How Our Fire Damage Cleanup Team Helps Homeowners in Marysville

8/19/2023 (Permalink)

Fire damage cleanup starts with removing odor-causing soot residue from your Marysville home. "Like it never even happened."

We Always Simplify Complicated Fire Damage Cleanup

Disasters can turn your serene, peaceful life in Marysville upside down. One disaster that can touch your entire home and every aspect of your family's lives is fire. Fire damage cleanup can sound complicated, especially when everything feels negative.

Families in Marysville call SERVPRO® for fire damage cleanup. We understand how to efficiently clean up after a disaster and make the process understandable to the customer. Understanding what we must do to their property evaporates most of their distress.

We explain some of the questions asked about cleaning up after a fire, such as:

• How will my house's interior surfaces be cleaned?
• Can the more delicate furnishings in my home be adequately cleaned? and
• Does the project include getting the firefighters' water out of my property?

Walls and ceilings often come clean with a thorough scrubbing that includes our in-house cleaning agents. Then we use clean water and a fresh towel to remove any remaining residue. When scorching or marring is present, we make repairs. Smooth surfaces require similar treatment to prevent dulling by micro-etching from harsh soot.

We use various cleaning tools to remove embedded soot and other smoke by-products. Some items, such as fine drapery linings, require specialized cleaning treatments. One such way is our ultrasonic cleaning machine, which can remove any foreign matter on the surface of many collectibles.

During the fire, water is a beneficial substance. Afterward is a new beginning, in which that water can cause problems. We remove it through extraction methods such as weighted units, removal of carpet and padding, and desiccant machines. We know water can move within the confines of your residence, including through evaporation and condensation. Our infrared cameras help us locate any hidden pockets of trapped moisture so we can help you avoid any moisture-related problems.

For a professional response that can clean and restore your property after any disaster, call SERVPRO of Marysville / Arlington at (360) 658-0506.

Full-Service Restoration After Marysville Fire Damage

4/3/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO can help with any level of fire damage to your Marysville home. Call today for help from the experts.

We Offer Restoration and Repairs for Fire Damage

The recovery of a residence after a fire requires several trained professionals and often hundreds of restoration tools and products. The experience of our FSRT-Certified technicians allows us to have a direct response to a range of hazardous conditions after a fire like:

• Smoke damage
• Ruined contents
• Structural compromise
• Offensive malodors

With how destructive and overwhelming Marysville fire damage incidents can become, everything from residences to outlet stores requires our SERVPRO team's fast response. We keep vehicles ready to mobilize when every minute counts to get mitigation, and necessary emergency services started. 

The Early Efforts of SERVPRO Professionals

Emergency services and designed mitigation are essential elements of protecting a customer's property and contents. We prioritize and provide a fast response to emergencies with specific goals to promptly begin the overall restoration process. These include:

• Assessment - Initially, the best way we can help homes after fire damage is to evaluate the scope of post-fire conditions and the needed restoration response to help. 
• Safety-Conscious Action - Early actions to mitigate loss after fires in homes and businesses prioritize the safety of those involved, including our technicians. We evaluate structural damage, soot concentrations, and airborne soot. 
• Air Quality Improvement - Circulating particles like smoke solids and soot can threaten Air Quality. We combat this with HEPA 500 air scrubbers and hydroxyl machines for filtration capabilities.
• Controlled Demolition - It is often needed to implement demolition and discard compromised materials after a fire. This is intended to reduce hazards in most cases. 

The Likelihood of Soot Damage

The properties of soot and the thickness of residues on multiple surfaces require a combination of cleaning and restoration techniques. Soot is common to post-fire recovery and destructive to the property. Some forms of soot fire damage include:

• Wet Smoke 

These typically result from moist environmental conditions combined with lower temperature fires. These factors create a slow-moving and smoldering type of combustion and heavy subsequent smoke production, coating surfaces with a thick and formidable soot deposit.

• Dry Smoke 

Hotter and faster-moving fires create thinner and more manageable soot and smoke residue deposit on surfaces. While the residual damage might be easier to clean in most situations, dry smoke fires are often more totally destructive to the structural elements. 

• Protein Residues 

Kitchen flare-ups are a common cause of fire damage to homes. Grease and burned proteins produce a thick, wet residue that coats surfaces like cabinets and countertops. 

• Oil Furnace Puffback 

A build-up in the ignition chamber can cause a micro-explosion that hurls ionized soot through the ductwork and into connected rooms. Events can be widespread and also require cleaning of the duct system. 

The Efficient Way to Eliminate Odors

Malodors are an expected byproduct of combustion, yet the severity of these conditions changes based on the burned materials and chemicals involved. Eliminating generated odors after fire damage means using several of our advanced deodorization tools to help. Foggers are heavily used for their vaporous distribution of potent deodorizing products. 

Full-Service Restoration and Recovery

Because we have an experienced division of our workforce with a general contractor license, we have an open door to help with the structural damage and compromise properties experienced after a fire. Puget Sound properties can often need reconstruction after fire disasters, with many of these incidents being slow-moving, smoldering wet smoke conditions. 

Marysville fire damage restoration and recovery feature talented experts on our roster representing multiple niches of the industry. As a full-service restoration approach, we can seamlessly transition between the many phases of post-fire recovery to restore the structure "Like it never even happened." Our SERVPRO of Marysville / Arlington team is ready to help 24/7 at (360) 658-0506.

Importance of Pretesting Your Marysville Property During Fire Damage Restoration

4/2/2023 (Permalink)

Fire damage cleanup and remediation is critical after an event. Call SERVPRO for expert technicians who are standing by 24/7 to help.

SERVPRO Listens to Client Concerns During Fire Damage Cleanup in Marysville

The approach we give each fire damage incident plays a crucial role in the success of the restoration process. Each project has unique needs and concerns, so our mitigation experts always listen to all details customers provide about the event. We carefully take notes and then proceed to perform an initial assessment.

The firsthand information we receive from our customers during fire damage cleanup in Marysville helps us develop a better understanding of the work we are about to do. Before our SERVPRO technicians can give assurances about what is restorable and what is not, we conduct a pretest. We aim to provide reliable and high-quality restoration services that meet the needs of each situation and help the customers resume normalcy within the shortest time possible.

By sharing the pretest results with our customers, they have access to a concrete understanding of the restoration procedures and what to expect at the end of the job. They function as evidence to support the restoration actions that our technicians are about to do. It also helps our team to pick the most effective and efficient smoke odor removal techniques.

The following answers – which are helpful to customers and their insurance providers – are provided in a pretest:

• Demonstrates why it is possible to restore specific items
• Shows why discarding some content is necessary
• Explain why some surfaces or contents do not require cleaning
• Point out areas whose cleanability is questionable

While we understand our work is to meet the needs of our customers, the details are also helpful to your insurance provider. Our IICRC-certified fire damage cleanup team possesses good communication skills that help attend to the concerns of both parties. Also, the intensive training that we undergo helps us meet such demands.

Contact SERVPRO of Marysville / Arlington at (360) 658-0506 when you require quick and reliable fire damage restoration services. Our highly experienced team is Faster to Any Size Disaster and uses advanced equipment to get your property to its pre-fire condition.

What are the Restoration Needs After a Fire in My Marysville Kitchen?

10/2/2022 (Permalink)

Dealing with a kitchen fire can seem hopeless. Call our experienced SERVPRO team 24/7 for effective remediation services and the equipment.

Our SERVPRO Restoration Professionals Can Efficiently Clean, Deodorize, and Reconstruct Your Fire-Damaged Kitchen After a Disaster

There are many needs that your Marysville home has after a fire loss incident, even one that might remain localized to a single room or area of your residence. As destructive as a fire can be, both during the actual combustion and burning of exposed materials and structural elements and afterward with harsh smoke odors, charred remnants and debris, and soot residues. Cleaning and restoring these disasters take a combination of our qualified professionals in our Fire & Smoke Restoration division. 

Understanding the inherent risks of fire damage in Marysville homes can show you the need you have for reputable and fast-responding technicians like our SERVPRO team. With cutting-edge tools and equipment, including deodorizers, media blasting tools, and advanced cleaning equipment, we can help make your damaged house feel like home as soon as possible. 

Should I Do My Damage Assessment?  

Many homeowners consider doing their damage assessments and restoration on their own after a fire loss incident, but this is rarely wise for those inexperienced in recovering fire disasters. While there are ways that you can help if you do not need to relocate from the premises following extinguishment, the full assessment of the property and several other aspects of its restoration should get left to qualified technicians. Our team can identify and perform several tasks through job scoping and disaster evaluation, including: 

• The spread of damaging effects
• Cataloging of content and structural damage
• Identifying the need for controlled demolition
• Discovering secondary damages like water from extinguishment 

How Complicated is Surface Cleaning After a Fire?  

Black and grey walls are a familiar look to Marysville post-fire properties, but you should not always rush right to cleaning these surfaces. Depending on the present residue, its thickness, and the underlying substrate, there are different approaches to maximize the efficiency of cleaning. The right selection here also limits the potential for marring materials with smearing residues and staining. 

• Soot  

Cleaning soot is one of the most significant challenges that our professionals face in fire recovery for multiple reasons. Particles of soot are microscopic, so if inhaled, they can seat deeply in the lungs. Inhalation of soot can lead to health effects. Our technicians must wear the appropriate personal protective equipment to clean soot-covered surfaces and be mindful of the thickness of this residue to avoid smear.

• Residues

Thick residues can exist from the combustion and burning of many chemicals and items in your house. While these are usually not as potentially hazardous as soot can be, cleaning can still vary from one surface to the next. We test clean spots to find the ideal approach to remove damaged materials as soon as possible.

• Ash and Debris

Cleaning up ash and debris often involves shoveling out charred remnants of building materials and contents throughout the house. Removing debris can be a vital step in reducing the severity and spread of overwhelming effects like harsh odors and circulating soot. 

Is it Necessary to Remove Cabinets after Grease Fires?  

Kitchen fires often originate around the stovetop, making surrounding cabinets one of the first damaged structural fixtures in the room. Depending on the severity of this emergency, effects might be superficial and able to get cleaned. If direct damage occurs to individual cabinet units, they can get removed as necessary to reduce any continued spread of fire loss effects in the room. Our in-house contractors can replace discarded cabinets and repair damages incurred through any burning of the material when these structural elements can get protected. 

How Do Odors Get Neutralized After a Fire Loss? 

Odor removal is one of the vital elements of our thorough fire restoration approach, and this can involve multiple tools in our arsenal. Finding the right tool for the job can save our customers time and ultimately money on the fire recovery that their home needs. 

• Thermal Fogger

Thermal fogging equipment can superheat deodorization compounds to a misty vapor. In a gaseous state, the deodorizing compound can spread throughout the damaged environment and even penetrate porous materials.

• Hydroxyl Generator

A machine that produces hydroxyl radicals and harnesses UV cleaning with water droplets in the environment. These tools are ideal for broad open areas and feature onboard HEPA filtration to reduce floating particulates and debris in the air.

• Ozone Machines

We use ozone generators, which are excellent for neutralizing foul odors, even in porous materials and contents in your home, at our SERVPRO warehouse. The process of creating ozone and its existence in the environment is toxic to living creatures until it dissipates, making our ozone chamber a practical addition to off-site content management and recovery solutions. 

Every fire loss situation is different, so we must remain prepared for whatever your home might need. We arrive with an array of powerful tools and equipment to help with deodorization, cleaning, and controlled demolition. Our SERVPRO of Marysville / Arlington team can make fire losses “Like it never even happened,” by calling (360) 658-0506.

Inspecting a Marysville Structure During Fire Restoration

6/24/2022 (Permalink)

Hey, Not all fire dogs in Marysville are Dalmations. Visit me at SERVPRO HQ for fire damage cleanup.

Fire Restoration Starts by Protecting a Structure

Fires are one of the more common service callouts our professionals receive, making it vital for our team to stay trained with potential hazards, structural threats, and fire loss effects like:

• Odors
• Soot damage
• Smoke solids
• Airborne particles
• Bulk material and debris

Combustion Weakens Structures

Starting fire restoration for Marysville homes begins with evaluating structural damage for the threat of collapse or deterioration. Burning can significantly weaken or destroy wall systems, flooring, and ceilings.

Corrosivity of Soot Damage

Soot particles can sometimes be acidic when specific materials are burned to create them. When these acidic solids come to rest on surfaces, their corrosive nature can ruin the underlying material. Cleaning surfaces can be prudent, but when the damage is done, the structure must be removed, refinished, or replaced. Cleaning surfaces can be prudent, but the structure must be removed, refinished, or replaced when the damage is done.

Water Damages from Extinguishment

Yet another way structural damage can result in your home after a fire is through the lingering water used to extinguish the blaze. First responders often rely on high volumes of water to put out a fire, meaning that areas impacted the worst by combustion have an added layer of water and moisture damage to combat as well. Water can degrade structural elements briefly making it vital to establish what surfaces are at risk.

Needed Reconstruction and Repairs

When vulnerabilities have been documented and recorded for damage claim reports and estimations, our contractors can begin work on the necessary reconstruction of the property. Demolition is vital in removing unsalvageable construction materials, which can be common after fire loss effects. As leading fire restorers and build-back professionals, we offer a full-service solution for recovery.

The efforts to protect and restore a structure after fire damage are important to begin as soon as possible in area homes. Our SERVPRO of Marysville / Arlington team has a license allowing us to help in various ways, from controlled demolition to full construction. Give us a call now at (360) 658-0506. 

Considerations when Choosing a Cleaning Agent after Fire Damage Affects Your Arlington Home

5/11/2022 (Permalink)

Team SERVPRO has the certification, experience and the tools to tackle the fire damage situation in your home. Contact us day or night, 24/7.

SERVPRO has a Range of Cleaning Product for Your Fire Loss

Fire incidents happen all the time and range from minor ones such as stove flare-ups, to catastrophic ones that consume the entire structure. For the smaller incidents, the damage is likely localized in one area of the house and mostly involves charring and residues. If you decide to handle the fire damage cleanup on your own, you need to be well-informed, especially on the choice of a cleaning agent. 

VOC Compliant and Biodegradable

Although your main aim is to remove residues left by fire damage in your Arlington home, you should also consider whether the cleaning agents you use can leave trace elements that might cause problems later one.  Choosing a VOC compliant agent that biodegrades naturally helps preempt such issues. VOCs, Volatile Organic Compounds, contribute to ground-level ozone, which is associated with health problems. Read the labels of cleaning agents you intend to use to establish whether they have these qualities.

Effective at Different pH Levels

When cleaning residues and soot, they mix with the cleaning solution changing it in different ways, including raising or lowering the pH levels. Most cleaning agents are developed to be most effective at specific pH levels, so you might notice diminished efficiency as you continue working on an area. You can look for cleaning agents that work at different pH levels to ensure maximum efficiency. When our SERVPRO crews restore fire loss sites, we use specially formulated detergents or mix regular agents with pH buffers to maintain consistency.

Non-toxic

Some cleaning agents are highly effective in removing fire residues, but they leave traces of toxic materials. Others have a strong odor that might not go away even after rinsing and drying the cleaned areas.  Using such cleaning agents necessitates separate procedures such as deodorization after the initial cleaning process. You should look for non-toxic, less odorous cleaning agents. Our SERVPRO technicians use specially formulated cleaning products such as All Surface Green Clean, which does not cause odor or toxicity issues.

Having the right cleaning agent can simplify the cleanup of fire loss sites. Call SERVPRO of Marysville / Arlington at (360) 658-0506 in case you need assistance resolving any fire loss situation, “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO Performs Effective Fire Damage Restoration in Maryville Homes

4/30/2022 (Permalink)

Bringing in professionals to remediate fire damage in your home is the best option. Our SERVPRO team has the know how and the equipment to help you.

Fire Damage Restoration in Marysville Requires the Highest Levels of Effectiveness

Fire is among the things you can never be fully prepared for, but the action you take after is the key determinant in whether you can save your house. A swift evaluation and effective restoration of your home are essential to preventing more damage and costly repairs.

SERVPRO has a team of professionals ready to help you perform fire damage restoration in your Marysville residence quickly and effectively. Our fire cleanup process is specific to the situation at hand, but the overall process is as outlined below:

• Safety assessment
• Securing the house
• Evaluation of water damage and its extraction
• Cleaning and removal of debris
• Repairing the home

Safety assessment

Our SERVPRO technicians can perform the initial assessment to make sure that the house is safe for renovation to begin. We also determine the extent of the damages, which informs us of the next steps.

Securing the house

This step depends on the level of damage the house has sustained. It helps us avoid more damages that might occur due to structural damages like weakened beams and holes. We can remove structures posing a hazard, reinforce others, and secure any windows, doors, or roofing via tarping to protect your home from weather elements.

Evaluation of water damage and its extraction

Our SERVPRO technicians can assess your house for any signs of water damage and use appropriate tools to restore the affected structures and contents. We can extract the standing water using portable pumps and then dry the affected areas using air moving and dehumidifying equipment.

Cleaning and removal of debris

We then sort through all the affected material to remove soot, water, dirt, residue, and smoke, clean up those that are salvageable and remove them for replacement or restoration.

Repairing the home

Our SERVPRO team can proceed to take care of foundational concerns and structural damage by repairing walls, beams, and other structures. We can also sand and repaint materials that the flames blistered.

SERVPRO of Marysville / Arlington is fully qualified to restore buildings after a fire. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster. Contact us at (360) 658-0506.

Here's a Quick Way to Solve a Problem with Fire Damage in Marysville - Contact SERVPRO

4/8/2022 (Permalink)

Contact our certified technicians to make fire damage look "Like it never even happened."

How Marysville Property Owners Save on Replacement Costs for Upholstered Furnishings with Fire Damage

When fire damage happens in a home, whether a single room or the gutting of an entire house, the devastation left behind often looks unrestorable, through the smart application of different cleaning methods, more contents within the fire loss area have the potential for restoration.

This applies to Marysville homes with smoke and fire damage to upholstered furnishings and window treatments. SERVPRO technicians have a diverse array of cleaners specially formulated for various fabrics. If the furniture does not have char damage, it may have restoration possibilities.

Self-Cleaning May Lead to Damage

It is essential that homeowners do not DIY-clean smoke-damaged furnishings as it drives soot and residues more profound into the fibers and, in some cases, renders the furniture a loss. SERVPRO technicians test the fibers to determine if the dye is colorfast or if there is the potential for shrinkage to choose the correct type of cleaning method for the removal of smoke residues.

Pre-Cleaning Assists in Restoration

Actions such as vacuuming with hand vacs fitted with HEPA filtration before applying professional-grade cleaning solutions aid in the lifting out of stains and residues before deep cleaning processes begin.

Cleaning Solutions Combined With Specialized Equipment

In cases of window treatments and textiles with rubberized backings in the fire loss area with smoke damage, cleaning is possible. Petroleum-based solvent cleaners used with dry cleaning machines remove light soiling without shrinkage or degrading rubberized backings. This is one of the reasons testing textiles before cleaning is essential to avoid damage, as some cleaners make rubber cracked or brittle due to a reaction between the solvent and the rubber.

Smoke Odor Neutralizing Techniques

During a fire, when the hot air expands and drives soot into upholstered furniture, it requires deodorization. SERVPRO technicians commonly use thermal fogging to eradicate smoke odors and remove strong scents from fabric-covered furnishings, carpets, and window treatments.

Fire damage needs fast action. Call SERVPRO of Marysville / Arlington at (360) 658-0506. Our certified professionals arrive on-site quickly and make the fire loss to your property "Like it never even happened."

Removing Thick Residues and Soot Damage from Marysville Homes

12/6/2021 (Permalink)

Situations where soot is covering your walls require immediate action. Team SERVPRO has the technicians and equipment to handle the job. Call 24/7.

Direct action is needed to eliminate soot and smoke residues from Marysville properties.

Soot and smoke damage can appear in many ways throughout the property but most often appears as a dark residue adhered to impacted building materials and contents. Depending on the severity of this damage, specific actions are necessary to clear and clean these materials.

Removing Loose Soils from the Surface

Eliminating soot and smoke residues is one of the milestones of successful fire damage restoration in Marysville homes. Heavy soot damage can be overwhelming to hosting materials, so removing loose debris is a vital first step and reducing the presence of contaminated soils. HEPA vacuums and brushes can both be instrumental in clearing this loose soil from the surface.

Mechanical Actions to Reach the Substrate

Some aggressive mechanical actions might be required to remove the soot damage possible on these affected surfaces entirely. The term mechanical actions refer to the physical agitation of surface soils combined with varying products or materials to eliminate soils and residues. With severe soiling, some of the mechanical actions necessary might include:

• Abrasive Powder – Crème cleaners contain abrasive properties that can help to eliminate stubborn residues on challenging substrates.
• Blast Cleaning – using various media combined with compressed air or water, blast cleaning can dislodge soils for easier cleaning.
• Sanding or Steel Wool – This process involves the aggressive scrubbing of the surface with an abrasive pad or product.

Wet Cleaning Solutions

While there are varying degrees of soot and smoke damage possible after fires in area homes and businesses, the thick residues that require the most aggressive cleaning tactics can be a considerable challenge for responding technicians. Our SERVPRO of Marysville / Arlington team is ready to help with effective mitigation and surface cleaning when you call (360) 658-0506.

How Does Smoke Behavior Dictate Restorability in Arlington Homes?

11/5/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO can help with any level of smoke damage in your home. Call today for help from the experts.

The Movement of Smoke Dictates the Severity of Cleanup Necessary in Arlington Properties. 

How readily smoke can move through a damaged space is a strong indication of the severity of fire damage effects that must be overcome. The type of fire assuredly impacts the respective residues and soot deposits, including the type of material burned and the building materials and contents acting as hosts for soil deposits and soot damage.

The Force of Smoke Effects 

Fire damage restoration in Arlington homes can vary significantly from one property to the next. Smoke and soot movement can differ in strength and force as well during the blaze, ultimately changing the ease of removal and cleanup. Ultimately, there are two types of smoke damage regarding pressure and relative movement:

• Driven Smoke – This is smoke damage that has been forced against vertical surfaces and contents throughout the home by high-pressure, high-heat scenarios. 

• Free-Floating – As a property cools following a fire, the smoke damage can cool as well and experience little or no pressure to dictate its movements. What is left are free-floating smoke damage particles that come to rest on horizontal surfaces and shelves.

The Relationship of Surface Temperature to Smoke Damages

One of the interesting properties of smoke damage is that warm smoke seeks out cooler surfaces. This is why most measures intended to stop the progress of migrating smoke are ineffective. Hot smoke seeks out the outside of walls, windows, closets, and unaffected/unheated rooms in the house.

Knowing these fire damage principles helps our SERVPRO of Marysville / Arlington team prepare effective and efficient smoke removal and cleaning strategies. We can track the migration of smoke and use wet and dry cleaning processes to overcome these loss effects. Call us today at (360) 658-0506.

Marysville Properties Stricken with Fire Damage Require Professional Intervention

8/3/2021 (Permalink)

Fire damage can be overwhelming. SERVPRO always has a team on standby to deploy to your home and begin the restoration process.

Calling SERVPRO to Your Marysville Home Ensures Fast, Efficient Fire Damage Restoration

Whether your Marysville property got hit with a garage fire or your kitchen caught the brunt of a recent blaze, you have a lot of work ahead of you to restore everything to pre-fire condition. Handling the cleanup of fire damaged homes is something SERVPRO does best, and we have the staffing, proven methods, and equipment to get it done fast. Rather than stumbling over debris and trying to determine what you can salvage or not, this is a job best left to skilled fire and smoke damage professionals.

How can SERVPRO assist with fire damage in Marysville?

Any Marysville homeowner trying to initiate house fire cleanup on their own will get quickly overwhelmed. Not only that, but DIY methods often make the situation worse. Skilled IICRC-certified technicians know how to handle smoke remediation, charred debris, and safety issues to develop a plan for saving you both time and money. The best news is that SERVPRO is available 24-hours a day, so we are always on standby when you need us.

Handling or tossing debris after a fire event is only part of the process. SERVPRO restorers utilize various tools and cleaning methods to address smoke damage and residue so that your interior gets back to normal. Some of the methods used on fire and smoke damage restoration and cleanup jobs include:

• Spray & Wipe –This method is done by spraying a cleaning agent onto a surface, then wiping away residue with a clean cloth.
• Dry Cleaning –Dry cleaning with brushes, sponges, and vacuums helps pull up non-greasy, light-to-medium smoke residue.
• Wet Cleaning –Wet methods for cleaning, with or without a cleaning agent, helps remove residue that is moderate to heavy.
• Other Techniques –We adjust our cleaning plan based on the level of soiling and materials. Some of the other techniques may include sanding, soda blasting, and immersion cleaning.

Contact SERVPRO of Marysville/Arlington by calling (360) 658-0506 when you need help with fire damage at your property!

How Can SERVPRO Improve Indoor Air Quality for Fire Damaged Marysville Homes?

7/12/2021 (Permalink)

Fire damage which includes smoke and soot requires quick action to remediate. Contact our certified team 24/7 after an emergency.

With Filtration Products and Equipment, We can Reduce Post-Fire Effects in Marysville Properties

After a fire, the immediate actions of responding technicians can be among the most critical for restoring and recovering the property. As destructive as fires can be, mitigative emergency services can reduce the spread and severity of post-disaster effects like soot, odors, and water damage. Some of the initial efforts our team takes in this regard include:

• Content cataloging
• Fire debris removal
• Water extraction
• Controlled demolition

What Equipment Suits Air Quality Improvement?

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a critical concern for fire and smoke removal in Marysville homes. The mitigation stages and steps by our SERVPRO technicians seek to reduce circulating hazards and carcinogenic threats with direct filtration. HEPA filters installed in air scrubbers and machines like hydroxyl generators continuously provide a cleaner environment during fire restoration and recovery efforts.

Can SERVPRO Remove Smoke Odors?

Smoke damage spreads fast and penetrates porous materials to be an encompassing threat to comfortable living after fire events. Our experienced IICRC-certified technicians appreciate the urgency of removing and neutralizing harsh odors left behind after extinguishment and can do so with a combination of deodorization equipment and counteractant products.

Fire damage can be a devastating situation for area homes and businesses. Addressing quickly changing conditions and hazardous environmental concerns showcases the leading inventory and expertise of our SERVPRO of Marysville / Arlington team. We are ready 24/7 to help when you call (360) 658-0506.

Which Steps Can Guarantee a Faster Fire Damage Restoration Process?

6/25/2021 (Permalink)

Regardless of the size of the fire, team SERVPRO can handle the remediation. Contact our team today for certified technicians who can help.

SERVPRO Has the Manpower to Move-Out Contents When Restoring Your Fire-Damaged Home in Arlington

Fire damage incidents are common in Arlington; the only thing you can never predict is when you can find yourself dealing with the losses associated with such a mess. Fortunately, experienced restoration service providers like SERVPRO are there to help you identify what you can salvage and what you should replace after the stressful experience. Suppose the fire affected a small section of the structure; in that case, we can determine if it is appropriate to move salvageable contents to other areas within the house or move them to a remote location.

Why Do Our SERVPRO Technicians Perform Move-Outs During Fire-Damage Restoration in Arlington? 

In most cases, move-outs are necessary to guarantee a speedy fire restoration process in your Arlington property. Our SERVPRO team understands the kind of sentiment customers have towards their property, so our IICRC-certified technicians handle all items with care and ensure no damage during handling. Other reasons are to why a move-out may be necessary include:

• If the fire damages the roofing and the contents are likely to be exposed to weather conditions and cause additional damage
• When it is essential to restore salvageable items outside the structure
• If a lot of water is used to extinguish the fire and we need to extract it first

SERVPRO of Marysville / Arlington can satisfy your cleaning and restoration needs after the disaster. Call (360) 658-0506 for a free quote and have all your questions answered.

Can Appliances Be Saved After a Fire in Marysville?

6/4/2021 (Permalink)

After a fire incident takes place. You can trust that your home is in good hands with the experienced technicians at SERVPRO.

SERVPRO Provides Fire Damage Restoration in Marysville That Can Often Restore the Content of the Home

Many times, fire damaged appliances cannot be saved if they were impacted directly by the fire. However, if the damage is mostly from smoke and soot residue, they can often be cleaned.

Cleaning Appliances with Proprietary Cleaning Agents

Fire damage restoration in Marysville homes involves many processes. Appliances such as dishwashers, refrigerators, and washing machines can suffer from smoke residue damage, even when the fire did not touch them directly. When our technicians clean appliances, they use techniques similar to those when cleaning hard-surfaced furniture.  Wet cleaning and polishing are the most common methods used. Ways we clean appliances include:

• Using water-based cleaners such as Wall and All Surface cleaners on non-porous surfaces.
• Adding Industrial Cleaner to increase the alkalinity of the cleaner when tough situations involving smoke and grease occur.
• Using Fire Star to remove heavy smoke damage.
• Thoroughly rinsing appliances after cleaning.
• Use Wood Crème Paste on surfaces with yellowing from the heat.

Fire damaged homes require special restoration methods, and our techs have the training and experience needed to bring those methods to your home. We provide:

• Fire damage restoration
• House fire clean up
• Fire and smoke damage mitigation
• Smoke remediation

For professional water and fire damage restorations, contact SERVPRO of Marysville / Arlington at (360) 658-0506.

When Marysville Homeowners Need Fire Restoration Pros

1/26/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO professionals are trained to handle every level of fire damage. Call us today, we are always available.

SERVPRO Repairs Structures with Fire Damage Restoration Tools

Marysville is not only one of the largest cities in Snohomish County, but it has also become the fastest-growing city in Washington state in recent years with an average annual growth rate of 2.5 percent. The Strawberry City currently houses approximately 70,000 people as of 2019, and its largest employers include:

• The Marysville School District
• Walmart
• C&D Zodiac Aerospace
• Fred Meyer
• The Optum-owned Everett Clinic

Many Marysville residents commute to nearby Downtown Seattle, Eastside, or Everett to work at Boeing, Amazon.com, Microsoft, and Naval Station Everett.

Marysville is most well-known historically for its thriving lumber and farming industries. The “Strawberry City” moniker stems from the proliferation of strawberry fields in the area by the 1920s. Notable names from Marysville include state representative Emily Wicks, economist Robert A. Brady, hockey player John DeCaro, artist Jan Haag, and whistleblower Charles Hamel.

Marysville’s Fire District

The Marysville Fire District (MFD) oversees fire suppression efforts for the city of Marysville and other locales, including Quil Ceda Village, Seven Lakes, unincorporated areas of Snohomish County, and part of the Tulalip Reservation. As of May 2020, the district has been given a Class 3 designation by the Washington Surveying and Rating Bureau, which can decrease insurance premiums for homeowners in the area.

According to 2018 data, this voter-created regional fire authority responded to over 14,000 incidents, 87% of which were medical emergencies. Seven percent of calls were for fires, and the remaining six percent were listed as “Other.” After seeing a steady increase in emergency calls per year from 2010 to 2017, calls started to decrease in 2018.

Firefighters in the MFD are certified either as emergency medical technicians (EMTs) or paramedics to provide basic and advanced life support services, respectively. The department complies with HIPAA regulations to ensure that individuals’ public health information remains safe.

Special operations teams within the MFD include hazmat response, rescue swimmers, and technical rescue units. The Hazardous Materials Response Team protects the community from hazardous liquids and vapors. The Rapid Entry Rescue Swimmer team requires members to perform free dives as deep as 40 feet for certification. Technical Rescue Technicians, meanwhile, specialize in rescue operations involving tight spaces, trenches, urban search and rescue, and other high-risk emergency rescue situations.

How Does SERVPRO Remove Soot During Fire Restoration?

Your local SERVPRO is staffed by technicians well-versed in fire restoration for Marysville homes per Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) standards.

Soot cleanup methods vary based on the type and extent of damage and include:

• Light manual dry cleaning and vacuuming of loose, dry deposits
• Wet cleaning and alkaline solutions for moderate damages
• Immersion cleaning or abrasion with blast media like soda ash and corn cobs to remove soils and charring

Soot is cleaned from lightest to heaviest for a more efficient workflow that salvages structures and belongings.

SERVPRO of Marysville / Arlington is a phone call away from providing home fire restoration at (360) 658-0506.

Fire Restoration Starts From the Beginning

12/21/2020 (Permalink)

Fire damage in a home can be very stressful. Call the professionals at SERVPRO for the fire restoration services needed for your home.

A Professional Restoration Company Like SERVPRO Best handles fire Damage in Marysville.

Marysville, Washington is a small but growing city located about 35 miles north of Seattle. Currently, the city has a population of nearly 70,000 residents, but in 2015 it was rated the fastest growing city in the state.

The city sits on Interstate 5, and the Tulalip Indian Reservation is located just to the west. Views of the 5,300-foot peak of Mount Pilchuck can be seen from various points in the town. The city also lies just north of the Snohomish River Delta.

The City First Started as a Trading Post

The region's first settlers were the Snohomish Indian tribe, and they still have a reservation near Marysville today. Then, in 1872, the early Caucasian settlers were James and Maria Comesford that headed west to find a new life. When they first reached the area, the Comesfords lived on the Snohomish Indian Reservation and found work in one of the region's eighteen logging camps that ran the economy back then.

The Comesfords lived on the reservation for six years before they jumped at an opportunity of their lifetime to buy some land. In 1878 four men worked as traders in the timber industry, Louis Thomas, Captain William Renton, Truman Ireland, and John Stafford offered to sell nearly 1,300 acres that they owned. Comesford jumped on the opportunity and ended up purchasing the land for $450.

Once he bought the land, he built a store with a dock and a plank road named "Front Street." He also made living quarters for him and his wife that were attached to his store. After the trading post was built, the community started multiplying. The first year the Comesfords were there, the town grew to the point where some form of education became necessary.

In 1879, Mrs. Comesford decided to fulfill the need for education in the region and started teaching students inside her home. By 1880, the small community grew to the point where it needed a post office. The first post office was built only two years after the Comesfords bought the land, and James Comesford was named the city's first postmaster.

In 1887, the first sawmill opened up for operations in the city, bringing more jobs to the community. During the next several years, the Comesford's trading post strived as the region boomed with all of the area's logging camps. Many settlers arrived by steamboat to work in the town's sawmills and logging camps or buy property to farm.

In 1889, the railroad made it to the city, making it attract many more residents. In 1891, Comesford decided to incorporate the town, and a man named Mark Swinnerton was elected the city's first mayor. During the same year, the community was officially established, the Stimson Logging Company was formed, which brought a large amount of commerce to the region.

Marysville's first city hall was erected in 1901, and the city didn't get its first high school opened until 1906. The next year, the city's high school graduated its first class, and the town's first public library was formed. During the 1920s, Marysville earned the nickname "The Strawberry City" due to the abundance of strawberry farms in the region.

The City Is the Home to Several Parks and Public Lands

The town has a plethora of beautiful parks and scenic areas to visit, including:

Cedarcrest Vista Park: This beautiful neighborhood park is nearly two acres in size, and the amenities include a playground, picnic areas, a climbing wall, and a full-sized basketball court.

Doleshel Park: The city's newest park once was a Christmas tree farm, and the trees were recycled to create this 6.4-acre public land that hosts nature trails, walking paths, and picnic areas.

Bayview Trail: This mile and a quarter trail is paved and offers the chance for hikers, bikers, and skaters to trek through the Bayview-Whiskey Ridge utility corridor.

Comeford Park: This downtown park is named after the city's founders, and it offers residents and visitors a chance to relax and enjoy the sights inside one of its picnic grounds while the kids have fun in the playground.

Deering Wildflower Acres: This 30-acre, thickly forested plot of land contains over a mile trail through wetlands, ponds, and thick forests.

There Are Several Attractions within the City

Downtown Shopping: The downtown region between Third Street and State Avenue offers various shopping options.

Tulalip Casino: The 220,000 square foot casino offers all gambling types, from slot machines to table games. The reservation nearby also offers the Quil Ceda Creek Casino that offers a nightclub experience, and is known by locals as the "Q."

Seattle Premium Outlets: This open-air mall offers high-end retail stores and is home to over 100 vendors.

SERVPRO Can Help with Even the Smallest Fires

When most think of structural fires, they imagine blazes that torch most of their home. However, much of the time, when flames ignite inside a house, they stay small and do not burn an excessive amount of building materials. But, smoke can flow throughout any structure, even from the smallest fire.

Smoke can create problems such as soot residues or be the source of foul odors. Our SERVPRO technicians can take the following steps in mitigating issues created by smoke:

Removing Burnt Debris: Any building materials or contents that do get burnt can be removed to no longer be a source of the unpleasant aroma.

Cleaning and Removing Soot Residues: Our SERVPRO team can use a combination of dry cleaning and wet chemical cleaning methods depending on the type of affected surfaces.

Structural Deodorization: If burnt smells still exist after we remove burnt debris and clean soot residues, then we can take a step to deodorize, such as using a UL or thermal fogger or an ozone generator.

SERVPRO of Marysville/Arlington is always available to assist you when dealing with fire damage at your home. You can call us at (360) 658-0506 anytime because We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Why Is Hiring an IICRC-Certified Fire Damage Mitigation and Remediation Firm in Marysville Essential for a Successful Outcome?

9/27/2020 (Permalink)

We take our responsibility to prepare for the rigors of an appropriate professional fire damage response seriously at SERVPRO.

SERVPRO Invests in the Highest-Quality Training and State of the Art Equipment to Deliver Safe and Effective Fire Damage Recovery in Marysville

Removing soot residues after a household fire in Marysville is not comparable to even the most intense power cleaning ever completed in your home. The soiling from solid particulates in fire residues, also known as soot, differs from day to day dust and dirt and tenaciously adheres to surfaces. You also likely are risking exposure to hazardous substances as you breathe in the smoky air and make attempts to scrub away the fire grime. It is not an overreaction to defer to fire damage restoration experts. A decision to seek out and engage a reputable fire disaster recovery firm is crucial for your health and well-being and for the integrity of your home's structure and contents.

Why Is Fire Damage Cleanup Such a Unique Challenge?
During fire damage in a Maryville residence, the residues created include a wide range of volatile gases and carcinogenic compounds. Smoke contains, as tiny bits of solids, the incompletely consumed carbon-based fuels the fire burned as it moved through your home. Items falling prey to the flames can include organic materials like rubber, food, grease, wood and paper, and an endless list of plastics and other synthetics. The minute particles are commonly called soot, and now cover surfaces of your home as fire residues. The airborne fumes and particulate matter to which you and your family are exposed can include:

    •    Carbon monoxide
    •    Carbon dioxide
    •    Aldehydes
    •    Acid gases
    •    Sulfur dioxide
    •    Nitrogen oxides
    •    Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
    •    Benzene
    •    Toluene
    •    Styrene
    •    Metals (potentially including lead if burned painted surfaces predated the 1980s)
    •    Dioxins
    •    Asbestos

What Protections from Hazards Are Available for Occupants and Cleaning Crews?
When the signature green SERVPRO service vehicles pull up in response to your call for help, our project manager's first step is a comprehensive safety and hazard assessment. Once we identify the risks, we determine controls to make the site as safe as possible for the work needing completion. We have the tools, products, equipment, and know-how to make it “Like it never even happened,” while also keeping everyone safe, including:

    •    Working consistently with your insurance company to ensure your family and you live in a space free from hazards and contaminants, even if that means a temporary evacuation or limiting access to some rooms in your home
    •    Considering a pack-out of your household goods and personal possessions, so they receive specialized cleaning, drying, disinfecting, deodorizing, and restoration to ensure all lingering traces of dangerous substances are eliminated
    •    Crafting containment partitions with internal air scrubbing technology to prevent the spread of smoke and residues into unaffected spaces in your home, and to get a head start on residue and odor elimination through the use of HEPA filters
    •    Requiring our technicians to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for safety and to prevent their tracking of residues throughout unaffected areas in your home

How Do the Cleaning Products and Methods Used by Fire and Smoke Restoration Technicians (FSRT) Compare to DIY Attempts?
Are you still contemplating trying to clean up after fire damage on your own? If the possibility of inhalation and skin contact with residues hazardous to your family's and your health is not enough of a disincentive, your probable inability to make appropriate choices among cleaning products and tools should give you pause. Without training in fire residues' characteristics and the research-derived principles and elements of proper fire damage cleaning, it is unlikely your efforts will be successful. In fact, your attempts might worsen the situation:

    •    Smearing and staining surfaces with soot rather than loosening and suspending it for removal
    •    Grinding soot into and permanently damaging soft or porous materials while scrubbing -- when viewed under a microscope, soot particles are jagged and sharp, which is why professionals choose methods that gently dislodge and hold the soot in suspension awaiting disposal
    •    Using a general cleaner for all soot that does not account for the differences between oil and water-based residues -- mismatched cleaners will not dissolve all soils
    •    Throwing away items or replacing structures at a significant expense that professional fire damage restorers could save
    •    Permitting hazardous substances incompletely removed to linger on structural components and contents, possibly re-exposing your family to health risks and structural elements to persistent corrosion

We take our responsibility to prepare for the rigors of an appropriate professional fire damage response seriously at SERVPRO of Marysville / Arlington. Contact us at (360) 658-0506 as soon as possible after the blaze so we can show you the results obtainable when industry-leading training, experience, and integrity join forces to restore your home.

Can One Company Eliminate Both Fire Damage and Its Smell?

9/11/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO's arsenal includes the hydroxyl generators to eliminate smoke odors in Your Marysville, "Like it never even happened."

A Professional Fire Restoration Company in Marysville can Restore Damage Due to Fire, Including its Smell

A small fire may erupt in your Marysville home, but the damage it leaves in its way may seem sizable. Being pro-active in contracting a fire restoration company and commencing the restoration process as soon as possible is key to successfully returning your home to its original condition. Rather than attempting to clean the damage by yourself and risk leaving some of it behind, let a professional team handle it.

In Marysville, the fire restoration team ready to tackle your needs is our group of experts at SERVPRO. Throughout our experience on the field and training with industry experts, we see a wide variety of properties and ways in which fire, soot, and smoke can affect them. When we take action using our industrial-grade equipment, you can count on our commitment to mitigating your loss and leaving your home in good repair.

How do fire restoration technicians eliminate odors?

As you watch our SERVPRO technicians perform their jobs, you may wonder how we will address the presence of an acrid smell in your home. It is obvious that removing the soot to which odor molecules stick is an important step, but it is rarely sufficient. Masking the smell with traditional aroma diffusers and sprays is also insufficient. Tapping into our knowledge of industry best practices we can apply one or several of the following to your home-

• Containment- isolating the affected area is essential, and we achieve that by installing physical barriers to prevent cross-contamination.
• Fogging- by allowing odor counteracting molecules to overcome smell molecules, we manage to reduce the smell.
• Hydroxyl Generators- we use these to break down the actual smell and purify the air in your home.

Painting and sealing the surfaces in your home can also help combat the odor left behind by the fire, and our team also handles this step.

SERVPRO of Marysville/Arlington is your go-to team when disaster strikes. Focus on an efficient restoration by calling us at (360) 658-0506 around the clock. Our team is here to leave your home looking, "Like it never even happened."

How Do Technicians Execute the Fire Restoration Process in Marysville?

8/3/2020 (Permalink)

For 24/7 assistance after a fire, contact SERVPRO of Marysville / Arlington at (360) 658-0506.

SERVPRO Manages the Project from Start to Finish in Marysville

Dealing with a fire in your Marysville property can be very traumatic and frustrating, especially when you are in a state of shock. Knowing what to do right after a fire is also overwhelming. Professional restorers help ease some of this anxiety by guiding the project each step of the way to ensure work is completed in a timely, efficient manner. They understand the critical first steps and how to execute them to ensure the least amount of secondary damage possible.

Who Manages the Restoration Project?

Leaders Belonging to the SERVPRO Fire Restoration Team Best Serve Customers
Repairing fire-damaged homes in Marysville can be difficult. Our team uses project management principles to manage your home repair project. Each crew has a project manager or a team leader to lead your repairs. They work to ensure your home returns to preloss status, whenever possible. The project manager has the ultimate responsibility for your restoration project.

What Phases are There During the Restoration?
    •    Project Initiation: Initial contact and scheduling
    •    Project Plan: Scoping the damage and determining the course of action to best address the damage
    •    Project Execution: The actual work, including project setup, scheduling, communicating, and production.
    •    Project Closeout: Final walkthrough, quality check, and billing

What is the Difference Between the Phases and Steps During the Restoration Process?
    •    Phases refer to broader periods as a guide to project facilitation.
    •    Steps refer to each separate action.
    •    Phases are essential to understand the cycle of the project, while steps are more detailed.
    •    Each step of the project holds significance and is vital in the completion of the entire home repair.

You can trust the skilled FSRT fire and smoke damage restoration technicians to apply the best practices of the IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) to mitigate the fire damage and the pervasive smoke odors and staining.

For 24/7 assistance after a fire, contact SERVPRO of Marysville / Arlington at (360) 658-0506. We make it, “Like it never even happened.”

How Do I Clean My Carpet After a Fire in Marysville?

7/31/2020 (Permalink)

You might put out a fire quickly, but the damage fire can do within that time can leave lingering effects all around your house. Contact SERVPRO.

SERVPRO technicians bring the professional equipment and extensive training to local Marysville properties for all types of restoration services

SERVPRO technicians know that choosing the carpet for your Marysville house is a significant decision and investment, which makes it hard to see it covered in soot and water after a fire in the home. The goal of restoration services is to clean items and give them a second life with no signs of the previous damage, and that includes your carpet. Cleaning methods that produce agitation are most frequently used as they force the release of the smoke damage on the carpet threads in tandem with steam cleaning and the use of carpet-safe cleaning agents. Some of the signs the techs look for as far as restoration potential include:  

If any charring occurred to the carpet fibers

• Outcome of testing of the carpet threads to determine the construction materials, so the best cleaning methods get chosen
• If the carpet needs water extraction 
• The potential for dye bleeding or if staining happened

Do I Need to Relocate During Fire Damage Restoration Services? 

If your Marysville home has had a fire, before the fire damage restoration begins, it is best to consult with the first responders as to the safety of your structure if you are considering remaining in the home. For example, a fire in your kitchen may get contained to a single area, but the soot can get tracked around the house unintentionally through foot traffic or the use of the HVAC system. In the majority of cases, the healthiest option is to relocate for a short time it will take to restore your home.

SERVPRO technicians halt the cross-contamination to other areas of your Marysville home through containment. This can get accomplished in multiple ways, but the most common involves thick gauge plastic over doors, windows, and vents.

The cleanup of the fire loss area is more than wiping away smoke damage and spritzing some air freshener. Soot particles produce odors until one of two things happens, they get removed using equipment such as air scrubbers to capture airborne particulate or through the use of neutralizing agents like hydroxyl generators or thermal fogging units.

The disposal of the waste liquid after cleaning away residues is another consideration. Mainly when the smoke damage was of the wet smoke variety and needed the assistance of dry cleaning fluid or solvents to get removed off surfaces. The leftover liquid is considered industrial waste and has specific ways it requires disposal to comply with state and local mandates. This is one of the many reasons to outsource your cleanup to SERVPRO. The technicians are trained, certified, and know the local regulations for proper disposal of biohazards and industrial waste products.

To save homeowners from replacing items, the technicians typically set up cleaning stations outside of the worksite. As things get found during the cleanup with restoration potential, they get brought to the cleaning station. The articles go through a process such as:   

• Determination of the materials that make up the object
• Testing of fibers and surfaces when necessary 
• Ascertaining the correct cleaning method for the best outcome

The removal of smoke damage from surfaces in a fire loss area requires the use of post-cleaning testing. This action gets done because some methods of releasing the grip wet, smeary residues have on surfaces sometimes involves the use of acidic or alkaline solutions. SERVPRO technicians test the surfaces after cleaning to ensure they are at a state of neutral pH, which ensures that the surfaces are not prone to any damage from chemical residues. Special attention gets paid to soot on chrome fixtures as it can be caustic and cause irreparable damage if it remains in contact for too long.

Another frequently seen issue after fire loss cleanup on carpets involves water stains. SERVPRO technicians have a multilayered approach for the removal of this type of staining. In some cases, using a steam cleaner to rewet the area and immediately steam it away eliminates the problem. On a case by case basis, the techs have access to a powerful stain lifting agent, "Brown Out" however, it is for synthetic carpets only, and it can react to certain types of dyes and cause bleaching, so testing gets done before this method gets used. The technicians also have specific cleaning solutions for natural fiber carpets with stain removal needs.

SERVPRO of Marysville / Arlington at (360) 658-0506 stands ready to assist local property owners with any size fire damage restoration services needed. The technicians are available 24/7 to come when you call and make the loss, "Like it never even happened."

Fire Damage in Marysville Leaves Heavy Smoke Residue in Basement

3/16/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Teams are always available to help day or night. Give us a call at (360) 658-0506.

You Want the Professionals to Help You With Your Homes Fire Damage

A cluttered basement can be a fire trap and cause extensive loss through fire damage. One of the most frequent reasons for this type of fire is through the improper storage of flammable chemicals or the incorrect use of extension cords such as overloading plugs. 

The worst part of the aftermath of a fire in a Marysville basement with fire damage was not from charring, but the thick covering of smoke throughout the room. SERVPRO technicians removed the items with too much loss for restoration through their advanced cleaning methods. 

What About Non-Restorable Items?

Even the process of disposing of items gets careful attention. First, the techs get approval from either the homeowner or adjuster before removing things deemed too damaged for restoration. Then, the article gets photographed and a detailed report made of its condition and reasons for being unrestorable. This document assists homeowners in the expediting of their insurance claims.

Cleanup and Restoration Applications

In the basement, once the items got cleared out, the techs got to work cleaning up in the smoke damage. Different types of surfaces need various kinds of cleaning agents to cause the residues to release the grip of the smoke on surfaces. Most importantly, before any cleanup begins, the techs test residues to determine the smoke-type as well as ensure the solution used is compatible with the surface they are cleaning. 

Specialized Cleaners for Masonry

The painted cinder block walls that were once white had heavy soot deposits and needed extensive restorative cleaning. SERVPRO has specific cleaning agents for masonry that lift away even deeply embedded residues without marring the surface. Dry ice blasting is another way to remove heavy residues without any harm to surfaces. 

Odor Control Needed

In a closed environment like a basement, there is often little to no ventilation beyond windows. SERVPRO techs work to improve air quality and remove airborne soot particles that are unhealthy and bring odor. 

After the removal of loss items, cleanup of residues, and air quality measures, the techs have numerous odor control devices to use. Some machines, such as hydroxyl generators and thermal foggers, can neutralize odorous particulate matter at the molecular level. 

SERVPRO of Marysville / Arlington at (360) 658-0506 handles the cleanup and restoration of properties with fire damage. With their advanced cleaning agents and methods, the certified techs make the fire loss "Like it never even happened."

Want to see more about Marysville?

Our Fire Damage Professionals Discuss Why Containment Is Important In Your Arlington Home

12/8/2019 (Permalink)

Contact SERVPRO of Marysville / Arlington at (360) 658-0506 when you need fire damage restoration services for your home.

Why Containment is Critical During Fire Damage Cleanup in Arlington Homes

Even when it only affects a single area in a home, fire damage looks devastating. The charred items, the loss, and of course, the odor adds to the anxiety homeowners feel when faced with this problem.

One of the first actions SERVPRO technicians perform during fire damage mitigation in Arlington homes is the containment of the work area. They do this to limit the spread of soot. These tiny but pungent particles exist smaller than the human eye can see and, once airborne, travel with ease to other parts of the home and leave a smokey odor calling card behind.

Types of Containment
There are two main types of containment used by technicians. One is the simple barrier. When using this type, they put up thick gauge plastic sheeting over doorways, vents, and any opening in the work area. Negative air equipment is another form of containment frequently used. These machines use ducting to remove soot-contaminated air from a sealed and contained area. The vacuum-effect pulls the air out and assists in inhibiting the spread of particulate matter.

Inspection for Smoke Odors
After the completion of fire loss restoration services, the SERVPRO technicians inspect the property to ensure that there was no spreading of soot in the home. They commonly check and clean the HVAC ductwork if necessary.

Getting Rid of Smoke Odors
There are multiple applications for ridding a home of residual odors. For light scents, there are time-release gel pellets. When more robust treatments are needed, technicians often rely on thermal fogging or hydroxyl generators. Everyone needs to be out of the home during thermal fogging, and SERVPRO technicians wear protective equipment and post signs during the process to ensure safety for all. Hydroxyl generators rely on a chain reaction between naturally occurring hydroxyls to attach to odor molecules and effectively neutralize them. The generators are safe to run when people and pets are present in the home.

Contact SERVPRO of Marysville / Arlington at (360) 658-0506 when you need fire damage restoration services for your home. The technicians have extensive training and certification to return your home to its pre-fire condition, “Like it never even happened.”

For more about Arlington click here.

Arlington Soot Damaged Contents Get the TLC for Restoration from SERVPRO

10/9/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Uses Mechanical Means Like Vacuuming to Begin Salvaging Soot and Fire Damaged Furnishings in Arlington Homes

How SERVPRO Restores Hardwood Furniture with Fire Damage in Arlington Properties

When fire damage occurs in a home, the technicians work equally hard cleaning and restoring both the structure and the contents. As they remove charred items without restoration potential from the house, they also look for things that have recovery possibilities through different applications.

SERVPRO technicians know when they handle fire damage in an Arlington home, their goal is to limit the cost for the homeowner from replacing non-restorable things. Contrary to popular belief, hardwood furniture exposed to smoke damage is not automatically a write-off as a fire loss, and under certain circumstances, recovery is possible.  

Is Hardwood Furniture Restorable?
Each fire loss worksite is unique. Furniture with smoke and soot damage receives an inspection to determine the restorability. Many factors affect the potential outcome, such as the construction materials, amount of damage, and length of exposure. Technicians that are IICRC certified (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification) examine hardwood furnishings to determine the wood type and the kind of smoke residue affecting the piece. They then test the deposits to determine the type of smoke damage.

Cleaning Hardwood Furniture
SERVPRO technicians know the type of finish and how it ties into choosing the appropriate cleaning methods. Common wood finishes they encounter most often are varnish, shellac, lacquer, paint, and finishing waxes. The finish is the furniture's protection against dust, smoke particles, moisture, and even heat exposure, and different finishes react in diverse ways to fire. That is why testing and choosing the appropriate cleaning method is crucial.

In situations where the finish is blistered, but the piece is in otherwise good shape, the technicians may recommend that the piece receives refurbishment from an outside professional furniture restorer after cleaning to remove the top-level smoke damage. In many cases, we may be able to do this task.

Furniture Without Finish May Be a Loss
Unfinished wood is a porous surface and readily absorbs smoke residues and soot. Technicians often use dry cleaning or denatured alcohol methods, but this type of furnishing is, in some cases, not restorable because of deeply embedded residues reside.

SERVPRO of Marysville / Arlington works hard to reverse the effects of fire damage. The technicians are available 24/7 at (360) 658-0506 to restore the structure and contents and make it, "Like it never even happened."

For a closer look at Arlington, click.

How Smoke Damages A Home

12/25/2018 (Permalink)

A house fire can be devastating and is something no homeowner wants to experience. However, if a fire does occur in your home, professional fire clean up services are available to help you recover from the damage. It's important to know exactly how and where fire damage can impact your home before the clean up process begins, especially since some areas of your home may have smoke damage that's not visible.

Unexpected Issues from Fire and Smoke Damage

After a fire, it's usually evident what smoke damage looks like in your home - whether it's charred items, discolored walls, or ash and soot on the floor - but it can also produce smells and other side effects that are harmful to surfaces as well as your health. It's also important to note that some signs of smoke damage can occur immediately, while others are only apparent several hours - or even days - after the fire.

Discoloration
 
Shortly after a fire, the effects of smoke damage are visible on walls, ceilings and surfaces, appearing as stains and discoloration. Within a few days, walls and flooring may begin to turn yellow; however, this yellowing affect doesn't show right away. Plastic surfaces/appliances and wood can also become discolored and warped. Several hours after a fire, metal hardware can show signs of rust and corrosion. If you have countertops, tiles or other surfaces that contain porous stone such as marble, granite or travertine, they usually become permanently discolored from the acidic residue found in soot. This residue can also permanently tarnish metals.

Odor
 
Surfaces of your home, specifically fabric items, may not only show visible signs of fire damage, but also may contain a smoky odor. Smoke produces tiny particles of carbon in the air, and when deposited, these particles are called soot. Getting rid of the smoke residue, or soot, is the first step to reducing the smell of a fire.

Smoke is made up of several components, which contribute to the smell that lingers after fire damage.

• Particles - partially or completely burned substances that are sometimes toxic and can penetrate surfaces and fabrics.
• Vapors - misty, fog-like droplets that can be poisonous if inhaled or absorbed.
• Toxic gases - although it is odorless, carbon monoxide (CO), is the most common toxic gas that results from a fire. Phosgene is created when household products such as vinyl, plastics and other chemicals and solvents containing chlorine materials are burned. Hydrogen cyanide is a by-product from the combustion and burning of insulation, carpets, clothing, synthetics, and plastics, such as PVC pipe.

The smell of smoke gets trapped in clothing, carpets, drapes and upholstered furniture, and unless these items are properly cleaned and deodorized by a professional fire clean up service, they may retain the smoky smell for a long period of time. The source of the odor can oftentimes be difficult to pinpoint. It could be in the soot on a surface, in the pores of wood or saturated in the finish of a piece of furniture.

Interior Damage
 
While smoke damage is visible on walls and ceilings, it can also permeate these surfaces and cause damage to a home's structure/framing, wall studs, insulation and air ducts in your ventilation system. When soot and smoke particles become trapped in the HVAC system, the smoke odor can reoccur periodically and even cause respiratory problems.

Electrical Damage
 
If any part of a home with wiring experiences fire damage, it usually means that the electrical system has been compromised, too. Depending on the source of the fire, any of the following electrical components may be damaged: wiring, cords, outlets, switches, fuses and breaker boxes. Appliances that have been affected by fire damage can show signs of corrosion, experience short circuits and malfunction, or fail completely.

No matter the level of destruction to your home, you should always consult licensed and trained industry professionals to access smoke or fire damage before you move forward with restoration and repairs.

Areas of a Home Commonly Affected by Fire Damage

The level of damage will vary depending on where a fire originated. An enclosed space typically will not have as much smoke damage as a large, open room with multiple appliances and a lot of wiring in the walls. Additionally, certain parts of a room may experience more damage than others.

Ceilings
 
Because hot air rises, the highest concentration of smoke residue is commonly found directly above where a fire started - usually on the ceiling above the point of origin. Nail heads in the ceiling (and walls) can also attract smoke particles, which appear as an outline of a ring around them.

Corners
 
When smoke particles are ionized - or have an electrical charge - they are attracted to certain surfaces. Smoke produced by burning plastic carries a stronger charge than smoke from wood, paper or cotton. This causes smoke residue to form in clusters that look like cobwebs in the corners of rooms where walls and ceilings meet.

Walls and Windows
 
Windows and exterior walls are usually cooler than the center of a room and because smoke naturally travels to areas with a lower temperature, it's common to find a lot of smoke residue on outside walls and even in spaces behind drapes and blinds, even more so than surrounding surfaces.

Next Steps

Once you and your family are safe, you'll need to contact a professional smoke and fire clean up service to assess the damage and advise you on the type of service(s) you'll need to remove any smoke damage. It's highly advised to seek smoke damage restoration within a few days of the fire to minimize the amount of repairs your home will need.

https://www.resolvebylowes.com/guidance/fire/how-smoke-damages-a-home/115000893728

What To Do After Smoke Damage Has Happened?

12/11/2018 (Permalink)

Fire and smoke damage can be devastating to personal property and structures. Quick action is the only way to minimize the destruction. The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification, IICRC, is a globally recognized organization whose mission is to establish higher industry standards. As a referral source for consumers, IICRC  certified firms are more likely to provide a faster, better service  than non-certified competitors.

Restoration costs increase and damages escalate when the cleaning process is extended. By hastening the hiring process and using an IICRC certified technician, owners  will be rewarded by having the damage stopped so repairs can begin.

What happens only minutes after the disaster?

Immediately after a fire, soot residue settles onto the property. Discoloration of porous materials is permanent, but other surfaces may be properly cleaned to remove the discoloration. Acidic soot begins staining other surfaces if not treated quickly.

Within hours all surfaces begin to suffer from fire and smoke damage. Wooden furniture may require refinishing. Metal begins to rust, pit and corrode. Painted walls begin to yellow. Clothing  can become permanently stained. And finally, flooring may require refinishing or replacement.

If left untreated, within weeks the restoration process will take longer and cost more.  Prolonged soot exposure permanently harms all surfaces and embeds in fibers. Replacement of property may be the best option at this point. The structure may continue deteriorating if not properly restored.

IICRC suggests the following steps after the incident:

• Remember safety comes first. Do not enter the property without proper work gloves and  appropriate respiratory protection. Exposure to soot residue causes respiratory distress and other medical emergencies.
• Bring along a few box fans. Upon entering the property open the windows and place the box fans in the windows to force out the contaminated air and dust. Proper ventilation helps to prevent further smoke damage and reduces potential injury to people.
• Remove loose smoke contamination with a professional dry cleaning soot sponge.
• Clean every surface with soap and water. Begin at the top and work down to the floor. Be sure to get inside cabinets and cupboards.
• Using a high efficiency vacuum cleaner with a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) Filter, vacuum upholstery and carpet. A good filtration system on a high efficiency vacuum prevents the soot from being blown back into the cleaned space. Clean or change the filter regularly.
• Launder bedding, clothes, curtains, and other washable materials. An alkaline cleaner neutralizes the acid found in the soot. Fine materials should be professionally dry-cleaned by a dry-cleaner who is experienced in smoke damaged articles.
• Clean the exterior walls and eaves using a water hose attached to the proper cleaner. Agitate and loosen stuck-on soot. The smoke damage to the outside of the property will continue until the soot is removed.

Though heavy residues require the assistance of professional restoration technicians, a certified technician may be contacted for any amount of smoke damage. Improper processes can further harm the property or belongings.

Fire And Smoke Damage Do's And Don'ts

12/5/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Marysville/Arlington is your stop for Fire & Smoke damage cleanup and restoration. We have been operating for over 40 years and have extensive knowledge and expertise in the Fire & Smoke damage cleanup industry.

DO:

Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into 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.

DONT:

Do not attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces with our fist contacting your SERVPRO of Marysville/Arlington Professional.

Do not attempt to clean any electrical appliances, TV sets, radios, etc. that have been close to fire, heat or water with out first consulting an authorized repair service person.

Do not consume any canned or packaged food, beverages or medications that may have been stored close to fire, heat or water. (They may be contaminated)

If you're home suffers a fire or smoke damage be sure to call SERVPRO of Marysville/Arlington and as always is "Here to Help." 

Fire Escape Planning For Your Business

12/5/2018 (Permalink)

An emergency escape plan is not required for all businesses, however, OSHA recommends building an emergency action plan to protect yourself, your employees, and your business during an emergency. OSHA suggests the following steps when developing a plan.

Organize an Emergency Preparedness Procedures review with employees to review your company's emergency plans. You may wish to select an individual or team of individuals to lead and coordinate your emergency plan.

Once a plan is developed, post evacuation procedures, including routes and exits, where they are easily accessible to all employees. Ensure all exits and routes are clearly marked, and will lit, wide enough to accommodate the number of evacuating personnel, and unobstructed and clear of debris at all times.

Conduct office evacuation exercises and drills. Designate a safe spot outside of the facility where employees can regroup, recover and conduct a head count. Once completed, evaluate how well the plan worked and if additional training or exercises are needed.

Fire Damage Emergency Tips

12/5/2018 (Permalink)

After any fire damage situation, your primary focus should be safety:

• Is it safe to stay in the house?
• Electrical and "slip and fall" hazards are some of the most prevalent concerns.
• Only do activities that are safe for you to perform.
• Wet materials can be VERY heavy. Be careful!

Have A Fire or Smoke Damage Emergency? 
Call 1-800-SERVPRO

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 your SERVPRO Franchise Professional.
• 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.

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

Fire Damage And Restoration

12/5/2018 (Permalink)

Fires can be especially devastating to your home or business. After the fire trucks leave, your property will suffer from not only fire and smoke damage, but also widespread water damage and flooding from firefighting efforts. SERVPRO Franchise Professionals have specialized fire and water damage restoration training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your home to pre-fire condition. They also can remove the pervasive smoke odor and deep-clean soot from upholstery and carpet. 

Please refer to our Fire Damage Tips - Until Help Arrives Guide and follow these tips to protect yourself and your property.

SERVPRO Franchise Professionals

• Provide 24/7 Emergency Service
• Highly Trained Fire and Water Restoration Specialists
• Faster to Any Size Disaster
• A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry with over 1,700 Franchises
• Preferred Vendor for Many National and Local Insurance Companies

Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage? Call Today 1-800-SERVPRO

Why Choose SERVPRO Franchise Professionals?

They’re Faster to Any Size Disaster

SERVPRO Franchise Professionals are dedicated to responding immediately when you need help with a fire or water damage event. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces cost.

Learn More

They’re Fire and Water Damage Specialists

They specialize in fire and water damage restoration, the cornerstone of our business. SERVPRO Franchise Professionals have extensive training and equipment to get your property back to pre-fire condition.

• Fire & Smoke Restoration Technician
• Odor Control Technician
• Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning Technician
• Water Damage Restoration Technician

Learn More

They Have a Restore vs. Replace Mentality

SERVPRO Franchise Professionals clean and restore your property using specialized equipment and cleaning techniques. Their “restore first” mentality reduces interruption and gets you back to your life.

Learn More

The Fire Damage Restoration Process

SERVPRO Franchise Professionals know just how devastating a fire can be. Fire and water damage can leave your house unsafe and unlivable. They’re trained to clean and restore your home with as little disruption as possible. Learn more about the fire damage restoration process.

Step1: Emergency Contact

Step 2: Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment

Step 3: Immediate Board-Up and Roof Tarp Service (if needed)

Step 4: Water Removal and Drying (if water damage is present)

Step 5: Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces

Step 6: Cleaning and Repair

Step 7: Restoration

https://www.SERVPRO.com/fire-smoke-damage-restoration

Why Professionals Should Clean Smoke Damage From A Fire

12/5/2018 (Permalink)

When the firefighters leave, it may seem like the danger has passed and the home is safe from further destruction, but without professionals to help clean the smoke damage, the building will never return to normal. While the principles behind fire restoration are fairly simple, it requires a lot of experience and manpower to perform adequately, and this means that it shouldn’t be attempted by a homeowner on his or her own.

While fire is always the immediate danger, once it is gone, what it leaves behind will continue to affect the house. Ash and smoke, if left unhindered, will cause extensive corrosion, etching and discoloration, not to mention lingering powerful odors. Professionals that clean fire and smoke damage can stop this before it becomes a major problem, assuming they are contacted soon enough. There are many companies out there that advertise their ability to restore areas affected by fire, but only those with proper training and certification should be considered. The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is the main oversight agency in this industry. The IICRC requires its registrants to take extensive coursework before earning their certification. This is a symbol of excellence, and those that uphold the standards that have been set can be contacted through the IICRC.

These professionals can clean smoke damage and restore items affected by a fire, but they must be brought to the site as soon as possible to halt the ongoing issues that ash residue can cause. The first thing that ash does to the home is discolor most surfaces. Anything that is made of plastic or was close to the fire will start discoloring within minutes, and within several hours, fiberglass and finishes on appliances will begin to yellow. Metals may also tarnish. After a few days pass, the ash will cause walls to discolor permanently, along with clothing and upholstery. Wood and vinyl will need to be refinished or replaced, and metal will start corroding.

If a professional isn’t hired to clean smoke and fire damage, the costs for restoration will skyrocket after a few weeks. Metals may need to be replaced, carpet will permanently discolor and glass may be severely etched, which will necessitate replacement. It will also become apparent that the odors caused by the disaster may still be present and intense enough to be distracting. Because ash is acidic, the longer it takes to hire experts, the more destruction it will cause.

The first thing a trained, certified, professional company will do when on site is to identify all affected materials and the source of any odors. The only way to properly clean smoke and fire damage is to be extremely thorough. Ash residue is easily disturbed and can spread through the building with ease, causing nearly everything to need restoration. The experts will identify what can and cannot be salvaged, and will remove any built-up ash residue that is coating surfaces. Over time, ash builds up in layers, and may eventually form into a lacquer-like consistency. Once this is done, the restorers will locate the source of the odor, and treat it with specialized detergents that are formulated for neutralizing this kind of odor. Once materials are treated, they may be sealed off to prevent any further odor from permeating the air in the future.

This entire process is very detailed, and hiring a professional that can be trusted to do the job right is imperative