SERVPRO of Fairfield Would Like To Wish You And Your Family A Safe And Happy Thanksgiving!!
Restoring Your Home After a Fire - Types of Smoke and Smoke Damage
It pays to be aware that not all smoke is the same, the type of smoke damage that has affected your house will differ depending on the type of fire that has taken place. Each of the following types of smoke require a different type of smoke damage restoration approach.
A smoldering fire will give off a thick smoke that coats the surfaces of the room completely. The result is a sticky, smeared smoke pattern that resembles a web.
A high-temperature fire that burns very rapidly will produce a lighter smoke pattern, although there is a far greater likelihood that there will be significant charring in the room.
Plastics and chemicals give off a toxic smoke that becomes almost invisible when it stains the walls but it is extremely pungent. This kind of smoke will stain the paint or varnish on the walls.
A blocked furnace or fireplace flue will force an oily soot back into the living room. It can also result in a fire at the blockage point. Either way you are left with an oily deposit that is particularly difficult to clean.
Smoke will generally result in two types of damage. Firstly, the visible staining of walls and other surfaces is immediately noticeable. Just as pervading is the unmistakable odor that has become deeply embedded in hard surfaces and soft furnishing alike. Knowing how to deal with each type of smoke damage is the specialty of a fire damage restoration company and they will be able to advise on the best way to deal with smoke damage and can then carry out the necessary work to remove it.
Importantly, surfaces left untreated with smoke or soot damage can become increasingly discolored as time goes by. Painted or varnished surfaces will discolor considerably and can go from restorable to unsalvageable in the space of a week. For this reason it is important to remove fire residue as soon after the fire as is practicable.
A smoldering fire will give off a thick smoke that coats the surfaces of the room completely. The result is a sticky, smeared smoke pattern that resembles a web.
A high-temperature fire that burns very rapidly will produce a lighter smoke pattern, although there is a far greater likelihood that there will be significant charring in the room.
Plastics and chemicals give off a toxic smoke that becomes almost invisible when it stains the walls but it is extremely pungent. This kind of smoke will stain the paint or varnish on the walls.
A blocked furnace or fireplace flue will force an oily soot back into the living room. It can also result in a fire at the blockage point. Either way you are left with an oily deposit that is particularly difficult to clean.
Smoke will generally result in two types of damage. Firstly, the visible staining of walls and other surfaces is immediately noticeable. Just as pervading is the unmistakable odor that has become deeply embedded in hard surfaces and soft furnishing alike. Knowing how to deal with each type of smoke damage is the specialty of a fire damage restoration company and they will be able to advise on the best way to deal with smoke damage and can then carry out the necessary work to remove it.
Importantly, surfaces left untreated with smoke or soot damage can become increasingly discolored as time goes by. Painted or varnished surfaces will discolor considerably and can go from restorable to unsalvageable in the space of a week. For this reason it is important to remove fire residue as soon after the fire as is practicable.
The best way to deal with fire damage is to get some professional assistance from those who know the correct fire and smoke damage cleanup procedures.
Turkey Fryer Fire Demonstration, Presented by William Shatner & State Farm®
William Shatner knows firsthand how dangerous turkey fryers can be—so do the firefighters with the Illinois Fire Service, who staged some of the common mistakes, with explosive results.
Water Damage - The Importance of Hiring a Restoration Professional
Whether your house recently flooded, or you are currently dealing with leaks in your property, water damage can be much more destructive than you think. No matter what the extent of the destruction may be, it is essential that you begin the restoration process sooner than later. While you may think that some smaller accidents can be taken care of utilizing do it yourself methods, most of the time, it is best to leave this work up to a team of professionals. You want to be sure that the problem is mitigated as much as possible and that any further destruction is prevented.
Flooding can be devastating to any property. Water damage can truly destroy a home in a small amount of time. If you have incurred flooding in your property, the sooner you act, the less serious the problem will be. In these circumstances you will want to hire a team of restoration professionals to handle the project for you as quickly as possible. The faster they are able to start their work, the more that can be salvaged and while emergency restoration services aren't cheap, they will save you money on repairs in the long run.
If you've got a small leak in your home, it is also a good idea to act as soon as you notice the problem. In these situations, the issue can be mitigated before it truly gets worse. Water damage professionals use a combination of expertise and highly advanced equipment to clean up the effects of flooding or sever leaks. If you hire the right team to restore your property, you can return your home or business back to its original state. Most of these companies focus on drying and deodorizing the effected area as quickly as possible. With these disasters, mold can always become an issue - especially if it sits in your property for too long. Some companies offer mold remediation services, while others can recommend a company to do the work for you.
No matter the extent of the water damage on your property, it is essential that you act quickly to ensure that the problem does not get any worse. From extensive floods to seemingly small leaks, it is crucial that you act as soon as you can to mitigate issues that may stem from such an occurrence. Find a reputable company to handle the cleanup and restoration process. Doing so can help you to bring your property back to life after the devastating aftermath of water damage.
Flooding can be devastating to any property. Water damage can truly destroy a home in a small amount of time. If you have incurred flooding in your property, the sooner you act, the less serious the problem will be. In these circumstances you will want to hire a team of restoration professionals to handle the project for you as quickly as possible. The faster they are able to start their work, the more that can be salvaged and while emergency restoration services aren't cheap, they will save you money on repairs in the long run.
If you've got a small leak in your home, it is also a good idea to act as soon as you notice the problem. In these situations, the issue can be mitigated before it truly gets worse. Water damage professionals use a combination of expertise and highly advanced equipment to clean up the effects of flooding or sever leaks. If you hire the right team to restore your property, you can return your home or business back to its original state. Most of these companies focus on drying and deodorizing the effected area as quickly as possible. With these disasters, mold can always become an issue - especially if it sits in your property for too long. Some companies offer mold remediation services, while others can recommend a company to do the work for you.
No matter the extent of the water damage on your property, it is essential that you act quickly to ensure that the problem does not get any worse. From extensive floods to seemingly small leaks, it is crucial that you act as soon as you can to mitigate issues that may stem from such an occurrence. Find a reputable company to handle the cleanup and restoration process. Doing so can help you to bring your property back to life after the devastating aftermath of water damage.
Dealing with water damage Grand Rapids, MI? Our expert team can restore your home. For more information please check out our website at http://www.vk1call.com.
Servpro Of Fairfield
Tom talks about the objectives of Servpro of Fairfield. A leading fire, water and smoke damage restoration company. See more at http://www.servprooffairfield.com
Fire Damage - Dealing With Smoke Damage After a Fire
A fire in the home is an occurrence that all of us hope that we never have to encounter. Unfortunately, house fires are something that many people have to deal with on a daily basis. In addition to the traumatic experience that a homeowner may face, there is also the issue of starting over and trying to save a house that has become a home.
A homeowner is lucky to have everyone safe and to avoid the destruction of all their personal belongings. Even with these blessings, there is still an uphill battle as far as getting the home restored and safe for the family. Dealing with a home that has fire damage is an issue that a homeowner should deal with by using a professional. Many times people attempt to save money by cleaning their home themselves only to find that they wasted a lot of time and effort.
There is extensive work involved with treating a house that has severe smoke damage after a fire. One of the task involve is properly removing the soot and smoke from the house. Soot is an oily substance that can stain your draperies and carpets. Removal of soot will require a heavy duty vacuum. The soot must be removed before any deodorizing can occur. It is also important to allow the air to flow throughout the house by opening all the windows so the home can air out.
Deodorizing the home extensively is necessary in order to completely rid the home of smoke odor. Smoke odors can remain in clothes, furniture, carpets and draperies in the home if not properly sanitized. Proper deodorizing may necessitate using chemicals and additives that break up smoke molecules in order to remove certain odors. Often an ozone generator may also be used by professional fire damage restorers to get the job done.
In addition to removing the odors from the air and carpet, fire damage and smoke odor may still be hidden inside the walls. In these extreme cases, professional fire damage restores may have to use a process called "thermal fogging". Thermal fogging is essential for penetrating the walls the same way a fire did in order to remove the trapped smoke odors. Failure to perform the thermal fogging may leave your home wreaking of smoke long after the fire.
There are also other areas of the home that may need a professional assessment in order to ensure proper fire damage cleaning is thorough. Places such as ducts, and attic insulation may need to be replaced. A walk through by a professional fire damage expert will give a homeowner a good idea of what can be saved and what needs to be replaced. Hiring a professional to get rid of the odor will also keep a homeowner from having to constantly be reminded of the bad memory of a fire due to smoke odor.
A homeowner is lucky to have everyone safe and to avoid the destruction of all their personal belongings. Even with these blessings, there is still an uphill battle as far as getting the home restored and safe for the family. Dealing with a home that has fire damage is an issue that a homeowner should deal with by using a professional. Many times people attempt to save money by cleaning their home themselves only to find that they wasted a lot of time and effort.
There is extensive work involved with treating a house that has severe smoke damage after a fire. One of the task involve is properly removing the soot and smoke from the house. Soot is an oily substance that can stain your draperies and carpets. Removal of soot will require a heavy duty vacuum. The soot must be removed before any deodorizing can occur. It is also important to allow the air to flow throughout the house by opening all the windows so the home can air out.
Deodorizing the home extensively is necessary in order to completely rid the home of smoke odor. Smoke odors can remain in clothes, furniture, carpets and draperies in the home if not properly sanitized. Proper deodorizing may necessitate using chemicals and additives that break up smoke molecules in order to remove certain odors. Often an ozone generator may also be used by professional fire damage restorers to get the job done.
In addition to removing the odors from the air and carpet, fire damage and smoke odor may still be hidden inside the walls. In these extreme cases, professional fire damage restores may have to use a process called "thermal fogging". Thermal fogging is essential for penetrating the walls the same way a fire did in order to remove the trapped smoke odors. Failure to perform the thermal fogging may leave your home wreaking of smoke long after the fire.
There are also other areas of the home that may need a professional assessment in order to ensure proper fire damage cleaning is thorough. Places such as ducts, and attic insulation may need to be replaced. A walk through by a professional fire damage expert will give a homeowner a good idea of what can be saved and what needs to be replaced. Hiring a professional to get rid of the odor will also keep a homeowner from having to constantly be reminded of the bad memory of a fire due to smoke odor.
I hope that this article was helpful. Thanks you for reading. Timothy Spruill Water Damage Restoration Atlanta Fire Damage Repair Atlanta
Recipe - Pumpkin Soup
Pumpkin Soup
"This easy soup is made with pumpkin puree, chicken stock, onion, and fresh herbs. Cream is stirred in at the end for added richness."
INGREDIENTS:
6 cups chicken stock
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
4 cups pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
5 whole black peppercorns
- Heat stock, salt, pumpkin, onion, thyme, garlic, and peppercorns. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 30 minutes uncovered.
- Puree the soup in small batches (1 cup at a time) using a food processor or blender.
- Return to pan, and bring to a boil again. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for another 30 minutes, uncovered. Stir in heavy cream. Pour into soup bowls and garnish with fresh parsley.
recipe source
UNDERSTANDING BURGLARY & THEFT ENDORSEMENTS
Theft of installed copper pipes is rising. What insurance provision covers that kind of loss?
Both theft and burglary cover stolen property, whether that property is copper piping, permanently attached items such as a heating pump or appliance, or personal effects. But they differ as to how the thief entered the house:
- A theft endorsement applies whether someone opens an unlocked garage or kicks in a door.
- A burglary endorsement - although a type of theft coverage - only applies if forced entry leaves signs of visible damage, such as a broken window. If items are stolen without signs of forced entry, a theft claim will be accepted but not a burglary claim.
So what happens if there is a break-in but nothing is actually stolen? Vandalism coverage protects the policy holder if a would-be thief ruins the drywall or cabinets but does not manage to cut out the pipes or steal the heat pump.
When you write dwelling coverage - particularly for more vulnerable vacant homes - be sure your customer understands that theft and burglary are not the same, and that vandalism coverage is needed too. Not all coverage is available in all programs, and terms and limits apply, so check the program manual.
New Choices In Fire Protection Systems Can Help Make Facilities Safer
By Chris Jelenewicz
Fire protection systems generally have long life cycles, but as with all building systems, there comes a time when they need to be replaced. Sometimes a code, standard, or other regulation may dictate this replacement. Other circumstances may also determine that the system needs to be replaced, such as when parts to keep the system up and running are no longer available.
Recently, there have been a number of changes in fire systems. These changes give facility managers a number of choices when it comes to selecting functionality, so defining what a system does and does not need to do can help make selections easier.
One of the first steps should be consulting a fire protection engineer. Fire protection engineers understand the science and the latest technologies that are used to protect people, property and the environment from fire. A fire protection engineer can assist in determining the appropriate system for the appropriate application and assist in preparing the design, installation and maintenance requirements involved in the various systems available.
Fire Alarm And Communication Systems
Traditionally, fire alarm systems provide early detection, warn occupants, initiate evacuation, and notify the proper authorities. Although this is still true, as a result of recent terrorist incidents, school shootings, and natural disasters, the role of a building's fire alarm system has expanded. These systems have evolved into emergency communication systems that provide essential information that is needed for occupants to respond during all types of emergencies.
In addition to generating a standard evacuation signal, fire alarm and communication systems have the ability to have speakers that provide voice messages. Because these voice alarm systems can clearly state the problem and give specific instructions to the building occupants on how to respond, people are more likely to take action. Moreover, these systems can also instruct occupants to relocate to areas of refuge when complete building evacuation is not feasible or necessary.
For these systems to be effective in providing information, it is imperative that building occupants can hear and clearly understand the messages. In the past, a lot of attention was focused on audibility. Although audibility is important, audibility does not guarantee intelligibility. Much time and effort has been devoted to finding ways to design better speakers so people can clearly understand the voice messages.
Moreover, building stakeholders are now asking these systems to do more. This includes providing mass notification at a much larger scale across multiple buildings and during all types of emergencies, including, but not limited to, fire, terrorist incidents, domestic violence incidents, weather emergencies, earthquakes, and hazardous material incidents.
Information can now be provided to a campus of facilities through a number of mediums such as audible notification appliances, visual notification appliances, graphics displays, text messages, email, outside speakers, smart phones and local television announcements.
Since these systems are more complex than a traditional fire alarm system, a careful risk assessment is essential when planning and designing mass notification systems. This includes getting all major stakeholders to participate in this risk assessment.
Additionally, the fire protection engineering community has also been making great strides in providing more reliable and faster responding detection. One area worth noting is related to improvements in flame and smoke video image detection (VID) technology. VID technology includes a video camera that uses video-based analytical algorithms to detect flames and smoke.
Typically, VID technology is used in areas that do not work well with traditional spot-type smoke detection, such as large volume indoor spaces, outside hazards, and tunnels. It has been successfully used in electrical power plants, paper mills, nuclear research facilities, automotive plants, warehouse/distribution centers, and oil platforms.
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Fire protection systems generally have long life cycles, but as with all building systems, there comes a time when they need to be replaced. Sometimes a code, standard, or other regulation may dictate this replacement. Other circumstances may also determine that the system needs to be replaced, such as when parts to keep the system up and running are no longer available.
Recently, there have been a number of changes in fire systems. These changes give facility managers a number of choices when it comes to selecting functionality, so defining what a system does and does not need to do can help make selections easier.
One of the first steps should be consulting a fire protection engineer. Fire protection engineers understand the science and the latest technologies that are used to protect people, property and the environment from fire. A fire protection engineer can assist in determining the appropriate system for the appropriate application and assist in preparing the design, installation and maintenance requirements involved in the various systems available.
Fire Alarm And Communication Systems
Traditionally, fire alarm systems provide early detection, warn occupants, initiate evacuation, and notify the proper authorities. Although this is still true, as a result of recent terrorist incidents, school shootings, and natural disasters, the role of a building's fire alarm system has expanded. These systems have evolved into emergency communication systems that provide essential information that is needed for occupants to respond during all types of emergencies.
In addition to generating a standard evacuation signal, fire alarm and communication systems have the ability to have speakers that provide voice messages. Because these voice alarm systems can clearly state the problem and give specific instructions to the building occupants on how to respond, people are more likely to take action. Moreover, these systems can also instruct occupants to relocate to areas of refuge when complete building evacuation is not feasible or necessary.
For these systems to be effective in providing information, it is imperative that building occupants can hear and clearly understand the messages. In the past, a lot of attention was focused on audibility. Although audibility is important, audibility does not guarantee intelligibility. Much time and effort has been devoted to finding ways to design better speakers so people can clearly understand the voice messages.
Moreover, building stakeholders are now asking these systems to do more. This includes providing mass notification at a much larger scale across multiple buildings and during all types of emergencies, including, but not limited to, fire, terrorist incidents, domestic violence incidents, weather emergencies, earthquakes, and hazardous material incidents.
Information can now be provided to a campus of facilities through a number of mediums such as audible notification appliances, visual notification appliances, graphics displays, text messages, email, outside speakers, smart phones and local television announcements.
Since these systems are more complex than a traditional fire alarm system, a careful risk assessment is essential when planning and designing mass notification systems. This includes getting all major stakeholders to participate in this risk assessment.
Additionally, the fire protection engineering community has also been making great strides in providing more reliable and faster responding detection. One area worth noting is related to improvements in flame and smoke video image detection (VID) technology. VID technology includes a video camera that uses video-based analytical algorithms to detect flames and smoke.
Typically, VID technology is used in areas that do not work well with traditional spot-type smoke detection, such as large volume indoor spaces, outside hazards, and tunnels. It has been successfully used in electrical power plants, paper mills, nuclear research facilities, automotive plants, warehouse/distribution centers, and oil platforms.
Source and to Read More
PUMPKIN PULP NOT PLUMBING FRIENDLY
Every year, more than one billion pounds of pumpkins are produced in America - many of which are carved into jack-o'-lanterns each Halloween. That's a lot of leftover pulp. In addition to creating their own jack-o'-lanterns this year, Roto-Rooter plumbers from Death Valley, California to Salem, Massachusetts will spend many brisk fall days removing gobs of pulp and seeds from clogged drains before the end of the Halloween season.
Local Roto-Rooter plumbers have become as common a Halloween visitor as little vampires or ghosts thanks to sticky pumpkin pulp and seeds. In the two weeks leading up to Halloween, calls from frantic homeowners struggling with pulp-clogged garbage disposals and stopped up kitchen sink drains ring in to local Roto-Rooter offices faster than the Halloween candy dishes empty.
Roto-Rooter, America's largest provider of plumbing repair and sewer & drain cleaning services, reminds jack-o'-lantern carvers that pumpkin pulp should never be put down drains or into garbage disposals. The slimy gunk is ideal for clogging sink drains.
"People think that it's safe for disposals because it's soft, stringy and mushy. The problem is that pulp will dry and harden, choking off drainpipes and garbage disposals and creating all sorts of havoc," said Larry Rothman, plumbing director for Cincinnati-based Roto-Rooter Plumbing and Drain Service.
"For several years we've spread the word that carving pumpkins in the sink is a very bad idea," he added. "People assume when they shove the pulp down kitchen sink drain that it's gone, but in a little while the sink usually stops draining altogether." Rothman says it's also worth noting that Roto-Rooter gets several calls about pumpkin guts flushed down the toilet, usually with similar clog-causing results. "The toilet is not a better option. It just means the clog forms deeper into the pipe."
To prevent Halloween drain disasters, Roto-Rooter suggests carving pumpkins on a bed of newspaper.
Then carvers should wrap up the mess and throw all pumpkin-related materials into the garbage can or a compost pile. The seeds can be separated and roasted for a tasty treat or they can be air-dried and planted in the spring after the last frost to grow next year's Halloween pumpkin.