Fire Damage Restoration Experts

9/30/2024 (Permalink)

Fire Damage

A fire is one of the most devastating events a property owner can face. Even after the flames are extinguished, the damage from smoke, soot, and water can continue to affect your home or business.

At SERVPRO of Destin, Seaside & Freeport, we provide comprehensive fire damage restoration services to help you get back on your feet.

Common Causes of Fire Damage

1. Kitchen Fires
   Cooking accidents are a leading cause of house fires. Always stay in the kitchen while cooking, especially when using the stovetop or oven.

2. Electrical Fires
   Faulty wiring, overloaded circuits, or malfunctioning appliances can cause electrical fires. Be sure to have your electrical system inspected regularly.

3. Candle Accidents
   While candles can create a cozy atmosphere, they can also lead to fires if left unattended. Always blow out candles when leaving a room or going to bed.

Our Fire Damage Restoration Process

When fire strikes, fast action is critical to minimize damage. At SERVPRO of Destin, Seaside & Freeport, we follow a thorough process:

1. Emergency Response
   We’re available 24/7 to assess the damage and begin cleanup immediately.

2. Smoke and Soot Removal
   We use advanced cleaning techniques to remove smoke and soot from walls, ceilings, and other surfaces.

3. Water Damage Restoration
   Firefighting efforts often leave behind significant water damage. We remove water and dry affected areas to prevent mold growth.

4. Reconstruction and Repair
   From replacing drywall to painting and flooring, we restore your property to its pre-fire condition.

If you’ve experienced a fire, call us at (850) 863-2552 for immediate help. We’ll make the damage "Like it never even happened."

Fire Damage Restoration Experts

9/30/2024 (Permalink)

Fire Damage

A fire is one of the most devastating events a property owner can face. Even after the flames are extinguished, the damage from smoke, soot, and water can continue to affect your home or business.

At SERVPRO of Destin, Seaside & Freeport, we provide comprehensive fire damage restoration services to help you get back on your feet.

Common Causes of Fire Damage

1. Kitchen Fires
   Cooking accidents are a leading cause of house fires. Always stay in the kitchen while cooking, especially when using the stovetop or oven.

2. Electrical Fires
   Faulty wiring, overloaded circuits, or malfunctioning appliances can cause electrical fires. Be sure to have your electrical system inspected regularly.

3. Candle Accidents
   While candles can create a cozy atmosphere, they can also lead to fires if left unattended. Always blow out candles when leaving a room or going to bed.

Our Fire Damage Restoration Process

When fire strikes, fast action is critical to minimize damage. At SERVPRO of Destin, Seaside & Freeport, we follow a thorough process:

1. Emergency Response
   We’re available 24/7 to assess the damage and begin cleanup immediately.

2. Smoke and Soot Removal
   We use advanced cleaning techniques to remove smoke and soot from walls, ceilings, and other surfaces.

3. Water Damage Restoration
   Firefighting efforts often leave behind significant water damage. We remove water and dry affected areas to prevent mold growth.

4. Reconstruction and Repair
   From replacing drywall to painting and flooring, we restore your property to its pre-fire condition.

If you’ve experienced a fire, call us at (850) 863-2552 for immediate help. We’ll make the damage "Like it never even happened."

How Will My Fire Damage be Restored in Grayton Beach?

6/20/2023 (Permalink)

We restore fire damage 24 hours a day in Walton County.

Our local Destin, Seaside, and Freeport teams are trained and certified to restore residential and commercial fire damage in Grayton Beach following this comprehensive, seven-step process:

Step 1: Emergency Contact

Our representative will ask questions regarding the fire damage event that will help us respond immediately with the appropriate equipment and resources. 

Step 2: Inspection and Assessment

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

We will board up missing windows and walls and place tarps on damaged roofs. 

Step 4: Water Removal and Drying

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

Step 5: Removal of Smoke and Soot

We use specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces. 

Step 6: Cleaning and Sanitizing

We clean, sanitize, and disinfect all of the restorable items. We’re also trained to remove odors using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.

Step 7: Restoration

Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet, or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.

Call Us!

When your home or commercial business in Grayton Beach has fire damage, our Destin, Seaside, and Freeport team is Here to Help. ® Call us today at 850-267-0746.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

Smoke Detector Maintenance and Safety Tips for Destin?

1/24/2023 (Permalink)

We restore fire damage 24-hours a day in Walton County.

Our local Destin, Seaside, and Freeport teams witness firsthand the difference smoke alarms make in a home’s fire escape plan. These early detection systems allow people to get out of the house quickly. Our teams of professionals are on call and ready to respond to fire damage emergencies 24 hours a day and usually arrive onsite within four hours of your call for help.

Here are some smoke alarm safety tips from the National Fire Protection Association:

Smoke Alarm Safety

• A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat, and fire. Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home. 
• Smoke alarms should be interconnected. When one sounds, they all sound. 
• Large homes may need extra smoke alarms
• Test your smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.
• Today’s smoke alarms will be more technologically advanced to respond to a multitude of fire conditions yet mitigate false alarms
• When a smoke alarm sounds, get outside and stay outside
• Replace all smoke alarms in your home every ten years

Call Us Today!

When you have a fire damage emergency in your Destin home or business, our Destin, Seaside, and Freeport team is Here to Help. ® We’ll restore your fire damage “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 850-267-0746.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

Holiday Decoration Fire in Rosemary Beach?

12/13/2022 (Permalink)

We restore fire damage 24-hours a day in Walton County.

Our local Destin, Seaside, and Freeport teams wish everyone in Rosemary Beach a happy holiday season! Winter holidays are a great time for families and friends to get together. The National Fire Protection Association offers these tips to ensure you have a happy and fire-safe holiday season: 

Holiday Decorating 

• Be careful with holiday decorations. Choose decorations that are flame-resistant or flame-retardant. 
• Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn 

• Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both 
• Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read the manufacturer’s instructions for the number of light strands to connect. 
• Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged 
• Keep decorations away from windows and doors 

Holiday Entertaining 

• Test your smoke alarms and tell guests about your home fire escape plan 
• Keep children and pets away from lit candles 
• Keep matches and lighters up high in a locked cabinet 
• Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stovetop 

• Ask smokers to smoke outside. Remind smokers to keep their smoking materials with them so young children do not touch them. 
• Provide large, deep ashtrays for smokers. Wet cigarette butts with water before discarding them. 

Call Us Today! 

Our technicians are on call to respond to fire damage emergencies 24-hours a day in Rosemary Beach. When your home or commercial business needs fire damage restoration services, our Destin, Seaside, and Freeport team is Here to Help. ® Call us today at 850-267-0746. 

Franchises are independently owned and operated.  

Thanksgiving Day Fire Prevention Tips for Freeport Families?

11/21/2022 (Permalink)

We restore fire damage 24-hours a day in Okaloosa County.

Our local Destin, Seaside, and Freeport teams wish everyone in Freeport a Happy Thanksgiving Day celebration. Home cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires in the United States, and more than 1600 home fires happen on Thanksgiving Day each year.

Here are some cooking safety tips from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to keep your Thanksgiving day fire-damage-free.

• Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol, don’t use the stove or stovetop.
• Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking
• Keep anything that can catch fire (oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels, or curtains) away from your stovetop

Call Us Today!

Our technicians are on call and ready to respond to fire damage emergencies 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. When your Freeport home or commercial business needs fire damage restoration services, our Destin, Seaside, and Freeport team is Here to Help. ® Call us today at 850-267-0746.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

Party Lights Cause Outdoor Electrical Fire in Rosemary Beach?

10/17/2022 (Permalink)

We restore fire damage 24-hours a day in Okaloosa County.

Our local Destin, Seaside, and Freeport teams restore fire damage every year. Ocean City residents spend a lot of time outdoors, and party lights are a popular way to illuminate backyards at night.

Here is some information from the National Fire Protection Association for staying safe around electrical equipment and powerlines.

Equipment Safety

• Have a qualified electrician do all electrical work
• To prevent an electric shock, make sure all your outside electrical receptacles are ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protected
• Use lighting and power tools that are listed by a qualified test laboratory and make sure they are made for outdoor use
• Store your electric tools indoors
• Keep electric tools away from children
• Check lighting and extension cords for damage before using. Replace damaged cords right away.
• Use extension cords listed by a qualified test laboratory and marked for outdoor use. Extension cords are not meant for long-term use.

Powerlines

Have a professional tree-cutting service trim branch that might fall on electric wiring. Use a wooden or fiberglass ladder outside. Keep the ladder at least 10 feet away from power lines. Never touch anyone or anything in contact with a downed wire. Power lines may be live; stay a safe distance away. Report downed wires to authorities right away.

Call Us Today!

Our team in Destin, Seaside, and Freeport is Here to Help ® when your Rosemary Beach home or business has fire damage. Call us today at 850-267-0746.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

Grilling Safety Tips for Destin Residents?

9/9/2022 (Permalink)

We respond to fire damage emergencies 24-hours a day in Walton County.

Destin Grillers Need to Know

Our Destin, Seaside, and Freeport team is trained and certified to restore fire damage by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). We have the training, equipment, and experience to restore fire damage “Like it never even happened.” Grilling fires happen every year. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 16,000 fires are started each year by outdoor grills.

Here are some grilling safety tips from the NFPA to keep you and your loved ones safe while enjoying the summer barbeque season:

Propane and Charcoal Grills

• Only use propane and charcoal barbecue grills outdoors
• Place the grill well away from the home, deck railings, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches
• Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area
• Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill
• Never leave your grill unattended

Propane Grills

·      Check the gas tank hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year

·      Apply a light soap and water solution to the hose

·      A propane leak will release bubbles

Call Us Today!

Our local team in Destin, Seaside, and Freeport is Here to Help ® when you have a fire damage emergency. Call us today at 850-267-0746.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

Flying Ember Fire in Santa Rosa Beach?

8/23/2022 (Permalink)

We are leaders in fire damage restoration services in Walton County.

Every year homes in Santa Rosa Beach are damaged by fire. Our Destin, Seaside, and Freeport team offers these tips from the National Fire Protection Association for making your home less vulnerable to fire:

• REMOVE leaves, pine needles, and other flammable material from the roof, gutters, and on and under the deck to help prevent embers from igniting your home
• SCREEN areas below decks and porches with 1/8 inch wire mesh to help prevent material from accumulating underneath
• COVER exterior attic and soffit vents with 1/8 inch wire mesh to help prevent sparks from entering your home
• ENCLOSE eaves to help prevent ember entry
• INSPECT shingles or roof tiles. REPLACE missing shingles or tiles
• COVER ends of tiles with bird stops or cement to help prevent ember penetration during a wildfire

Home Landscaping

• REMOVE dead vegetation and other flammable materials, especially within the first 5 feet of the home
• KEEP your lawn hydrated and maintained
• PRUNE tree limbs, so the lowest branches are 6 to 10 feet above the ground to help reduce the chance of fire getting into the crowns of the trees
• MOVE construction material, trash, and woodpiles at least 30 feet away from the home and other outbuildings
• DISPOSE of branches, weeds, leaves, pine needles, and grass clippings that you have cut to reduce fuel for a fire

Call Us Today!

When your Santa Rosa Beach home or business has fire damage, our local team in Destin, Seaside, and Freeport is Here to Help. ® Call us today at 850-267-0746.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

Fire Escape Planning for Rosemary Beach Residents?

7/13/2022 (Permalink)

We restore fire damage 24-hours a day in Okaloosa County.

Our Destin, Seaside, and Freeport team knows that having a good escape plan and practicing it with everyone in the family can make a positive difference in the outcome of a fire event in Rosemary Beach. An escape plan is an essential part of a home fire safety plan. Here are some tips for creating one from the National Fire Protection Association:

• Make a home escape plan. Draw a map of your home showing all of the doors and windows. Discuss the plan with everyone in your home.
• Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible. Make sure all doors and windows leading outside open easily.
• Have a designated place (tree, mailbox, light pole) a safe distance away from the house where everyone should meet.
• Practice your home fire drill at night and during the day with everyone in your home, twice a year
• Practice using different ways out
• Include plans for your pets
• Teach children how to escape on their own in case you can’t help them
• Close doors behind you as you leave

Call Us Today!

When your Rosemary Beach home or commercial business has fire damage, our local team in Destin, Seaside, and Freeport is Here to Help ® We’ll restore your fire damage “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 850-267-0746.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

Fire Safety Tips for the Elderly in Destin?

6/13/2022 (Permalink)

We are trusted leaders in fire damage restoration in Okaloosa County.

Our local Destin, Seaside, and Freeport team restores fire damage in Destin every year. Here are tips to increase fire safety for older adults from the National Fire Protection Association:

• Sound the alarm
  If anyone in your household is deaf or if your own hearing is diminished, consider installing a smoke alarm that uses a flashing light or vibration to alert you to a fire emergency. 

• Do the drill
  Conduct fire drills to make sure you know what to do in the event of a fire. If you or someone you live with cannot escape alone, designate a household member to assist and decide on backups if the designee isn't home.
• Open up
  Make sure that you can open all doors and windows in your home. Locks and pins should open easily from the inside. Check to ensure that windows haven't been sealed shut with paint or nailed shut; if they have, arrange for someone to break the seals all around your home or remove the nails.
• Stay connected
  Keep a telephone nearby, along with emergency phone numbers, so that you can communicate with emergency personnel if you're trapped in your room by fire or smoke.

Call Us!

Our Destin, Seaside, and Freeport team is Here to Help ® when your Destin home or commercial business has fire damage. Call us today at 850-267-0746.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

Extension Cord Fire in Santa Rosa Beach Home?

5/9/2022 (Permalink)

We respond to fire damage emergencies 24-hours a day in Okaloosa County.

Electrical fires are a leading cause of fire damage in the United States. Our local Destin, Seaside, and Freeport team wants Santa Rosa Beach residents to be safe around extension cords. Here are some safety tips from The Electrical Safety Foundation International (EFSI):

• Do not overload extension cords or allow them to run through water or snow on the ground
• Do not substitute extension cords for permanent wiring
• Do not run through walls, doorways, ceilings, or floors
• Do not use an extension cord for more than one appliance
• Multiple plug outlets must be plugged directly into mounted electrical receptacles; they cannot be chained together
• Make sure the extension cord or temporary power strip is rated for the products to be plugged in and is marked for either indoor or outdoor use
• Never use a cord that feels hot or is damaged in any way
• Never use three-prong plugs with outlets with only two slots for the plug. Do not cut off the ground pin to force a fit. Never force a plug into an outlet if it doesn’t fit.
• Buy only cords approved by an independent testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Intertek (ETL), or Canadian Standards Association (CSA)

Call Us!

When your Santa Rosa Beach home or commercial business has fire damage, our Destin, Seaside, and Freeport team will restore the fire damage, “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 850-267-0746.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

Fire Prevention and Safety Tips for Seaside Pets Owners?

4/13/2022 (Permalink)

We restore fire damage 24-hours a day in Okaloosa County!

We love our furry friends, but sometimes they can get into mischief and cause fires. Pets can start fires by bumping into, turning on, or knocking over cooking equipment. Our pets are curious creatures, and they can cause fires!

Our local Destin, Seaside, and Freeport team responds to fire damage emergencies in Seaside every year, and we want to make sure your pets are safe around fire. Here are some pet fire safety tips from the National Fire Protection Association:

• Keep pets away from stoves and countertops
• Keep pets away from candles, lamps, and space heaters
• Always use a metal or heat-tempered glass screen on a fireplace and keep it in place
• Keep pets away from a chimney's outside vents
• Have a "pet-free zone" of at least three feet away from the fireplace. Glass doors and screens can stay dangerously hot for several hours after the fire goes out.
• Some pets are chewers. Watch pets to make sure they don't chew through electrical cords. Have any problems been checked by a professional.

Call Us Today!

You never know when you will have a fire damage emergency in your Seaside home or commercial business, but when you need help, our team in Destin, Seaside, and Freeport is Here to Help. ® Call us today at 850-267-0746.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

E-Cigarette Battery Fire in Seaside?

3/16/2022 (Permalink)

We restore fire damage and remove smoke odor in Okaloosa County!

Over the years, SERVPRO of Destin, Seaside, Freeport have restored fire damage related to smoking. Here are some smoking safety tips from the National Fire Protection Association:

Electronic Cigarettes

Never leave charging e-cigarettes unattended. E-cigarettes should be used with caution.

• Battery failures have led to small explosions
• Fires have occurred while e-cigarettes were being used
  • While the battery was being charged
  • While the device was being transported

Smoking Safety

• If you smoke, use only fire-safe cigarettes
• If you smoke, smoke outside. Most deaths result from fires that started in living rooms, family rooms, and dens or bedrooms.
• Keep cigarettes, lighters, matches, and other smoking materials up and high out of the reach of children, in a locked cabinet

Put It Out

• Use a deep, sturdy ashtray. Place it away from anything that can burn.
• Do not discard cigarettes in vegetation such as mulch, potted plants or landscaping, peat moss, dried grasses, leaves, or other things that could ignite easily
• Before you throw away butts and ashes, make sure they are out, and dousing in water or sand is the best way to do that

Call Us Today!

When your Seaside home or business needs fire or smoke damage restoration services, SERVPRO® of Destin, Seaside, Freeport will restore the damage, “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 850-267-0746.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

Hoarding Fire in Freeport Home?

2/23/2022 (Permalink)

We respond to fire damage emergencies 24-hours a day in Okaloosa County

Our local team of professionals in Destin, Seaside, and Freeport clean and restore hoarding scenes. The National Fire Protection Association explains why hoarding environments increase fire danger:

Hoarding Increases Fire Risks

• Cooking is unsafe if flammable items are close to the stove or oven
• Heating units may be too close to things that can burn. They might also be placed on unstable surfaces. If a heater tips over into a pile, it can cause a fire.
• Electrical wiring may be old or worn from the weight of piles. Pests could chew on wires, and damaged wires can start fires.
• Open flames from smoking materials or candles in a home with excess clutter are very dangerous
• Blocked pathways and exits may hinder escape from a fire

Hoarding Impacts First Responders

• Hoarding puts first responders in harm’s way
• Firefighters cannot move swiftly through a home filled with clutter
• Responders can be trapped in a house when exits are blocked. They can be injured by objects falling from piles.
• The weight of the stored items, especially if water is added to put out a fire, can lead to building collapse
• Fighting fires is very risky in a hoarding home. It is hard to enter the house to provide medical care, and the clutter impedes the search and rescue of people and pets.

Call Us Today!

When fire damages your home or business, our team in Destin, Seaside, and Freeport is Here to Help. ® Call us today at 850-267-0746.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

Quick Response Times are Essential For Destin-Area Fire Damage Resolution

1/7/2022 (Permalink)

Fireplaces can be cozy and relaxing - be careful to prevent damage from smoke & ashes

SERVPRO Cleans and Restores Homes After Smoke & Fire Incidents

The minutes and hours after a fire are confusing and overwhelming for a homeowner in the Destin-Area. It is tempting to leave and take a few days in temporary housing before deciding what to do. Resist that understandable first reaction, because even waiting just a few hours to begin fire damage restoration can accelerate the long-term damage to your home. SERVPRO of Destin, Seaside, Freeport is 24/7 emergency response team and respond around-the-clock to fire damage sites.

Soot and smoke can spread rapidly throughout a home, getting into crawlspaces and rooms you hadn't suspected of being affected. The Fire damage then begins to deteriorate every object, surface, and building material you own everywhere inside the house. Our technicians are trained by standards and protocols issued by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration. Our SERVPRO team has the skills and the experience to halt the deterioration cycle and restore your property "Like it never even happened."
 
The residues left by the combustion of materials in the fire area are acidic, yellowing plastics, nearby appliances, and porous materials including marble countertops within minutes. It can make uncoated metals tarnish and furnishing finishes to discolor. If the fire damage restoration cleanup begins quickly, our SERVPRO team can limit permanent harm by using the latest industry technology and cleaning products. 
 
If days or weeks elapse before cleanup, the corrosive residues turn painted walls yellow. Clothing, carpeting, upholstery, and window coverings may stain and discolor to an extent impossible to reverse. A speedy intervention by our SERVPRO crews saves you from these progressive fire damage issues. We also work with your insurance throughout the process, saving you out of pocket costs.
 
Waste no time contacting SERVPRO of Destin, Seaside, Freeport if you experience the misfortune of a fire in your Destin home.

Call Us Today – (850) 267-0746

Fire Damage To Your Destin-Area Property

1/6/2022 (Permalink)

Residues cover personal property and structural components which destroy both just like flames and heat if not quickly cleaned from the surfaces.

Fire Damage in Destin-Area

Fire damage effects in homes are not only from high-heat and embers. Most of it comes from the smoke and soot that result from the slow-burning materials. These residues engulf personal property and structural components which destroy both just like flames and heat if not quickly cleaned from the surfaces.

Structural components are those items attached to a home. The restoration of these components requires extensive knowledge on cleaning practices for upholstery, drapes, and odor removal. SERVPRO of Destin, Seaside, Freeport has over 30 years of experience in the Destin-Area when it comes to restoring components and other property affected by fire damage.

Cabinets and related furniture need a thorough inspection before cleaning. Our technicians are trained in assessing all pre-existing furniture damage and identifying a viable restoration plan for each individual piece. Exteriors have paint or some veneer that require either a particular cleaning solution or simply water for removing smoke and soot residues. Before the first chemical is applied, technicians remove all hardware (i.e. knobs and hinges) to reach every inch of surface possible.

Interiors in most cabinets are usually unfinished wood and therefore easier to clean. There is less damage from soot if the cabinets were closed, so to protect them from smoke residues, our personnel use denatured alcohol to block smoke from setting into the wood pores. The alcohol help prevents not just visible damage but eliminates odors as well.

Before we start cleaning drapery rods and brackets, we make certain they are still firmly mounted to the wall. If we do have to take them down, (due to damaged drywall for example) technicians take pictures to make certain they can be returned to their original positions. Most rods, brackets and other hardware can be easily wet cleaned with a simple detergent. Once they have finished cleaning, technicians lubricate moving pieces with a silicone spray where needed.

Lighting fixtures can be cleaned as part of the ceiling restoration. Technicians attempt to leave them in place but remove some styles such as chandeliers to prevent physical damage while cleaning. If residues remain on the surfaces for only a short time, most fixtures can be cleaned with spray bottles, mild detergents, and soft cloths.

Personal property damaged by smoke and soot is removed and cleaned using an extensive inventory of tools and cleaners. Structural components usually have to be cleaned in place with fewer options available. To ensure this is accomplished in a professional manner, contact us here at SERVPRO of Destin, Seaside, Freeport for a free site inspection. 

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – (850) 267-0746

How SERVPRO Certified Teams Restore Your Watercolor Home After A Fire

1/4/2022 (Permalink)

Our certified experts will restore your home after fire and smoke damage, call SERVPRO first.

Stress–Free Emergency Services to Attend to Fire Damage Incidents

Burning is only one way homes in the Watercolor area become damaged during a fire. Other things happen during a blaze that add to the ruination of a dwelling. SERVPRO can help get everything cleaned up and made “Like it never even happened,” again.

As the fire inside your home burns, smoke travels to all corners of your home, and while the majority of the smoke follows the path of least resistance, smoke also fills every corner and area in your home. As it travels, this smoke adheres to heated walls, especially above windows and doors, as well as around any ventilation holes made by the fire department.

Without quick cleaning away of the soot particles stuck to these areas, staining becomes permanent. Repainting requires scraping away of the paint or heavy application of sealers and primers. We use cleaning agents that remove the soot and leaves the area free of grime and eliminating the stain. The sooner we begin, the easier it is for us to achieve the results you want.

The water used by the fire department acts a lot like the smoke as soon as it turns to steam. Steam can also carry particles from burning items inside your home and once in contact with surfaces, these substances make a stain. These stains permeate deeper than those caused by smoke and may require additional work to get your home looking nice again. We need to dry these areas in addition to cleaning them. An early start can allow us enough time to save these areas from swelling, which requires the installation of new, unmarred materials.

SERVPRO's IICRC-certified employees work together in teams to ensure complete mitigation of fire damage throughout your entire home. After a fire, it is equally vital that we restore dry conditions as it is to remove burned items and remove the soot that clings to surfaces. We also pay close attention to the odors that now plague your home, and discuss with you the different methods we can use to make things smell like they should again.  

Fire Damage Restoration

The goal of fire damage restoration services is to prevent further damage and restore the customer's property using appropriate methods and equipment. The surfaces or items exposed to the soot have varied needs which force us to use several cleaning techniques. Before choosing a cleaning method, we have to determine whether the method can affect the surface or material in any manner. That means we cannot choose an aggressive cleaning method when it is likely to leave unwanted scratches on your Watercolor property.  

We categorize the smoke residues that a fire damage incident leaves on your Watercolor property as light, medium, or heavy. To clean non-oily light/medium residues, our SERVPRO technicians use dry cleaning procedures. Such methods are appropriate for removing surface dust. We do this by vacuuming and slightly wiping or brushing surfaces with the help of feather dusters.  

Wet cleaning procedures can remove moderate and heavy some fire and soot residues. We first pretest the area with the residues and determine the best cleaning agent to use. During the process, we saturate the surface with a cleaning agent and to loosen its bond with the particles and then wipe or wash away the detached residues. Spray and wipe is an example of a cleaning process where our SERVPRO technicians control the quantity of the cleaning product that we apply on surfaces.  

When the bond between the surfaces and the residues is so strong, we may opt to use an abrasive cleaning method. When using this cleaning method, our SERVPRO technicians apply a cleaning product on the surface and then use an abrasive material such as steel wool to scrub the area. The cleaning product should be in sufficient amounts to lubricate the surface and prevent scratching. We can also use this method when it is necessary to repaint surfaces once cleaning is complete.

SERVPRO of Destin, Seaside, and Freeport has professional restoration and cleaning solutions to attend to both residential and commercial needs. We have the equipment, resources, and training to restore your property to its earlier state. Call us at (850) 267-0746 at any time of the day when you need proven emergency solutions.

Learn more about the Watercolor area.

Preventing Electrical Fires in Your Santa Rosa Beach Home

12/10/2021 (Permalink)

A fire can happen anywhere at any time. Call the professionals at SERVPRO for help if your home has been affected by a fire.

SERVPRO Technicians Deal with Many Different Kinds of Fire Damage Scenarios

Thousands of electrical fires are reported each year in the United States. Electrical fires in homes result in a larger dollar cost per fire than fires that are not electrical. Most of these fires could have been prevented by taking some preventative steps that everyone can do.

For older homes in the Destin & Seaside area, the key to avoiding fire damage from electrical sources is to have an experienced electrician inspect your wiring. It is not meant to last forever, so if your home is over a century old, it is overdue for rewiring. If your older home has experienced an electrical fire, you want to contact us at SERVPRO right away once the fire is out. We work fast so that additional damages from soot and smoke are minimized.

Cause of Fire Damage

One of the main causes of these kinds of fires is faulty wiring. If you see any wiring which is tattered, worn out, or frayed, replace it. Cords that are in poor condition can cause sparks or overheat and start a fire.

Another common cause is overloading, which occurs when you have too many appliances plugged into the same outlet, power strip, or extension cord. It is recommended to purchase power strips that have internal overload protection.

Keep flammable materials away from any electric appliances. Portable space heaters are quite dangerous but don’t forget about hairdryers, irons, or even lamps. Any appliance can trigger a fire if it encounters flammable material, including towels, blankets, and rugs. Do not hide cables under carpets and rugs.

Unless it is a matter of simply replacing a cord, fixing faulty wiring and shorts needs the expertise of an electrician. Flickering lamps, breakers that always trip, plugs that spark when you plug something in, and buzzing outlets can all cause sparks and fires.

When the worst does happen, SERVPRO is standing by to help you clean up the mess and make repairs to your home and possessions. We treat every customer as an individual as well and walk you through the remediation process so you are comfortable with what is going on.

When you trust in SERVPRO of Destin, Seaside, Freeport, you can rest easy knowing we take care of your home for you. We can even speak with the insurance company to take that stress off you so you can focus on yourself and your family when you call us at (850) 267-0746.

What to Do After Fire damage in Destin and Seaside?

12/10/2021 (Permalink)

When you experience a fire in your home, you need expert assistance. Call our team at SERVPRO at (850) 267-0746.

Getting things Back Together as Quickly as Possible After Fire Damage

It’s not uncommon for people to leave their homes in a hurry to get to work, school, and other activities when they are running late. Some families do it all the time. While there is nothing wrong with this practice, it may eventually leave the family open to an unwanted surprise. Specifically, in the cases where a family member leaves the iron on, and it begins to burn their clothing, or they may leave food on the stove cooking for extended periods. Regardless of the situation or the circumstances, these are easy recipes for the family coming back to a fire damaged home.

Even though no one would like this scenario to happen to them, there are many reasons for being the victim of Destin & Seaside fire damage. So, for those interested in what to do when the ultimate tragedy does occur, here are some valuable recommendations that can be used to get things back to normal as quickly as possible. 

Contact Your Home Insurance Provider to Report the Incident Immediately 

Most people invest in a home insurance policy that covers the home in case there is a fire. In many cases, mortgage companies require this kind of insurance and are mandatory for homeownership, so there is a good chance that the owner has a good policy that they can depend on during these times. SERVPRO suggests contacting the insurance company right away to get the ball rolling in some different areas. For instance, if the fire damage is extensive, the home may not be livable for quite some time. Meaning the family will need a place to stay until the damage is repaired. The insurance company’s representative can assist with getting the appropriate alternative housing as soon as they receive the call. 

Check out our Comprehensive Fire Damage Restoration Services 

In addition to contacting the insurance provider for assistance with filing a claim, the homeowner is also tasked with getting help cleaning up the fire damage so that the family can occupy the home again. Because we provide a wide variety of different fire damage recovery services, we can help you and your family with the essential things you need on the day of the fire and after. For example, once the firefighter extinguishes the fire and leaves the scene, the real work begins, and we can assist you with this part of the process. One of the essential duties and responsibilities is securing the home before the family leaves the property. This is typically done by boarding up windows and doors so intruders cannot enter and vandalize the property. 

Getting things together after a fire can be a devastating experience for everyone involved. So, it is essential to solicit the right help as quickly as possible to begin the restoration process. To get the help you need, call our SERVPRO of Destin, Seaside, and Freeport representatives at (850) 267-0746, so we can customize recovery plans to fit your immediate needs.