Recent Fire Damage Posts

Steps you can take in a wildfire

3/24/2022 (Permalink)

Facts brought to you by the US Forest Service

  • Remain calm.
  • Flammable materials such as wood move in safe place away from the house.
  • Back vehicles into the garage facing the outside, and roll up all the windows. Never try to find shelter inside your vehicle.
  • Close the garage door, but leave it unlocked. If electric, disconnect it so that the door can be opened manually.
  • Open the entrance of your yard in order to facilitate the access of the fire fighters and vehicles.
  • Shut off any fuel tank and gas cylinder.
  • Close all exterior vents. Close all exterior doors (don´t lock them) and windows.
  • Attach pre-cut plywood panels to the exterior of windows and glass doors.
  • Make sure that all garden hoses are connected to faucets, and attach a nozzle set on “spray”
  • Prop a ladder against the house so fire fighters have easy access to the roof
  • Tune in to a local radio station and listen for instructions
  • Make sure all family members are in the same room of the house.
  • After the passing of the fire get out of the house and extinguish immediately small fires. For any smoke, water or fire damage cleanup call SERVPRO of Watsonville/Hollister (831) 275-1901

Your Friendly Neighbors

3/22/2022 (Permalink)

A back-draft of emotions often sweeps over the homeowners after a fire ravages a home. Fear, uncertainty, stress, and doubt about the future of the property can overwhelm the homeowner long after the flames have been extinguished and the smoke has cleared. 

So, after the first wave of heroes have rescued the property, let your friendly neighbors from SERVPRO of Watsonville/Hollister help you restore it. With our highly trained professional technicians and cutting-edge technology, along with our open communication, we strive to restore not only the home, but the customer's peace of mind. 

So, before you risk doing further damage by attempting to clean up the damage yourself, call your friends at SERVPRO of Watsonville/Hollister at?831-275-1901?Let us help! 

Types of Smoke Damage

3/22/2022 (Permalink)

The damage to your property following a fire can often be complicated due to the unique behavior of smoke. There are two different types of smoke-wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. SERVPRO of Watsonville/Hollister professionals are thoroughly trained in fire cleanup and restoration and know the different types of smoke and their behavior patterns. Knowing this information is vital to proper restoration. Before restoration begins, our team will survey the loss to determine the extent of impact from fire, smoke, heat, and moisture on the building materials and contents. The soot will then be tested to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. Pretesting determines the proper cleaning method and allows our team to focus on saving your precious items. Your local SERVPRO of Watsonville/Hollister professionals know smoke can penetrate various cavities within the structure, causing hidden damage and odor. Their knowledge of building systems helps them investigate how far smoke damage may have spread. 

Cleaning Smoke Damage after a Fire

3/21/2022 (Permalink)

As you can see in this picture the walls and ceilings of this home have been stained with smoke and soot. The smell of smoke will continue even after its rebuilt if the soot is not removed and all the surfaces treated. Many people do not realize that concrete is porous material and will absorb the smell of smoke. 

After you have rebuilt or repaired your home from the fire the last thing you will want is the smell of smoke lingering in your home as a constant reminder of what happened. 

Know Who to Hire 

Many companies claim to be fire damage restoration specialists, but they may not actually have the proper training and certification to do the job. The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is the primary oversight agency for the industry. Companies recognized, registered and certified by the IICRC will have taken extensive coursework to earn their certification. 

If you have had a fire in your home let us put our experience to work for you! 

SERVPRO of Watsonville/Hollister “Like it never even happened.” 

Contact us at 831-275-1901

SERVPROwatsonvillehollister.com

Contents Restoration

3/11/2022 (Permalink)

Contents Restoration 

SERVPRO of Watsonville/Hollister specializes in restoring contents damaged by water, fire, or mold. Our expertise and “restore” versus “replace” mentality can help you save money while preserving precious keepsakes that can’t be replaced. We pretest your belongings to determine what items we can restore to pre-fire condition. We use several methods of cleaning your contents, including: 

  • Dry Cleaning?- Used for cleaning light residues or to pre-clean prior to wet cleaning. 
  • Wet Cleaning?- An effective cleaning method for removing moderate to heavy residues. 
  • Spray and Wipe?-Effective for items that can’t withstand wet cleaning. 
  • Foam Cleaning?- Used for upholstery fabrics that might shrink or bleed if wet cleaned. 
  • Abrasive Cleaning?- Involves agitation of the surface being cleaned. 
  • Immersion Cleaning?- Contents are dipped into a bath of the cleaning product. 
    ? 

Move-Outs/Pack-Outs 

If your home requires extensive restoration or cleaning due to fire damage, SERVPRO of Monterey Peninsula can conduct an organized, efficient move-out of the affected area. Move-out will provide several benefits, including: 

  • A quicker remodeling process 
  • Protecting items from potential damage 
  • Protecting contents from further on-site damage 

When restoration is completed, we will work with you to coordinate the move-in according to your needs. The services offered upon move-in may depend on your insurance coverage. 

Electronic Cleanup 

Fire-damaged electronics can present a serious hazard.?Do not?attempt to turn on or operate any electrical device that you suspect has been damaged by fire. Smoke residues can contain acids that corrode metal surfaces. If the residues are not removed, corrosion causes electronic failure in the device. We will coordinate the restoration of your electronics, including: 

  • Television sets 
  • DVD players 
  • Computers 
  • And more 

The key to restoring electronics is taking prompt action to prevent further damage. Electronics will be cleaned and inspected by a qualified electronics technician. 

Document / Photograph Drying 

When your valuable documents, including photographs, are damaged by water or fire, extreme caution should be taken to help ensure the fire damage does not destroy the document. Although some documents may not be restored to pre-fire damage condition, SERVPRO of Watsonville/Hollister can save a great deal and help minimize additional damage.? 

Depending on the type of documents and the level of fire, smoke, or soot damage, they have five options for the restoration of documents: 

  • Air Drying 
  • Dehumidification 
  • Freezer Drying 
  • Vacuum Freeze Drying 
  • Vacuum Thermal Drying 

Contents Claim Inventory Service 

When a fire emergency strikes, the damage can often feel overwhelming. We can help ease the worry and confusion during the recovery process by offering our Contents Claim Inventory Service (CCIS), which provides a detailed and accurate list of your belongings. We take a room-by-room inventory of your contents, including digital photos, and in some instances, bar coding. 

Our Contents Claim Inventory Service: 

  • Preloss list and value of contents 
  • Detailed and accurate report 
  • Better information to settle claims quicker 
  • Assistance with burden of proof for claims 

Peace of mind when you need it most! 

About US: 

SERVPRO of Watsonville/Hollister specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: from initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.?Our management team has over 35 years of combined experience in the restoration industry.? 

Do's and Don'ts after a Fire

3/11/2022 (Permalink)

What To Do After A Fire 

  • Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets. 
  • Keep hands clean so as not to further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork. 
  • Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas. 
  • If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator and prop doors open. 
  • Clean and protect chrome with light coating of petroleum jelly or oil. 
  • Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves. 
  • Change HVAC filter. 
  • Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers. 

What?NOT?To Do After A Fire 

  • Don't attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces or shampoo carpet or upholstery without contacting us. 
  • Don't attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, heat or water without consulting an authorized repair service. 
  • Don't use any canned or packaged food or beverages that may have been stored near the fire, heat or water. 
  • Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet. The wiring may be damaged. 
  • Don't send garments to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set smoke odor. 

About US: 

SERVPRO of Watsonville/Hollister specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: from initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.?Our management team has over 35 years of combined experience in the restoration industry.? 

Various Types of Smoke Damage

12/2/2020 (Permalink)

The damage to your property following a fire can often be complicated due to the unique behavior of smoke. There are two different types of smoke--wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. SERVPRO Of Watsonville/Hollister professionals are thoroughly trained in fire cleanup and restoration and know the different types of smoke and their behavior patterns. Knowing this information is vital to proper restoration. Before restoration begins, our team will survey the loss to determine the extent of impact from fire, smoke, heat, and moisture on the building materials and contents. The soot will then be tested to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. Pretesting determines the proper cleaning method and allows our team to focus on saving your precious items. Your local SERVPRO Of Watsonville/Hollister professionals know smoke can penetrate various cavities within the structure, causing hidden damage and odor. Their knowledge of building systems helps them investigate how far smoke damage may have spread.