Recent Fire Damage Posts
Smoke Cleanup Is a Key of Fire Restoration in New Haven
2/25/2024 (Permalink)
Call SERVPRO 24/7 for remediation and mitigation services. Our technicians are ready to help get your house back to normal after a fire.
Smoke and Soot Damages Your Home in Several Ways
It is crucial to understand that the most critical aspect of the restoration process is mitigating the damage caused by smoke. Smoke damage can pose a significant threat to your household in numerous ways, and our SERVPRO® professionals must prioritize its mitigation, recovery, and repair.
Services like water damage cleanup or fire restoration in New Haven homes vary significantly based on the condition of the affected house. Soot and smoke damage spread quickly, impacting the property on several fronts that require swift attention from experienced restorers.
Our SERVPRO® professionals respond quickly to address the smoke, aerosolized threats, and soot particulates left behind after a fire. We place HEPA air scrubbers to remove smoke solids and ash from the air while also containing airborne contaminants to protect your family.
When burning and combustion occur, they create turbulent plumes of smoke and vapors that can leave soot and smoke soils on surfaces under pressure. Removing these residues can be challenging, but several approaches can help. We use HEPA vacuums and chemical sponges to remove loose debris from materials. Potent cleaning agents and alkaline products might sometimes be necessary to neutralize pH and preserve the affected substrates.
After a fire, offensive smoke odors can permeate your entire home. Our specialty is smoke odor removal, and we use various deodorization tools and proprietary products to neutralize the environment and overcome strong malodors. HEPA air scrubbers are essential in removing airborne contaminants that increase odor concentrations.
Choosing SERVPRO Restoration
At SERVPRO, we take charge of the situation and work closely with your insurance provider to develop a comprehensive fire and water damage clean-up and restoration plan that minimizes out-of-pocket expenses. Our end-to-end recovery solutions allow our experienced specialists to complete projects faster and with minimal additional expenses beyond your deductibles.
Need fire restoration in your New Haven home? Call SERVPRO of New Haven now at (203) 234-1100.
Crucial Steps to Combat Fire Damage in New Haven Homes
4/25/2023 (Permalink)
Call SERVPRO at (203) 234-1100 for fast and efficient service.
Manage Fire Restoration Handily in New Haven with SERVPRO
Fire damage is stressful when it affects your property since you have to deal with heavy soiling and damaged structural materials or utilities. Resolving such a situation in your New Haven property requires a systemic approach that controls the existing problems and prevents new issues from cropping up.
Fire damage restoration for New Haven homes can mean different things depending on the source of the fire, how long it burnt, and the materials involved. A professional intervention by SERVPRO addresses all issues comprehensively and conveniently.
Routine actions during a fire response:
- Addressing the safety of your home
- Securing the property
- Dealing with fire residues
- Addressing moisture accumulation
Your home can turn from a refuge to a hazardous trap in the aftermath of a fire. Problems like frayed electrical cables, shattered glass, and the jagged edges of charred materials can cause injuries to anyone venturing in - whether to explore or fix the damage. SERVPRO crews take action to improve safety, including stripping off electrical cables and supporting vulnerable structural sections, thus permitting other processes to run smoothly.
Safeguarding the Fire-Damaged Structure
As the fire ranges, your home is at risk since some sections, such as ceilings or roofs, can collapse when the flames consume support systems. Even after the fire is controlled, the structure is still vulnerable, especially to intrusions through openings such as shattered windows or roof cave-ins. Making some effort to protect the building can prevent complications later on. Our technicians can install roof tarps or board up window openings for short-term structure protection before commencing other restoration processes.
Apart from the harmful aspects of fire damage, other issues such as soiling and moisture accumulation are another challenging dynamic of fire restoration. Planning how to handle these two aspects is essential since cleaning the premises to sanitary levels is critical for a complete renovation.
Actions that remove moisture and residues:
SERVPRO of New Haven can help plan your fire restoration, ensuring your property regains preloss conditions. You can reach us at (203) 234-1100.
Fire Damage Cleanup and Rebuilding in New Haven
4/3/2023 (Permalink)
Fire damage can leave smoke residues and odors that can be hard to get out without professional help. Call SERVPRO in New Haven for restoration.
SERVPRO Helps New Haven Residents After Encountering Fire Damage
The results can be disastrous whenever flames engulf a New Haven home or business. You will have the physical property that is charred and unsalvageable, all while leaving notable emotional scars. Because of the stress and worry of handling fire damaged homes, you always want a trusted liaison to help you get your property back to pre-fire condition. SERVPRO understands how imperative it is that you return to normalcy, which is why we are available 24/7 with skilled technicians, proven fire restoration methods, and industry knowledge!
Any widespread blaze leaves massive destruction and fire damage in New Haven. You will often have porous surfaces like insulation, ceilings, and walls that take on smoke particles and residue. There can also be powdery soot that settles on surfaces, leaving stains, pitting, and corrosion. While this soot will discolor and devastate unburnt wood, textiles, and carpeting, SERVPRO has the techniques to help restore versus replace whenever possible to save you money and hassle.
Understanding the Continued Damage Brought on by Soot and Smoke
We have smoke remediation professionals on our crew at SERVPRO who understand different types of smoke and soot residue. This allows us to select the perfect combination of cleaning and deodorization to bring your property back to pre-fire condition.
- Soot and smoke are common fire byproducts that can corrode building materials and structural elements.
- Prompt action helps prevent lingering odors and permanent smoke damage.
When dealing with charred debris and fire restoration projects, our SERVPRO team takes all the necessary precautions. We dress in personal protective equipment (PPE), including coveralls, boots, goggles, gloves, and respirators. Our team also puts containment measures in place and wears foot coverings to limit the tracking of soot and soiling throughout the building and into unaffected zones as we work.
Water Restoration is Often Part of the Process of Housefire Cleanup
Water removal services and fire restoration go hand-in-hand with many of our calls. As first responders are on the scene extinguishing the flames, water and sometimes chemicals will be left behind. Once SERVPRO is onsite and evaluating the fire damage, we put action into place for water restoration so that no moisture gets left behind. Failing to do so brings the potential for secondary damage to building materials and the onset of potentially harmful black mold growth. Our moisture detection tools like sensors and thermal imaging technology allow us to locate all areas where moisture might be hidden so we can address it.
How Long Will it Take to Restore My Property After a Fire?
The time for fire restoration depends on various factors beyond the area where flames reached throughout the building. We have to consider whether or not soot and smoke particles traveled through your HVAC system and whether or not structural damage occurred. We assess and address numerous layers of damage with:
- While fire restoration occurs, board-up and tarping services help protect your interior from external factors.
- Contents pack out and move out services help us relocate items for cleaning at our warehouse or safe-keeping during restoration.
- Charred debris gets picked up and safely disposed of according to local guidelines.
- Controlled demolition with trusted area contractors helps us repair and replace drywall, flooring, carpets, fixtures, and other areas of your home to make it “Like it never even happened.”
SERVPRO of New Haven is your go-to team when faced with the perils of fire damage. Call our customer care team day or night at (203) 234-1100 to mobilize our Green Fleet.
New Haven Fire Restoration Relies on Understanding Smoke Damage
11/22/2022 (Permalink)
Call your local professionals at SERVPRO of New Haven to ensure your home is dry and sanitary.
The Behavior of Smoke Impacts Fire Restoration
Our experience as FSRT-Certified technicians helps us understand the complex behaviors of fire loss effects like smoke. Knowing what to expect helps us build the best offense to restore post-disaster byproducts and make it "Like it never even happened."
Fire Loss Effects Spreading
Fire restoration for New Haven homes can be a widespread need, with loss effects moving quickly in available openings and pathways like the HVAC system. Since most homes have these connections open all the time to heat and cool the property, soot can be forced into many areas of the house.
The Turbulence of Smoke
A fire can create violent turbulence in your home's airflow, with convection currents created by the hot air replacing cooler air near the ceilings of rooms where fires occur. This smoke is under pressure, pushing debris and solids against vertical surfaces and ceiling assemblies that must get cleaned as part of the restoration process.
The Types of Smoke Damage
There are multiple types of smoke that SERVPRO professionals encounter when cleaning homes. Some of these include:
- Wet Smoke – Smoldering fires burn slowly and create a greater volume of thick and formidable smoke. Wet smoke deposits result, forming more challenging residues for restoration professionals to clean.
- Dry Smoke – Higher heat fires can cause thin, chalky residues on surfaces. These are among the easiest to manage and clean.
- Protein Residues – When fires occur in the kitchen, they are commonly caused by poorly managed cooking or bad practices around the stove. Protein residues can form a cakey and sticky deposit on cabinets and countertops.
- Oil Puffback – Connecticut homes use a variety of heating furnaces, including oil. When a small micro-explosion occurs in the ignition chamber from buildup, ionized soot can be rocketed through the ductwork and to the connected rooms.
When New Haven homes need fire restoration, there could be multiple causes. Understanding how smoke changes in different situations can help our SERVPRO of New Haven team provide the fastest and most reliable recovery service. Call us at (203) 234-1100.
Is Your New Haven Home in Need of Fire Damage Restoration? SERVPRO Handles the Entire Process!
8/24/2022 (Permalink)
Not everything is a total loss after a fire. We are with you from start to finish - from debris removal to full restoration.
Preparing a Fire-Damaged New Haven Home for Full Reconstruction
Fire losses can leave a New Haven home disheveled and destroyed in many ways. It is the job of our experienced restoration professionals not only to take the necessary steps to restore the property as best as we can but to prepare the structure for the build-back and reconstruction to come. Many structure fires require repair and rebuilding, but this can only happen once our SERVPRO professionals have addressed the other immediate concerns of the property.
Airborne threats and debris are hindrances to the restoration of fire damage in New Haven residences. With advanced tools, equipment, and products, our technicians can record conditions during our initial walk-through to identify the specific practices and products necessary to return a home to its pre-damaged state. Fire effects can spread quickly between soot, odors, smoke, and debris. The proper steps taken early can help to reduce the severity and concentration of specific hazardous effects, primarily when structural compromise already exists.
One of the critical practices that must occur quickly after a fire loss is debris removal. Removing rubbish and the remnants of burned construction materials and contents can help to reduce the source of soot and odor circulation in the house. Our SERVPRO technicians can deploy air cleaning equipment like our air scrubbers and hydroxyl generators to trap particles and contaminants with the HEPA filtration system and noticeably reduce odors.
We take the initiative to prepare your home for the build-back and reconstruction it might need by performing controlled demolition. This practice not only exposes other areas of your house that could use restoration attention but provides a seamless transition between our mitigation efforts and the build back of our industry partner Connecticut Reconstruction Services.
Fires can be a devastating force for area homes that can leave structures needing immediate restoration and later reconstruction. Our SERVPRO of New Haven team can work to restore salvageable areas of the property while preparing destroyed areas for full-scale build back to come. Even with so many layers of fire loss effects, our technicians can make these disasters “Like it never even happened” by calling (203) 234-1100.
Emergency Fire Restoration for New Haven
7/27/2022 (Permalink)
SERVPRO gives you access to expertly trained fire remediation specialists that put vast resources and years of experience to work for you.
SERVPRO Fire Cleanup Teams Can Help
Most residential fires occur in enclosed spaces with minor to moderate damages. It is quite rare for a fire to cause actual structural damage to your home. However, gas leaks and other fuel-based fires can lead to severe damage. SERVPRO has an adept team of technicians that can help prepare your property for restoration after a fierce fire.
Before performing fire restoration in your New Haven home, our technicians enact emergency service procedures. Emergency procedures can help to prevent further losses in your home by stopping soot or smoke from traveling into unaffected areas. These procedures also prepare the job site by ensuring it is safe to enter and lay the foundations for a restoration procedure. Our goal is to reduce losses and claims expenses and to minimize inconvenience to the homeowner. Prepping a fire-damaged property helps to increase the overall efficiency of restoration and is the first part of our planning stage. It is normal for emergency procedures to take place during:
- Fire damage restoration
- Fire debris removal
- Smoke removal
The specific parts of prepping a job site can include conducting inspections of the property and neutralizing potential hazards from faulty structure, loose wiring, or debris that may be present. Boarding up parts of the structure and establishing emergency electricity can also help to ensure that technicians can bring in equipment and have sufficient lighting to perform cleaning or deodorizing tasks. Secondary duties that may emerge from the initial inspection of the structure could include drying the property, which may have become wet due to the firefighting procedure. Equally, initial cleaning of the structure can be beneficial. The initial cleaning is most useful on textiles and furniture, which provides a basis for more aggressive cleaning action later in the restoration.
- Cleaning acidic residues from porcelain materials or metal work can help to reduce damage to the property.
- Carpeting can often be pre-conditioned shortly after the inspection phase to help reduce potential damage from residual soots.
- Getting rid of fire debris helps to provide a clear working space for restoration of the structure and reduces potential slip and trip hazards.
If your home surfaces from structural damage, contact SERVPRO of New Haven for fire damage restoration at (203) 234-1100.
Your New Haven Home Can Be Saved By Our Fire Damage Experts!
5/26/2022 (Permalink)
Give our specialists a call anytime you need us at (203) 234-1100.
Preparing For Fire Restoration In Your New Haven Home
Many New Haven homeowners can attest to their lack of skill and technical knowledge in niches like fire loss recovery. If a disaster like this has taken place on your property, even on a smaller scale, it can be smart to seek the counsel and expertise of trained restorers like our SERVPRO team. There are ways that you can help this process to be more seamless and efficient, getting you and your family back into the property as promptly as possible.
You might not have a great idea of what to expect when professionals arrive to handle fire damage in your New Haven home. Still, we do our best to explain the entire process, answer questions, and address concerns as our team sets up for mitigation and ultimate cleaning and restoration of the property. With how quickly these symptoms can spread and worsen, especially conditions like soot and smoke odors, it is vital for our team to set up and get started immediately.
Preparing for the arrival of our professionals is much more than getting you and your family out of the house, as there are steps that you can take to ensure that there are no delays in getting work started. Here are several suggestions to help prepare your home for the complete restoration phases to come:
- If it is safe to be on your property after the fire gets extinguished, take a moment to collect any irreplaceable items and move them to secure areas of your home. If individual treasured belongings have become damaged by the fire, speak with our SERVPRO team about restoring them via our contents department.
- Take a few moments to close off vents and registers of your HVAC system to prevent the further spread of soot, smoke, and other effects.
There are many elements of fire loss recovery that homeowners look to our SERVPRO of New Haven team to address. No matter when a disaster strikes, you can count on our skilled team to arrive quickly with the equipment and products to help. Give our specialists a call anytime you need us at (203) 234-1100.
Full-Service Fire Damage Restoration for New Haven Properties
3/24/2022 (Permalink)
Don’t let your home be a victim of fire damage, SERVPRO of New Haven is only a call away.
Do Fire-Damaged Materials in New Haven Homes Require Removal?
Our responding technicians' focus is to reduce the need for a tear-out and reconstruction as much as possible. Fires can already be destructive events, so maintaining as much of the original building materials in your home is a worthy goal for restorers. We evaluate affected surfaces one by one.
Condition of the Structure
It is important to determine the condition of surfaces and building materials when restoring fire damage in New Haven homes. Careful considerations are made to determine the ideal recovery and cleaning approach is to ensure the right steps promptly get taken to prevent greater harm to the property and reduce materials becoming unsalvageable. There are several ways materials can be impacted by smoke and fire damage, such as:
- Soot damage
- Staining
- Blistered surfaces
- Weakened integrity
Refinishing and Cleaning
Not all materials and contents affected by fire damage will require removal or replacement. Many of these can remain installed when refinished or appropriately cleaned. Wood créme paste and citrus oils can often revitalize the look of wood-like cabinets and shelves after soot and smoke damage exposure.
Controlled Demolition Saves Costs
Combining the restoration and reconstruction or repairs within the same roster of professionals allows us to do more to complete projects efficiently and within budgetary limitations. A large part of our full-service fire damage reconstruction and restoration solution is controlled demolition. This process allows us to remove damaged portions of building materials without total deconstruction.
Build-Back Services
In many cases, fire damage often results in repairs or reconstruction. The same contractor license that allows us to complete controlled demolition can also permit these experienced technicians to replace discarded materials and reconstruct where needed.
Fires can destroy many surfaces and leave others needing pressing cleanup and restoration. Whatever your home needs, our SERVPRO of New Haven team can help when you call (203) 234-1100.
What Happens to Household Items During a New Haven Fire Damage Cleanup?
2/10/2022 (Permalink)
Don't be a victim of fire damage, SERVPRO of New Haven is only a call away.
SERVPRO Techs Work to Restore New Haven Homes During Fire Mitigation
SERVPRO handles fire cleanup regularly for the local New Haven community. One of the significant parts of the restoration is determining items that have restoration potential and need to be moved off-site for cleaning and storage until the mitigation service completes.
The technicians inspect New Haven properties with fire damage during the initial scoping and after removing articles outside the worksite for cleaning to remove soot and then get ozone to remove all traces of the exposure to the fire. The techs then determine what the structure needs to create a safer environment to work within, such as:
- Setting up generators for power
- Boarding up doors and windows
- Making temporary repairs on roofing
- Inspecting for structural integrity
Challenges of Smoke and Soot Damage
Soot can be acidic, and soot combined with water used to extinguish a fire can cause pitting on metal. SERVPRO techs remove the wet debris first and wear safety gear while they do it to protect them from both health and environmental hazards. When working in areas of the property where there are metal fixtures, the techs often cover them after cleaning to reduce the chance of pitting from exposure to airborne soot.
Once that task is completed, the techs remove the charred and ruined building materials that need careful cutting to extract safely. Smoke can penetrate drywall, and there can be smoke damage on the framework, although there is no visible heat damage on the wall or ceiling in a room. This is why a post-fire room often needs to get stripped down to the framework to remove the smoke damage and odors.
SERVPRO of New Haven at (203) 234-1100 supports the local New Haven area for any size or type of fire damage restoration service. The trained and certified technicians are available 24/7.
What Kinds of Fire Damage Have Been Most Common in New Haven?
12/16/2021 (Permalink)
You can count on our professionals with state of the art equipment to quickly restore your property so you can return safely after a fire incident.
New Haven Residents Have Commonly Suffered All Types of Fire Damage.
House fires are easily among the biggest threats facing New Haven homeowners, surpassing even flooding risks and other common residential problems. When these fires strike, they fill interior air with harmful smoke particles and persistent, foul odors, cover surfaces in damaging acidic residues, and consume structural elements and household contents.
When SERVPRO remediates house fire damage in New Haven, our technicians often encounter all kinds of devastation. Many times, these serious physical injuries impact all parts of fire-damaged homes and range from aesthetic issues to those affecting their overall safety. As SERVPRO professionals have completed house fire clean up efforts, smoke remediation, and fire damage restoration work, they have seen the following fire-related effects:
- Choking, smoke particle-filled air that makes home unlivable
- Foul, difficult-to-neutralize odors that permeate all areas of a residence
- Surfaces throughout a house that have been covered in acidic or greasy residues that corrode metal discolor wooden or painted materials and damage other kinds of surfaces in different ways.
- HVAC systems filled with soot that need expert cleaning with specialized equipment
- Charred or fully consumed structural elements, like wooden beams/studs, floors, walls, and ceilings that either need extensive cleaning or reconstruction
- Extensive water damage related to fire extinguishing efforts
Fortunately, SERVPRO is well-equipped to handle every one of these issues. So, rest assured that, with our particular expertise and advanced equipment, we can often remediate even the worst fire damage.
With that said, keep SERVPRO of New Haven in mind if you ever need fire damage clean-up and restoration work done on your home. We are always ready for your call at (203) 234-1100.
What Can New Haven Residents Expect with Fire Damage Restoration?
10/25/2021 (Permalink)
Even small fires are traumatic. Call SERVPRO to the rescue! We can make it "Like it never even happened."
SERVPRO’s Proven Methods for Handling Fire Damage and Restoration Get Results for New Haven Property Owners
House fires are events that happen more often than you may think due to a variety of reasons. There could be a stovetop fire in the kitchen, a lightning strike, or a gas leak – all of which can bring varying levels of destruction requiring prompt house fire cleanup. All New Haven residents must know that SERVPRO is locally owned and operated – ready to take on your restoration needs. We make everything “Like it never even happened.”
What Happens After a Fire?
Whether your home suffered from a small garage fire or a large-scale blaze, you need prompt action to commence fire damage restoration in New Haven. We can offer these tips that give a rough outline of how the day of the fire may unfold:
- Inform your home insurance company about the fire and tell them you will be working with SERVPRO to handle smoke and fire damage.
- Our team will arrive within hours of your call so that we can begin the planning process. We have a crew chief that handles the initial assessment, and all of the proper equipment and methods get selected to take care of the job accordingly.
- Once first responders on the scene deem your property safe for entry, you might be able to go inside to gather any personal belongings or documentation you need.
SERVPRO’s fire and smoke restoration technicians set up staging and containment barriers to limit debris tracking as we work. All unsalvageable materials get removed, and we work on drying and odor control. Controlled demolition allows our crew to replace damaged materials to finish off your property to erase any sign of the fire that took place.
SERVPRO of New Haven is here for you when you need fire damage restoration! Call us 24 hours a day at (203) 234-1100.
How Do New Haven Residents Replace Walls and Ceilings After Fire Damage?
9/10/2021 (Permalink)
SERVPRO has helped many homeowners recover from the effects of fire damage and our highly experienced crews stand ready to respond 24/7.
Most Fire Damage Situations Can Be Restored Using Expert Cleaning Techniques and Equipment. Use SERVPRO of New Haven to Restore your Home
Housefires can release chemicals and odor particles into your home. After flames are extinguished, you may find your home unrecognizable due to smoke or soot stains. The common areas affected by smoke residues are likely to be upper walls and ceilings, attracting hot smoke particles onto these cooler surfaces. While it is inevitable that some charred materials be replaced, the main parts of a structure can often return to a good condition through cleaning. Professional technicians can help to assess quickly:
- The cleanability of structure after fire
- Non-salvageable materials and debris removal
- Smoke and odor composition
To repair fire damage in your New Haven, it is usually best to bring in experts. Vital equipment such as personal protective gear, centrifugal venting fans, and cleaning solvents can be expensive to procure for one-time usage. SERVPRO provides all necessary equipment and products to rescue a home with light, moderate or severe smoke impact. Dry sponges are excellent at removing residual layers of soot from a surface but may struggle to get rid of stubborn or wet smoke soiling. When cleaning walls, it is essential to:
- Start on a discrete area using a dry cleaning sponge and taking care not to spread existing damages along the wall.
- Apply solvents to greasy or wet smoke deposits that can help to break the bond between soot particles and the surface.
- When using water-based cleaning products, like detergent, ensure that dehumidifiers are placed afterward to dry the wall and avoid mold growth thoroughly.
For assistance with home restoration, contact SERVPRO of New Haven for fire damage restoration at (203) 234-1100.
SERVPRO is a Trusted Name in New Haven for Fire Damage Restoration
7/14/2021 (Permalink)
Smoke and soot residue removal is a job for a professional outfit. SERVPRO has you covered from start to finish in all fire damage restoration service
SERVPRO Brings Premier Fire Damage Restoration Service to New Haven Homes at a Fraction of the Cost
Cleaning different residues during fire damage restoration of your New Haven home is a job for expert restorers. The IICRC certified SERVPRO restoration experts use several techniques to eliminate the residues carefully without damaging the surface.
SERVPRO techs use different approaches to clean the residue during fire damage restoration of your New Haven home, depending on the type and amount of the residue. Residues that are oily and wet are much more difficult to clean than the drier residues. SERVPRO techs clean some of the oily residues by using detergents and solvent-based cleaners. However, some residues that can chemically react with the surfaces can’t be cleaned by these methods alone. To eliminate such residues, we alter them chemically using advanced cleaning products.
How SERVPRO Chemically Alters Residues During House Fire Cleanup in New Haven?
SERVPRO experts use processes like enzyme digestion, bleaching, and oxidation to clean difficult-to-clean residues from your fire-damaged homes at New Haven.
- Enzyme digestion- Enzymes are substances that can digest protein residues. Once the digestion is complete, the residue changes from insoluble to soluble, making it easy to clean with water and detergent. The use of these cleaning products requires a neutral pH and a temperature between 100-1200F.
- Bleaching agents- Combine with a residue chemically to alter its composition. Bleaching agents used during fire damage restoration can be of two types-
- Oxidizing bleaches- Uses oxygen liberated during a chemical reaction to break down the residue.
- Reducing bleaches- Strip the oxygen from the residue, altering the chemical structure breaking the residue down.
Call SERVPRO of New Haven at (203) 234-1100 for house fire cleanup in New Haven; we are available 24/7.
New Haven Fire Damage Spreads to the Attic
5/28/2021 (Permalink)
Our fire damage experts can have your home back to its original state, “Like it never even happened.”
Many Attic Spaces Pose Problems for our Fire Damage Restorations in New Haven
Everyone knows that heat rises, but do you know what that can mean for smoke during a house fire? Smoke tends to find its way to the top of your house – including, in many cases, into the attic.
When we talk to people about fire damage in New Haven, they rarely even think about the possible effects on their attic. Most house fires are extinguished quickly, without visible damage to most parts of the home. SERVPRO technicians are experienced fire and smoke damage restoration professionals and do not overlook hidden problems. Some of the most common treatments we perform on an attic space include:
- Smoke remediation
- Cleaning and deodorization of stored upholstery and clothing
- Organized move-outs of stored objects
- Specialized treatments for insulation and rafters
Depending on the attic's size and the extent of the damages, SERVPRO technicians may need to implement all, none, or some of these interventions. Isolated fires in certain parts of the house may leave your attic pristine and in need of no further attention. Other fires can produce so much smoke that the time we spend in the attic may even exceed the time spent in the room of the incident. Whatever the case may be, the expertise of our inspectors and veteran technicians helps us tackle any problem.
SERVPRO of New Haven is a trusted local resource for homeowners experiencing fire and smoke damages. Give us a call at (203) 234-1100.
What Are the First Fire Damage Restoration Steps for New Haven Homes?
4/12/2021 (Permalink)
Fire damage restoration for your home should be handled by a qualified company. SERVPRO is a trained and experienced company for any size disaster.
Our mitigation strategies can protect threatened New Haven properties after a fire.
Mitigation is a vital step in protecting and preserving properties impacted by fire and smoke damage in New Haven. As challenging and far-reaching as these effects can get in a home, the initial actions taken by our fire restoration team can have a direct correlation with the amount homeowners pay for recovery services and the time restoration ultimately takes. Fire mitigation includes:
- Extraction
- Controlled demolition
- Debris removal
- Content relocation
Can Air Filtration Improve Fire Damage Restoration for New Haven Homes?
Among the most necessary mitigation actions, our technicians take in New Haven homes includes air filtration with HEPA products. Running air through these advanced filtering systems captures particulate as small as 0.3 microns. These filtering devices affect technicians' and safety by trapping soot particles and ash that can be a health hazard.
Fire damage restoration for area homes employs the skill and training of our SERVPRO of New Haven technicians. We are ready 24/7 to help at (203) 234-1100.
Can Furniture be Preserved After a Fire in a New Haven Home?
2/8/2021 (Permalink)
Fire damage is no DIY project. SERVPROs technicians are IICRC certified for any size fire disaster.
SERVPRO can help protect and restore surfaces in New Haven homes
Facing your home after a fire can be overwhelming. Between the smoke, soot, and odor residue, it may be hard to determine where restoration activities should begin. The most effective course of action is to call a reputable fire restoration company so its certified technicians can apply their expert knowledge to your situation.
Every residue requires a specific cleaning protocol, and relying on traditional cleaning products may be ineffective and detrimental. In New Haven, fire-damaged properties, SERVPRO is ready around the clock to help you navigate the restoration process. As we look at the smoke residue, we consider how it fits into one of the following categories:
- Protein residue- typically coming from a kitchen fire
- Wet smoke- resulting from the burning of humanmade materials such as polymers and plastics
- Dry smoke- occurs when natural materials such as wood burns
Each type of residue is treated with solutions tailored to its origin to avoid further damage due to the abrasive nature of cleaning products. Simultaneously, our team can help you discard any items beyond repair or safeguard those unaffected by the fire.
SERVPRO of New Haven is at your side when you need us. Call us at (203) 234-1100 and let us be your partner in bringing your home back to its original condition.
The Foodie Capital of America: New Haven
12/21/2020 (Permalink)
High quality fire restoration is no easy task. Call the professionals at SERVPRO for their newest equipment and experience to handle the job.
New Haven Apizza Is the Gem of American Pie
Across the many friendly competitors within New Haven, one thing may be clear about our pizzerias: they are both different from and better than anything else in the country. New Haven-style pizza is only less well-spread than other regional styles due to the difficulty of its preparation. If it were as easy and quick to make as other pizza styles, many food critics agree that it would have overtaken the country much sooner. However, the New Haven-style continues to expand, and we can see why.
New Haven-style pies began at Pepe’s in 1925, one of the earliest pizzerias in the United States. Even before the restaurant, Pepe was known well in New Haven for his remarkable “tomato pies.” After a few years of selling his pies out of a wagon and at local markets, he took over the business that would become his restaurant. Over the years that followed, the formula changed very little, except when the clam pie was added to the menu a couple of decades later. The unique style offered at this restaurant inspired many others, and today, Pepe’s and others remain well-loved local eateries.
Slowly but surely, this pizza style began to expand beyond New Haven, especially in the past decade. After nearly a century of having just one famous location, Pepe’s has started to move into nearby towns and states rapidly. Other restaurateurs, inspired wholly or partly by the distinctive New Haven-style, have opened up similar locations nationwide. These places have observed financial success greater than many other specialty pizzerias in their communities, so the rapid expansion is only accelerating.
This expansion has not gone unnoticed by food critics. PMQ, Eater, Slice, and other prominent food and pizza industry critics have taken a liking to the New Haven-style. These publications recognize one truth that is sure to disappoint most of their readers: to get the best New Haven pizza; you need to visit the source. Thankfully, those in the area need not travel far to find an authentic and delicious pie.
Do You Know Which New Haven Restaurant Invented the Hamburger?
Believe it or not, New Haven was the start of it all. If you asked anyone in the world what the most important food is in American cuisine, they would probably tell you that it is doubtlessly the hamburger. Burgers, prepared with any number of toppings, specialty buns, and condiments, are ubiquitous across America. Surprisingly, they got their start at just one restaurant, a little place that remains open today in New Haven.
Louis’ Lunch resides in a small, unassuming building with distinctive red paint and an old-timey feel. Inside, the fourth-generation Lassen family owners operate the broilers in the same way that their great-great-grandparents did 120 years ago. Louis’ Lunch is a bit different from most other restaurants because here, the customer is not always right. The Lassens will proudly tell you that if you do not like what they are serving, you can walk straight through the door you came in. While this might seem surprising to many new customers, the establishment has good reason to hold it's head high. They are the oldest proprietors of the hamburger in the country, having served the meal before it ever had a name, and they have long perfected their formula.
Today, Louis’ Lunch is a treasured destination for tourists and Yale students seeking a savory meal. If you ever want to stop by, make sure not to do it in August – the Lasser family tradition is to take the entire month off for a vacation in the comfortable New Haven summer air.
The Closing of a New Haven Restaurant that was a First of Its Kind
In 1982, New Haven (and the rest of the state) had zero sushi restaurants. That year, Miya’s opened up in town and became an instant success. However, unlike every other sushi restaurant in the country, Miya’s took efforts at every step to ensure that they only used ingredients from sustainable farming industries. It would soon become clear that this sustainability pledge will be vital for sushi restaurants nationwide.
Around the world, overfishing threatens our oceans. Many people rely on fish as a source of protein and nutrients, lacking any alternatives. However, when fishing exceeds the capacity of the area, local populations have trouble replenishing their numbers. In time, this can lead to hunger crises for many coastal communities. To help solve this problem, Miya’s started the trend of sushi and seafood restaurants avoiding wild-caught fish and exclusively sourcing ingredients from sustainable fish farming operations.
Today, the United States experiences significantly fewer problems with overfishing, despite overall seafood consumption rising. Thanks to Miya’s, we have some room to breathe with our ocean ecology projects. However, after almost forty years of continuous operation, Miya’s is set to close, with its owners and head chef citing exhaustion after many decades of work. However, keep an eye on the place – they have not said much yet, but they hint at a revival shortly after the closure.
Steps to Take Before Fire Restoration Specialists Arrive at Your New Haven Home
Generally speaking, the best way for you to help your New Haven home fire restoration project is to call in professional help as soon as possible after a disaster. Getting technicians on the site before damages set in can have monumental effects on restorations’ speed and cost. However, there are a few other things that you may do to help us out before we arrive.
- Place towels on the floors - One of the ways that damage can spread to other parts of the house is underfoot. By placing clean towels and sheets around the damaged area, you can create walkways that stop ash from getting tracked around the house.
- Wash your plants - If you have any live houseplants, give them a quick wash. Even light fire residue can harm these living, breathing organisms. The sooner that ash and smoke can be washed off of them, the healthier they will be later on.
- Change your HVAC filters – Chances are, much of the smoke and ash got sucked into your HVAC system. While SERVPRO technicians are trained and certified to clean these systems out, you should still do all you can to avoid spreading residues around the house. A quick filter swap could stop ash from spreading to new parts of your home.
- Stay safe – Fires may affect the structural components of your home. If you notice burned supports, falling ceiling material, loose wiring, or any other potential hazards, stay away from the area. Our experienced personnel can identify and contain these threats without any risk to you.
SERVPRO of New Haven stays ready on a 24/7 basis to provide high-quality fire restoration services to New Haven homeowners. Call us on our emergency line at (203) 234-1100.
Follow British Art and Culture from the 15th Century to the Present in the Heart of New Haven
11/15/2020 (Permalink)
SERVPRO is looking forward to the tour in New Haven for historiographers and enthusiasts!
A New Haven Tour Worthy of Historiographers and Enthusiasts
The Yale Center for British Art lays the claim for having the most extensive collection of British art outside the United Kingdom. Paul Melon presented the collection to the university back in 1929, giving anyone with general or academic interests a chance to take a closer look, right in the heart of New Haven. The November 20th event features the exhibition, Love, Life, Death, and Desire: An Installation of the Center’s Collections.
During the visit, you can sample various offerings that the museum has to offer, including:
- Over 250 sculptures, 2000 paintings, 35000 manuscripts, and rare books
- Masterpieces by renowned artists like George Stubbs, Joshua Reynolds, among others
- A close look at the last building designed by Louis I. Kahn, the internationally acclaimed American architect
Visitors need timed-entry tickets to participate. It is also crucial to travel light since backpacks, large bags, shopping bags, drinks, and food are not allowed.
SERVPRO of New Haven is well versed in the restoration of valuable or sentimental items after fire damage incidents in New Haven. Call us at (203) 234-1100.
Can Smoke Odors Get Reduced During Cleaning and Restoration In New Haven?
9/14/2020 (Permalink)
After a fire, there are many restorative steps to returning the property to preloss condition.
After a fire, smoke odors in your New Haven home can be overwhelming without specific steps and actions to reduce its severity.
Fire restoration and cleaning can take weeks for New Haven homes after a substantial loss. Whether the occupants' relocation is necessary or not, there are specific effects that linger in the house, like noxious smoke odors, that make it a challenge for those still living in the home or even our SERVPRO team sent to begin restoration and recovery.
Fire damage in New Haven homes requires several approaches to remove entirely. Deodorization is a vital effort of our fire restorers, but the process often occurs as one of the final actions taken to recover a house. Foggers, ozone generators, and hydroxyl machines are all necessary tools in this process. However, there are other approaches that we can take before deodorization to reduce the severity and pungency of smoke and burning smells.
What Other Options Exist Beyond Deodorization?
Because deodorization is one of the final steps of the restoration process for fire-damaged homes, we often rely on other strategies to reduce the severity of burning odors in the house. Some of these approaches include:
• Odor Counteractant Beads – These products are made of a porous material infused with odor counteractant solvents. By placing these near the intake of air conditioning units, we can spread a pleasant fragrance throughout the property while work continues.
• Deodorant Granules – Unlike beads, these products absorb odors in the air. We place these granules in the path of air currents and the furnace and air conditioning intake.
• Debris Removal – Often, just removing the build-up of debris and ash in a property after a structure fire can reduce soot and smoke concerns.
After a fire, there are many restorative steps to returning the property to preloss condition. Our SERVPRO of New Haven team can help your home through each phase when you call (203) 234-1100.
How Thorough Is Fire Restoration Cleaning in My New Haven Home?
7/31/2020 (Permalink)
Fires can leave smoke residues and odors that can be hard to get out without professional help. Call SERVPRO.
Cleaning after a structure fire is a balance of specific sciences, and with careful consideration and planning, can be efficient and thorough for our customers.
Structure fires can have a devastating effect on New Haven homes or businesses. While many mitigation tasks must begin quickly to ensure that we can do the most to protect your home and its contents, cleaning up after these disasters can be a lengthy and intricate task. Fire restoration cleaning involves several scientific elements working together to reach an efficient and satisfactory result. In many cases, this blend of fundamental cleaning elements gets used to address widespread smoke residues of varying origins.
We have talented cleaning technicians who can begin their responsibilities and fire damage restoration for New Haven homes as soon as emergency services and mitigation efforts are completed. Regarding how we address the removal of soils and residues from affected surfaces and contents in your home, we can rely on four specific elements working together to achieve complete restoration and recovery to original conditions. Our professionals often refer to these factors collectively as TACT, though each branch is vital in the recovery of materials and content within your fire damaged property. These include:
- Temperature
- Agitation
- Chemical Action
- Time
How Does Temperature Impact Cleaning Practices?
Because many New Haven homeowners do not actively clean up after disasters like fire losses, you might not realize that many of the products that we use work best at different temperatures. Heat, in general, allows molecules to move faster, intensifying the reaction time of cleaning solutions and the soils they are interacting with on specific surfaces. We must carefully determine the best temperature in the damaged area to ensure that the cleaning solution chosen for present residues and soot is as effective as it should be. Warmer temperatures can also have other advantages regarding residue removal and eliminating soils on specific porous surfaces. Warming reduces surface tension and allows a higher penetration of these materials to dissolve soils more effectively.
What Does Agitation Mean?
Agitation is one of the fundamental elements of clearing thick residues before the final product is applied for emulsification or other chemical reactions. Agitative cleaning practices seek to reduce the thickness and severity of residue coatings by dislodging soils and removing them. Depending on the situation and the surface, agitative cleaning practices can vary. Choosing the right approach often involves identifying the type of smoke residue present and the best method to avoid marring or staining the underlying material. Some of the practices that we utilize for pre-chemical treatment agitation include:
- Pressurized water or air
- Sandblasting
- Steel wool scrubbing
- Brushing
- Vacuuming
Do Chemical Reactions Play an Active Role in Fire Restoration Cleaning?
You might not realize there are multiple types of cleaning products that can address varying smoke residues and soils present after a structure fire. Between wall systems and contents in the house, widespread cleaning is a necessary effort that begins during mitigation and continues through the restoration phases to come. Identifying what products are required for what specific residue your home is facing involves data collected during the job scoping phase and continued monitoring of the property during mitigation. We follow the premise that like dissolves like, meaning that water-based solvents can best address water-based soiling. Likewise, adding oxygen through bleaching removes oxygen from the composition of the soil. There are multiple products in our inventory that we can use to recover services, contents, and other items damaged by a fire. These include:
- Solvents
- Water-Based Detergents
- Alkaline Solutions
How Much Time Is Necessary for Effective Cleaning?
Many chemical processes do not happen instantaneously, meaning that patience is a virtue for fully restoring your home to its original condition. Understanding the specific times for chemical reactions to occur and become most effective can ensure that we take the necessary steps at the appropriate times to efficiently recover the damage. The time needed to dissolve soils through chemical actions is known as the dwell time. Various factors can help determine the time necessary to eliminate soils on the surface of specific materials. These include the type of content, the chosen method of agitation, the temperature used when applying a cleaning solution, and the type of smoke residue or soiling our professionals face.
Cleaning and restoring your home after a fire loss incident can feel overwhelming, especially when you are uncertain of whom to call and what to expect. Our SERVPRO of New Haven team understands cleaning sciences to make fire losses “Like it never even happened.” You can count on our fast response and experienced professionals available 24/7 at (203) 234-1100.
How Do I Get Rid of Burnt Odors From Upholstery?
6/19/2020 (Permalink)
Contact SERVPRO any time. Our experts are trained in fire & smoke restoration, odor control, upholstery and fabric cleaning.
SERVPRO Specializes in Fire Damage Odor Removal for Home and Contents.
Why do odors come from upholstery after a fire?
Combusting materials increase air pressure and release chemicals into the atmosphere, which produces burnt odors. It is common for North Haven homeowners to discover that soft furnishings in their homes continue to release malodor after a fire. Upholstery has typical construction of fiber weaves. These weaves are porous, which causes odor particles to lodge inside the fabric. Removing the odor can be challenging because of the diverse range of materials that make up soft furnishings. Some tissues may respond negatively to cleaning methods or solutions and result in visible damage.
How do you remove odor from upholstery without causing damage?
The advantage of using a professional fire damage restorer in North Haven is that there is less risk of causing visible harm to soft furnishings during cleaning. SERVPRO technicians always conduct pre-tests before applying cleaning solutions directly onto upholstery. Pre-testing involves administering a small amount of the cleaning solution or solvent to a discrete area of the upholstery. After rinsing the solution, technicians inspect the test-area for negative responses. We have a range of cleaning methods for materials that allow us to tailor our approach to any specific item of furniture without causing harm.
What kind of permanent damage can occur to upholstery from cleaning solutions?
- Discoloration of the fabric or dye bleeding
- Watermarks may occur with non-colorfast fabrics
- Burn marks or wearing away of fibers
Are chemical agents the only method for restoring fabrics?
We can use chemical agents or mechanical cleaning methods to restore upholstery. Some materials like leather have precise requirements to restore efficiently. Leather butter can help remove discoloration while the leather's resilience makes it well-suited to buffering with a machine. On the other hand, thick fiber upholstery may require a dry emulsifying powder to get rid of soils.
Upholstery can be a challenge to restore without precise method selection. Contact SERVPRO of New Haven at (203) 234-1100.
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How Do I Decide What to Keep and What to Discard After a Household Fire in New Haven?
5/5/2020 (Permalink)
Call us at (203) 234-1100 to set our multi-discipline mitigation and remediation response in motion for you.
SERVPRO’s Specialized Cleaning and Deodorizing Strategies Save Time, Expense, and Memories for Our New Haven Customers
The heart of every home is the family and friends finding comfort and security within the structure. Your priority when fire strikes are moving loved ones to a safe space. Then you must find qualified and compassionate professionals to transform the soot-coated surfaces, deep charring, filthy water, and other chaotic circumstances facing you back to “Like it never even happened.”
?Should I Just Cut My Losses and Throw Everything Away?
The devastation of fire damage in your New Haven home affects not only the structure and fixtures in your home but also the furnishings, household goods, and personal possessions you and your family use and treasure. We have highly skilled technicians with decades of successful restoration on their resumes working to save your contents at our production facility as our onsite crews manage the challenges at your home.
When and Why Are Move-Outs Recommended?
Our dedicated move-out division uses SERVPRO’s Contents Claim Inventory Service (CCIS) to provide a detailed inventory of all items we pack up and transport to our climate-controlled workspace. We move your possessions as quickly as possible after careful packing for two primary reasons:?
• Delivering the damaged contents to our team of experienced Contents Processing Technicians (CPT) for targeted assessment, cleaning, disinfection, drying, and deodorization
• Clearing the fire-damaged spaces in your home, permitting our Fire and Smoke Restoration Technicians (FSRT) and other certified experts to work unimpeded
What Resources Are Available for Packed-Out Items?
Unique and individualized approaches to cleaning, drying, and restoration include, among many others:
• Freeze-drying for wet papers and pictures
• Immersion and ultrasonic tanks to clean tenaciously adhered residues
• Small drying and deodorization compartments to increase efficiency
• Industrial washing and drying equipment?
Many years of experience in restoring contents in tried, true, and innovative ways make SERVPRO of New Haven a trusted resource after fire devastates a home. Call us at (203) 234-1100 to set our multi-discipline mitigation and remediation response in motion for you.
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What Equipment Does SERVPRO Use to Remove Smoke Odors in New Haven
3/9/2020 (Permalink)
Fire damage, if not properly cleaned, can leave smoke odors. SERVPRO has the expertise to remove those odors.
How Does a Thermal Fogger Remove Smoke Odor in New Haven Homes?
Odor removal is an essential staple of fire recovery for New Haven homes. Though there are many deodorization tools that our company uses in fire restoration, few have the mobility or versatility of thermal foggers. As you might think, there are advantages and drawbacks to choosing this device over some of the other options that exist for our SERVPRO restorers, so understanding how it works. Its typical applications can help to showcase areas where you can expect to see it getting used.
Harsh odors can cause living with fire damage in New Haven homes unbearable, even when the other effects are not as challenging. The choice of using thermal foggers over other devices like hydroxyl machines or ozone generators is one that comes down to several factors. Choosing the deodorizing tool hinges on:
- The space that must get restored
- The presence of porous materials likely to absorb foul scents
- The presence of people and pets in the restoration space
- The severity of the odor concentration in the damaged region
Thermal foggers work by taking one of the SERVPRO-approved fire damage deodorization products and superheating it within the device to convert the solution into a fog. In a gas state, this neutralizing compound can easily penetrate damaged porous materials, contents, and open areas of the house.
The advantage of using thermal foggers over some of the other options is the mobility of these units. Because foggers are lightweight, they can travel quickly between areas in a house that require deodorization, unlike weightier machines like ozone generators. Thermal fogging machines are also safer to use in most applications because they do not require humans and pets to avoid the affected area. Ozone generators, while highly effective, are hazardous to the health of those directly exposed while the unit is running.
Deodorization is one of the mainstays of fire recovery, and an obstacle that our SERVPRO of New Haven team has overcome many times. We can utilize tools like our thermal fogging machines to neutralize harsh odors and make fire losses “Like it never even happened.” Contact us today at (203) 234-1100.
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Early Mitigation Steps for Fire-Damaged New Haven Homes
11/30/2019 (Permalink)
When it comes to your New Haven home fire, get with SERVPRO.
SERVPRO will take on your New Haven fire damage.
One of the most severe disasters that can affect New Haven homes is a fire. While these emergencies ultimately require professional restoration and remediation service, this cannot begin until the appropriate extinguishment process has been completed. In many situations, our SERVPRO team gets notified of the disaster, along with first responders, to have our qualified technicians mobilized and ready to step in with emergency services when firefighters have given the all-clear.
Recovering after a loss involves more than scoping the fire damage and odor in New Haven residences and working to overcome them. Early mitigation work can both reduce the severity of current damages and prevents worsening conditions from developing in the hours and days following the fire. There are a few specific steps that our team can implement immediately to help reduce the cost of restoration and shorten the timeline of recovery.
Many of the emergency services provided by our SERVPRO professionals get chosen for their ability to reduce harsh odors in a residence after a fire. Odors can often be one of the most significant challenges to face for even experienced professionals on our team, so reducing catalysts to the problem can help to make this deodorization process more streamlined and successful.
In many cases, removing charred and partially combusted items that can supply the region with noxious scents is a good starting point. Between the controlled demolition practices available to our customers through our licensed general contractors we have in-house to our content management department that can remove overly damaged personal belongings and seek to restore items not completely ruined, we have effective strategies for contending with fire and smoke odor origin points.
All of the immediate services for a fire-damaged home are vital to prevent further spread and deterioration of the structure. When it comes to reducing and eventually eliminating harsh odors, controlled demolition and content management can be useful starting points. No matter what your home needs after a fire, you can count on the experience and equipment of our SERVPRO of New Haven team to help. Give us a call anytime at (203) 234-1100.
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Our Professionals Can Save Your Fire Damaged Garage In Hamden
10/17/2019 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of New Haven is Faster to Any Size Disaster, no matter when it occurs in your home.
Garage Fire Damage in Hamden Can Be Mitigated By Professionals
Garage fires are not something the average homeowner has to consider every day, but according to the US Fire Administration, approximately 6,600 garage fires occur in the United States every year. The most prevalent cause of these fires is electrical failure. A light with faulty wiring that catches fire near flammable materials like a wooden workbench can be all it takes for fire damage to affect your home.
When fire damage occurs in your Hamden residence, SERVPRO technicians and franchise owners have extensive training in cleanup and safety. Commercial-grade materials and comprehensive education mean that homeowners get a safer, more thorough clean that protects their home and possessions.
Tips for Preventing Garage Fires
• Keep your garage clean. Not only does clutter make it easier to address a fire when it happens, but it also means fewer materials available to stoke the flames.
• Store flammable materials separately. Put aerosols, motor oil, propane, paint, and other flammable items in a shed or other area unconnected to the home.
• Avoid overloading outlets. Overloaded outlets are one of the most frequent causes of garage fires, so be mindful of electricity use to minimize risks. Using extension cords can create additional risk for wire failures that can start a fire.
• Install a heat alarm. Many garages do not have smoke alarms and may set them off accidentally due to hot temperatures or exposure to dust and fumes. Heat alarms can alert you to unusual changes in temperature that indicate a fire more reliably.
SERVPRO Can Restore Your Possessions
After a team reaches your home, they can get started right away on addressing soot, fumes, and residues generated by a garage fire. SERVPRO uses a variety of advanced cleaning techniques to restore items, including wet and dry cleaning, immersion in eco-friendly cleaners, and much more. If your tools and home repair items are covered in soot, ash, or residues, a combination of immersion, abrasives, spray cleaning, and other techniques may be utilized for restoration.
Lingering odors are common after a fire and can be combated with a combination of industrial cleaners, adequate ventilation, odor counteractant beads, and commercial-grade deodorization. If air is particularly dirty, HEPA air scrubbers can catch odor-causing particulates as small as 0.3 microns in size.
SERVPRO of New Haven is Faster to Any Size Disaster, no matter when it occurs in your home. Call (203) 234-1100 today to get speedy and reliable emergency service.
For more about Hamden click here.
Fire Damage tips for New Haven area Homeowners
4/9/2019 (Permalink)
Cleaning up after fire damage in a New Haven home
If you have experienced fire damage in your New Haven, West Haven or Hamden home, here are some important things to know before SERVPRO gets there:
- Limit movement in the home to prevent further damage
- Place dry colorfast towels or old linens on carpeted traffic areas to prevent more soiling
- If the electricity is off, empty the freezer and refrigerator and prop the doors open
- Wipe soot from the chrome on kitchen and bathroom faucets and appliances then protect them with a light coating of lubricant.
- Do not attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces without first contacting SERVPRO
- Do not attempt to shampoo carpet or upholstered furniture without first consulting with SERVPRO
- Do not attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire or water without consulting a repair service.
For more tips about Fire Damage, follow this link
These tips are important and will help you get back into your home as soon as possible. If you have any questions, call us at (203) 234-1100
Keep Summer Safe
7/14/2016 (Permalink)
Soil Embers
Public Service Announcement – Keep Summer Safe
A: Three
Q: How many fires has the team mitigated in the last year that started in potted plants?
Potting soil is comprised of peat, bark, perlite and coconut coir. This highly flammable mix can turn a lazy afternoon on a deck to tragedy with the tamping of a single cigarette butt. If you doubt it go to the Wizard of Oz (or Google) and type in “fire potting soil”. The picture is not pretty.
Dry potting soil requires only a tiny catalyst to begin smoldering and this is significantly underappreciated hazard. What’s worse the embers can expand unseen and burn out the bottom of a plastic hanging planter box.
Avoid tragedy by using ashtrays, keep your plants watered, use clay pots, keep combustible material away from plants, and dispose of potting soil carefully.
Latex Foam reopens two weeks after fires
7/16/2014 (Permalink)
Firefighters are on scene in the aftermath of an early morning fire at the Latex International on Thursday, June 26, 2014.
SHELTON -- The prospect of Latex Foam reopening two weeks after two significant fires was doubtful.
But that's what happened Monday, as many of the company's 150 employees returned to work.
"It was a tremendous undertaking by everyone," said Allen Randolph, owner of SERVPRO of New Haven, Waterbury, the Naugatuck Valley and northern Westchester County which managed the cleanup. "Half of our staff lives in the Valley. We consider the Valley our home turf, so we're proud to have helped save these jobs."
Mayor Mark Lauretti said he drove by the company Monday morning and noticed the parking lot was full.
"This is good news for those who are employed there," the mayor said. "People need to work. They need the paycheck to pay their bills and feed their families."
Attempts to reach officials at Latex Foam by telephone were unsuccessful Monday. The general voicemail box was full and not accepting new calls.
Randolph credited David Fisher, Latex's chief executive officer, and the company's insurance team with providing the necessary resources to get the business back in operation.
Fisher "told us early on that it was his expectation to reopen July 14 and it was our job to do it," Randolph said. "There was never any discussion of failure to meet that goal."
There may not have been any discussion, but there were obstacles, like the second fire which struck just four days after the devastating first one that had required firefighters to pump more than 150,000 gallons of water on the blaze.
It seems black clouds have loomed over Latex Foam, which arose from the ashes of an arson that destroyed its predecessor -- Sponge Rubber Products -- on March 1, 1975. There was also the catastrophic 2001 weeklong fire that consumed the company's Ansonia headquarters, sending the company to its present River Road site. And two company executives are serving federal prison terms for embezzling $3.5 million. And there is the current bankruptcy petition to reorganize $29 million in debts.
The June 26 and 30 fires could have been the final straw.
"We were about 90 percent finished drying the basement when the second fire struck on June 30 at 11 a.m.," Randolph said. "That was a smaller fire and a lot less water was used."
But Randolph's crews, which worked 24 hours a day, seven days a week and at times numbered 170 people, attacked the clean-up in three stages. SERVPRO brought in extra employees from their Rhode Island, New York and Tennessee companies and members of ERS Services in Indiana to clean inside the machinery.
The first cleanup, which began June 26 and ended July 2, involved drying and cleaning the offices. The second, which ended Sunday, involved drying, cleaning and disinfecting rollers, conveyors, presses, machinery, pipes, rollers and conveyors through which the product moves.
The third stage, which is still progressing, involves cleaning non-critical working areas.
During the cleanup, Randolph said, SERVPRO brought in 200 air movers, 17 scissor lifts, a gigantic trailer-based desiccant dryer which removes condensation from compressed air and "a lot of guys with mops and wet-vacs."
mmayko@ctpost.com, 203-330-6286
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