3 Lease Clauses Smart Landlords Use To Protect Themselves in Case of Fire

7/25/2022 (Permalink)

Make Sure You Have These Three Covered In Your Rental Agreement

If a fire damages your rental property, do you and your tenant(s) understand who pays for what? It’s best to address any questionable situations in advance, and the easiest way to do that is by including clear provisions in the lease. Make sure you have these three issues covered in your rental agreement so that you’re protected if an apartment fire breaks out.

1. Require Renters Insurance
Renters insurance covers fire damage to the tenant(s)’s personal property, such as furniture, clothing, electronics, and other belongings. Most renters insurance policies also pay for tenants to stay elsewhere, until fire restoration is complete. If there’s a fire and your tenants don’t have renters insurance, they’ll be completely out of pocket for belongings and temporary housing. Avoid this situation by including a lease provision that requires tenants to maintain valid renters insurance.

2. Outline Some Temporary Lodging Rules
Renters insurance should cover temporary housing in Peoria, AZ, for your tenants while the fire damage is being repaired. However, temporary lodging is the most frequent source of misunderstandings after an apartment fire. Save yourself the headache and clearly outline your policy ahead of time, in the lease. Note: if the tenant (or his/her insurance) is responsible for temporary housing, make sure that you pro-rate or refund rent paid for any time that the apartment is uninhabitable.

3. Set Time Limits for Repairs
Your lease should contain a provision for situations where the fire damage is so severe that the property will remain unlivable for an extended or indefinite period. In that situation, you and the tenant should consider the lease terminated, and you should refund any deposits as appropriate based upon the other terms of your lease.

You and your tenant will both have plenty of things to worry about after an apartment fire. A well-drafted lease will ensure that a disagreement over rental terms won’t be one of them.

3 Reasons You Need Business Interruption Insurance

5/9/2022 (Permalink)

In the event of a fire, you'd still have to pay the lease or mortgage on your retail space while a commercial fire restoration company does repairs.

Three Reasons Why You Should Get Business Interruption Insurance

When you start a business in Luke Air Force Base, AZ, you have a lot to do before opening your doors. There are a lot of permits to get, materials to purchase, and staff to hire. It's also important to think about what you'll do if you experience an interruption to your business. By creating a contingency plan for emergencies, you prepare your business to succeed long-term. Here are three reasons you need business interruption insurance.

1. Pay Your Lease During Suspension

Most interruption insurance policies cover you if you have to suspend your business activities due to events like fire or theft. In the event of a fire, you would still have to pay the lease or mortgage on your retail space while a commercial fire restoration company does repairs. Business interruption insurance covers your lease while you can't earn money to pay it.

2. Pay Your Employees After an Emergency

After an emergency such as a business fire, you still need to pay your employees while repairs are done. Your employees count on you for their income, so it's crucial to be able to pay them to keep them around so you can get back to business as soon as possible. Interruption insurance helps you cover payroll.

3. Pay To Relocate Because of Fire Cleaning

In instances of severe damage, you might need to temporarily relocate while your permanent space undergoes a deep fire cleaning process. Interruption insurance can cover the costs of relocating to a temporary location. As you shop for interruption insurance, talk with a representative about what costs could be covered and coverage limits. It's important to consider how far you would have to move, how much there would be to move, and if you would need additional storage.

When you plan ahead for a business interruption by purchasing insurance, you are planning for the future success of your business.

The Top 3 Gas Range Cleaners

4/7/2022 (Permalink)

Diluted acetic acid can loosen food stuck onto the surface of a gas range, dissolve cooking grease and banish smoke smell

The Best Cleaners For Gas Ranges

When you cook at home, food debris and grease accumulate on a stovetop. Glass-top electric ranges call for specialized cleaning solutions, but several standard household cleaners can be effective for a gas range. Here are the top three gas stove cleaning solutions.

1. Vinegar

Distilled white vinegar is a common household cleaner. Diluted acetic acid can loosen food stuck onto the surface of a gas range, dissolve cooking grease and banish smoke smell. For more scrubbing power, sprinkle the stove surface with baking soda.
Most cleaning experts recommend making a one-to-one mixture of 5% distilled vinegar or 6% cleaning vinegar and water to clean a stovetop. Remove the grates before spraying the surface and allow vinegar to sit for a minute before wiping.

2. Dish Soap

Dish soap contains degreasing agents. If you do not have vinegar on hand or prefer to use soap, you can use this mixture to clean the entire stove or focus on areas with built up grease.

If you plan to clean the entire range with dish soap, you may want to spray on a diluted mixture. You can also use full-strength soap on grease buildup by applying this cleaner directly to a scrub brush.

3. Degreaser

If it has been a while since your last range cleaning, you may get the best results from degreaser. These powerful cleaning formulas are formulated to dissolve heavy buildup.

Follow the instructions for any brand of degreaser you buy. These treatments should generally be sprayed on and given several minutes to penetrate before being wiped off.

It is important to regularly wipe down the gas range at a residence in Weedville, AZ. A dirty stove and combustibles that are kept too close to cooking areas can cause or intensify a kitchen fire. Regular cleaning and good fire safety practices can greatly reduce the risk of a house fire.

How To Protect Your Roof After Fire Damage

3/14/2022 (Permalink)

One of the first things that the professional restoration services do when you call them for fire, is to secure the roof to avoid further damages.

How To Restore Your Roof After A Fire

When a fire breaks out in your building in Glendale, AZ, one of your first calls will likely be to professional restoration services for fire cleanup. One of the first things they will do is secure the roof so that no further damage happens to your building. Having a tarp professionally installed on the roof can prevent excessive water damage from rain as well as keep extra dirt and debris from fall through to the attic.

Applying the Tarp

The benefit of having a tarp placed on your damaged roof by professionals is that you know it will protect your building while it's being repaired. Professional tarp services include the following steps:

• Anchoring a board to the roof
  
• Placing the tarp over the anchor board
  
• Applying a second board on top of the tarp to hold it in place
  
• Ensuring the tarp extends over the roof's edge
  
• Securing the boards and the tarp so they don't become detached

A tarp that is properly secured protects your building throughout the fire cleanup process by covering any holes created by the flames or resulting from the repair process itself. Technicians should replace the tarp whenever they are not actively working on the roof.

Preventing Damage

When your building needs roof repair, it becomes vulnerable to many outside elements. A rainstorm could cause significant leaking, which, if not remedied in a timely manner, can turn into a mold infestation. Debris can blow into the building from the holes in your roof. An unsecured roof can also be tempting to animals such as birds and squirrels that are looking for a place to nest. By covering the roof any time they're not working on repairs, your technicians help you avoid these problems.

Protecting your building from secondary damage is essential during fire cleanup. From assessing the problem to completing the restoration, experts are here to help.

Fire Extinguishers: Understanding the P.A.S.S. Technique

1/6/2022 (Permalink)

A fire extinguisher is a life-saving tool, and there may come a time when it is your only means of defense.

Understanding The P.A.S.S. Technique With Fire Extinguishers

A fire extinguisher is one of the most essential pieces of life-saving equipment in your commercial property. While your fire suppression system is excellent for your overall facility and alarms will ensure the safe evacuation of your employees or tenants, extinguishers provide a direct line of defense and allow for immediate response to manageable fires. However, there is a four-step process known as the P.A.S.S. technique.

1. Pull

The first step is to pull the pin from the extinguisher handle. The removal of this pin will allow the handle to be fully compressed, releasing the compressed air and chemical mixture to extinguish the flames.

2. Aim

A fire extinguisher will typically have a short, flexible, rubber hose attached to the nozzle and extending away from the handle. This will allow you to aim the compressed mixture at the fire. However, be sure to avoid contact with the discharge opening as the CO2 can damage your skin.

3. Squeeze

Squeezing the handle will release the extinguishing agent. Its mixture will come out quickly and somewhat powerfully, so be prepared and keep firm aim on the blaze.

4. Sweep

You will want to use a sweeping motion, focusing the extinguishing mixture on the base of the fire. Continue this process until the fire is out. After the fire is out, watch the are and ensure that there are no remaining embers. It is possible for a fire to reignite, causing more fire damage.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the proper extinguisher technique, you can contact your local fire department or a fire remediation specialist in the Peoria, AZ, area. These professionals should be able to instruct you on the basics of fire safety and may even offer a demonstration.

A fire extinguisher is a life-saving tool, and there may come a time when it is your only means of defense. However, most often it will be used to squelch small fires, like a kitchen fire, before they turn into more significant disasters. Either way, knowing proper technique is key.

Situations When Your Insurance Won’t Cover a House Fire

12/2/2021 (Permalink)

You homeowner’s policy won’t cover fire damage if it occurs when your home was vacant.

When Your Insurance Doesn't Pay For A House Fire

Do you ever get frustrated making that monthly insurance premium payment? You may spend a fair amount of money on homeowner’s insurance, but if the time comes when you need to use it, you’re grateful for the coverage it provides. Insurance can give you peace of mind and save you from financial ruin. Take a home fire, for example. Your homeowner’s insurance will cover the cost of loss in a fire in most cases. There are only a few situations in which you’ll be out of luck.

Unusual Circumstances

Let’s get the most uncommon issues out of the way first. There are a few events where your policy wouldn’t cover a fire at your Weedville, AZ, home, but the chances of these are extremely small. Still, it’s helpful to know that you are on the rare and unfortunate end of these situations that you’ll have to seek help in some other way.

• Nuclear blast. If this happens at our near your home, there are more widespread things to worry about. But your policy won’t cover it.
• Act of war. If a home fire starts as a result of an invading army, you can’t rely on your insurance for help.

Intentional Fires

Under no conditions will any insurance company ever cover a fire that started from arson. People sometimes try this method to get money from their insurance. This act won’t just leave you with damage or potentially no home, but it’s punishable with prison time.

Vacant Building

You homeowner’s policy won’t cover fire damage if it occurs when your home was vacant. Usually, this means you haven’t occupied it for more than 30 consecutive days. You can purchase additional insurance in these cases in the even a vacant home fire causes damage or destroys the structure.

If you need further information about cleaning up after a fire, contact an expert restoration specialist. You should also become familiar with your insurance policy and understand to what extent it will cover a home fire.

3 Actions To Take After a House Fire

10/27/2021 (Permalink)

House fire in a Weedville, AZ.

3 Things to Do After a House Fire

After a fire sweeps through your Weedville, AZ, home, the cleanup process can seem insurmountable. With belongings to salvage and sort, damage to catalog and smoke and soot to clean up, you may not know where to begin. However, there are a few steps you can take to begin the fire restoration process, and they may give you peace of mind as you attempt to recover from a blaze.

1. Contact Your Insurance Company

Once the fire is completely extinguished and you are certain everyone is safe, put in a call to your insurance company as soon as possible. Filing a claim with your fire insurance agent within 24 hours of the incident might help him or her process it with more efficiency. This could mean a quicker payout to help cover the cost of repairs and smoke cleaning.

2. Avoid Disturbing Affected Rooms

While you may want to enter fire-damaged rooms to retrieve certain items, doing so isn’t always safe and could compromise any type of inspection your insurance adjuster performs. If possible, tape off any affected areas and do not let any family members enter. You’ll likely be anxious to start the fire restoration process; however, waiting for insurance and cleanup professionals to arrive first may help the process go more smoothly.

3. Call in Fire Cleanup Experts

The mess left behind after a fire is sometimes considerable, so calling in a company that specializes in smoke cleaning and restoration can be an effective step in recovery. Cleanup technicians who are trained in this area can bring in air scrubbing and fogging machines to remove soot and smoke from your carpeting, walls and ceiling. They may also be able to advise you about photo and document recovery and restoration as well.

The aftermath of a fire in your Weedville, AZ, home is often difficult to face. However, knowing which steps to take right away can streamline the fire restoration process and allow you to recover quickly.

Can Lightning Start a House Fire?

7/21/2021 (Permalink)

Lightning occurs when regions of excess positive and negative charge develop within the cloud.

What Happens When Lightning Strikes Your House

Lightning is the cause of a number of house fires every year. A lightning fire typically occurs when a hot flash strikes a combustible object or travels through conductive metal objects and then ignites combustibles. It is important to recognize the risks of a direct strike and a phenomenon called side flash in order to safely respond to a strike on or around your home. It is almost always a good idea to call the fire department if your home has been struck.

1. Direct strike: A direct hot strike can cause a fire, particularly if it makes contact with combustible material in or around your home. As soon as your home is struck, check for any signs of fire and contact the fire department from a cellular phone as soon as possible. Avoid using a landline in case current is traveling through the wiring. You can rest easy once you are sure that your residence is not running an elevated risk for lightning fire.

2. Side flash: This phenomenon occurs when a strike travels through conductive metal features such as downspouts, gutters, gas lines, water pipes, window frames, or wiring and then ignites combustible building materials such as insulation. Lightning does not require conductive objects to travel down to the ground, but if a side flash occurs, it may lead to hidden fires within the attic or walls of a house.

Whether a direct hot strike starts a fire or the transmission of current through materials in your home in the event of a side strike ends up igniting combustible materials, only the fire department can ensure that your home is safe. A hidden house fire can put homeowners at risk and cause extensive damage prior to being detected. If your home sustains damage from a lightning fire, contact a company that provides fire restoration services in Glendale, AZ.

How To Prepare a Home Fire Escape Plan

7/5/2021 (Permalink)

Having a fire escape plan is a home safety must.

Basic Steps To Prepare Your Plan

You never know when catastrophe might strike in Peoria, AZ. The chances of experiencing a home fire may be fairly low, but if it happens, being prepared can mean the difference between life and death. Making a fire escape plan for your family in case of a home fire ensures that if the worst-case scenario comes true, you’re prepared. Follow these basic steps to prepare your plan.

1. You should know two ways to exit every room in your home. That way, if one exit route is blocked by fire, you have an alternative route. Make sure windows are easy to open and provide enough room for someone to get through them. Everyone in your house, including children, should know how to open windows and be able to do it themselves.

2. Draw an actual map of your escape routes. Map out the floorplan of your house on graph paper and draw in how to escape from each room. The Red Cross offers a handy printout to help you. Hang your fire escape plan somewhere obvious and make sure every member of the family is familiar with it.

3. Choose an outside meeting point. It can be easy to lose track of family members during the chaos of a disaster. Chose a landmark where family members should meet after escaping, such as a tree. It should be far enough away from your burning home to be safe.

4. Perform family fire drills and time your escape. At least twice a year you should hold a fire drill so your family has a chance to practice your emergency escape plan. Fires can escalate very quickly, so everyone should try to get outside in under 2 minutes.

5. Make sure everyone in your family knows fire safety procedures. Practice crawling to avoid smoke inhalation and know how to stop, drop and roll if clothes catch fire.

Having a fire escape plan is a home safety must. Although you may never need to use it, if you’re faced with a catastrophic home fire in Peoria, AZ, knowing exactly what to do and where to go can save lives.

Creating a Fire Escape Plan

5/24/2021 (Permalink)

Smoke detectors are the first line of defense in quickly getting out of a home.

Making the Plan

When developing an emergency escape plan, ensure that everyone is involved in the process. It is also important to take any special conditions into consideration to ensure young children, immobile family members, and pets can safely get out of the home. Below are a few tips to consider during the planning process.

Tour your home and determine two potential exits for each room. Ensure all potential escape routes are accessible and clear of any obstacles, which includes verifying that windows work.
Include a backup plan in case established escape routes are blocked. Communicate the importance of closing doors and place a towel or other item at the bottom to block the smoke.
Establish a safe meeting spot away from your home, such as a mailbox, stop sign or neighbor’s home. Make sure the location is at the front of the home so you will be visible to emergency responders.
Check that your house number is visible and can easily be found by responders.
If you have overnight guests, share the plan with them.
Conduct a drill at least two times a year to ensure everyone understands the plan and can act accordingly.

Smoke Alarms
A key component of a fire escape plan is being alerted to a fire. Smoke detectors are the first line of defense in quickly getting out of a home. Install alarms on every floor of the home, as well as in each sleeping area. Test the batteries once a month and replace them twice a year.
If a fire breaks out, having a fire escape plan can making facing the scary situation a little easier. Getting everyone out safely should be the only priority. Any property damage or loss can be dealt with afterward by a fire and smoke restoration specialist.

3 Ways for Buyers To Differentiate Between Fire Extinguishers

3/25/2021 (Permalink)

Types of fire extinguishers

Ways To Differentiate Between Fire Extinguishers

Buying a fire extinguisher for your West Glenn Estates, AZ, home is very wise. However, it can also be confusing. There are many different types of extinguishers available, so you may be unsure about which kind to buy. If you need advice in this area, here are three ways for buyers to differentiate between fire extinguishers.

1. Size
The size of an extinguisher is one of the most important factors to consider. Essentially, larger extinguishers will be more effective against substantial fires. However, you may have difficulty handling or even picking up the heavier ones. These are the usual sizes of extinguishers:

• Two-pound
  
• Five-pound
  
• Ten-pound
  
  

Take into account where you plan to be using your fire extinguisher. For instance, a two-pound model would be the easiest to use in a mobile space.

2. Chemical
The chemical in an extinguisher is also something to consider. The most common materials used are carbon dioxide, air pressurized water and dry chemical. These options are each effective against different types of fires, so consider the intended use before investing. For example, a home fire around or from electrical items should be dealt with using dry chemical material. If you're worried about how much damage a certain chemical could cause, it may be taken care of during the fire restoration process.

3. Fire Classification Label
Every extinguisher should have a label that denotes what type of fires it's effective against. Most use A, B or C. In general, A is combustibles, B is liquids and C is electricity. There should also be numbers in fine print next to the letter. This denotes how effective a fire extinguisher is against certain fires. If this aspect confuses you, keep in mind that the more expensive options are likely more effective. You can also contact an expert to see what type would work best in your home.
Getting the right extinguisher, like any part of the fire preparedness process, can be highly important. Think it through and make an informed decision.

How Many Fire Alarms Should Your Home Have?

1/14/2021 (Permalink)

Most alarms and smoke detectors can be trusted as reliable for eight to ten years

How Many Fire Alarms Should Your Home Have?

A home fire is capable of causing maximum damage and devastation in a short amount of time. A fire alarm can alert you to the danger and give you and your family time to react and get to safety. The number of alarms you should have in your home in Grand Manor, AZ, is dependent on the size of your home.

1. How Many Alarms Should You Have?
Every home should have smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on each level of the home, including the basement. Count your bedrooms and stories to determine the proper number of alarms for your home. It is better to err on the side of caution and have too many alarms rather than too few.

2. How Often Should You Replace Alarms?
Most alarms and smoke detectors can be trusted as reliable for eight to ten years. To help you remember to replace your fire alarm after such a long span of time, write the date of installation on the back near the battery compartment, along with the date eight to ten years away. You will see the date every time you replace the batteries and notice when it is time to replace the device.

3. How Do You Recover After a Fire?
After a fire, you need to restore your home to safe and livable conditions. Fire damage can be extensive and difficult to repair. Smoke damage comes with health hazards if not cleaned correctly. Restoration experts can help you safely recover your home after a fire and return it to pre-fire conditions.
For a device that lasts a decade and can save your life, smoke alarms are an extremely affordable investment. Make it a habit to test each fire alarm in your home to ensure that it is functioning properly, and to change the batteries, at least once a year when you change your clocks.

Are Candles Too Dangerous to Use?

9/23/2020 (Permalink)

When used properly and on rare occasions, candles are fine

Candles have been a major aid to human life. They chase away the demons of the night, have an almost visceral appeal to the inner spirit, and can freshen a room. However, they are also dangerous for both property and life, making modern candle alternatives highly desirable.

Why Are Candles Bad News?

When used properly and on rare occasions, candles are fine. A romantic dinner or special event can be livened up by the flickering light in an almost magical way. But it comes at a price:

• Over 15,000 fires annually in the U.S.
• Around 150 deaths per year.
• Toxic fumes can be harmful to humans and pets.
  

Why Are There So Many Fires?
Any time there’s an open flame, there’s an accident waiting to happen. People get distracted, candles get bumped, and sometimes the wrong holders are used. Most flameless candles avoid this problem by avoiding an open flame altogether.

What Are Candle Alternatives?
A flame isn’t always the best way to create ambience! Alternative choices often include a flameless heating element inside the unit to release aromas into the room, or LED candles that produce light but no heat.

What Are the Best Options?
Comenzar has a few excellent options for LED candles. They include a remote control and are battery powered. LED Lytes has quite a few LED candles in a number of colors.
The options for releasing perfumes into a room are even greater. Incense stick diffusers release their scent without a flame. Ultrasonic oil diffusers are small humidifiers that release tiny amounts of scented mist. Wax warmers have an internal heating element with no flame that either heat candles or uses wax cartridges.
Potpourri is one of the most popular candle alternatives. It can be used on a stove, in a slow cooker or with a small candle below a potpourri pot. It looks attractive while simmering gently in an entryway or bedroom.
However, when a candle fire does occur in Grand Manor, AZ, you’ll typically need the services of a professional fire damage restoration company. Ideally, call them immediately after the flames are out to get your home back to normal quickly.

How Do Automatic Fire Sprinklers Work During a Commercial Building Fire?

7/5/2020 (Permalink)

Each fire sprinkler head is alert for a fire in its zone

Inside many commercial and multi-family residential buildings, a silent sentinel keeps guard against a fire. Overhead, each fire sprinkler head is alert for a fire in its zone, and the instant it detects one, it pops the safety tab and unleashes a burst of water directly at the source.

Are They Effective?

Very much so! Studies show that nothing is better at reducing fire damage and saving lives than a working active fire suppression system:

• A 92% reduction in property damage.
  
• Up to 100% reduction in lives lost.
  
• Fire propagation is often reduced to a single room.
  
  

What Sets off an Automatic Fire Sprinkler?
Every sprinkler head works independently to detect a fire. Inside the sprinkler, there’s a device that will break or melt when a precise heat threshold is met. When heat from any source reaches the limit, the heat sensor will fail.
The water is always on at each head. This is a fail-safe setup, meaning that the sprinkler doesn’t have to do anything to work – the heat-sensitive device holds the water valve closed until it breaks. Unless it’s been tampered with since the last full inspection, it will activate when enough heat is applied, and the sprinkler will immediately start fanning water onto the flames.

What if The Sprinkler Head Activates Accidentally?
Statistically, that’s highly unlikely. Around 1 in 16 million heads will activate without a high heat event – a minuscule risk compared to the damage from a single fire.
Studies show that most accidental discharges are caused by either tampering or an accident. Curious employees can take an interest in a fire sprinkler, and a careless move with a ladder or forklift has been blamed for a good number of incidents.
Another cause is poor design. Some areas in a building will naturally receive elevated heat, such as where the sun can shine or near a furnace. A good system design company will account for this.
Once the sprinklers are shut off, you’ll need a top fire sprinkler cleanup company used to restoring water damage. SERVPRO is dedicated to restoring damage “Like it Never Even Happened."

Consider Boarding Your Damaged Home

5/25/2020 (Permalink)

Board up Services for Home Owners

During board up restoration, in the case of fire in homes or fire in business, one should avoid accidents. Using of ladders during board up is risky since the walls might crumble. Hanging materials can also cause accidents and therefore board up should be assigned to a restoration company.

A Better System to Secure Your Home

SERVPRO of Peoria / West Glendale have a system of carriage bolts to board up a home without causing more damage to the exterior. Most board up companies will just nail or screw the plywood boards into the stucco or siding of your building. Our system keeps the outside of your home free of more damage. Consider using a more secure and less damaging board up service for your home or business.

3 Ways Fire Restoration Helps Homeowners

3/20/2020 (Permalink)

Fire damage in Grand Manor, AZ

3 Ways Fire Restoration Helps Homeowners

From 2013-2017, the National Fire Protection Association estimates that approximately 354,400 home fires occurred on average each year, leaving homeowners to tend to the destruction. Such devastation can be emotionally overwhelming. Where do you even begin? Start with contacting a fire restoration company in Grand Manor, AZ, to assist in the recovery. They have the knowledge and tools to put your place back together again.

1. Seek Testing

Once the property has been cleared by fire personnel, call the experts to evaluate water and smoke damage. Don't wait. Allowing anything to linger wastes time and could only further the issues. Many restoration companies work 7 days a week, staffed regularly with appropriate technology to handle your immediate needs. When the crew arrives, they'll survey area and perform any assessments, determining the extent of the trouble.

2. Cover and Dry

The fire restoration team should quickly begin placing tarps and boards over exposed sections, securing the premises from not only the environment but unwanted trespassers. The fire most likely created holes and cracks, exposing your home. You want to prevent rain or wind from creating hazards as well as keep unwanted animals and robbers out. Once the team has taken care of the vulnerable areas, they'll get to work drying out wet zones. The fire crew most likely had to use the hose, dousing the roof and walls with water. If the humidity is allowed to linger, mold could grow. Therefore, industrial dehumidifiers are used to pull the excess moisture back out.

3. Scrub and Repair

Damage cleaning is more than wiping something down. The specialists must sanitize, mend and cleanse. Using high-tech equipment, they clear away the soot and smoke. Then, they'll begin working on fixing any structures or salvaging personal valuables. During this stage, they treat odors and stains. Finally, the building receives attention, patching, painting, and rebuilding until the residence is a back to normal.
Disaster may strike. If it does, allow fire restoration to ease the process. They can evaluate and care for your land.

Will Insurance Pay for Your Fire Damage?

12/3/2019 (Permalink)

Will insurance pay for your fire damage?

When a home fire occurs, it could leave homeowners in Weedville, AZ, facing massive property loss as well as expensive repairs. In fact, the National Fire Protection Association estimates that in 2018, such blazes created approximately 8 billion dollars in damages, leaving people hoping that property insurance may foot the restoration bills. That isn't always the case, though. At times, the insurance company is not responsible and instead, those holding the mortgage papers need to find the resources to salvage the house.

What Does a Typical Insurance Policy Cover?

Usually your homeowner's policy pays out on fire damage, if it meets the company's policy. It's important that you spend some time reviewing that documentation thoroughly, understanding the expectations and exclusions. For example, for conflagrations occurring by accident agencies usually provide coverage for the following:

• A fire restoration company's assessment
  
• Replacement of lost personal items
  
• Cleanup procedures
  
• Household repairs
  
  

Should review of the incident appear suspicious (such as arson), your agent may deny the claim, refusing any form of payout. In addition, if the home is unattended for more than 30 days, your insurance may declare the fire out of their hands, believing that you left the property unattended and open to vandalism.

Can I Avoid Denial?

The thought of losing coverage can be emotionally devastating and frustrating as it puts the onus on the owners to foot some very large bills. The home fire may seem suspicious, but you can take steps to demonstrate your lack of involvement and help show it was unintentional. If the fire department could not find the cause, you can request an outside investigation, hoping to locate the initial accidental event. This might encourage the agent to reevaluate your request for payment. What about cases involving a vacant home fire? If you leave town frequently, try to purchase a policy ahead of time to cover this absence or keep contact with your agent, notifying them of extended travel.
Repairs from a home fire often require time and money; fortunately, an insurance policy may aid with that cost. To receive compensation, stay on top of your policy and keep in contact with your insurance company.

3 Things to Toss After a House Fire

10/7/2019 (Permalink)

Personal products that have come in close contact with a house fire should be disposed of

3 Things to Toss After a House Fire

After a house fire in Weedville, AZ, home owners may struggle with the process of cleaning-up and discarding ruined belongings. While some damaged items hold sentimental value, others are of material worth. Although it may feel wasteful to dispose of these common household items, the following three things should always go in the throw away pile during the fire restoration process.

1. Consumables

Food exposed to a house fire is more than likely to be contaminated. Whether stored in a pantry or in the refrigerator, fire pollution can usually find its way through sealed packaging and appliance doors. Common fire contaminants that make your food inedible might include these:

• Unsafe temperatures
  
• Smoke exposure
  
• Water permeation
  
• Contact with fire retardants
  
  

2. Medicines and Makeup

During a severe house fire, high heat can come in contact with everyday items around your home. As you clean out debris and damaged goods, think twice about saving anything in your medicine cabinet. If the heat from the fire came in contact with medications in your home, their chemical composition may have been compromised. Likewise, makeup can be melted or exposed to toxic fumes during a house fire. This makes them unsafe for contact with your skin. While it may feel like a big loss to throw out all of your toiletries, your safety is more important and should not be risked.

3. Other Cosmetics

While you may not want to hear it, most cosmetics that have come in close contact with a house fire should be disposed of. Cosmetic packaging is often made of plastic. When fire damage melts or singes packaging, it can make the products themselves unsafe to use. Throw away any items that have ash, soot, or firefighting chemicals on the packaging including the following:

• Lotions
  
• Shampoos
  
• Perfumes
  
• Toothpaste
  
• Mouthwash
  
  

As you take-on the fire restoration process, keep safety at the forefront of your clean-up efforts. Always throw away these three items to ensure that safety continues to be a priority.

Is It Possible To Save Electronics After a Fire?

7/19/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO can clean electronics after fire

Is It Possible To Save Electronics After a Fire?

Once the fire's out and the smoke has settled, you'll face a pretty big fire cleanup process. Fortunately, Glendale, AZ, fire and smoke damage cleanup professionals can handle the bulk of that work. Part of your job will be helping to decide what to throw out, what to repair, and what to replace. The professionals will help you with these decisions, providing important safety information and letting you know about the services they provide. When it comes to electronics, there are three suggestions for determining whether they can be salvaged:


Were they plugged in and exposed to liquids (such as water from firefighters?) Electronics, even when they are turned off, suffer wiring damage when water is introduced.
How protected were the circuitry and wiring inside devices? The more protected the insides of electronics, the better the chance of repairing them.
What types of contaminants were introduced to the site of the fire? The extreme temperatures, flames, soot, and the contents of fire extinguishers can cause damage to electronics.


Some electronic devices can tolerate extreme situations better than others. As you work with professionals to sort through your belongings, you may find that certain items are easier to save during fire cleanup efforts than others.

Unplug Them and Leave Them Off

Many electronics and appliances access a little bit of power, even if they are turned off. This trickle of power is often used to keep clocks running or an internal memory up to date. Even modern refrigerators have internal computer systems to protect. After the disaster, unplug everything. Even if your computer looks fine, there may be soot or water inside, so don't turn it back on. Powering up a device could cause new damage.

When You Can't Save Everything

It's possible that many of your electronics can be saved by fire cleanup professionals. Just in case, however, it's a good idea to keep warranty records in a safe, fireproof place. This step can help you when you need to replace items.

Tips for Getting an Accurate Restoration Estimate

6/28/2019 (Permalink)

It's important to act quickly after suffering fire damage.

After your commercial building has been affected by fire, how much will it cost to have affected areas repaired and reconstructed? You need to act fast in obtaining fire damage restoration services if you want the best results. With this in mind, some of the most important things you can do are getting an estimate concerning reconstruction costs and contacting your insurance company.

Getting an accurate restoration estimate

Your First Course of Action

There are four steps to restoring your property after a commercial fire. 

1. Contact emergency professionals, from the fire department to fire damage remediation experts. 
2. Apply tarps to seal the holes in the roof or walls. 
3. Assess the extent of the damages throughout your property. 
4. Cleanup and rebuild the damaged building.

An estimate is generally provided during the assessment step. The detailed document should include all of the services and work expected. A coordinator will keep a file on the job, communicating with insurance professionals, and other officials who may be involved.

Work Closely With Project Managers

Most of the work in coming up with an estimated cost of recovery is completed by the damage remediation professionals, but there are some steps you can take to increase the accuracy of that approximation:

• Keep clear records and store documents where they can be accessed easily. 
• Take pictures and written notes describing the damage. 
• Communicate often and clearly with remediation professionals. 
• Designate one person from your company to act as a liaison with all other professionals. 

Project managers from the remediation company may contact you often to discuss what needs to be cleaned, removed, replaced, repaired, or completely rebuilt. These experts are the people most likely to provide the quotes you need to move forward with recovering from the fire.

Get Quotes Quickly

How much can you expect to pay when recovering from a commercial fire in Peoria, AZ? For quick, accurate results, work closely with your insurance agents and your restoration company, maintain organized records, and keep clear lines of communication open.

Some Simple Guidelines for Using a Space Heater Safely

5/22/2019 (Permalink)

Take some safety measures to prevent a burned space heater from happening in your home in Weedville, AZ

There is no arguing that space heaters have their place in helping to warm a home. Used safely, they are a great way to heat a specific area in the event that a wall heater or the furnace doesn’t quite do the job, or in the garage where one may be the only source of heat. There are some safety measures that you should take to prevent a burned space heater from happening in your home in Weedville, AZ.

5 Tips for Safe Space Heater Use

Fire damage from burned space heaters affects some 250,000 homes each year, causing severe injury and even death, but that does not necessarily have to be the case. Consider the following safety guides and make sure all household members understand them:

1. Always plug a free-standing heater directly into the wall, never into an extension cord.
   
2. Look for a heater with automatic shutoff features to prevent overheating.
   
3. Place the heater on a non-flammable, hard, level surface such as a concrete floor.
   
4. Maintain at least three feet between the heater and any flammable or combustible materials such as bedding or curtains.
   
5. Keep children and pets away from the heater to prevent burns and tipping.
   
   

In addition, it is wise to unplug the unit when not in use and never leave it running unattended.

If a Fire Occurs

Fire damage cleanup can a devastating process — one you will want to avoid. Even if a fire just smolders before you find and extinguish it, the smoke cleanup can take weeks before the odor is eliminated. A fire restoration service in Weedville, AZ, may be able to help set things right again in the event of a blaze.

To avoid a burned space heater, pay attention to the guidelines above when using the device, in addition to any listed in the manufacturers instructions. Doing so can help prevent a fire and all of the complications that can go with it.

Should You Clean Electronics After a Fire?

2/5/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Peoria/West Glendale have specialized equipment for handling damaged electronics

Homeowners who have recently experienced a fire may be anxious to know whether electronics still work. Do not attempt to turn on any appliances or devices. Exposure to extreme heat and smoke can result in an elevated risk of overheating, short-circuiting and electrical fire. Here are a few fire cleanup recommendations for electronics.

Assess the Extent of Damage

A homeowner may be able to get a sense of the extent of damage without turning on or opening an appliance or device. Look for the following signs of smoke or fire damage:

• A soot coating
  
• Melting
  
• Warping
  

Electronics that have only suffered smoke damage are better suited for restoration or data recovery than items exposed to intense heat. Keep in mind that temperatures rise rapidly throughout a house during a fire. Even appliances or devices some distance away from a blaze may still sustain heat damage.

Rely on Trained Professionals

Fire cleanup professionals have specialized equipment for handling damaged electronics. These experts will remove these contents to an off-site location and check for several signs of damage:

• A black film over internal components
  
• Corrosion
  
• Exposure to excessive heat
  
  

The first two types of damage may be cleaned. If heat has distorted or destroyed circuits, chips or wiring, it may not be possible to restore an appliance or device.

Restore or Replace

Restoration experts can advise homeowners about the best options for electronics. Some items may be capable of being cleaned, while other may need to be replaced. In some cases, replacement may be more cost-effective than a cleaning attempt. Ask about data recovery for hard drives and storage mediums in mobile devices.

Homeowners should turn over damaged electronics to trained restoration professionals. It is important to attempt fire cleanup and testing in an environment with the proper equipment to reduce the risk of another fire at a residence in Grand Manor, AZ.

How To Avoid a Gas Fire in Your Home

12/26/2018 (Permalink)

Firefighters are trained when it comes to gas leaks

How To Avoid a Gas Fire in Your Home

A gas fire in your home in Weedville, AZ, can cause a devastating amount of damage, and fixing the damage can be costly and time-consuming. However, several measures can help you prevent this type of fire from occurring in your home.

1. Be Aware of the Odor

Gas leaks can cause a gas explosion or fire, but there are often signs of an issue before the fire starts. A common sign of a natural gas leak is an unpleasant rotten-egg odor that has no apparent source in your home. Sometimes, a whistling noise can be heard if there is a gas leak. The sooner you are aware of a potential gas leak, the sooner you can act to prevent a fire.

2. Turn Appliances, Lights and Gas Meter Off

If you have reason to believe there is a gas leak in your home, it can be helpful to turn off appliances and lights. Turning off all of your appliances and turning off lights can help to prevent a spark, which could, in turn, cause a gas fire. Additionally, if you know where your gas meter is located, turning it off can keep more gas from entering the home.

3. Call Emergency Services

Once you have become aware of a potential leak and have turned off your appliances, it’s often best to exit your home and advise others in your home to do the same. When you are outside, it’s generally wise to call for emergency services to come to your home. Firefighters and other emergency service workers are trained and know what to look for when it comes to gas leaks, and they can often help to prevent a fire from occurring.

Understanding the causes and signs of a gas leak can help you prevent a gas fire or a gas explosion in your home. If your home has sustained fire damage, consider contacting fire damage restoration professionals who can help restore your home.

The 7 Most Effective Content Cleaning Methods

11/7/2018 (Permalink)

Clean up process from fire in a Grand Manor,AZ kitchen

Content Cleaning Methods

Items that have sustained fire or smoke damage call for a variety of cleaning methods. From dry-cleaning and wet cleaning to innovative foam or ultrasonic methods, it is possible to clean and restore almost any material. Find out about seven effective content cleaning methods used by restoration experts.

1. Abrasion

Abrasive methods involve agitation or blasting. This approach is suitable for durable materials with moderate to heavy soot or smoke residue.

2. Dry-Cleaning

Dry-clean delicate items that cannot be safely exposed to moisture. A specialized method for restoration eliminates stains and odors.

3. Foam Cleaning

Clean delicate materials such as upholstery with foam. This method combines even absorbency and minimal wetting with a fast drying time.

4. Immersion Cleaning

Dip small items that can be safely exposed to liquids into a bath of cleaning solution. Ultrasonic waves may be combined with this method.

5. Spraying and Wiping

Surfaces that should not be soaked may benefit from spraying and wiping. A cleaning solution is misted over the surface and wiped with a cleaning tool suitable for the material.

6. Ultrasonic Cleaning

High-pressure waves dislodge particles adhering to non-porous items in places that can be difficult to reach with other cleaning methods. This approach may be suitable for ceramics, glass, metals, plastics, or rubber. Ultrasonic waves can be combined with liquids for items that can withstand immersion in cleaning solution.

7. Wet Cleaning

Durable materials capable of withstanding exposure or saturation with cleaning solutions can be wet cleaned. This method is capable of removing heavy residue.

If you are concerned about whether contents in your home can be cleaned, contact a residential fire and smoke damage mitigation and restoration company in Grand Manor, AZ. This service can provide all of these content cleaning methods, such as dry-cleaning or more specialized techniques, as well as content storage until the home restoration process is complete.

Ridding a Home of Cigarette Smoke

7/23/2018 (Permalink)

There are many reasons why smoke remediation can become necessary.

It is a fact that cigarette smoking throughout the country has steadily declined in the past decade or so, but plenty of people still light up on a regular basis in Peoria, AZ, and elsewhere. The odor of cigarettes is displeasing to many people, and once it has permeated a living space, thorough home deodorization can be difficult without the assistance of professionals.

Why and Where Smoke Permeates a Space

A prime reason that smoke takes hold of a living space is the long list of chemicals that are used to manufacture cigarettes. Once the cigarette is lit, the chemicals rise through the air and circulate from the heat it generates. Many of the chemicals are solvents, and they are responsible for the tar deposits that create the odors. Cigarette smoke can cling to the following surfaces and require home deodorization:

• wood, laminate and other hard surfaces
• rugs and carpets
• curtains and other window treatments
• upholstered furniture
• painted walls and ceilings

How the Remediation of Smoke is Accomplished

Ridding a home of unwanted odors from cigarettes depends on the materials involved. Wood, hard surfaces, walls and ceilings can be professionally cleaned with eco-friendly materials. After a thorough cleaning, sealing primer over paint can lock in smells and prevent them from returning. Carpets, rugs, and upholstery will require deep steam cleaning. Curtains and pillows that cannot be washed will have to be dry cleaned or replaced.

There are many reasons why smoke remediation can become necessary. Perhaps you or a housemate have kicked the habit and wish to freshen up the house. Perhaps you have purchased or inherited the home of a smoker. Perhaps a house guest or tenant has left lingering odors from a smoking habit. Whatever the cause, it is reassuring to know that home deodorization specialists stand ready to set things right again. For more information, visit http://www.SERVPROpeoriawestglendale.com/. 

How to Take Care of Your Furnace This Winter

2/6/2018 (Permalink)

Stay safe and warm this winter in Peoria, Arizona by putting some care into maintaining your furnace. Furnaces that don’t work properly may cause fires, which can be a big safety risk and give you the added burden of having to deal with fire and smoke cleaning. You can avoid this by keeping your furnace in great shape.

Prepare for the Cold

One of the best things you can do for your furnace is have maintenance done before the cold season hits. This can help ensure that you will have a working furnace when you need it, which can save you a lot of hassle in the long run. It can sometimes take time to get furnace repairs done, and it’s great to try and catch problems before winter.

Check the Filters

Filters can be vital to overall furnace operation. Filters can become clogged with dust or other debris in the air, causing the furnace to be unreliable or even dangerous. Checking the filter often and possibly replacing it before winter begins can be a good idea. Fire cleaning can be the least of your worries if you find yourself caught in a fire emergency.

Uncover Heating Vents

Blocked vents can defeat the purpose of having a heater, since no warm air reaching the space means the room won’t be heated. Before you use your furnace, make sure to check that all the vents in your house are uncovered. Vents that are covered by furniture or other objects can create a fire hazard, as they can cause the furnace to overheat.

By keeping your furnace in good working condition, you can protect yourself from fire danger while staying comfortably warm. In the event of a fire, your first priority should always be evacuating. Once the emergency has passed, it can be best to get help with fire cleaning from a professional restoration service.

Visit us at http://www.SERVPROpeoriawestglendale.com for your fire restoration information. 

Fire Damage Repair

1/10/2018 (Permalink)

Repairing smoke damage to walls.

In an event of fire damage, the smoke damage will always occur to your walls, wall paint or even wall papers. In the case of a situation where the smoke damage is not too huge, you should use detergents and bleach to scrub it clean. Soot damage is somehow greasy and therefore you should fast try to dust it off from the surface before you start the fire cleanup. Most likely you might want to repaint but you should ensure that all the surfaces are clean and dry.

Repairing floors and carpets.

Due to the water that is involved in putting out the fire, the flooring and the carpets will absorb a lot of water. It is more recommendable if you remove the carpets that have absorbed water and replace them. At this point, water might also get into to the cracks of hard woods and vinyl flooring, adding to the fire damage. This issue needs to be addressed by a professional fire damage restoration company to help you with the fire clean up.

Visit http://www.SERVPROpeoriawestglendale.com for more information on fire damage.

Debris During the Fire Cleanup Process

1/10/2018 (Permalink)

Sharp Objects and Nails

The debris might have some sharp object and nails that can be a great risk to your family. After fire damage, the fire damage restoration process is a very risky practice. Therefore it is more advisable to seek help from the commercial fire damage company. When the fire damage restoration company is hired it will undertake some assessment to ensure that their team is not threatened by the smoke smell. Such assessments are very important in preventing accidents that might occur during the soot damage repair and the fire cleanup process.

Soot Damage

The soot damage can be removed using Trisodium phosphate. The TSP is one of the most popular cleaners that gets rid of smoke from the surface when it comes to fire in home or fire in business. The detergent TSP is very corrosive and therefore the soot damage restoration should be done by professional fire Restoration Company.

Visit http://www.SERVPROpeoriawestglendale.com for more information on fire damage.

Steps Followed in Fire Damage Restoration

9/21/2017 (Permalink)

Steps Followed in Fire Damage Restoration

Once an electrical fire or utility room fire has been put out, the effects of the fire damage are felt by the owner of the building after the fire truck leaves. Damages often include destroyed structures, stagnant water from the fire sprinkler system or the fire hose, soot damage and smoke damage. When you want to rebuild structures after fire damage, it is best to consult a qualified, fire damage restoration company to assist in the fire suppression process.

For the repair process to be efficient after an electrical fire, you should pick a smoke damage restoration expert who is readily available and accessible at any time. In case a fire occurs, you should not attempt to salvage anything while the utility room fire is raging on as this may result in injuries. Call utility room fire fighters and your insurer to inform them about the fire. When the firefighter with the fire truck arrives at the site, they will decide how to achieve fire suppression and fire restoration. For instance, a fire hose is used for non-electrical fires while carbon dioxide is used for electric fires.

Assessment of the property

After the firefighter and their fire sprinkler system or fire truck leaves, the restoration expert will begin to appraise the extent of the fire damage. The evaluation entails seeking the next plan of action after a utility room fire. Therefore, it is very vital for you as the owner of the premises and to the firefighter. Factors that are considered include the smoke damage, soot damage, and any water damage which could have happened during the fire suppression efforts by the firefighter. Note that water damage occurs because some fires have to be put out using the fire sprinkler system or the fire hose, normally attached to the fire truck.

Removal and disposal

The specialists will then proceed to remove any clutter that is not essential or that cannot be repaired. This may include destroyed furniture, cabinets, tiles and other fixtures with soot damage or which is partially burnt. The experts will also remove any material that survived the fire sprinkler system or the force of the fire hose. Cleaning up the soot damage helps the experts know which items can be salvaged and those which cannot.

Board Ups and Roof tarp services

The next step in fire restoration will be to secure and protect the walls, windows, and roofs that were damaged in the commercial fire damage or during the fire suppression efforts. This is done by installing boards on the windows, doors, and walls and covering the roof with tarps until proper roofing is fixed. This will make certain that these fittings are protected against further commercial fire damage.

Water drying

Drying is necessary because commercial fire damage causes damage to burst pipes, tanks, and water mains. Specialized dehumidifiers and vacuums can be used to dry the surfaces affected by water. The experts will ensure that the water is no longer in the premise and can’t cause any destruction.

Removal of soot and smoke

Smoke damage is assessed and then removed by cleaning sprays. Clearing charring and soot may not be as easy to clean. Most of the time, the affected areas can be repainted or covered with other interior design materials like wall paper as part of the fire restoration process

Cleaning

Blemished areas will be cleaned out at this stage of fire restoration. The specialists will sanitize the property to make sure that nothing contaminating that is as a result of the commercial fire damage is still present. The professionals will proceed to remove any harmful smoke odors that may be lingering in the premise.

Restoration

Getting the premise to its condition before the electrical fire is the point at this stage. Once everything is clean, dry and sanitized, the service company can begin to make repairs and construction on the premises. Once the building is fully refurbished, the qualified experts should put in equipment like electrical fire alarms and fire extinguisher cases to prevent against a repeat incident occurring.
Visit http://www.SERVPROpeoriawestglendale.com for more information on fire damage.

Professional Fire Damage and Mold

9/15/2017 (Permalink)

Professional fire restoration can be a great issue to tackle. People are always asking about the measures that they need to take before fire cleanup after the occurrence of fire in homes and fire in business premises. There are several tips that one can use to identify signs of fire damage themselves such as smoke smell in case of fire in homes or fire in business. This tips can work effectively if adhered to in the right manner. Hereby are some of the tips that can guide you during a fire damage restoration in case of fire in home or fire in business.

Getting rid of mildew and mold.
This is one of the great issues in the fire damage restoration which is as a result of the water used during the fire extinguishing process. This issue requires special attention and therefore it is more advisable to hire the fire damage restoration company. The mildew and mold can contaminate the furniture and any other item that is in the room. The only solution to get rid of this problem is to immediately air out every room and do fire cleanup on the filters and vents.

Visit http://www.SERVPROpeoriawestglendale.com for more information on fire damage.