Handling Smoke Residue as Part of the Fire Restoration in Chicago 

4/4/2024 (Permalink)

If fire damage occurs in your home, contact SERVPRO immediately for professional services and equipment. We're available 24/7.

Chicago Smoke Damage Cleanup with SERVPRO® 

Chicago is eminent for its rich architectural legacy. It is characterized by landmark skyscrapers such as the Willis Tower, the John Hancock Center, and the Tribune Tower, which have significantly influenced its skyline. Moreover, the city boasts architectural masterpieces crafted by renowned figures such as Frank Lloyd Wright and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. The Loop is home to corporate giants such as Boeing and United Airlines, while growing tech startups thrive in the West Loop's Fulton Market District. Additionally, the Magnificent Mile offers upscale shopping and dining experiences, attracting visitors and locals. Lollapalooza music festival, The Taste of Chicago, and the Chicago Air and Water Show draw crowds from near and far.  

Dealing with smoke damage is a crucial aspect of fire restoration work in Chicago homes, as smoke residues can cause significant harm to both the structure of a building and its contents. Smoke particles infiltrate porous materials like walls, ceilings, upholstery, and fabrics, which permeates deeply and often results in stubborn stains and discoloration. Water damage is also another aspect to deal with following a fire. SERVPRO technicians quickly assess the extent of the water damage and set up drying equipment, including dehumidifiers and air movers, to efficiently remove moisture from affected areas. SERVPRO ensures that all aspects of smoke damage, from surface residues to hidden contamination within the structure, are adequately addressed. 

Techniques to effectively tackle smoke residues 

• Mechanical removal 

• Chemical neutralization 

• Suspension and dispersion 

The primary cleaning process typically involves loosening dirt and grime, then suspending and dispersing them within a cleaning solution, and finally removing both the soil and the cleaning solution. Suspension occurs when dirt dissolves in the cleaning solution mixed with or when soils emulsify in a cleaning solution that they don't naturally blend with. 

Dislodging Soils through Mechanical Action 

Different types of mechanical actions generate friction to agitate and release smoke remnants. In certain instances of smoke damage, applying mechanical action alone might be adequate to eliminate residues without cleaning agents. Mild accumulations of non-oily smoke particles, such as those commonly found in dry smoke scenarios, could be removed from impermeable surfaces solely through mechanical agitation. 

Tools capable of producing heavy amounts of agitation 

• Sandpapers and steel wool 

• Roto pads and brushes 

• Abrasive powders 

• Dry ice blasting 

SERVPRO of Carol Stream / East Bloomingdale uses appropriate fire restoration techniques. Call us at (630) 830-6236. Faster to any size disaster™. 

We Are the Fire Damage Restoration Experts in Downtown Chicago

8/13/2023 (Permalink)

Dealing with fire damage is a job best left to the professionals. Contact SERVPRO for certified technicians ready 24/7 to help you.

Fire Damage Restoration for Structure & Contents

When a tragedy happens, you want an expert's opinion on putting everything in its previous condition. Accidents happen often in Downtown Chicago, including car accidents and house fires. A great mechanic can help with the first, and our fire damage restoration team is always nearby to assist with the latter.

SERVPRO's fire damage restoration team is a Downtown Chicago Licensed Operator. We can handle the work required to restore your home after a fire. We work with all building types and specialize in salvaging damaged personal belongings.

Here are short descriptions of what we do for families in the local area after a fire does its best to upset their lives and throw their family's plans off track:

• Cleaning the various surfaces soiled by ash and smoke,
• Repair work that can include structures or furnishings, and
• Eliminating the stench that burning materials create.

By-products of a fire have various attributes – oily, powdery, gritty, and sticky are a few. Smoke molecules can work deeply into textured fabrics, wood, painted surfaces, and more. SERVPRO's IICRC-certified cleaning agents help suspend foreign particles to make our cleaning efforts more effective. Also, we use an ultrasonic cleaning system to clean many items.

Along with cleaning, SERVPRO? repairs damaged walls, doorways, breakfast nooks, cabinetry, and much more. Wooden furniture can become charred, so refinishing wooden accents can help homeowners safely keep such items. When we step back and look at each aspect needing repairs, we can do these all in an orderly, less-stressful manner.

We use different methods to eliminate the heavy, sharp scents your family notices. Odors come from partially burned substances that continue to break down into tiny particles. Our techniques get at those particles and eliminate them through physical removal or chemical bonding.

Property owners are encouraged to call SERVPRO of Carol Stream / East Bloomingdale at (630) 830-6236. Our professionals are highly skilled in the various aspects involved in reclaiming residential properties after a disaster.

Post-demolition Fire Damage Restoration Cleanup in Downtown Chicago

5/1/2023 (Permalink)

When fire damage like this happens in your Downtown Chicago home, call SERVPRO for 24/7 assistance. They're Fater to Any Size Disaster!

Trust SERVPRO to Resolve Fire Damage in Downtown Chicago

One of the necessary procedures during fire damage restoration is demolition since it removes charred, soggy, or risky materials, such as frayed electrical cables left in the property. Doing the teardown correctly and effectively cleaning up the property can ensure the rest of the restoration proceeds without hitches. SERVPRO expertly handles controlled demolition in any section of your Downtown Chicago property and the post-demolition cleanup.

Managing the cleaning process during fire damage restoration at your Downtown Chicago requires appropriate balancing to ensure thoroughness in removing unwanted materials and using methods that do not create additional problems. SERVPRO crews are well-suited to handle the task since we have a wide range of equipment.

Typical goals of post-demolition cleanup after a fire

• Preventing loose debris from turning into embedded soils
• Conveniently handling larger debris
• Keeping fine residues contained

Demolition takes procedures like drilling and sawing, which release dust and other fine residues that settle on surfaces. Vibrations from hammering elevated surfaces dislodge soot and ash, thus leading to accumulation on the floor. Subjecting floors to wet cleaning without addressing the dry residues can embed rather than remove such residues, creating undesirable outcomes. Our SERVPRO crews start cleaning exercises with dry cleaning approaches before considering wet cleaning.

Helpful dry cleaning methods

• Feather dusting
• Vacuuming
• Agitating with compressed air

In case significant moisture accumulates in some sections from the firefighting process, addressing it while cleaning is essential. Our crews use dehumidifiers with low airflow to facilitate such drying without spreading light debris.

Dealing with Large Debris

If the demolition involves removing large pieces of wall and ceiling panels or carpets, you may end up with a chaotic environment where it is possible to tackle other tasks. Apart from removing the large debris, it is essential to take appropriate management steps such as slicing them into smaller pieces and containing them. Our SERVPRO crews use sealable plastic bags and large trashcans to collect fire-damaged materials for easier debris management.

SERVPRO of Carol Stream / East Bloomingdale prepares your property and conveniently executes fire damage restoration. Call us at (630) 830-6236. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Expert Fire Damage Cleanup in Downtown Chicago Saves Money

4/5/2023 (Permalink)

Our certified team makes fire damage in Chicago “Like it never even happened.”

Restorative Cleaning by SERVPRO Reduces the Fire Restoration Cost in Downtown Chicago

Professional cleaning and restoration services can help you reduce the cost of a fire damage claim in Downtown Chicago. Rather than relying solely on replacing or resurfacing a fire-damaged item, professionals focus on restorative cleaning techniques to get the materials to preloss condition. Cleaning and restoration services often cost only a fraction of replacement or resurfacing, thereby saving on damage claims. 

SERVPRO techs apply certain principles and elements of cleaning during fire damage restoration of your Downtown Chicago property. A successful restorative cleaning requires the official SERVPRO Downtown Operator to thoroughly know the effects of fire and smoke on various surfaces. 

Principles of Cleaning Used During House Fire Cleanup 

SERVPRO has developed an industry-leading scientific fire damage restoration system that closely adheres to the guidelines set forth by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). The basic principles of our restorative cleaning strategy include-

• Locating the smoke and soot residue by thoroughly inspecting the affected area. The inspection starts at the source of the fire, and the restorers trace how far the smoke has moved. 
• Identifying the type of smoke residue comes next. Not all smoke residues are alike and different types of smoke residues can exist in the same loss environment. Identifying the residue is crucial to pick the correct cleaning method that is effective and efficient. 
• Identifying the types of surfaces affected by fire damage is equally important. Depending on the type and porosity of the surface, the SERVPRO restorers decide which cleaning method and products are suitable. 
• As the smoke residues bind to the surfaces they contact, the following principle involves identifying a technique to capture the residue using an appropriate wet or dry cleaning method. 
• Once the residue is captured, it needs to be disposed of, and the debris and cleaning waste. 

Cleaning Actions SERVPRO Techs Use to Dislodge Soils from Surfaces  

The restorative cleaning process must break the bonds between the soils and the surfaces. SERVPRO techs use four cleaning actions to break the bonds and dislodge the soils from various surfaces.

• Mechanical action: It is one of the most effective ways of dislodging soil from a surface. Cleaning dry, non-greasy residues is most effective using mechanical action. However, SERVPRO techs routinely use this cleaning method to pre-clean excess residue before using other cleaning methods. 
• Lubrication: Lubrication aims to reduce the force of attraction between the soil particles and the surfaces by using lubricating agents like detergents. 
• Chemical action: In some cases, the soils need to be chemically altered before being removed from a fire-damaged surface. Enzyme cleaners and bleaching agents change the chemical structure of the soil, making it easy to remove. 
• Suspension and dispersion: One of the most common cleaning actions is loosening the smoke and soot residues and suspending or dispersing them in a cleaning product. 
• Dissolving the soil with solvent: Solvents are cleaning agents that are not water-based and are used when water-based cleaning agents might cause damage to the surfaces. SERVPRO techs use Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved solvents during the restorative cleaning. 

Involving the professionals as soon as possible can prevent any long-term damage to your Downtown Chicago home. SERVPRO works hard to restore your property “Like it never even happened.” 

If you need assistance with restoration after fire damage, call SERVPRO of Carol Stream / East Bloomingdale at (630) 830-6236; after all, We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Fire Restoration Team Can Rebuild Burned Home in Downtown Chicago

12/2/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO provides high-quality fire damage restoration services. We have the manpower and equipment for every size of disaster.

Save Money with Fire Restoration Services

Sirens seem to be everywhere in downtown Chicago. When one of those screaming sirens belongs to your home and comes from the fire department, your next call should be to SERVPRO. Our fire restoration team can get everything back to normal again.

Downtown Chicago homes need fire restoration services from a professional and experienced team. Soot is messy, but fire can damage the structure and make your floors unsafe. Ceilings can become hazards waiting to fall on someone. Such destruction happens because of direct contact with the flames and the weight of the fire department’s water. 

Now weakened, interior structures can hold even less than before. However, burned belongings and the newly introduced water make things extremely heavy. We handle this for you, restoring your home “Like it never even happened.” 

We accomplish this for customers after a house fire by doing the following:

· Extract the water,

· Remove debris,

· Rebuild destroyed areas of the house, and

· Clean and deodorize.

We pump out the water, use extraction wands, set up and run desiccant machines, and use air movers to extract and dry out the house’s interior.

Debris can leave an odor, so we remove things that have no chance of a successful restoration. We list such items for insurance purposes and to make it easier for you to purchase new replacements.

We cut away destroyed materials. Included in this are carpets, drywall, paneling, doors, window frames, cabinets, and countertops. We take measurements, describe the material needed to replace the old, and keep the area clean for the contractor to work more easily.

Getting rid of the soot and smoke residues clinging to surfaces helps reduce the intensity of the bad odors. We also use highly effective deodorizing methods.

Each of these steps, and a few others, help rebuild your home, so it looks and smells like it did before. We know how important home is to a family, and we can help eliminate the stress involved in a disaster like a fire.

Contact SERVPRO of Carol Stream / East Bloomingdale at (630) 830-6236 for a professional fire restoration team. We are a “Downtown Chicago Licensed Operator.”

Getting Professional Restoration Assistance for Fire Damage to Your West Chicago Home

6/6/2022 (Permalink)

your home from smoke and fire damage, along with the water damage caused by efforts used to put the fire out.

SERVPRO is Here when Your Home Experiences Fire Damage

When your West Chicago home falls victim to a fire, you might be overwhelmed with all of the damage that it has done. Even without resounding structural impairment, the lingering effects of both the blaze and the extinguishing efforts require immediate attention to continue to live in your house comfortably. A typical complaint about those who have recently endured similar incidents in their own homes is the lingering smoke smell and water damage that resulted from extinguishing efforts.

While the fire damage to your West Chicago home might seem complicated to grasp at first, there is professional restoration help that is only a phone call away. Our SERVPRO team consists of IICRC certified specialists with the tools and expertise to handle even the most significant disasters. When a lasting foul odor and excessive water damage are left behind after a recent fire in your home, our team is well equipped to combat these effects.

Water damage following fire extinguishing can be challenging to live with, especially if there is standing water still left in the affected areas of your home. When our SERVPRO technicians first arrive, we focus on preventing damages from getting any worse. We do this by boarding up or tarping over any windows that have gotten broken out or presenting holes in your walls or roof. This coverage prevents further elemental damage while our restoration process's extraction and drying steps are underway.

Our extraction techniques involve truck-mounted pumps, portable submersible pumps, and wet vacs. The combined efforts of all of this equipment successfully pull up standing water and allow for the drying portion of the process to get started. Drying typically gets accomplished using air movers directed at lasting moisture in the floors and walls of the affected area.

Deodorization is part of our restoration process to handle the lingering smoke smell that can also be hard to manage. We utilize different tools such as foggers and ozone machines to affect the noxious smell at a molecular level. Our odorless chemical compounds react with foul odor molecules and nullify them entirely.

Fire damage does not have to be an overwhelming experience to face alone. Call our experienced SERVPRO of Carol Stream / East Bloomingdale team whenever disaster strikes. We can be reached anytime at (630) 830-6236.

Professionals Help Handle Fire Damage Restoration in Carol Stream Safely

5/8/2022 (Permalink)

Recent fire in your home? Team SERVPRO will quickly assess and formulate a custom fire damage remediation plan that will work for your situation.

A Certified Team of Fire Restoration Experts is Crucial When Carol Stream Homes Suffer Fire Damage

When a fire happens in a Carol Stream home, its residents have to worry about many things. From saving their belongings to making sure the structure is safe, the whole process may appear overwhelming. On top of those concerns, homeowners also wonder whether they should stay in the home or not. To make the best decision and preserve your safety and that of your loved ones, call a reputable team for help.

For fire damage restoration in Carol Stream and to base your next steps on actual facts, SERVPRO is here to help. We are available around the clock to dispatch a team to your home and create an individualized plan to help mitigate your damage. Each fire brings its own set of circumstances which vary based on what caused the flames, how it traveled, and what it ravished in its wake. When our team arrives, we approach your home with safety in mind and make a recommendation on the next steps.

Some aspects of fire and smoke damage restoration to consider when deciding to stay or leave home may include-

• Air quality- smoke and smell particles linger long before the flames are gone, making it unpleasant to breathe. In our efforts, we address air quality with equipment such as ozone generators and air scrubbers.
• Staging areas- to clean items and avoid secondary damage, we may set up a staging area in your home. Our team may erect physical barriers to prevent cross-contamination and might discourage human traffic from one section to the other.
• Ventilation- smoke and soot travel easily through ventilation systems, and we may have to prevent all-home circulation to stop its spread.

SERVPRO of Carol Stream/East Bloomingdale is your ally when a fire happens. Call (630) 830-6236 and let us leave your home “Like it never even happened.”

Chicago House Fire Damage and the Right Response

3/2/2022 (Permalink)

Don't let a charred kitchen get you down--Call the Official SERVPRO Downtown Operator for Cleanup and Restoration

SERVPRO Technicians Focus on Fire Damage Restoration for Downtown Chicago Properties

Home fires occur much more frequently in Chicago than one might expect, given that most do not make the news. Many are quickly extinguished, and families are not displaced for long or at all as restoration efforts go forward. Although you are far from alone in recovering from fire damage, you can be among the most satisfied with the process if you choose a reputable recovery firm.

If your dwelling’s fire damage in Downtown Chicago is typical, a blaze first breaks out in your kitchen. A pot boils dry, or a deep fryer overflows, engulfing your kitchen in flames. Quick work with a fire extinguisher may put out the fire itself, but now you confront the aftermath of sticky soot, smoke, and a smell that persists. If the fire strikes while your HVAC system is engaged, you can feel as though you will never move past the lingering malodors.

After the local fire officials give you the go-ahead, invite SERVPRO to partner with you to complete the tasks necessary to return your house to preloss condition, "Like it never even happened." We send a seasoned sales rep or project manager to assess the condition of your home and create an efficient recovery plan. Fire damage restoration includes, at a minimum, deep cleaning, debris disposal, and a deodorization evaluation.

If water was used to extinguish the flames, you also have a water damage issue on your hands. It comes as a surprise, but the water damage, if any, must be remediated before the SERVPRO crew focuses its attention on charring, soot, and smoke. Water increases the threat of slipping and falling during fire damage recovery efforts. Plus, water causes significant and permanent deterioration and damage if left waiting for a solution. Mold can grow within just a couple of days, fueled by damp gypsum board, waterlogged floors, and hidden pockets of moisture collecting between walls and over ceilings.

SERVPRO crews are familiar with both water and fire damage restoration, so we do not miss a beat, dealing with the water before the fire issues. We are an Official SERVPRO Downtown Operator. Then we match cleaning products and methods to the fire residues remaining. Light ash and dry soot vacuum and dry sponge up well. Sticker grease fire coatings may need solvents and abrasive tools to dislodge. An inspection of your HVAC system reveals whether it also needs cleaning, although at the least, a complete change of filters is required during and after the fire damage cleanup is completed to prevent depositing residual soot. and pungent odors.

Trust SERVPRO of Carol Stream / East Bloomingdale to have the technicians and tools to restore fire damage in your home. Call us at (630) 830-6236 day or night, year-round, to schedule a consultation. 

Water Mitigation After a Carol Stream House Fire

2/6/2022 (Permalink)

After a disaster in your home, you need help to get it back in shape. Call SERVPRO for certified technicians to help with remediation and mitigation.

SERVPRO Offers Water Mitigation for Carol Stream Fire-Damaged Homes

Any fire within your Carol Stream home can bring a broad range of damage. Not only will charred debris become an issue, but you also have to think of the impact of any water or chemicals used to extinguish the blaze. SERVPRO mitigates all leftover moisture and the corrosive byproducts of the fire – soot and smoke – to ensure secondary damage does not become an issue. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster, but also give local homeowners peace of mind that the job gets done right the first time!

For several reasons, water mitigation in Carol Stream is critical with house fire cleanup. The powerful water from fire hoses causes more damage than a sprinkler system in most instances. This pressure means a lot of hidden moisture behind walls, baseboards, under cabinets, and flooring. SERVPRO acts fast to:

• Set up drying equipment, such as fans, air movers and dehumidifiers
• Initiate water removal services to begin pulling up any standing water
• Utilize moisture detection devices to ensure no moisture gets left behind
• Use air scrubbers with HEPA filtration to pull odorous particles from the air

Whenever there is possible water damage in fire damaged homes, there is always the potential for mold growth. Spores might begin to colonize in as little as 24 hours, eating away at drywall, wood, and floorboards. SERVPRO takes all factors into consideration as we formulate our plan for drying, restoration, and cleanup.

Before fire restoration gets finished, new materials get installed, and all surfaces get cleaned, sanitized, and deodorized to make everything Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned!

The team at SERVPRO of Carol Stream/East Bloomingdale is available whenever you require water mitigation and restoration after a fire event. You can reach us any time, 24-hours a day, seven days a week, by calling (630) 830-6236.

What Complicates Fire Damage Restoration in Bloomingdale Properties?

1/4/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO advises our Bloomingdale neighbors to keep smoke detections functional with battery checks to help prevent house fires

SERVPRO Handles All Aspects of Fire Damage in Bloomingdale Homes Professionally

You may expect fire damage restoration to be a straightforward process since once you remove charred materials and remove soot accumulating on surfaces, your property should be clean. Replacing damaged materials and refinishing surfaces should complete the fire restoration process.

However, you might face many challenges once you start fire restoration at your Bloomingdale home. The challenges vary from simple to complicated ones requiring specialist skills to resolve. SERVPRO can help you overcome any difficulty, whether it requires specialized skills or equipment.

Some common fire restoration challenges include:

• Soils collecting in hard to reach areas
• Re-soiling of cleaned areas
• Stubborn soils that prove difficult to remove

Some challenges arise from poor planning on the part of the restorer. Appropriate ordering of restoration tasks helps prevent any unnecessary spreading of soils and other challenges. For instance, although you may expect to start cleaning from the ceiling going downwards, you might encounter problems if the method is wet cleaning. The correct ordering is to start with the walls then progress to the ceilings to prevent cleaning solutions from dripping to soiled areas and causing streaking. Our SERVPRO technicians observe this religiously even when only cleaning walls, starting from the bottom and then moving upwards.

Other steps that ensure orderly fire restoration include:

• Packing out movable contents from affected areas
• Using drop cloths to cover immovable or delicate items like pianos
• Attaching cleaning sponges to extension poles for easier reach of elevated areas

Challenges can also arise when residues like soot prove difficult to remove. Normally, soot is light and powdery, making it easy to wipe off surfaces. However, some fires produce wet, smeary soot which adheres to surfaces. However, with the right cleaning resources, it is easier to clean. Our SERVPRO crews use steel wool pads instead of regular cleaning sponges to agitate surfaces. We can also blast cleaning with a soda blaster, which lifts off residues or even charring from surfaces.

SERVPRO of Carol Stream / East Bloomingdale helps shoulder the burden of fire restoration, allowing homeowners to cope. Call us at (630) 830-6236 for assistance that makes it "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO Offers Quick and Efficient Fire Restoration of Bloomingdale Properties

12/22/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO can provided advanced ultrasonic cleaning to remove soot from fire damaged valuable possessions for Bloomingdale customers

Why do Bloomingdale homeowners trust SERVPRO with fire restoration?

Restoring the contents of a fire-damaged home is often a less costly option than refinishing or replacing them. Hence, SERVPRO techs utilize several methods to clean a wide range of items during fire restoration of your Bloomingdale home.

The key to the success of SERVPRO technicians during the fire restoration of your Bloomingdale home lies in the care and concern that goes into the cleaning process. The techs pick the cleaning method after carefully considering several factors such as the type and amount of smoke and soot deposit and the type of surface to be cleaned. The goal of the process is to restore your home “Like it never even happened.”

How do SERVPRO techs clean smoke and soot residues during house fire cleanup in Bloomingdale?

SERVPRO techs use several techniques during the fire and smoke damage cleanup in Bloomingdale homes. Some of the most widely used methods of cleaning include-

• Dry and wet cleaning
• Spray and wipe cleaning
• Foam cleaning
• Abrasive cleaning, and
• Immersion cleaning

Immersion cleaning is one of the best cleaning methods provided the material such as Venetian blinds that can withstand being completely saturated with a cleaning product. SERVPRO techs sometimes use ultrasonic sound waves to aid in the cleaning process during immersion cleaning.

Ultra-Sonic Cleaning

High-frequency ultrasonic waves in the immersion tank create millions of tiny bubbles that implode in a fraction of a second. The creation and bursting of the bubbles produce very high temperatures and microscopic jet streams of fluid that can scrub the deposited soils. There is no need to dislodge the residues with brushes and towels manually, and it is less labor-intensive. This technique is especially useful for removing soot from fragile possessions like ceramic dolls, china, and crystal.

If you need assistance to deal with any fire incident in your home, call SERVPRO of Carol Stream / East Bloomingdale at (630) 830-6236.

Where is the Highest Concentration of Smoke Damage in Carol Stream Homes?

8/6/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO knows how precious your home is. Let us take care of your fire damage.

After a fire, many surfaces and contents in Carol Stream properties can be damaged by smoke. 

With hundreds of possible sources and accelerants to make a fire get out of control quickly, knowing what to do after extinguishment can protect your home and its contents from greater harm or reconstruction. From surface cleaning to removing harsh odors trapped in porous materials and fabrics, our SERVPRO team of professionals is standing by to help. This process begins with job scoping. 

The Movement of Smoke During a Fire 

Before fire and smoke cleanup in Carol Stream homes can begin, our restoration professionals must identify the extent of the damage to the property. We track the movement of aerosolized smoke and soot particles to start treating contents and structural surfaces most heavily impacted by migrating loss effects. As the smoke moves through a house from its ignition source, it encounters obstacles in the form of structural elements and contents, all of which become subject to varying levels of soot and smoke deposits. The farther from the worst of the combustion, the lighter and less frequent this smoke damage becomes. 

Cleaning Up Smoke Residues on Surfaces

Removing these residues is not an easy feat, especially with several types of smoke damage and varying degrees of potential damage possible. Surface restoration after these effects requires multiple cleaning or recovery services/products, such as:

• Wet cleaning products
• Dry smoke wipe cleaning
• Dry ice pellet blasting
• Controlled demolition

One of the most considerable obstacles that professionals like ours face after fire loss events is the soot and smoke residues impacting building materials and contents. Even with leading approaches and products for removing smoke damage, the effects can often be destructive to the property. Our SERVPRO of Carol Stream / East Bloomingdale team can help at (630) 830-6236.

Fire Damage Caused by Grilling Accidents in Your Downtown Chicago Home

6/16/2021 (Permalink)

Grills account for major fire damage each year. Be sure to practice fire safety while grilling.

Rely on SERVPRO to Properly Cleanup Fire Damage

The end of spring and the beginning of summer provides us with days perfect for grilling out in the backyard. An excellent way to enjoy each other's company is grilling food in Downtown Chicago. Cooking equipment can hold heat for a long time, and it can play a significant role in igniting flammable substances if you place the grill near them.

It is crucial to set a still-hot grill in only safe locations on your patio or property so you avoid the possibility of fire damage in Downtown Chicago. It is easy to get distracted and rush through putting things away.

Fire Damage Restoration

Patios and garages that catch on fire because of a grill can burn quickly, creating much damage. In garages that are attached to a home or in very close proximity can place the house at significant risk, too. Fire damage, just like the fire that caused it, can become worse with time. Mitigation of the area is the only solution that prevents future problems and fixes the current situation. SERVPRO is always ready to help with any size disaster.

We are highly experienced in restoring homes, garages and sheds, and commercial sites, as well, after they suffer from fire damaging events. We are prepared for any complications that arise and can assure you that our trusted and professional employees know the best methods according to the IICRC.

Smoke Damage

Plastics found in your patio furniture melt almost as soon as a fire gets near them, but we remove this type of debris while we engage in other cleaning processes. Soot only feels oily or greasy, while its true composition can grind etch marks into glossy finishes and ruin them or stain furniture cushions, car upholstery, and walls. Removing this soot must happen soon after, and by professionals who understand the properties of soot.

The highly qualified and professional technicians at SERVPRO of Carol Stream / East Bloomingdale are always ready to take your call at (630) 830-6236, any day of the year, and at any hour. Fire damage can create a series of problematic situations for you and your family, but we can help get everything back to normal again.

How Can SERVPRO Help Bloomingdale Residents in Fire Damage Restoration of Their Homes?

5/14/2021 (Permalink)

Did your home have a recent fire? SERVPRO has the technicians and equipment to remediate the fire damage. Contact us right away.

SERVPRO offers Fast and Reliable Fire Damage Restoration Service to Bloomingdale Home Owners

Fire damage restoration of your Bloomingdale home is a job for professionals. Trying to initiate a restoration process by yourself can turn an already bad situation worse. SERVPRO professionals have years of experience and expertise in dealing with the aftermath of a fire and smoke damage, including soot and odor. 

Combating the odor of a fire-damaged home in Bloomingdale can be difficult, but SERVPRO technicians are up to the task. We use various deodorizing techniques to remedy both real and imaginary odors. 

Equipment SERVPRO Techs Use to Combat Odor During House Fire Cleanup in Bloomingdale

SERVPRO technicians use a variety of state-of-the-art equipment to eliminate odor from your fire-damaged home in Bloomingdale. 

• Photocatalytic Oxidizer- Works by producing hydroxyl (OH-) radicals using ultraviolet rays. The radicals then combine with odor-causing molecules and oxidize them, eliminating the odor during the fire restoration process. 
• Air Scrubbers- These contain High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters that can capture odor-causing particles as small as 0.3 microns. The activated carbon and potassium permanganate filters in the device can eliminate various odors causing molecules by adsorption. 
• Ozone Generator- Generates an unstable gas called ozone that oxidizes with odor-causing molecules. It can eliminate a variety of odors, including odors due to protein fires. 

Call SERVPRO of Carol Stream / East Bloomingdale at (630) 830-6236 for 24/7 fire damage restoration of Bloomingdale homes.

Initial Cleaning Protects Bloomingdale Contents During Fire Damage Restoration

4/16/2021 (Permalink)

Regardless of which room was damaged by the fire, team SERVPRO can help with remediation services and experts know how. Call us right away!

SERVPRO helps Bloomingdale homeowners who need house fire clean up

There are many steps to fire damage cleanup, and the SERVPRO process has been proven over many years. We know the quickest and most efficient way to deal with the mess a fire leaves behind.

Sometimes when we tackle fire damage restoration in Bloomingdale, we carry out initial cleaning to help the process run smoothly. Initial cleaning is essential if, for any reason, we cannot begin restoration immediately. It removes the worst of the fire damage. Initial cleaning often includes:

• Removing charred items and anything that is fire-damaged beyond repair. 
• Wiping soot from non-porous items like metal or wood.
• Pre-cleaning carpets and furniture.

In some cases, we need to deodorize the space to make it safe for our crew to proceed. There are also situations where pests such as cockroaches can, unfortunately, get into a home or come out from their hiding place during restoration. SERVPRO can arrange for pest control before beginning cleaning.

We can also clean your personal items for use in your temporary housing if you cannot move back into your home straight away. Pre-cleaning can help prevent further damage.

If you are worried about fire damage restoration, call SERVPRO of Carol Stream / East Bloomingdale at (630) 830-6236.

How Destructive Can Fire Odors Be to Bloomingdale Homes?

3/19/2021 (Permalink)

If your home is damaged by fire, SERVPRO is here to help. We have the equipment your home needs. Contact us for any fire restoration needs.

Harsh Lingering Odors After a Fire Can Make Ordinary Life a Challenge. 

Often property owners hesitate to call in professionals to mitigate the damage caused by a blaze. After several days, the still lingering malodors shout out to the owners, “You waited too long!”

Restoring your Bloomingdale home or business after fire damage can be a considerable challenge for even experienced fire restoration technicians like ours. There are multiple stages and phases of fire restoration, beginning with the earliest emergency services to reduce loss and protect the home's contents. After a fire loss incident, one of the lingering effects is harsh odors typically left to the final stages of restoration, which can require multiple approaches and products to overcome.

How Can Fire and Smoke Odors Get Eliminated? 

Combustion can leave many areas of your home contending with harsh, noxious odors. Depending on the material burned, these smells can also contain toxins or contaminants to complicate conditions further. Often air scrubbers and HEPA filtration products can remove these contaminants and particles from the environment, leaving the deodorization of lingering odors to:

• Ozone machines
• Hydroxyl generators
• Foggers

Fire odors can be an obstacle for your home. Our SERVPRO of Carol Stream / East Bloomingdale team can help when you call (630) 830-6236.

Preserving the Charm of Carol Stream After a Fire Loss

3/2/2021 (Permalink)

You can depend on our SERVPRO teams to cleanup and restore your property and personal belongings after a fire takes place.

Fires can be Devastating, but our Fast Response can make it "Like it never even happened."

In a community estimated to be home to over 39,000, Carol Stream continues to grow as a predominantly residential area. Unlike other bedroom communities for Chicago, multiple commercial properties and businesses have grown footholds in the town. This was always the intention of the developer creating this community in the 1950s and 60s. Carol Stream was meant to be a place that families never had to leave to find what they needed. This was an aspiring goal for the construction being so close to the country's third-largest city.

'A Great Place to Live and Work'

The motto of this substantially sized community is 'A Great Place to Live and Work.' This embodies the original spirit and optimism of developer Jay Stream. From 1959's earliest meetings about the town's development, it was always in the works for corporations to set up shop and thrive within the area to provide stable and gainful employment to residents. By envisioning a town where people did not need to commute to Chicago, they could have a quieter and less bustling life outside of Wheaton, IL, where Stream purchased the land to break ground on this development.

The town would get named after Jay Stream's daughter, Carol, after becoming involved in a devastating car accident. After nearly four months in a coma, Carol would awaken to finally see the village that shared her name.

A Bedroom Community for the Greater Chicago Area

Despite the intentions to be self-sustaining from the magnetism of employment opportunities and business in Chicago, Carol Stream would ultimately partially become a bedroom community within the sprawling metropolitan area. Those that do not mind a reasonable commute of just 29 miles on the roadways can often reach the cities in less than an hour outside of peak travel times. The primary route from Carol Stream to inner-city Chicago follows interstates 355 and 290.  

Can SERVPRO Provide Fire Restoration Services in Carol Stream?

Fire restoration for Carol Stream homes and businesses means much more than just cleaning up after these disasters. True recovery of your home is multi-layered. It encompasses the skills of multiple technicians on our roster. Beyond Fire & Smoke Restoration certifications, our team can also help with accreditations in related niches such as:

• Carpet Cleaning (CCT)
• Odor Control (OCT)
• Applied Structural Drying (ASD)
• Upholstery and Fabric Cleaning (UFT)

With a general contractor license, we can also provide a wealth of services such as repairs and reconstruction where your property needs. This license can help with immediate actions like debris removal and controlled demolition as well.

Fire losses can be devastating for your home without immediate action to mitigate loss and begin returning the property to preloss condition. Give our SERVPRO of Carol Stream / East Bloomingdale team a call to help today at (630) 830-6236.

What is the Timeline of the Fire Restoration Process?

10/9/2020 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO we know how devastating a fire damage can be. We will be right there beside you ready to work.

Carol Stream Homeowners Want to Know What to Expect During Fire Restoration

Busy homeowners in Carol Stream know the importance of keeping to a schedule. Whether it is a list of work deadlines, after school activities for the children, or a roster of social events, a program keeps everyone organized. When you know what is supposed to happen, and when, it is much easier to plan for an event.

Homeowners who need fire restoration in Carol Stream want a schedule too. A fire loss is a difficult enough situation as it is, and any uncertainty makes it worse. You are keen to know when you can return to your life.

What happens when you call SERVPRO?

After we receive a notification of a fire loss incident, we get in touch within the hour to arrange a visit to the blaze site. Our customers can rest easy, knowing that help is on the way.

How soon will SERVPRO arrive, and what happens then?

A franchise professional will arrive within four hours from the first call notifying us of a loss situation. There is a reason that We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster:

• Coming quickly means we can start the remediation process faster
• We know that soot damage can get worse if left for too long
• There may be leftover water from fire-fighting, which presents a risk of fungal growth if we do not deal with it

The first step after we arrive is a thorough assessment of the situation. This includes examining fire and soot damage and testing individual items to see if they are restorable, or if we must dispose of them. Our technicians work from the source of the fire outwards to determine what we can salvage and clean.

Our technicians will explain each step of the restoration process to you, so you understand:

• What we are going to do
• How long it will take
• What results you can expect

What should homeowners do while waiting for SERVPRO to arrive?

Our customers often ask what they should do while waiting for SERVPRO of Carol Stream / East Bloomingdale to arrive. The first step is to consider your safety and that of your family. Do not stay in your home if it is not safe to do so. Do not attempt to move any items if you are not confident that it is safe. Please be aware of the potential hazards from electricity, slip and fall risks, or structural damage.

However, there are some actions you can take if you can do so without risk of harm:

• Place clean towels over carpets, rugs, and high-traffic areas
• Protect HVAC vents by taping over a double layer of cheesecloth
• Wipe down the leaves of houseplants
• Spread a layer of petroleum jelly over chrome fixtures
• If the electricity is out, you can prop open freeze and fridge doors, and empty the food

Please do not attempt to clean electrical appliances, carpets, drapes, walls, ceilings, or furniture. There is a risk of making the damage worse if these items are improperly cleaned. Do not switch on the ceiling fan, in case the ceiling is wet from fire-fighting efforts.

What happens after the homeowner agrees to the cleaning plan?

We will give verbal notice of the proposed cleaning plan to your insurance adjuster or property manager within eight hours. Following that, our Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)-trained technicians get to work.

We employ a range of techniques to fix soot damage to your home and belongings, including scrubbing and HEPA vacuuming for floors, walls, and ceilings. We can use baking soda blasting on exposed wood or brick, such as in basements or attics. We also wipe, scrub, and spot-clean furniture and upholstery.

When we have finished cleaning, we deodorize your home to leave it smelling “Like it never even happened.”

Do homeowners have to leave their houses, and when can they come back?

Whether homeowners need to vacate their property depends on the extent of fire damage. In some cases, we may also need to move your furniture and belongings to an off-site facility for cleaning while we restore your home.

We will keep you informed of progress at all times. We will also take careful inventory of your items before removal and bring them back afterward.

What happens after fire restoration?

When we are finished, we will do a final walk-through of your property with you to ensure you are satisfied. We will also follow up with you after a week to answer any questions you may have.

If you need swift and effective fire restoration, call SERVPRO of Carol Stream / East Bloomingdale at (630) 830-6236.

Should I Try to Get Rid of the Water in My Carol Stream House Before Calling Fire Damage Experts?

8/29/2020 (Permalink)

Fire damage in your home can take a long time to fix if not taken care of properly. Contact SERVPRO for professional remediation services.

SERVPRO Is a Full-Service Disaster Recovery Company, Able to Handle the Entire Spectrum of Fire Damage Tasks in Carol Stream

The quantity and devastating effects of firefighting water can be shocking to Carol Stream residents coping with the aftermath of a household blaze. Hiring a company with highest quality skills in both water and fire damage management and remediation is the smartest decision, streamlining the recovery process with using best practices for both types of disasters.

Do All Fire Scenes Require Water Damage Mitigation as an Initial Phase?

It is rare to assess fire damage in a Carol Stream residence without at least some level of water loss. The firefighters who come to your aid do not stint on water as a deterrent to catastrophic destruction. Many homes today have sprinkler systems that engage in response to heat or smoke. Water must be managed first because of:

• A wide range of safety issues, including slip, trip, and fall and electric shock
• Contaminants in the water from the fire residues
• The potential of eventual and severe secondary damage, including structural collapse from the weight of the water and mold growth

Can Our Crews Handle Both Water and Fire Damage?

SERVPRO’s workforce masters industry standards for water removal and structural drying as well as fire debris and residue cleanup through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) comprehensive training course catalog. We arrive with all the water detection, extraction, and drying equipment in our service vehicles, never missing a beat. We begin the water mitigation and remediation as our project manager assesses and plans for all following phases of the fire damage restoration project.

The broad range of mitigation and remediation services offered by SERVPRO of Carol Stream / East Bloomingdale permits comprehensive fire damage relief for our residential customers. Call (630) 830-6236 before the firefighters leave so we can arrive promptly to evaluate and plan for restoration.

Click here for more information about Carol Stream.

What are Preventable Reasons for a Bathroom Fire in Carol Stream?

7/21/2020 (Permalink)

Fire damage needs fast action to ensure the best outcome for your home and contents.

SERVPRO techs have the equipment and knowledge to restore your Carol Stream bathroom from any size fire loss

An overloaded outlet is one of the most common reasons for a residential bathroom fire. The result of this type of fire often leans towards organic materials such as cabinets, vanities, and window treatments burning around the porcelain fixtures. Beginning cleanup as soon as the fire department says it is safe for SERVPRO team members to enter can save Carol Stream homeowners from further loss. Other frequently seen reasons for bathroom blazes include:
    •    Overheating bathroom fans  
    •    Candles   
    •    Smoldering matches tossed into wastebaskets

Is Anything Restorable After Fire Damage in a Bathroom?

When viewing the fire damage for the first time in your Carol Stream bathroom, seeing all the debris and items often piled in the bathtub, you might not see any potential for restoration, but often it is there.

SERVPRO technicians clear out the charred mess and look at items as they do so to determine if they should go to a cleaning station or require disposal as a loss. The area gets contained covering doors, and vents so soot does not cross-contaminate through the ductwork or foot traffic to other areas of the home.

Soot can deteriorate chrome fixtures the longer it stays in contact with them. The techs have solutions formulated for chrome and then protect the handles and spouts by wrapping them to inhibit any potential for damage for airborne soot particles landing on them.

Due to the heat, everything in a bathroom is at risk for damage from a fire. Toilets may contain water, but the heat during a fire can crack the porcelain and the same for bathtubs. SERVPRO techs may need to perform a controlled demo down to the framework and then prep the room for repairs to bring it back to a fully restored state.

Fire damage needs fast action to ensure the best outcome for your home and contents. Contact SERVPRO of Carol Stream / East Bloomingdale at (630) 830-6236, the trained, certified techs are available 24/7.

Does Fire Permanently Damage Wooden Furniture In Carol Stream?

6/15/2020 (Permalink)

With professional assistance, many of your contents may be saveable despite sustaining smoke or soot soiling.

SERVPRO Are Experts at Restoring Hardwoods with Fire Damage in Carol Stream

Is wooden furniture flammable?

When homeowners in Carol Stream experience a property fire, they can be anxious over wooden cabinets, tables, and furnishings. While natural materials like wood do combust quickly, modern varnishes and treatments can make them fire-resistant, providing that the fire service can control the blaze promptly. Fire resistance allows these woods to sustain significant smoke or temperature without lighting on fire. Often, a professional restorer can accurately assess whether or not wood furnishings are saveable during the initial inspection. Our technicians operate with a restore over replace mentality that means we make every effort to return your furnishings to their preloss condition before discarding them.

How does smoke damage affect wood?

When fire damage in your Carol Stream home affects wooden furnishings, the most noticeable impact is charring of exterior layers as well as blackening from soots. We pre-test wooden materials to understand the exact extent of smoke damage and tailor our restoration effort to each item. Sometimes, the finish of the wood can be adversely affected, and smokes can enter wood grain. In these situations, SERVPRO technicians can use soda blasting or sanding techniques to remove these surface layers of smoke from the furnishing. Once it is clean and dry, our technicians can return to refinish wooden furnishings or use wood butter to even the coloring.

What should I do when a fire affects wood?

    •    Cover the furnishing using a clean and dry towel to prevent any further ashes from affecting the wood
    •    Open windows to ventilate the area and remove any residual odors or smokes
    •    Contact a professional fire technician before introducing any moisture to the affected surface

With professional assistance, many of your contents may be saveable despite sustaining smoke or soot soiling. Contact SERVPRO of Carol Stream / East Bloomingdale at (630) 830-6236.

Can Appliances Be Cleaned After a Bloomingdale Kitchen Fire?

5/27/2020 (Permalink)

“Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO Employees Master Advanced Training in Kitchen Appliance Remediation to Respond to Bloomingdale Fire Damage

A Bloomingdale kitchen is the heart of a dwelling and does not miss a beat because of the hardworking appliances that help nourish your family. When a kitchen fire blackens and coats every surface with tightly adhered protein-based soot, cleaning becomes a challenge. Our team trains for the opportunity to save your appliances, “Like it never even happened.”

Can I Use Appliances Before Cleaning?

Modern kitchens feature appliances that employ sophisticated electronic circuitry, at risk of shorting out and otherwise malfunctioning after Bloomingdale fire damage. We recommend disconnecting the appliance from the power sources until evaluation by an authorized electronic service technician. Refrigerators and freezers should remain tightly closed while disconnected for cleaning to ensure that foods inside remain at appropriate temperatures.

What Steps Do Professionals Take to Get Fire Damage Residues Off Appliances?

The appliances in or near the kitchen that was the site of the fire include ovens, stoves, microwaves, freezers, refrigerators, trash compactors, ice makers, dishwashers, and laundry equipment. Materials used in their construction are most similar to hard-surfaced furniture and include:

    •    Metal
    •    Glass
    •    Composite materials
    •    Plastic
    •    Painted surfaces

What Do SERVPRO Technicians Assess First?

We inspect the appliance surfaces for durability. The tightly adhered residues left by a protein-based kitchen fire often need increased agitation or abrasive tools or cleaning products to break the bond. Great care is needed to clean effectively without scratching or dulling finishes.

How Do We Choose Cleaning Products?

Wet cleaning and polishing are the preferred methods for cleaning appliances. Because of the heavy smoke and greasy residues, we might decide to increase the cleaning solution's alkalinity. Short dwell times and thorough rinsing is essential to ensure the highly-polished surfaces of most appliances are not compromised.

SERVPRO of Carol Stream / East Bloomingdale takes the preparation of our employees seriously, encouraging managers and technicians to obtain high-level training to meet customer needs. See how we can help with fire damage challenges with a call to (630) 830-6236.

How do I Remove Soot and Ash from my Bloomingdale Home?

5/20/2020 (Permalink)

Fire restoration is involved with a high-risk of inadvertently causing further harm.

Minor to Moderate Housefires in Bloomingdale can Leave Behind an Excessive Amount of Ash, Smoke Residue, and Soot

What is the best way to remove soot from walls?
Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to fire damage for Bloomingdale residents. The composition of soiling on your walls depends on the type of materials that burned. Different smoke compositions require different methods of cleaning. SERVPRO technicians undergo extensive training to identify the different types of smoke or soiling that may coat your walls and ceilings.

How can I test what type of smoke residues are on my home?
    •    Identify what materials burned in the fire- are they synthetic (plastic) or natural materials.
    •    Examine the wall and brush it lightly to see if soots fall away or spread around. This method can tell you whether you are dealing with wet or dry soots.
    •    Using a dry sponge lightly wipe a small area to see if soots come away easily. If they do not, you may need to use a solvent.
    •    Choose a small, discrete section of wall and test how well the soiling responds to water. Water-based soiling responds well to water. Oil-based soiling responds negatively.

What are the methods of cleaning useful on wet or bonded smoke deposits?
Hot smokes can bond with surfaces under high temperature and conditions. Bonded-soils are challenging to remove as damages can enter paint-grains or even the drywall underneath. To release bonded soots, SERVPRO technicians employ the use of chemical solvents. Over a few hours, solvents dissolve bonded soots into the solvent solution. They can then be removed easily by rinsing both solvent and soots from the wall. In some cases, repainting the affected area may be necessary.

Fire restoration is involved with a high-risk of inadvertently causing further harm. Contact SERVPRO of Carol Stream / East Bloomingdale at (630) 830-6236.

For more about Bloomingdale click here.

Call Our Professionals After A Fire In Your Carol Stream Home

12/21/2019 (Permalink)

Our certified team makes it “Like it never even happened.”

DIY Fire Damage Restoration in Carol Stream is Never Enough

Whenever you suffer loss from a fire, it is best to look to professionals to help with the cleanup and restoration process. However, some homeowners feel as though they can take on the challenge of tackling the cleanup to save time and money. The unfortunate truth is that DIY fire restoration is never enough.

For help with fire damage in Carol Stream, calling the experts helps you get fast, professional results. Trying to handle the cleanup on your own could open up a world of issues, including dangerous structural problems, lingering odors, and dangerous mold growth. The following are just some of the reasons why it is better to call trained technicians at SERVPRO to handle your fire loss restoration:

Lingering Odors
Soot particles range in size, with many being invisible to the naked eye. After these particles are airborne and make their way into your ductwork, they travel throughout your home. What this leaves behind is a lingering foul odor and a sad reminder of the damage that the fire caused. When you call SERVPRO for restoration assistance, we formulate a multilayered approach to put an end to smoke odors. We employ thermal foggers as well as air scrubbers to eradicate odors, or we can work on cleaning the ductwork if any residual odors are still present.

Stopping Mold Before It Starts
The interior of your home is doused with water to extinguish the fire. Because of this, measures must be taken to eliminate moisture so that mold and mildew do not have the chance to grow. We ensure moisture detection and removal are part of the cleanup process using specialized equipment. This ensures that no water is left under flooring or behind walls. As part of our drying techniques, we also apply antimicrobials that work to inhibit mold growth.

Surface Cleaning
Even if your walls look clean, they can still harbor terrible smells. SERVPRO works to clean your walls using solvents and may apply a sealant that is then primed and painted to ensure your walls are restored to like-new quality and free of foul odors.

Call SERVPRO of Carol Stream / East Bloomingdale at (630) 830-6236 when you need help with thorough fire damage restoration. Our certified team makes it “Like it never even happened.”

For more about Carol Stream click here.

How Professionals Clean Fire Damage in Carol Stream

10/6/2019 (Permalink)

Fire damage restoration needs to start quickly. Call us and we will begin restoring your property as quickly as possible.

Common Cleaning Challenges in Carol Stream Homes with Fire Damage 

Fire damage in a home is never a "one size fits all" for cleaning. Using the incorrect cleaning method on different types of smoke residues has the potential to result in higher amounts of loss. 

SERVPRO technicians utilize a multilayered process for handling fire damage in Carol Stream residences. Just as there is not a single cleaning method for smoke damage, there are multiple methods for testing fibers to determine the best cleaning methods for the best outcomes.  

Hardwood Furniture and Flooring

Solid hardwood furnishings and flooring with light, dry smoke damage may have restoration potential on a case by case basis. Factors such as time between the fire loss event and cleanup efforts, as well as water exposure, affect restorability. As their goal is to restore rather than have homeowners incur the cost of replacement, when they find recoverable hardwood items, technicians use a combination of wood oil soaps followed up by a furniture polish containing mink oil for luster and protection.  

Painted Walls

Different types of paint react differently to heat exposure. SERVPRO technicians use different types of cleaners to lift away fire damage residues. For dry smoke, a dry cleaning sponge without any liquid cleaners lifts away from the surface. For wet smoke, solvents to release the thick, greasy smoke residue make it simple to wipe away. In cases where the heat was so intense it caused the paint to bubble, the embedding of soot may require a sealant to halt odors before priming and repainting.  

Nonporous Items

Immersion cleaning is one of the most common ways non-porous items receive cleaning. The process involves immersing an item into the chosen cleaning solution.  

Fabrics and Porous Items

Technicians perform fiber tests to determine the cleaning potential for upholstered furnishings and window treatments with smoke damage. If it is suitable for cleaning, they attempt restoration if there is no danger of loss through the restoration method, and the item does not appear to contain uncleanable soot. 

When your home has fire damage, contact SERVPRO of Carol Stream / East Bloomingdale at (630) 830-6236. The technicians are certified and trained to assist homeowners in limiting loss and restoring the property to its preloss condition, "Like it never even happened." 

More about Carol Stream.

Deodorization And Cleaning After A Fire In Your Carol Stream Home

8/27/2019 (Permalink)

No matter how you need us, our SERVPRO of Carol Stream / East Bloomingdale fire restoration experts are always only a phone call away.

Deodorization And Cleaning After A Carol Stream Fire

There are multiple layers of effects that Carol Stream homeowners must address after a fire loss incident, and in many cases, the most pressing of these is the cleanup and deodorization of the house. Soot and smoke residues can provide damaging to the hosting material and contents, primarily when cleaning occurs from inexperienced property owners or untrained restoration teams. Our SERVPRO fire recovery experts have both the experience and the equipment to address all lingering symptoms after a fire, and We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

As pressing as fire damages in Carol Stream properties can become, many homeowners still become convinced that they have enough skill to address these concerns on their own. Our fire recovery team invests considerable time into developing their skills under the guidance of the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification who sets the standards for quality results in the restoration industry. In these two primary areas of deodorization and soot cleaning, we have several approaches that can make a difference quickly.

Soot removal is a considerable challenge for unskilled and untrained property owners, as many do not realize the damage that can occur from improperly cleaning these affected surfaces. Soot and smoke residues can smear and stain, causing a level of damage that even our sophisticated tools and products can rarely recover. The best hope of returning soot-damaged surfaces to their original condition is through a careful removal process by our SERVPRO team. With the use of HEPA vacuums and chemical sponges, we can protect the surface below from the acidity of the soot.

Deodorization is also something that many mistakenly believe that they can handle, not realizing the damage that has occurred to surfaces like drywall. When heated, pores become larger and can trap odor molecules inside when the fire gets extinguished, and the materials cool back down. To combat this embedded smoke odor throughout your property, our SERVPRO professionals utilize multiple deodorization machines, including thermal and UV foggers, hydroxyl generators, and ozone machines.

While you might be among those tempted to recover your property alone following fire loss incidents, several areas demand swift and deliberate attention. No matter how you need us, our SERVPRO of Carol Stream / East Bloomingdale fire restoration experts are always only a phone call away. Let us help you by calling (630) 830-6236.

For more about Carol Stream click here.

Don’t Let Your Outdoor Grill Cause Fire Damage To Your Carol Stream Residence

7/29/2019 (Permalink)

We answer 24/7 and arrange for a fast and accurate assessment of your fire damage needs within hours.

Overachieving Outdoor Grill Causes Fire Damage To Your Entire Carol Stream Residence

When you think about fire risks from grilling in Carol Stream, they seem unfortunate but pretty low key. Maybe a stray coal drops and smolders in a pot of flowers or a flare-up singes and oven mitt when flipping a basted brisket. In truth, grilling mishaps can result in much more severe consequences, particularly if the cooking area outdoors is too close to your home. If a home grilling fire catastrophe occurs, call us immediately. We can help.

A perfect day in your backyard oasis ends in terror when fire damage spreads throughout your Carol Stream house. The heat and flames were too close to your home’s exterior. One minute the flames were contained in the grill and the next a blaze started consuming siding and quickly spread to the upper stories.

SERVPRO’s Fire and Smoke Restoration Technicians (FSRT) are trained to implement the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) best practices. During coursework, they learn why fire that gets into the cavity between the exterior and interior walls of a house spreads shockingly fast. A ventilated facade is a quick-spreading pathway for fire,  the reason why the upper reaches of a home often receive so much damage regardless of proximity to the origin of the fire.

You might have heard of the “chimney effect.” The same forces causing smoke in a fireplace to rise or coals in a metal “chimney” starter to burn from the bottom up impels the flames to ascend inside the walls of your house. Damage can be extensive, but SERVPRO is ready to help you start the recovery process.

Because we are full-service mitigation and remediation company, we can help you with everything from firefighting water removal to debris and soot cleanup to deodorization to preparation of spaces and surfaces from final rebuilding and restoration. Helping members of our community recover from the devastation of fire damage is a core mission. We have a highly-qualified workforce and the tools, products, and equipment to turn a chaotic crisis into “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO of Carol Stream / East Bloomingdale awaits your call at (630) 830-6236. We answer 24/7 and arrange for a fast and accurate assessment of your fire damage needs within hours.

For more about Carol Stream click here.

If your Carol Stream Home Is Damaged By A Fire, Let Our Crew Help!

7/8/2019 (Permalink)

Immediately after the firefighters leave call (630) 830-6236 for an assessment and consultation.

Pack-Out Carol Stream Home Contents For Efficient Fire Damage Remediation

A fire in your Carol Stream home does not limit its effects to appliances, walls, ceilings, and floors in the vicinity of the blaze. Smoke drifts into other spaces and the odor-bearing particles in the soot eventually deposit on surfaces throughout your entire residence. As firefighters extinguish the fire, vast quantities of water soak into everything nearby, and if your home has more than one level, the water runs down steps and walls into lower storage areas.

Furniture, household goods, clothing, and all manner of personal possessions suffer fire damage in Carol Stream homes. We offer a pack-out option to our customers to give these items the evaluation and restoration treatments they need. Our Contents Claim Inventory Service (CCIS) uses lists, digital photography, and barcoding to track items. We store them in our secure, climate-controlled production facility.

SERVPRO technicians at our headquarters have access to a broad range of specialized cleaning, drying, and rehabilitating strategies for your packed-out property. Industrial washers and dryers and dry cleaning options manage soot soiling on fabrics and other soft items, including window treatments and collectibles or toys. Immersion tubs and ultrasonic treatments loosen and remove fire residues from blinds and intricately detailed decorative or household objects.

In the chaos after a fire, you might believe many of your soot-damaged items are ruined and bag them up for the trash. SERVPRO employees have unique skills you appreciate when the majority of the articles blackened and tarnished are brought back to function and appearance. Treasured photos and vital documents also respond well to techniques like freeze-drying and specialized disinfection treatments.

Throughout the aftermath, SERVPRO works closely with your homeowner’s insurance agents, keeping you informed as we provided documentation for coverage. Whether we restore packed-out items or must recommend disposal, we ensure claims made are likely to succeed, limiting your out of pocket expenses.

With the spaces cleared out in your home, our on-site crew cleans up dirty water and soot and charring damage and also deodorizes using the latest equipment and methods. Clean, dry, sanitized, and odor-free, your home welcomes back the remediated items we moved at the beginning of the project.

Trust SERVPRO of Carol Stream / East Bloomingdale to handle every aspect of fire damage mitigation and remediation. Immediately after the firefighters leave call (630) 830-6236 for an assessment and consultation.

For more about Carol Stream click here.

We Put The Flames Of Worry Out In Carol Stream After A Fire Emergency

6/19/2019 (Permalink)

The small fire left burned drywall and soot and smoke damage we arrived with the necessary equipment and restored the home.

SERVPRO Handles Fire Damage from Exhaust Fan in Carol Stream Bathroom

When considering types of damage that can occur in a home, the bathroom is probably a place that would bring to mind damage from water, but it is also an area of the house that receives fire damage frequently. One of the most common causes is due to high wattage hair care appliances overheating a plug or the home exhaust fan sparking a fire.

Our SERVPRO emergency response team answered a call from a homeowner in Carol Stream to assist with fire damage. The fire emanated from an exhaust fan that overheated and sparked a fire in the only bathroom in the small home. Because of the small square footage of the property, light smoke permeated most of the house.

The sheetrock around the exhaust fan in the ceiling of the bathroom was charred and required removal using controlled demolition techniques. Our technicians used handheld vacuums to pick up the debris and soot in the bathroom. Since a fire extinguisher instead of water put out the small fire in the ceiling, the only the powdery residue left behind on surfaces needed cleaning.

With the majority of the smoke damage concentrated in the bathroom, our technicians restored the rest of the property, which only received light smoke, using our professional cleaning formulas and proprietary techniques. This enabled the mitigation efforts to disrupt the home as little as possible and keep the contents on-site without the need for pack-out.

To neutralize the remaining odors, we used an air scrubber with HEPA filtration to capture airborne particles. Then followed up with thermal fogging to remove any residual embedded smoke odors in porous items and fabrics as it behaves as smoke does during a fire and when hot air expands and drives soot into cracks and crevices, thermal fogging eradicates those odor-causing particulates.

For large or small fire damage restoration services in your SERVPRO of Carol Stream / East Bloomingdale home, call us 24/7 at (630) 830-6236 our certified technicians are locally based and arrive soon after your initial call because We're Faster to Any Size Disaster.

See more about Carol Stream. 

How Our Team Can Restore Your Fire Damaged Home In Bloomingdale

2/19/2019 (Permalink)

Overcoming the hidden challenges of fire damage is manageable with help from a professional.

Tackling Hidden Challenges Of Fire Damage In Bloomingdale

Most times when fire affects a property, the only question in people’s minds is whether it was controlled in time or whether it was catastrophic. However, in the unfortunate event that your property burns down, you realize there is more to fires than being big or small. These hidden aspects affect the restoration process, especially if handled by an inexperienced person. We offer professional restoration services in Bloomingdale.

One aspect that influences the level of fire damage in Bloomingdale is how hot the fire is because it determines the types of residues left, and how hard it is to remove them. Scorching fires produce dry smoke which leaves powdery residues on surfaces. These are easy to wipe off with a sponge or other less aggressive cleaning methods. However, the high temperatures also open up pores on surfaces, so any residues that penetrate the surface are hander to remove. Smoldering fires produce wet smoke with high levels of aerosols, solvents and other liquid components that stain materials easily.

The type of material present in the areas affected by the fire can influence the outcome of the incident. Organic materials like wood burn easily while metals or stone materials have a higher resilience, so the fire might not damage them, but soot and other residues left can leave stains. Synthetics like plastic and rubber are not only affected by flames but also heat. They also create wet, smeary residues that can stain other materials easily. Our SERVPRO technicians remove residues left on metal surfaces fast to reduce chances of staining. We also check the level of damage in organic materials, and if salvageable, we use specialized techniques such as soda blasting to clean charred surfaces.

Most fires are ignited or accelerated by some element such as grease or protein, especially in kitchen fires. Other fires involve fuel oils. Apart from serving as an accelerant, these elements also leave residues which can affect the cleanup process. Protein residues are notably pungent. They also vary in color ranging from yellow, amber to colorless. Our SERVPRO technicians are well-versed with cleaning such residues by applying professional cleaning agents. In most cases, we also clean the entire property to get rid of the bad smell.

Overcoming the hidden challenges of fire damage in Glendale Heights and Addison areas is manageable with help from a professional. Call SERVPRO of Carol Stream / East Bloomingdale to assist. You can reach us at (630) 830-6236 any day.

Click here for more about Bloomingdale.

A Few Mistakes to Avoid During the Holiday Season That Could Cause Fire Damage in Addison

12/6/2018 (Permalink)

Be vigilant with open flames and overloading any outlets during the holiday season celebrations. Should you have fire damage, contact SERVPRO.

Holiday Fire Damage a Possibility in Addison

Preparing for and enjoying the holiday season usually involves decorative displays of light. Trees, mantles, and celebratory scenes make use of strings of lights, often connected to extension cords in rooms crowded with other decor and family and friend gatherings. Candles and fireplaces add to the lively vibe. Excited pets or children, a trip or misstep by anyone, or an unattended open flame can transform festive to fiery. We can help with the aftermath.

Creating a cozy and welcoming ambiance during the holidays can expose you and your family to fire damage in Addison if safeguards are ignored bad luck intervenes. Electrical malfunctions in plugs and light cords create smoldering that takes time to discover before they spark into open flames. A candle too near a curtain or knocked over in the confusion of greeting guests or passing dishes on an overburdened dining table flares fast. Within minutes evacuating your loved ones becomes paramount and the firefighters arrive to minimize damage to your home.

After a holiday fire call SERVPRO day or night to start the remediation process immediately. Our IICRC trained crews arrive with fully-stocked service vehicles ready to manage all aspects of an accidental fire. Project managers assess the scenario, helping you decide to find short-term temporary housing during the cleanup, communicating on your behalf with your insurance carrier to make sure your out of pocket costs are covered.

Our team removes the fire-fighting chemicals and water and dry out the premises as a first step. SERVPRO crew members analyze the types of soot and debris left in the affected areas, matching products and tools with their specific characteristics. Electric fires and the smoldering of linens deposit a thick, sticky coating requiring cleaning products with powerful wetting agents and surfactants to loosen it before our technicians wipe it away. If the fire involved foods or grease, we might need solvents and abrasive equipment to clear it away.

Deodorization specialists among our technicians work on the persistent malodors that can linger. The slow-burning releases particles that might respond best to thermal fogging, recreating the conditions that caused the odor to eliminate it. SERVPRO also invests in cutting-edge equipment like hydroxyl generators that use oxidation to neutralize smells at a molecular level.

SERVPRO of Carol Stream / East Bloomingdale responds fast when your holidays take an unexpected turn for the worst. No matter when a fire breaks out a call to (630) 830-6236 gets help on the way 24/7.

Click here for more about Addison.

How Our Experts Remove Odors After A Fire In Your Glendale Heights Home

10/9/2018 (Permalink)

Recovering from the aftermath of a household fire in Glendale Heights can be overwhelming.

Odors After A Fire In Your Glendale Heights Home

Recovering from the aftermath of a household fire in Glendale Heights can be overwhelming. Professional fire restoration manages each necessary task to return your home to preloss condition. From water removal to soot and smoke mitigation to restoration of charred structural components, the response a restoration brings is multifaceted. Our team handles these issues and more.

When responding to fire damage in Glendale Heights, each step in the remediation plan is essential. Our IICRC trained crews follow proven protocols intended to mitigate the damage done by the firefighting efforts and the combustion of various materials inside your home. The care and hard work of our employees bring the interior of your dwelling back to the conditions you remember pre-fire.

SERVPRO can also address the smells that linger even after a comprehensive cleanup. As the fire raced through your home, a broad range of possession and building materials burned, and each sent microscopic particles into the air. The incompletely combusted items soil not only the walls and surfaces with soot, but also fill the air with noxious odors.

Ordinary air fresheners and solutions like candles only mask the smells. SERVPRO crews employ many strategies to eliminate the odors permanently. We start with the obvious -- removal of burned objects and thorough cleaning of sooty residues on every surface. A pack out of movable furnishings and objects to our production facility allows our technicians to use specialized equipment and products to remove odors as other crew members attend to your home’s structure.

If smells persist, recreating the conditions that allowed for odor penetration is the next step. SERVPRO uses thermal fogging to disperse deodorant products through a heated chamber. This process transforms the deodorizing substance into similarly sized particles that seek out and neutralize the odor-bearing particles.

We also consider innovative technologies like hydroxyl generators that cause a chemical reaction in the odor-bearing residues, ridding them of the malodors. SERVPRO is a fire damage restoration leader, always striving to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to new and efficient ways to rid a home of fire-related odors. The terrifying memories of a home fire fade much more quickly if lingering smells disappear.

SERVPRO of Carol Stream / East Bloomingdale is ready to resolve all aspects of professional fire restoration. Call SERVPRO at (630) 830-6236 as soon as the firefighters leave to begin a comprehensive fire damage recovery.

Click here for more about Glendale Heights.

Necessary Tasks You Might Not Expect After Fire Damage In Glendale Heights

9/18/2018 (Permalink)

If you never suffered from the effects of a fire in your home some of the issues a property owner faces post-disaster can surprise you.

Fire Damage In Your Home

If you never suffered from the effects of a fire in your Glendale Heights home some of the issues a property owner faces post-disaster can surprise you. The specific circumstances of each fire vary, but many of the needed tasks are the same regardless of the cause or the extent of the damage. Our highly-qualified crew leads and technicians are familiar with the protocol and are ready to assist you.

After you watch the efforts of the firefighters as they save your Glendale Heights home, you appreciate just how much fire damage restoration involves water removal and damage control, as well as structural drying. It is smart to hire a company that does not limit the core services to one type of disaster. We ensure the crew we send to assist you in the aftermath of a fire is proficient in both water and fire damage restoration.

SERVPRO attends first to the water removal issues for safety and practical reasons. Slip and fall injuries can occur and expose both inhabitants and our crew members to risk. Water and electricity do not mix, often causing at least a temporary disruption to your home’s power until the water exits the fire damaged areas. Hidden hazards underwater can injure residents of your home and our technicians.

Our service vehicles contain pumps and water extractors, as well as a full range of professional drying equipment in addition to the products and tools needed for fire damage clean up. Once we remove the water and begin drying your home’s structure, SERVPRO crew members can commence fire residue cleanup and evaluate other fire damage concerns.

Another problem created by fire concerns food you have stored on the shelf and even in refrigerators and freezers. Heat and soot can damage food in your pantry and cabinets, without regard to whether the contents are in sealed jars and boxes. The elevated temperatures during a fire can cause unsafe organisms to grow, and soot is often fine enough to contaminate food by moving around the threads on a jar lid or passing through a cardboard box. A power outage can make chilled and frozen food unsafe to eat, and soot can move into an appliance if the gaskets are not tight. SERVPRO technicians can help you determine what food needs disposal.

SERVPRO of Carol Stream / East Bloomingdale considers all aspects of fire damage, offering assistance and advice on everything from water damage to tainted food. Call to have an experienced project manager assess your fire scene by dialing (630) 830-6236.

Click here for more about Glendale Heights.

Overloaded Electrical Systems Can Threaten Your Bloomingdale Home

8/22/2018 (Permalink)

Fire damages often occur in Bloomingdale homes on account of mismanaged/overloaded outlets and electrical networks.

Overloaded Electrical Systems Can Cause A Fire

There are many instances in which disasters and emergencies within your Bloomingdale home can get avoided with the right knowledge and preparation. While instances exist outside of your control, many damaging incidents like fires can be prevented with the appropriate precautionary measures and awareness.

Fire damages often occur in Bloomingdale homes on account of mismanaged/overloaded outlets and electrical networks. Over time, the wiring of your electrical system throughout your home can fall victim to the elements, pests, or simple degradation with age. There are ways to keep this situation from developing into a fire that damages your home, however.

One of the first things that owners should consider is routine inspections of their electrical system and a working knowledge of its age and condition. While it might feel like a considerable cost out of pocket initially, it is less devastating than our SERVPRO professionals working to restore areas of your home once damaged wiring combusts and spreads a flame. Understanding more of what your system looks like and how it is protected from wear can provide you some peace of mind or at least an idea of what areas require immediate attention.

Another thing to consider as a homeowner is the load on every outlet in your house. These plugs are rated for a certain voltage, and demanding more power than the outlet can provide can overload your system and overheat the wiring causing ignition. In fortunate cases, the fire damage remains right around the outlet and does not spread far before extinguishment. Even with A limited spread, SERVPRO technicians like ours must still treat soot, smoke damages, and restore damage to drywall.

Fire damages might feel impossible to avoid at times, but with some preparation and precautionary measures, much of these circumstances can get avoided. Unfortunately, many homeowners do not consider this until after a fire has already occurred in their home. If you are currently combating these damage in your home, trust our SERVPRO of Carol Stream / East Bloomingdale fire damage technicians to help you overcome any obstacles towards returning your home to preloss conditions. Give us a call 24/7 at (630) 830-6236.

Click here for more about Bloomingdale.

A Child With a Box of Matches Can Cause Fire Damage in a Glendale Heights Home

7/26/2018 (Permalink)

Soot and Smoke Cleanup and Restoration for Glendale Heights Homes? Call SERVPRO

Fire, Smoke, and Soot Residue Cleanup Are a Vital Part of Fire Restoration Services Offered by SERVPRO 

Children are known to get up to mischief, but when that mischief leads to severe issues, such as fire damage, it becomes a problem. Matches, lighters, and candles should always be kept behind a child-proofed door inside of your home at all times. Otherwise, children are likely to find them and then play with them. While kids are known to get into things they are not supposed to touch, it is an entirely different situation when they find matches and then set the drapes inside of your bedroom on fire. Luckily, there is always help available close to your home when they accidents do occur.

We always make it a priority to arrive as swiftly as possible so we may begin the fire damage restoration inside of your Glendale Heights home. While the blaze this child set may not be inside your home nor a severely damaging fire, it could have burnt up your curtains, self-care products, and some of your clothing. As these products burn, they turn to ash and are carried around your bedroom alongside smoke. The quicker we can arrive at your home, the more likely we are to remediate the stains that have been left behind successfully.
 
SERVPRO uses advanced technology to help combat the fire damage inside of your home. Before we begin to remediate, we can set up air scrubbers with carbon filters. These devices can capture airborne particles and neutralize the foul odors that come hand-in-hand with fire damage.
 
After we clean up your bedroom by removing any ruined self-care products, clearing out your ruined drapes, and throwing away any destroyed clothing, SERVPRO can begin to address the soot. Our techs must investigate and prescribe the correct cleaning method, as there are ample products and procedures.
 
Here at SERVPRO, we tend to choose between lubricative, abrasive, and chemical cleaning products. Once we select a method, our technicians can focus on removing the soot from your bedroom. The final service that we can offer to you is our help making a list of the drapes, clothing, and self-care products that you lost in the fire for your insurance provider. This is provided on our CCIS, the Contents Claim Inventory Service.
 
Never hesitate when a fire breaks out in your home. Get in contact with SERVPRO of Carol Stream / East Bloomingdale as soon as possible by dialing (630) 830-6236. Night or day, we are always open to receive your call.

Emergency contact info for this city here

Why You Need Cleaning Services When You Face Fire Damage in Lombard

3/25/2018 (Permalink)

When fire damage seems overwhelming, contact the technicians at SERVPRO to help you deal with the damage including insurance claims.

SERVPRO Technicians Deal With ALL Aspects of Damage After a Fire

Even after that fire has been put off, you need restorative services to address fire damage on your property. Restoration is meant to return your structure to its preloss state, and the level of damage usually determines the procedures to use. If you are a resident in Lombard, you have to take all safety concerns seriously before the restoration process can start.
 
Our SERVPRO team advises you to limit movement in your home after a fire damage incident in Lombard so that you do not end up embedding soot particles into your carpets and upholstery. After all, you do not know how safe the structure is, and it is advisable to wait until we do an assessment. We check whether there are cracks in the floors and walls, whether the ceiling tiles are intact, and switch off electrical circuits.
 
If you also need to reduce a fire damage claim's cost, then you have to seek for restoration and cleaning services. By doing that, you can salvage most of your contents and avoid replacing some items and resurfacing specific areas. Our SERVPRO team understands the cleaning elements and principles and chooses the most appropriate procedure, depending on the situation we are addressing.
 
To successfully clean the smoke-damaged items, we trace the source of the fire and then assess how far the smoke particles have moved. We also look at the type of particles when establishing cleaning methods. Different surfaces need different cleaning methods for them to be restorable. We are careful with the process we choose, and after capturing and removing the residues, we have to do the disposal.
 
We know that temperature is so crucial when cleaning items since it increases chemical reactions by making molecules in the cleaning solutions to move faster. It also decreases the surface tension of the cleaning solutions and causes them to penetrate into surfaces. After that, we can then dry your items and wet areas and perform deodorization to prevent the possibility of bacterial and fungi growth.
 
At SERVPRO of Carol Stream / East Bloomingdale, We're Faster To Any Size Disaster whether in commercial or residential premises. Call us at (630) 830-6236 at any time of the day and be served by a trusted industry leader.
 
Click here for more information regarding the city of Lombard.

Fire Damage caused by Electrically-Powered Decorations in Lombard

10/18/2017 (Permalink)

If frayed wires start a fire in your home when decorating for the holidays, call SERVPRO to quickly and efficiently remediate the damage.

SERPVRO Aims to Get Your Home Back to Safe Living Conditions as Quickly as Possible After Fire Damage

Residents in Lombard might find themselves with sparking outlets or frayed wires when setting up the many different types of decorations many homes display in the next few months. These often remain one-time incidences, but other times they can cause significant problems.

Lombard homes with decorations can liven up a neighborhood, but fire damage can take all the fun out of any festive occasion. At SERVPRO, being a part of the community we serve includes taking part in celebrating different holidays, as well, so we understand the importance of the more festive times to area families. When taking part includes decorations that use electricity or battery power, staying safe should never lose its importance.

If a fire ever starts in your home, everything comes second to getting out and to a safe location away from your home's exterior. While pulling the plug might help, splashing water on a fire that started with an electrically-powered decoration only makes matters worse and can even cause death by electrocution.

The Fire and Smoke Restoration Technicians (FSRT) at SERVPRO earn their certificates from the IICRC. Building on this accomplishment, they quickly gain experience in mitigating all types of fire damage. We match our equipment to each job's size, meaning we always arrive appropriately prepared. Even small areas with fire damage require professional attention to prevent worsening conditions and increased amounts of damage.

SERVPRO also works fast so that your home and family life suffers as little interruption as possible. We know you want to get everything back to normal quickly. To help make the fire and the damage it created a distant memory, our Odor Control Technician (OCT) can make sure that the holiday scents you want have no competition from undesired smoky smells. Even smaller fires can bring complicated and diverse types of damage into your home.

Call us, your local SERVPRO of Carol Stream / East Bloomingdale at (630) 830-6236. You can call us any day, and at any time. We have a 24-hour service to help ensure your life gets back on track quickly.

For more information about Lombard, visit http://villageoflombard.org/.

Selecting a Fire Extinguisher

10/17/2016 (Permalink)

Classification Symbols

Selecting a Fire Extinguisher

Interpreting the Label

There are five distinct classes of fire extinguishers. They are A, B, C, D, and K. A implies that the fire extinguisher is viable against wood, paper, and waste fires. B is useful for flammable fluids and gasses, for example, fuel or propane. C is useful against electrical fires since it won't conduct electricity. D is for fires began by burnable metals. These fire extinguishers are generally more for commercial use. Lastly, K is for grease fires. It transforms the fat in the grease into soap to stop the fire. Fire extinguishers come in a wide range of various blends of these groupings. Commonly for a homeowner it is a smart thought to get no less than one that is ABC and a K for the kitchen. Before A and B there will be a number. The higher the number, the more viable it is for that kind of flame.

Here is a rundown of what every class stands for, its assigned color, and its geometric image.

A – Ash – Green – Triangle

B – Barrel – Red – Square

C – Current – Blue – Circle

D – Dynamite – Yellow – Star

K – Kitchen – Black – Hexagon

Rechargeable or Disposable

Fire extinguishers come in both sorts. Note that a refill on a rechargeable fire extinguisher is normally less expensive than purchasing another disposable one. The rechargeable fire extinguishers additionally for usually have metal parts in contrast with the disposable which more often than not has plastic parts. As a rule, the rechargeable ones have better quality parts, longer enduring charge, and the capacity to refill it. Rechargeable fire extinguishers generally are pricier than disposable ones, but have the abilities previously mentioned.

Measure

This relies on upon your circumstance. Larger typically means more chemicals, however additionally implies heavier and less mobility. The weight listed, just accounts for the chemical contents. This is NOT the aggregate weight, which means it doesn't calculate the heaviness of the canister. Pick what works best for your circumstance. Consider the muscle of anybody that may utilize the fire extinguisher. Additionally, consider the measurements of the tight spaces the fire extinguisher may be required in for mobility purposes.

For data on what to do after a fire allude to our SERVPRO site

Surge Protectors: How to Select a Winner

10/12/2016 (Permalink)

Three-pronged and two-pronged plugs on top. Right angle plug below.

Surge Protectors protect electrical devices from voltage spikes.  If the voltage is above a safe threshold, then the surge protector blocks or shorts the unsafe voltage.  This blog post will provide information on how to go about selecting a surge protector.

Choosing a Surge Protector

First, there is a difference between a power strip and a surge protector.  A power strip merely splits an outlet into multiple ports.  Whereas, a surge protector is designed to protect electronics.  When selecting a surge protector look for key words such as “interrupter switch” or “surge protection.”  If the surge protector is certified by Underwriter’s Laboratories that means it is definitely up to code.

Second, find the joules.  Joules are a standard of unit used to measure energy.  Think of joules as the threshold for the surge protector to trip.  The more joules a surge protector can take, the better.  Over time, this threshold drops and unfortunately there is no real way of knowing.  So it is a good idea to replace your surge protectors every couple of years.

Third, look for a surge protector with the number of ports you want.  It is not possible to connect a surge protector into another surge protector.  The surge protector will detect this and not work.  It is dangerous to connect a power strip into another surge protector.  This is because it is easy to overload the outlet and will trip the surge protector more often.  This wears out the surge protector and once it's worn out, a possible electrical fire could be triggered.  Instead, buy a surge protector right from the get-go with at least the minimum number of ports required for your needs.

The Last thing to consider when purchasing a surge protector is the cord.  There are two things to take into account with the cord.  First is the length of the cord.  You want it to be able to reach as far as you need it.  Second is the plug design.  Decide if you need the three-pronged plug or the two-pronged plug.  Then there are right angle and standard plugs.  Look at the picture to see the difference.  

If the worst happens and an electrical fire does break out.  First, contact your local fire department.  Afterwards, contact SERVPRO of Carol Stream/East Bloomingdale for fire damage restoration.

Todd's Tip of the Week: What to do After a Fire

8/26/2016 (Permalink)

1. Limit foot traffic in the affected areas or rooms to prevent spreading the soot damage.
2. If electricity is off, remove all items from both refrigerator and freezer and leave doors open.
3. Clean and protect chrome with light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.
4. Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves.
5. Do not attempt to clean walls or floors without contacting your SERVPRO Franchise Professional.
6. Do not use any food products that are located near the source fire, heat or water.4
7. Do not turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet. The wiring may be damaged. 
8. Do not send garments to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set smoke odor.

For more tips on what to do and what not to do after a fire occurs in your home or business, refer to the SERVPRO website!