How to Deal with Fire/Smoke Losses

5/9/2022 (Permalink)

When a heavy fire hits your home there are many cherishable items that can have fire/smoke damage to them, such as photo albums, clothing, and furniture. When a fire occurs inside a home, smoke can quickly travel throughout the house. 

For example, in a kitchen that has been affected by a large fire, smoke leaves not only soot and ash in color but deposits and layers on surfaces of contents. SERVPRO of East Portland is here to help identify and remediate smoke, ash, soot, and fine residues a fire can cause. 

At SERVPRO we use smoke/fire remediation solutions and techniques to safely remove smoke residues from contents and restore them to preloss condition. 

If you ever need any fire/smoke remediation services, your local SERVPRO of East Portland is a phone call away.

Why to choose SERVPRO Instead of Other Restoration Companies?

5/9/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has been in the business since 1967, with many years of involvement and expertise over 2,000 franchises have been established throughout the U.S. SERVPRO has prepared various teams who specialize in water restoration, fire/smoke remediation, and significantly more. Our team is licensed and trained in all areas, including fire remediation and are able to handle any fire situation. 

It is important to choose the right restoration company that meets your needs. In a stressful situation experts in the area are needed. SERVPRO of East Portland has IICRC smoke/fire certified crews on the go to assist with smoke remediation. SERVPRO is ready 24/7 to assist any fire loss at any time. We understand the difficulties when encountering such hardship, we are the professionals ready to make your life easier.

Safety is First

8/5/2021 (Permalink)

At any given moment, a fire emergency can take place in the Portland Metropolitan area, and though unexpected; it can be instrumental to already have a strategy in place for everyone, pets included, in your home to evacuate and meet in a safe location.

While you should always be most focused on keeping yourself and your family safe, keep in mind SERVPRO of East Portland is ready to take care of your fire restoration needs. We deal with contents; furniture, clothing, and documents. As well as, the structure of your home inside and out. We immediately send out our fire restoration crews to thoroughly inspect your fire damage home and get you back to normal.

At SERVPRO safety is our number one aspect when treating fire losses, we keep our technicians safe using full Personal Protective Equipment such as full face shield respirators, PPE hazard suites, and air scrubbers running while we do the work.

Residential Fires

8/5/2021 (Permalink)

Preventative maintenance is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of a residential structure fire, and this is especially true in the case of clothing dryers.  The US Fire Administration reports that an average of 2,900 dryer fires occur each year, amounting to nearly $35 million worth of property damage loss, and that failure to clean the dryer is the leading cause of these fires.  Keep yourself and your property safe by following these tips on dryer maintenance:

• Make sure that your clothes dryer is installed according to manufacturer specifications. Improper wiring can cause an electrical fire.
• Clean out the lint filter after each cycle. This allows the proper air flow through the machine, and the removal of the lint limits the amount of material available to burn if a fire did start.

SERVPRO of East Portland is available 24/7 to assist with any fire restoration needs!

About Fire Extinguishers

7/21/2021 (Permalink)

As fire season is coming up it is a good idea to refresh your knowledge about fire extinguishers. 

First thing to ask yourself and those within your household is...Do you have a fire extinguisher? If so, where is it located? 

Second, is your fire extinguisher up to date? It is important to check if it is expired. 

Third, do you know how to use the fire extinguisher? Even if you do, it is good to refresh your memory by reading the instructions. 

In case of an emergency, having knowledge of how to use your specific fire extinguisher is important. Not all fire extinguishers are the same, make sure to read your own fire extinguisher instructions. There are four basic steps to follow with a standard foam model. You can remember them with the acronym PASS:

• P—Pull the pin on the fire extinguisher. 
• A—Aim the nozzle or hose at the base of the          fire. Keep a safe distance away. 
• S—Squeeze the handle to release the extinguishing materials.
• S—Sweep the nozzle from side to side.

Hot Summers and Deadly Fires

7/21/2021 (Permalink)

Summer is a great time to do outdoor activities with friends and family. Summer from the West to the East coast consists of camping trips, beach trips, barbeques, and spending time by the pool or river. It is great to have fun, but always keep safety protocols on top of the mind to help ensure you have fun in the sun while being safe.  

According to the United States Fire Administration, nearly 8,600 Americans are injured by fireworks and almost 5,000 are injured by grill fires, annually. A grill should always be supervised when in use. Keep children and pets a safe distance from the grilling area to prevent accidental burns or tipping of the grill.

For any fire/smoke remediation in case of any summer fire disaster SERVPRO of East Portland is a phone call away (971) 279-2420.

Let SERVPRO Restore Your Contents Post Fire Damage

5/5/2021 (Permalink)

Throughout a home, the living room usually has the most household items. There are many cherishable items such as photo albums, family heirlooms, and furniture. When a fire occurs in a home, smoke from a bedroom can quickly travel throughout the house. 

For instance, this living room got significantly affected by the bedroom fire. Smoke leaves not only soot and ash in color but residues and layers on surfaces of contents and throughout the home. SERVPRO of East Portland is here to help identify and remediate smoke, ash, soot, and fine residues a fire can cause. 

We use SERVPRO smoke/fire remediation products and techniques to safely remove smoke residues from contents and restore them to preloss condition. 

If soot is not taken care of by a professional immediately, extensive damages can occur. Hidden soot can cause problems such as constant unsafe odors recurring. Call the professionals to take care of your fire restoration needs.

What to Look For in a Restoration Company

5/5/2021 (Permalink)

It is important to choose the right restoration company that meets your needs. In a stressful situation experts in the area are needed. SERVPRO of East Portland has IICRC smoke/fire certified crews on the go to assist with smoke remediation. SERVPRO is ready 24/7 to assist any fire loss at any time. We understand the difficulties when encountering such hardship, we are the professionals ready to make your life easier. 

Why SERVPRO?

SERVPRO has been in the business since 1967, with decades of experience and expertise over 1,700 franchises have been established throughout the U.S. SERVPRO has trained crews who specialize in water restoration, fire/smoke remediation, and much more. Our team is licensed and trained in fire remediation and are able to handle any fire loss.

After Fires Burn Out...

4/21/2020 (Permalink)

Fires can leave your home or business a disaster. Even after the fire is out, soot and smoke can leave its imprint as an update that there was a fire.

This is the reason it is imperative that you work with your insurance agency and a professional restoration company like SERVPRO of East Portland. 

Aftermath of a Fire

Soot is a dark fine substance that is created when a fire doesn't totally consume. Soot can attach to everything and leaves an exceptionally messy path. Soot can have an impact on your HVAC system. This could affect the nature of air in your home or business. It is important to have your HVAC system property deodorized and cleaned.

The smell of smoke is not always visible. It can be trapped in your furniture, clothes, walls, etc. SERVPRO of East Portland can remediate your smoked damaged property “Like it never even happened.”

Dryer Machines Can Cause a Fire

4/21/2020 (Permalink)

It is essential to maintain a clothes dryer. The lint filter and dryer vents can be one of the most neglected areas we don't pay much attention to. Taking precautions to maintain the clothes dryer of your home or business can help prevent a catastrophe. 

A few tips that can help prevent a fire in your dryer machine: 

• Clean the lint screen often, lint can build up in the trap. 
• Check the back of the dryer for lint buildup. 
• Check for any damages to the venting system of the dryer. 
• Dyer machines should be installed and maintained by a certified professional. 

In the result of any fire or smoke damage, SERVPRO of East Portland is a phone call away (971) 279-2420. We are prepared to take the training and state of the art equipment we have to assist in the cleanup and restoration of a fire or smoke damaged home or business.

Content Smoke and Fire Damage

4/10/2020 (Permalink)

Fire damages are devastating. SERVPRO of East Portland is here to assist in this time of need. The process of packing your belongings can take time and be meticulous, we are here to take that weight off your shoulders. Our fire restoration teams take precautions to carefully and accurately note each item on the inventory. Our teams set up packing stations in each area of your home while taking note of each box/item per room. Once your contents/belongings have been inventoried and packed, they are taken to our facility to begin the cleaning process. SERVPRO of East Portland’s goal is to restore items “Like it never even happened.” We come prepared with all size moving boxes, bubble wrap, packing paper, and numerous packing materials. SERVPRO we are always here to help.

Local Fire and Water Restoration Company

4/10/2020 (Permalink)

In a time of need such as fire restoration, SERVPRO of East Portland is a phone call away. Our crews immediately respond to fire damages, keeping in mind time is essential during the restoration process. While our crew is scoping the loss, pack out teams prepare packing material. Our crews are trained to work efficiently in a timely manner.

Time is essential. Soot from fires and smoke settle on the surfaces of materials, the longer the soot penetrates in the materials the more damage it causes to the item. Our teams work around the clock to pack items and deliver them to a secure location at our business. As soon as items arrive, fire restoration techs begin the cleaning process. 

Our fire restoration techs use SERVPRO products and equipment that work to deodorize and remove soot from items. Stations such as cleaning and repacking are set up at SERVPROs facility. Once items have been cleaned and deodorized they are carfuly repacked in clean boxes. 

SERVPRO of East Portland is a phone call away (971) 279-2420. 

Reducing The Cost of Your Fire Damage

4/10/2020 (Permalink)

When dealing with fire damages, SERVPRO of East Portland is your local company to call. 

We keep in mind that one of the significant components to the cost of your fire damage is how quick a group of fire restorers get to the scene and control the circumstance. As a rule, a reaction that takes too long can have any kind of effect in fixing costs. 

SERVPRO professionals are trusted nationwide to respond and mitigate fires in a timely manner. We have fire restoration teams ready 24/7 to respond immediately and ensure every disaster is met with satisfying restoration needs. Each fire loss is different, our staff is on the go with trucks loaded with equipment and PPE gear. 

Call SERVPRO of East Portland (971) 279-2420, we will send our crew out as quickly as possible to reduce the cost of your fire damaged property. 

What is Smoke?

1/14/2020 (Permalink)

We all know smoke, we have seen it coming from our fireplaces, or even smelt it when driving past a fire. But what is smoke? When something is on fire, it begins to decompose. As it is decomposing it will release solid particles, gases and aerosols. A Fire and Water Clean up and Restoration company is immediately needed to start the cleaning process. 

SERVPRO of East Portland understands the dangerous outcomes of a fire. Our crews are IICRC trained and fast responding when it comes to fires. 

One of the items our crews look out for is soot. When the smoke settles onto surfaces, the particles become a buildup that is viewed as soot. Soot contains various types of acids that can cause staining and consumption whenever left excessively long on materials. 

At SERVPRO of East Portland our technicians are prepared to recognize and clean a wide range of smoke and their deposits.

Cleaning up after a fire

3/25/2019 (Permalink)

Fire damaged furniture.

Many homeowners think that they can clean-up smoke damage to their home after it has been burned in a fire. Unfortunately, that is never a good idea. Cleaning up smoke and soot damage requires professionals to do the job.

Bring in the Fire Damage Pros

First off, a house that has been burned in a fire is typically not safe to enter or spend time in. The integrity of walls and floors may have been damaged, along with other hazards. It’s important not to enter the home until professionals tell you it is safe to do so. 

While you should not undertake trying to clean up smoke and soot damage from a house fire yourself, you should get the professionals into your as soon as possible. Ash and smoke, if left untreated, will cause corrosion, discoloration and a lingering powerful and offensive odor. Ash, specifically, will start causing damage and discoloration almost immediately and the damage may be permanent and irreversible. Anything that was made of plastic will begin discoloring within minutes. Metals will easily tarnish and corrode and fiberglass will begin to yellow. 

If you get fire damage restoration professionals in soon enough after a house fire, they can mitigate or eliminate the smoke and ash damage from the fire and prevent further damage to your property. Unfortunately, if you don’t get the pros in early, the damage becomes worse and worse and the costs to repair will begin to skyrocket within just a few weeks!

What a Trained and Certified Fire Damage Restoration Professional Does

A trained and certified fire damage restoration professional will first identify all affected materials and the source of odors, if possible. They will be extremely thorough. They will identify what can be salvaged and cleaned and what cannot be and must be completely replaced. They will then begin the clean-up process by removing built-up ash residue. Once the ash is cleaned, they can better identify the sources of odors, which they will treat with special detergents made to neutralize the odors. Once fire damaged materials are treated, they will be sealed to prevent future odors from emitting into your home.

Contact SERVPRO of East Portland at (971)279-2420. We are here to help you throughout your fire restoration process.

For Immediate Service in East Portland, Call SERVPRO

3/25/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Portland provides 24-hour emergency service and is dedicated to being faster to any-sized disaster. We can respond immediately to your emergency and have the expertise to handle your restoration or cleaning needs.

• 24-Hour Emergency Service

• Faster to Any-Sized Disaster

• Highly Trained Restoration Technicians

• A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry

• Locally Owned and Operated

• Advanced Restoration and Cleaning Equipment

Have Questions? Call Us 24/7 – (971)279-2420

Residential Services

Whether your home needs emergency flood damage or your upholstery cleaned, you can depend on us. Our technicians have extensive cleaning and restoration training and can make your property look its best. Learn more about our residential services:

• Water Damage Restoration

• Fire Damage Restoration

• Mold Remediation

• Storm Damage Restoration

• Cleaning Services

Commercial Services

There's never a convenient time for fire or Water damage to strike your commercial property. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when the need arises for professional cleaning or emergency restoration services we have the training and expertise to respond promptly with highly trained technicians to get your property back to business. 

• Commercial Water Damage Restoration

• Commercial Fire Damage Restoration

Fire Damage Restoration for East Portland

3/25/2019 (Permalink)

Fire prevention in your East Portland home is almost entirely about fire prevention. As a fire burns, it consumes and damages everything that it comes into contact with, or even gets close to. The tendrils of soot and smoke travel throughout your home and do their damage. The best way to protect your property from fire is to practice fire prevention.

When your home in East Portland has experienced a fire and fire damage of any size, it is essential to handle the cleanup and repair as soon as the fire is out. Settled smoke and soot is acidic and continues to do damage to your property until it is cleaned. That is why contacting us at SERVPRO is the right choice, as we work fast and efficiently to get your home restored to its condition before the fire.

Because of the smoke and soot left behind, once everything else is cleaned and repaired, SERVPRO techs also need to deodorize your home. Removing the debris and odor source is the first step. Then we can clean the surfaces which have odor-causing residues on them. We then distribute a deodorize to the affected surfaces to rid your home of the odors.

The first step to protecting your family and property is to install smoke alarms on each level of your home and inside bedrooms. These alarms should be tested each month, and if they are not working, change the batteries right away. Plan out and talk to your family about a fire escape plan and practice it two times a year. If a fire does occur, get out and stay out, then call for help. Do not ever go back inside for anyone or anything.

Kitchens are the most common room where fires start. When you are cooking, make sure you are alert. Stay in the kitchen while you are grilling, frying, broiling, or boiling food. If you are baking, simmering or roasting food, check on it regularly and stay in the kitchen while food is cooking. Use a timer to remind you that you have food cooking. Also make sure to keep anything which can catch fire such as wooden utensils, oven mitts, curtains, towels, or food packaging away from your stove top.

Make sure your home’s electrical system is up to date and well maintained. Proper maintenance needs to be done for fireplaces, chimneys, and furnaces as well, and make sure that any heating devices are used according to instructions.

SERVPRO of East Portland understands that fire and fire damage in your home in East Portland is stressful, and we strive to restore your home as quickly as we can. Once the fire is out, reach out to us by dialing (971)279-2420 so we can help you and your family get your safe home back.

Fire Damage Cleanup can be worse than the fire itself-SERVPRO of East Portland

12/4/2018 (Permalink)

Post Fire damage caused by a machine explosion.

The aftermath of a fire can be worse than the fire itself. Water damage, material damage, structure damage, electrical, mechanical, all can be damaged to the point where cleanup is larger than the damage the flames, heat and smoke caused. This is when you need a highly experienced, professional Fire & Water Cleanup and Restoration company like SERVPRO of East Portland.  We understand the trauma a fire damage can cause to life and property. We are committed to making our customers rest assured that they are being taken care of on every level.

SERVPRO of East Portland will be on site quickly to assess the damage caused by the fire. We have the resources needed to get to work immediately to restore whatever damage is in need of repair. We make it "Like it never even happened." 

East Portland Smoke and Soot Cleanup

5/22/2018 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot is very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.  

Smoke and soot facts:

• Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
• Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
• The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.

Different Types of Smoke

There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of East Portland will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

• Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

• Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.

Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire

• Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor. 

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions.  We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage.  We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – (971)279-2420