Recent Fire Damage Posts

Rebuilding Safety: 7 Easy Steps to Restore Your Home with SERVPRO

11/16/2023 (Permalink)

Aftermath of a fire. Tag us in , we are ready to make it "Like it never even happened"

Every fire damage event is a little different, and requires a unique solution, but the general process stays the same. The steps listed below illustrate our process for the “typical” fire damage emergency.

Step 1: Emergency Contact

The restoration process begins when you call us. Our representative will ask questions regarding the fire damage event that will help us respond immediately with the appropriate equipment and resources. 

Step 2: Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment

We carefully inspect and test adjoining rooms of your property to determine the extent of the fire, smoke, and soot damage. This step is crucial to developing a plan of action. 

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

Fire damage can often compromise windows, walls, and roofs. To maintain security and to protect against further damage, we can board up missing windows and walls and place tarps on damaged roofs. 

Step 4: Water Removal and Drying (if water damage is present)

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

Step 5: Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces

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

Step 6: Cleaning and Sanitizing

We clean, sanitize, and disinfect all of the restorable items and structures that were damaged by the fire. We use a variety of cleaning techniques to restore your belongings to pre-fire condition. We’re also trained to remove odors using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.

Step 7: Restoration

Restoration is the final step—getting your home or business to its pre-fire condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet; or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business

How to Clean Black Soot from Walls

8/7/2023 (Permalink)

Whether a fire causes your home or business to be covered in black soot, a cooking accident in your kitchen leaves you with severe soot damage, or a rogue candle goes haywire, your walls require upkeep and maintenance to ensure they are successfully cleaned after damage. But what are the steps for cleaning black soot from walls?

soot is defined as “a black substance formed by combustion or separated from fuel during combustion, rising in fine particles, and adhering to the sides of the chimney or pipe conveying the smoke.” In other words, soot is the product of incomplete combustion; since it’s a sticky substance, it tends to adhere to the location where this incomplete combustion occurred. There are a variety of sources that can contribute to soot appearing on your walls, including but not limited to:
Candles.
Fireplaces.
Exhaust from a car in a garage, which is adjacent to the affected wall.
Space heaters.
Dust, dirt, and cooking oils.
External factors such as smoke from a nearby factory.

Inhaling soot can cause health effects, which is why it’s important to contact a cleanup and restoration company like SERVPRO of Downtown Salt Lake City as soon as you find any in your living space or business. Not only can it disrupt your daily home or business activities, but it can prove a safety hazard as well.

Tips to Clean Your Walls

  • Ventilate the area to remove excess soot and odor.
  • Wear household dish gloves, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants to avoid direct soot or ash contact with skin. If contact occurs, wash off soon as possible.
  • Wear a dust mask such as an N-95.
  • Use a dehumidifier to control moisture in the air.
  • Use a dry chemical sponge to remove as much as soot as you can. This will help prevent soot from embedding deeper into the wall, where it can show up as a permanent stain.
  • Follow with a low-alkali detergent, then rinse.

 If all fails , you know who to call . When SERVPRO of Downtown Salt Lake City  goes out rest assure that SERVPRO of Downtown Salt Lake City will get the job done. If water damage is present, SERVPRO of Downtown Salt Lake City professionals will implement a water damage restoration process, using dehumidifiers, air movers, and other equipment as needed.
 Upon arrival, SERVPRO of Downtown Salt Lake City technicians will perform a walk-through of the affected area, including inspection and testing of adjoining rooms to the damage. This is a critical step, as it will help determine the best course of action to remediate your soot and other fire damage.

Getting Your Business Back on Track: Commercial Fire Restoration Services by SERVPRO Downtown Salt Lake City/Team Hamann

4/5/2023 (Permalink)

A commercial fire can be a devastating event for any business. It can cause significant damage to your property and disrupt your operations, leading to lost revenue and decreased productivity. At SERVPRO Downtown Salt Lake City/Team Hamann, we specialize in commercial fire restoration and have the expertise and equipment to help you recover from this event. In this blog post, we will discuss our commercial fire restoration services and how we can help you get your business back on track.


Assessment and Inspection

When you contact SERVPRO Downtown Salt Lake City/Team Hamann for commercial fire restoration, our first step is to assess and inspect the affected areas. We use advanced equipment to determine the extent of the fire damage, including smoke and soot damage, structural damage, and damage to your property and equipment. We also check for any safety hazards, such as electrical or gas issues, to ensure that your property is safe to enter.


Cleaning and Restoration

Once we have assessed the damage, our team will begin the process of cleaning and restoring your property. We use specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from your property and restore any damaged areas, such as walls, ceilings, and flooring. We also clean and restore any damaged equipment, such as computers, machinery, and furniture, to ensure that your business can resume operations as quickly as possible.


Odor Removal

Smoke and soot can leave a strong, unpleasant odor in your property, even after the visible damage has been removed. At SERVPRO Downtown Salt Lake City/Team Hamann, we use advanced odor removal techniques to eliminate these odors, ensuring that your property is safe and pleasant to enter.


Reconstruction and Repairs

In some cases, the fire damage may be severe enough to require reconstruction and repairs. Our team has the experience and expertise to handle any reconstruction and repairs necessary to restore your property to its pre-damage condition. We work closely with you to ensure that the reconstruction and repairs are completed to your satisfaction, and we take steps to minimize any disruptions to your business operations.