SERVPRO Covers All Aspects of Fire Damage Restoration for Homes in Raleigh

4/23/2023 (Permalink)

Fire damage can encompass many factors. You need a trained team to assess and remediate the fire damage after an event. Contact SERVPRO right away.

Fire Damage Cleanup Is Much More Than Removing Smoke Residues in Raleigh Properties

Many consumers believe fire damage in Raleigh homes and buildings is limited to smoke damage and lingering smoke residues. There are three main types of damage related to fires that can impact different rooms. The actual harm from the fire is usually limited to the immediate area of the fire. Damage from high heat is included. The second type is water and chemical damage caused when firefighters put out the fire. The third is smoke damage which can be found throughout the home in various concentrations depending on air currents and proximity to the fire.

SERVPRO provides fire damage restoration in Raleigh, covering all three types of fire damage.

• Fire damage, including structural and heat damage
• Water and fire retardant damage
• Smoke damage, including residue removal, discoloration, and smoke odor removal

Damage caused by the flames and heat can cause various materials to melt, warp, and burn, destroying them. We use controlled demolition techniques to remove these items and any structural materials damaged by the fire.

Water and fire retardants can damage areas of the home untouched by the fire. Furniture and other items must be cleaned and dried quickly to avoid secondary damage from water absorption and mold growth. Doors and windows are often broken during the fire and must be boarded up to prevent additional damage caused by the local environment.

Smoke particles and odors vary depending on the temperature of the fire and the material burned in the fire. These particles are usually distributed throughout the building requiring cleaning of every surface and all contents using the appropriate techniques for the type of smoke residue.

Our highly skilled IICRC-certified technicians assess the damage, contain the area to prevent further secondary damage and provide cleaning, restoration, or replacement of contents and structures damaged by the fire.

Call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest for fire damage restoration services. We provide service to Raleigh and nearby areas. We can help 24/7. Call (919) 790-1222.

What Are the Tools Needed for Raleigh House Fire Damage Mitigation?

3/27/2023 (Permalink)

Call on SERVPRO for expertly trained technicians and thorough fire damage restoration.

From fire mitigation to soot removal, specific tools are essential to restoring Raleigh homes after a disaster.

Even with our expertise and extensive training to make us among the most knowledgeable fire restoration professionals in Wake County, we could not perform the needed fire and smoke damage cleaning without the appropriate tools and equipment from our inventory. With so many facets of smoke remediation and fire restoration, the list of needed tools is extensive. 

Hand Tools and Small Powered Units

Smaller tools can directly impact emergency services and fire mitigation practices early in a Raleigh home. Situations like debris removal can have far-reaching impacts on the total fire damage restoration process. Non-powered hand tools can aid us in scooping and removing debris, soot, and ash. Other hand tools might help with other aspects of cleanup or controlled demolition, such as:

• Drywall saws
• Oscillating tools
• Shovels
• Wet/dry vacuums

Indoor Air Quality Tools

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is one of the main concerns of a fire damage restoration team working in a residence. Our SERVPRO professionals must be mindful of airborne contaminants and carcinogenic particles created during the partial combustion of several materials in the house. IAQ concerns create a volatile environment that slows the progress of other aspects of fire restoration. Hydroxyl generators are a common choice to resolve these threats, as the onboard HEPA filter traps particulates, and the unit also reduces the severity and presence of smoke malodors.  

Soot Cleaning Equipment 

One of the most challenging aspects of contending with soot and smoke soils during fire damage restoration is the varying compositions of the residue in question. Wet smoke damage, for example, create a thick and formidable soil deposit that dry solvents cannot clean. Several tools and products are needed to overcome soot deposits on surfaces to prevent the marring of the underlying substrate. These can include:

• Media/Dry Ice Blasting Equipment – Abrasive cleaning is sometimes needed when soot soils are formidable or penetrate porous materials. Blasting equipment puts media with high-pressure water or air to dislodge and remove set-in soot damage. 
• Vacuums –  Dry vacuums are a powerful tool to help pull loose soils and debris from a surface, leaving only the affixed soot damage on the surface for management with wet cleaning strategies. 
• Dry Chemical Sponge – When thinner and more manageable soot residues exist, we can use rubber sponges that pull soot away from the surface. As the sponge becomes incapable of handling more soot soils, the rubber crumbles off for continued cleaning with a new surface. 

Malodor Removal 

Harsh and offensive odors are common traits in post-fire environments. The combustion of plastics and fuels can create overwhelming smells to accompany smoke and soot particles. These smells are among the final restoration aspects to address. They are partially removed by the time for deodorization with counteractant products and surface cleaning to remove soot and smoke residues in affected areas. When complete odor neutralization is needed, our tools to help in this endeavor include: 

• ULV foggers
• Air filtration tools
• Hydroxyl machines
• Ozone

Having the right products and equipment makes a considerable difference in the efficiency and efficacy of fire damage restoration. Our SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest team works to mitigate loss quickly using modern equipment and approaches that provide the shortest path to preloss conditions. When you call our team we can make it "Like it never even happened." (919) 790-1222.

Fire Restoration at Raleigh Homes- How to Repair Smoke Damage

11/20/2022 (Permalink)

When a fire causes damage to your living area, charring can often be the result. Contact SERVPRO as our technicians are standing by 24/7.

Rebuilding Your Raleigh Home after Fire Damage with SERVPRO

A fire is one of the most destructive elements of nature and can turn a habitable Raleigh home into a heap of dust within a short time. Even though there are proactive methods to control the destruction of the house, you cannot snub the damage that may have already occurred. Not only do the flames from a fire cause charring on things like cabinets, but you would be looking at the smoke, which causes widespread damage. The smoke penetrates carpets, clothing, furniture, upholstery, and other porous materials.

The ultimate goal of fire restoration in damaged Raleigh homes is to reinstate the property and contents to pre-incident condition, leaving a clean and safe environment. If cleaning is not done properly, the smoke odor lingers, and further ruin can occur to your contents and structure. SERVPRO professionals start by evaluating the situation, including the extent of the damage, to know what they are dealing with. Depending on the situation, our crews can use onsite and offsite techniques to restore your home.

Onsite restoration may include the removal of odor particles using the following:

• Air scrubbers
• Thermal fogging
• Ozone treatments

Cleaning smoke damage

Only some restoration projects require a pack out. Some contents can be manipulated and cleaned within their respective spaces. SERVPRO crews might even clean items onsite and then move them to a designated area that has not been affected to be stored. However, when cleanup requires multiple treatments, contents could be packed and taken to the Franchise warehouse for cleaning.

Types of surfaces requiring detailed cleaning include:

• Wood surfaces
• Porcelain fixtures
• Metal surfaces
• Plastics and synthetic surfaces

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest knows rebuilding a fire-damaged home can be stressful, but you don’t have to face fire restoration alone. Call us at (919) 790-1222. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Fire Damage Can Interrupt Your Family's Life in Raleigh

7/18/2022 (Permalink)

We're Faster To Any Size Disaster. Let SERVPRO restore your fire damaged Raleigh home, "Like it never even happened."

Rely on SERVPRO to Restore Your Home after Fire Damage

Fires and other disasters occasionally happen in Raleigh, making regular routines challenging to maintain. Restoring your home means your family's lives can also return to normal. Temporary housing in another location can create stress that affects other areas of your life. Even if your family stays with close friends or relatives, unnecessary stress can have long-lasting effects.

Families in Raleigh dealing with fire damage can look forward to a fully restored home when SERVPRO technicians begin working on it. We come prepared with the skills, training, and equipment to carry out the repairs and restorative work your home requires. Our training includes certifications from the IICRC. Our equipment ranges from small detection devices, aiding us in locating pockets of moisture, ash, and soot to larger items required to keep our workers safe while restoring your home. Other devices like HEPA-filtered air scrubbers remove smoke particulates from the air, improving the IAQ indoor air quality.

Smoke particles infiltrate almost every part of a home during a fire. The extreme heat generated by the house fire can force malodourous particles into materials. Unless we remove these particles physically or change their chemical makeup, they can continue to bother your family. Thermal fogging can eliminate this situation for you and leave your home smelling fresh again. While this step often occurs after the other restoration aspects, mainly when large fires cause extensive damage, smaller fires and their repair work can finish, followed by thermal fogging soon after.

Restoring your home after a fire can mean the end of disruptions to your family's regular routines and habits. Keeping this time to a minimum can help reduce the stress that follows any disaster, including fire damage. We want to help you protect your family from this unwanted interruption by reducing the time involved as much as possible. Our ability to work well as a team and communicate with you consistently helps reduce this time even more.

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest also assists families in the Six Forks and Sandy Plains areas. Surrounding area residents can also rely on us for our professional skills and dedication to helping those coping with the stress of fire damage and other disasters. Call us at (919) 790-1222 to speak with one of our trained professionals, 24/7, 365 days a year.

Who Can Help with Fire Damage Restoration in Raleigh Homes after an Electrical Fire?

6/26/2022 (Permalink)

If your home suffers from an electrical fire, contact SERVPRO to remediate the damage. Our certified professionals are available 24/7.

Raleigh Area Homeowners Contact SERVPRO for House Fire Cleanup

Watching your house contents being engulfed by flames and your family put at risk, can be frightening. However, SERVPRO professionals have decades of experience in the restoration industry. Our technicians can stop further fire damage, salvage most of your valuable items, and get your property to its preloss state.

What precautions should I take?

Before you get into the affected property, wait for the local authorities to deem your property safe for re-entry. Contact our franchise within 48 hours to help with any size of fire damage in your Raleigh home. If you have to get into the property, try to avoid:

• Getting into the property before the relevant authorities declare it safe
• Surfaces with soot and smoke residues to minimize spreading
• Trying to restore the affected area

What are the first steps for fire damage mitigation?

Before we begin the restoration process, we inspect the affected area thoroughly to get a clear picture of the damage intensity. Our team of technicians can use pre-testing of upholstery, fabrics, and porous materials to ensure application of the correct cleaning products.

Can restorers clean valuables with soot?

We ensure to clean and repair our customer’s contents in our off-site warehouse. Our experts can use the immersion technique for delicate items using the ultrasonic cleaner to remove soot and smoke residues. The cleaning technique uses sound waves to form and implode bubbles. The collapsing bubbles produce energy and water movement, which eliminates the soot residues on the items.

With our innovative skills and state-of-the-art equipment, fire damage restoration should be hassle-free. Contact SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest can bring your home back to life, “Like it never even happened.” Talk to us today at (919) 790-1222.

When is Wet Cleaning Preferred for Smoke Residues in Raleigh Homes?

5/17/2022 (Permalink)

You can count on our team to remove any trace of fire and smoke damage on your home. Just call SERVPRO at (919) 790-1222.

Smoke Damage Can Affect Surfaces and Contents Throughout Your Property, Requiring Several Cleaning Approaches. 

Smoke and soot residues that impact Raleigh homes require special cleaning and restoration practices to remove. Without a single universal approach for this cleaning, several factors play a role in which wet cleaning methods are ideal for removing these soils. 

Wet cleaning is often one of the most efficient methods of contending with fire damage in Raleigh homes. Though pre-sampling cleaning approaches are ideal for ensuring the success of proposed techniques and products, our SERVPRO team utilizes our knowledge of the soil type and underlying material to choose among several wet cleaning tactics, such as:

• Dissolving – Allowing detergents and solvents to break down soils on the surface is the basis for how dissolving works. With this approach, soils require a product with a similar composition to work. 
• Emulsification – Unlike dissolving, emulsifying involves using the opposite type of base cleaner to repel particles from the surface. Loosened soils can get rinsed or blown off. 
• Alkaline Cleaners – Because so many particles are acidic, much like most soot and smoke residues, seeking a pH balance can increase the probability of efficient cleaning. 

Are Other Cleaning and Restoration Strategies Efficient? 

Dry cleaning approaches often work on the premise of agitation and reducing the thickness of surface soiling. Vacuuming can often be an efficient base approach to begin these cleaning methods, but these practices are often less efficient and thorough as wet cleaning strategies with solvents and detergents. 

Regardless of the approach used to restore and recover damaged structural elements and contents in your home after a fire, it is always a priority to restore over replacement. Our SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest team has extensive experience and industry-leading equipment to help after a fire. Give us a call at (919) 790-1222.

Fire Damage Technicians Out of New Hope Discuss Cleaning Techniques

4/24/2022 (Permalink)

Regardless whether the fire affected your kitchen or another room in your home, team SERVPRO offers cleanup and effective remediation services.

Smoke and Soot Cleanup Can Be Challenging--Call SERVPRO for Help

When most think about a fire starting at their house in New Hope, they realize that burnt building materials may need to be replaced. Any structural components that received charring must either be treated or repaired. After problems with burnt materials are mitigated, other issues related to smoke can exist. Smoke spreads throughout a structure leaving behind soils and soot residues.

Residues can ruin the finish on some objects and produce burnt aromas. One significant part of restoring fire damage in New Hope is cleaning and removing soils created by smoke. The difficulty of cleaning these residues varies based on the type of soot present, and what kinds of elements got affected. When synthetic materials like plastics burn, the soot generated is more challenging to remove than soils left behind from fires that burn mainly organic elements such as wood.

The soot removal process usually involves a combination of methods and specialized chemicals. Our SERVPRO technicians use cleaning solutions to release soils from being stuck onto surfaces. In most cases, we must use some form of agitation to cause friction that aids in the releasing of soot particles. In some scenarios, mechanical action can remove residues without using any type of chemical.

Some mechanical actions produce mild agitation and can be used to clean most surfaces. Feather dusters can often be used to remove soot from hard surfaced furniture items. Paint brushes can work well when cleaning decorations and ornaments. On surfaces like walls, carpets, and upholstery vacuuming can help pull particles off of the surface. Typically, the first choice of cleanup of smoke and soot is to vacuum dry areas and then move on to another step with detergents. Other things get cleaned well using compressed air to blow off the soot.

When soot residues adhere strongly, and the affected surfaces can withstand more agitation, methods like dry sponges prove to be useful. Dusting cloths containing light mineral oils also work well to clean soils. Crumbly cleaners work like a graphite pencil erase and crumble away as they clean objects. When wet cleaning products are used, our SERVPRO restoration crew uses cleaning towels to scrub items.

In certain situations, choosing the best method that can remove the soot and not ruin the object can be difficult. Many times we try multiple techniques until we find the one that works the best for your specific situation. For help with soot removal after something burns on your property, call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222 seven days a week.

How Soot Moves in Fire-Damaged Raleigh Homes

3/16/2022 (Permalink)

Burning materials generate smoke and soot and distribute soil deposits on surfaces throughout your home.

Fire Restoration Hinges on a Fast Management of Soot Effects in Raleigh Properties 

So many types of materials are impacted by smoke and soot damage after a fire. Because the threats are widespread and move through pathways like the HVAC system and structural openings, mitigating steps are crucial. We can help protect many surfaces from smoke damage, such as:

• Building material surfaces
• Upholstery
• Furniture
• Contents

The Turbulence of Smoke During a Fire

Before fire restoration in Raleigh homes begins, homeowners experience the full measure of damage that both the fire and its byproducts can do to the house. Burning materials generate smoke and soot and distribute soil deposits on the surface of building materials and contents through processes like convection currents.

Circulating Solids After Extinguishment

The atmosphere and environment of a fire-damaged house can feature many circulating smoke solids and soot particles. Combustion alone is enough to distribute these aerosolized particles throughout the property and impact several surfaces and contents within the path of migrating smoke damage. 

Amplifying Conditions

Certain conditions can increase the concentration and spread of soot and smoke deposits within the house. It is essential to manage threats like fire debris and burned contents to prevent smoke solids and carcinogenic particles from spreading rapidly throughout the damaged area and adjacent spaces. For this reason, the first emergency services our professionals provide upon arrival.

How Can SERVPRO Help?

Despite how devastating soot can be to homes and businesses in the area, we can provide experienced and reputable restoration professionals to help when you need it. We have multiple approaches to remedy soot and smoke deposits on building materials and contents throughout the structure. Our SERVPRO team and its FSRT-Certified technicians are ready to help when you need it.

Regardless of how a fire started and how severely your home was damaged, one of the most significant fire restoration needs is soot cleanup and removal. Give our SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest fire recovery team a call today at (919) 790-1222.

Fire Damage Restoration in Raleigh

1/7/2022 (Permalink)

IICRC certified technicians from SERVPRO have the training and experience for all phases of fire damage restoration for your home.

SERVPRO Can Clean and Restore Your Raleigh Property from Fire Damage

Fire disasters in Raleigh may occur unexpectedly and wreak havoc on your property. The resultant smoke and soot can ruin your upholstery, fabrics, furniture, and even walls. The fire may even bring the whole structure down in worst-case scenarios, leading to immense losses. It is essential to have a fire damage restoration company on speed dial. A competent and experienced professional can arrive at the site on time and salvage most of the property that sustained damage.

At SERVPRO, we have a team of IICRC-certified fire damage restoration experts and a stock of resources that enable us to respond swiftly to fire emergencies in Raleigh. We are locally based and understand the importance of quick action for smoke damage restoration. Within a few hours of notification, we can arrive at the site and complete the cleanup process quickly, “Like it never even happened.”

Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration

Smoke damage occurs after the firefighters extinguish the fire. The soot and smoke from the fire spread across the room rapidly and settle on various surfaces. Soot is a fine, black substance that binds to fabrics and walls. It is a byproduct of burning fossil fuels and comprises dust, acids, and chemicals. Not only can this cause health effects, but it can also cause extensive property damage if not handled immediately.

The type of soot or smoke damage determines the cleanup process we use. SERVPRO technicians have a vast knowledge of dealing with different kinds of smoke and soot damage. If you contact us quickly, we may be able to salvage most of your items. To maintain Health and Safety regulations, all our professionals use Personal Protective Equipment (or PPE) during restoration.

We remove all restorable items from the site and clean them up before returning them to you. Depending on the extent of smoke damage, we may also apply specialist cleaning. Our technicians can use visual observation to assess the best approach for the situation.

You risk losing valuable items when a fire disaster occurs in your home. SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest is just around the corner if you need quick, reliable fire damage restoration services. We have dedicated personnel who can arrive promptly at the site and begin the restoration process. Call us anytime at (919) 790-1222.

Fire, Smoke, Soot, and Odors--Never Pleasant Effects for a Raleigh Home--Call SERVPRO for Restoration Services

9/28/2021 (Permalink)

You know the restoration process is in good hands when you look out the window and see a SERVPRO restoration vehicle after a fire.

Fire Damage in a Raleigh Kitchen– Another Grease Fire

Fire and smoke damage to your house is a traumatic event. Even a small grease fire on the stove can leave smoke residue and odor all over your home. Firemen responding to the grease fire can have the fire under control quickly. Once the blaze is out, the main danger and threat to your home and family is over. Restoration from a small grease fire often involves:

• Cleaning all contents in your home.
• Deodorizing.
• Repairing any structures or surfaces damaged from the fire.

Fire Cleanup and Restoration

Fire damage in Raleigh caused by a grease fire contained quickly can leave sooty residues and pungent odors, especially if meats were charcoaled to coal. SERVPRO fire and smoke damage technicians (FSRT) can work closely with you to assess the damage. We develop a plan of action to clean all surfaces, clean in place all your furniture, or send it out to a facility for restoration. Clothing and fabrics may need dry cleaning, and deodorization equipment may be required to remove all remaining odors from the grease fire thoroughly.

We understand that this grease fire event is scary for you and your family. Our teams are trained to listen to all your concerns and address them to your satisfaction. Smoke particles penetrate various surfaces differently. Hard non-porous surfaces, like countertops, can be washed to remove all the odor from the fire. For example, metal and porcelain surfaces are also examples of non-porous materials.

Our SERVPRO crew neutralizes remaining malodors as we remove any charred debris with hydroxyl generators and light fogging. During the deodorization process, you may need to stay out of your home for a few hours while the service is happening.

Call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222 for 24/7 service. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster. We are located strategically to respond quickly to your fire damage event.

Who Do You Call When Fire Damage Overtakes Your Raleigh Home?

9/8/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage often follows fire damage. SERVPRO can completely restore the fire and water damage.

Fire Damage to Your Home

Fires can be a devastating force to your Raleigh home. Sometimes one of the worst effects fires can leave behind come less from the flames and more from the extinguishing efforts of the dedicated firefighting teams in the area that put out the blaze. Depending on the severity of the structural fire to your home, extinguishing might have taken quite a lot of water and time to achieve. This scenario can result in a lot of water damage on top of the fire restoration that you already need.

While this is often a lesser considered fire damage aspect to Raleigh homes, excessive water damage is often the result that many families have to deal with before proper fire restoration service can even begin. Fortunately, you have a local restoration company at your disposal that can help you deal with all aspects of fire and water restoration. Our SERVPRO technicians have the experience and state-of-the-art equipment to give you back the home you had before the fire ever started.

When our SERVPRO restoration specialists arrive at your home to begin assessing the damage, our concentration lies in preventing further damage from occurring. Our team boards up broken windows and tarps over holes that might have gotten created from the fire or the extinguishing efforts, successfully protecting your home. This process prevents elemental damage from occurring while the inside restoration process is getting completed.

Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration and Cleanup

To successfully restore your home from its fire damage, water restoration has to get accomplished first. Our specialists utilize pump trucks and portable pump devices to quickly extract all present pooled water from your floors throughout the affected area. Once drying efforts are a success from combining both dehumidification and air moving equipment, our focus can switch back to assessing the fire damage present in your home.

While there are many stages to successfully restoring your home after a devastating fire, choosing the right restoration team can take a lot of stress and worry off your shoulders. When you are facing fire damage in your home, call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest. We can be reached anytime at (919) 790-1222.

Three Tips to Reduce Your Risk of Fire Damage in Raleigh

7/27/2021 (Permalink)

Trust our SERVPRO team to assist your Raleigh fire damage.

Heed SERVPRO's Advice to Reduce the Chance of Fire & Smoke Damage

Keeping your home safeguarded against fire damage in Raleigh does not take much time or money, but still, every year, SERVPRO franchises nationwide clean up after hundreds of fires that could have been avoided or prevented with minor changes. While the risk of your home catching fire is probably low, you can drive that risk even further down with some simple changes in your lifestyle and situation. Some of these changes could even end up saving you money on other expenses, in addition to reducing the likelihood of a future fire. 

A Good Lightning Rod

Lightning remains one of the most common causes of fire damage in Raleigh and other cities in the Carolinas due to relatively frequent rainfall, thunderstorms, and the occasional hurricane in many months of the year. Lightning rods are designed to attract lightning to a contained, grounded metal avenue and prevent many fires from starting every year across the United States. Make sure your lightning rod(s)is in good condition and, if you do not have one installed, consider hooking one up to your property. Nearby tall trees can also divert lightning away from your home but can also catch fire themselves and later spread to the home.

Keeping Lights Off

Not only does reducing light bulb usage in your home save money on power expenditures, but it also significantly lowers your risk of an electrical fire. Traditional light bulbs may sometimes produce sparks or catch fire when they burn out or experience a power surge, potentially blooming into a dangerous and fast-spreading electrical fire. Consider investing in newer LED lighting, or just flip the lights off whenever you do not need them.

Avoid Using Candles

Candles are a remarkably common source of house fires in the United States, even though most American homes use them only for decorative and ambiance purposes. While candles can imbue the air with a pleasant smell and make your home prettier, they are also a huge fire hazard. At the very least, you should put out any candles when you leave the room for longer than a two or three-minute period, but cutting back on their usage altogether is often a better option.

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest is an experienced local provider of fire damage restoration and cleanup services. If your home has been affected by fire, call us at (919) 790-1222.

SERVPRO Meets The Challenge Of Attic Restoration After Fire Damage In Raleigh

7/6/2021 (Permalink)

Fire damage restoration is a must for your Raleigh home. Call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest for all your restoration needs.

SERVPRO Resolves Soot, Odors, and Charred Lumbar Problems

In the case of a house fire, the attic is at risk of smoke damage. In any fire restoration situation, the aim is to restore every affected area of your Raleigh property so that your home feels like your own again. An essential facet of fire cleanup is tackling any soot damage in the attic. 

Attics pose particular challenges when it comes to restoration after fire damage to your Raleigh home. That is why we recommend calling SERVPRO as soon as you can. We train our technicians to IICRC-standards and make sure they have all the training and equipment needed to tackle even challenging situations. When you call us, you can rest assured that your attic is in safe hands. 

Attic Fire Damage Restoration

An attic is usually a small space or at least one with slanting eaves. It is less accessible than the rest of your home, which is why you need the best experts on hand to help you. The unusual shape of the attic poses a problem, and much of the timber in the attic is likely to be unfinished, which means it is harder to remove soot residue. 

Our team starts by sorting and cataloging any items in your attic. Non-salvageable items are disposed of, while salvageable items are logged and taken to our specialist facilities for cleaning. Do not worry – no item is removed or destroyed without consulting you first. 

Once the attic is clear of items and debris, we set to work cleaning it up. Because much of the timber in attics is untreated, several methods are available for restoration. Under the right conditions, pressurized CO2 pellets are directed at the affected lumber to chase the residues off. Since the carbon dioxide sublimates from solid to gas, there is no mess other than the removed particles. Abrasive cleaning actions such as wire brush scrubbing are often the most efficient choice for soot removal. We train our technicians in a range of cleaning methods so they can tackle the aftermath of any fire. 

If necessary, exposed timber is treated with a duct sealer or a deodorizing sealer to control odor and restore the surface as much as possible. 

Our team also deodorizes your attic, so you will not even notice that a smoky smell used to linger there. Depending on the situation, we bring in either thermal foggers or ozone machines to thoroughly deodorize the space and leave it clean once more. By chemically altering the noxious particulates, the odors are removed, not masked until a scent wears off.

Attics present a unique challenge to restoration teams, but SERVPRO does not stop until your attic is clean and usable once more. For help with fire and smoke cleanup to your Raleigh, North Hills, and Morrisville property, call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222 today for assistance.

Seeking Raleigh Home Fire Damage Restoration Services?

3/5/2021 (Permalink)

After a fire incident takes place. You can trust that your home is in good hands with the experienced technicians at SERVPRO.

SERVPRO Techs Save Raleigh Homes Affected by Fire

Kitchen fires, which account for 44% of overall home fires, are among the least reported. This problem is exacerbated by how thoroughly soot affects surfaces by imbuing them with tough-to-remove stains and odors.

SERVPRO technicians can respond to Raleigh homeowners' fire damage restoration calls within hours of their call. Technicians use sophisticated tools, EPA-registered antimicrobials, and a scientific approach to ensure that homes are restored per Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) standards. 

How pH Factors into Fire Damage Cleanup

While lighter damages can be manually cleaned with dry cleaning sponges or HEPA filter vacuums, technicians must take pH levels into account when treating moderate to heavy fire damage stains and residues. 

• Most cleaning agents used are alkaline, meaning their pH is higher than 7. This includes household items like dish soap (pH 9) and baking soda (pH 10)
• The neutral pH level is 7, the same as water
• Alkalinity is neutralized by an equal amount of acidity and vice-versa when cleaning

Call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest for home fire damage restoration at (919) 790-1222.

Get in the Holiday Spirit with a North Hills Light Show.

11/27/2020 (Permalink)

We look forward to seeing the community at the very first “Lights of North Hills” Holiday Light Display.

Come Watch the First-Ever “Lights of North Hills” Holiday Light Display.

Residents and visitors to the Raleigh area often enjoy its numerous festive seasonal events. One new event this year takes place in a community near downtown. The inaugural “Lights of North Hills” holiday light show begins on Friday, December 4th, and runs through Friday, December 11th. The thirty-minute show commences every half hour starting at 6 PM, with the final show beginning at 10 PM. Before coming, it is important to note the following details:

No pre-registration is required, and admission is free.

This event takes place in The Commons, an outdoor park area in North Hills’ Main District.

Parking is available in the Main District Garage.

It is expected that you wear a mask and practice social distancing while in attendance.

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest, your neighborhood fire damage restoration service, is proud to announce this show. We also would like to remind you to always remain vigilant against potential fire-related accidents. If you ever do experience one, remember that we are always here to help. Call us anytime at (919) 790-1222 for assistance.

See the Many Things that Raleigh has to Offer

11/2/2020 (Permalink)

We always enjoy the First Friday events - whether virtual or in person. Looking forward to participating with you!

Raleigh Locals and Visitors Can Have Fun at the First Friday Event

Raleigh, NC, hosts many events yearly, including enriching events for visitors. The city has the most music in North Carolina, a professional sports scene, hopping collegiate, and many accolade-worthy, homegrown cultural and culinary festivities pioneered by passionate and smart locals.

One of the events you can participate in on November 6, 2020, is First Friday. This event takes place on the first Friday of every month at different locations throughout downtown Raleigh. During this event, studios and art galleries are open late with rotating artist talks and exhibits. Exhibitors feature music, artists, and special offers. Retailers offer refreshments and deals. Restaurants provide specials. Therefore, there is somewhere and something for everyone. The other activities to enjoy on First-Friday include:

• Photography and videos from local entertainers and artists
• Sculpture demonstration
• Digital photography

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest welcomes you to First Friday and is ready to serve you if you need fire and smoke restoration in your Raleigh residence. Call us at (919) 790-1222 for prompt and effective fire damage restoration.

What Type of Solvents Should Homeowners Use for Fire Damage Cleanup?

9/25/2020 (Permalink)

We know the steps to get your Raleigh home back from fire damage.

SERVPRO techs have comprehensive training in the use of various specific cleaning agents post-fire in Raleigh homes.

You may have heard or read online that certain types of solvents are useful for the removal of smoke and fire damage in your Raleigh house. The truth is, they are, but you can do severe damage if you apply this type of cleaner to certain kinds of fibers or hard surfaces. SERVPRO techs have a strict protocol during fire cleanup to avoid marring surfaces or ruining fabrics or carpet by testing the fibers to ensure the right choices in cleaning agents get chosen.   

Can Draperies Get Cleaned Using Fire Damage Restoration Methods?  

When SERVPRO technicians handle fire damage restoration in Raleigh properties, the goal is always to save as much of the contents as possible for the homeowner through the use of their advanced equipment and cleaning methods. Window treatments often have the potential for reuse if:  

• The fabrics do not have damage from the flames or heat  
• If the fibers testing shows a propensity for the fabric to bleed or shrink, a petroleum-based dry cleaning solvent can get used for cleaning  
• In cases where the window treatments are washable, the techs use the Esporta Washing System to clean away the impurities and odor from the fire

In What Situations Should Solvents Not Get Used?  

The petroleum-based dry cleaning solvents are suitable in most situations where the soiling is light. However, if there is any rubber-backing, the chemical reaction between the solvent and the rubber can lead to deterioration. When only a small amount of stain and spot removal needs to happen, SERVPRO techs often rely on the power of volatile dry solvents. These solutions evaporate quickly and leave no residue behind. 

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222 is ready to handle any size fire damage restoration needed. The trained techs bring their equipment and years of experience to ensure the best outcome for your property and contents. 

How Severe is Odor Damage After a Fire in My Raleigh Home?

7/23/2020 (Permalink)

The charring on this cabinet indicates the home will have smoke odors throughout. We are equipped and trained to restore your home.

Smoke and fire odors can spread quickly through a residence, requiring cutting-edge tools and potent products to resolve.  

One of the fastest-changing conditions after a fire in your Raleigh home is the odors created by combusting materials. Regardless of the fire's size, these scents generated through the burning of construction materials and contents can become an overwhelming presence. Our SERVPRO professionals can address these concerns as soon as we arrive, though official deodorization does not occur until one of the final restoration stages.

When it comes to fire and odor restoration for Raleigh homes or businesses, many look at our technicians' experience and fast response. We have a growing supply of recovery tools specifically to address lingering odors circulating in the environment, and those trapped in porous materials. Much of choosing which deodorization process is most effective begins with a thorough inspection to identify factors specific to the odor damage you are currently facing. 

What Factors Determine Odor Damages?  

Many elements and factors that can determine the best approach for removing lingering odors from open-air environments and those that become trapped in materials like drywall. Knowing how these various factors can impact the best plan for removing the scent can showcase how many possible methods exist to eliminate this condition in your house after a fire. The severity of the present odor damage falls into three possible categories: 

• Type of Fire - What is meant by the term type of fire is often the disaster's heat and spread. Wet smoke fires smolder and move slowly throughout the property, while high-heat, dry smoke incidents move fast, and are much more destructive to structural elements. Each of these produces a different type of odor damage, with wet smoke being among the worst. 

• Material Affected - What materials burn or char throughout the property can also impact the lingering odors present in the building, which can get determined by tracking the migration of fire loss effects throughout the structure. 

• Time of Exposure - The length of time odors and other damaging conditions exist in the property can amplify their spread and severity. The more prolonged exposure is, the worse these conditions often become. 

How Do Embedded Odors Get Removed?  

Odors are not always easy to get to and remove. There are many situations where porous materials can absorb smoke odors and trap them within Raleigh homes. When the structure cools back down, these odor molecules cannot escape. The solution involves sophisticated deodorization tools that can Impact trapped odor molecules within these structural elements and contents. This method often falls to portable machines like our thermal foggers, because they can produce a gaseous compound that can penetrate services to reach trapped odor molecules and eliminate them. Some of the most sensitive materials to absorb these odors include: 

• Drywall
• Wood
• Fabrics
• Textiles
• Carpet 

What Are the Tools Used for Odor Removal?  

Surprisingly many different tools can get used for odor removal in your home. The choice of these tools varies based on the severity of the damage and its location throughout the property. Making the correct decision for your home can be the difference between efficient restoration and much more prolonged and costlier approaches. In many of the fire recovery situations that our SERVPRO team addresses, multiple tools might be necessary to achieve the fastest results. Some of the most common deodorizing tools that we utilize include: 

• ULV and Thermal Foggers – Foggers produce a gaseous output of deodorizing compounds that can neutralize smoke and other harsh odors on contact. Because it is among the fastest options to move from place to place, it can be a useful tool for considerable damage areas when occupants are still present. 

• Hydroxyl Machine – One of the advantages of the hydroxyl machine is its ability to address widespread deodorization needs and clean the environment with onboard HEPA filtration. 

• Ozone Generator – As prevalent and beneficial as ozone machines can be for deodorization in an entire property, they cannot get used when occupants or living creatures are present. obstacles after a fire loss in your home or business, few can be as widespread and potentially challenging as smoke and burning odors. Our SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest team can assist with a fast response featuring our industry-leading equipment. Contact us anytime at (919) 790-1222.

A Few Tips on Candle Safety in Your Home

5/27/2020 (Permalink)

Never leave a candle unattended

Candles have been a mainstay of homes in the U.S. for hundreds of years. Until recently, nearly every home in the nation had at least a few candles stashed away in a cupboard or drawer somewhere. Is the candle era over? The answer is... maybe. The risk of a candle fire in Crabtree, NC, has convinced many people that there are better options than having an open flame in the house. New technology has given rise to tiny, yet bright flashlights and of course everyone has a mobile phone. Nonetheless, the appeal of candlelight still speaks to some, whether it is on a holiday or during a relaxing bath, so candles aren't likely to completely disappear.

The Need for Safety

A candle fire in a home is a scary event and should be avoided at all costs. For those who insist on using a candle, the following precautions should be used at all times:

• Never leave a candle unattended
  
• Do not allow a child to use a candle without supervision
  
• Never place a candle near curtains or highly flammable objects
  
• Always make sure the candle is in a secure holder
  
• Do not allow pets near candles
  
  

For those who crave the calming glow of a candle, a few alternatives exist that mimic the flickering of candlelight. Small lamps set in windows or along the bathroom counter top come in both battery and electric-powered models.

The Necessity for Fire Cleanup
If a candle fire does get out of control, a fire remediation team can respond quickly and lead the way to recovery. Fire and smoke cleanup can restore a home to its original condition. Trained technicians will use the latest technology to clear away soot and smoke damage and to remove the effects of water and chemicals from fire fighting. Smoke odors can also be removed with the proper methods. Professional fire cleanup is a necessary step after a home fire.

As a Renter, Does My Insurance Cover Fire Loss?

2/26/2020 (Permalink)

Fire damage in a North Hills, NC home

What Does This Insurance Coverage Typically Include?

Insurance can be confusing. As a renter of your residence, it can be even more complicated to understand exactly what renters insurance does or doesn’t cover. After all, you don’t own the building, but you certainly have an investment in your own belongings. If your home sustains a fire disaster what does this insurance coverage typically include?

1. Personal Property

This coverage includes fire damage caused by the negligence of you or someone else (criminal acts are excluded). While your policy doesn’t cover the structure in which you live or any property owned by your landlord (walls, light fixtures, flooring, appliances — your landlord’s policy covers these), it does include the loss of your personal property (except for your vehicle). Fortunately, it usually covers the replacement cost instead of the actual cash value. So, you’ll receive payment on what it costs to replace the item versus the depreciated value. Subsequent damage such as smoke and/or soot is also covered.

2. Loss of Use

Oftentimes a fire causes such extensive loss that the home is unlivable. Your insurance will reimburse you for living expenses (e.g., hotel stays) during the fire restoration process.

3. Liability

A fire caused by your negligence could cause injury to someone else (i. e., a neighbor or visitor) or cause their property to sustain damage. Your renters insurance will step in to cover these losses.

4. Medical Expenses

If someone sustains a small bodily injury as a result of your fire, “medical payments to others” will pay for their medical bills. This is no-fault coverage, which means that it doesn't require determination of fault, unlike liability coverage, allowing for faster reimbursement.
If you're renting your residence in North Hills, NC, renters insurance isn't required but could be worth the extra expense for the added assurance. Fire damage cleanup experts will return your home to its preloss condition in the event of a fire.

Navigating the Claims Process to Begin Fire Mitigation in Raleigh

1/13/2020 (Permalink)

A fire can happen at any time. Contact SERVPRO for fire damage remediation services.

We can Help to make the Process a Little Easier for you

One of the most significant challenges that a homeowner faces after a fire loss incident is navigating the claims process for their Raleigh home. Without a working knowledge of the extent of your coverage and what services and actions get covered by your policy, many property owners might find themselves paying out of pocket unnecessarily. While it is no secret that professional restoration is not cheap, it does offer the most efficient route to returning your home to preloss condition.

There are multiple layers of fire damage in Raleigh homes after a disaster. Mitigation can help to address the most pressing of these concerns with emergency services provided by our SERVPRO professionals. With a combination of experienced Fire & Smoke Restoration Technicians (FSRT) accredited through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), and our division of experienced, licensed general contractors, we have a full-service approach to provide your property the mitigation it needs.

While the first call that you make amid a crisis is to your insurance provider, they often want you to secure a professional restoration team to provide a thorough inspection of the property and determine the work to get done to return your house to its original state. A detailed estimation can get delivered directly to your insurance provider to prevent delays and added steps.

In this same vein, we can work with your insurance adjuster to ensure that mitigation work gets started as quickly as possible. Effects like debris, structural compromise, lingering odors, and soot can all worsen over even a brief period. We work with your insurance company to know the limitations of your coverage and remain upfront and honest about what your home might still need despite the shortcomings of your policy.

There are multiple areas of focus for our professionals restoring a home after a fire loss, and part of this process involves helping our customers through the red tape of filing a damage claim. No matter what your house needs, our SERVPRO of North Raleigh / Wake Forest team can help. Give us a call anytime at (919) 790-1222.

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We Are The Right Choice For Your Raleigh Fire Damage Restoration

11/3/2019 (Permalink)

We were able to do a full demolition in this kitchen to ensure the cleanup would be thorough and allow for full restoration.

What to Expect of Post-Fire Content Management in Raleigh Homes

While many homeowners might get preoccupied with the appearance and damage to their Raleigh properties, soot and smoke damage to your belongings can often exact a more substantial toll on families. Many households have items and possessions with no set monetary value, but sentimental attachments can make it devastating to lose to spreading fire effects. Part of the services that we offer after a fire loss incident is content management.

Content management is a vital element of the spectrum of services our SERVPRO team can offer after fire damage in Raleigh residences. Our experience in these tasks can allow for the fast and secure removal of at-risk items from damaged portions of your property to our safe, climate-controlled facility here in Raleigh. Not only does this pack-out process provide more space for our technicians to work inside of the house, but it also allows our experienced team to provide focused attention and cleaning of specific personal belongings in our care.

During the scoping of the work to get accomplished, our management dictates which items have gotten the most fire damaged and require restorative action. Our content management professionals can utilize packing materials we have brought along, including boxes, bubble wrap, and other protective fillings to safely transport these items to our facility nearby.

In our care, items get thoroughly cleaned and deodorized with advanced equipment and cleaning products. Cutting-edge equipment like our ozone chamber or industry-leading soot removal solutions like our ultrasonic submersion tanks offers effective and efficient cleaning. Once dried and clean, our SERVPRO professionals can store your belongings with its own unique classification system so that you can always have fast access to your possessions even before it is time to return them to your fully restored property.

There are multiple phases of restoration after a fire loss incident, including mitigation, cleaning, and even content management. For a team that can help you manage nearly all of these needs your home has after an emergency, give our SERVPRO of North Raleigh / Wake Forest team a call at (919) 790-1222.

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Fire Damage in Your Raleigh Residence Necessitates Soot and Odor Removal

10/4/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO knows their most important role is getting you back to normal after your Raleigh fire damage.

We know that fire damage in your Raleigh home will need the Pro’s.

Most homes have bathroom exhaust fans that help prevent damp walls, steamed up mirrors, fogged windows, and damp walls along with eliminating odors. However, these exhaust fans present a potential fire hazard if property owners do not clean and maintain them well. When lint accumulates in fans over time, it may cause the motor to get too hot and ignite plastic fan blades, and close by wood structures.

One problem linked with fires is soot damage, even if it may not be as devastating or noticeable as the charring that flames cause. You can deal with the aftermath of fire damage in your Raleigh property by enlisting fire restoration services from SERVPRO. Soot is a mixture of fine particles that appear after incomplete combustion of materials. It occurs when a fire burns anything containing hydrocarbons. 

Soot is mainly made up of carbon, but it may also contain trace amounts of dust, metals, and chemicals. All kinds of soot cause some discoloration. Most soot appears the same, but some types of soot are harder to clean and can cause intense smells. 

•       Oily soot – When rubber, plastic, and other products containing oil burn, soot usually turns into a greasy, sticky substance. 

•       Protein soot – This is oily soot that is often the product of a kitchen fire. Overcooked proteins turn to soot that has a pungent scent. 

•       Wet soot – This soot is created when the fire smolders on low heat for a while and burns high moisture items. 

•       Dry soot – It occurs when a hot fire burns natural ingredients swiftly. It is easier to remove compared to wet soot.

It can be daunting to clean significant soot damage on your own. Also, you may lack the appropriate cleaning solutions for eliminating soot from some surfaces without ruining them. SERVPRO has the expertise and tools required to leave your home soot-free. We can wet clean some surfaces and dry clean others. Dry cleaning is ideal with it is impossible to wet clean a surface using water-based cleaning products. The dry cleaning procedures we use include vacuuming, compressed air, and brushing. We also use different products like odor counteracting beads, water-based odor counteractants, and solvent-based thermal fog dispensers to remove malodors.

When you need to eliminate soot and odors from your walls, ceilings, furniture, and other surfaces, SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest can help. Contact us at (919) 790-1222 for prompt cleanup. 

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We Put Safety First In Raleigh During Fire Damage Restoration

9/9/2019 (Permalink)

After a fire a demolition was necessary to ensure the cleanup would be thorough and allow for full restoration.

Cleaning Walls and Ceilings After Fire Damage in Raleigh

When small scale fire damage occurs, one of the first things homeowners want to do is break out the all-purpose cleaner and start wiping the walls. This, unfortunately, is one of the worst actions to do after a fire.

Outsourcing the cleaning of ceilings and walls that have smoke and fire damage in Raleigh homes is smart. A professional restoration services company knows to test the residue before performing any type of mitigation, so the structure does not receive further destruction.

Special Attention to Ceilings

Light fixtures and vents offer unique challenges when cleaning ceilings. SERVPRO technicians take special care to test the residue on the ceiling before cleaning so they use the correct method for removal. 

Since smoke rises - copious amounts of smoke may be found on the ceiling. Dry cleaning sponges are the most common method used for cleaning as they lift away residue without smearing or driving it in further. 

Safety First on Every Job Site

SERVPRO technicians put safety first during mitigation. Before cleaning ceiling-mounted fixtures, it is a commonplace to shut off the electricity. Whenever possible, they perform in-place cleaning of fixtures to limit the disruption to the home during fire damage mitigation.

Challenges of Cleaning Smoke Damaged Walls

During a fire, when the air heats up, it expands. This expansion drives odor-causing soot into walls, especially when paint bubbles and becomes soft from the exposure to heat. After testing the residue left on walls from the fire, technicians choose the appropriate cleaning methods. It is not uncommon for team members to use different applications on walls than on ceilings. 

Handling Built-In and Kitchen Cabinets

In kitchens or living rooms with built-in cabinets, it is vital to pack out the contents to another area for inspection and cleaning. The technicians make detailed reports of all items handled and moved in a record that includes before and after photographs for easy expediting of insurance claims. The cleaning applications chosen for cabinetry with smoke damage depends on the materials that make up the structure. 

Fire damage should never be a DIY project. Call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222 and get the fire loss in your home cleaned up and forgotten "Like it never even happened."

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SERVPRO Will Clean Up Your Raleigh Kitchen After A Fire

5/1/2019 (Permalink)

We are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week so don't hesitate to call us any time. We have the experience, equipment and expertise needed.

Prompt Fire Damage Restoration in Raleigh Can Preserve Your Home

Most fires occur because of preventable mistakes. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) states that one out of every three home fires begins in the kitchen. Kitchen fires can cause significant damage to homes. They commonly occur because of unsafe cooking practices and leaving the stove or oven unattended.

After a kitchen fire has damaged your home, you do not have to struggle to clean up the affected areas. It is better to opt for professional fire damage restoration for your Raleigh home. The professionals at SERVPRO can assist you to restore your home to its preloss condition. We have the specialized tools and expertise required to salvage as much as possible from the aftermath of a fire. Our staff is also compassionate to ensure that you are your property are both taken care of. We can complete the work quickly while paying attention to your concerns to minimize your stress levels.

To achieve the best results, call us immediately after extinguishing the fire. The ash and smoke residue left behind can mix with the water used to extinguish the fire and turn into an acidic mess. The acid can further ruin any surface it is in contact with, worsening a bad situation. We can prevent additional damage to your home by using low or high-alkaline general surface cleaners to neutralize the acid and prevent it from reacting with the flooring, walls, appliances, furniture and other items.

Smoke can get to places where the fire did not start, but the most smoke damage commonly occurs directly above where a fire burned, like on the ceiling. If the fire burned near an open window or door, the rising smoke damages the areas just above these openings. Our IICRC certified technicians have access to specialized equipment and cleaning products designed to handle ash and smoke damage. Smoke odors may also fill your entire home. Our SERVPRO technicians can use odor removal equipment like thermal foggers and ozone machines to eliminate the odors effectively.

If a fire has damaged your home, contact SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest at (919) 790-1222 to help you remove the smoke, water, soot, ash and odors left behind. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster and can restore your home to its normal state quickly.

Click here for more information about Stream Cleanup on May 4.

When A Fire Occurs In Your Raleigh Home, You Need To Call A Professional Restoration Company Like SERVPRO!

3/13/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest is here to help you when you need us.

Fire Damage In Raleigh- Big Or Small We Are Here To Help

Regardless of where you live, your home or business can be affected by fire damage. If the fire reaches or starts in your home, it may be the result of faulty wiring or small kitchen fire. The same is also true for business establishments that fall victim to open flames. If you are cautious, sprinklers and firefighters act promptly to curtail the effect of the fire and mitigate losses. However, soot and smoke residue can be just as big of a challenge as the actual flames.

To help remediate fire damage to your Raleigh home or business our SERVPRO crew is at the ready to assist. Our 24-hour response team is just a phone call away and suitably equipped to handle fires big and small.

Our specialized SERVPRO team arrives on-site and examines the progress of the smoke to determine the extent of the damage. As the evaluation advances, our technicians identify the different types of surfaces that need to be cleaned and the methods to be used. The nature of each material and the path of the fire help determine our course of action.
 
Ideally, we work to salvage all of your belongings including any paper products. Some surfaces can be wiped clean without further dousing with chemicals, while others require specialized solutions to return to their original condition. Depending on the seriousness of the fire and the time lapse between its being extinguished and our team arriving, our SERVPRO team may recommend disposing of some of the contents of your home. When items need are removed we carefully comply with regulations dictating their proper disposal.

To finalize our process, we focus on disinfecting and deodorizing your home or business to erase any trace of the flames. To do this, we employ products designed explicitly for this purpose, which far exceed the performance of products available at local home stores. It's always our goal to leave your property “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest is here to help you when you need us. Call us at (919) 790-1222 and allow us to put our expertise to work for you.

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What Few People Know About How Fire Damage Can Continue to Affect Your New Hope Home's Contents and Structure

12/15/2018 (Permalink)

Fire damage affecting your home needs quick remediation or secondary damages will result. Call SERVPRO because we are available 24/7.

How Fire Damage Restoration in Your New Hope Home Prevents Further Damage 

Fire damage does not end the moment the firefighters leave your home or once the fire has been successfully put off. More damage may result from the water that was used to extinguish the fire; therefore, our restoration team employs specialized techniques to attend to the various challenges that arise. Though the restoration procedures may sound the same, your New Hope property requires unique solutions after such experiences.
 
The fire damage restoration process in your New Hope property begins the moment you call our SERVPRO team. We understand that such situations require an immediate response, and our representatives usually ask questions regarding the event. By responding to our questions, we are in a position to immediately respond with appropriate resources and equipment. To determine the extent of the damage caused by the soot, smoke, and fire, we perform a careful inspection of the building. The examination helps us to formulate a relevant plan of action.

Some fire incidents may compromise the roofs, walls, and windows of your property. By offering immediate roof-tarp and board-up solutions, we can attend to such concerns. Such services ensure the security of the building is maintained and help in minimizing further damage. If water is present, we employ appropriate water removal techniques. For instance, we can use pumps to physically extract the water, as well as using air movers and dehumidifiers to dry wet areas.
 
When soot particles are mixed with water and penetrate hard to reach areas, rotting may take place, and the odor challenge may result. Our SERVPRO technicians are trained to locate and eliminate the unpleasant odors through a process known as deodorization. We can use thermal foggers to dispense deodorants into target locations and neutralize the odor causing particles. Where possible, we physically remove any decomposed particles to control the odor problem.
 
SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest is a trusted industry leader in residential and commercial fire damage cleaning and restoration. Call (919) 790-1222 today to have your questions answered, and your property returned to its preloss state.
 
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We Have 6 Methods To Clean And Restore Your Fire Damaged Personal Property In Brookhaven

11/5/2018 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO, we use every method and tool in our inventory to restore everything possible after a fire.

Cleaning Personal Property After Fire Damage In Brookhaven

When possible, restoring a Brookhaven resident’s property after a fire is not just cost-efficient. It also helps lessen the personal loss to a family still dealing with watching that fire race through their home.

SERVPRO can restore most fire damage to the personal property of Brookhaven homeowners if flames did not heavily scorch it. Our teams use six methods to clean and restore personal property based on the type and level of damage, and the material that makes up the damaged item.

Dry Wiping
This is the first step our technicians take with almost every item. They use dusting cloths and sponges for dry surfaces with non-greasy, light-to-medium soot residues, usually a powder. If the layer of soil is very thick, they may use a commercial grade vacuum to remove it from the surface. Dry wiping is useful for other types of damage before our teams begin using other methods.

Wet Wiping
Technicians use this cleaning method for moderate-to-heavy soot and smoke residues. They use the same cloths and sponges, but also water or a mild cleaning solution. It is also our preferred choice for the property we cannot saturate with water or cleaners. In some cases, they use brushes for the better effect to remove much of the residues.

Spray and Wipe
SERVPRO technicians use a spray bottle filled with water or a cleaner for more control over how much they use for cleaning an item. It is our first choice with curtains and drapes when there is a risk of the color fading, or running down the surface and onto carpets or floors.

Foam Cleaning
This is similar to spray and wipe, but our teams use a pump-up bottle to force air into the liquid and apply foam. The method uses much less moisture while still applying a large amount of cleaning agent. It is our choice for cleaning upholstered furniture since too much liquid can cause the fabric to shrink and pull away from the frame.

Abrasive Cleaning
When the soot covers rough surfaces, like rock and marble, our technicians use a thicker cleaning agent and a variety of brushes to remove residues. For metal surfaces, they may have to use steel wool rather than a brush.

Immersion Cleaning
This is our choice for items with very thick residues and when other methods do not work. We immerse them in a tank containing water or cleaning agent and then use sound waves to agitate the entire surface area with thousands of cleaning bubbles. It is exceptionally effective, even on items which absorbed a large number of residues over time.

Cleaning and restoring personal property is not a quick process. At SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest, we use every method and tool in our inventory to restore everything possible after a fire. Call us at (919) 790-1222 today to schedule a visit.

Click here for more about Brookhaven.

The Ultimate Guide to Fire Damage Remediation in Your Brookhaven Home

10/21/2018 (Permalink)

If your property has suffered from a fire, cleaning and remediation is key. Contact SERVPRO right away.

Cleaning Your Brookhaven Property after a Fire Damage Experience Counts

Several problems that negatively affect our properties result when we experience fire damage incidents. Since most of the homeowners are not experts or do not have specialized restoration equipment to restore their property, it is necessary to work with professionals to reduce further damage and get your home or business back to its feet. Some of the areas that the fire ruins and renders them not fit for work includes countertops, cabinets, and walls. We are going to look at some of the processes that experienced restoration professional in Brookhaven use when attending to your property.
 
Our SERVPRO technicians can clean your cabinets, lighting fixtures, insulation and attics in your home during fire damage restoration in Brookhaven. Cabinets can be unfinished or finished, and that helps us to come up with an appropriate cleaning method. It means we have to start with an inspection, which helps us determine whether there was any preexisting damage and document everything before the cleaning process starts. The interior of most cabinets is typically unfinished wood, so, we use a dry cleaning sponge to remove the smoke residues. Some cases may force us to use sanding to remove the stubborn smoke particles.
 
We have to clean the lighting fixtures when we are cleaning the ceiling area. Our SERVPRO team turns off electrical power before cleaning these appliances. If we are not sure whether the cleaning solutions can affect the fixture's finish, we can start by pretesting. We understand that soot settles behind the light fixtures because of the lower temperatures of such areas. We use hand washing when the residues at the site are light to moderate; otherwise, we may decide to use the low-pressure steam cleaning technique. If we had to disassemble the chandelier when cleaning, we have to reassemble it back at the end of the cleaning process.
 
Generally, it costs less to restore your contents when compared to what you have to spend when refinishing or replacing. Since we have to dispose of the waste at the end of the cleaning process, we have to abide by the state and local regulations.

The goal of SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest is to make your commercial or residential property “Like it never even happened” after the disaster. Call us at (919) 790-1222 and work with a trusted leader in the cleaning and restoration industry.

We Can Eliminate Strong Smoke Odors From Your Raleigh Home

8/27/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest fire damage restoration services can make it “Like it never even happened.”

We Can Eliminate Strong Smoke Odors

The firefighters successfully put out the fire at your residence, but the lingering and pungent smoke odors are overwhelming. Also, there is quite a bit of soot, debris, and ash covering your living room furniture, walls, floors and ceilings and other surfaces in the home. Calling professionals in this type of emergency situation may save further damage to your belongings and your property.

SERVPRO professional fire damage restoration in Raleigh can restore your home. Our techs can use various methods to remove fire and smoke residues from the affected areas in your home. Charred items like carpeting, drapery and clothing and burnt furniture can cause odors. The crew can remove these contents from the structure. Plus, they can clean and sanitize salvageable items that we take from the premises and store them until the job is complete. The team can discard unsalvageable items with the permission of the homeowners.

The team may also use air movers to push odors from the atmosphere and to improve the air quality. The team may also utilize air scrubbers to reduce the level of smoke odors inside the structure. We can also use air scrubbers to clean odor-causing particles and smoke odors from the atmosphere. Our team may also employ thermal foggers to neutralize and eliminate heavy and lingering smoke odors.

The techs can also clean surfaces that have soot, debris and smoke residues on them. Fire residues can generate odors, which is why the crew can effectively clean the walls, ceilings, floors and other affected surfaces. We can check all the rooms in the home to see how far the odors have penetrated the structure. In some cases, we may need to clean the entire structure as well as all the contents to remove smoke odors.

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest fire damage restoration services can make it “Like it never even happened.” If there is ever a fire emergency in your home, call us 24/7 at (919) 790-1222. We are nearby and ready to help.

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Practice Firework Safety to Prevent Home Damage and Bodily Injury

7/2/2017 (Permalink)

Photo courtesy of CPSC and newsweek.com

Celebrating the summer brings gatherings, food, and on holidays - fireworks. While the lights of a backyard firework show or small handheld sparkler can be fun there are dangers just underneath the lights. When celebrating Independence Day, The National Fire Protection Association estimates sparklers account for more than 28% of emergency room visits due to fireworks and of nearly half of all fires reported 47% were started on July 4th due to fireworks.

If used improperly, fireworks can be dangerous. Professionals disagree on the use of personal use of fireworks. Some stating they should only be used by trained pyrotechnicians and others touting a use cautiously approach. HOA’s have weighed in on the matter usually erring on the side of caution and banning them from neighborhoods altogether.

The firework related injury stats can understandably give HOA’s cause for concern. Fireworks cause an average of nearly 18,500 reported fires across the country each year. Smaller hand-held sparklers account for more than 25% of emergency room fireworks injuries. The average sparkler is 1200 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s 300 degrees hotter than what is required to melt glass, at 900 degrees Fahrenheit!

Other homeowner concerns for fire from fireworks include:

• Roof shingles
• Grass and landscaping
• Siding
• Fencing
• Decks
• Vehicles filled with gasoline in the driveway or street

If you do decide to have a home firework show please do so safely. Here are some tips to help prevent fire from ruining your home celebration:

• Light fireworks on pavement or concrete a safe distance away from your home
• Keep hair and loose clothing tied back
• Keep a bucket of water close and a primed water hose ready
• Light fireworks one at a time
• NEVER attempt to relight a dud firework

The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to go see a display put on by the professionals. This allows you to enjoy the show with little worry of bodily harm or property damage. SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest wants you to enjoy the festivities safely with family and friends. Happy Independence Day!

Source: www.nfpa.org

2 Alarm Fire Engulfs Raleigh Apartment Complex

4/3/2017 (Permalink)

Commercial Fire Alarm

A recent 2 alarm fire in Raleigh, NC sent dozens of residents evacuating from their apartment homes late night on Thursday 03/30/2017. The source of the fire has not yet been released. Initial reports from interviews of the tenants on the local news stated the residents did not hear the smoke alarms going off. Investigation into whether those alarms were operational at the time of the fire are still ongoing. The US Fire Administration shares some startling facts about smoke alarms:

• Three out of five home fire deaths result from fires in properties without working smoke alarms.
• More than one-third (38 percent) of home fire deaths result from fires in which no smoke alarms are present.
• The risk of dying in a home fire is cut in half in homes with working smoke alarms.

Fire deaths most frequently happen at night when people are sleeping. Usually between the hours of 11pm and 7am. By testing your smoke alarm monthly you can be assured it is working if you should need it. Some fire departments offer a complimentary installation of a battery operated smoke alarm. You can contact your local fire department on their non-emergency line to see if this service is available to your community.

Apartment dwellers and home owners alike should take this time to check the batteries in their smoke alarm. If your alarm was installed more than 10 years again then it’s time to replace it. Homeowners can do this themselves, leasee’s should contact their management or maintenance department first. Change your batteries twice a year. Spring and fall are excellent times to do this when the clocks fall back and go forward.

Our hearts and thoughts are with those in the community affected by this tragedy.

Preventing Clothes Dryer Fires

3/22/2017 (Permalink)

Commercial dryer fire

One of the most useful appliances of the modern home is also the costliest to run and the most dangerous. The clothes dryer.  In the 50’s only 10% of homes owned a time saving clothes dryer. By 2009 over 80% of US households owned this modern convenience. While this domestic appliance has been around for over half a century their dangers remain the same. The US Fire Administration reports there are close to 3,000 fires every year resulting in 5 deaths, 100 injuries and over $30 million in property losses. Surprisingly the most common reason for dryer fires is also the easiest to prevent, failure to clean. Lint is the most common culprit for dryer fires. Once these fires start they spread easily and even if stopped in time they can leave behind a large amount of smoke damage.

Preventing dryer fires is easy

Never operate the dryer without its lint filter.

Clean the lint filter after each cycle. Periodically, use a lint brush or special vacuum attachment to remove lint from under the lint trap.

Check hoses behind the dryer to make sure they are in good repair and not bent or restricted.

Keep the outdoor vent open when the dryer is operating. For outside wall dampers place a covering on them to keep out rain, and debris.

If you have a gas-powered dryer make sure it is professionally inspected each year.

Dryer fires can occur in both residential and commercial settings. By following the tips above you lower your risk of a dangerous dryer fire.

Source: www.usfa.fema.gov

5 Alarm Fire Downtown Raleigh

3/17/2017 (Permalink)

Largest fire since 1920 engulfs downtown Raleigh, NC.

Late Thursday night around 10pm on 03/16/2017 a fire broke out on West Jones and West North Street at a construction site. According to the Raleigh Fire Department Chief this is the largest fire the area has seen since the 1920’s.

Over 250 residents have been displaced by the fire. There is extensive water, heat, and smoke damage. Many residents quickly evacuated their home with only the clothes on their backs, leaving their possessions to burn.  

The Red Cross has set up camp at The First Baptist Church on Salisbury Street for those in need.  

Your local SERVPRO® of North Raleigh & Wake Forest is on the scene assisting local businesses and residents in their time of need. We are here to help 24/7. Give us a call at 919-790-1222.

Fire Safety Tips for Christmas Trees

11/16/2016 (Permalink)

As I pulled up to my local grocery store in North Raleigh today, I noticed employees setting up an area outside to start selling fresh trees. Already? Thanksgiving is a week away, can't we celebrate one holiday at a time? I know, I know, it is the "most wonderful time of the year". I must admit, the joy and nostalgia I experience while decorating my tree and home, the glow of lights sparks memories and warms the soul. With that said, it is important to know that fires unfortunately are common this time of year.  Christmas tree fires account for approximately 13 million dollars a year in damages. Follow these tips from The American  Christmas Tree Association (yes, there truly is an association for everything) for a safe holiday season.

-Fresh trees are less likely to catch fire. Choose a tree with vibrant needles. 

-Place your tree away from all heat sources.

-Properly care for your tree. The tree base should always have fresh water inside to prevent the tree from drying out. 

-Be sure all your indoor and outdoor lights have been tested in a lab by the UL or ETL/ITSNA for safety and throw away damaged lights.

-Keep all candles away from furniture, decor and your Christmas tree

-Bedtime means lights off! Unplug all Christmas lights!

Stay safe and enjoy "the most wonderful time of the year".