Recent Fire Damage Posts

Choosing the Right Fire Extinguisher

2/6/2024 (Permalink)

fire extinguishers There are several different types of extinguishers, designed for various types of fires.

For homeowners in Carson City, Nevada, keeping the home and everyone in it safe is a top priority. While hopefully, a fire doesn’t break out, fire preparedness is an essential component of staying safe and knowing what to do. A key tool in defending against fire is a fire extinguisher, but choosing the right one isn’t always easy.

Types of Extinguishers

When it comes to avoiding fire from spreading, an extinguisher is the first line of defense. If the flames are already too much, immediate evacuation should take place. For handling small fires, the right extinguisher needs to be used. The wrong one has the potential to fan the flames. Below are the types available and what they are designed to put out.

Class A: Common combustible materials, such as cloth, wood, and paper.
Class B: Flammable liquids, such as grease, gasoline, oil, and oil-based paints.
Class C: Electrical equipment and appliances.
Class D: Flammable metals.
Class K: Oils and animal fat used in cooking.

For homeowners, the best to have around the home are A, B, or C. A combo of those is also available, which will be listed on the label. If your kitchen is a busy place and food is always being prepared, it may be worth considering having a Class K to help put out a grease fire.

Choosing the Right One
A fire extinguisher also comes in different sizes, from 10 pounds to 2 pounds. That weight indicates the number of chemicals inside, not the weight of the canister. In many cases, going bigger is better, especially in garages, but it may be too heavy for indoor use. A 5-pound extinguisher near the laundry room and kitchen is a common choice. Ease of use and storage is also a consideration. Some are available with a hose and disposable, while others are rechargeable. Many come with mounting hardware, ensuring that stay in a secure, stable location.
Regardless of what is best for your home, having an extinguisher provides a little extra peace of mind.

Using Your Extinguisher

Once you have picked the right extinguisher, you can follow the P.A.S.S. technique to put out the fire. First, pull the pin and break the seal. Next, aim the extinguisher's hose or nozzle at the base of the fire. Then squeeze the handle to release the chemical or water onto the fire. Finally, sweep the fire extinguisher from side to side until the flames are gone.
Even a small blaze can cause major damage to your home. Thankfully, SERVPRO can assist with house repairs once the flames have been extinguished.

Call SERVPRO of Carson City, Douglas County, South Lake Tahoe, Reno East, and Lyon & Storey Counties if you have a fire or any fire-related questions! 775-588-2355

Did You Know: We Can Repair Your Smoke Damaged Electronics

1/29/2024 (Permalink)

smoke damaged electronics There is a possibility that your smoke-damaged electronics can be restored. Call SERVPRO to discuss!

We have reached that time of the year when everybody seems to be out buying new gadgets and electronic devices. In fact, electronics are a huge hit during the festive season. People buy new televisions, media players, speakers, computers, phones, and more, both as gifts for others and treats for themselves.

Unfortunately, this coincides with a sharp increase in domestic fires and it is no accident that the two trends develop at the same time of year. Many instances of fire damage in South Lake Tahoe homes, for example, are a result of overloaded sockets and improperly used electronic equipment.

SERVPRO®  handles cases like this all the time and works hard to help devastated homeowners breathe life back into their damaged possessions.

Rescuing Electronics Equipment after a House Fire

It is a common misconception to assume that things like televisions, stereos, game consoles, and speakers cannot be saved from fire damage. It does, of course, depend on the extent of the destruction, but if the damage is primarily smoke-based, there is a good chance of salvaging them.

For instance, electronic equipment can be sent to a special facility, where it is treated with high-strength cleaning chemicals. These chemicals dislodge soot and debris from the inside of the machine, but they do not cause any further damage while doing so. It is then placed in an industrial drying container, where it is slowly warmed, and all of the moisture is eliminated.

How to Give Your Electronics the Best Shot At Survival

Electronic devices and machines have the best chance of survival if they are sent for professional cleaning within 72 hours of the fire. This is just one of the reasons why it is so important to get in touch with SERVPRO, as soon as the immediate danger has passed and everybody has been accounted for.

Our experts will arrive on-site and carry out a full inspection. With your consent, they will then identify and remove all items that they believe can be salvaged. You do not have to worry about losing track of anything valuable because we use a comprehensive labeling and index system to monitor everything that leaves the property.

What Homeowners Can Do To Help

Apart from calling our fire damage restoration team, the best thing that you can do is avoid moving any electronic items. This could cause further damage, by stirring soot and sending it into sockets, holes, seams, and cracks. Do not attempt to clean with any commercial or household detergents.

The salvageable items must be gently transported to a clean environment, where they can be assessed and treated. Once they have been restored, they will be returned to your home – but only after the rest of the repair and restoration process is complete. Otherwise, there is a risk of contaminating the devices with soot all over again.

If you need help or advice after a fire, you can get in touch with our experts at any time. SERVPRO of Carson City/Douglas County/South Lake Tahoe/Reno East/Lyon & Storey Counties is a locally based company, so you can expect a fast response. Call us 24/7 at (775) 588-2355.

SERVPRO's Cleanup Process After a Fire

12/18/2023 (Permalink)

fire fighting SERVPRO has the training, experience, and equipment to handle large commercial fire damage emergencies.

Fire Damage is a traumatic experience. There are several common damages that occur to businesses or homes after a fire. Smoke and soot can be the most difficult to deal with but our highly trained professionals are here to help. We take you step by step through the process. 

Smoke and soot damage are especially invasive attacking every space of your commercial property, including areas far from the actual fire. The residue from the fire travels in the air, coating surfaces. This debris must be removed before it begins etching, distorting, discoloring, and disintegrating wood, carpeting, fabric, drywall, plastic, metal, and glass.

CONSIDER CLEANUP REQUIREMENTS: SERVPRO can provide services to prevent further damage, and help determine which items can or cannot be refurbished and which structural elements do and do not need to be repaired or replaced.

SERVPRO is here to help repair commercial and residential fire disasters through these steps.

    1.    Secure your business site including board-up and tarping services

    2.    Protect areas unaffected by the fire with barriers and storage if necessary

    3.    Assess the affected areas for a full scope of damages

    4.    Take a detailed inventory of damaged property and materials

    5.    Detect, neutralize, and remove harmful gases and toxic materials

    6.    Determine the best cleaning, repair, and restoration solutions for your property

    7.    Restore, replace and repair building materials with our skilled building/restoration teams

SERVPRO has the training, experience, and equipment to handle large commercial fire damage emergencies. Whether your fire emergency occurs in a restaurant, motel, public, or office building, our crew will assess the damage in each room and plan proper procedures, using dry or wet cleaning strategies matched to the character of the residue found and the materials affected. Systematically, SERVPRO progresses through your business, room by room, to assure that all harm is reversed and the corrosive soot and smoke are permanently eliminated.

We answer the phone, ready to help with your property damage.

As a leader in property damage restoration and repair services, we have helped countless families and businesses through very unpredictable and devastating residential and commercial property losses. We understand you may not know what to do in a disaster situation; SERVPRO can help by responding faster with professionals who can help you through the restoration process.

How Professional Cleaning Can Reduce Your Loss Expenses

11/16/2023 (Permalink)

fire line Suffering fire damage in your home does not have to be a total loss. Contact SERVPRO for effective cleanup after a fire.

Team SERVPRO Offers Many Effective Services After a Fire

Insurance claims can be costly, especially if filed under damage caused by you. In the event of a fire, replacement is by far the most expensive part of a claim, closely followed by resurfacing of structural elements. However, replacement or resurfacing can sometimes be avoided. Cleaning can help to restore possessions to their preloss condition and prevent your insurance rates from rising unnecessarily.

In our experience, insurance claims for fire damage in Minden properties can be lessened by thoroughly cleaning the affected area. Our restoration experts can use tried and tested methods of cleaning to help salvage some of your items and restore them to pre-fire conditions.

The first thing a SERVPRO technician does onsite is to locate smoke residues by conducting a thorough visual inspection. Tracing how far smoke has traveled as well as identifying the type of residue and surfaces affected is a crucial part of the restoration process as it allows us to apply the right cleaning chemicals and technique for each affected area.

Smoke residues bond with the surfaces that come into contact with them. Porous surfaces and materials absorb smoke which can become worse if tackled with the wrong equipment. A SERVPRO restoration specialist can use a combination of dry and wet cleaning methods to lift residue away from the affected surface.
 
The first port of call is industrial-grade wet/ dry vacuums. After vacuuming, there are four specialized methods your restorer can use depending on the situation. Temperature cleaning causes materials to react with higher temperatures and lift settled residue from soft textures like upholstery. Chemical cleaning and soaking time are also very effective in getting rid of high concentrations of soot or smoke.
 
If you have jewelry or other valuables damaged in the fire, ultrasonic equipment can be brought in to restore them. Selected items are placed in a vat of solvent or water. Sonic waves are used to agitate the liquid which produces microscopic bubbles. These bubbles burst on the surface of the items creating pressure. The pressure created by bursting bubbles cleans the surface of high-value items, sometimes bringing them back to preloss conditions.
 
In most cases, we can complete item restoration on-site. However, if there is a lot of damage or limited space to carry out cleaning, we can take items from the site to a storage facility for cleaning and restoration. Pack-outs free up space which can help us extract water, clean or dry the structure efficiently.

SERVPRO has helped some homeowners to reduce the expense of their insurance claim by restoration using professional cleaning methods. In cases of severe damage, cleaning may not be possible. As part of our service, we can walk you around the affected area after cleaning as well as completing a customer content inventory service (CCIS) that lists salvageable and non-salvageable items.

When you are next filing an insurance claim, contact SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Reno East / Lyon & Storey Counties for expert assessment and professional cleanup services. Arrange a home visit by calling (775) 588-2355 today.

Not All Fire Damage is Fire Related

10/25/2023 (Permalink)

Water Heater Inspector Servicing Your Water Heater Can Prevent Puffback

Regular Maintenance of Gas and Oil Appliances Can Prevent Property Damage

Fires do not simply burn and destroy things in a building or home. Fire also produces extremely dense smoke and soot. Soot is very corrosive and often contains chemicals and abrasive substances that can permanently etch porcelain and glass. Electronics are particularly vulnerable to soot. It can be just as damaging these items as the heat from a fire. 

For apartments, homes, and office buildings without a basement, soot damage can happen without fire damage being present. This is true when a furnace is not functioning as it should. “Puffback” is something that happens in furnaces that have not been maintained well. It creates finer soot, but can still be damaging to the ceiling and nearby walls. Anything nearby can become coated in the soot resulting in damage if the furnace is not repaired and the soot cleaned away. 
 
Why Puffback Happens & Related Dangers 

Puffback occurs because the ignition in your furnace, and in some cases, your hot water heater or boiler, does not ignite correctly. The oil or gas builds up, and when the ignition does occur, there is too much fuel. Another cause of puffback is leaking fuel. If there are leaks present in the fuel line, these can create a build-up of fuel inside the furnace's chamber or below the water heater or boiler. When the unit is ready to ignite what is supposed to be a normal amount of fuel, the extra is ignited instead, causing a contained explosion.


Because there are defined areas that the explosion can escape to, at least at the beginning, the explosion does not damage your appliance any further. Explosions can happen once and be very large, or smaller bursts can occur much more frequently. Inspection of the furnace or heater can determine exactly why the unit is malfunctioning.
 
What Should You Do About Puffback 

Inspection of your furnace or heater can determine if a unit is malfunctioning. Repairs should be completed as soon as possible, and the unit should not be used until then. Puffback shows that oil or gas is leaking, and this is a fire hazard. Puffback and its explosions can start fires if any combustible items are in the line of the soot and smoke on the exterior of the furnace or boiler. 

If the furnace is oil-based, the soot will be more difficult to clean than gas-based furnaces. In gas-powered furnaces, however, the soot will be more substantial. Both should be cleaned by professionals. At SERVPRO, we are experienced in cleaning up soot damage caused by furnace and boiler puffback. 
 
Where You Will Find Evidence of Puffback 

Puffback leaves its calling card in several places. Some areas will be more damaged than others. If soot is left to build up over time, it will become hardened. Hardened soot will need to be scraped away before cleaning of the area can begin. Repainting should only be done after the faulty furnace or boiler is repaired or replaced. You will find puffback soot and smoke damage on the ceiling and on walls adjacent to the furnace. You could find damage around air vents, along with and above some baseboard heaters, and on the floor around the unit if it is a hot water heater malfunction. 

The first few times puffback happens, soot is less likely to be detected. If you hear a loud noise when your furnace is starting up, it could be puffback. Remember, this can create a high risk for a home or commercial fire and should be remedied quickly. If you need help determining if your home is at risk for puffback damage, our SERVPRO technicians are trained in assessing and remedying this issue. 
 
We Are Ready to Protect Your Home and Repair Any Current Damages 

We are dedicated to helping families, and business owners remove fire damage, as well as smoke and soot damage, from their homes and businesses. SERVPRO has been in the area for decades and will still be here for decades to come. Adjusters make recommendations for who to use but select a company based on the relationship. We are grateful for outside companies who have come to help our community but remember, we will be here in years to come for follow-ups and other needs, while others will not. 

At SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Reno East / Lyon & Storey Counties, we are available 24/7 to answer your call.

The 5 Simple Steps of the Restoration Process After a Fire

9/27/2023 (Permalink)

tarping and boarding Tarping and boarding services in a Douglas County home

The 5 Simple Steps of the Restoration Process After a Fire

Once you’ve been the unfortunate victim of a fire in your home, you may feel overwhelmed by events. Those feelings are normal, but there are active steps you can take to begin to put your home – and your life – back together. If you have homeowner’s insurance in Douglas County, or Lyon & Storey Counties, you will be far better off if you leave the fire cleanup process to an experienced, professional smoke cleaning and soot damage restoration company. Once you contact them, they have a precise order to ensure your home is returned to the original condition:

  • Inspect and assess the damage.
  • Board up and tarp to prevent further damage.
  • Water removal and drying.
  • Removal of soot and smoke residue.
  • Final cleaning and sanitizing.


Inspection and Assessment

The company will send out a team of professional inspectors to determine the best course of action and what tools they need to complete the job. During the fire cleanup process, they will determine if wiring and pipes have been impacted, the extent of smoke damage and any hazardous conditions.

Board-Up and Tarping

The immediate priority after a fire is to prevent any further damage. Boards and tarps provide an excellent barrier to elements and would-be thieves.

Water Removal and Drying

Air circulation equipment, including fans and negative pressure devices, will speed up this essential step. Dehumidifiers are also used to get the moisture out of walls and flooring as fast as possible. Then a further assessment is made to determine what can be saved and what must be replaced.

Soot and Smoke Cleaning

This takes specialized equipment and techniques that experienced fire cleanup personnel have to complete the job. Done correctly, the odor of smoke should be completely eliminated.

Cleaning and Sanitizing

All exposed surfaces and personal items that were smoke and soot damaged will be restored or replaced during the final fire cleanup process. Air scrubbers and fogging devices may also be used. Once complete, a home in Douglas County, Nevada can be just as beautiful as it was the day you moved in!

Call SERVPRO at (775) 588-2355 if you have any questions.

Checking in on Fire Safety Measures.

8/21/2023 (Permalink)

fire extinguisher Check that the fire extinguisher in your home is up to date. Having one in the house that is in usable condition can help stop the spread of fire.

SERVPRO Technicians Can Provide Fire Prevention Tips for Your Home

Preventing fire damage is far easier than cleaning up after it, so your primary concern should always be to secure your home against future disasters. Ultimately, the biggest mistake most people make is in maintenance. It can be difficult to make sure that every fire safety measure in your home is working at full capacity, but the effort is worth it to avoid disaster. Many of SERVPRO's recent calls could have been avoided if the homeowner put in place the appropriate preventative measures, and resultingly, we hope that these reminders might help local residents to prevent fires in the future. 
 
Smoke Detectors 
 
Inadequate smoke detectors are one of the most costly contributors to fire damage in Carson City. Many people are content just to replace smoke detector batteries every year or two when the devices start beeping. However, this is not enough to make sure that they are up-to-date and working as intended. If the devices stop working entirely, you may forget they even exist as they fail to beep on their irregular schedule. At least once a year, go through your home and make sure all your smoke detectors are working and free of damage. 
 
Fire Extinguishers 
 
Not all fire extinguishers are created equal. Some are based on ineffective and dangerous water solutions that are weak against big fires and inflammatory for some electrical fires. Others have short lifespans and require replacement by dates long enough in the future that most people forget entirely. Make sure your fire extinguishers are modern, undamaged, and well-constructed to keep small fires from growing into much larger ones. 
 
Fire Audits 
 
Having a certified company like SERVPRO come to inspect your home for fire safety irregularities can be one of the best ways to identify obscure problems or unseen risks. Our training and equipment help us to identify problems you might not even know you have. Contact one of our representatives to learn more about what we can do to help in this regard. 
 
SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / East Reno is ready around the clock to get to your home and begin fire damage restoration after a disaster. Call us for expert service.

Our Technicians Discuss The Equipment We Use To Save Your Fire Damaged Home Fire DamageApproved

7/7/2023 (Permalink)

Fire Damage Both the heat and flames created by an inferno can cause you extensive fire damage.

Fire Damage Experts In Carson City Talk About Equipment Used To Remove Soot And Burnt Material

If something ever happens to burn inside your Carson City residence, many items inside your house can get ruined in a short period. Both the heat and flames created by an inferno can cause you extensive fire damage. In Nevada, there are over 2,000 reported structure fires every year. Over 25% of the total calls fire departments in the state receive are because of buildings burning.

The longer the blaze burns, the worse the fire damage in your Carson City home can get. The first thing to do once you see flames on your property is to attempt to extinguish them yourself before the problems get out of hand. If the inferno becomes more than you can handle, make sure everyone is safe and then call your local emergency services. Once the blaze gets put out, it is then wise to call in a professional restoration company such as SERVPRO.

In some situations, your building materials and contents could be covered in soot or burnt on the surface, but using the right tools our SERVPRO team can save certain items. When cleaning and refinishing, we use the following five tools of the trade.

1. Dry Ice Blasting
Using dry ice can be very effective in removing soot and charred substances from many different materials such as wood, concrete, and metal.

2. Soda Blasting
This method uses baking soda and not only can be used to clean many types of surfaces, but the baking soda helps absorb odors.

3. Sanding
When restoring some wooden materials inside your structure, we can sand off the burnt material and save the item.

4. Wet Cleaning
If we ever clean hard, non-porous surfaces, we usually receive good results when using water-based detergents and a damp rag.

5. Dry Sponge Cleaning
For surfaces that are porous, wet cleaning could soak the soot and burnt materials into the item making the problems worse. Dry cleaning can be useful and prevents secondary soaking issues.

If you ever suffer from a structure fire on your Stateline, Minden, Reno, or Zephyr Cove property, call SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Reno East / Lyon & Storey Counties at (775) 588-2355 any time of the day, because We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

Sparks, TRIC, and East Reno Commercial Building Fire Damage Cleanup

6/26/2023 (Permalink)

commercial property fire damage SERVPRO can provide services to prevent further damage, help determine which items can be restored and rebuild your property completely.

Fire damage can have a devastating effect on local businesses.

SERVPRO is here to help, providing emergency and rebuild services to local property owners and managers in Sparks, TRIC, East Reno, Douglas County, and more.

Fires cause massive amounts of damage, destroying structural materials, and business items, and bringing massive amounts of water damage, toxic chemicals, harmful soot pollution, and unhealthy smoke levels to your property. First Responders often extinguish the flames quickly, but soot and smoke move more rapidly. The moment authorities permit you to reenter your building, the clock begins ticking on successful property restoration. SERVPRO of Douglas County, South Lake Tahoe, Carson City, and Lyon & Storey Counties understands the need for speed and assigns skilled technicians to your job within hours of your first call.

COMMON TYPES OF COMMERCIAL FIRE DAMAGE

    •    Burnt Structure; framing, roofing, doors, drywall, flooring, and cabinets
    •    Office Property and Equipment; furniture, supplies, and appliances
    •    Soot and Smoke Damage; HVAC unit, surfaces, air quality
    •    Odor; smoke and toxic chemicals from damaged structure and contents
    •    Water Damage; results of fire suppression system and local Fire Department efforts
    •    Mold Damage; water damage left untreated can quickly cause mold growth

Smoke and soot damage are especially invasive attacking every space of your commercial property, including areas far from the actual fire. The residue from the fire travels in the air, coating surfaces. This debris must be removed before it begins etching, distorting, discoloring, and disintegrating wood, carpeting, fabric, drywall, plastic, metal, and glass.

CONSIDER CLEANUP REQUIREMENTS: SERVPRO can provide services to prevent further damage, and help determine which items can or cannot be refurbished and which structural elements do and do not need to be repaired or replaced.

SERVPRO is here to help repair commercial fire disasters

    1.    Secure your business site including board up and tarping services
    2.    Protect areas unaffected by the fire with barriers and storage if necessary
    3.    Assess the affected areas for a full scope of damages
    4.    Take a detailed inventory of damaged property and materials
    5.    Detect, neutralize, and remove harmful gases and toxic materials
    6.    Determine the best cleaning, repair, and restoration solutions for your property
    7.    Restore, replace and repair building materials with our skilled building/restoration teams

SERVPRO has the training, experience, and equipment to handle large commercial fire damage emergencies. Whether your fire emergency occurs in a restaurant, motel, public, or office building, our crew will assess the damage in each room and plan proper procedures, using dry or wet cleaning strategies matched to the character of the residue found and the materials affected. Systematically, SERVPRO progresses through your business, room by room, to assure that all harm is reversed and the corrosive soot and smoke are permanently eliminated.

We answer the phone, ready to help with your property damage

As a leader in property damage restoration and repair services, we have helped countless families and businesses through very unpredictable and devastating residential and commercial property losses. We understand you may not know what to do in a disaster situation; SERVPRO can help by responding faster with professionals who can help you through the restoration process.

SERVPRO offers a Custom “EMERGENCY READY PROFILE” Preparation Service; one of our professionals will come to your commercial property and assess your proper emergency service solution, should you ever have a disaster in the future. The preparation process is quick and easy and makes the aftermath of a disaster simple because all the details are assessable to our staff and technicians should you need us. The emergency ready profile also helps your staff know what to do in the event of an emergency, and where important safety items are located. We provide this service free of charge, so call us today at (775)-588-2355.

Fire Damaged Belongings Can Be Restored for Douglas County Properties

5/21/2023 (Permalink)

match stick fire SERVPRO is Here to Help Restore Your Property and Belongings After a Fire.

Douglas County Properties Can Use SERVPRO's Off-Site Contents Cleaning and Storage

Don't Get Overwhelmed with Cleaning Fire Damaged Possessions - Call SERVPRO for Restoration and Off-Site Contents Cleaning.

Most home and business owners throughout the Douglas County area agree that while they have invested considerable time and money into their homes, they value several of the possessions inside with higher regard and importance. Photos, artwork, computer drives and other unique items that cannot get duplicated are treasured belongings. When disasters like fires occur, it can be challenging to protect these items. Many consider them lost to the compounds overtaking the property.

One of the advantages of choosing professional restoration services for fire damaged property is the division of content management technicians that our SERVPRO team can provide in this crises. We have highly trained experts capable of assessing the status of multiple items, furniture, and belongings to determine which need temporary relocation and which items can benefit from focused cleaning and restoration efforts in our nearby facility. It is our mission to provide your possessions with the very best care and consideration throughout every phase of the recovery process.
 
Taking your belongings off-site can be stressful to many home and business owners. We help to ease your mind by answering your questions and concerns, and through thorough cataloging of your full inventory of items to show detailed accounts of where every item is at any time, whether it is getting worked on or it is stored safely in our climate-controlled warehouse. Our CCIS Contents Claim Inventory Service documents your belongings and serves as a useful tool for dealing with your insurance adjuster.
 
While in our possession, our content management professionals can utilize cutting-edge equipment like ozone chambers for large-scale deodorization projects and ultrasonic tanks for unparalleled cleaning of soot and smoke-damaged items. Once the restoration work is finished on the property, our SERVPRO team can carefully return these removed items to their original positions, making your property look “Like it never even happened.”
 
While structural concerns are often a priority for our customers, the same sense of urgency is placed on restoring and protecting damaged belongings as well. Our SERVPRO of Douglas County, Carson City, South Lake Tahoe, Lyon & Storey Counties team can help however you need.

We have a full roster of qualified restoration specialists that can help you through every phase of fire loss recovery.

Give us a call at (775) 588-2355.

Stay Safe in Your Community With The Citizen App

1/26/2023 (Permalink)

putting out a fire on the street Make sure you know what is happening on the streets nearby!

In times of economic uncertainty, crime rates rise. Know what is happening around you and stay safe with the Citizen App. Whether a crime is taking place or there's a fire is spreading in your building or a building nearby, the app alerts you when something is happening in your area that you should know about. You can also report anything you see by taking a live video.

This free app is one of the most powerful ways to stay safe. It gives you access to verified 911 information and lets you know what is happening in real time. The app covers events from missing pets to natural disasters and everything in between. This community transparency empowers everyone to create a safer world.

The app is connected to your phone’s GPS tracker so it will let you know what is happening around you according to your current location, not only your home address. Next time you see a road shut down and police sirens inside the closure, you have a way to understand exactly what is going on.

In some areas, the company that runs the citizen app has installed antennas that allow them to listen to police and fire scanners. Artificial intelligence along with humans then decipher what is being communicated and translate that into reports that are coded with neighborhood data inside the app. Reports are a step above what you will find on neighborhood apps like Nextdoor because the data comes not only from your neighbors but also directly from police reports.

Though live streaming from the scene of a crime can be very dangerous, getting real-time alerts to situations unfolding nearby can be life-saving by preventing people from walking into a sticky situation, or allowing them to keep an eye on a nearby fire to make sure it does not have potential to spread to their residence.

The Citizen App blog tells a story of a Philadelphia resident who was alerted to a fire near his dwelling:

Before hearing sirens, smelling smoke, or seeing flames, Citizen user ‘petz215’ received a notification.

Citizen user ‘petz215’ was getting ready to leave his South Philadelphia home for a dentist appointment on November 18th when he received the Citizen notification above.

“If there were a house fire that close to me, I would definitely already know about it,” he thought. “Sure enough, I stepped outside to see a raging fire.”

He canceled his appointment to monitor the fire and make sure it didn’t spread closer to his house.

The fire destroyed the house where it sparked and affected two neighboring homes.

“I was astonished. Not only did I find out about this nearby fire with a push notification, but there was already a live video of something that started minutes ago. I couldn’t believe how fast it happened.”

From Blog: https://medium.com/citizen/south-philly-resident-alerted-to-fire-on-his-own-block-b9dbcdca8e35

----------------------------------------------------

In the few weeks I've had the app installed, I've been alerted to various incidents happening nearby including building fires, car accidents, and gunshots fired. The app tells me exactly how far away a situation is from my location, down to several hundred feet. I’m able to add friends and family to my "inner circle" to get alerts about potential situations unfolding near their real-time location as well.

If there is a dangerous situation occurring near you, it's better to be an informed citizen than not.

Download the app here:

https://citizen.com

SERVPRO Provides Homes with Plenty of Fire Damaging Odor Suppressing Solutions

10/12/2022 (Permalink)

fire damaged wooden chest SERVPRO provides cleanup and removal of contents, odors and Fire Damaged items.

Fire Odor Specialists In Carson City Describe The Deodorization Process


If a fire ever ignites inside your Carson City townhome, your building can suffer from other problems than just ruined and burnt materials. Soot removal and fire odor control are also two common aspects of any restoration process. A professional company such as SERVPRO can be of much help when dealing with mitigation procedures. We always follow a set of guidelines to ensure that we return your home to its preloss state "Like it never even happened." Before tackling fire odor problems, our technicians take steps to make sure the working area is secure, and all burnt items get removed.
 
After severely charred objects get taken out and discarded, our SERVPRO technicians work towards cleaning off soot residues. Charred materials and soils can often be a source of fire odor in your townhouse. However, since smoke can penetrate deeply into substances, unpleasant aromas could still exist after all charred objects, and residues get removed. When foul smells are still present, we take further steps to deodorize your building materials and contents. The deodorization process includes several different techniques that work in various ways to provide more pleasant aromas.
 
To start, our SERVPRO team conducts chemical containment to chemically block or restrict malodor particles from circulating into the air. We use a pump sprayer to dispense these chemicals in areas around the source. Next, we apply volatile vapors that contain strong masking and pairing agents that combine with malodor particles. We can apply vapor crystals to floors and horizontal surfaces as well as emit deodorants into the air using a vapor diffuser.
 
If foul smells still exist after these first two procedures, we can then implement pressurized thermal fogging methods. These foggers use heat to break down deodorant chemicals to microscopic particles so that they can mimic the behavior of smoke. If unpleasant aromas are still present, we can then utilize an ozone generator. These machines produce O3 particles that oxidize and neutralize malodor compounds.
 
If you ever notice burnt smells after something torches inside your townhome, call SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe / Reno East / Lyon & Storey Counties at (775) 588-2355 24/7.

Firefighter Appreciation Program - Donating to First Responders

5/12/2022 (Permalink)

Firefighters SERVPRO is proud of our Firefighter Appreciation Program and our support of the First Responders Children's Foundation. Thank you, firefighters!

One year ago, SERVPRO® announced our Firefighter Appreciation Program which is a $100,000 donation to First Responders Children’s Foundation

We partnered with Northern Trust to honor first responders at the PGA TOUR event!

 June of 2021, more than 1,900 SERVPRO franchise owners across North America gave back to first responders in honor of the 20th anniversary of 9/11.

SERVPRO gave back in two ways. We partnered with Northern Trust, the primary sponsor of THE NORTHERN TRUST PGA TOUR event, at the Liberty National Golf Course in Jersey City, New Jersey, to launch the Firefighter Appreciation Program.

The program, created to honor first responders, provided free admission, as well as a dedicated venue on-site and special amenities to help ensure an enjoyable weekend at the tournament.

“Each and every day, SERVPRO’s 16,000-plus teammates witness the admirable work brave first responders perform as they rush into a disaster while others rush out,” SERVPRO CEO Rick Isaacson said.

“It’s only after these acts of bravery by those selfless men and women that our SERVPRO teammates can step in to mitigate the water and fire damage and begin the task of reconstructing the homes, businesses, and lives of those affected.”

Secondly, SERVPRO announced its support of the First Responders Children’s Foundation. FRCF provides financial support to children and families who have lost a parent in the line of duty or who are enduring hardship due to tragedy. FRCF also funds educational programs operated by first responder organizations that benefit children and the communities in which they live.

To kick off our relationship with FRCF, SERVPRO donated an initial $100,000 to support FRCF’s mission.

“As CEO, I cannot overstate how proud SERVPRO is to present the Firefighter Appreciation Program or how excited we are to announce our support of the First Responders Children’s Foundation. We applaud the foundation’s work, and we are proud to support the children and families of first responders,” Isaacson said.

Fire Damage Cleanup in Douglas, Lyon & Storey Counties

4/25/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial Property Fire Damage - We are Here to Help! SERVPRO can provide services to prevent further damage, help determine which items can be restored, and rebuild your property completely.

Fire damage can have a devastating effect on local businesses.

SERVPRO is here to help, providing emergency and rebuild services to local property owners and managers in Douglas County, Lyon County, Storey County, and more.

Fires cause massive amounts of damage, destroying structural materials, and business items, and bringing massive amounts of water damage, toxic chemicals, harmful soot pollution, and unhealthy smoke levels to your property. First Responders often extinguish the flames quickly, but soot and smoke move more rapidly. The moment authorities permit you to reenter your building, the clock begins ticking on successful property restoration. SERVPRO of Douglas County, South Lake Tahoe, Carson City, Reno East, and Lyon & Storey Counties understands the need for speed and assigns skilled technicians to your job within hours of your first call.

COMMON TYPES OF COMMERCIAL FIRE DAMAGE

    •    Burnt Structure; framing, roofing, doors, drywall, flooring, and cabinets
    •    Office Property and Equipment; furniture, supplies, and appliances
    •    Soot and Smoke Damage; HVAC unit, surfaces, air quality
    •    Odor; smoke and toxic chemicals from damaged structure and contents
    •    Water Damage; results of fire suppression system and local Fire Department efforts
    •    Mold Damage; water damage left untreated can quickly cause mold growth

Smoke and soot damage are especially invasive attacking every space of your commercial property, including areas far from the actual fire. The residue from the fire travels in the air, coating surfaces. This debris must be removed before it begins etching, distorting, discoloring, and disintegrating wood, carpeting, fabric, drywall, plastic, metal, and glass.

CONSIDER CLEANUP REQUIREMENTS: SERVPRO can provide services to prevent further damage, and help determine which items can or cannot be refurbished and which structural elements do and do not need to be repaired or replaced.

SERVPRO is here to help repair commercial fire disasters

    1.    Secure your business site including board up and tarping services
    2.    Protect areas unaffected by the fire with barriers and storage if necessary
    3.    Assess the affected areas for a full scope of damages
    4.    Take a detailed inventory of damaged property and materials
    5.    Detect, neutralize, and remove harmful gases and toxic materials
    6.    Determine the best cleaning, repair, and restoration solutions for your property
    7.    Restore, replace and repair building materials with our skilled building/restoration teams

SERVPRO has the training, experience, and equipment to handle large commercial fire damage emergencies. Whether your fire emergency occurs in a restaurant, motel, public, or office building, our crew will assess the damage in each room and plan proper procedures, using dry or wet cleaning strategies matched to the character of the residue found and the materials affected. Systematically, SERVPRO progresses through your business, room by room, to assure that all harm is reversed and the corrosive soot and smoke are permanently eliminated.

We answer the phone, ready to help with your property damage

As a leader in property damage restoration and repair services, we have helped countless families and businesses through very unpredictable and devastating residential and commercial property losses. We understand you may not know what to do in a disaster situation; SERVPRO can help by responding faster with professionals who can help you through the restoration process.

SERVPRO offers a Custom “EMERGENCY READY PROFILE” Preparation Service; one of our professionals will come to your commercial property and assess your proper emergency service solution, should you ever have a disaster in the future. The preparation process is quick and easy and makes the aftermath of a disaster simple because all the details are assessable to our staff and technicians should you need us. The emergency ready profile also helps your staff know what to do in the event of an emergency, and where important safety items are located. We provide this service free of charge, so call us today at (775)-588-2355.

Hoarding Causes Increased Fire Risk

6/21/2021 (Permalink)

clutter A woman with a hoarding disorder received assistance from a case manager from an outreach program near Toronto.

Hoarding Causes Increased Fire Risk in Douglas County, Nevada

            “Hoarding is defined as collecting or keeping large amounts of various items in the home due to strong urges to save them or distress experienced when discarding them.”  - nfpa.org

Hoarding is often caused by a stressful life event such as divorce, eviction, or losing possessions in a fire. This can be a vicious cycle because hoarding is also a fire hazard. 

Hoarding increases fire risk in many ways: Heating units may be too close to things that can burn, blocked pathways and exits could hinder escape from a fire which puts residents and first responders in harm’s way, and exit routes should change as new items are brought into the home.

See Hoarding Safety Tip Sheet

Ignoring clutter is dangerous. SERVPRO’S hoarding cleanup technicians have encountered innumerable safety threats to homes and businesses. We have learned from years of experience that the buildup of belongings increases the risk of accidental fires and diseases that can fester in piles of clutter. Toxic mold and carbon monoxide can develop leading to health effects.

In the photo from Newscom, a woman with a hoarding disorder receives assistance from a case manager from an outreach program near Toronto. Such services are partnering with the fire service to identify people with hoarding problems and work with them to clear clutter from their homes. Paper and other material in many hoarding households blocks windows and exits making a fire rescue difficult and giving even more substance for the fire to grow. 

We know customers can have difficulty parting with belongings. We work closely with clients to meet their specific needs throughout the process of returning their homes to a safe, comfortable, and clean environment.

“People who are embarrassed about their homes and overwhelmed by the prospect of cleanup sometimes decline to call plumbers or electricians when problems develop; hoarding homes can exist without functioning refrigerators, toilets, and furnaces, with residents resorting to bottled water, space heaters, and candles, adding to the potential hazards.” – nfpa.org 

We handle each case with the sensitivity needed in understanding the hoarding condition, working closely with the individual and their family.

SERVPRO provides hoarding cleaning services to restore Nevada homes in Douglas County, Carson City, South Lake Tahoe, East Reno, and Lyon & Storey Counties. Our technicians can safely clean up all items and disinfect the home to provide a cleaner, safer, and healthier environment.

There are clear dangers of having too much stuff. Anyone can make a new year’s resolution to cut down on material possessions for mental health and physical safety.

Our technicians at SERVPRO are equipped and trained to remove material possessions and clean and sanitize the home for safer living conditions. If you or a friend or family member needs hoarding cleanup services, call 775-588-2355.

Stay Safe in Your Community With The Citizen App

5/14/2021 (Permalink)

putting out a fire Make sure you know what is happening on the streets nearby!

In times of economic uncertainty, crime rates rise. Know what is happening around you and stay safe with the Citizen App. Whether a crime is taking place or there's a fire is spreading in your building or a building nearby, the app alerts you when something is happening in your area that you should know about. You can also report anything you see by taking a live video.

This free app is one of the most powerful ways to stay safe. It gives you access to verified 911 information and lets you know what is happening in real-time. The app covers events from missing pets to natural disasters and everything in between. This community transparency empowers everyone to create a safer world.

The app is connected to your phone’s GPS tracker so it will let you know what is happening around you according to your current location, not only your home address. Next time you see a road shut down and police sirens inside the closure, you have a way to understand exactly what is going on.

In some areas, the company that runs the citizen app has installed antennas that allow them to listen to police and fire scanners. Artificial intelligence along with humans then decipher what is being communicated and translate that into reports that are coded with neighborhood data inside the app. Reports are a step above what you will find on neighborhood apps like Nextdoor because the data comes not only from your neighbors but also directly from police reports.

Though live streaming from the scene of a crime can be very dangerous, getting real-time alerts to situations unfolding nearby can be life-saving by preventing people from walking into a sticky situation, or allowing them to keep an eye on a nearby fire to make sure it does not have potential to spread to their residence.

The Citizen App blog tells a story of a Philadelphia resident who was alerted to a fire near his dwelling:

Before hearing sirens, smelling smoke, or seeing flames, Citizen user ‘petz215’ received a notification.

Citizen user ‘petz215’ was getting ready to leave his South Philadelphia home for a dentist appointment on November 18th when he received the Citizen notification above.

“If there were a house fire that close to me, I would definitely already know about it,” he thought. “Sure enough, I stepped outside to see a raging fire.”

He canceled his appointment to monitor the fire and make sure it didn’t spread closer to his house.

The fire destroyed the house where it sparked and affected two neighboring homes.

“I was astonished. Not only did I find out about this nearby fire with a push notification, but there was already a live video of something that started minutes ago. I couldn’t believe how fast it happened.”

From Blog: https://medium.com/citizen/south-philly-resident-alerted-to-fire-on-his-own-block-b9dbcdca8e35

----------------------------------------------------

In the few weeks I've had the app installed, I've been alerted to various incidents happening nearby including building fires, car accidents, and gunshots fired. The app tells me exactly how far away a situation is from my location, down to several hundred feet. I’m able to add friends and family to my "inner circle" to get alerts about potential situations unfolding near their real-time location as well.

If there is a dangerous situation occurring near you, it's better to be an informed citizen than not.

Download the app here:

https://citizen.com

Stateline’s Fox & Hound reopens while Carson City’s Café at Adele’s permanently closes after Fire Damage.

11/25/2019 (Permalink)

Business neon “Open” sign Fox & Hound bar and restaurant reopens in Stateline, Nevada off of Kingsbury Grade. Photo by Prateek Katyal

Why do some companies never reopen?

“Forty percent of businesses do not reopen after a disaster and another 25 percent fail within one year according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Similar statistics from the United States Small Business Administration indicate that over 90 percent of businesses fail within two years after being struck by a disaster. It is a common misconception that insurance awards and aid from government agencies will allow merchants to pick up the pieces after a disaster — many types of disasters are not covered under normal insurance policies and aid from government agencies may be too little, too late. In this time of uncertainty, emergency preparedness is a hot topic.” (Spectrum-bend.com)

With this in mind, let’s look at two local restaurants that suffered structure fires this year with very different outcomes for their businesses:

“With the closing of Cafe at Adele’s, Carson City and its community will witness the end of an era.

This decision by owners Charlie and Karen Abowd, comes in the wake of a fire that occurred March 28, and the subsequent inability to negotiate a settlement with the insurance company that would cover reconstruction costs.

They had hoped to transfer title in a way that would continue the restaurant under new ownership, the point of having formally put the property on the market in spring 2018. Of course, the fire made that impossible.

It was determined the fire began in the restaurant’s laundry area, smoldering hours before igniting. As a result, the actual fire damage was fairly limited, but the smoke damage so extensive that near complete reconstruction would be required in order to make the structure viable.”

-Karel C. Anocona of Nevada Appeal (https://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/business/carson-citys-cafe-at-adeles-will-not-reopen-at-march-fire/)

Now let’s look at the second business:

“STATELINE, Nev. - Popular Kingsbury Grade restaurant, Fox & Hound, has reopened after a small July 9 fire on their deck caused by a generator forced them to close. The restaurant has undergone a complete renovation over the past ten weeks.

For 27 plus years, Fox & Hound has served locals and visitors with great food and a great view of the Carson Valley.”

-Paula of South Tahoe Now (http://southtahoenow.com/story/09/23/2019/fox-hound-reopens-after-deck-fire-forced-closure-july)

SERVPRO of Carson City, Douglas County, and South Lake Tahoe worked with the Fox & Hound to mitigate the damages caused from the fire. We readied the property for safe reconstruction efforts, allowing the business to reopen just a couple of months later.

Both of these family owned businesses have been around for decades and suffered small fires which caused great smoke damage. It seems that the largest factor for reopening was the insurance claims, reconstruction costs and circumstances of the owners. We don’t know much about the mitigation efforts from Adele, but it appears that reconstruction costs would have been too great. Meanwhile, the mitigation work that SERVPRO provided Fox & Hound set a quick, high quality foundation for reconstruction to take place.

SERVPRO works directly with your insurance provider to maximize the benefits you are entitled to. We also are licensed in California and Nevada to perform any reconstruction needs. If you are an owner of a business, take a look at these tips including the benefits to having an Emergency Response Plan, knowing what to do after disaster strikes, and steps for reopening your business after a forced closure due to a fire or other disaster.

Why does my business need an ERP?

An Emergency Ready Profile® also referred to as an ERP, is a no cost service offered by SERVPRO® of Carson City, South Lake Tahoe, Douglas County, and SERVPRO of Lyon & Storey Counties to all business owners in the region. It contains critical information needed in the event of an emergency, to help you from becoming part of the 40+% of business that do not reopen after a disaster.

Preparation is key for making it through any size business interruption whether it is a small water leak, large fire, or a burst pipe that flooded your business over the long holiday weekend. No one ever plans on these events and they usually happen at the most inopportune times. However, planning ahead for such disasters can save you a lot of time and money. Knowing what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation and can help minimize any “down time” to your business.

Emergency Ready Profile Highlights:

  • No cost assessment of your facility.
  • Concise documentation (also available digitally on an app), that contains all of the critical information needed in the event of an emergency.
  • Establishes your local SERVPRO® as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider.
  • Identifies the chain of command authorizing work to begin.
  • Provides detailed information such as shut-off valve locations, priority areas, and contact information. It is so detailed it contains information for our crews so they know where to park, what door to enter, and what elevators to take if needed.

SERVPRO® is a leader in water and fire damage response and we want to help you quickly get your business back in working order. Now is the time to ask yourself, “Are you ready for whatever happens?”

Get a free customized ERP (Emergency Ready Plan) for your business by contacting SERVPRO here.

What do you do after disaster strikes?

Here are the six tips for the six days following a business fire or other commercial property disaster from Jansen Adjusters International:

  1. Take steps to prevent further damage (Refer to your ERP)
  2. Speak to the experts (Call SERVPRO)
  3. Notify your insurance company
  4. Stay organized
  5. Know that fire claims are unique
  6. Stay calm to avoid bad decisions

Read details on these six steps from the referenced article here.

Reopening a Business After Commercial Fire Damage

A fire can cause all kinds of headaches for a business owner such as soot damage and smoke damage. When confronting commercial fire damage from an electrical fire, any business owner may understandably feel the prospect of opening again is quite daunting. Many spaces inside of the business may have been damaged during the course of a utility room fire. Additional fire damage can happen when a firefighter comes to the property with a fire hose from a large fire truck to put out the flames. During the course of the efforts of the firefighter and additional helpers on the fire truck, there can be all kinds of serious soot and smoke damage to the property. The firefighter next to the fire truck may need to break open one or more windows to get the fire hose inside and help put out the electrical fire. A firefighter with a fire truck may also need to head deep inside of the property with the fire hose as a utility room fire may be isolated from the rest of the space. It's important to start with fire restoration efforts as soon as possible in the aftermath of commercial fire damage. Such fire restoration plans should also include a timeline for reopening the business.

Clearing Out Damage

Clearing out commercial fire damage may take several kinds of efforts. The fire sprinkler system may not yet be turned off. The fire sprinkler system used as part of any former fire suppression plans may also be leaking water in many spaces. Any plan to open up the space after commercial fire damage from a utility room fire or other kinds of fires should include removing items that have suffered from smoke damage or soot damage as soon as possible. Fire suppression methods of all kinds such as s fire sprinkler system and a fire hose may have caused additional damage. The business owner needs to see what has fire damage or soot damage. They need to hire professional fire restoration experts who can examine every corner after a utility room fire and determine why a fire suppression method such as a fire sprinkler system did not work well enough to stop the fire. It's important to think about what can be cleaned out and what cannot.

The Electricity

For many business owners, one of the most important parts of their business is the electrical system. An electrical fire can damage the electricity in the space. The electrical fire can also harm wires that run through the space further so it's hard for any electricity to be turned on. Getting this system turned on again is often important as it can help with further fire suppression efforts. An effective fire restoration company can help with this process, allowing the business owner to think about when they can have power running again. This kind of help is vitally important when think about how to cope with fire damage and how to reopen a business again.

Getting Ready to Welcome Clients

When in the process of working with a professional to get rid of smoke damage and fire damage, it helps to think about plans for reopening the space. SERVPRO can offer soot damage cleanup that fully removes all of the soot from the space including in the interior walls. We can also help make sure the entire area is truly safe to enter again. The business owner along with their clients need to feel safe knowing they can conduct business there even after a serious and dangerous fire. It is important to feel confident in the company hired to help. SERVPRO can help the business owner be assured they can fully welcome guests, clients, employees and others into the space even after a prolonged period of closure after fire has affected many areas of the business.

Conclusion: Property damage takes a huge toll on the business. Sometimes if reconstruction is required, the costs add up to a lot of debt. It’s important to minimize damage by preparing with an ERP and get proper mitigation work done in the case of damage so that the space is safe to re-enter and a clean foundation is laid for any necessary reconstruction. This will allow your business to reopen and flourish once again.

SERVPRO puts you back in business. Call (775) 588-2355

Find Fire Damage Emergency Tips:

https://www.SERVPROcarsoncitydouglascountysouthlaketahoe.com/fire-damage-tips

Learn about what to do if your commercial business suffers from fire damage:

https://www.SERVPROcarsoncitydouglascountysouthlaketahoe.com/commercial-fire-damage

How Ultrasonic Cleaning Plays A Crucial Role In Our Fire Damage Restoration Process In Carson City

6/24/2019 (Permalink)

Give our SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe rapid response team a call anytime at (775) 588-2355.

Ultrasonic Cleaning Fire Damaged Contents From Carson City Homes

We know that many fire loss situations claim large structural areas of Carson City homes, and these structural concerns alone can become pressing concerns for a homeowner. Another pressing concern homeowners must consider are their personal belongings. You have spent your life collecting your treasures and possessions, and now this collection of your finest things becomes at risk for fire effects, including soot and smoke residues that can collect on surfaces throughout the affected areas, even far beyond the ignition site.

We have an experienced SERVPRO contents department with advanced tools to help overcome fire damage in Carson City homes, specifically the effect that these disasters can have on the personal belongings of property owners. We continue to invest in this recovery department of our team, acquiring state-of-the-art equipment for advanced and thorough restoration such as the ultrasonic cleaning tanks.

These recovery solutions feature an advanced approach to cleaning soot, smoke residue, and other threats to your belongings. Items get submerged in the tank, and thousands of bubbles begin to break sediment and buildup from the surface. Vibrations through the tank help to improve the effectiveness of these bubbles cleaning the surfaces of the materials, and ensure the thorough recovery of these items before they go into a drying area.

These machines help our SERVPRO professionals to address cleanup and recovery of fire-damaged contents in an efficient manner, which can allow these same items to get to vital processes like deodorization and storage much more quickly.

Not all of the recovered belongings from your home are ideal for getting cleaned in these ultrasonic tanks, however. We have advanced cleaning products, chemical sponges, and other effective solutions to ensure that these items get the same treatment to prepare them for the reintegration into your restored property.

We always continue to grow and improve the restoration solutions we offer our customers. With tools like ultrasonic tanks, we can make fire loss incidents “Like it never even happened.” for the contents of your home. Give our SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe rapid response team a call anytime at (775) 588-2355.

For more about Carson City click here.

We Use Specialized Techniques To Clean Up Nicotine Stains After A Fire In Your Carson City Home

5/7/2019 (Permalink)

Our 24-hour services number is (775) 588-2355, which we answer every day of the week, including all holidays.

Cleaning Up Nicotine Stains Requires The Same Techniques As Fire Damage Restoration In Carson City

Acquiring a home through purchase or inheritance in Carson City can mean cleaning up the accumulation of dust, in many cases. Older homes can also hold thick films of smoke residue from cigarettes, cigars, and pipes. Painting over these often suffices in covering the discoloration nicotine can cause, but not in all cases.

When inspecting your home for its condition, finding nicotine stains might not seem as bad as most cases of fire damage in Carson City. However, the way smoke travels within a home can mean that nicotine became trapped in areas that you might not expect. SERVPRO's specialists look at nicotine stains on walls, ceilings, and other structural elements like smoke from a fire. While the fire might not exist in the traditional sense, every time someone lit a cigar or other nicotine-producer, a bit more staining occurred.

Depending on the severity of staining, we use different techniques. Dry sponges can remove residue, as can misting with a liquid agent that dissolves sticky substances, which is then wiped away, along with the nicotine and tar. Heaver staining might have become permanent, requiring us to apply primer before repainting those surfaces.

Nicotine can also affect vintage and older furnishings. Rugs, draperies, and upholstered furniture from years gone by can retain nicotine and other components from cigarettes. Not only does this dull the appearance of these textiles, but it can also produce a musty, unpleasant odor. We clean these items with gentle methods that do not damage older textiles but still provide effective results.

When heirloom items take on odors like this, we can deodorize them in specially made chambers where ozone, thermal fogging, or other methods can eliminate the substances that cause the offensive odors. We also use these methods on areas of the home, when needed, as these provide excellent results.

SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe also works in Genoa, Gardnerville, and Bijou. Call us when you need professionals with extensive experience in the elimination of fire damage from your property. Our 24-hour services number is (775) 588-2355, which we answer every day of the week, including all holidays.

Click here for more about Carson City.

South Lake Tahoe Property Fire Damaged? SERVPRO Provides Professional Restoration--Call Us for Help

3/20/2019 (Permalink)

South Lake Tahoe House Fire? We Can Clean Up the Mess and Restore Your Property--Call SERVPRO

What Is Fire Debris Removal in Your South Lake Tahoe Home?

Once a fire has occurred in your property, there are many effects that you have to overcome on the path to returning your home to its original condition. While many homeowners might want to take care of some of these preliminary tasks on their own to save themselves some potential out-of-pocket expenses, this is not a wise decision to make. Cleanup and debris removal after a fire can leave your home with many hazards and risks that can end up injuring or adversely affecting untrained individuals. Our restoration team has extensive training in the use of personal protective equipment and effective mitigation strategies to reduce these problematic conditions quickly.

While debris removal is among the first steps that our professionals take in addressing fire damage in your South Lake Tahoe home, many homeowners might not fully understand what this work entails. Debris removal is much more than conventional cleanup throughout the property and picking up damaged structural components in the affected areas of your home.

When our SERVPRO team first arrives at your home, we begin with an overall assessment of the damage to your property. We take this opportunity to inspect structural elements and materials for irreparable damage. With controlled demolition techniques, our professionals remove only the materials too badly damaged to preserve. We do strive to restore and not replace building elements and belongings. This designed removal can help to save time when our licensed contractors get to work on the reconstruction needs that your home has to get fully restored.

During this demolition process, we run machines like our hydroxyl generators and air scrubbers that can help to reduce dust, debris, and particulates in the environment. These get even worse during material removal, and the HEPA filters onboard both of these machines can capture particles as small as .3 microns. By rapidly discarding burnt items from the property, sources of pungent odors are also reduced. Healthy indoor air quality is an essential goal of any fire damaging event.

Fire debris removal is one of the initial components to the recovery of your damaged property, but it requires the certified and experienced professionals of our team. You can reach our SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe fire restoration technicians and our licensed contracting division 24/7 by calling (775) 588-2355.

Welcome to our SLTFD site.

Why Hiring A Professional Restoration Company To Cleanup After Your Home In Genoa Experiences A Fire Is The Best Choice

12/3/2018 (Permalink)

Fire damage in Genoa does not have to be a headache.

The Principle Of Cleaning After A Fire Damage In Genoa

Surviving the aftermath of the fire damage can be quite a relief. However, the replacement and repairs can be very detrimental. Luckily, there are some insurance companies out there who would help with the costs. However, dealing with the aftermath does require some skills and expertise. The cleaning process isn't an easy task. Keep in mind that it requires extensive inspection, identifying types of residues and services, removing the residues, and disposal. All of this should be taken care of by a fire restoration specialist. After all, doing this on your own can be very dangerous, exhausting, time-consuming, and expensive.

Fire damage in Genoa does not have to be a headache. This situation is mainly because the SERVPRO tech can take care of everything. They can start by inspecting the areas near the source of the fire and see how far the damage has moved through various structures. There are different types of smoke residues, and the SERVPRO specialist can select a cleaning method that can effectively remove these residues. Another thing to note is that the type of surface that has undergone the fire damage may require specialized cleaning method and products that are safe to use on the surface. The fire restoration experts may have to be cautious to preserve the materials or surface during the cleaning process.

Since smoke residues can bind to the surface that they come in contact with, the fire experts can use a dry and wet screening process to release these particles away from the affected surface. The restorer can adequately get rid of the debris and cleaning waste. Once everything is completed, the technicians can walk you through your home to make sure that you are satisfied with the results.

If you are interested in getting a specialist to clean and restore your home after fire damage, then give SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe a call at (775) 588-2355, and we can promptly send our experts to your home.

Click here for more about Genoa.

How to Recover From a Fire in Stateline

10/1/2018 (Permalink)

Fire damage doesn't mean everything is not salvageable. Remediation techniques can help restore your treasured items to their pre-fire state.

Putting the Pieces Back Together after Fire Damage in Stateline

Putting your home back together after fire can be a difficult and emotionally taxing routine. Many personal possessions or items may seem beyond repair, and even small contained fires can require much effort to remove the reminders of soot and smoke. Employing a professional restoration service could help you to get back on top and save some of those precious possessions.

When you think of fire damage in Stateline, you may think of huge infernos that obliterate homes and the surrounding area. In truth, the majority are small kitchen or living room fires that have been contained. However, smoke and soot residues can often travel much further than the source of fire making thorough cleaning difficult. Firefighting efforts generally use water as well, which means you have to guard against secondary water damages as well as mold growth in the home.

SERVPRO has a wealth of experience when it comes to dealing with restoration. We can arrive onsite within 4 hours of notification of loss and begin working toward remediation almost immediately. That begins by conducting a pre-test to discover what type of materials burned in the fire, synthetic or natural, and which methods to use for an effective approach.

Remediation involves removal of all visible signs of fire damage. That can mean removing carpets for thorough cleaning on both sides.  Remediation also includes applying abrasive cleaning chemicals to structural areas with heavy smoke damage or sending valuables to a specialized facility where they are restored.

SERVPRO works toward a restore over replace method and can do our utmost to save possessions you may have thought were beyond saving. With all signs of smoke residue or soot removed we can begin restoration. Our restoration process involves returning carpets, repainting walls or ceilings and returning possessions to their places. The final step is to thoroughly deodorize the property to remove smoke particles from the surrounding atmosphere and improve your indoor air quality.

Should your home be in need of professional restoration, contact SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe at (775) 588-2355 for immediate advice.

Lake Tahoe is one of the best places to stargaze in the United States. Click here for more information.  

Restoring Your Morning Routine After Fire Damage Takes Out Your Tahoe Home's Bathroom

6/11/2018 (Permalink)

When a fire breaks out in your bathroom, you need fast remediation and restoration. Call SERVPRO right after the fire fighters leave.

Team SERVPRO Quickly Takes Control of Your Bathroom Fire Disaster

Hectic mornings in Tahoe can take their toll on us, and sometimes, the lack of time causes us to forget to do minor but very crucially essential things. Curling irons and other hair styling instruments heat up to do their jobs, but few have safety shut-off switches to protect our homes from those times that we forget and leave the house without turning them off.
 
A curling iron can quickly reach temperatures high enough to ignite nearby towels or other linens, leading to your home sustaining unnecessary fire damage in Tahoe. Not only does the burning of different synthetics in an enclosed area create caustic odors, but any cosmetics can also become a terrible mess. Cans of hairspray, deodorant, and other beauty care products can explode and cause burnt and scorched areas on walls, the ceiling, and any fiberglass components of your bathroom. In short, a small moment of forgetfulness can render your bathroom unusable. Professional mitigation experts from SERVPRO can restore this kind of damage in your home and get your family's morning routines back to normal.
 
After we clear your bathroom of any damaged items and materials, we can clean up the remaining surfaces to make things safe for the restoration stage. This sometimes includes exhaust vents and their ducts. We can wash textiles that suffered only smoke damage with a specialized laundry detergent that removes both the stains and the odor, so your family can safely use them again without worrying about any carcinogenic effects.
 
Odors accompany fire damage, and they can find their way into areas near the bathroom, so we perform deodorizing services wherever we detect smoke or other foreign particles. During showers and hot baths, the steam can make any remnant odors much more noticeable, so please advise us regarding any continuing problems with such odors.
 
Fire damage can affect any area of your home, but when it happens in the bathroom, your home may seem livable, but in reality, many hindrances soon become apparent in your daily activities. SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe wants to help you enjoy every part of your home like you should. Fire damage can prevent this, so we offer our services every day of the year, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Contact us at (775) 588-2355 so we can assist you and your family.

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Smoke and Fire Damage can Affect all Areas of Your Tahoe Home

4/15/2018 (Permalink)

Burned plastic can produce bad smelling odors and residues. Contact SERVPRO for remediation services right away.

SERVPRO Technicians Understand That Fire Damage Remediation Includes Smoke and Odors

Smoke ranges in various types and can affect your Tahoe home in many ways. Heavy smoke, from burning plastics and other synthetic materials, can leave a messy, difficult-to-clean mess behind while smoke from wood or paper leaves much less residue. Homes today contain many furnishings made from plastics and other similar materials. Many of these release poisonous gasses when they become too hot or burn.
 
Homes with fire damage in Tahoe also have smoke damage. Many people decorate and furnish their homes with various items. Glass does not burn, but it can shatter when it becomes too hot, or other household items fall on it during a fire. However, few things react like glass does during a fire. Plastic items can range from photo frames, wall clock housings, tables and chairs designed for children, and utility shelving. Many furnishings that contain synthetics range from carpeting to insulation to lighting fixtures. All of these can produce heavy smoke residue and soot while burning.
 
SERVPRO can help your family by restoring your home, making it livable again. From removing charred materials and cleaning up soot, to removing the firefighters' water and foam to tarping your home's roof, we can help make the nightmare end. We know that the insurance paperwork and taking care of your family's immediate needs can take a toll on you, and we understand the many questions and concerns you want to be answered. While this new experience for you may seem unending, we know from experience that we can help make things "Like it never even happened" for you and your family.
 
Once we have removed the physical effects of the fire and its smoke and restoration work finishes, you may notice a persistent odor. Our Odor Control Technician (OCT) can help mitigate this. Thermal fogging remains one of the most effective methods for this situation because it forces the deodorizing fog into the same areas that the smoke did during the fire. Quickly done, your home only requires a short period for our crew to complete the process.
 
SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe wants to help families in the Minden and Skyland areas dealing with fire damage and the smoke that follows. Contact us at our local 24-hour service line number at (775) 588-2355 to speak with us.
 
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South Lake Tahoe's Fire Damage Technicians

3/15/2018 (Permalink)

Whether your home is a single family, townhome or condo, facing the aftermath of a fire can be daunting. Contact SERVPRO to remediate the damage.

Team SERVPRO Speaks the Language of Soot and Smoke Removal After a Fire in Your Home

Even if the smallest fire starts, it is likely that smoke damages your South Lake Tahoe home. Smoke often leaves behind soot residues that cause damage to contents and building materials if not cleaned. Soot also causes pungent odors inside a structure.
 
After any charred debris gets removed, the next step is the cleaning process. SERVPRO's fire damage experts of South Lake Tahoe are IICRC certified and trained in all of the principles of cleaning soot left behind by smoke. When remediating a building that contains soot residue, the IICRC sets out some principles that our professionals always follow.
 
First off, our restoration crew finds and identifies smoke residues that are present inside the house. Our SERVPRO specialists have experience with fire theory and know how smoke behaves indoors. Often, we test which methods of cleaning work the best removing the soot during the initial inspection.
 
Next, we capture and remove soot particles. Sometimes soot gets removed by a vacuum. Other times, chemicals get sprayed onto soot so that it dissolves the residue and gets wiped away.
 
Most smoke residues consist of tiny, solid Carbon particles. Once moisture gets applied to the residues, vacuuming becomes impossible. We always attempt to vacuum soot particles before chemicals get applied.
 
If residues and soils present are not loose particles, dissolving the soot is the only method that works. We use chemicals that dissolve smoke particles when they get applied. After they get applied, our experts rinse the area with water. Then, we dry out the affected region as the final cleaning step.
 
The last thing we do before we end a project is the disposing of anything that got covered in soot. If items do not get cleaned, they get put in sealed bags and discarded of correctly according to local regulations. Any cleaning supplies that get covered in soot get disposed of in the same fashion.
 
We always follow all local regulations and standards when disposing of hazardous materials. For professional help remediating smoke problems, call SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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Fire Damage to a Child's Club or Tree House in South Lake Tahoe Can Cause Extensive Damage

2/6/2018 (Permalink)

If your child's tree house or playhouse catches fire, call on SERVPRO to restore it "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO Restores Fire Damaged Structures of Any Size

Children have many benefits living in South Lake Tahoe, and the great outdoors is one of those wonderful things life has to offer. While it may seem of little consequence to many, a child's private hide-away plays an essential role in the lives of many children. However, some children enjoy experimenting with fire, and this can sometimes lead to disastrous consequences.

When such an incident happens in South Lake Tahoe, contacting a professional fire damage restoration company can help. At SERVPRO, we perform whatever helps to make everything "Like it never even happened." Many outdoor play items require extensive and complicated construction diagrams for their small sizes, relative to the family home. The cost of these smaller 'buildings,' however, means a significant financial investment that often plays a role in real estate listings and property tax amounts. We understand that the emotional factor can severely impact your children, as well.

When fire damages such small structures, a considerable amount of smoke escapes to the outside and never poses a problem again. Some materials, such as plastics used or rubber toys, can produce much heavier smoke than a house fire typically makes. Being heavier, this smoke may not travel as far and affect other structures on your property. As we clean the area involved in the fire, we thoroughly inspect all materials that seem undamaged.

If something needs repairing to salvage it for rebuilding, we perform these small tasks. Broken down materials exhibiting shards or splinters, however, can put your children at risk of injury. We can discuss with you any issues about any questionable materials, however, just as we do with any other special requests or concerns.

Depending on the size and elaborateness of your children's playhouse, restoring it and including previous materials might not work well. When total destruction occurs, we can help by cleaning the area, ensuring the removal of all debris from both the area and your property, and preparing the ground for either the seeding of a new lawn section or for the rebuilding of a new structure that your children can enjoy. We understand that you might prefer other options and we can work with you to make these a reality.

SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe helps homeowners with both large and small events of fire damage. A fire of any size can become a traumatic event, especially for children. We would like to help families recover from such disasters when they occur in our area. Call us at (775) 588-2355, our local number, anytime, day or night, 365 days a year for understanding professionals.

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Fire Damage In South Lake Tahoe

11/27/2017 (Permalink)

After the wildfires, this summer, homeowners are taking the time now to examine their homes and determine repairs or clean-up.

Fire Damage Restoration

After the wildfires, this summer, South Lake Tahoe and many other communities are taking the time now to examine their homes and determine repairs or clean-up. Many people lost their homes, but others have minor damage. Some homeowners may not be aware of it.

Most South Lake Tahoe fire damage is easy to see. Scorched roof tiles and soot-covered walls tell a homeowner it is time to call SERVPRO. Lesser damage from sparks and smoke can cause thousands of dollars in repair costs if not found and dealt with quickly.

Sparks from nearby fires usually do not burst into flames. They ignite leaves and paper easily enough, but roofs are much harder to set ablaze. Sparks do smolder and slowly burn away tiles just a little at a time. It means not just tile damage, but problems with the panels underneath. Exposed and damaged panels lead to more problems.

Our technicians carefully examine roof tiles and then go into a home to examine for panel damage. If there is no panel damage, we remove damaged tile, clean the surface underneath, and then replace with new tile. If there is panel damage, SERVPRO crew members remove all damaged panels and replace them. That means a larger number of tiles to replace as well. Depending on how much of tile we remove and the age of the roof and, our restoration crew chief may recommend replacing the entire roof along with a free estimate.

As the tiles smolder, they generate smoke. If there is tile and panel damage, smoke can find its way under the roof where it leaves smoke and soot residues. These residues can leave strong odors in the home and even cause wood rot if not cleaned off surfaces.

We first apply a commercial cleaner. In most cases, this neutralizes both the residue and the odor. If it only destroys the residue, we spray a deodorizing agent over every affected roof panel and structural support.

Remediating fire damage does not always mean a massive clean-up. At SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe, we understand that getting ahead of minor damage can prevent much larger damage and repair costs later. If you need our services, call us today at (775) 588-2355.

If you are interested in learning more about South Lake Tahoe click here.

Restoring Carpets and Other Materials after Fire Damage in Your Carson City Home

10/19/2017 (Permalink)

Fire Damage to Carson City Carpets and Properties? Call SERVPRO

SERVPRO Provides Essential Cleanup and Carpet Cleaning Post Fires

Children playing with lighters or matches cause small burns and holes in carpeting and rugs, which can then grow larger. You can protect your carpeting, a substantial investment, in your Carson City home by having a professional skilled in restoration repair the damage. Restoration work can stop most deterioration from progressing.
 
We have local technicians in Carson City who can restore carpets with fire damaged sections. Highly skilled, we can restore any area of your home that suffers from burn in addition to carpeting or other floor types. This salvaging saves many homeowners from having the expense of replacements. We can restore almost anything in your home that suffers from damage due to smoke or flame more easily than we can replace those same materials.
 
SERVPRO employees include Fire and Smoke Restoration Technicians (FSRT), with extensive IICRC training and experience in dealing with the destruction of all types of materials. Cleaning and restoration, when started shortly after the damaging event occurs, can often remedy many smaller fires in a home. We must also eliminate any water that you used to put the fire out, to prevent other types of damage from developing. Mold and mildew often set in after fires take place because of this new addition to their otherwise inert environment.
 
Our employees quickly and professionally restore your home while working around your schedule. Cleaning hard surfaces, laundering soft materials, including stuffed toys, curtains, heavy bedspreads and quilts, and walls and ceilings help reduce the smoky odor fire leaves behind. Our Esporta washing system and ultrasonic cleaning equipment offer exceptional options for cleaning and restoring. Any areas that have charring or blackening that does not wash away may require replacements, but we closely work with homeowners to ensure we only use acceptable matches.
 
For any fire damage inside your home, call SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe. Our local number is (775) 588-2355. Calling us puts you in touch with our 24-hour services, designed to help you protect your investment and make your home safe again.

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Carson City Build Back After Fire Damage

7/22/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO, Rebuilds Fire Damaged Homes in Carson City

SERVPRO Can Cleanup and Reconstruct Your Carson City Property After a Devastating Fire

While most of the property loss and cost after a fire is smoke related, some fires live up to their destructive reputation. A blaze not quickly stopped can put holes in roofs, destroy everything inside and even cause a structural collapse in extreme cases.

To build back your Carson City home after fire damage, you need a company that is licensed, experienced and has access to the equipment necessary to put everything back together. SERVPRO has decades of experience in Nevada when it comes to rebuilding a foundation, installing new appliances, and laying a new roof over everything we do. This is all after the fire damage cleanup.

After we remove the damaged property and perform an inspection, our technicians start at the foundation. Fire can blister and crack concrete surfaces, although deep damage is rare. Crew members are trained to break up and remove the damaged layers of concrete and then pour a new surface. Once completed, our new top for your foundation or driveway may blend seamlessly and is indistinguishable from the original surface.

After repairing the foundation, we move on to the home’s support structure and framing. In most cases, we may recommend complete removal of wall and window frames. Framing is wood that has absorbed some of the smoke odors as well as suffered direct burn damage. It is more cost efficient to replace this cheaper framing than to waste time picking out undamaged sections or cleaning it. However, we always attempt to restore before replacing and rebuilding.

Heat and smoke destroy appliances such as water heaters, washers and dryers, and refrigerators quickly. Our personnel is trained to install most appliances according to the manufacturer’s rules and warranties. It is often more cost-efficient to use our technicians than to schedule a separate installation visit from the manufacturer or distributor. Of course, this is dependent upon your personal needs and wishes.

When it comes to a roof, we can replace every tile or install a new roof to include laying a new main support with the heavy equipment that few restoration companies or other general contractors have immediate access. There may be some types of roof repair or rebuild that we may refer you to a partnering company. Your best interests are also ours.

As a locally owned franchise, repairing and restoring your home is not just a job to SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe. You are our neighbors and family. If you need us, call today at (775) 588-2355.

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Combating Fire Damage In South Lake Tahoe

6/7/2017 (Permalink)

Severe Fire Damage in South Lake Tahoe Needs Professional Cleanup--Call SERVPRO

South Lake Tahoe Homeowners Count on SERVPRO for Comprehensive Fire Damage Restoration

Having a fire occur on your property can cause significant damages that make you doubt whether you can recover. Sometimes the harm appears so severe that you want to give up before you even think about contacting a restoration company. However, that would be the wrong response.

A qualified fire damage restoration company in South Lake Tahoe can provide you with the services you need to recover many of your belongings and save your home. Some even help you find temporary housing, assist with insurance paperwork, and manage the entire restoration process for you. Of course, this is in the case of extreme fire damage where extensive cleanup and reconstruction is needed.
 
SERVPRO offers these services and much, much more. Contacting us gives you access to IICRC industry certified technicians with years of experience that appreciate the opportunity to assist you with restoring your property to a quality condition. We treat your home and belongings as if they were our own and put every method at our disposal to use to limit any losses you might experience.
 
SERVPRO technicians maintain a safe, secure working environment, we utilize personal protection equipment and eliminate obvious hazards before entering your property. Safety comes before anything else; we would never want one of our workers or any person involved to become injured on one of our job sites. If the area is not safe for you or your family, we ask you to relocate to a safe location and communicate with you remotely, providing you with regular updates until completely done with your restoration. We can secure the property before the cleanup even begins.
 
You never have to guess if SERVPRO has your best interests in mind. We work with insurance companies throughout the claims process to provide you with the best results possible while maintaining a manageable budget. Our work often exceeds homeowner expectations and may even improve upon what you had installed before.  
 
Contact SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe to receive a quick response to your call for help; we can give you the best possible services and provide you with a full-service solution to emergencies that occur on your property. Call now to get started with your restoration as soon as possible. (775) 588-2355 To learn more about this city click here.

Fire Damage Affecting Homeowners In Carson City

2/21/2017 (Permalink)

Flames in Carson City Can Cause Damage

Carson City Damage from Fires is Remedied by SERVPRO

Fire damage affecting your home can be a devastating event. In some cases, you and your family are required to relocate and seek assistance in dealing with the aftermath of the situation. You want access to a company that can make reclaiming your home a stress-free, successful event.
 
When it comes to choosing between recovery or replacement when dealing with fire damage in your Carson City area home, our team maintains a restoration first mentality. Providing you with highly trained, IICRC certified technicians who take pride in providing you with the fire, smoke, water, and cleaning restoration services you deserve.
 
SERVPRO technicians train in procedures to limit interruptions and minimize losses that you experience during a disaster. While each situation is unique, we work hard to get your life back to normal and save as many of your possessions as quickly as possible.
 
Our entire restoration process begins as soon as you contact us. We use the information you provide during your initial call to deliver the right team, with the right equipment to tackle the damages you are experiencing on your property.
 
When a fire strikes your home, SERVPRO technicians perform an onsite inspection of the structure and its surrounding areas to help identify potential hazards and determine the extent of damages you are experiencing, while helping us develop a safe, effective restoration plan that suits your situation.
 
If necessary, we can perform board-up and tarping services to cover compromised areas and limit additional damages from forming. While not needed during every restoration, these services become necessary when firefighting efforts or storm damage causes areas of your roof to get exposed to outdoor elements, or regularly secured entry ways are no longer secure.
 
SERVPRO technicians utilize water removal and drying services that include the use of a variety of hand-held and truck mounted water extractors, thermal sensors, air movers, and dehumidifiers to help get control of the entire damaged areas. While using water pressure, air pressure, rotating brushes, scrubbing, wiping, and sandblasting in some instances to clean a variety of surfaces affected by the fire.
 
As with any quality restoration company, time is the most important factor regarding our ability to provide you with quick, efficient services. The longer it takes for you to contact our office, the harder it is to dissolve soils, chemicals and other residues impacting the contents of your home.
 
Contact SERVPRO of Carson City - Douglas County - South Lake Tahoe today for the quality services you deserve. (775) 588-2355

Preventing Fire Damage: Four Key Points

6/26/2016 (Permalink)

Knowing the Location of Your Local Fire House Can Be Helpful

Some Planned Out Steps to Save Lives and Control Damage

Preparation and defense are the key points to preventing fire damage to your home or business. Unless you live on the 2100 block of Lake Tahoe Blvd, you have to do it. Oh, in case you did not know, the South Lake Tahoe Fire Department's address is 2101.

Our Regional Fire Chiefs recently provided four key points to protecting lives and property in the Lake Tahoe Basin. At SERVPRO, we believe they are excellent ideas and need to be followed by every business owner, homeowner, renter or vacationer hoping to prevent fire damage around the Lake Tahoe area.

1) Remove leaves, pine needles and other dead vegetation from next to and around all structures. Included in that is climbing a ladder and getting everything cleaned off of the roof and out of the rain gutters. This creates a defensible space so that embers and sparks cannot find easy fuel to spread the fire.

2) Trim back all branches lower than 10 feet on all surrounding trees. For a spreading fire, this is the 'low-hanging fruit' that feeds it. Take it away so the fire starves and dies.

3) Move and restack your firewood to a point at least 30 feet from your home. Yes, the nights are still cool, but what you have next to your home right now is a pile of wood that is cut and shaped to burn! Get it away from the house.

4) Sit down with your families and employees to develop an evacuation plan. Have a gathering point so you know everyone is safe. This is also critical so you can tell the Fire Department they do not have to risk their lives looking for someone who is not there.

Here at SERVPRO of Carson City/Douglas County/South Lake Tahoe, we have one more: When the alert sounds on your TV or radio, get out! Memories are important, but not even great-grandma's favorite tchotchke she brought from the old country is worth dying for. If you are concerned about potential threats, please contact us at 1-775-588-2355 to have a free assessment performed.

Lake Tahoe Fire Damage--More Than Stuff Getting Burned Up

4/6/2016 (Permalink)

Fire Damage to a Lake Tahoe Home Can Use the Help of SERVPRO

SERVPRO's Fire Damage Service Reconditions Your Lake Tahoe Home

Fire damage in Lake Tahoe leads to a confusing time. The fire occurred, and the fire trucks have all gone. What is left is a big mess, and this describes more than the home you have invested in time and money. It is the residence that you and your family have lived in for quite some time. It can take a professional company, working in Lake Tahoe fire and water damage restoration, to get you back home.

There is also all of the water that was used to put that fire out. It, of course, went everywhere because, if it did not the fire would probably still be raging. Because of all of this, the fire department has declared it uninhabitable, so you also have to deal with that.

You need to go ahead and call your insurance company and also ask for a list of preferred companies specializing in fire and water restoration services. Time is of the essence and all the ruin that has already happened and secondary water damage that will still occur, because of the standing water, must be taken care of fast.

The first thing that must be done will be to determine what is damaged, what is OK and what program needs to be set up to handle all of it. SERVPRO, if called upon, will arrive and immediately assess the urgent actions required to limit water and fire damage, and to board up and secure damaged sections of your home's structure.

1. Air movers have to be setup to begin the process of cleaning the air out of the house. The soot, smoke, and odors need specialized attention.
2. Water and moisture need to be eliminated, through the use of powerful pumps, and wet vacuums. The placing of dehumidifiers in the proper locations will assist in the evaporation efforts.
3. Possessions that are beyond restoration must be discarded. Furnishings, clothing, and even photographs can be dried and cleaned on-site or shipped to our cleaning facilities for rehab.
4. Any building materials that are non-salvageable must also be removed and disposed of using local code directives.
5. IICRC standards of cleaning and restoration are followed by the trained SERVPRO technicians.

The final fire damage restoration processes will ensure everything is back to pre-loss condition. SERVPRO can either execute the repair and replacements or subcontract out extensive projects so that you can focus on your personal needs as we help to alleviate stress.

If fire damage to your Lake Tahoe home is widespread, place your trust in SERVPRO of Carson City / Douglas County / South Lake Tahoe to repair and restore your home. Call 24/7 for an immediate response for assistance at (775) 588-2355.