Dealing with the aftermath of a house fire in Austin.

9/30/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Southeast Austin

Dealing with the aftermath of a house fire can be extremely stressful especially when soot has completely covered your belongings. It should be known that fire damage cleanup is one of the most difficult aspects of a house fire.

In the event of a fire in your home, be sure to call your local Indianapolis fire department first. Your focus should always be safety first. Once you and your family are safe and secure reach out to your insurance agent to see if an insurance claim is necessary.

This is when you call us at SERVPRO of Southeast Austin . Your family is safe, your insurance has been reviewed, and now you need a fire restoration company.

Soot can develop through three different methods:

·       Wet soot residue results from smoldering, low-heat fires. This residue is sticky, smeary, and has a very pungent odor.

·       Dry soot residue results from fast-burning fires with high temperatures. This residue is typically dry, powdery, and non-smeary.

·       Protein residue is almost invisible but can discolor paints and varnishes in your home. This residue also has an extremely pungent odor.

Each type of smoke damage restoration is different and requires specific expertise to clean. You need a fire restoration company, our team here at SERVPRO of Southeast Austin. We are highly trained in smoke, fire and water cleanup and restoration and can assist in all aspects. We consider everything we need to clean and what our plan is moving forward.

Structural Cleaning - After a smoke or fire damage, ceilings, walls, woodwork, carpeting and floors will often need a thorough cleaning. Our team will walk your property to determine the extent of damage. We will use specific equipment and cleaning products for the different types of surfaces and products found within your structure.

Depending on the amount of soot, we can lower the cost of cleaning if lighter soot deposits are found. We can also see if the expense can be lower with repainting or refinishing. If this is not the case, we will clean to prepare for painting. This process deodorizes and ensures the new paint will adhere properly to the surface.

Contents Cleaning - All the restorable contents in affected areas will be professionally cleaned and deodorized. This includes area rugs, furniture, draperies and upholstery. Our team will begin by carefully inspecting and testing all fabrics to determine which cleaning methods are most appropriate.

Both wet and dry-cleaning services can be provided as we deodorize and restore contents to preloss condition. This process would include electronics, art, wood furniture, kitchen items, clothing, bedding and much more. Finally, we can provide an inventory list of all "to be claimed" items if so requested.

Deodorization – We provide specialized services that rid your home or place of business of offensive odors left by fire or smoke damage. We do not cover up lingering odors with a fragrance. As we seek out the sources of the odor and remove them. Ask us to explain the various methods available and which will work best for you.

No matter how difficult or hard you find your situation to be, we can help. Find your fire restoration near me with SERVPRO of Southeast Austin to help restore your home and bring it back to pre-damage conditions. 

Fire Prevention & Safety

4/14/2021 (Permalink)

Call us at SERVPRO of Southeast Austin for all your fire restoration needs 512-420-9824

National Fire Safety is important all year round and while the main focus is on preventing residential fires, our team here at SERVPRO of Southeast Austin would like to remind everyone this is a great time to revisit workplace fire prevention and safety 

Below are 12 tips to ensure a fire-safe workplace: 

Step 1. Get Organized– Practice good workplace housekeeping. Clutter contributes to fires by providing fuel and by preventing access to exits and emergency equipment. 

Step 2. Designated Smoking Areas – Smoke only in designated areas, and extinguish smoking materials safely. Never smoke in storerooms or chemical storage areas. 

Step 3. Fire Extinguishers – Maintaining the appropriate type and number of fire extinguishers and learn how to properly use a fire extinguisher. 

Step 4. Electrical Hazards – Report all electrical hazards. Many fires start in faulty wiring and malfunctioning electrical equipment. 

Step 5. Access to Control Panels – Electrical control panels need to have free access maintained so that the electric could be shut off easily. 

Step 6. Maintenance – Maintain machinery to prevent overheating and friction sparks. 

Step 7. Sprinkler Systems & Smoke Detectors – Never block sprinklers, firefighting equipment or emergency exits. Observe clearances when stacking materials. Testing of sprinkler systems and smoke detectors at least annually. 

Step 8. Chemical Safety – Use and store chemicals safely. Read the label and the Material Safety Data Sheet to determine flammability and other fire hazards. Provide adequate ventilation when using and storing these substances. 

Step 9. Waste Control & Storage – Control the accumulations of flammable and combustible waste materials and residues so that they do not contribute to a fire emergency. 

Step 10. Prevent Ignition – Use all precautions to prevent ignition in potentially explosive atmospheres such as those containing flammable liquid vapors or fine particles. Use non-sparking tools, and control static electricity as required. 

Step 11. Exits – Emergency exit diagrams should be posted and emergency exits should be well lit with neon-regulation signs. 

Step 12. Contact Info – Employees should have a list of emergency contact phone numbers in case of emergency. Remember that people will often panic in an intense situation; therefore basics such as the company address, phone number and floor plan should be posted. 

Planning to ensure fire protection and safety is key to avoiding unwanted fire issues. Our fire repair process is outlined online for your review. Call us at SERVPRO of Southeast Austin for all your fire restoration needs. 

There's a Fire in Your Home, What Do You Do?

8/21/2020 (Permalink)

Fire damage can be very devastating, SERVPRO of Southeast Austin will make sure that you, your home, and your family are taken care of.

Do you know what to do if there is a fire in your house? Check out these steps to ensure you are prepared if a fire erupts in your home:

• Fight the fire or flee?
  • Don't attempt to extinguish any fire if there is a threat to your safety. If the fire is small and you know how to use a fire extinguisher, you can attempt to extinguish the fire. You must note that fires can increase in size and intensity in seconds, blocking the exit path can create a dangerous atmosphere. 
• The main priority is to get you and your family members out safely. 
  • Your priority should be to get yourself and your family members out as quickly as possible. Please don't think of picking up your valuables. Timing is very important. 
• If you see smoke, crawl to the nearest exit!
  • The toxic gases and the super heated air in the smoke makes it more dangerous. Smoke is lighter than air and so it rises above air.

If you experience a fire in your home, call the professionals at SERVPRO of Southeast Austin at (512) 420-9824