a computer, which means they be just as vulnerable to smoke as a laptop. If these items were in the same room as where the fire broke out, the resulting smoke could corrode their internal parts and cause dangerous malfunctions. Ask your smoke cleanup service about the best way to restore these delicate items.

Fire cleanup in your Dover, NJ, home can help you restore some of your most precious possessions. Electronics can be especially vulnerable to smoke damage, and working with a cleanup service can help you make an informed decision about how to go about restoring these items. For more information, visit http://www.SERVPROdoverstillwater.com/.

Soot and Smell: Cleaning Up After a Fire

5/10/2018 (Permalink)

Having your home in Dover, NJ, cleaned and restored thoroughly may take a long time, but the results are worth the wait.

If your home in Dover, NJ, catches fire and undergoes the extensive damage that typically follows, one of your first calls should be to your local fire restoration specialists. While the main problems you see may be the soot and smoke damage that permeates your home, there are many steps that come before taking care of those particular issues.

Preparing for Cleanup

The professional technicians that you hire to restore your home starts by addressing the dire circumstances that could cause further damage. Before getting to the soot damage, these specialists complete a number of tasks:

• Inspect property and assess damage
• Secure home from outside with boards and tarps
• Extract water caused by sprinkler system, busted pipes or broken sewer lines

Only after these steps have been taken can the restoration experts begin the smoke cleaning process.

Cleaning the Grime

Ridding your home of smoke damage may take some time. After all, there is a lot of surface area to clean, and all of it is probably covered in soot. Technicians will probably start with walls and ceilings. Countertops, hardware and appliances that survived the fire must also be cleaned. Through the use of special techniques and equipment, every surface must be cleaned and sanitized.

Deodorizing the House

After all surfaces and items remaining in your home have been thoroughly cleaned, and every item that could not be salvaged has been removed, the experts move on to removing the smell. Cleaning the soot damage off every inch of the house may help reduce the odor slightly, but additional measures are necessary for full restoration. Technicians may have to bring in fogging equipment or industrial air scrubbers to remove the smell of smoke from the air.

Having your home in Dover, NJ, cleaned and restored thoroughly may take a long time, but the results are worth the wait. It is a good idea to discuss the process and the timeline when you hire restoration specialists. For more information, visit http://www.SERVPROdoverstillwater.com/.

Garage Energy Efficient Tips

2/5/2018 (Permalink)

During this cold season it is important to keep every room in your home warm. One place that requires special attention is the garage, because generally this area of your home doesn’t have heat. We are going to mention ten things you can do to make your garage energy-efficient and save money on energy costs throughout the cold season.

1. Insulate Garage Walls: Rolling the right R-value insulation between your joists or blowing it through a small hole in your drywall filling your garage’s sides and ceiling can help keep the warm air in and the cool air out
2. Caulk between Your Garage Walls and Floor: A foam sealant or latex/silicone based caulk works wonders to prevent heat from flowing out between your walls and floor.
3. Seal The Door Connecting Your Home To Your Garage: Check for leaks around the entrance door. Install weather-stripping around the door frame. If your threshold isn’t properly sealing the bottom of your door, apply a draft stopper. Caulk any leaks and the trim along the outside and inside of the door.
4. Insulate Your Garage Door: You can either buy an insulation kit or a new insulated door. The kit will be more affordable, however, may not provide as much insulation as a new door.
5. Insulate Outlets And Light Switches: Use outlet/switch foam gaskets to seal these small escape hatches for energy and carbon monoxide.
6. Switch out Your Lights: Start using either CFL or LED lights in your garage. A LED light bulb only uses 12 watts of electricity to create the equal amount of lumens as a regular 60-watt bulb. A CFL light only uses 15 watts.
7. Windows: Switch out your older windows with Energy Star® certified windows.
8. Solar Heating: If you really want to make your garage energy-efficient, install solar panels. This way you’ll avoid using electricity or gas to keep your garage warm and comfy.
9. Seal Cracks In Your Garage Floor: Cracks in your garage floor introduce cold air and gases into your garage and allow heat to escape. Concrete sealant will prevent heated air from escaping and stop cold air and gases from entering.
10. Keep Your Garage Organized: Do you have too much stuff crammed into your garage? Invest in a storage shed.

Following these recommendations will help you to keep the energy bill from your home lower, and they will help you to have a more comfortable garage and conserve the heat of your home.

Furnace Maintenance Tips to Keep a Warm Home Free of Fires

1/30/2018 (Permalink)

Most homeowners understand how important it is to perform maintenance to a home furnace especially during the cold months, they know that an inefficient or even a broken furnace translate in higher energy bills, a new heating unit, and unfortunately some times in a fire loss. Therefore, learning some tips to keep your furnace running is always a good strategy to save some money and keep your family warm during the winter.

1. Clean the vents:

Cleaning the heating vents around the home is important to keep your furnace running efficiently during the cold months. One thing to do is to vacuum the floor vents to remove any dust or debris, this will improve the air quality of your home and can help you preserve the furnace.

2. Inspect Furnace filters:

You can have a professional help you or you can do it yourself. You can inspect and clean the filters inside the furnace, just make sure it is off and cooled before you touch it.  There are two different kinds of filters, the disposable ones that should be changed every tree months, and the permanent ones should be washed and cleaned regularly during the cold months when you use your heat the most.

3. Check the entire system:    

One of the main things to do when you think about providing maintenance to the furnace is to inspect the entire system. Some important things to check; visually check for any signs of damage around the unit, check that the pilot light is on and that the flame is steady blue, and inspect the exterior vents and the portions of the HVAC system that are kept outside, the last thing that you want is some snow, ice, leaves, and debris to break your unit.

4. Hire a professional:

We recommend that you do some of the maintenance and initial inspection to your furnace, but we also recommend to have a HVAC professional to come and perform an annual furnace maintenance.

We hope that these tips help you to keep your furnace running and that you stay warm during the coming colder days.

Three Reasons Why SERVPRO of Dover/Stillwater Should Restore Your Water Damage

1/30/2018 (Permalink)

Most home owners know that if their property suffers a water damage this is the kind of situation that you want to handle both immediately and effectively. To achieve this, you should count with a trustable and professional restoration company like SERVPRO of Dover/Stillwater to handle your water loss. Besides the fact that we are here for you 24/7, and that we are right here in your community, there are three important reasons why we strongly suggest that you allow us to help you to restore your home in case that you have a water damage emergency.

1. Our knowledgeable and professional team: Our technicians are highly-trained and certified in the water restoration process, the techniques, and the equipment needed to be placed depending on the type of job that they encounter.  They will try to dry and preserve as many materials and contents as possible that may be damaged by the water, because they understand that these are you valuables. Also, some of our guys have been in the restoration business for up to ten years, this alone gives them the field experience and the ability to understand that each loss and client is unique and therefore, they are respectful and friendly when dealing with a client who is going through a stressful situation.
2. Special Equipment and Substance needed to perform the job: A water restoration process needs some elements in order to be successful. Some of the most important ones are the specialty equipment and the chemicals that we use while performing these jobs. We have the high-powered air fans, dehumidifiers, extraction equipment, industrial vacuums, monitoring equipment, etc. As well as all the Chemicals necessary and approved to clean and decontaminate your home or business. Our technicians are professionals who know how to manage the equipment and all the items that we use.
3. We are here 24/7 for you: We know that a water loss can happen when you least expect it. Therefore, we are here 24/7 for you. Anytime of the day or night that you need us we are here for you. You can always contact us to 973-810-2825 and one member of our team will guide you through every step of the process. 

Some of the Most Common Causes of Fires in our Community

12/19/2017 (Permalink)

There are multiple reasons why a fire can start in your home at any given time. Knowing the most common causes of fires in homes could be helpful to try to avoid a disaster. Please read the following causes and take the necessary precautions to protect your family and your property.  

1. Electrical failures:

Every year we received emergency phone calls about fires losses in our neighborhood and one of the most common causes of how they started are electrical failures. Some things that you could do to minimize a potential electrical failure that leads to a fire are: During the Christmas season turn off your Christmas lights and trees overnight, always make sure to use proper electrical cords and do not overload electrical outlets. Finally, consider hiring an electrician that can inspect the electrical wiring at your home at least once a year.

2. Lighting Dangers:

In a previous blog we mentioned how common fires caused by lighting are. Therefore, it will be beneficial to follow some of these tips to avoid one: During a storm unplug any major electronics, avoid taking baths and using any of the plumbing in the house,  do not use a corded phone or corded electronic devices, and avoid to stay close from doors and windows because they can conduce energy.

3. Light Candles

Most of us love to light a candle because they smell good, they are calming, and they look pretty during the season.  The problem is that they can start a fire at any time, to avoid this you should: Never leave candles unattended (blow them out before leaving the room or going to sleep), make sure they are in a flat surface and away from any flammable items, kids, and pets.

4. Smoking

This is one is one of the most common causes of fires in homes and businesses. Some safety tips to prevent a fire are: Always smoke outside of the premises, make sure that cigarette butts are not lit when you disposed them, and make sure to used sturdy ashtrays.

These are just some and the most common causes of fires and some tips to help to prevent them. We hope that you can practice some of these preventive measures and avoid to have a fire loss. However, if you ever have one, please know that we are here to help you. We are SERVPRO of Dover/Stillwater and we have the experience, the team, and the equipment to help you to restore your home after a fire incident. Please call us 973-810-2825.

Learning More About Attic Fires

11/7/2017 (Permalink)

This is what a fire in the attic looks like.

Attic fires are a growing problem that we see happening in our community. Every year we receive a decent amount of calls from customers who unfortunately suffered a loss due to a fire in their attic. Today we want to talk about some of the main causes and what can homeowners do to prevent this from happening to them. First the main causes are:

• Heating systems; most houses have a traditional HVAC heating, ventilation, and cooling system. The accumulation of dust and other particles in the duct work could increase the chances to start a fire. It is important to remember that the furnace should be inspected at least every year to ensure that is working correctly.
• Electrical issues; this is one of the most common causes of fires in an attic, any malfunction of the electrical systems can create a fire. We recommend that you hire an electrician to inspect the wiring in the attic. Also, always be careful when using any electrical appliances in the attic, make sure to unplug any devices before you leave the attic.
• Natural causes; lighting, rain water that gets in contact with electrical wires, and even fallen trees are classified as possible natural causes. For these type of cause the best recommendation is to ensure that you use fire-retardant materials and inspect the condition of your room yearly.

Some of the things that you can do to prevent an attic fire is to take some of the following precautions:

• Inspect your attic; make a habit to inspect this part of your house. This is not a common place of reunion in your house and it can pass sometime before you even go there, but we encourage you to inspect it because checking the electrical wires and making sure everything is safe could save you from an attic fire loss.
• Smoke Detectors; It is always a good idea to install a smoke detector in this part of your house. That way if something happen you will know with enough time and you will be able to get out of the house and call for help instead of knowing after the fire is coming down the house and triggering the other alarms.
• Make sure it is clean; it is important to maintain the area clean of any type of clutter that could increase the risk of starting a fire.

We hope that no one in our community experience a fire loss in the attic, but sometimes things happen and we are here to help. If you ever need us please give us a call and we will be happy to help you to clean and restore your home. SERVPRO of Dover/Stillwater. 

Fire Prevention Ahead of Halloween

11/6/2017 (Permalink)

Halloween Fire Prevention

Is that time of the year when leaves are turning colors, you wake up to a chilly morning breeze, and all the pumpkin spice flavors are in the stores. Also, it is the time of the year when kids and adults enjoy a fun and traditional Halloween costume celebration. In order to enjoy this month and its celebration, it is important to learn some preventing Fire Safety tips to avoid a scene that may look from a horror movie. There are some safety tips that people should follow to have a safe Halloween for them and their families.

About candles. We know a real candle will look better, but it will also look scarier and it will be more dangerous if one of them is the cause of a fire. Decorations are a must for Halloween we know, but you could replace the use of regular candles with battery-operated ones or glow sticks to bring alive your decorations. If for some reason you still want to use regular candles, please be extremely cautious with them. Always place them away from anything that can potentially burn, like other decorations, and make sure that kids and pets are watched at all times.

Trick-or-treating. It is a fun activity, but it is important to do it in a safe way to be able to have a happy memory about it. Some Safety tips to do so:

• The costume: Make sure it is the right size and if possible choose materials that are flame resistant. If wearing masks make sure the eyes holes allow plenty of visibility.
• Flashlights: Kids should have either flashlights or glow sticks in their costumes to help drivers to see them and avoid accidents.
• Stop, Drop, and Roll: Kids should know these three easy steps before going trick-or-treating. They should know what to do in case their costume or clothes catches on fire. First, they should stop. Second, drop to the ground. Third, after covering their face with the palm of their hands they should roll over until the flames are out.

At home. Make sure to check all smoke alarms, keep all decorations away from candles, light bulbs, and heaters, and keep all exits clear. In case of a fire emergency you and your family should be able to be out of the house and not trap in a decorative spider web.

We hope that you and your family follow these safety recommendations to have a safe and fun Halloween. Unfortunate things happen, in the event of a fire loss call us we will make sure to restore your home and make it go from a horrific fire movie scene to a nice home where nothing even happened.

Christmas Trees and fires

12/14/2016 (Permalink)

Christmas can be dangerous.

We all love to get our Trees up and enjoy having family and fiends around them during the holiday season. But this can also be dangerous if the proper precautions are not taken. This is the season of fires. The trees if not watered become dry and burn extremely fast and very hot. Also the lights need to checked for pinched wires and, exposed wiring, and missing or cracked bulbs. Also never use any lit candles near a tree (seems silly but it happens). The next big culprit that can ruin your holiday season is a overloaded extension cord or power strip. This is so dangerous. We see fires from this all year long but especially this time of year. Now we all want the little houses lit up and the tree and the hanging lights and wreaths but remember it all takes energy to do this and overloading your power strip is a sure fire way to ruin the holiday. Also in the North people will start using electric heaters which use a lot of amps and should be dedicated to a circuit to prevent any fires and nothing should be around them. There are a lot of possible dangers this time of year but if you use caution and care you will ensure that the holiday season is one of the best ones ever. So please remember check your lights, keep the tree watered, Never have the lights on when no one is home, no open flames near the tree, and never overload the circuits of your home or the strips you are using and Keep the electric heaters to a minimum and dedicate a circuit to them. We hope that everyone has a magical holiday and that no one experiences a flood or fire but if you do we are here to help make it like it never even happened. And one last thing please check your fire extinguishers and make sure they are up to date and one is on each floor and everyone knows where it is and how to use it.

Have you had your boiler serviced?

2/9/2016 (Permalink)

Laundry room heavily affected by a puffback

Lately we have had a number of claims for what what is commonly referred to as a puff back. What is a puff back you ask. Well it comes from oil fired boilers that are having some form of issue. What happens is the boiler is not burning off all of the fuel being sprayed into it. then over time it builds up and basically explodes in the chamber causing soot and smoke to be pushed through the entire home. This can be avoided by simply making sure it is serviced regularly. However if you have this issue DO NO try to clean it yourself. We use special techniques and chemicals to clean it. If you do it improperly you will actually cause more damage. Please call us so we can help and almost always this is a covered loss under you insurance policy. We are always here to help you. 973-810-2825 SERVPROdoverstillwater.com

Fire damage from christmas lights and dry tress

12/9/2014 (Permalink)

photo of tree burning

Please remember to keep the trees watered and the checks the lights for frays. Fires change lives and cause tremendous damage. The most common cause of fire this time of year is lights being on when no one is around or sleeping and  a dry tree. It takes less than 1 minute to fully engulf a room in fire from a dry tree. That is not enough time to put it out it is barely enough time to get the family out. Please make sure you take all the proper precautions so you can enjoy the season and the family. If something should happen we are always here to help make it like it never even happened.