What Cause Home Fires? Unclean Grills

8/26/2024 (Permalink)

Nothing says summer like the smell of your favorite foods on the grill. When the temperatures climb, it may feel easier to take dinner prep outdoors rather than sweat over a hot stove. However, it's important to clean your grill every time you use it. Not only does this prolong the life of the appliance, but it protects your home from fires as well.

In a survey between 2014-2018, over 10,600 home fires were linked to grills and barbecues. A buildup of oil and grease makes your grill more susceptible to putting up large flames that can catch onto porches, roofs, and dry grass. Proper grill maintenance is essential for keeping your favorite summer activity safe.

1. Clean the Grates
   Proper grill cleaning after every meal makes maintenance much easier. For either a gas or charcoal grill, scrub the grates while they're still hot and before the food particles stick too badly. 

Some people like wire brushes, though balled-up aluminum foil also works and won't leave little bristles behind.

2. Check for Grease or Ashes
   Avoiding grease fires is a top priority with gas grills. Before you turn on the grill, check the grease tray. If it gets overfilled, you'll be cleaning grease spots off your patio. 

Similarly, always dispose of all completely cooled ashes from your charcoal barbecue.

3. Deep Clean Annually
   When the grilling season ends, deep grill cleaning saves your grill and prevents problems next season. Kicking off the season the next year with a fire due to an improperly maintained grill can put a major damper on your next barbecue.
4. Know Grease Fire Safety
   Educate yourself on how to extinguish a fire in your grill. Never use water, as water can actually make a grease fire worse. Closing the lid is a good first step because it stops oxygen flow to the flames.

 If you do have a home fire, a local fire restoration company can help with repairs.
Enjoy the grilling season to the fullest by practicing good grill cleaning habits to protect your home and your dinner.

How To Handle a Broken Pipe in Your Home

8/26/2024 (Permalink)

Bursting pipes can really throw a wrench in the works of the day-to-day routine of running your household. The disruption can be a great concern and understanding what needs to be done can be of great help.

In the event of bursting pipes, swift and thorough treatment at the first sign of water can help minimize secondary damage. This type of damage is typified by the water beginning to become contaminated, for one thing. The following are some additional indicators.

• Hardwood or subfloor that has buckled
• Swollen and rotting sheet rock
• Vinyl flooring that has begun to flake
• Sour or disagreeable odors coming from the water
• Black mold or evidence of spores
  
  

Cleaning Up Before Secondary Damage Happens

Secondary damage can come from allowing water to sit, even clean water. The water and the humidity that comes from it causes these problems. The water should be shut off and extracted immediately so that it does not stagnate. Fix the broken pipe and consider calling on water remediation and restoration professionals like SERVPRO® who can help with assessing the damage and making critical decisions. 

Preventing Black Mold

The number one thing that can help prevent the onset of black mold is to thoroughly dry out the area. This includes drying out behind the walls, including studs and insulation if they have gotten wet. Industrial fans may be needed to do a good job of drying, and a dehumidifying unit is also helpful in controlling residual moisture.

If you should experience bursting pipes in your home, get the problem taken care of immediately. A dryer house is a safer house and will help to set your mind at ease.

Storm Safety Tips

8/7/2024 (Permalink)

Depending on the season and your location, your business may be vulnerable to damage from intense rain storms, tornadoes or hurricanes. Following several key safety guidelines can help you protect your building and safeguard the wellbeing of your staff.

1. Keep Trees Trimmed

Tree branches can become dangerous objects during strong winds. To minimize the risks of broken windows and roof damage, you should keep trees adjacent to your property neatly trimmed and routinely remove dead branches.

2. Stay Away From Windows and Skylights

Flying debris can easily shatter windows and skylights. As a precaution, everyone should move away from these structures during a severe storm with high winds or hail.

3. Elevate Essential Equipment

A significant rain storm can increase the risk of flooding. If floodwaters enter your building, essential equipment, including components of your HVAC system, may be vulnerable to water damage. To alleviate this concern, you should elevate important devices off the floor.

4. Move to an Internal Room

In the event of a tornado, seeking adequate shelter is essential. Your staff should promptly move to the basement or a windowless, interior room on the lowest level of the building.

5. Avoid Using Electronic Equipment

Because cords conduct electricity, using electronic equipment during a thunderstorm can be dangerous. Staff should shutdown computers and avoid using phones until the storm has passed. As an added precaution, you should utilize surge protectors to safeguard vital equipment from potential damage.

6. Inspect Your Roof

Hail and strong winds can wreak havoc on your building’s roof and cause damage that may lead to destructive leaks and potential mold contamination. For this reason, it’s a good idea to inspect your roof after any storm and promptly commence any necessary repairs.

A severe rainstorm can produce damaging high winds and cause extensive flooding. Taking proactive measures can help businesses avert serious injuries and minimize the risk of significant destruction.

What is Water Mitigation?

8/1/2024 (Permalink)

If you clicked on this blog, it is likely because you are seeking water mitigation services but need a better understanding of what it exactly is? Water mitigation is the process of reducing or preventing the damage caused by water after a leak, burst pipe, or flood.

 The primary goal of water mitigation is to minimize the impact of water damage and prevent secondary issues such as mold growth. SERVPRO® specializes in water mitigation and uses advanced equipment to clean up water from your home or business. 

SERVPRO follows significant steps for water mitigation. After we arrive and perform the initial assessment, our technicians:

• Remove Water and Dry It Out – using wet/dry vacuums, dehumidifiers, industrial fans, and other tools; we begin extracting water and increasing airflow to achieve optimum drying conditions.
• Thoroughly Inspect Damage – We look at any areas impacted by water, determining what can be restored and what must be replaced. This may involve inspection of flooring, wall cavities, belongings, electrical outlets, and more.
• Disinfection – After your home is free of water and drying wraps up, we thoroughly clean and disinfect all surfaces affected by water. Our Green Fleet comes stocked with a full selection of EPA-registered cleaning agents.  

No stone must get left unturned when it comes to water mitigation, regardless of the event that caused the emergency. We feature highly-trained and certified technicians that know how to adapt to each situation to ensure the best results. 

Our 24-hour emergency restoration services are here whenever you need them, which is the perfect way to restore your interior to pre preloss condition “Like it never even happened.”

Safety Tips In Case Of a Business Fire

5/20/2024 (Permalink)

As a business owner, the safety of your employees and everyone else in your building is in your hands. Are you prepared to respond quickly in the event of a business fire? Follow these safety tips to ensure that you can answer that question in the affirmative.

1. Safety Features

Your two main sources of protection during a fire are your fire suppression system and your fire extinguishers. Have your fire suppression system, including alarm panels, fire doors and sprinklers, inspected regularly. Make sure you have enough working fire extinguishers to place one at least every 75 feet and that they are mounted properly.

2. Fire Codes

Your building is bound by both state and federal fire codes. Exits must be properly marked and the pathways to them unobstructed. Electrical plates must be used to cover all wiring so that none of it is exposed. Comply with all laws and make immediate changes when mandated by fire marshals.

3. Material Labeling

All potentially hazardous or flammable material must be stored properly. It is also essential to label liquids that could easily contribute to a business fire so that anyone who sees them knows what they are.

4. Evacuation Plan

Before firefighters can put out the fire and fire damage specialists can restore your building, everyone must vacate it. Having an evacuation plan helps everyone know what they’re supposed to do. This plan should be posted in prominent areas, especially around exits.

5. Evacuation Practice

Even the best plan is useless unless people know about it. Fire drills are a necessary part of fire preparation. Having a drill twice a year helps your employees practice fire safety plan so that they know what to do in case of an emergency.

The best business fire protection is preparation. Keeping your building up to code and enforcing safety measures can help you prevent most fires, and having a workable fire suppression system and evacuation plan can help get people to safety for the fires you can’t prevent.

What To Do When You Have Water Damage

5/8/2024 (Permalink)

Water damage can wreak havoc on your home or property. Water damage can occur from burst pipes, leaking roofs, storms, floods, and hurricanes. The consequences can be devastating, leading to structural damage, mold growth, and potential health hazards. 

When facing these situations, it is best to contact a restoration company such as SERVPRO®. However, here are some simple actions you can take while you wait on a SERVPRO team to arrive at your home. 

Turn off the Power 

Attempt to safely switch off the electricity and gas to avoid electrocution and gas leaks. If unable to do so due to an extensive amount of water in the home, wait for a SERVPRO team to arrive and cut the power off. 

Locate and Stop the Water Source

Identify where the water is coming from. If it is coming from a burst pipe or leaking appliance, turn off the water supply to prevent further flooding. 

If the source of the water is external, such as a storm or flooding, do your best to divert or contain the water from further damaging your home and furniture. 

Remove Excess Water

Use pumps, wet/dry vacuums, buckets, or towels to remove as much water as possible from the affected area. The faster you can extract the water, the better chance you have of preventing further damage and mold growth.  

Move Belongings Out of Water

To prevent further damage to your furniture, move them to another room that is dry. If you have heavy furniture that you are unable to lift and move around, wait for a SERVPRO team to arrive to assist with moving the furniture. 

SERVPRO also specializes in restoring any piece of furniture that has been damaged during the disaster. 

Call your Insurance Company

Once you have done all the above, now is the time to contact your insurance company and investigate what is covered in terms of water damage. Document the damage thoroughly and file a claim with your insurance as soon as possible in order for you to get reimbursed for the costs of mitigation. 

Dealing with water damage is a long and stressful process. Luckily, SERVPRO is available 24/7 with a team of certified professionals who are equipped with advanced equipment to resolve disasters like these. 

SERVPRO, the only restoration company that makes “Like it never even happened” happen. 

Safe, Effective Mold Removal for Raleigh Property Owners

8/3/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO provides controlled mold demolition and remediation in Raleigh. If you have mold, contact us!

Call SERVPRO® for Mold Cleanup and Remediation

Whether you live or work in Raleigh, you never want to have mold hindering your interior. Failing to address and safely clean areas with suspected microbial growth can create costly damage and possible hazards. Hiring SERVPRO ensures you get the prompt, reliable cleanup and remediation you need to bring your home or business back to pre-damage condition. Once finished with your project, your interior will get the Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned seal of approval. 

From sightseeing and dining to family activities, there is plenty in the area to enjoy. If you are experiencing musty odors or mold Damage in Raleigh, SERVPRO is available 24/7 with proven methods and training to get the job done right the first time. As we are working on your remediation, you can check out some of the local hotspots, such as:

• North Carolina Museum of Natural Science: As the largest natural history museum
• Located in the Southeast, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Science features unprecedented special exhibits and hands-on educational opportunities. See live animals, take in the wonder of whale skeletons, and learn all about dinosaurs, all while spending time with the family.
• Pullen Park: This is the perfect area to enjoy nature and the serene sounds of water while getting lost in a book or having a picnic with friends. There is a park café on the grounds where you can grab concessions like pizza, snacks, and beverages. Many people come here during their lunch break on a nice day, or couples take a walk while waiting for nearby dinner reservations or entertainment. 
• Clouds Brewing: Located in the Glenwood South neighborhood, this restaurant/bar features a fun atmosphere and excellent service. There is also outdoor seating if you want to people-watch over some of the top brews and appetizers on the menu. 

Contact SERVPRO of Cary/Morrisville/Apex if you suspect issues with mold development in your home or business. We are available 24/7 for Raleigh area customers – so call us at (919) 615-1160 or request help online at your earliest convenience.

How Professionals Safely Perform Water Damage Restoration Procedures in Raleigh

5/18/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Raleigh can handle your water damage restoration with urgency and professionalism. Our team will make it "Like it never even happened."

Raleigh Residents Can Trust SERVPRO for Safe Water Cleanup Procedures

One of the key procedures that technicians perform during water damage restoration is cleaning the structure and all the affected contents. The level of cleaning that we achieve usually ensures that soils and other contaminants do not cause health effects to the building's occupants. Restoration experts achieve the required degree of cleaning by using EPA-approved disinfectants and specialized equipment.

Our SERVPRO technicians do not use a specific water damage cleanup technique in Raleigh when offering mitigation services. Different cleaning situations demand varying cleaning methods for the job to be done right. Before the cleaning job starts, we thoroughly inspect the following areas of the building:

• Check whether the insulation is damaged
• Confirm whether there is any form of damage on the refinishing and painting
• Check whether there is any buckling and warping on the floors
• Confirm whether there is any damage on the carpet seams
• Identify and remove any odor-causing substance

If the water originates from a clean source, restoring the carpeting is possible; our SERVPRO technicians treat both sides using disinfectants. To restore the affected upholstery, we treat them first for mildew and then apply an appropriate deodorizer. Hard surfaces such as floors can be mopped using EPA-certified disinfectants or apply ULV foggers when large areas are involved.

Once the site is clean, drying it is what follows next. We use specialized equipment such as dehumidifiers, air movers, and fans to speed up the drying process. At the end of the drying, we have to confirm that the target areas have attained the accepted moisture levels to prevent mold growth.

Let SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest handle your water damage restoration needs with the urgency and professionalism they deserve. You only need to call (919) 790-1222 to allow our team to make it "Like it never even happened."

Effective SERVPRO Mold Removal in Raleigh

5/2/2023 (Permalink)

If you see signs of mold, call SERVPRO of Raleigh 24/7. We'll make it "Like it never even happened."

Mold Cleanup Approaches for Raleigh Homes 

Mold remediation and removal services are more common in Raleigh than you would think. With an estimated population of almost half a million people, this city might be characterized by over 142 square miles of cityscape and development, but it also has many water bodies and a humid subtropic climate. As a result, even without disasters like Hurricane Florence that threatened thousands of homes and businesses in 2018, storm and water damage continue to trigger mold development.

Mold removal in Raleigh is not uncommon. Unfortunately, many homeowners do not recognize they have an issue until the colonies have grown and spread, much as the plentiful forest of oak trees in and around the city. Raleigh is much happier being the City of Oaks than the city of disasters like mold damage, so SERVPRO is a trusted name to help from the thousands of single-family homes to large apartment buildings like the updated Sir Walter Raleigh Hotel or housing for NC State University students.

How Does SERVPRO Remove Mold? 

Removal and remediation happen in several ways based on factors like the severity of the spread and the affected building materials. However, with a thorough inspection, we often determine one of these three approaches to help:

• Surface Cleaning – Using our proprietary cleaning products to destroy surface mold spores and make the material uninhabitable for future colonization.
• Media Blasting – Using pressurized media like sodium bicarbonate or dry ice to eradicate surface mold and penetrate beyond the outermost surface layer.
• Controlled Demolition – Used to remove mold-damaged materials entirely when remediation is impossible.

We have experienced professionals to help with mold removal and remediation in Raleigh properties, including Large Loss solutions for locations like Carter-Finley Stadium, PNC Arena, and structures throughout the downtown district. When you believe mold is threatening your life, you can rely on the fast response of our SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest team throughout Wake County. Call us at (919) 790-1222.

SERVPRO Covers All Aspects of Fire Damage Restoration for Homes in Raleigh

4/23/2023 (Permalink)

Fire damage can encompass many factors. You need a trained team to assess and remediate the fire damage after an event. Contact SERVPRO right away.

Fire Damage Cleanup Is Much More Than Removing Smoke Residues in Raleigh Properties

Many consumers believe fire damage in Raleigh homes and buildings is limited to smoke damage and lingering smoke residues. There are three main types of damage related to fires that can impact different rooms. The actual harm from the fire is usually limited to the immediate area of the fire. Damage from high heat is included. The second type is water and chemical damage caused when firefighters put out the fire. The third is smoke damage which can be found throughout the home in various concentrations depending on air currents and proximity to the fire.

SERVPRO provides fire damage restoration in Raleigh, covering all three types of fire damage.

• Fire damage, including structural and heat damage
• Water and fire retardant damage
• Smoke damage, including residue removal, discoloration, and smoke odor removal

Damage caused by the flames and heat can cause various materials to melt, warp, and burn, destroying them. We use controlled demolition techniques to remove these items and any structural materials damaged by the fire.

Water and fire retardants can damage areas of the home untouched by the fire. Furniture and other items must be cleaned and dried quickly to avoid secondary damage from water absorption and mold growth. Doors and windows are often broken during the fire and must be boarded up to prevent additional damage caused by the local environment.

Smoke particles and odors vary depending on the temperature of the fire and the material burned in the fire. These particles are usually distributed throughout the building requiring cleaning of every surface and all contents using the appropriate techniques for the type of smoke residue.

Our highly skilled IICRC-certified technicians assess the damage, contain the area to prevent further secondary damage and provide cleaning, restoration, or replacement of contents and structures damaged by the fire.

Call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest for fire damage restoration services. We provide service to Raleigh and nearby areas. We can help 24/7. Call (919) 790-1222.