How to Ensure Thorough Cleanup during Fire Restoration in Jamestown

5/1/2023 (Permalink)

The first step to resolving fire damage is calling your local trained professionals at SERVPRO.

Techniques That Help With Smoke Damage Cleanup in Jamestown

You can prevent or prepare to address a fire event in several ways, such as installing fire alarms and keeping heaters at least three feet away from items that can catch on fire. However, there is no sure way to prevent it from happening. Taking the appropriate action in the aftermath can mean the difference between saving your home and losing it to damage. Quick mitigation and fire damage restoration are essential to save your Jamestown home from additional damage.

Fire restoration in Jamestown homes requires the services of a professional. For example, smoke odor can travel through your home’s air ducts and emit recurring smells for days after the fire damage. Controlling or removing odor can be challenging and may take multiple procedures involving different products and equipment devices to get the desired results. SERVPRO crews may alleviate the foul odors through fogging, direct spraying, and neutralization with activated oxygen, depending on the situation. Our technicians know how to deal with the damage exacted by smoke and fire on different surfaces and materials. We have access to many fire damage cleanup equipment facilitating different cleaning methods.

Different cleaning methods:

• Ultrasonic cleaning
• Foam cleaning
• Abrasive cleaning
• Heavy-duty chemical agents
• Soda or dry-ice blasting

Smoke Residue Removal

Smoke residues usually bond with the surfaces they contact. Our crews use different cleaning processes to dislodge and carry residue particles away from various surfaces. We use a HEPA vacuum before cleaning with detergent to capture and remove fine particles from surfaces. The vacuum also removes fine residues from cracks and crevices, which may be impossible to reach with wet cleaning.

Soot and smoke can accumulate on surfaces and items such as glassware. The residues can be difficult to remove using conventional cleaning techniques. Our crews use the ultrasonic method to efficiently clean glass and other non-porous materials. The method uses high-frequency sound waves that result in vapor bubbles, and the energy produced releases soils from the item.

Other actions that aid in soot removal:

• Absorption
• Surface cleaning technique
• Saturation technique

SERVPRO of Jamestown / Olean understands the devastating effect of fire and provides efficient fire restoration and cleanup service. Call us at (716) 338-4901. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

How Soot Damages Jamestown Structures and Belongings

3/30/2023 (Permalink)

Fire damage to your Jamestown home is terrifying regardless of the time of day or night. No matter the time, SERVPRO is always Here to Help.

SERVPRO Fire Restoration Services Remediate Jamestown Residential Fire Damage

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) data indicates that US fire departments respond to an average of 346,800 home fires per year. Regardless of how big or small these disasters may be, Jamestown residents need fast-acting professionals to mitigate fire damage caused by soot, soils, debris, and fire suppression.

SERVPRO fire damage cleanup crews restore Jamestown homes around the clock with a comprehensive and structured process. Mitigation technicians are trained to render services per Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) protocols. 

The Far-reaching Effects of Smoke, Soot, and Fire Damage

Fire has a great deal of impact on structures and their contents:

• Fire temperatures and oxygen levels and what substances are burned affect what types of soot stains and debris are left behind. Smoke particles spread quickly and settle on surfaces, including hard-to-reach nooks and crannies.
• As materials like inks, finishes, and paints burn, they can emit unpleasant-smelling volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can also affect indoor air quality.
• Dry organic materials like wood and paper, are more likely to burn quickly in high-heat flames that leave behind a light, dry soot. Plastics, rubbers, oils, and other related materials typically burn slowly at low heat and can impart sticky soils that require more in-depth cleaning.
• Cooking-related incidents, which account for 51% of residential building fires between 2017 and 2019 based on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) data, can leave behind hard-to-remove proteins from burnt meats and animal fats.

With these challenges in mind, homeowners may feel overwhelmed at the prospect of performing cleanup following a fire damaging event.. Fortunately, SERVPRO professionals are trained to treat these soils and remove debris. Even if HVAC systems were not visibly affected, technicians check ventilation systems for soot to ensure that smoke particles do not spread odors to other areas of an affected home.

SERVPRO Soot and Soil Mitigation Strategies for Residences

Restoration technicians can respond within hours of a homeowner’s call to inspect the affected property, formulate a mitigation strategy, and implement it, thereby mitigating the fire damage.  SERVPRO also performs rebuilding services and coordinates with insurance adjusters and property owners throughout mitigation. Homeowners typically do not have to wait for a claims adjuster to arrive before calling a restoration firm like SERVPRO for their fire mitigation needs.

• Technicians can partially seal ventilation ducts and implement negative air pressure with HEPA-filter air scrubbers to maximize soot collection during cleanup. Lowered air pressure prevents smoke particles from rising and spreading to new surfaces instead of falling on the floor.
• Technicians dry water damage from fire suppression, if present, before focusing on soot removal.
• The lightest, driest soils are remediated with HEPA-filter vacuums, dry cleaning sponges, dust cloths, and EPA-registered antimicrobials before technicians move on to heavier damages.
• Alkaline cleaners, ultrasonic cleaning, dry ice blasting, and hydroxyl or ozone generators may be deployed for heavy-duty cleanup needs for contents. This cleanup also mitigates odors in tandem with SERVPRO odor control.
• Protein residues from cooking fires can be remediated with the help of specialized enzyme digesters that convert these greasy, odorous materials to a water-soluble substance that is easy to clean and deodorize.

SERVPRO of Jamestown / Olean is reachable at (716) 38-4901. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster and available when homeowners need it most.

Puff Backs and Fire Damage in Jamestown

11/16/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO says to maintain your furnaces and fireplaces to prevent puff backs or fire damage. Keep your Jamestown home bright and clean.

SERVPRO Equipment Can Help Restore Fire Damage

Fireplaces and wood burners can be wonderful in the winter months. But without regular maintenance, open hearths can cause accidents. Blockages in the flue or chimney can result in a furnace puff back that spits ash and can fill a room with smoke. While puff backs pose a limited fire risk, they can lead to significant smoke and odor damage. The impact of damages is usually found close to the hearth but may affect the surrounding wall and parts of the ceiling directly above the furnace. If non-organic fuels were used, smoke residues could be greasy and difficult to remove.

SERVPRO technicians can help with the following:

• Fire damage restoration
• Smoke and odor removal
• Fire debris removal

We are a fire damage restoration service in Jamestown that can help with furnace puff backs and smoke & odor removal. One of the challenges we face in restoring puff backs is the different materials of a hearth. Some may be constructed from masonry, others from treated woods and iron. Each material can respond differently to smoke, odor, and temperature, which makes treatment of the damages unique in every case.

Many hearths and wood burner surrounds are constructed with masonry. Masonry can absorb water, suffer discoloration with chemical action and break apart under excessive brushing or scraping. Our solution is to use blasting equipment to remove stubborn smoke residues. Blasters are agitative equipment that fires thousands of tiny, granular materials directly onto a surface. The speed and volume help to dislodge any stubborn soot and remove the upper layers of the treated surface.

• Blasting equipment uses compressed air to generate the necessary pressure for restoring surfaces.
• Light blasting can incorporate air, ice, and salt to reduce surface damage, while sand or grit are used for heavy soil and charring.
• Pressurized water can remove dry soot or smoke residues from walls for external parts of the home.

To get expert restoration advice and guidance, contact SERVPRO of Jamestown / Olean for fire damage at (716) 338-4901.

What Can Be Done to Repair My Burnt Sections of Drywall During Fire Restoration in Jamestown?

6/22/2022 (Permalink)

Allow SERVPRO to assess your home after a fire. We can quickly determine what can be repaired and what needs to be replaced.

SERVPRO Can Restore Burnt Drywall Inside your Jamestown Home Through Cleaning Procedures

Whenever our SERVPRO technicians work on a project where drywall got negatively affected, we inspect it to see if we can repair it or if it has to be removed and replaced. If the charring on your drywall is more profound than the surface, we can remove the drywall and then inspect the wooden studs underneath.

Can you save my drywall if it is not burnt deeply?

During some fire restoration projects in Jamestown, we can save your drywall if the charring is only on the surface of the material using the following methods:

• Dry Cleaning: If your drywall is bare or does not have a painted glossy surface, then dry cleaning methods can work well to remove soot and surface charring. For light soot residues, we can sometimes use a feather duster or dry rag to remove them from the surfaces.
• Wet Cleaning: Painted sections of drywall can often be cleaned using water-based detergents. Moderate residues can best be removed using a general surface cleaner. Greasy soils and heavy soots can be expelled by implementing a heavy-duty, high-alkaline product.
• Abrasive Blasting: In some situations, spots that adhere well to the surfaces of your drywall get removed best using abrasive techniques. Sandblasting is not used too much for drywall because it can take off too much of the material. Therefore, soda blasting proves to be an effective method because it does not take much of the surface while it removes the soot.
• Sanding: Some surfaces may get ruined if abrasive blasting methods get implemented. Sanding can be an excellent alternative because our technicians have more control in removing the soot using a hand sander and fine sandpaper.
• Sealing: If the soot residues cannot be removed from your walls by cleaning or abrasive methods, we can spray sealant paint on the affected areas that trap any foul odors.

Burnt drywall can cause foul odors to linger all over your house in Lakewood or Frewsburg. For professional assistance after a fire starts on your property, call SERVPRO of Jamestown / Olean at (716) 338-4901.

Call SERVPRO for Professional Cleanup and Restoration after Your Lakewood Property Suffers a Fire Loss

4/20/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Says Let Our Highly Skilled Team Cleanup Fire Damaged Homes in Lakewood

Fire, Soot, and Odors in a Lakewood Home! What to Do?

Fires leave behind a great deal of damage, even if it was just a small, quickly-contained blaze within your home. As a homeowner, you may wish to do some clean-ups on your own but may need to contact professionals for help if you run into a problem, such as soot-stained walls or lingering offensive odors.

If your Lakewood Home incurs fire damage, contacting the trained restoration specialists at SERVPRO may save you both time and finances. We have prompt service, proven experience dealing with fire damage, and state-of-the-art equipment and industry-leading formulated cleaners like our Orange-based products to make it "Like it never even happened."

After you remove damaged items from your home, you may find that besides a lingering smell, you have stained walls. Soot is the black residue left behind from a fire. Instincts may tell you to wipe the soot away with a wet rag or sponge. If you had a high-oxygen fire in your home, this action smears the soot and creates more damage. If your walls are porous, wet cleaning can soak the soot into the walls creating further damage. If you have textured walls removing the black residue may be more challenging than if you have glossy enamel paint or vinyl wall covers. Other factors, such as the temperature of the fire and the age of the surfaces in your home, determine how easily you can clean soot off the walls.

While you are waiting for the SERVPRO technicians to arrive, WE STRONGLY recommend that you do NOT begin cleaning the walls on your own. By using a dry sponge, the process is just as important as the tools and detergents to attain successful cleaning results. We strongly suggest that you await our arrival. Soot clean-up can get very difficult, and our goal is to clean and restore and not replace soot-damaged walls. Homeowners can easily clean up sooty or greasy residues in a project requiring wallboard removal and replacement.

For most surfaces, the technicians use a low-alkalinity cleaner. Still, if the residue is greasy, they use a high-alkalinity cleaner. Every circumstance and fire is different and treated accordingly by choosing the correct cleaning method and cleaners. In extreme cases, the walls may be repainted as a cover to the stains and sealed in pungent odors.

Contact SERVPRO of Jamestown / Olean for assistance at (716) 338-4901. We are available 24/7 to assist. We quickly respond to any home restoration needs. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Pre-cleaning of Soot Deposits Increases the Success of Subsequent Cleaning Efforts in Olean Residences

4/7/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has the right techniques to kick fire and soot right out of your Olean home.

Knowing What Needs to be Done For Your Olean Fire Damage.

Cleaning twice is not a regular habit for most homeowners in Olean. For SERVPRO technicians, many situations warrant this approach. Pre-cleaning, instead of increasing the amount of time involved in restoring your property, can decrease the period we must work on your home. 

Inside an Olean residence with smoke and soot damage, pre-cleaning can significantly increase the effectiveness of general cleaning methods. Removing the bulk of soils like soot can help improve the power of cleansers while decreasing the amount of soiling that needs removing. 

For example, some drier, powdery soot types create a weak static electricity charge when adhering to certain painted surfaces, including walls and ceilings. Direct cleaning with a sponge takes longer because of the static electricity. Pre-cleaning by vacuuming the dry soot away from the surface makes the dry sponge we use later much more effective at cleaning the walls. 

When we pre-clean by vacuuming soot from chrome and other metals, carpets, and other items, staining and corrosion decrease noticeably. Pre-cleaning Formica, marble, and fiberglass surfaces with a dry cleaning sponge keep cross-contamination involving soot and oily residues from the smoke to a minimum. We often do this in areas of the home our customer wishes to occupy while we restore another area with extensive fire or heavier smoke and soot damage.

Agitating soot to fall away from the surface of furniture, drapes, or other things helps with the overall cleaning process. SERVPRO uses two different methods to pre-clean items. These are compressed air and brushing. For more delicate items, we use compressed air to force dry soot out of small motors and other tiny spaces. Brushing works well for textured surfaces like brick and stucco walls. 

Pre-cleaning the surfaces of soot and oils can reveal bubbling and other damage that might have gone unnoticed until later. Knowing about such damage helps us in the restoration process. 

We want to make your home "Like it never even happened." Knowing what needs replacing and what items should respond well to cleaning helps our building and reconstruction crew provide excellent services. 

Replacing only those items with damage, as well as knowing as early as possible about these items, helps keep total recovery costs low and reasonable for our customers. Eliminating delays caused by unexpected supply and material needs keeps us on schedule; it reduces the time your family remains inconvenienced.

SERVPRO of Jamestown / Olean provides specialized services tailored to the homeowners' needs across Lakewood and Falconer. Call us at (716) 338-4901 for a swift response after fire, smoke, or soot affects your property.

Our Experts Discuss How We Use Ozone To Restore Your Jamestown Home

3/25/2022 (Permalink)

Give our SERVPRO of Jamestown / Olean team a call today at (716) 338-4901.

How We Use Ozone To Treat Smoke Damage In Jamestown

Deodorization is a fundamental step for nearly every fire loss recovery that our professionals address throughout Jamestown. Whether it is a massive structure fire that can compromise a building’s integrity to kitchen flare-ups that do not spread their effects beyond this immediate dining area, smoke odors are the universal effects professional restorers must combat. Our team has multiple strategies for removing odors, and one of the most powerful tools in our arsenal for on-site and off-site deodorization is ozone machines and chambers.

Ozone is an active deodorization agent, and it can help our team manage fire damage in Jamestown homes quickly. As much as these conditions can spread throughout a residence, a prompt deployment of this deodorization equipment can reduce the permeation of materials and reach unaffected areas of the house. Ozone generators do not get used without risk and warnings, however. Their efficiency in a home comes at the cost of health risks and hazards to people and pets exposed to chemical reactions. Our SERVPRO team has the appropriate personal protective equipment to safely utilize this equipment and to safely shut it down to continue other restoration efforts.

On-Site

We strive to recover the contents and areas of your home with minimal impact on your life. When we can restore items at your house, for instance, we do. This approach saves us time and effort in moving it to our facility, as well as reducing the time in returning these items to their original positions. These smaller units that arrive with the Green Fleet produce ozone which bonds with odor molecules by generating an additional oxygen molecule in the atmosphere.

Our SERVPRO Facility

This same technology fuels the ozone chamber at our facility nearby. When items must get packed out from a fire-damaged home, they get taken to our warehouse for cleaning and deodorization. We can group many items, including furniture and other contents, to deodorize entire lots. Our ozone room can provide a controlled environment to undertake widespread odor removal tactics.

Our team needs to provide our customers with expectation-exceeding service. When you vacate your home for restoration, we can deploy our efficient and powerful ozone machines that can give real-time deodorization for fire-damaged areas of the property. Give our SERVPRO of Jamestown / Olean team a call today at (716) 338-4901.

Can Fire Restoration Remove Soot from Jamestown Carpets and Fabrics?

2/27/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is Here to Help after your home experiences fire damage.

Fire Restoration from Jamestown SERVPRO Techs Mitigates Soils on Drapes, Carpets, and More

Porous surfaces pose one of the biggest challenges for home fire damage cleanup. Even with careful mitigation by knowledgeable homeowners, consumer-grade deodorization might not prove sufficient for eliminating fire damage odors in a Jamestown property.

Jamestown SERVPRO fire restoration technicians deploy tried-and-true odor control methods implemented per the restoration industry guidelines crafted by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). This process includes specific techniques for restoring carpeting, upholstery, drapes, and other fibers impacted by smoke damage.

Performing Successful Fire Damage Odor Control for Curtains and Other Fibers

When it comes to restoration for curtains and other fibers:

• SERVPRO can deploy dry cleaning machines or hot water extractors for drapes. Technicians inspect the fabric before cleaning to determine how the fabric type, condition, and extent of damage would respond to restoration. Techs also examine curtain rods and other drapery fixtures to clean them. EPA-registered wet cleaning solutions tailored to the curtain rod material are typically sufficient for this purpose.
• Since smoke tends to cling to surfaces as it rises, carpeting is often restorable after fire damage. Heat damage can permanently alter fibers, however. Fallen smoke particles can typically be removed from carpet fibers with hot water extraction and HEPA filter vacuums.
• Upholstery, unlike carpet, is less likely to be made of synthetic fibers, which means that furniture requires more specialized treatment based on the fibers present. Pre-cleaning methods prevent soot from penetrating fabrics further. Vacuuming and dry solvent cleaning are best for most light to moderate fire soils on upholstery. It may be possible to remove soot stains from colorfast fibers with chlorine bleach-based salvage cleaning.

Homeowners seeking “Like it never even happened,” service can call (716) 338-4901 for restoration from SERVPRO of Jamestown / Olean.

Tips for Performing Fire and Smoke Cleanup in Jamestown

2/4/2022 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot byproducts can spread throughout your home after a fire and settle on the furniture, ceiling, and walls, among other surfaces.

SERVPRO Can Help You to Perform Fire and Smoke Cleanup in Jamestown

After putting out a fire, homeowners may not give much thought to the effects of soot and smoke. However, you should be worried about it because it can cause as much damage as the fire itself. Smoke and soot byproducts can spread throughout your home after a fire and settle on the furniture, ceiling, and walls, among other surfaces. They can cause tarnishing and the etching of affected materials.

Efficient fire and smoke cleanup in your Jamestown residence from a company like SERVPRO can prevent the corrosion of metals. Soot residue is acidic, and it can ruin metal pipes, doorknobs, and kitchen appliances. Soot can also get pulled through registers and air vents to flow throughout the HVAC system. If left there, soot residues may corrode the air ducts, leading to system failure or increasing fire risk. Our SERVPRO crew can inspect the HVAC system to check for residues. We can also take the following actions to restore your property:

• Water removal and drying
• Soot and smoke removal
• Odor removal
• Rebuilding

Our SERVPRO team can use different air movers to generate an airflow velocity from 1,000 to 3,000 cubic feet of air per minute. We use this air movement for general ventilation to remove fumes, odors, and vapors from a building. Air movers perform several deodorization functions, and we commonly use them to ventilate a house after thermal fogging.

Thermal foggers vaporize petroleum-based or solvent-based deodorizers to generate a fog or smoke of minute particles. The particles that thermal foggers create range in size from as small as half a micron to as large as 25 microns. The particles make a fog, which appears like the smoke a fire produces, enabling the deodorizers to interact more effectively with odor-causing residues.

Our SERVPRO technicians can exchange the air in a building that has been thermal-fogged for deodorization needs forty times using air movers to ensure the complete removal of all residues and vapors.

When you need fire and smoke cleanup services, call SERVPRO of Jamestown / Olean at (716) 338-4901. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Why are Professional Fire Restoration Methods Best in Olean?

8/16/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO fire and smoke technicians are ready at a moment's notice for any size fire damage disaster.

The Advanced Fire Restoration Techniques SERVPRO Brings to Olean Residents Gets Top-Level Results Faster Than DIY!

Whether you have one room of your Olean home ravaged by a fire in multiple areas, you have a feeling of worry and stress while realizing that fire clean-up needs to begin. Because you already have so much on your shoulders, letting a team of skilled fire and smoke restoration technicians (FSRT) from SERVPRO do the work is an excellent choice. We have the proven methods, we are locally owned, and our team cares about getting your family back to their routine "Like it never even happened."

Fire restoration in Olean, when handled by our certified technicians, helps you to know that all areas of your home will be in great hands. We take the time to inspect structural elements for safety, monitor indoor air quality (IAQ), and work meticulously to ensure no foul odors linger or that moisture gets left behind from the first responders extinguishing the flames.

During the fire and smoke damage cleaning process, our team may use a variety of techniques. Often, the project will call for a combination of most or all of the following methods:

• Dry cleaning with brushes, vacuums, clothes, etc.
• Wet cleaning with sponges, mild cleansing agents, emulsions, etc.
• Agitation
• Immersion

Of course, harsh odors from soot and smoke residue will become a significant factor in our restoration process. All odors must get addressed and eliminated so you are not left with a reminder of the blaze. While mitigation and surface cleaning helps with odor control, we have a variety of other equipment and products that help us get incredible results, including:

• Air scrubbers with HEPA filtration
• Odor neutralizing pellets
• Thermal fogging machines
• Ozone generators
• Hydroxyl generators

While we hope the time never comes when you need to call us, we are here 24/7 for fire restoration and smoke remediation. Call SERVPRO of Jamestown/Olean at (716) 338-4901 for emergency response.

Steps SERVPRO Takes to Ensure Quality Fire Damage Restoration in Olean

6/24/2021 (Permalink)

A fire in your home can be very stressful. Let our skilled fire remediation specialists help get your house back to feeling like a home again.

How We Ensure Quality of Our Fire Damage Restorations

With the help of a certified restoration company like SERVPRO, fire damages can become painless to work through. We train our technicians to provide expert service and handle a wide range of variables at once, but even our most veteran technicians sometimes make mistakes. Thus, we have established an extensive process to help ensure that every last bit of damage to your home receives the attention it deserves.

Quality Control Inspection of Fire Damage

As we wrap up fire damage restorations in Olean, our production manager examines every inch of the building to identify the damage left behind. The production manager is a veteran SERVPRO employee whose task is coordinating and observing the actions of our crews on all of our projects. If they identify any potential problems in the area, they get logged into our system, and our technicians return to fix them through all available means. Typically, the production manager finds several minor problems, but it is infrequent to identify any large-scale issues at this stage.

Customer Walk-Through

Once the production manager feels that our fire damage restoration is complete, they schedule an appointment with you to conduct a joint walk-through of your home. During this walk-through, you can identify any areas or objects that you feel may require additional attention. We record all of these problems individually and work through them until you are satisfied with the results. We never close the project without your direct approval and signature - this helps us ensure quality and completion for every job we take.

Follow-Up Calls After Fire Damage Restoration

Even though we try to be as thorough as possible in our final inspections, we may still miss damaged items in your home. To ensure that we have done our job thoroughly, we place one or more follow-up calls to ensure complete satisfaction with our work. Furthermore, if you ever find additional signs of damage after the project closes, please contact us. We would be more than happy to rectify the issue.

SERVPRO of Jamestown / Olean provides 24/7 coverage of fire, water, and mold emergencies for local homeowners. Call us at (716) 338-4901 for our emergency services or a quote.

Make Your Fire Damage Remediation Dreams a Reality with SERVPRO

6/3/2021 (Permalink)

If fire damage affects your home, you need to be ready to act quickly. Stay safe and contact SERVPRO after the fire fighters leave.

Fire Damage Restoration For Olean Homes

Olean is in a great location to enjoy water sports on Lake Erie, but far enough away to miss much of the extreme weather that rolls off of it in the Fall and Winter. No home here, or anywhere in our state, is safe from a fire just because of where it rests.

Most Olean fire damage does not mean the end of the home. Much of what SERVPRO technicians take care of is removing smoke residues, cleaning floors and carpets, and making repairs like replacing drywall and ceiling tiles.

There are several dos and don’ts that any owner can take care of themselves. Getting these things done or avoiding them can help our restoration teams before they even arrive to begin work.

First, the Do’s of Fire Damage Restoration:  

Have the name of your insurance company, phone number, and policy number ready. Every company has its list of what they repair or replace. Talking to their adjuster lets our technicians quickly record and dispose of everything not restorable.

Turn off the power if any of the outlets were compromised. You can do this at the breaker box or have your power company do it at their end. It allows our team members to look everywhere and tear out walls, floors, and ceilings without the concern of being electrocuted.

Now the Don’ts of Fire Damage Restoration: 

Don’t walk through the house multiple times. Every step grinds ash and smoke residues into the carpets and floors, so staying off them makes restoration easier. If you want to look at a room often, go through the home once with your phone or a video camera. Better yet, let the insurance adjuster do that since she already knows to record everything for the company and avoid further damage.

Don’t demolish anything yourself. Tearing out a burned kitchen cabinet or throw out other damaged property is a normal reaction, but you need to avoid doing it since it might void something off the insurance company’s list. SERVPRO technicians train extensively to break down and remove items from home without spreading ash and smoke residues or causing other damage.

At SERVPRO of Jamestown / Olean, our goal is to help our neighbors here and in Olean, Jamestown, and Lakewood return to a clean, safe home ready for living in once more. No matter how little or how much damage you think you might have in your home, call us at (716) 338-4901 today. We are Here to Help.

Our Fire Damage Professionals Repair And Restore Your Jamestown Home

5/31/2021 (Permalink)

Does recent fire damage have you feeling anxious? Contact our experienced team for fire damage remediation services right away.

Restoring Fire Damaged Property In Jamestown Homes

Quick access to the Southern Tier Expressway makes Jamestown an excellent location for travel, tourism, and raising a family. The drawbacks are the same as anywhere else, though when it comes to disasters like storms, floods, and fires.

For many homeowners in Jamestown, fire damage restoration is more about the destruction of personal property rather than the home itself. Insurance can replace four walls and a roof, even a bedroom set, but it cannot replace a dining room set handed down through three generations. It is one reason that SERVPRO trains its response team members as Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technicians (FSRTs). Each learns six specific methods to clean and restore not only property but memories.

Dry Cleaning Soot Damage

Dry Cleaning is the first and most commonly used method. FSRTs have the option to brush off or wipe down surfaces covered with soot left by the fire. Here, they use dry sponges, dusting cloths, and even feather dusters on surfaces like glass tables. For thicker layers of dry soot, they also can use vacuums that also pick up larger particles.

Wet Cleaning Soot Damage

Wet Cleaning involves wiping down surfaces with cloths or sponges, water, or cleaning agents to break up thicker and stickier layers of soot. This method saturates any item that absorbs liquids.

Spray and Wipe Method to Clean Soot Damage

FSRTs use the Spray and Wipe method for applying water or a cleaning agent to materials that become damaged with too much liquid. They can apply smaller amounts that can still break up soot layers. In most cases, SERVPRO technicians use this method with a white cloth.

Foam Cleaning Soot Damage

The Foam Cleaning method uses less water for fabrics that might shrink or bleed color if they become too wet. Upholstered furniture, in particular, is at risk for both. FSRTs can use a pump-up sprayer or agitate foam from a bucket of cleaner by hand. They use a special brush designed to work the particles out of sofas or mattresses.

Abrasive Cleaning for Soot Damage

Abrasive Cleaning has two methods: an abrasive cleaner technicians work into a surface to break up layers, or an abrasive tool, steel wool pads, for example, to dig into the surface. FSRTs restrict using this method on surfaces like brick or rock.

Immersion Cleaning for Soot Damage

Immersion Cleaning is precisely that. Technicians place the item into a tank of cleaning agents to soak and loosen the soot or other contaminants from the item. For heavily covered items, FSRTs also can use ultrasonics to generate bubbles that force the agent through the item.

At SERVPRO of Jamestown / Olean, we use every method to return the contents of area homes and those in Jamestown, Olean, and Lakewood to a clean, dry state. If you need us, call today at (716) 338-4901.

SERVPRO Brings Professional Fire Damage Cleanup to Every Olean Job

5/23/2021 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO immediately after the fire truck drives away to ensure a speedy and efficient remediation process.

Olean Homeowners Count on SERVPRO for House Fire Clean UP

Many homeowners assume after a house fire, the only option is to throw anything apparent smoke damage away and bite the bullet for the cost. However, professional fire and smoke damage restoration and cleanup can make a huge difference in the number of articles and building materials thought lost to the fire.

SERVPRO's cleaning and restoration services can handle any size fire damage in Olean properties. Also, outsourcing the house fire clean up task to a professional company can normally reduce the cost of the overall fire damage claim by lowering the number of articles that require replacement. This is always the most expensive option in terms of looking at a fire claim from the viewpoint of an insurance adjuster since both costly and inexpensive items get disposed of in the same fashion. Resurfacing is another high dollar option and means the home needs the following:

• Walls and ceilings require repainting
• Upholstered furnishings need recovering
• Wood home contents necessitate refinishing

SERVPRO's technicians have extensive training for all types of smoke damage cleanup and removal, and cleaning articles negate the need for replacement, lessening the cost of the fire. 

SERVPRO of Jamestown / Olean at (716) 338-4901 is available 24/7 for any kind of fire damage in Olean properties. SERVPRO's certified technicians are Faster to Any Size Disaster.

Looking for Jamestown Kitchen Fire and Smoke Damage Cleanup?

4/1/2021 (Permalink)

Smoke remediation service is top-notch by SERVPRO. We use the latest technology and equipment for the job.

SERVPRO Fire Damage Restoration Eliminates Stains and Odors

Among the one in 20 homes that files a claim each year, one in 350 files a claim related to fire damage. Fortunately, when disaster strikes in your Jamestown home’s kitchen, fire damage restoration can begin quickly.

SERVPRO helps Jamestown homeowners receive fire damage restoration from trained technicians to minimize property damage and optimize repair and replacement savings for both structures and contents.

SERVPRO’s Smoke Remediation Techniques

SERVPRO offers fire damage restoration for Jamestown homes, focusing on remediation and repair when possible to preserve structures and contents.

Smoke remediation is a crucial part of Jamestown fire damage restoration:

• Loose, dry soot deposits are removed first to prevent the spread of dry soot through ventilation systems
• Such items as Crumbly Cleaner, dry cleaning sponges, and HEPA filter vacuums
• Negative air pressure can be established to prevent airborne particles from migrating to other rooms
• Heavy charring on wood fixtures, such as cabinets and wall studs, may require abrasion cleaning

Call SERVPRO of Jamestown / Olean for emergency fire damage restoration services at (716) 338-4901.

What if a Fire Breaks Out Overnight?

10/30/2020 (Permalink)

Fire damage to your home is terrifying regardless of the time of day or night. No matter the time SERVPRO is always here to help you Jamestown.

24-Hour Fire Damage Restoration is Available – Call SERVPRO to Have a Crew Sent to Your Jamestown Home

It is essential that you ensure you and your family are safe once you experience a fire in your Jamestown home. To give you additional peace of mind at this time, know that SERVPRO has you covered when it comes to all cleanup and restoration of your home. We have fire and smoke restoration technicians (FSRT) on our team that helps you to ensure everything gets restored to pre-fire conditions. We are available around the clock, seven days a week, and we are Faster to Any Size Disaster. Hiring us to handle your restoration gets you proven on-site cleaning methods along with industrial-grade equipment and skilled controlled demolition services.

Can You Clean All My Belongings?

The idea of losing any of your personal belongings to fire damage in Jamestown is devastating. While a house fire is sometimes unavoidable, we work fast to salvage whatever possible. Our IICRC-certified technicians have the right training to handle our advanced technology to restore rather than replace whenever possible.

In many situations, our team can clean your fire-damaged contents on-site. However, there may be times when we have to remove them using our pack-out services for detailed cleaning off-site. We often bring items to our warehouse to handle extensive soot, smoke, odors, and damage. 

Taking a closer look at cleaning, we have a wide variety of strategies that allow our technicians to remove soiling and odors from your household contents, such as:

• Chemical Agents – Emulsion often gets used when trying to eliminate stubborn residues. The chemical agents that we have in our arsenal work by protecting the surface while facilitating the removal of smoke and soot residue using pressurized water. 
• Agitation – For loosening soil buildup on surfaces, our team will sometimes use varying degrees of agitation. Methods involving dusting or steel wool work in terms of light, medium, or heavy agitation.
• Deodorizers – Smoke damage often goes beyond the zone where the fire took place. We utilize a broad range of EPA-registered products for odor removal along with advanced equipment to help neutralize odorous particles, including thermal fogging machines, hydroxyl machinery, air scrubbers, and ozone generators.

There is Moisture Left from Putting Out the Flames, Now What?

When handling the fire damage, full restoration measures must also include moisture control and water removal. Mold, odors, and moisture are common culprits for secondary damage. These elements not only make the process more time consuming but also costly and pose potential health threats. SERVPRO enlists the help of our moisture detection technology to locate and eradicate any areas of hidden moisture. 

Important points to keep in mind:

• Mold spores multiply rapidly within just 24 to 72 hours after moisture levels increase within your Jamestown home.
• While every household contains some mold spores, and they remain dormant until the ultimate conditions arise. Once materials get soaked from the water or chemicals used to douse flames, they become a breeding ground for mold and mildew.
• SERVPRO takes time to go through each area surrounding the loss zone to locate moisture, including spaces behind baseboards, under your flooring, and behind walls.
• Once all areas are dry and thoroughly cleaned, we apply EPA-certified antimicrobial solutions to inhibit mold growth.

Will All Traces of Smoke Get Eliminated?

Smoke odors after a fire become an understandable worry of most homeowners. Any smoke or soot left behind turns into a constant reminder of the event while also leading to further damage due to corrosion and discoloration of some surface areas. When smoke particles make their way into your ductwork, you run the risk of foul odors sprouting up whenever your heating or cooling gets used. SERVPRO technicians sometimes use special sealants and techniques to treat your HVAC system so that this does not happen. 

Whenever particles are present yet invisible to the naked eye, our team formulates a multi-layer deodorization approach. We use chemical deodorants with our thermal fogging equipment to bind to odor molecules for easier removal. Air scrubber technology is also convenient for pulling particulates from the air to filter through the onboard HEPA filter.

What About Structural Concerns?

When you have a house fire, it is natural to become concerned about structural integrity. Our crew enters the home and begins inspecting all structural elements to ensure structural integrity and safety. For any areas that call for further attention, we use controlled demolition and stabilization measures to bring your home back to preloss condition. Some of the areas that we address beyond structural concerns include:

• Drywall removal
• Carpet repair and installation
• Flooring repair or replacement
• HVAC services
• Plumbing 
• Board-up and tarping
• Painting, and more

SERVPRO of Jamestown/Olean is available 24 hours a day to ensure you have the reliable fire damage restoration you need. Call (716) 338-4901 to have a crew deployed to your location!

My Den in Olean Caught on Fire – Can It Be Restored?

8/17/2020 (Permalink)

Our fire damage experts can have your home back to its original state, “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO Technicians Have the Knowledge and Training to Help You Decide What Gets Restored.

Olean is the entertainment, financial, business, and transportation center of Cattaraugus County in New York. There are thousands of homes inside the city, and anyone could be impacted by fire at any moment. When that happens, our technicians can mitigate the damage and restore the residence to preloss condition. 

 Can My Paneling Be Saved?

 A den is typically office and personal space, often for men. You decorate it and make it as comfortable as you can. It may have mementos, books, and expensive furniture. It’s one of your favorite rooms in the house. You even had a fireplace put in to add to the cozy atmosphere. Then one afternoon, a spark from the fireplace lands on a stack of papers. The papers ignite and then catch the drapes. Thankfully you are near and grab the fire extinguisher, and the fire damage in your Olean den is contained. 

Soot and smoke damage can spread quickly beyond the room where the blaze occurred. Your walls are paneled and have smoke damage and possible charring. The entire content of the room has smoke residue. SERVPRO has fire and smoke restoration technicians (FSRT) that can do a scope of your home and determine, alongside you and your insurance adjuster (if present), what can be repaired and restored. The type of paneling, and the material composition, has an impact on whether or not it needs disposed of and replaced. Paneling that may be salvageable includes:

• Decorative 
• Acoustic
• Utility
• Tileboard

It may not be cost-effective to restore your paneling, but if it is something that holds special value to you may wish for restoration. Slight charring and smoke residue are what technicians often deal with in this situation. Because of the ridges that are a characteristic of paneling, the soils can be challenging to clean. Chemical sponges may use, and vacuuming can lift the soot off. Acoustic paneling can be cleaned with peroxide active cleaning. Soda blasting may work as well as spraying and wiping with specific agents.

Draperies & Carpeting

Draperies may be salvageable, but there are many factors involved. The type of smoke residue on them makes a difference as different ones require different cleaning methods. To determine the best cleaning method, our SERVPRO techs check the type of fiber, dye stability, and backing material. Pre-existing problems such as age, weakened fibers and loose seams add to the situation. Dry cleaning and hot water extraction are methods often used for restoring drapes.

Since heat rises, carpets and flooring may be the least affected, especially with contained fires. The type of carpet and the fibers involved determine which cleaning method is appropriate. If the heat damage has changed the texture of the carpet, the damage is irreversible. As the soot settles, it can bond with the carpet fibers darkening your rugs. Cleaning doesn’t always remove that discoloration.

My Desk Has Minor Damage

A desk is often the focal point of a den. It was carefully chosen and may be an heirloom. The good news is that hardwood furniture is something that has a good track record of being saved. The type of finish and the intensity of the fire damage affect the outcome.  Unfinished wood is porous and quickly absorbs moisture, odors, and smoke film. The safest method for cleaning your desk may be dry cleaning. Finished furniture such as desks have unfinished areas such as on the bottom and inside the drawers. Wet cleaning can be used on certain types of finishes and may be required for moderate levels of residue. Semi-refinishing is a solution to restoration if needed. Other items in your den that it is possible to restore are:

• Documents, books and photographs
• Personal items and mementos
• Clothing that was in the room
• File cabinets
• Upholstered furniture

Fire Damage and Restoration Services

SERVPRO is a comprehensive water and fire damage restoration company. Whether the blaze that affected your home was small and contained or more extensive requiring firefighter intervention, we can provide emergency mitigation within hours. Our Green Team is available around the clock. Disaster does not wait for a convenient time, and we understand that. Because of this, we work seven days a week, including holidays. We have homes and family, too, and can relate to how even a minor disaster can reshape your world. 

Our purpose is to clean and restore your den, so when you walk back in, it is, “Like it never even happened.” We have been restoring homes in the Olean and Jamestown area for years. Our satisfied customers can attest to our commitment to restoring your home. Contact SERVPRO of Jamestown / Olean at (716) 338-4901 for professional fire damage service. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

How Can I Recover Quickly From a Devastating House Fire?

8/4/2020 (Permalink)

Let us help you get your Jamestown home back in order after a fire devastation. We are always available to help you.

Jamestown Area Fire Damage Restoration Companies, Like SERVPRO, Can Help You Overcome the Effects of a House Fire Fast.

Annually, particularly during the winter, Jamestown is the site of numerous house fires. These often result from home heating mishaps, clogged chimneys, and heater malfunctions. Regardless of a fire’s cause, services like SERVPRO can help.

There are several things SERVPRO, a Jamestown Fire Damage Restoration service, does to rapidly return your residence to its pre-fire condition. These measures work to restore your home’s structural integrity, remove destructive residues from its surfaces, return its aesthetically-pleasing appearances, and eliminate foul fire-related odors. Some of the procedures our experienced technicians take to remediate your fire-damaged home are:

Using high-velocity box fans to rapidly ventilate your house

Employing high-tech air scrubbers to eliminate odorous airborne particles

Counteracting foul odors with Vaportek devices and ozone gas generators

Sanitizing HVAC ducts with innovative cleaning systems

Injecting deodorants into odorous carpets and upholstery with injection devices

Using state-of-the-art foggers to neutralize unpleasant smells in hard-to-access places

Once completed, these actions often restore your residence’s pre-fire appearances and smell. Many times, they also save your prized furnishings and other possessions.

What Can SERVPRO Successfully Restore?

SERVPRO has a long track record of returning homes and their contents to pre-fire condition. We are skilled in cleaning and remediating all types of materials in various areas of your residence. Our technicians have successfully restored ceilings, attic rafters, walls, and floors. They have also renewed different kinds of flooring and upholstered furnishings made of a wide array of fabrics. Additionally, we have remediated HVAC systems and saved many highly valuable items like business records, Persian rugs, and priceless paintings. Whatever your home has, our professionals likely have extensive experience in restoring.

Considering all this, if your home is ever damaged by a fire, call SERVPRO of Jamestown/Olean at (716) 338-4901 for assistance.

See more about Jamestown.

Who Do I Call For Local Fire Damage Restoration Services?

7/20/2020 (Permalink)

You can contact our professionals 24/7. Our fire damage experts are trained in fire & smoke restoration, odor control, upholstery and fabric cleaning.

SERVPRO of Jamestown Can Provide Fire Damage Restoration Services to Your Home!

Unfortunately, many Jamestown homes can experience fire damage. Many people envision a fire on their property as a catastrophic event, but in reality, many are small and quite easy to put out and remediate. Despite this, here at SERVPRO, we believe professional services should be available for you no matter the scale of the damages on your property. Always remember, We're Faster To Any Size Disaster. 

Getting professional Jamestown fire damage restoration services to your home should be as easy as a phone call. Here at SERVPRO, we want to provide you with swift and excellent service, so you can get back to enjoying your home, as it should be. Imagine a scenario where an evening cooking session went wrong and caused a small fire in your apartment. Calling for help right away could do more for your home than you may think. Rapid removal of burned elements greatly reduces the negative impact of persistent odors and degradation of contents.

Does Getting Help Immediately Really Make a Difference? 

We're not exaggerating when we say that water, mold, flood, and fire damages are time-sensitive for best case recovery. Several problems could be avoided and resolved if you called for immediate help, such as: 

• Pungent odors

• Staining and yellowing of furniture, plastics, and cupboards

• Scattered debris and ash 

Fires leave behind a mess after they burn. Don't burden yourself with the responsibility of cleaning them up. Our IICRC-certified (Institution of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification) technicians can remediate the damages so you can focus on your life. 

How Do Your Technicians Remove the Smell of Fire? 

Depending on what burned in your home, flames have a way of leaving behind unpleasant malodors. To help remove them, our technicians can: 

• Take a technological approach by using devices such as hydroxyl generators and air scrubbers fitted with HEPA filters to trap scent-causing particles 

• Thermal foggers if needed to recombine malodorous particles into neutral, non-smelling compounds

• Use elbow grease and homemade cleaning agents, to reduce smoke residue and the foul odors that go with it

• Use priming paints to lock in unpleasant smells 

In reality, our SERVPRO technicians use all approaches that are appropriate to reducing odor in your home after a fire. 

What About the Mess From My Fire Extinguisher? 

Many apartments have special fire extinguishing systems designed to drop a fine powder on flames. While the powder does an excellent job snuffing out a blaze, it can cause quite a mess. Our technicians can: 

• Use vacuums to remove a vast majority of the powder from around your kitchen

• Remove your cabinetry, to ensure the dust is cleaned and not gathering in cracks and under toe kicks

• Use special attachments to clean up powder in hard to reach places 

Here at SERVPRO, we strive to make you feel like we have your back. You can sit back and relax while our technicians handle the mess and the damage. It's our goal to return your home to its preloss state, so you can return to a home that feels, "Like it never even happened."

What About Damaged Materials? What Do You Do With Them? 

Our technicians can quickly demolish any structures beyond saving in your home to keep time on our side. We can start by: 

• Bagging up damaged drywall and bringing to the curbside, for city disposal

• Cleaning up any debris and garbage from the sight of the fire, so we can get to structure damage as quickly as possible 

• For extreme cases, we can hire disposal services to bring a dumpster to your home so that we can dispose of all the damaged materials at once

It is rare for our technicians to need to gut out a home entirely, but it is not unheard of. No matter the severity of the fire, our technicians can help you get your home on the path to recovery. Cleaning up the mess is just the first step to mitigating the damages inside. 

When it comes to fire damage inside of your home, remember that fast action makes a difference for the outcome. Never wait when disaster strikes your home. It is often more cost-effective to fix the problem immediately and helps your home maintain its longevity.  

Do not wait to get help when your home really needs it. Speak with a representative of SERVPRO of Jamestown / Olean by dialing the number (716) 338-4901. No matter the time or the day of the week, our technicians are ready to help you in your time of need. 

A Small Fire Has Affected Part of My Home. Can I Perform the Cleanup Myself?

6/16/2020 (Permalink)

We can board windows and tarp the roof to protect the structure after a fire to prevent secondary damage.

It Is Advisable to Involve Restoration Professionals to Prevent More Fire Damage in Your Jamestown Home

The fire incident might seem small but can cause costly damages if not handled on time by an expert. The smoke odor can persist in the affected area, and the soot can discolor surfaces in your Jamestown property.

Should I contact my insurance company or restoration experts first?

After the firefighters put out the destructive flames, it is counter-intuitive to call anyone else before talking to your insurance company. However, it is essential to contact SERVPRO technicians to handle the fire damage in your Jamestown home. When a fire happens, it causes both primary and secondary damage. Quickly calling a restoration company can help reduce secondary damage, such as:

• Smoke odor
• Residue from soot and smoke which can imbed in materials
• Water damage resulting from firefighting efforts.

Can you work with my insurance company?

When the insurance adjuster gets to the affected area to inspect the damage, our technicians can work closely together with the professional. We remain objective and help our customers to document the destruction to make it easier for them to file their claims.

How secure is my property during restoration?

The restoration process may take a few days, depending on the magnitude of damage. During this time, severe weather such as heavy rainfall can ruin valuables in your property. Therefore, our technicians board up all openings using plywood. If the fire damaged your roof, we could tarp it.

How do you clean soot and smoke residues on surfaces?

At SERVPRO, we have advanced products that can clean soot and smoke residues on various surfaces. Some materials and surfaces in your property cannot withstand aggressive agitation or direct application of cleaning products. We clean these surfaces safely by using products that absorb the soot and smoke residues from the materials. Our technicians can use a solvent spotter mixed with stain absorption powder, which is absorbent enough to remove residues from porous surfaces such as:

• Upholstery and fabrics
• Carpets
• Draperies
• Marble

We apply the mixture, a thin slurry pastes on the affected surface, and allow it to dry. That provides the product with ample time to absorb the residues before we vacuum off the dirt.

After a fire loss, call SERVPRO of Jamestown / Olean at (716) 338-4901. We have the expertise to restore your property to its preloss condition quickly. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.     

More about Jamestown.

Four Things to Do After a Fire

2/4/2019 (Permalink)

Don't be a victim of a fire in your Olean, NY home

What To Do After Fire

Being the victim of a fire in Olean,NY can be devastating. First the flames hit, then came the fire hoses, and now you are looking at your home and possessions with questions: what do I do now, who do I call and what is fire restoration. Here are four things to think about once you are faced with soot, smoke and damage cleaning.

1. Don't Spread the Debris

Try to minimize how much you move around the damaged areas once you return to your home. The more you move around your rooms, the more soot particles attach to your hands and shoes. When you move from a damaged room to an untouched room you can track the debris into a previously clean room.

2. Remove Damaged Items Safely

Start the fire restoration process by removing damaged items. Objects with soot or smoke damage, such as dishes, books and artwork, can be easily removed. However, some items can be harder to move because they've become water logged. Rugs, sofas and carpeting can be deceptively heavy and should be carefully withdrawn.

3. Get the Soot Out

Soot, the fine particulate matter that can land on every surface, needs to be completely removed to mitigate both its impact and potential for future damage. Flat surfaces are the most visible places for soot to land, but it can also end up on vertical blinds, light bulbs and porous air filters.

4. Don't Try to Wash It Away

Electrical appliances need to be assessed for damage before they get cleaned. Likewise, upholstery, woodwork and painted surfaces should be cleaned by professionals who know the right cleansers for each surface. You want to ensure that both fire and smoke damage are addressed during cleanup.

A fire can be a devastating catastrophe in Olean,NY if you don't know the fire restoration process. Following a few simple steps can make that process much easier.

How To Make a Home Fire Escape Plan

12/20/2018 (Permalink)

Practice your evacuation plan in your Olean, NY home

A fire escape plan should account for the layout of a home and the needs of the occupants. This guide to making an emergency escape plan draws attention to several factors you should consider. Planning ahead can promote the safety of every occupant in a household in Olean, NY.

Plan Evacuation Routes

A fire plan should have at least two evacuation routes from every room in a house. To develop this plan you should:

• Work with an accurate floor plan
  
• Practice using evacuation routes
  
• Factor in the age and physical condition of occupants

If your home has two stories, you may want to invest in a non-combustible escape ladder. Keep hallways and other passages clear at all times.

Plan for Children

It is very important to account for children in a fire escape plan. In addition to child-appropriate evacuation routes, it is also a good idea to teach kids:

• How to roll out of bed
  
• Fire crawls
  
• How to check doors
  

You may want to test a fire alarm during drills so that children will associate these safety measures with the sound. It is important that kids participate in drills.

Plan for Pets

A homeowner can take several measures to promote pet fire safety. It is a good idea to:

• Post pet decals near the front entrance and exterior doors
  
• Store pet records in a fire box
  
• Practice evacuating with pets
  

A decal should indicate the number and type of pets in a household. A fire box can be easy to grab, but may also protect important documents if it is left behind.

The Red Cross provides further guidance on developing a fire escape plan. If a fire breaks out at your home in Olean, NY, contact the fire department as soon as possible. Once the fire is extinguished you should schedule a consultation with a fire damage restoration company.

Removing Dryer Lint From the Exhaust Area

10/24/2018 (Permalink)

If you recently noticed a lot of lint buildup in the dryer at your Lakewood,NY, home, the risk of a lint fire might have crossed your mind. It can be especially hazardous for lint to build up in the dryer’s exhaust area. Here are five steps to take if you want to rid your appliance’s exhaust section from lint and avoid a dryer fire.

1. Clean the Lint Filter

Before you do anything else, make sure to clean off the dryer’s lint filter. You will also want to do this every time you are about to run the machine. You can usually remove this lint with your hand, but you can also run the filter under water.

2. Unplug Your Dryer

Before you do any further work to prevent a lint fire, make sure the dryer equipment is unplugged. Forgetting to do so could cause a dangerous accident.

3. Access Exhaust Area

Take off the panel at the back of the dryer and remove the hose at the machine’s exhaust area. You can then reach the inside of your dryer and the exhaust section to clean out lint.

4. Clean Dryer Interior

Your next task is to clean the interior of the machine and the exhaust area. A cloth and a vacuum are the best tools to use.

5. Repeat Steps Yearly

To avoid an accident that leads to fire damage, you generally need to keep your dryer as lint-free as possible. Repeat the four steps above every six months.

Lint fire prevention can seem very challenging, but the five steps above should really help you to be prepared. As long as you remember to keep checking for lint and getting rid of it when you do find it, you will be in a better position to keep your Lakewood,NY, home free of dryer fires.

How To Avoid Space Heater Fires

9/26/2018 (Permalink)

A space heater can provide extra warmth. It can also save on heating bills by allowing you to set the thermostat in your home in Jamestown, NY, on low while still heating the specific rooms you are using to a comfortable temperature. A burned space heater doesn't help you, though. To avoid space heater fires, you need to follow a few simple tips.

Give It Space

The heating elements on a space heater give off an impressive amount of heat, but they can turn into a fire hazard quickly if they are crowded. There are several guidelines to make sure you have enough space around your heater:

• Maintain radius of three feet from flammable objects
• Don't use near combustible substances, such as gasoline
• Keep children and pets away from heater
• Set it on a level surface so it doesn't topple over

Turn It Off

To avoid having a burned space heater when you leave the room, remember to turn it off. Space heaters should never be left unattended while they are on, especially if you leave the house altogether. In fact, it's a good idea to unplug the heater when you are not at home. Keep an eye out for a frayed or otherwise damaged cord.

Space Heater Tips

9/26/2018 (Permalink)

Keep It Clean!

Keep your space heater clean to minimize fire risk. Dust and other debris can turn a functioning space heater into an electric fireplace in a hurry. Replace filters regularly according to the manufacturer's recommendation so that dirt does not infiltrate the heating mechanism. Follow maintenance instructions so that it not only lasts a long time but also does not become a safety issue.

A burned space heater can turn convenience into a nightmare. By following these simple guidelines, you can increase your creature comforts while still keeping you and your family safe. To avoid having to call for fire cleanup with a restoration company, choose a space heater that is safe and use it safely.

SERVPRO of Jamestown/Olean is ready for any damage that might happen in the Jamestown, NY, area. We're competent and certified for any fire damage, no matter how it started.

What To Consider in Your Fire Damage Claim

8/22/2018 (Permalink)

Fire can be tragic to your home or business, be prepared.

A building fire in Jamestown, NY, can be a financial disaster, but it’s often surprising how much a property can be damaged even if the fire is minimal. Fire damage is not just limited to flame. Structural and personal property damage may also come from one of the secondary aspects of a fire, such as:

• Heat
• Smoke
• Soot
• Water

Insurance Claims

Your insurance adjuster may need records of purchases, photos, and floorplans to help with the claim. You are already aware of the structural damage for your claim, but don’t forget about damage to contents as well. Any photos you have of the buildings contents and structure before the fire can be helpful with your claim.

You may not even be aware of some damage because you don’t see it. Consider electronics equipment and appliances that may have been damaged by smoke and water, even though they were spared from heat and fire. These require cleaning to prevent further damage. Acid from smoke can corrode electrical connections, and water can damage components.

Business Interruption

When you experience a building fire, you may have business losses, and your insurance may include coverage for these costs. These usually include the financial impact of not doing business, or additional costs that are needed to continue the business, such as:

• Revenues that you would otherwise have earned if it had not been for the fire loss
• Ongoing rent and utilities on a property that you can’t use due to fire damage
• Loss of production from being moved off your property or for a temporary relocation
• Loss of business because of employees that left as a result of the fire

Be prepared to provide a lot of documentation to a forensic accountant doing the legwork in assessing your losses.

Recovery Process

The professional fire mitigation company you work with will be helpful with cataloging your losses and providing information for your insurance claim. They are efficient and organized with the process, minimizing your headache by providing all your fire damage mitigation and restoration needs with just one company.

For more on Jamestown click here. 

Get Smart About Smart Smoke Alarms

7/21/2018 (Permalink)

Protect your family with smoke alarms and test frequently to ensure your family is safe incase of a fire

People have been dreaming of home automation since The Jetsons appeared on television in the sixties. Homes in Jamestown, NY are finally getting smart now with cameras, thermostats, speakers and even smart lightbulbs. Did you know a smoke alarm can be smart too? Should you replace your current smoke detector with a smart device?


Smart devices are still using the same sensing technology that the old-fashioned devices use, which use either ionic or photoelectric. The smart part is that the device sends a notification to your phone whenever the alarm sounds. You will need wireless internet in your home for it to work, but here are some different device options for getting that notification on your phone:


* Install smart smoke detectors. If it's time to replace the devices in your home, consider replacing them with smart smoke detectors. Prices are coming down on these. Many models are still around $100 or more, but some are now around $40.

* Use smart batteries. This year, you can replace your smoke alarm's batter with a smart one that lasts for five years and sends you notifications. The smart battery is used in your current smoke alarm, pushing a notification to your phone whenever the alarm goes off. If the detector is solely battery powered, that smart little battery can also be used to hush the alarm. That doesn't work if the device is hardwired.

* Plug in a monitor. Instead of your nosey neighbor telling you when the alarm is going off, you can buy a monitor that plugs into an electrical outlet. This is a great option to get smart notification without replacing multiple smoke detectors in your home. Monitors listen for the frequency of another smoke alarm and send you a notification when that sound is detected.

When it comes to fire safety for your family, fire alarms are one of the most important ways to protect your family. If you do have a fire, thankfully a well-placed and well-maintained alarm will help your family get out fast and restoration specialists can help remedy any smoke and fire damage.

For more on Jamestown click here. 

5 Tips To Prevent Space Heater Fires

5/9/2018 (Permalink)

Space heaters can keep you warm in the winter months but could also cause fires.

Space heaters are a great way to keep your home warm during cold winter months. However, incorrect use can lead to a burned space heater that causes fire and smoke damage. Here are some tips to keep your Jamestown, NY, home safe and warm despite frosty temps.

1. Read the Manufacturer’s Instructions

It may seem obvious, but the best place to start is by reading the manufacturer’s instructions—and following them. If your heater requires fuel, only use those that are manufacturer-recommended. Keep filters clean. Take a close look at warning labels.

2. Keep Some Distance

One of the leading causes of heater fires is proximity to flammable materials. Be sure to keep heaters at least 3 feet away from curtains, clothing and furniture. Don’t place them on rugs or carpet.
In addition, keep the heater clear of any walking paths or high-traffic areas in your home. This will help eliminate any tripping hazards and prevent anyone from knocking it over or brushing up against it.

3. Plug It Directly Into the Wall

Extension cords and power strips should not be used. To help avoid overheating, always plug the appliance directly into the wall outlet, and don’t run the cord under carpets or rugs. It is wise to inspect the cord for damage before each use.

4. Turn It Off

Always unplug and turn a heater off before you go to sleep or leave home. Space heaters should never be left unattended.

5. Install Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms should be installed near every bedroom and on every floor of your home. Make sure they work by testing them monthly. In the unfortunate event of a burned space heater, an alarm can help ensure that smoke cleanup is your biggest concern.

Space heaters are excellent appliances for keeping small spaces warm when it’s cold outside, but before you use one in your Jamestown, NY, home, safety should always come first. Remembering important safety tips will help you avoid a burned space heater and protect your life and home.

Click here for more on Jamestown.

5 Tips for Staying Safe While Using Space Heaters

2/7/2018 (Permalink)

Space heaters can be a great way to stay cozy. During cold weather in Jameston, New York, they can help you to be more comfortable in your home, but they can also be a fire hazard. Luckily, if you keep a few simple safety tips in mind, you should be able to avoid dealing with a burned space heater.

1. Keep the Area Clear

One of the easiest ways a space heater fire can start is if there are flammable materials in contact with the heater. Keep anything flammable, especially items made from paper and fabric, well away from the heater.

2. Choose the Right Location

Anywhere that is too confined can create a perfect recipe for a burned space heater. Don’t put the heater beneath desks or other furniture. Instead, try to put the heater in an open area where it won’t come into contact with anything.

3. Pay Attention

It can be dangerous to leave space heaters unattended. You should never leave them turned on when you’re out of the room or away from home. If you’re paying attention to the heater, you should be able to stop problems before they turn into emergencies.

4. Use Safety Features

When shopping for a heater, you can try to find one that has an automatic shut-off feature. While you still should never leave the space heater unattended, it can be one more layer of safety.

5. Keep Filters Clean

Space heaters have filters that can become clogged with dust, pet hair, or other debris in the air. Clogged filters can cause the heater to overheat and ignite. Clean the filter regularly to help prevent any issues.

Fires can be dangerous and lead to extensive (as well as expensive) smoke cleanup. Don’t get stuck with a burned space heater. Being mindful of how and where you use your heater can help you to stay safe.

Visit for more information on fire at http://www.SERVPROjamestownolean.com.

5 Simple Steps to prevent spread of smoke/soot damage

9/13/2017 (Permalink)

Even in the wet season of spring, fires can occur. It is very common for property owners to reenter the building as soon as the fire is out to check on their furniture and other possessions. Here are 5 simple tips to limit further damage before SERVPRO arrives.

•Make sure everyone is safe and the fire is safely out before reentering the property.

•Limit movement inside to prevent soot particles from being embedded in upholstery and carpet.

•Keep hands clean. Soot on hands can further soil upholstery, walls, and woodwork.

•Place dry, colorfast towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery, and carpet traffic areas.

•Wipe soot from chrome on kitchen and bathroom faucets, trim, and appliances, then protect these surfaces with a light coating of lubricant.

Unfortunately fires happen, but by keeping these tips in mind and the expert restoration by SERVPRO of Jamestown/Olean your property will look “Like tt never even happened.”

Fire Damage Restoration

9/7/2017 (Permalink)

The smoke from this fire left severe damage to much of the furniture in the property. The smoke billowed and the soot covered everything in a think layer. When the damage is this bad it can be hard to imagine what a successful cleaning will look like. This picture perfectly depicts the difference that our crew made. Thanks to the speedy work of SERVPRO of Jamestown/Olean this property damaged in a fire is starting to look "Like it never even happened." Our clients will be "seeing themselves" smiling at the complete restoration done by SERVPRO of Jamestown/Olean! Also be sure to check out the general photo gallery page as well as the before/after section on our website SERVPROjamestownolean.com to see more images from this job and many others. 

What's behind your oven

8/23/2017 (Permalink)

When was the last time you did a deep clean of the kitchen? You probably mopped the floor and washed the sink but did you remembered that the space behind an oven is a prime spot for disgusting messes to accumulate? Homeowners tend to not bother cleaning behind their oven because it is a heavy object to move or are worried about messing with the gas line. This property in Chautauqua, NY had quite a bit of build up in that area. Luckily, our crew can tackle any mess! Sometimes even smaller messes can be stressful or overwhelming so if you go home to check behind that oven and feel overwhelmed with what you find you know who to call. SERVPRO of Jamestown/ Olean are your experts in deep cleaning.

Cigarette Caused Smoke Damage

8/23/2017 (Permalink)

Of course, cigarettes are harmful to our bodies but did you know that they can also be very damaging to our home? Aside from the obvious fire hazard (house fires frequently occur due to smoking indoors), smoking can also cause unattractive stains to walls and the ceiling. Smoke, in this case from cigarettes, discolor paint and wall paper and often leave an unappealing odor engrained in walls, furniture, and carpet. Unfortunately the smell and staining can be hard to remove without a complete deep clean. We recently visited a property with this problem. As you can see there was pretty severe staining on the wall as a result of the cigarette smoke. Luckily our crew are experts in deep cleaning so the wall was left looking as good as new. Check out our before/after photo gallery to see the results!

Trust the Pros: How Fire Damage Restoration Works

8/23/2017 (Permalink)

Trust the Pros: How Fire Damage Restoration Works

Fire in a home or fire in a business establishment can be life changing, and not in a good way. Unbeknownst to those who have not experienced it, the fire cleanup can be just as frustrating as the fire damage itself. This is because there are myriad hidden and secondary problems that come along with fire damage restoration, regardless if it is fire damage in a home or commercial fire damage. Smoke damage, soot damage, and even smoke smells left behind by the blaze continue to plague homeowners and business owners for years if the fire damage restoration is not handled properly. A professional restoration company can relieve much of the stress involved in restoration of residential and commercial fire damage, by following tried and true methodical fire cleanup procedures.

The first step in fire damage restoration for a professional restoration company is to send out an inspection and assessment team. This team will observe the fire damage, and prioritize which problems need immediate attention and what fire damage was simply cosmetic. Commercial fire damage can be especially harsh on structures depending upon what materials the business had on hand, and the extent of the fire in the business establishment. The inspection and assessment experts from the restoration company will identify if the commercial fire damage will require specialized tools or methods to remove more advanced smoke damage, soot damage, and smoke smell.

If the restoration company determines it is necessary, the next step is typically referred to as board up. As the term implies, board up is where the restoration company will literally board up broken windows and doors caused by fire damage or fire crews putting out the inferno. The board up step is done early on in the process to prevent the outside element from causing additional damage to the property.

The next stage seems counter intuitive, as instead of dealing with fire cleanup it turns to water cleanup. As it turns out, smoke damage, soot damage, smoke smells and other types of fire damage are not the only mutilations to a structure during a fire. This is because fire crews utilize massive amounts of water to douse flames when there is a fire in a home or business. The large amount of water can cause the same damage to an establishment as a flood or burst pipe. Therefore, professionals ensure that standing water and excessive moisture are removed before proceeding with the fire cleanup.

Once the water cleanup is complete, the cleanup process turns to the smoke damage, soot damage, and smoke smells left behind by the fire. Clean up teams are typically very experienced in identifying these types of damage, and are particularly careful in removing soot and smoke stains from everything. Smoke and fire are permeating, causing this particular task to be herculean for cleanup teams. Thus, many business and homeowners who experience a fire in a home or fire in a business turn to professionals to accomplish the chore.

After teams have removed all of the soot damage and smoke stains from the establishment, the next step in fire damage restoration is cleaning and repair of damage to the structure. This involves removing and disposing of all the debris created when a building endures a fire, and repairing or replacing key structural deficiencies caused by the fire. Fire can be extremely damaging to the structural integrity of a home, making this an exceptionally important step. No home or business owner would wish to go through the fire cleanup process only to have their establishment be condemned or collapse because of a previous fire.

When cleaning and repair of structural problems is complete teams enter the final step, restoration. Fire in a home and fire in a business are very damaging, and after the inferno stops home and business owners want to return to normalcy. Therefore, the final step of restoration includes replacing damaged cosmetic affects such as drywall, paint, carpeting, and etcetera which allows the home or business owner to have close to their original establishment back. When finished, the restoration from burned husk to home or business is complete, and the owner of the building can return to their life before the fire.
Visit http://www.SERVPROjamestownolean.com for more information on fire damage.

Can Property Be Recovered after a Fire?

7/27/2017 (Permalink)

Can Property Be Recovered after a Fire?

Property owners are usually devastated after a fire in a home or a fire in a business due to the loss of property. Smoke damage and soot damage settle into fabrics and surfaces minutes after a fire and can seem irredeemable. Water damage from firefighting can quickly flood any fire in a home or a fire in a business and cause even more of a headache for a property owner. Commercial fire damage can bankrupt businesses quickly. The smoke smell that lingers after a fire can be extremely irritating. However, the good news is that a restoration company specializing in fire damage restoration can recover much of the value of a property that has undergone a disaster.

A fire in a home or a fire in a business should immediately be put out by firefighters, but the water used in firefighting can often flood the entire property. It is important to call a restoration company immediately so that industrial water extractors as well as dehumidifiers can be employed to dry out the property. This will allow for further fire damage restoration to continue. Fire damage can be limited by firefighting, but the water must be removed quickly to prevent water damage. Disinfectants and antimicrobials will also be used by the fire cleanup team in order to prevent further damage by the growth of mold or fungus.

Fire damage can compromise locks, doors, and windows, so these properties should be boarded up quickly. Individuals are able to board up their own doors and windows, but it is generally considered to be safer to allow a professional to board up and entry points to a fire damaged property. Fire cleanup teams are experienced in boarding up these openings and can do so quickly and efficiently.

Fire cleanup will proceed after the property has been dried and boarded up. Much of the value of the property will be recovered from removing any debris from the premises. Commercial fire damage will especially call for the removal of debris using heavy machinery. Fire damage can cause large amounts of debris to accumulate and require special disposal by a licensed technician. Smoke damage and soot damage may also cause items to be unsalvageable and require disposal. Fire cleanup teams are familiar with the special regulations that are necessary to remove this debris. Personal items that need to be removed and evaluated for restoration will also be removed at this step so that the premises can be worked on directly. The property owners and the restoration company can discuss how and whether or not to restore individual items.

An odor control technician will usually be used to reduce any smoke smell that remains in the property. Using an air purifier, he or she will be able to clear out smoke smells from smoke damage and soot damage. This odor control can recover much of the value lost, especially from commercial fire damage. Getting rid of the smoke smell is something every restoration company specializes in. Commercial fire damage can cause odors that take a while to remove, but with the right equipment and the right licensed professional, any smoke smell can be removed.

Fire damage restoration can also include replacing paint, drywall, or rebuilding entire parts of the property. Some restoration companies will offer this service or provide the contact information for the appropriate contractors. This will allow for the property owner to rebuild and regain the value of their property. That way, a fire in a home or a fire in a business does not need to render the entire property unusable.

Although most individuals are confused and shocked when they experience their first fire, a restoration company has seen it all. They will be able to offer services depending on the kind of fire damage, soot damage, or smoke damage that may be occurred. Fire damage restoration can transform a damaged property back to its pre-fire status. Visit http://www.SERVPROjamestownolean.com for more information on fire damage.

Fire Damage Restoration Before/After

3/14/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Jamestown/Olean "Like it Never Even Happened"

They say a picture is worth a thousand words the photo below definitely proves that. This dresser was severely discolored by smoke damage but thanks to the quick work from the experts at SERVPRO Jamestown/Olean it is on its way to looking "Like it never even happened!" The photo of this dresser illustrates just how damaging smoke can be. Fires are already bad enough but the deadly byproduct, smoke, can leave lasting stains and other general discoloration on walls and furniture. The image also depicts how thorough our crew's work is. We don't just get rid of the damage, we make sure it looks brand new. This is just one image from this particular job so be sure to check out our photo gallery page to see all of our work here and at many other properties!