Getting rid of smoke smell after a fire

9/18/2024 (Permalink)

Your stuff matters. Let us take care of it for you.

It’s important to address smoke and soot damage quickly. While unpleasant, the lingering effects of long-term exposure to smoke and soot particles can pose health risks to your family or staff, and possible additional damage to the affected property.

There are some things you can do after contacting a professional restoration company that specializes in fire damage and smoke odor restoration, like SERVPRO of Madison, Rockcastle, Garrard, and Lincoln Counties, to reduce the smell and begin the cleaning process:

• Ventilation: Circulate fresh air throughout the property by opening doors and windows to remove the smoke and soot particles and soften the smell.

• Surface Cleaning: Use soot sponges to remove soot particles from hard surfaces like flooring, walls, ceiling, and objects like picture frames, dressers, etc.
  • A high-efficiency vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter can also be used to remove these particles. Our team of technicians are certified to ensure equipment like this is used properly.

• Soft Contents Cleaning: Fabric materials like clothing, curtains, and linens can be stained from smoke and soot damage after a fire. These items require specialty cleaning to be restored to best condition.
  • An experienced dry cleaner may be able to help, or, SERVPRO®’s ESPORTA machines can make it “like it never even happened”!

Fire damage cleanup is a complex process. When handling the effects of fire, such as soot and smoke removal, it’s recommended to contact a restoration professional.

SERVPRO of Madison, Rockcastle, Garrard, and Lincoln Counties is Here to Help™ restore your Richmond home or business!

National Preparedness Month

9/13/2024 (Permalink)

Around half of businesses close permanently after experiencing a disaster.

Disaster doesn’t care. It can, and will, happen at any time.

Preparation is KEY to minimizing costs and damages during a disaster event.

As Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell puts it, pre-disaster planning on "blue sky days" is essential.

Each year in September during National Preparedness Month FEMA creates a campaign focused on spreading preparedness awareness to marginalized groups, which you can learn more about by visiting fema.gov.

SERVPRO of Madison, Rockcastle, Garrard, and Lincoln Counties helps prepare businesses by completing complimentary, customized, digital pre-disaster planning tool kits called Emergency Ready Profiles (ERPs). With an ERP, business operations know exactly who to call, what to do, and where to go in the event of a property emergency like water damage or fire damage.

This toolkit puts businesses ahead of the curve by ensuring all necessary documents, contact information, and facility information are securely stored in one place: your pocket! The convenience of having an ERP accessible through a mobile app eliminates the need to search for paperwork when time is precious and stress is high, during a disaster event.

Be prepared and get ahead. Disaster strikes at any time, usually when least expected! Pre-disaster planning makes all the difference.

SERVPRO of Madison, Rockcastle, Garrard, & Lincoln Counties graciously recognized as a Top 100 SERVPRO Franchise!

9/3/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Convention continues to blow us away each year. Looking forward to next year!

Owners, key operations, and kiddos had a blast at the 2024 SERVPRO® Convention in Nashville, TN in early July. This annual event gathers franchisees from across the country to combine celebration and commitment in the name of “Staying on Mission” – building the Brand with strategic excellence.

Top-performing franchises are recognized at the Awards Extravaganza night, and we’re thrilled to share that we made the Top 100 List this year – a true testament to our team’s dedication to making it “Like it never even happened” happen for our customers!

To be recognized as a Top 100 Franchise within the entire SERVPRO network of over 2,000 is an incredible honor.

So, why choose a Top 100 SERVPRO franchise? Here’s 5 reasons:

• Expertise: Our team is equipped to tackle disasters of any size with the highest level of professionalism. We consistently deliver results in cleaning, restoration, and construction projects on both the residential and commercial scale.

• Techniques: We keep up with the latest industry trends in technology, procedures, and strategies to strengthen our brand and enhance our customer experience, to provide the best solutions to our clients.

• Services: Our skill set is comprehensive when it comes to all things cleaning, restoration, and construction. From water mitigation, mold remediation, duct cleaning, mold and air quality testing, to home remodeling, our team is Here to Help™.

• Capacity: With teams across KY, OH, and IN, we are at the ready to respond to emergencies and serve our local communities when it matters most.

• Client-Minded: Customer satisfaction is our top priority. We’re committed to WOWing our customers by being heroes in their time of need. Clear communication processes and custom solutions ensure satisfaction.

Thank you to our client community for trusting SERVPRO of Madison, Rockcastle, Garrard, and Lincoln counties to deliver quality restorative care to your properties when disaster strikes and thank you to our SERVPRO community for consistent collaboration and support.

It is truly an honor to receive the Top 100 recognition, and it excites our team to continue to strive for greatness!

Why should you keep your smoke alarms updated in your Richmond home?

9/18/2023 (Permalink)

Change the batteries in your smoke alarm!

Smoke Detector Updates for your Richmond Home

Smoke alarms are vital because they provide an early warning in the event of a fire. Here are a few reasons why smoke alarms are essential:

Early detection: Smoke alarms can detect smoke and fire in its early stages, even before you may smell or see it. This early warning gives you and your family more time to safely evacuate the premises or take necessary precautions.

Life-saving: Smoke inhalation is a major cause of fire-related deaths. By alerting you to the presence of smoke, smoke alarms give you a better chance to escape before the smoke becomes overwhelming.

Property protection: Fire can cause significant damage to your property. With early detection from smoke alarms, firefighters can be notified sooner, increasing the chance of minimizing damage to your home or other buildings.

Peace of mind: Knowing that you have functioning smoke alarms installed in your home provides peace of mind for you and your family. It adds an extra layer of safety and protection, reducing the risk of injury or loss of life in the event of a fire.

Smoke alarms are indeed essential for ensuring the safety of your home. It's recommended to replace the batteries in your smoke alarms at least once a year. Additionally, smoke alarms themselves should be replaced every 10 years, as their sensors can become less effective over time. Regularly testing your smoke alarms and keeping them clean from dust or debris is also important.

Commercial Water Damage

9/13/2023 (Permalink)

Commercial water damage at a university. Our crew arrived and worked for weeks to remediate this water loss.

Water and Fire Damage for Commercial Restoration

Residents of Richmond, Berea, Irvine, Waco, and surrounding areas: SERVPRO® of Madison, Rockcastle, Garrard, and Lincoln Counties is a reputable company known for their expertise in handling commercial water and fire damage restoration. 

Our team of trained technicians has access to advanced equipment and technology specifically designed for these situations. Our restoration professionals are trained in using specialized equipment to mitigate the damage caused by water or fire incidents.

For commercial water damage restoration, we utilize advanced moisture detection tools such as infrared cameras and hygrometers to locate hidden water and moisture. We also have powerful water extractors, dehumidifiers, and air movers to efficiently dry and dehumidify affected areas, preventing further damage and potential mold growth.

In the case of fire damage, we employ specialized equipment for smoke and soot removal, deodorization, and thorough cleaning. This includes high-efficiency vacuums with HEPA filters, ozone machines, air scrubbers, and thermal fogging equipment. These tools are designed to effectively remove smoke particles, eliminate odors, and restore the affected areas to pre-fire condition.

By utilizing our advanced equipment and technology, SERVPRO® of Madison, Rockcastle, Garrard, and Lincoln Counties ensures a thorough and professional restoration process to minimize the impact of water or fire damage on commercial properties. Our team is available 365 days and 24/7. Water and fire damage do not pick regular service times to occur so we are here to help.  It's always recommended to contact professionals for efficient and effective restoration services.

Deodorize your home after Fire Damage

9/1/2023 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot can impact even more of your home than just structure damage after a fire.

When smoke or soot damage enters your home, it is important to address the issue quickly to minimize the damage and prevent long-term health effects caused by exposure to smoke and soot particles. Soot and smoke can produce an unpleasant odor inside your home. The following are some steps you can take to deodorize your home after smoke or soot damage:

Contact a professional home restoration company: SERVPRO® of Madison, Rockcastle, Garrard, & Lincoln Counties is here to help. We are professional restorers that use specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot stains, neutralize odors, and restore your home to its pre-damaged condition.

Ventilate your home: Open doors and windows to create airflow and allow fresh air to circulate throughout your home. This removes smoke and soot particles in the air and helps reduce the unpleasant smell.

Clean all surfaces: Use a high-efficiency vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to remove soot and smoke particles from surfaces including walls, ceilings, furniture, and floors. You can also use soot sponges to remove soot particles from the surfaces. You can call our team to help as our technicians are certified to use this type of equipment properly and efficiently. 

Wash fabrics and clothing: Smoke and soot can stain and damage fabrics and clothing. Contact a dry cleaner that has experience in cleaning soot and smoke damage or launder all fabrics including curtains, rugs, and clothing affected by the fire.

It is important to understand that deodorizing your home after smoke or soot damage is a complex process. Therefore, it is recommended to contact a professional home restoration company, like SERVPRO® of Madison, Rockcastle, Garrard, & Lincoln Counties for effective and safe cleaning.

Has your house been exposed to the elements after fire damage?

8/24/2023 (Permalink)

Residents of Richmond, Berea, Waco, and other areas: Our prompt response and professional services can help minimize further damage.

SERVPRO® of Madison, Rockcastle, Garrard, & Lincoln Counties knows that disasters such as storms, fires, or other events cause significant damage to a property's roof or structure. Here is an overview of roof tarping and board-up services provided by SERVPRO® of Madison, Rockcastle, Garrard, & Lincoln Counties:

1. Roof Tarping: When a roof is damaged or compromised, it is essential to protect the structure from further water damage. Our team can quickly respond to such situations and install roof tarps to cover the damaged areas. Roof tarps are heavy-duty, waterproof materials that are secured over the damaged sections, preventing rainwater or debris from entering the property. This temporary measure helps minimize further damage until permanent repairs can be made.

2. Board Up Services: After a fire, storm, or other disasters, the property may have broken windows, damaged doors, or compromised walls. Our team offers professional board-up services to secure the property and prevent unauthorized entry, vandalism, theft, or further damage. Skilled technicians will board up windows, doors, and other openings using sturdy materials such as plywood, ensuring that the property is protected until repairs or reconstruction can be done.

Our roof tarping and board-up services provide immediate protection and security, safeguarding your property from additional harm in the aftermath of a disaster. 

In addition to roof tarping and board-up services, we also offer comprehensive restoration services to handle water damage, fire damage, mold remediation, and other restoration needs. 

If you find yourself in a situation where roof tarping or board-up services are needed, contact our office so we can provide you with the expertise and peace of mind knowing that your property is in capable hands during the restoration process. Our prompt response and professional services can help minimize further damage and expedite the recovery process.

Prepare your Business for Fire Damage

9/16/2022 (Permalink)

Do you have a fire plan for your business?

Fires can be damaging to not only your employee's health but to your business. There are a few ways to prepare your employees and customers in case of a fire. Follow these tips: 

1. Have Enough Fire Extinguishers

Depending on the size of your office or retail space, you need more than one fire extinguisher. There should be one per floor in a multi-level building at the absolute minimum. Fire extinguishers come in various sizes and should be placed in key areas of your business, such as the kitchen area, central office, and near tools or electrical panels.

2. Be Organization

One way to prevent fire damage is to stay organized. The more dust and clutter, the easier it is for a spark to become a major fire as flames spread over boxes, papers, and other office debris. 

3. Conduct Regular Fire Drills

To keep your staff safe, make fire preparation drills a regular event. Plan them during quarterly meetings to keep everyone refreshed on them. It's important for everyone to confidently be able to exit the building from any and all exit points.

4. Maintain Exit Routes Regularly

All exit points must be maintained regularly. Ensure that any automatic fire doors work correctly. Keep exit doors unlocked. Make sure everyone knows where they can exit so routes do not become crowded.

5. Inspect Wiring on a Schedule

Make sure to have routine checks to make sure your wiring is safe. Older buildings can be forgotten over time when people are used to being in them. These are some of the most important ones to check.

What to do when a fire damages your commercial business?

9/12/2022 (Permalink)

Are you prepared?

When your business suffers from water or fire damage, there are several things that you need to get your business back in working order.

1. Did I File an Insurance Claim?

Make sure to know your insurance agent, so that you can quickly get in contact with them. Before you try to claim damage that occurred from flooding or other types of weather-related events, it is important to ask yourself if you filed an insurance claim and whether you received any compensation. If you have business insurance, check with your agent concerning your options before you file. 

2. How Much Can I Claim?

The total amount you can claim will likely depend on past insurance claims and the type of damage your property endured. Schedule a meeting with your insurance agent before an emergency occurs, so that you are up to date on what and how much you can claim for your business. 

3. How Long Do I Have To File?

You want to make sure you can file before secondary damages occur. A lot can deter your agent from being able to accept insurance claims, so having your ducks in a row, and efficiently, can be helpful. 

Keeping your Insurance Company Up-To-Date

9/1/2022 (Permalink)

Insurance and Fire Damage

When it comes to fire damage, prevention is key. If the fire does break out, receiving timely support is crucial for you or your customers. Our team of professionals is ready to help clear your home of smoke damage, but you can do some things ahead of time that will make cleanup easier and faster. 

• Know your insurance company
• Know how to get in contact with your insurance company
• What is your deductible? 

With fire damage, the earlier we can get started, the better. We do not want smoke and soot to settle into your belongings and home any faster than they already will. If you are prepared with your insurance information, and how to utilize your information --the faster we can get to work!