Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Devastates Brooklyn Building: SERVPRO Team Allen Leads Restoration Efforts

10/8/2024 (Permalink)

On June 27, 2024, a devastating fire ripped through a building on Avenue M near Ocean Parkway in Midwood, Brooklyn, leaving a trail of destruction and several injured. The Fire Department of New York (FDNY) confirmed that the blaze was ignited by an exploding e-bike battery, highlighting the growing concern over lithium-ion battery safety in New York City. As the community grapples with the aftermath, SERVPRO Team Allen's Northwest Brooklyn franchise has stepped in to lead the crucial restoration efforts.

The Incident: A Closer Look at the Midwood Fire

The fire broke out around 7 a.m. on Thursday, quickly escalating to a two-alarm blaze that required the response of over 100 firefighters and EMS personnel. Here's what we know about the incident:

• Cause: An e-bike battery exploded while charging at the foot of the stairs leading to two apartments
• Damage: Two storefront businesses (a dry cleaners and a spa) and two second-floor apartments were destroyed
• Injuries: Four people were injured, with a 30-year-old man in critical condition due to extensive burns and smoke inhalation
• Response time: The fire was extinguished within 45 minutes

"The battery was charging at the time," the FDNY stated on X, emphasizing the dangers of unattended battery charging.

SERVPRO Team Allen's Northwest Brooklyn: Leading the Restoration

In the wake of this destructive fire, SERVPRO Team Allen's Northwest Brooklyn franchise has taken charge of the cleanup and restoration efforts. As local experts in fire damage restoration, the team faces several unique challenges:

1. Complex Structural Damage

With two apartments and two businesses affected, the restoration process involves addressing varying degrees of fire, smoke, and water damage across different types of spaces.

2. Lithium-Ion Battery Contamination

The team must employ specialized cleaning techniques to address potential residues from the exploded battery, ensuring the space is safe for future occupancy.

3. Business Continuity

Working to minimize downtime for the affected businesses, including the dry cleaners and spa, while ensuring thorough restoration.

4. Residential Displacement

Coordinating with property managers and residents to facilitate a smooth restoration process while minimizing disruption to those displaced by the fire.

SERVPRO Team Allen's approach to this restoration project exemplifies their commitment to making it "Like it never even happened," even in the face of increasingly common lithium-ion battery fires.

The Growing Threat of Lithium-Ion Battery Fires in NYC

This incident in Brooklyn is part of a troubling trend in New York City. According to FDNY officials, as of June 2024:

• 107 fires have been sparked by lithium-ion batteries
• These fires have led to 46 injuries and 1 death
• Compared to the same period in 2023, which saw 114 fires, 78 injuries, and 13 deaths

While the number of incidents has slightly decreased, the potential for catastrophic damage remains high, as evidenced by the Midwood fire.

Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Safety in NYC

Lithium-Ion Battery Fires in NYC (2024) 107 Fires 46 Injuries 1 Death

Safety Tips: 

1. Never charge batteries unattended
2. Use only factory-installed batteries
3. Avoid charging indoors when possible

Lessons Learned: Preventing Future Lithium-Ion Battery Fires

The Midwood fire serves as a stark reminder of the importance of lithium-ion battery safety. SERVPRO Team Allen and the FDNY recommend the following precautions:

1. Never charge batteries unattended: The Midwood fire started while the e-bike was charging, emphasizing the need for supervision during the charging process.
2. Use only factory-installed batteries: After-market batteries, often purchased as replacements or backups, tend to be more prone to combustion.
3. Charge outdoors when possible: If indoor charging is necessary, ensure it's done in a well-ventilated area away from exits.
4. Invest in proper storage: Consider fire-resistant containers for storing and charging lithium-ion batteries.
5. Educate employees and residents: For businesses and property managers, provide regular training on lithium-ion battery safety.

Community Impact and Recovery

The fire's impact extends beyond physical damage, affecting the local community in various ways:

Business Disruption

While the dry cleaners and spa face significant recovery periods, neighboring businesses like Mazza & More bakery narrowly escaped damage. The incident highlights the interconnectedness of local businesses and the importance of community support during recovery.

Residential Displacement

The destruction of two apartments has displaced residents, underlining the need for comprehensive fire safety measures in multi-use buildings.

Community Response

The outpouring of concern from local residents checking on affected businesses demonstrates the strong community bonds in Midwood, which will be crucial for recovery.

SERVPRO Team Allen's Ongoing Restoration Efforts

As SERVPRO Team Allen's Northwest Brooklyn franchise continues its restoration work, they face several key challenges:

1. Coordinating with multiple stakeholders: Working with business owners, residents, and property managers to ensure a smooth restoration process.
2. Addressing varied damage types: From water damage due to firefighting efforts to smoke and soot contamination, each area requires specialized treatment.
3. Ensuring structural integrity: Assessing and repairing any structural damage caused by the intense heat of the lithium-ion battery fire.
4. Mitigating secondary damage: Preventing issues like mold growth that can arise in the aftermath of fire suppression efforts.

The team's expertise in handling lithium-ion battery fire damage positions them well to tackle these challenges and restore the affected properties efficiently.

Looking Ahead: The Future of E-Bike Safety in NYC

As e-bikes and other lithium-ion battery-powered devices continue to grow in popularity, especially among delivery workers, the need for enhanced safety measures becomes increasingly urgent. Some potential solutions being discussed include:

• Stricter regulations on the sale and use of after-market batteries
• Increased availability of safe, public charging stations
• Enhanced building codes to address the storage and charging of e-bikes in residential and commercial spaces
• Expanded education and awareness campaigns about lithium-ion battery safety

SERVPRO Team Allen remains committed to not only restoring properties affected by these incidents but also to educating the community on prevention and safety measures.

Conclusion: A Call for Vigilance and Preparedness

The Midwood fire serves as a sobering reminder of the potential dangers posed by lithium-ion batteries in our increasingly electrified urban environments. As SERVPRO Team Allen works tirelessly to restore the affected properties, their efforts underscore the importance of professional, specialized restoration services in the aftermath of such incidents.

For property owners, businesses, and residents across New York City, this event highlights the critical need for awareness, proper safety measures, and preparedness. By staying informed and taking proactive steps, we can work together to minimize the risk of lithium-ion battery fires and ensure a safer future for our communities.

If you've been affected by a lithium-ion battery fire or any other fire damage in the New York City area, don't hesitate to contact SERVPRO Team Allen's Northwest Brooklyn franchise at (718) 522-4400 for 24/7 emergency restoration services.

Additional Resources

• FDNY Lithium-Ion Battery Safety Guidelines
• NYC Council: E-Bike Safety Regulations
• SERVPRO Team Allen: Fire Damage Restoration Process
• National Fire Protection Association: Lithium-Ion Battery Safety

Fire Restoration in Brooklyn: Skilled Services for Your Home

8/11/2024 (Permalink)

Repairing fire damage by yourself is tricky and can lead to more problems in the future. Contact SERVPRO 24/7 for professional services.

The Importance of Professional Fire Damage Cleanup

Dealing with the aftermath of a fire in Brooklyn can be overwhelming. The damage goes beyond what the eye can see, affecting the structure, air quality, and safety of your home. It's essential to understand why professional fire restoration with SERVPRO® is crucial for your Brooklyn property.

The Downfalls of DIY Fire Cleanup 

Attempting to handle fire cleanup on your own can lead to more harm than good. Without proper knowledge and equipment, you might miss hidden damage or fail to remove harmful substances. Here are some common pitfalls of DIY fire restoration in Brooklyn:

• Potential Risks: Soot, ash, and other residues can cause various hazards and issues problems if not properly removed. 
• Incomplete Cleanup: DIY methods may leave behind smoke odor and soot, which can further damage your home over time. 
• Water Damage: Firefighting efforts often involve water, leading to potential water damage that needs to be addressed immediately to prevent mold growth. 

Choose SERVPRO of Northwest Brooklyn 

Hiring skilled, IICRC-certified technicians at SERVPRO of Northwest Brooklyn ensures comprehensive fire restoration. Our team provides end-to-end services, from initial inspections and board-up to smoke odor removal and reconstruction.

Services We Offer

• Inspection and Assessment: We thoroughly inspect your home to determine the extent of the fire, smoke, and water issues. 
• Board-Up and Roof-Tarp Service: We secure your property with board-up and roof-tarp services to prevent further damage. 
• Water Removal and Drying: We use advanced equipment to remove water from firefighting efforts and thoroughly dry the affected areas. 
• Smoke and Soot Removal: Our technicians use industrial equipment and specialized techniques to remove smoke and soot from surfaces. 
• Cleaning and Sanitizing: We will clean and disinfect your interior to ensure a safe, healthy living environment. 
• Restoration: We restore your home to its pre-fire condition, handling everything from minor repairs to major reconstruction. 

The SERVPRO Advantage 

Choosing SERVPRO of Northwest Brooklyn means you're opting for quality, efficiency, and peace of mind. Our Residential Contractor License #: 2015353DCA assures you of our expertise and commitment to restoring your home correctly. 

Don't let the aftermath of a fire overwhelm you. Call us at SERVPRO of Northwest Brooklyn at (718) 522-4400 to schedule fire restoration for your Brooklyn property. Faster to any size disaster™.

Our Fire Damage Restoration Team Makes Your Brooklyn Home Livable

11/16/2023 (Permalink)

After fire damage in your home, contact SERVPRO immediately. Our certified technicians are ready to take on the job.

Fire Damage Restorers Clean & Rebuild Burned Home

Dealing with a fire in your Brooklyn residence is an incredibly stressful experience. Fires can cause significant damage, leaving your home unlivable and posing many unanswered questions. However, our fire damage restoration team can help make your home livable again by cleaning and rebuilding burned homes.

Call our certified team if you need fire damage restoration for your Brooklyn property. We can help you with restoration you need to make your house habitable again, from cleaning up the damage to rebuilding its structure.

For additional information, don't hesitate to call us. The three main stages of rebuilding a home are: 

• Security measures, 
• Extensive but essential cleaning, and 
• Restoration and reconstruction. 

At SERVPRO®, we take your family's security seriously. We know that extenuating circumstances exist during the aftermath of a disaster, so we take steps to ensure that your property sustains no additional damage. Even if firefighters never created holes in it, your roof can let rain or vermin inside your property. The same is true of compromised doors and windows. After we board them up, your home regains its lost security.

Our IICRC-certified team removes all debris and ash deposits from your home, thoroughly cleans surfaces such as walls, ceilings, and furnishings, and deodorizes your home using different techniques. Thoroughly cleaning all surfaces is a time-consuming and labor-intensive process; however, it is necessary to secure the well-being of your household.

Our technicians are restoration and rebuilding experts, providing customers with assurances. We work under Residential Contractor License #2015353DCA. As we assess the damage at our initial walk-through, we take measurements to help reduce costs when purchasing materials. We clean as we rebuild, decreasing the accumulation of discarded materials and keeping the area safe. Each step's goal is getting you and your family back into your home. 

Call SERVPRO of Northwest Brooklyn at (718) 522-4400 for expert assistance after a fire or other disaster.

The Faces of Destructive Brooklyn Fire Damage

4/12/2023 (Permalink)

Our team can help with fire damage restoration. Call our technicians to arrive at your Brooklyn home with the trained technicians and equipment.

SERVPRO Fire Restorers Recover Fire Damage in Brooklyn Homes

Fires threaten Brooklyn homes and businesses in several ways. Understanding the specific restoration practices necessary to address these threats is essential when you seek assistance from IICRC-compliant and trained technicians like our SERVPRO of Northwest Brooklyn team. Threats to your home after a fire can include:

• Structural Threats
• Soot Damage
• Smoke Malodors
• Destroyed Contents

Fire damage in Brooklyn properties requires prompt action. Because we have experienced FSRT-Certified technicians ready to help 24/7, we work to immediately collect the necessary information for damage claim approval from your home insurance provider. We interface with the insurance adjuster to meet demands and generate a detailed work scope and estimation to get mitigation and restoration started fast.

Emergency Services Improve Structural Stability

The fast pace of our response team ensures that we can reach your doorstep to begin emergency services as rapidly as possible. These efforts describe a collection of pre-job mitigative steps designed exclusively to protect the structure and occupants from more significant fire harm. Improving structural stability is a chief objective of these early actions. Our response team shores weakened elements, begins the often widespread controlled demolition process, and completes temporary board-up and repairs.

How Can Soot Impact Surfaces?

Another face of fire damage to structures is soot generated from the partial combustion of fuels. Wood or oils can leave formidable deposits of soils on nearby surfaces. SERVPRO professionals determine the washability and salvageability of these impacted areas by considering:

• Type of Damage – Multiple types of smoke damage exist, and each is removed and cleaned differently. Cleaning dry smoke requires tools and products that differ considerably from wet smoke threats.
• Hosting Material – The underlying surface where soot damage comes to rest impacts the type of cleaning necessary to restore the damage. Solvents damage some materials, so green cleaning and less-acidic approaches are more favorable to prevent permanent marring.
• Is it Worth Salvaging? – Restorers of our SERVPRO team consider whether impacted materials are worth restoring or if it is faster and more cost-efficient to rebuild and replace.

The Generation of Smoke Odors

Smoke malodors can be one of the final restoration obstacles, but critical to address to return preloss conditions. Offensive odors result from the combustion of many materials throughout a structure, such as plastics, wood, fabrics, chemicals, and more. With the widespread damage, we use multiple neutralizing approaches like ozone, hydroxyl machines, and fogging.

Prioritizing Personal Items

Many homeowners might not realize that the full spectrum of our fire damage recovery efforts involves the management of soot and smoke-damaged contents and personal belongings. This is often as vital to property owners as any other restoration process, so it is done with care. At our facility, items receive:

• Surface Cleaning – Soot and smoke damage removal is often the most pressing concern with impacted contents after fire damage incidents. Chemical cleaners and our ultrasonic tank can help.
• Deodorizing – Smoke malodors can also damage the contents of your home as much as its building materials and open spaces. Ozone chambers at our facility manage multiple items simultaneously.
• Drying – Extinguishment can leave contents wet and saturated. We have efficient drying practices to coincide with other fire damage cleaning solutions necessary.
• Safe Storage – While waiting for restoration to complete, contents at our facility can be stored and inventoried for easy access by customers until they can be safely returned to the restored residence.

House fires cause hazardous and destructive conditions for your structure. Our experienced restoration professionals of our SERVPRO of Northwest Brooklyn team are ready to help when you call (718) 522-4400.

Competency Is Vital for Effective Fire Damage Restoration in Brooklyn

1/10/2023 (Permalink)

When a fire hits your property, you need to call the technicians at SERVPRO.

Fire Damage Restoration in Brooklyn Is Better with SERVPRO 

The ruin from a fire can take the form of burned walls, furniture, damaged staircases, and holes in the roof. Sometimes, pipes melt or burst during a fire, causing water to leak into the building. While fire may cause tremendous damage, water damage may render some structures and contents unsalvageable. 

Although the repercussions of fire damage are devastating to property owners, fire damage cleanup and repair can address every issue related to a fire. When you hire SERVPRO to perform fire damage restoration in your Brooklyn home, we can sort through the mess and restore things to normal. As a reputable fire restoration firm, we possess several distinctions, like:

• Extensive experience in fire damage repair
• Appropriate licenses
• Dependability and punctuality
• Quick response time 

SERVPRO’s fire damage repair process includes several procedures to restore the damaged areas to their pre-damaged condition. They include: 

Inspection 

Our team can perform a walk-through and analyze the damage to create the right action plan to counter it.        

Soot Cleanup

Soot residue, acid stains, the discoloration of appliances, and rust formation can result shortly after a fire if there is no immediate effort to clean up the fire-damaged structures and contents. Generally, continued permanent destruction can occur because of the acidic residues a fire leaves behind. Soot may also become layered within your home. Our SERVPRO technicians can use advanced techniques to restore your property. 

Water Damage Restoration

We can use extraction tools like submersible pumps to pump out excess water. We use equipment like air movers and dehumidifiers to increase evaporation and remove water vapor from the air. 

Odor Removal

Deodorizing a fire-damaged property is crucial because discomfort and frustration result from unpleasant odors. Our SERVPRO team can remove odors using advanced fire restoration technology like thermal foggers. This equipment vaporizes petroleum or solvent-based deodorizers, generating a fog or smoke of tiny particles. Thermal fogs are pairing agents that chemically react with smell-causing residues and eradicate odors. 

Please call SERVPRO of Northwest Brooklyn at (718) 522-4400 and tell us about your fire restoration needs. We can get back to you immediately.

SERVPRO Restores Large Structures in Brooklyn

8/6/2022 (Permalink)

Escape the fire damage cleanup and restoration hazards in Brooklyn by calling SERVPRO. "Like it never even happened."

Pack Out and Fire Damage Restoration in Brooklyn

Fire damage needs so many different types of mitigation. There is damage to both the structure and contents from the fire. Additional problems from the water or extinguishing agent used to put out the fire, and then there are the odors smoke leaves behind.

SERVPRO was called to mitigate a massive house fire in a two-story Brooklyn home. The fire began in the kitchen and gutted much of the downstairs. Our technicians got to work immediately and extracted the water to make the carpeting less cumbersome and easier to remove as it was a loss. We removed fire loss items and debris as they only contribute to the pungent odor if they remain on a property.

Charred sheetrock was cut away using controlled demolition techniques. Soot often contains acids that damage fabrics and carry odors. Techs clean hard surfaces with HEPA-outfitted, small portable vacuums. The weakened ceilings made the upstairs unsafe until we finished the restoration and completed repairs for the downstairs.

Our technicians spoke with the homeowner and adjuster for authorization to remove restorable items from the upstairs for cleaning and deodorizing at our location. The fire did not directly affect the contents, but smoke permeated some things. When we pack out a job site, our technicians carefully wrap and catalog each item. We give a detailed list of the removed contents, including photos and conditions, to both the adjuster and homeowner.

Once SERVPRO technicians completed the pack out, we dried and ventilated the structure. In the case of a fire loss of this scale, the mitigation of the fire-damaged building elements and removal prepare the property for rebuilding. This means it needs to be dry, sanitary, and without smoke odors. After drying and wiping down surfaces, we used a thermal fogger and an ozone machine to neutralize the odors. Our SERVPRO location offers a full suite of services, so our team can clean, restore, and rebuild a home from a fire loss.

SERVPRO of Northwest Brooklyn is available to help you with fire damage at (718) 522-4400. 

The Ultimate Guide to Fire Damage Remediation in Brooklyn

5/10/2022 (Permalink)

If this fire damage happens to your apartment contact SERVPRO for fire damage remediation assistance.

Fire Odor Containment for Your Brooklyn Apartment

With the multiple effects that could follow a fire loss incident in your Brooklyn apartment, many owners can quickly determine when the situation is out of their control and skillset to repair and restore. Our professionals have an immediate response to fire emergencies and disasters, arriving with the full measure of our broad inventory of recovery equipment and advanced tools to help overcome the damaging effects of fire in your high-rise apartment. We strive to not only protect your unit in times like these but understand the importance of acting quickly to protect other properties sharing common walls, floors, or ceilings.

Even without substantial structural concerns from the fire damage in your Brooklyn property, other effects can keep families from moving past the incident. Fire odors are among the most common effects that properties experience after a disaster, even if the flames get quickly extinguished by first responders or fire suppression tools or systems within the property. The lingering odor after a fire can continue to spread from the ignition source throughout the unit, even permeating materials to affect neighboring properties, until the appropriate measures get taken by professional restorers like our SERVPRO team.

We have multiple tools that can be vital in the containment of fire odors and instrumental in beginning to address their severity throughout a damaged property. Our hydroxyl and ozone generators work to pull affected air through an onboard HEPA filter, which can simultaneously address airborne concerns like soot and smoke particulates and prevent odors from moving beyond these machines.

UV and thermal fogging equipment ultimately remove harsh lingering odors most effectively and is an ideal tool for fire loss recovery because of its diversity. The machine is suitable for open area odors, soft fabrics and materials, and even harder surfaces holding smoke and fire odors within pores.

While odors might only be one facet of the fire loss effects to overcome after an incident, our SERVPRO of Northwest Brooklyn team remains equipped to get your property through every phase of restoration after a damaging fire emergency. Give us a call anytime at (718) 522-4400.

Preparing for Efficient Fire Restoration in Brooklyn Properties

3/9/2022 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Northwest Brooklyn at (718) 522-4400 for assistance from a professional remediation company.

Early Preparation Makes the Restoration of Fire Damage in Brooklyn Residences Faster and More Complete.

When fire damages impact your home, it is important for our technicians to offer emergency services that prepare for the restoration work to come. It is critical to get mitigation and restoration started as soon as possible. Early actions taken by our experienced professionals help to focus the recovery effort and prevent unnecessary damages with preparative action.

Clearing Harmful Debris on the Floors

Fire debris removal can be among the most critical emergency services for fire damage in Brooklyn homes. This process involves shoveling and discarding the heaps of bulk materials and charred remnants of ruined contents throughout affected areas. Removing this debris helps to lessen the severity of soot particles and smoke odor concentrations.

Improving Indoor Air Quality

Another concern for our responding technicians and the occupants of the house after a fire loss incident is the quality of air inside the home. Circulating contaminants and toxins could exist after combustion, which makes breathing the air without the aid of respirators or other personal protective equipment dangerous before filtering with HEPA products. These tools remove contaminants such as:

• Soot
• Smoke 
• Ash

Establishing a Staging Area

Another helpful step that our professionals might take when preparing for fire restoration is establishing a staging area near the damaged portion of the property. Regardless of whether this occurs in apartments or single-family homes, clean spaces near the worksite prevent cross-contamination of effects like soot and smoke residues and allow work tools to be more readily accessible.

Initial actions that our professionals can take upon arrival to fire-damaged homes and businesses can make a significant difference in the time restoration takes and the cost to the customer. Early emergency services like those described here focus on the restoration processes. Give our SERVPRO of Northwest Brooklyn team a call today at (718) 522-4400.

Removing Dry Smoke Damage from Brooklyn Apartments

2/10/2022 (Permalink)

If you have fire damage explore your options with SERVPRO of Northwest Brooklyn.

Our SERVPRO Professionals Help with Soot and Fire Damage Management in Brooklyn Properties. 

Several types of fires and subsequent smoke residues that a property might experience after a disaster. Depending on the heat of the fire and materials combusted, the formation of soot and smoke particles can be a widespread and threatening presence. Even more manageable dry smoke damage still requires direct cleaning and restoration practices to resolve.  

Removing Loose Debris on the Surface

Early actions taken against soot and fire damage in Brooklyn homes introduce methods for removing loose debris and soils. Even being thinner and less formidable than wet smoke residues, initial actions could make the elimination of dry smoke damage even faster and more manageable. Dry vacuuming and soft-bristled brushes can remove loose solids on damaged surfaces before more focused cleaning gets underway. 

Soil Removal Strategies 

With the loose debris managed with vacuuming and brushing, our SERVPRO professionals can begin soil removal tactics for these same affected areas. With a thinner and less challenging soil layer on the surface of impacted building materials, specific approaches and tools are needed to make the damage "Like it never even happened." Some of these include:

• Chemical Sponges – Dry chemical sponges have a rubber consistency and are highly efficient in removing thin residues. 

• Dry Solvents – Solvents help dissolve residues on surfaces, and we have dry products to address dry smoke damage soils. 

• Wet Cleaning – When solvents are ineffective, we have wet cleaning detergents that can emulsify soils for wipe removal. 

Are Materials Salvageable?  

One of the questions that our SERVPRO team must answer is what of the affected building materials can be salvaged and restored after exposure. With a contractor license, we have qualified professionals to implement build-back services as necessary.  

While dry smoke damage might not be as overwhelming and threatening to homes as wet smoke or oil furnace puff back, the confined space of city apartments requires fast smoke remediation after disasters. Our SERVPRO of Northwest Brooklyn team can help when you need it by calling (718) 522-4400.

24/7 Fire Damage Restoration Response for Brooklyn Properties

1/28/2022 (Permalink)

Regardless of how the fire starts, team SERVPRO can help with the fire damage restoration. Call our technicians to arrive on the scene with equipment.

Smoke and Fire Damage Restoration is Best with SERVPRO in Brooklyn

Nobody expects a fire, even when safety protocols and emergency plans are in place. However, once a fire happens and everyone is safe, you need to think about house fire cleanup to get everything back to normal. Because this process is overwhelming, having a team like SERVPRO there is extremely helpful. We respond to fire damaged homes all the time, bringing the latest equipment and cleaning agents to make everything “Like it never even happened.”

Every fire damage restoration project in Brooklyn has many working parts – residential or commercial. What this means is that such an effort calls for a crew of skilled fire and smoke restoration technicians (FSRT) to ensure everything goes to plan. SERVPRO features IICRC-certified technicians that will develop an action plan that we can adjust accordingly to help us reach our goals.

Once you call us to your home for fire and smoke cleanup, we will:

• Inspect and assess all areas of your building to determine safety, structural integrity, and the types of soil/soot present.
• Initiate board-up and tarping services – this protects your interior and contents from the weather, wildlife, and vandals.
• Start pack-out services to move belongings off-site for safe storage or cleaning while the project moves forward.

• Begin water removal services and dry any moisture left from first responders putting out the fire.
• Removal and disposal of all charred debris and unsalvageable materials.
• Reconstruction using controlled demolition, replacing drywall, carpeting, baseboards, and other elements.
• Odor control technicians (OCT) handle all odor removals to address stubborn smoke odors.

No two fire emergencies will be the same, but SERVPRO of Northwest Brooklyn is fully trained to handle whatever comes our way. You can reach us 24 hours a day for emergency response by dialing (718) 522-4400. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster, putting us on the scene within hours of your call.

Why it is Necessary to Seek Professional Fire Damage Restoration Services in Williamsburg

11/17/2021 (Permalink)

Fire damage mitigation for your home can be very expensive. SERVPRO fire damage restoration techs have the equipment and manpower for any size disast

Experienced Companies Like SERVPRO Offer Effective Fire Damage Repair in Williamsburg.

Property owners need help from fire restoration professionals after a devastating fire. They must act quickly because secondary fire damage can begin immediately following a fire. You can rely on SERVPRO to restore your property to normal.

SERVPRO's mission is to make fire damage restoration in Williamsburg homes simple. We assist our customers in recording the damage and getting all the documentation that insurance companies require to be eligible for compensation. We offer a content claim inventory service (CCIS) that involves taking an inventory of the contents in each room. This includes digital photographs, a preloss list, value of contents, and barcoding in some cases. This way, you may keep track of your belongings.

The severity of the destruction determines the steps to take to restore a house. We will begin the restoration process with a thorough inspection. During the inspection process, our SERVPRO restorers consider the following factors:

• Heat damage
• Previously existing damage
• Water damage
• Smoke residues

Our team can remove smoke residues and odors from affected surfaces. Fire damage presents multiple cleaning challenges because of the way oxygen, heat, gases, and moisture interact to create smoke residues. Buildings also have different types of burning materials. Our restorers respond to the various challenges that occur when odors and smoke residues affect different materials and surfaces. We adapt the basic concepts of cleaning into each situation. We can agitate affected surfaces and use different products to produce chemical reactions. Our team can also use different cleaning procedures to remove residues. For instance, our SERVPRO restorers can clean the affected surfaces utilizing the wall and all surface cleaner and a cloth. Our technicians can deodorize your home using dry mist air fresheners and odor counteracting gels.

If you need fire restoration services, call SERVPRO of Northwest Brooklyn at (718) 522-4400 to avoid additional damage. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Three Levels of Soot Cleanup in Brooklyn Residences

10/22/2021 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot residues often need professional restoration. Don't DIY! SERVPRO is available 24/7 for fire damage restoration.

After a Fire, Cleaning Up Soot and Smoke Damage Deposits in Brooklyn Homes is Critical

Fires are among the most devastating situations that property owners might face in their lifetime. With the severity of these emergencies and how much of your home can be damaged by soot in smoke residues, we have specific approaches to eliminate this smoke damage where it is found.

Surface Cleaning Strategies for Manageable Soils 

Getting fire and smoke clean up in Brooklyn homes started means choosing the ideal approach to remove soot and smoke residues from surfaces. Often, surface treatments with chemical sponges can be effective in high heat fire damage scenarios. However, thicker residues that are more challenging to remove might also require wet cleaning approaches. We utilize a range of products to accomplish this, including:

• Alkaline cleaners
• Solvents
• Detergents
• Water-based solutions
  

Aggressive Cleaning with Machines

It can also be possible to utilize machines like our media blasters with specific materials such as walnuts, baking soda, and sponges to clean surface soils that are more challenging than typical wet or dry cleaning approaches can resolve. Despite being an aggressive cleaning measure, these efforts can often be critical in protecting and preserving underlying substrates impacted by soot damage.

Controlled Demolition as a Final Resort

Removing building materials is rarely the first step that our professionals wish to take after fire damage. We carefully assess the salvageability of multiple exposed surfaces and contents to clean and restore them if possible. When these efforts have been exhausted, it is worth considering removing damaged portions of structural materials and replacing them.

It is easy to see multiple possible soot cleaning strategies available for fire-damaged homes in Brooklyn. Despite how rapidly fire damage can occur in apartments and houses, our experienced fire restoration professionals can respond fast to help when it is needed most. Give our SERVPRO of Northwest Brooklyn team a call today at (718) 522-4400.

Generate Stellar Results in Williamsburg with Professional Fire Damage Restoration

7/28/2021 (Permalink)

Fire damage on your property can be extensive. Call the technicians at our SERVPRO location to tackle the damage and remediate the situation.

After Suffering Fire Damage, You Need SERVPRO at Your Williamsburg Home for Restoration Services

The speed that flames consume a building is astounding and often astonishes Williamsburg homeowners. While first responders may get there fast to put out the fire, the fire damage and fallout can often be immense. Even the most minor fire calls for detailed fire damage restoration and smoke remediation, best handled by skilled technicians. SERVPRO features fire and smoke restoration technicians (FSRT) ready to restore your property to the pre-fire condition – “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO works efficiently and safely on all projects involving fire damage restoration in Williamsburg. We have years of experience and stay up to date on all the latest training and equipment for fire and smoke damage restoration and cleanup. To achieve house fire clean up goals, our team may initiate any number of actions, such as:

• Facilitating smoke remediation to help remove stubborn residues from all surfaces
• Repair or replacement of any charred materials
• Detailed cleaning of all surfaces, including deodorization and sanitization

• Surface refinishing and controlled demolition – Residential Contractor License #: 2015353DCA

All fire damaged homes get addressed with the mindset of repair versus replace wherever possible. In times where total replacement is needed, we may remove and install new materials like:

• Wallcoverings, wood panels, and drywall
• Carpeting, wood floors, subfloor, and baseboards
• Ceiling tiles
• Fixtures
• Utilities, including power cabling and air ducts

Where we find surfaces with soot deposits or charring, we may have the ability to clean and resurface with the help of soda blasting or sanding.

Water & fire damage restorations are what we do best here at SERVPRO of Northwest Brooklyn. We are available to get to work day or night by calling (718) 522-4400, and we can send out our crew as soon as possible.

SERVPRO Offers a Premier Fire Damage Restoration Service to Brooklyn Residents

5/10/2021 (Permalink)

Fires leave a mess. Don't DIY it; call SERVPRO!

Why do Brooklyn Residents Trust SERVPRO for Fire Damage Clean Up of Their Homes? 

Fire damage restoration of a Brooklyn home is a complex task involving several steps. Your local SERVPRO technicians have a unique understanding of the area, which puts them in a better position to help restore fire-damaged homes. Our technicians use their years of experience serving the Brooklyn community to offer a premier service that is both fast and efficient.

During the fire damage restoration of a Brooklyn home, a SERVPRO restorer's immediate objectives are:

• To prevent fire and smoke from causing additional damage
• To safeguard the safety of people entering the structure
• To prepare the site for mitigation work to begin

What Emergency Services do SERVPRO Techs Provide During House Fire Cleanup in Brooklyn? 

As every fire loss is unique, the type of emergency service activities offered by SERVPRO can vary significantly but might include some of the following:

• Conducting building inspection: To assess any safety or health hazard after the fire and smoke damage.
• Board up the structure: In certain situations, boarding up your Brooklyn residence can be essential.
• Dry the structure: Drying the water used during the fire extinguishment fire is critical. We use various equipment to remove standing water and monitor humidity and moisture content to prevent secondary water damages.
• Establish emergency electricity:SERVPRO technicians might have to arrange for a temporary power source during the fire restoration process as electricity is needed for heat and light.
• Initial cleaning:Before the restoration begins, pre-cleaning carpets and furniture can prevent additional damages.

Call SERVPRO of Northwest Brooklyn at (718) 522-4400 for fast and efficient service.

Using a Hydroxyl Generator Help in Brooklyn Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration

4/15/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO's inventory of advanced fire and smoke remediation equipment like this hydroxyl generator improves Brooklyn homes IAQ indoor air quality

SERVPRO helps Brooklyn residents with fire damage restoration

Brooklyn is an iconic New York neighborhood and is, in fact, the most populous neighborhood in New York.

European settlement in Brooklyn began more than 150 years ago. Brooklyn started life in the seventeenth century as a small town named Breuckelen that the Dutch settled. The area was a pivotal battle site, where the Battle of Brooklyn was fought in 1776. The British defeated the Americans at the battle, after which George Washington ordered troops to retreat to Manhattan, thus preventing further losses.

Brooklyn had a significant role in supplying materials for the American Civil War, and its supplies and ship-building facilities were beneficial to the Union. Throughout all this, Brooklyn remained a separately incorporated city and did not become part of the city of New York until the merger of 1898. Many long-time Brooklyn residents were opposed to the merger and called it the “great mistake of 1898.” Some old-timers still use this phrase today to express their pride in being Brooklyn-born!

Get a taste of the silver screen in Brooklyn

Brooklyn has provided a filming location for many famous shows and movies. Perhaps while you are visiting, you will spot some well-known sites from the silver screen. Some popular things filmed in Brooklyn include:

• A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is an iconic 1945 movie, for which James Dunn won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
• 1977’s Saturday Night Fever, the famous John Travolta movie, is set in an Italian neighborhood in Brooklyn.
• She’s Gotta Have It is a Spike Lee movie from 1986 set in a Brooklyn neighborhood.

Brooklyn’s film history stretches back to Coney Island, a two-reel silent movie made in 1917. The movie was directed and produced by Fatty Arbuckle and starred Buster Keaton. It was filmed on Coney Island and even made use of some of the rides there, so you can visit Coney Island and see the filming locations. Brooklyn is also home to popular TV shows, including 2 Broke Girls and Brooklyn 99.

Enjoy some iconic food in Brooklyn

One of the things Brooklyn is best known for is its food! When you are in town, do not miss out on these iconic dishes:

• Junior’s Cheesecake has been famous since the 1950s. You can order online, but even better, why not visit Junior’s in person and try one of their many varieties?
• A steakhouse steak. Brooklyn is full of well-known steakhouses. One of the best is the Peter Luger Steakhouse, established in 1897.
• Nathan’s hotdogs. Nathan’s, on Coney Island, has been operating since 1916 and offers one of the most authentic dogs in Brooklyn, best enjoyed while strolling on the beach.

Why do we use hydroxyl generators in fire damage restoration?

SERVPRO can help with every aspect of fire remediation, from the initial assessment to cleaning up your home and removing debris.

We understand that your home will not feel right until we get rid of the smoky smell. We have many ways to deal with odors – hydroxyl generators are one of them. Hydroxyl generators:

• Create hydroxyl radicals, which break apart odor molecules.
• Are safe for use around people, plants, and pets.
• Can be used even if contents are wet (such as from fire hoses) without the risk of bleaching.

For fire damage restoration that leaves your home smelling good, call SERVPRO of Northwest Brooklyn at (718) 522-4400.

Can SERVPRO Save Your Antique Table during Fire Damage Restoration?

3/19/2021 (Permalink)

Fire damage restoration is a job for a professional outfit. SERVPRO has all the corners covered for you.

We help Brooklyn homeowners get back to normal.

The physical cost of replacing items after a fire is not the only consideration. There is also the emotional cost of letting go of an heirloom or antique that matters to you. That is why SERVPRO aims to clean and restore furniture whenever we can.

Need fire damage restoration in your Brooklyn home, rest assured our technicians will care for each of your items as if they were our own. Several factors affect whether we can restore your table:

• Whether the wood has cracked or warped.
• Whether the wood is swollen from fire hoses or fire-fighting chemicals.
• How much damage the surface has suffered.

In some cases, where there is only a light covering of soot, it is possible to restore furniture. We can carefully dry brush the surface to remove loose soot. We can also use wood soap to cleanse the table and furniture polish to restore luster. Our technicians always test a small area first to make sure the cleaner is suitable.

If you are concerned about your antiques during fire damage restoration, call SERVPRO of Northwest Brooklyn at (718) 522-4400.

Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce New York Orientation Sessions

1/26/2021 (Permalink)

Our fire damage experts can have your property back to its original state, “Like it never even happened.”

Learn About Brooklyn’s Chamber of Commerce Activities and Benefits

The borough of Brooklyn, New York, is one of five that comprise New York City. The borough is New York's densest borough, with an estimated population of 2.6 million people. The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce plays a prime role in evolving the business culture of the borough. The Chamber offers four levels of membership aimed at large businesses, professionals, enterprises, and investors.

A membership meeting and orientation session are scheduled for existing members and new members who want to learn more about the Chamber's activities, services, and benefits. For business leaders joining the Chamber, these meetings are an excellent opportunity to select your business's membership level. Each membership level offers various services, including access to the online app, events, and more.

Date: Jan 27, 2021

Start Time: 9:00 AM

Location: Information provided once registered

Fee: Free

These meetings provide excellent opportunities to network, make new connections, and renew acquaintances with business leaders. There is a limitation of 100 spots for each session. Book online to reserve your seat.

SERVPRO of Northwest Brooklyn provides fire damage assistance to Brooklyn residential and commercial buildings and surrounding areas. Call (718) 522-4400. Our SERVPRO teams are ready to respond 24/7 to help with all your fire damage needs.

Come To The LoM's Annual Holiday Party in Brooklyn

12/14/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO's technicians are IICRC certified. We have all the updated technology and methods when it comes to fire restoration.

Brooklyn Holiday Hang 2020 Is On

The Letter of Marque's fourth annual Holiday Hang happens virtually this year, but all are welcome to take part in this fun event. Much like previous years, this Hangout includes:

• An evening of live improv performances
• Karaoke with holiday tunes
• Hanging out and chatting with other attendees

The Hang takes place using Gather, a free event platform that turns the attendees into the avatar of their choice to explore a custom loaded environment; the Winter Woods are waiting. The date to attend is Saturday, December 19th, 2020, at 7:30 PM EST. The Gather link is sent after the purchase of a $10 ticket. The tickets are per household, not per single attendee. 

SERVPRO of Northwest Brooklyn at (718) 522-4400 helps the local Brooklyn community perform restoration services in properties with fire damage. The techs use their advanced equipment and cleaning methods to save as much of the structure and possessions as possible and return properties to their previous condition.  

How Can Residents Prevent Fire Damage to Spread to Their Neighbors?

9/16/2020 (Permalink)

Kitchen fires spread quickly. Smoke and soot damage can travel quickly. SERVPRO has the equipment and know-how to restore your home.

Fire in a Neighboring Home Can Leave Soot and Smoke in Yours. Call a Fire Restoration Technician for Advice on Removing Residue from Your Park Slope Belongings

A kitchen fire may start in your neighbor's home in Park Slope due to an electrical malfunction or just a mundane cooking accident. Before you know it, a layer of dust sits on your furniture and inside your cabinets, and an acrid smell greets you every time you open the door. Even though you air out your space and buy air fresheners, you may not eliminate the fire's traces.

Rather than guessing whether the fire damage in your Park Slope home is more significant than you may realize, call a professional fire restoration team. Even if the fire did not start directly in your home, proximity to the ignition site puts you in danger of feeling its effects. A shared ventilation system can also carry smoke and soot into your home, but industry-grade cleaners can help you save time and money when removing them. Calling SERVPRO’s hotline as soon as the incident occurs can make the difference in how disruptive it is to your life.

How long should you wait to call SERVPRO after a fire happens?

Fire restoration should begin as soon as possible to avoid extended exposure to damaging agents, including remnants of debris tracked by firefighters during their work. Once our SERVPRO staff arrives, we focus on isolating any areas unaffected by the fire and preventing cross-contamination in your home. If the need arises, our team can pack your belongings for cleaning in an alternate site or discarding while tending to your home's damage. In the course of our work, we often receive questions about the smell of smoke left behind. Our team can address it by using one or several of the following:

• Odor counteracting pellets
• Foggers to eliminate smell molecules
• Ozone generators

Whatever your needs are following a fire affecting your home, our technicians at SERVPRO of Northwest Brooklyn will help. Call us at (718) 522-4400 and let us leave your home, "Like it never even happened."

Does SERVPRO Provide Services for Areas Indirectly Impacted During Fire Damage Restoration of Brooklyn Apartments?

7/11/2020 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Northwest Brooklyn’s emergency contact number, for reconstruction of your apartment or home after a fire.

Fire Damage Restoration in Brooklyn

During a fire, the smoke swirling out of any opened windows can illustrate how forcefully the smoke pushes away from the flames consuming an apartment in Brooklyn. Fire damage restoration experts from SERVPRO know that this same strength pushes smoke particles into areas that might seem completed unfazed. Smoke particles, as well as the smoke’s heat, can also damage areas far away from direct heat.

What Kind of Smoke and Fire Damage Might Happen to Unburnt Rooms?

In other areas, SERVPRO’s technicians work to clean away soot before it can cause permanent damage. Soot affects painted surfaces, metals, and wood. Both steam and smoke can leave oil-based paint surfaces bubbled, and affect wallpapers and trim in a similar manner.

    •    Other noticeable kinds of smoke and fire damage in Brooklyn leach odors into the air, namely from soot-saturated
    •    Carpeting and other absorbent flooring,
    •    Textured walls and other surfaces (brick, cork, acoustic tile, etc.),
    •    Tucked-away enclosures with hard-to-reach interior spaces.

How does SERVPRO Restore These Additional Areas to Pre-Fire Condition?

Our technicians use equipment designed to remove soot particles, oils, and the plethora of other chemicals produced when things inside your dwelling burn or with some synthetics, get too hot. With carpeting and other flooring, it is typical for these areas to become highly loaded with soot. This makes cleaning an intense activity.

Textured walls require brushing and vacuuming, followed by liquid cleansers in some cases. We use a hydrogen peroxide-based method on acoustic tiles that removes the soot from the tiniest crevices and pores. With enclosed areas, we generally refrain from opening these up and instead depend on powerful binding agents used during a deodorizing fogging session.

Staining can occur, making it cost-effective to replace materials. We discuss such situations with the customer prior to making any permanent changes or investing time into cleaning items that the property owner might instead prefer to eliminate and replace.

Call SERVPRO of Northwest Brooklyn’s emergency contact number, (718) 522-4400, for reconstruction of your apartment or home after a fire. We can guide you with other services in addition to fire damage restoration and reconstruction.

What Should I Do After a Fire?

6/3/2020 (Permalink)

Experienced a Fire? Call SERVPRO Today!

Bring in SERVPRO to Clean and Restore Your Brooklyn Home After a Fire Loss

Even if the damage got contained to a single area in your home, seeing it for the first time after a fire has occurred can feel overwhelming for what to do first. The longer the mitigation efforts get delayed has the potential to increase the loss. That is why it is vital to engage a professional restoration services company as soon as possible after a residential Brooklyn fire loss. 

Can I Stay in My House After Fire Damage?

Before we talk about what you should do, let's cover what you should not do after fire damage in your Brooklyn home. Deciding whether or not to remain within the property is something you should talk over with the firefighters at the scene. They can tell you if the structure or nature of the fire loss is okay to be around or not. In many cases, it is not safe to remain around charred items as soot has to potential to be a skin and respiratory irritant. Other considerations include:

• The utilities in your home should not get turned on unless deemed safe by a certified professional
• Do not clean any smoke residues yourself as it can result in greater damages
• If electrical equipment received damage, do not turn it on to test it
• Do not attempt to enter a property deemed structurally unsafe to retrieve valuables or important documents 

Actions You Should Take Post-House Fire 

There are many proactive things that homeowners can do after a fire before SERVPRO technicians arrive on-site to begin the cleanup and restoration process.

• Contact family members or friends if you need a place to stay after the fire. Then contact your insurance agent to start the claims process and SERVPRO to begin the mitigation efforts for the property and contents
• If your pets cannot stay with you, see if they can stay with a trusted family member or friend until your property gets restored.
• Within 24 hours of the occurrence of the fire, contact your utility companies to turn off the services to your home
• Have the post office hold or forward your mail 

What Can SERVPRO Do for Local Property Owners After a Fire? 

Once the technicians arrive on the site, homeowners can tell the crew chief any valuable items, keepsakes, or important papers that they need to get out of the home. During the cleanup, the techs will:

• Photograph and document the fire loss items for insurance purposes
• Secure the property if necessary, to keep unauthorized individuals out of it
• Clean and restore both structure and contents with smoke damage

With their general contractor license #2015353DCA, the techs can handle not only the mitigation of the fire loss in the home but also any repairs or reconstruction that needs to occur for a full resolution of the damage. Since mold can sometimes rear its ugly head during the cleanup process, the techs hold certification in mold remediation: #00055, and know the early warning signs of an infestation and know how to halt it before it starts.

SERVPRO of Northwest Brooklyn has advanced equipment and state-of-the-art restoration methods to bring your home from a state of fire damage to its preloss condition. The certified technicians are available 24/7 at (718) 522-4400.

Learn more about Northwest Brooklyn.

Is My Brooklyn Home a Lost Cause After the Fire?

6/3/2020 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Northwest Brooklyn at (718) 522-4400 to deploy a crew as soon as possible to help with fire damage.

The SERVPRO Crew in Brooklyn Addresses Fire Damage Promptly to Ensure Your Home is Back to Pre-Loss Condition

The path of destruction that fire leaves behind can be overwhelming, but that does not mean that it is impossible to clean up. When you have a team like SERVPRO on your side, you can rest assured that your property is in excellent hands. You can count on us to take the time to assess your interior and belongings while also ensuring that all structural elements are entirely safe. We are also available in Brooklyn 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for all of your emergency restoration needs.

What Happens with Restoration?

Our IICRC-certified technicians specialize in fire damage in Brooklyn, which means that your home is in excellent hands. The crew chief assesses the fire loss zone, taking note of the damage and inspecting structural elements to ensure safety. From there, the crew puts together a plan of action detailing all of the steps, tools, equipment, and method best suited for the job.

Can All of These Soot Stains Be Removed?

Smoke particles and soot residue can be challenging due to the complicated chemical composition. The removal methods that we use depend on the types of materials burned in the fire. During soot and smoke residue removal, our team will:

    •    Utilize chemical-based or lubricative cleaning agents that allow us to cut through the stubborn residue.
    •    Perform controlled demolition to remove any unsalvageable materials to have them replaced with brand-new materials.
    •    Use abrasives on any patches of tough soot and grime – as long as the surface areas can withstand it.

The goal is to make your interior like-new once again after the fire, which means that we take the necessary steps for total odor removal. We ensure that your interior is free from reminders of fire with the help of sealant paints, air scrubbers, hydroxyl generators, and thermal fogging machines.

Call SERVPRO of Northwest Brooklyn at (718) 522-4400 to deploy a crew as soon as possible to help with fire damage.

We Put The Flames Of Worry Out in Brooklyn After A Fire

4/1/2020 (Permalink)

We arrived right away and began restoration in this kitchen after a fire started on the stovetop. Call us right away, we are available 24/7.

How Do I Get Rid of Smoke Odors in My Brooklyn Apartment?

SERVPRO Has Advanced Tools for Odor Removal After Housefires  

Fires in your Brooklyn apartment or house can leave you unsettled and uncomfortable, even if the conditions were not destructive enough to force relocation. While actions like ventilation and masking odors can help temporarily, the only effective odor response after a fire is advanced deodorization practices like hydroxyl generators.

Hydroxyl machines are a practical approach to address fire damage to Brooklyn residences. Utilizing the same chemical reactions that help to clean our atmosphere, hydroxyl machines harness UV spectrums to react with water molecules in the air to reduce hazardous particles circulating and to neutralize odors. The machine works to do even more for your property after a fire because it also features an onboard HEPA filter to remove fire damaged particulates even more.

What are deodorization options for my home after a fire? 

• Thermal fogging
• ULV fogging
• Ozone generators
• Hydroxyl machines
• Air scrubbers

Odors can be one of the most dramatic obstacles after a fire, but our SERVPRO of Northwest Brooklyn team can help. Give us a call at (718) 522-4400.

See more about Brooklyn.

Brooklyn Properties and SERVPRO Completes the Fire Damage Restoration and Odor Control

2/22/2020 (Permalink)

Odor Removal after a Fire in a Brooklyn Brownstone or Structure Should Be Done By SERVPRO

DIY Fire Cleanup Leaves Strong Smoke Odors in Brooklyn Brownstone

When homeowners in Brooklyn do self-cleanup of fire damage, it is not uncommon for the smoke odor to remain in the house. The reasons are many, including the fact odorous soot particles can exist smaller than the human eye can see them, and incorrect cleaning methods can drive soot deeper into surfaces.

Smoke odor removal in a Brooklyn brownstone is a multi-layered process. The more time that passes after the initial fire loss event in the home means more cross-contamination throughout the structure.

Scoping the Scale of Odor Control Needed
SERVPRO techs need to determine the area of odor to choose the best treatment. Protein fires can leave behind pungent odors that leave a sticky, transparent film requiring removal from surfaces.

Types of Treatment for Smoke Smells
The neutralization of odors after a fire is one that the SERVPRO techs take a multi-level approach towards treating. Using various cleaning solutions to release the grip smoke may have on surfaces missed in previous DIY cleaning attempts helps lessen the smell. Specific equipment for smoke odor removal includes both hydroxyl generators and thermal fogging.

Thermal fogging uses a solvent heated to the point it becomes a thick fog that behaves like smoke and is particularly useful for removing smoke odors from textiles and porous items. It is not safe for people, pets, or plants to remain in the home during this type of treatment. For safety, the most reliable odor treatment uses the hydroxyl generator. This machine emits ultraviolet rays just like the Sun and eradicates airborne soot molecules by chemically combining with them.

Air Duct Inspection and Cleaning
Mainly after DIY fire loss cleanup, the HVAC is the number one way soot gets spread throughout the home via the ductwork. The techs can inspect and clean the ductwork throughout the house to ensure that there are no reminders of the fire remaining in the property. With common walls in many brownstones, considerations for your neighbors also comes into play.

SERVPRO of Northwest Brooklyn at (718) 522-4400 stands ready to assist local homeowners with the removal of smoke odors from their residential properties through their professional methods and make the fire loss, "Like it never even happened."

Brooklyn House Fires and Help from SERVPRO

12/3/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Says--Never Put a Space Heater on a Carpet Unless You Want a Fire in Your Brooklyn Residence

Stopping Space Heater Fire Damage in a Brooklyn Home

In the United States, heating equipment like space heaters and fireplaces are the leading causes of home fires. From 2012 to 2016, fire departments responded to an average of 52,000 fires involving heating equipment each year. The damages from these fires were a whopping $1 billion. For every five house heating fires, two of them involved space heaters and accounted for 78% of resident injuries and 54% of property damage.

If your Brooklyn residence suffers fire damage, SERVPRO technicians can be at your home within hours of your call to address the source of the disaster and return your home to a preloss condition. SERVPRO is available 24/7 throughout the year to address residential disasters. Save time, money, and stress by choosing a team that works with property owners and insurance adjusters to restore structures to a safe condition once more. Your local SERVPRO is also licensed for residential contracting (#2015353DCA) and mold remediation (#00055), so you can count on them for services after cleanup has finished.

Home Heating Fire Facts for Homeowners

?    86% of home heating fire casualties involved stationary or portable space heaters in some way,
?    The leading cause-- a staggering 27%-- of home heating-related fires had to do with residues inside heating systems, most often from solid-fuel heating.
?    A leading factor in the ignition for 54% of home heating fires was equipment that was too close to flammable contents like furniture, clothing, bedding, or mattresses.
?    48% of all home heating fires happen in December, January, and February.

How SERVPRO Saves the Day

If your space heater fire occurred while placed on a surface like a wooden coffee table, there are several factors to consider for cleanup. Not only can the wood itself be affected by fire, but the finishes and stains can also have a variety of effects on the wood. The type of finish influences how it can be cleaned because it affects the wood's resistance to heat exposure, smoke penetration, moisture, and odors. If your table is unfinished wood, this is a porous surface that is best salvaged with dry cleaning methods like a dry cleaning sponge. This also goes for unfinished wooden surfaces on finished wood items like drawer interiors, and the tops of tall wooden items. However, there are cases where fire can heavily blister or permanently stain wood. In these cases, refinishing is often recommended.

SERVPRO of Northwest Brooklyn is a team that is Faster to Any Size Disaster. If you need rapid disaster mitigation services, call (718) 522-4400 today.

  Here are the Heroes of the FDNY

Brooklyn Home in Need of TLC after a Fire? SERVPRO Provides the Love for a Fast and Efficient Restoration

10/17/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO's Green Fleet Soon Follows the Red Fire Trucks for Fire and Smoke Restoration in Brooklyn

Dealing with Fire and Odor Removal in Brooklyn

House fires in Brooklyn are traumatic events that leave renters and homeowners dealing with a mix of emotions. Throughout the upset, worry, and fear you feel, you need to know what do to next for fire and odor removal.

Our team at SERVPRO has put together a list of essential steps to take for efficient fire and odor removal in Brooklyn. These steps help you get your living space back in order by approaching the restoring process in a collected, calm manner.

-    Speak with authorities to make sure it is safe to enter the home after the fire is extinguished. Your local fire department lets you know when all is sound and ready for you to go in to start the assessment process.

-    Contact close family members to tell them about the fire and that everyone is safe and sound. You can then contact your insurance provider and a professional clean-up team. We can help you with your claim forms to expedite the start of the restoration. SERVPRO is available to help you get back into your living space professionally and efficiently, "Like it never even happened."

-    See about getting a fire report from the fire department. This report details the fire, including the structure of the home, the location of the fire, date, and time. You may need to contact your local Brooklyn fire department to get a full copy of this report.

-    Secure your property to make sure that it is not susceptible to robbery or vandalism. SERVPRO recommends boarding up your property until clean-up, and fire, and odor removal begins. We can executive this important service backed up by our Residential Contractor License #: 2015353DCA.

-    Start in on the clean-up process, including both the interior and exterior. There is often fire damage that is undetectable to the naked eye. Hiring a team like SERVPRO helps you to achieve thorough cleaning of all spaces to remove smoke, soot, and odors that may be left behind. We can provide a well-planned cleanup of fire-damaged contents, mitigate on-going secondary damages, and allow you to be free of this stressful task.

SERVPRO of Northwest Brooklyn is here to help you when it is time for odor removal and fire damage. Give us a phone call today at (718) 522-4400, and we can set up a time to send technicians out for an assessment.

After A Fire In Your Brooklyn Home Call Our Crew

9/5/2019 (Permalink)

“Like it never even happened.”

Structural Cleaning For Rebuilding After Fire Damage In Brooklyn Home

After fire damage in a residential property, the structural components must be both clean and deodorized before repairs and reconstruction are possible. Fire damage should never be a DIY project due to the need for proper soot removal and the potential to compound fire loss through improper cleaning methods used on smoke residues.

After fire damage occurs in a Brooklyn home, the cleanup of fire debris and prepping the structure needs to happen quickly. The more time that passes after the fire event and the restoration services gives soot the opportunity to spread throughout the home. This delay often results in the need for larger-scale mitigation as well as the cleaning of the ductwork.

Keeping Everyone on the Same Page
SERVPRO communicates with both homeowners and adjusters during the restoration process to ensure every part of the restoration services process completed is within the expanse of coverage. The technicians know most insurance companies separate structure from contents in a loss estimate, and when the technicians scope a home after damage from fire, they commonly create two reports. The first covers the loss and necessary repairs to the structure. The second report addresses any loss to contents and items with restoration potential.

Eliminating Smoke Odors
Odor control after a fire is a crucial part of the restoration process to the structure. When homeowners choose SERVPRO to handle the cleanup as well as reconstruction, the technicians ensure there are zero residual smoke odors before any rebuilding efforts begin.

Guarding Against Mold
Water is great for putting out fires, not so great for the structural elements of your home. The certified mold remediation technicians work to extract the remaining water quickly, and if indoor humidity levels are conducive to the germination of mold spores, they apply proactive treatments.

SERVPRO of Northwest Brooklyn stands ready to assist property owners 24/7 with any needed restoration services from fire damage. Call us at (718) 522-4400 and our trained, and certified technicians arrive with an hour to make the fire loss to your home “Like it never even happened.”

For more about Brooklyn click here.

A Fire Can Destroy Your Brooklyn Apartment

7/22/2019 (Permalink)

Give us a call today at (718) 522-4400.

Can You Overcome Fire Damage In Your Brooklyn Apartment Alone?

Your Brooklyn apartment is not only susceptible to the fire loss damages that stem from ignition in your unit but can also fall victim to effects permeating through common walls and shared spaces. Addressing any of these concerns requires a fast response with sufficient equipment and products, much like our experienced SERVPRO technicians would use for restoration and mitigation in your apartment building. The closer that your response to the situation can mirror our actions, the less costly repairs and reconstruction that ultimately occurs.

Whether the fire damage in a Brooklyn apartment originates in that unit or a neighboring one, reacting quickly to the situation can prevent worsening conditions like continually spreading the soot, smoke residue, and odors. Our SERVPRO team can help any customer to better assess the spread of these effects and the best-tailored approach to return the property to preloss condition quickly.

If you seek to pursue addressing the secondary and lesser effects of a fire on your own, you might look to acquire some of the tools to make the job easier on yourself. You can often find rentable equipment like deodorizers (thermal foggers, ozone machines), air purification and filtering tools (hydroxyl generators, air scrubbers), and even purchase cleaning implements like chemical sponges to address residue and wet smoke film removal.

While you might look to address many of the lingering effects of a fire loss situation on your own, you might choose to leave reconstruction and build back to our professionals on our SERVPRO team. We have a full-service contracting division licensed through the state of New York, ensuring that the work that gets done is of top quality and from well-trained and competent building trade specialists.

You might find that there are more steps involved in addressing fire loss effects than you might have initially thought, even if the fire itself did not start in your apartment. You can count on the expertise and fast response of our SERVPRO of Northwest Brooklyn specialists and contractors to make fire loss incidents “Like it never even happened.” Give us a call today at (718) 522-4400.

For more about Brooklyn click here.

What To Do If You Suspect Natural Gas

2/4/2019 (Permalink)

Avoid a gas fire or explosion in your Park Slope, NY , home

4 Signs Of Gas Leak

They're sometimes hard to recognize, but it doesn't take much of a leak to cause a gas fire. These home disasters are all too common. Fortunately, you can avoid a fire or worse by recognizing signs of a leak:

•  A hissing or whistling sound near the line
  
•  The smell of rotten eggs or sulfur
  
•  Bubbles in the water
  
•  Dead houseplants
  
•  Visible dust near the gas line
  
•  Damage to the gas pipe

Family members or pets may show signs of a natural gas leak, as well. These may include nosebleeds, reduced appetites, nausea, mood changes, irritation to the eyes and throats, disorientation, and breathing difficulties.

Keep Your Family and Home Safe

Avoid a gas fire or explosion in your Park Slope, NY , home by following these top tips:

1. Check Gas Stoves

If you have a gas stove, the dials may have been turned on or left on accidentally. If you're confident it's safe to remain in your home, move to the stove and turn off any flames.

2. Do Not Flip Switches

Simply flipping the light switch to on or off could make a spark that causes a gas explosion. Instead, use a flashlight for any other actions you take in the house. Don't use the phone inside the house, either. In fact, don't use lighters, candles, or anything else that could ignite.

3. Ventilate the Home

Open all the windows and doors, so fresh air can come in and gas will move out of the house. Don't worry about taking any steps further than this. Instead, wait to contact emergency or fire remediation professionals when you and your family are safely outside.

4. Go Outside

Get everyone outside and go across the street. From this safe distance, call 911 or the appropriate authorities.

Learn as much as you can about what may cause a gas fire and how to avoid them to keep your family safe. Teach your family about natural gas and how to stay safe if they suspect a gas leak.

Bedford Stuyvesant Fire Damage

12/28/2018 (Permalink)

Garage Fire in Bedford

A fire started in the carport of this fully attached home in Bedford Stuyvesant. 3 homes to the right were also heavily damaged. SERVPRO of Northwest Brooklyn responded immediately to the homeowners call. We began the clean up once the fire Marshals cleared the scene. Our homeowner was very thankful that we were able to help her get her life and home back on track.

Fires can have devastating effects, whether it is a fire in a home or fire in a business premise. They have a way of consuming everything on their way, leaving property owners dealing with massive losses. However, the damages caused by fire can be restored thus giving home and business owners a chance to board up and get back to their normal lives.

It's hard to imagine the pain a person feels after a fire, be it fire in a business or fire in a home. It's important to assess the extent of fire damage before calling the fire damage restoration company. Fire damage can be in the form of soot damage, smoke damage, and soot damage. Most of the damages resulting from fire in a home or fire in a business come from smoke and soot as opposed to the actual flames as most people would expect.

What to Do After a Fire

There are certain things property owners can do after a fire in a home or fire in a business to minimize the smoke damage and smoke smell. One of them is calling fire cleanup professionals to perform the fire cleanup process and restore the home or place of business to its previous state. It's critical that the fire damage restoration process is conducted sooner rather than later to effectively clear the effects of soot damage, fire damage, smoke damage, and smoke smell.

Depending on where the house or business is located, the professional fire cleanup technicians may take some time to arrive. Property owners are advised not to do any cleaning before the commercial fire damage restoration company arrives. Here are a few tips on what not to do before the technicians arrive:

• Do not turn on electrical appliances — stereos, TVs, computers, etc. — before the professional fire cleanup technicians assess them properly.
• Do not consume canned foods or any other food items exposed to heat during the fire.
  Stay away from the upholstered furniture or heavy carpeting affected by debris or heavy smoke residue.
• Do not attempt to wipe or wash smoke or soot from absorbent surfaces such as ceilings and walls.

After the fire truck leaves, the reality of the situation settles in. Property owners may be tempted to rush in and try to salvage some of their property. Let the professional fire restoration company do what they do best.

Will Renters Insurance Cover Fire Damage?

12/17/2018 (Permalink)

Apartment fire in Park Slope,NY

Renters insurance can cover several expenses associated with a fire in a rented apartment or house. Most policies provide at least some property, liability and loss of use coverage. The amount of coverage may vary. Learn more about what this type of insurance may cover before reviewing the terms of your policy.

Renter's Property

A renter's policy should cover any losses a renter suffers due to a fire. This coverage is limited to the contents inside of an apartment or home and does not extend to the building materials or structure. There are several factors to consider:

• Does the policy cover replacement cost?
  
• Does the policy cover actual cash value?
  
• What are the limits?

The best renters insurance policies will cover fire restoration or replacement costs. The actual cash value of electronics or furniture may not be sufficient to restore or replace damaged items.

Liability

Most policies also include a limited amount of liability coverage. This coverage may extend to:

• Negligence resulting in an accidental fire
  
• Injuries to third parties
  
• Third-party property damage
  

In addition to these types of liability coverage, some coverage for medical payments to others may also be available. This is usually a small amount of no-fault coverage.

Loss of Use

Most policies also provide coverage for loss of use. This coverage will kick in if a rental property is uninhabitable, and may be used to offset:

• Additional living expenses
  
• Temporary relocation costs
  
• Other necessities

Be sure to review the terms of a renters insurance policy to determine how much coverage will be available in each of these areas. The property owner will need to assess damage and arrange for fire damage mitigation and restoration. If a fire breaks out in a rental property in Park Slope, NY, contact the fire department as soon as possible and notify both the property owner and your insurance provider.

How Can Renters Insurance Help With Fire Damage?

10/23/2018 (Permalink)

Get insurance to protect your personal belongings

You probably know someone who has been through a home fire in Bay Ridge,NY. They are eager to share lessons learned the hard way. One of those lessons is that insurance can help protect your family financially if a fire should affect your home.

Here are a few ways renters insurance can help protect you from fire:

1. Protect personal property. Your landlord’s insurance will cover the building and items that belong to the landlord, but your items are not included in that coverage. As a renter, you need a policy to provide replacement value of personal property lost from fire damage.
   
   
2. Prevent financial destruction from liability. Most renters insurance policies include protection in case you accidently start the fire. Of course, this doesn’t cover intentional or criminal conduct.
   
   
3. Provide money for accommodations. Make sure your policy includes this coverage, which provides for hotel fees or the expense of relocation. A loss of use can help pay for you to live somewhere else if your current space becomes uninhabitable from a disaster, like fire.
   

Renters insurance is affordable, costing around $30 per month. It provides coverage of your belongings no matter where they are damaged or stolen, and it covers a variety of different types of disasters. Be sure to remember that flood damage still requires separate coverage, but fire and other disasters, such as wind, lightning, theft and vandalism, are usually covered. Coverage may have some limits, so consider getting a rider for special items that may be very valuable.

You need insurance to protect your personal belongings. It’s up to the landlord to have adequate coverage for the building and any furnishings that are included. Fire restoration can encompass many different types of damage including water, smoke and soot. A good restoration company will be able to handle all types of damage, working with you to minimize loss and clean your belongings when it is possible to do so.

Who Is Responsible for Apartment Rental Fire Repair?

8/28/2018 (Permalink)

Brooklyn apartment fire damage can a complete loss

There is plenty to worry about when renting out apartments to tenants. Liability is often a major concern when renting out living spaces in Brooklyn, NY. By being knowledgeable of liability for an apartment fire, you can plan ahead when an unexpected fire strikes your property.

What If the Fire Is Due to Disrepair?

As the landlord, the building’s general upkeep is an obligation. Whenever the building burns down due to an unpreventable accident, commercial insurance comes into play to treat the fire damage. When a fire is due to neglecting upkeep on electrical systems or failing to fix a problem brought to your attention, you are additionally liable in other damages to the tenant:

• Damaged possessions
• Wage loss
• Temporary living arrangements
• Any additional damages claimed against you

When an insurance claim is filed, it’ll be inspected for a root cause. If it is proven to be due to failure to keep the building safe and habitable, the tenant is able to file a claim for damages. It’s helpful to take pictures and document anything you find as soon as it’s safe to enter after the apartment fire is contained. By doing so, you will have evidence to refute any future false claims.

What Is a Tenant Responsible For?

If the fire is determined to be no party’s fault, the tenant is responsible for replacing their own possessions. The landlord’s insurance still covers the building’s repair. The tenant’s risk for property loss can be alleviated by purchasing renters’ insurance beforehand.

If the tenant is discovered to have set the fire intentionally or due to gross negligence, he or she will be liable for both the building and possessions.

How Is the Damage Repaired?

After insurance is contacted, the next step is to seek out fire damage repair experts in the area. These companies use industrial machines to restore and replace damaged property. Regardless of liability, the damage can be treated. Knowledge of apartment fire liability allows you to assess and plan for where the bill is going to end up.

For more on Brooklyn click here. 

Why Dryer Vents Need Cleaning

7/21/2018 (Permalink)

Proper maintenance and Repairs can prevent future damages

When your dryer blows hot air on the tumbling clothes inside the barrel, the residual hot, humid blast is generally expelled through a hose attached to the back of the drying unit itself. The hose is then attached to a dryer vent that allows the hot breeze and fabric lint to move away from the clothes and out of your home. If the dryer lint accumulates in the vent and reduces the airflow needed for efficient use of the dryer, the heating element can overheat. Since lint is a highly combustible material, a lint fire can then easily start.

Startling Dryer Fire Statistics

Statistics show that clothes dryer fires are more common than most people may believe. In fact, improper cleaning of dryers is estimated to cost over $100 million each year. There are other surprising statistics:

• There are approximately 15,500 fires attributed to clothes dryer blazes each year.
• More than a dozen deaths result from dryer fires yearly.
• Clogged dry vents can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, which injures more than 200 people annually.

With the additional number of injuries caused by lint fire issues, it is easy to understand why dryer safety is important and considered a seriously neglected home maintenance routine.

Simple Signs of Clogged Dryer Vents

If you are worried that your dryer vent has become clogged, or if you haven’t cleaned the tube in over a year, there could be a problem with overheating. If the clothes feel overly hot at the end of their drying cycle, the vent could be blocked. Also, if you notice a burning smell while the dryer is running, the vent is probably full of lint. Moreover, when you see lint lying on the ground near the outside vent, the dryer air removal system may need cleaning.

Advantages of Proper Repair and Maintenance

If you do have a lint fire in Brooklyn, NY, you can call in a team of fire damage experts to get your home restored quickly. The professionals can also make sure your new dryer venting system is connected properly and expelling efficiently.

Click here for more on Brooklyn.

3 Quick Tips for Cleaning a Barbeque Grill

5/8/2018 (Permalink)

Cleaning your grill can prevent future fire damages

Few foods taste as good as those that have been cooked outdoors on a barbeque grill. From mouth-watering burgers to steaks and grilled veggies, there are dozens of meals to enjoy. However, one important aspect of becoming a grill master in Brooklyn, NY, is learning how to operate your barbeque safely, including using effective cleansing techniques. Proper grill cleaning may reduce the risk of fire or your need for a fire damage and restoration service, and there are several steps you can take to ensure your unit is always clean and ready to use.

1. Begin While the Grill Is Warm

Removing thick grease and baked-on residue can be difficult when the grill is cold, so cleaning the unit while it is still somewhat warm may make the job easier. Wait until you can touch the racks comfortably and then prepare for grill cleaning by gathering a pair of rubber gloves and a grill brush before filling a bucket with hot, soapy water large enough to immerse the grates.

2. Disconnect and Dismantle the Grill

Before you perform any grill maintenance, check to ensure all the dials are in the off position, then turn off and disconnect the propane tank. Remove the grates and the drip pan and place them in the bucket of soapy water to soak. Next, clean the underside of the grill’s hood to remove residue that can build up there and cause a grease fire. You can guard the heating elements from dripping water and grease by covering them with heavy-duty foil.

3. Rinse and Reassemble

Once you scrub out the inside of the grill, pull the drip pan and grates from the soak bucket, scrub and rinse them with a hose and place them back inside the unit. Remove the foil and wipe down the outer surface to finish the job.

Becoming the neighborhood grill master in Brooklyn, NY, includes understanding the importance of proper grill cleaning. When you put cleanliness first, your family, friends and neighbors can enjoy delicious barbeque meals safely.

For more on Brooklyn click here.

Commercial Fire Damage Cleaning

2/28/2018 (Permalink)

When commercial fire damage occurs, there are additional issues to worry about.

Commercial buildings sometimes contain dangerous items that don’t do well around smoke or fire. This could be toxic chemicals or other items that are flammable and dangerous. It’s never safe for individuals to enter a commercial structure on their own following a fire. It must be assessed by a professional to ensure the structure is safe and the items inside don’t pose an additional threat.

Pros Have the Right Equipment

People just want back in when a fire occurs. Whether it was a fire in the home or a fire in the business, people want to see what kind of damage they’re dealing with, how they can handle it, and what they can do to begin the fire cleanup phase of the aftermath. There’s just too much work for people to do themselves, which is why professional fire damage restoration is so helpful. Professional restorers have the right equipment, products, and the knowledge to restore things that might not otherwise be salvageable.

They know what there is to know about fire damage and cleanup, and they are quick. Hiring a pro means getting tasks handled faster and more efficiently, and it means safety is all but guaranteed. Business and homeowners have a lot to handle and deal with following a fire, such as the insurance agency and the fire investigation. It’s time to let someone with knowledge and experience handle the fire cleanup part while home and business owners handle everything else. Even if it’s just time to grieve and process what happened to their home or business, it’s imperative to call for help and let someone with knowledge handle this situation.

Call for help.

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

5 Tips for Avoiding Candle Fires

2/15/2018 (Permalink)

Many homeowners light candles to freshen up a room or to have lighting during a power outage. However, candles still have the potential to create a fire that spreads throughout the building. Avoid a candle fire at all costs, and follow these helpful tips to stay safe.

1. Do Not Leave Candles Unattended

If you are leaving a room with a candle in it, first extinguish the flame. After all, you can always relight a candle if you desire.

2. Keep the Area Around Candles Clean

The shelf or stand where you place the candle should not have anything flammable on it. Additionally, you should avoid placing a candle on a nightstand near your bed. The bedding may catch fire if you are not careful.

3. Toss It Once It Is Less Than Two Inches Tall

You do not want to risk a candle fire by allowing the flame to get too close to the base of the candle. It is better to simply throw away a candle once it is less than two inches high. They are relatively inexpensive to replace.

4. Keep Candles Away From Pets and Children

Candles should be placed high enough that kids and animals cannot get them. It is dangerous for children to play with anything lit. If the candle is left on a coffee table, then a dog’s tail may accidentally hit it and cause it to fall onto the floor.

5. Do Not Put Out a Candle With Water

It is preferable to put out a flame by blowing on it rather than pouring water. The reason is that water can cause the wax to spill all over the place. The hot wax may still catch fire, causing flames to spread throughout a home in Brooklyn NY. Candles are meant to be enjoyed, so always follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions to avoid a nasty candle fire and the impending smoke cleanup.

Visit http://www.SERVPROnorthwestbrooklyn.com for your fire safety tips. 

How To Clean Your Belongings After a Fire

12/18/2017 (Permalink)

How To Clean Your Belongings After a Fire

A house fire in Brooklyn, New York can be one of the most frightening things a family experiences. Not only can it displace everyone who resides in the home, but can also result in huge financial losses. Even those belongings that aren’t destroyed by fire can be damaged by smoke and high heat, but the great new is that many household items can still be cleaned so that they don’t have to be replaced. Once the authorities have cleared a burned home for residents to return, it’s time to start content cleaning and dry cleaning with the help of fire remediation professionals.

Clothing

The smell of smoke can make its way into all of the clothing in a house, due to the porous nature of fabric. In many cases, numerous trips through the washing machine are not enough to get rid of the odor. In fact, doing so can actually cause the smoky smell to set in the clothing. Dry cleaning is often a better option, as the chemicals and processes used can remove those set-in smells. Some professionals even use an ozone treatment to completely eliminate the smell of smoke from clothing.

Electronics

Non-porous items, such as electronic devices, will also need to be cleaned after a house fire. Some of the commonly effected devices include the following:

Personal computers
Tablets
TVs
DVD players

It is best not to attempt to clean these devices yourself, as you run the risk of completely ruining them without realizing that you’ve done something incorrectly. Instead, let a team of professionals use ultrasonic cleaning to get rid of the soot and residue that has the potential of corroding the metal portions of the devices. It is also important that you place electronics in content storage before turning them on. Let an expert give you the OK that they are safe to use.

While there is a lot of work to be done after a house fire, like dry cleaning and storing belongings, having these cleaning tips in mind can help should you have to deal with this devastating event.
Visit http://www.SERVPROnorthwestbrooklyn.com for more information on fire damage.

Residential vs Commercial Fire Damage

9/22/2017 (Permalink)

Residential vs Commercial Fire Damage

Commercial fire damage is very difficult to get rid of on your own, especially when you consider what goes into fire restoration. Fire restoration involves many different steps and processes, and this is why it is imperative that you hire a fire damage expert who can come to your home and do the clean up for you. They will be able to come and take care of the electrical fire or utility room fire that has happened after firefighters have left using their fire trucks and fire hoses.

Along with having this type of commercial fire damage repair done, you may also want to consider a fire sprinkler system and fire suppression system along with fire restoration. Fire restoration alone is simply not enough, since you will want to prevent the issue from happening in the future using a fire sprinkler system and fire suppression system for your own needs. This is why a lot of people have made the decision to contact the experts after dealing with an electrical fire or utility room fire.

Another wonderful benefit hiring commercial fire damage experts and those who deal with basic fire damage is that they will take care of the smoke damage and soot damage that has been left behind. Both the smoke damage and soot damage is problematic for homeowners and business owners. This is why it is so important to call the fire damage experts and Commercial fire damage professionals after you have dealt with an electrical fire or utility room fire. Firefighters alone with their fire trucks and fire hoses are not going to be able to do the fire restoration for you.

The fire suppression system and fire sprinkler system is also important when it comes to ensuring that fire damage is no longer problem for your home. Firefighters will also recommend that you put in a fire suppression system and fire sprinkler system in order to prevent an electrical fire or utility room fire from getting out of hand in the future. They are not going to be able to put out a significant fire with their fire trucks and fire hoses alone. Smoke damage and soot damage can be handled by the professionals as well.

Once you have made the decision to hire the professionals to take care of the smoke damage and soot damage left behind after a fire, it is important that you work with the experts and understand what firefighters have recommended using their fire trucks and fire hoses. There are many different options available to you when it comes to hiring a professional company to come in and do the work for you. One of the main issues that a lot of people face is the fact that they cannot handle the issues on their own, so they are left trying to figure out how to handle it themselves.

Thankfully, there are tons of different reputable companies out there that will be able to help you in one way or another. This ensures that your home or business is put back to its former glory and that you will find it to be incredibly beneficial in many different ways. If you have some type of insurance on your property, you will also find that this is incredibly helpful when paying for the services that are rendered. It can be incredibly expensive for you to do the repair work on your own, so make sure that you consider this as an option and work with the Professionals in a way that is going to be beneficial for you and your loved ones. You might be amazed at how inexpensive this type of work can be once you work with the right experts and have some type of insurance that will help to pay for the costs that are associated with having all of the work done on either your home or business.
Visit http://www.SERVPROnorthwestbrooklyn.com for more information on fire damage.

What Are Some Resources to Contact After a Fire?

7/25/2017 (Permalink)

What Are Some Resources to Contact After a Fire?

An unexpected fire in a home or fire in a business can cause extensive fire damage that is impossible to deal with without additional help. Luckily, there are a number of resources for property owners who require fire damage restoration to contact in order to get the help they need. Fire cleanup is a lengthy and complication process which should not be tackled alone, especially when there are a number of organization that specialize in fire damage restoration.

Financial considerations are usually the first thought to come to a property owner's mind after a fire in a home or a fire in a business. Commercial fire damage can be absolutely devastating to a small business. After the fire has been stabilized by the fire department, the first organization to contact should be the insurance company. Insurance can sometimes cover the costs involved in hiring a restoration company, which can ease the transition back to normalcy after all the soot damage, smoke damage, and fire damage has been dealt with.

After the coverage of a restoration company's services is discussed, a fire cleanup team should be scheduled. A professional from the restoration company will evaluate the extent of the fire damage caused by the fire in a home or the fire in a business. The costs of repair and replacement will be discussed, and all commercial fire damage will be recorded and itemized. The fire cleanup team will also collaborate with the local fire department to discuss safety concerns and any damage to the building's structural integrity.

If walls or roofs are compromised, temporary walls and roofs may be put up by the fire damage restoration team. Windows and doors are usually boarded up to prevent unwarranted access to the premises. This boarding up of entry points allows for the property owner to rest assured that his or her property is safe while fire damage restoration is still under way. Because commercial fire damage can often damage locks, boarding up the doors is generally a good idea.

Once the building is secured, it is essential that all personal belongings damaged or not be organized and itemized. Soot damage and smoke damage may render some items unsalvageable. These items are then disposed of by the fire cleanup crew using regulated heavy machinery. The soot damage and smoke damage that is present is also evaluated for sanitization and possible restoration.

Smoke smells can be removed from fabrics and other surfaces using a variety of techniques including heavy vacuuming, steam injection, ozone treatment, thermal fogging, ventilation, and others. The smoke smell may persist and require multiple treatments before it is completely gone. Some individuals believe that ventilation alone can reduce smoke smells, but it sometimes requires treatments with chemicals called counteractants.

Because water is used extensively by the fire department to put out fires, water damage containment is also necessary. A fire in a home or a fire in a business can often result in extensive water damage and mold growth. Therefore, a specialist who can dry out the property and prevent further damage is necessary and usually contracted by the restoration company.

Fire damage can cause the loss of important paperwork like passports, driver's licenses, marriage certificates, birth certificates, insurance policies, and medical records. It is important to contact the authorities managing these documents immediately to have them replaced.

The fire department will also need to be in contact with the property owner to maintain the safety of the premises. Smoke damage and soot damage can sometimes cause a property to be dangerous. The smoke smell may be cause for the fire department to investigate further. Commercial fire damage is examined particularly deeply.

Once a property is boarded up and inaccessible to the property owner, resources like the American Red Cross, FEMA, and the Salvation Army can help with the transition period where they may need a place to stay. Visit http://www.SERVPROnorthwestbrooklyn.com for more information on fire damage.

Everything You Need to Know About Fire Damage

7/3/2017 (Permalink)

Fire damage is often much worse than people realize, and it has a lot to do with the unknown damage it causes. Soot damage, smoke damage, and the smoke smell that lingers for so long after a fire in the home or fire in the business occurs are some of the worst forms of damage. Fire itself causes ample damage to most structures, whether it’s commercial fire damage or a fire in the home. Add the soot damage and smoke damage to the mix, and the mess requires the help of a company that specializes in fire cleanup.

Fire damage is devastating, and there is nothing homeowners or business owners can do but hope their belongings can be salvaged. If fire damage didn’t destroy personal effects when a fire in the home or fire in the business occurs, the soot damage and smoke damage might have done the job instead.

If commercial fire damage occurs, it’s even more imperative people call for professional fire damage restoration. Attempting to restore the property themselves can have even worse results either due to incorrect processes, or additional revenue loss from business interruption while the process is taking longer than needed to clean up . When fire damage occurs, it’s imperative home and business owners call for professional fire damage restoration.

What Happens After a Fire in the Home or Fire in the Business

When fire occurs, so many things happen. Items in the home or business are damaged because of several issues commonly associated with fire. Soot damage occurs when soot from the fire lands on the items in a home or office. Soot damage can stain or destroy items, and it’s not easily cleaned without the help of a professional. Smoke damage is another issue. Smoke damage can cause things to never smell the same, it can destroy artwork and books, and it can destroy clothing.

The smoke smell might never come out of furniture or clothing without professional fire cleanup. Most people can’t just wash the smoke smell out of things, which is why calling for professional fire damage restoration is so important.

A professional has the ability to work miracles such as removing the smoke smell from virtually everything. Don't let a home or office go uncared for after a fire because it's intimidating to start.

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

Brooklyn, New York Smoke and Soot Clean Up

10/17/2016 (Permalink)

A fire in a Brooklyn home, caused by an old extension cord being used with a portable heater.

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

SMOKE AND SOOT FACTS:

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

Different Types of Smoke

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

Wet Smoke - Plastic and Rubber

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

Dry Smoke - Paper and Wood

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

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

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

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

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

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?

Call Us Today - 718-522-4400

Community Center

12/3/2015 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Northwest Brooklyn's hardworking crew in action.

Brooklyn Community affected by electrical fire in the server room.  Luckily no one was hurt and luckily, SERVPRO of Northwest Brooklyn was called in to get the center cleaned.  We cleaned the soot and smoke damage from all of the offices and had the center up and running in a short amount of time.