Summer's Fiery Peril: The Ravaging Impact of Fire Damage on Homes

Name: SERVPRO of Tigard, Tualatin, Lake Oswego, West Linn, Beaverton SW, Sherwood
Telephone: (503) 684-5829

6/26/2023 (Permalink)

Boarded up, fire damaged home in northwest Portland

As the summer sun blankets the land with its intense rays, the risk of fire damage to homes becomes a pressing concern for homeowners. From scorching heatwaves to unattended barbecues, this season presents a unique set of challenges that can quickly transform idyllic suburban neighborhoods into scenes of devastation. In this blog post, we delve into the causes, consequences, and preventive measures against fire damage during the summer months.

Causes of Summer Fire Damage: One of the primary culprits behind summer fire damage is the combination of dry vegetation and soaring temperatures. Negligence with outdoor activities, such as improper disposal of cigarette butts or unattended campfires, further exacerbate the risk. Electrical malfunctions, especially due to overburdened air conditioning systems, can also spark devastating fires.

Consequences of Fire Damage: The consequences of fire damage are far-reaching and profound. Beyond the loss of cherished possessions, homes can suffer structural damage, rendering them uninhabitable. In worst-case scenarios, lives are at stake as flames engulf everything in their path. Additionally, the aftermath of fire damage entails emotional distress, financial burden, and prolonged displacement for affected families.

Preventive Measures: Thankfully, several preventive measures can significantly reduce the risk of fire damage during the summer. Regularly clearing dry leaves, dead vegetation, and debris from yards minimizes potential fuel for fires. Maintaining a safe distance between barbecues, bonfires, and structures is crucial. Installing and regularly testing smoke detectors, along with having fire extinguishers readily accessible, are additional proactive steps that homeowners can take.

Conclusion: As we embrace the sun-drenched days of summer, it is essential to remain vigilant about the potential hazards that can ignite devastating fires. By adopting preventive measures and promoting a culture of fire safety within our communities, we can protect our homes, loved ones, and the precious memories they hold. Together, let us ensure that this summer remains a time of joy and not one marred by the destructive force of fire.

Summer's Fiery Peril: The Ravaging Impact of Fire Damage on Homes

6/26/2023 (Permalink)

Boarded up, fire damaged home in northwest Portland

As the summer sun blankets the land with its intense rays, the risk of fire damage to homes becomes a pressing concern for homeowners. From scorching heatwaves to unattended barbecues, this season presents a unique set of challenges that can quickly transform idyllic suburban neighborhoods into scenes of devastation. In this blog post, we delve into the causes, consequences, and preventive measures against fire damage during the summer months.

Causes of Summer Fire Damage: One of the primary culprits behind summer fire damage is the combination of dry vegetation and soaring temperatures. Negligence with outdoor activities, such as improper disposal of cigarette butts or unattended campfires, further exacerbate the risk. Electrical malfunctions, especially due to overburdened air conditioning systems, can also spark devastating fires.

Consequences of Fire Damage: The consequences of fire damage are far-reaching and profound. Beyond the loss of cherished possessions, homes can suffer structural damage, rendering them uninhabitable. In worst-case scenarios, lives are at stake as flames engulf everything in their path. Additionally, the aftermath of fire damage entails emotional distress, financial burden, and prolonged displacement for affected families.

Preventive Measures: Thankfully, several preventive measures can significantly reduce the risk of fire damage during the summer. Regularly clearing dry leaves, dead vegetation, and debris from yards minimizes potential fuel for fires. Maintaining a safe distance between barbecues, bonfires, and structures is crucial. Installing and regularly testing smoke detectors, along with having fire extinguishers readily accessible, are additional proactive steps that homeowners can take.

Conclusion: As we embrace the sun-drenched days of summer, it is essential to remain vigilant about the potential hazards that can ignite devastating fires. By adopting preventive measures and promoting a culture of fire safety within our communities, we can protect our homes, loved ones, and the precious memories they hold. Together, let us ensure that this summer remains a time of joy and not one marred by the destructive force of fire.

In 2023, avoid five bad habits that can lead to a fire damage disaster

2/14/2023 (Permalink)

Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Ennis/Red Oak explains how bad habits in the use, cleaning, and storage of appliances can cause an electrical fire that requires fire and water damage restoration services.

SERVPRO® of Ennis/Red Oak provides fire damage, smoke damage, and water damage restoration 24/7, 365 days a year, including holidays. Crews can be on the scene in about an hour to begin the cleanup and restoration process. Some property damage disasters are completely avoidable with a few changes in how appliances are used, cleaned, and stored. Other property damage disasters are unavoidable, such as storm damage and flooding.

Nearly 1,000 housefires a day are reported in the United States. Many of these fires could have been prevented by following fire prevention practices. Many of these fires are related to electrical issues and the use and care of electrical appliances. By establishing and practicing these fire prevention strategies, lives can be saved, and property damage can be prevented.

Avoid the following five common bad habits to make the home a safe, fire-free environment for family and friends:

#1. Leaving an electrical appliance on or operating while unattended

Although most home appliances can safely operate without being constantly monitored or adjusted by the operator, people should still be present in the home when appliances are in use. Leaving the house while the dishwasher is running can be very risky. The homeowner who runs the dishwasher or the washing machine while asleep may wake up the next morning to find a flooded kitchen or laundry room.

A dryer left running while everyone is out shopping, playing golf, or at the movies could cause a fire damage disaster. If time does not allow for the completion of a drying cycle, the safest solution is to not start drying in the first place. Interrupting a load of clothes during a heat cycle while the dryer is hot can result in a fire. One safe option is to run a short cycle and partially dry the clothes. Hang up the clothes until later when time allows for the clothes to be completely dried. An article or two of clothing needed for the next day can be dried in a short cycle for light loads. How hot does a residential clothes dryer get? The average residential dryer reaches temperatures between 125 degrees and 135 degrees Fahrenheit.

Safety is the best policy when washing clothes. Operate the washing machine only when someone is home and can turn off the appliance should a supply line burst or a leak erupts inside the machine.

#2. Neglecting to defrost the freezer

Freezers that are not frost-free should be defrosted at least once a year. A freezer free of frost will run more efficiently, use less energy, and save the homeowner money. The appliance will also have a longer lifespan. An overworked freezer can be a fire risk.

Before defrosting, make sure the appliance is turned off and unplugged. Place several bowls of hot tap water inside the appliance to loosen the ice. Lay towels on the floor around the freezer to catch any spillage or leakage from the defrosting process. Avoid using a hair dryer to defrost the freezer, as this may cause electrical shock or cause the hair dryer to overheat.

#3. Allowing grease and grime to accumulate on an oven or grill

The buildup of fat and grease around the stove eyes, on the hood, and inside the exhaust fan and vent pipe creates a fire hazard. After cooking an item in the oven, place an oven-safe bowl of water inside the hot oven for at least 18 to 20 minutes. Steam from the bowl of water will soften and loosen grime and grease. When the unit cools, wipe away the residue. Make sure the stove and oven are completely off before wiping.

#4. Not allowing an appliance to cool before wrapping the power cord around it

A hotplate, griddle, waffle iron, or electric grill gets hot enough to melt or damage the outer insulation of the electrical cord for the device. Allow fifteen minutes for the appliance to cool before storing it on a shelf or in a cabinet. Safely wrap the cord around the device only after the appliance has completely cooled.

#5. Placing items on top of the microwave

The habit of storing items on top of the microwave can have serious consequences. If exhaust vents are blocked or the airflow is impeded, the unit can overheat and possibly catch fire. Re-arrange the counter or cabinets to accommodate the items previously stored on top of the microwave. The increased safety is worth the extra effort.

By putting off a few bad habits, the home can be much safer and less likely to suffer a fire, smoke, and water damage disaster. If the worst scenario happens, contact the property damage professionals at SERVPRO of Ennis/Red Oak.

To learn more about water damage restoration services in Emhouse, TX, call SERVPRO of Ennis/Red Oak at (972) 937-1494. The damage restoration company can also be contacted by email at acarey@SERVPRO10932.com.

Cleaning Up After a Fire

3/11/2022 (Permalink)

Crew of Workers Unloading Equipment

When smoke damage strikes your home or office after the chaos and immediate worry is over you may be asking each other, how to clean up the mess? Maybe even talk and make plans to clean up the mess yourselves. After all, it will keep costs down and you can get it done in your time frame.

It is completely within your rights to decide who helps with your loss or to do the work yourselves. But we at SERVPRO® of Tigard/Tualatin are trained in the latest techniques and with the best cleaning agents to cut through soot and smoke in your property.

We work alongside you and your insurance company to quickly get you back in your home or office restoring your property to preloss condition and making it “Like it never even happened.”

If fire damage should occur in your home or office, from an electrical fire or a grease fire on the stove, we are here 24/7, 365 to help you. Call us at 503-684-5829.

Restore or replace

3/11/2022 (Permalink)

Content Vaults Filled with Personal Belongings

When disaster strikes your home and takes its toll on your flooring, walls, and furniture you may be stuck wondering if you are able to restore what has been damaged or if it will be replaced or maybe even what is the difference really.

Restore: To return something or someone to a former condition, place or position.

Replace: To fill the role of someone or something with a substitute.

During the claim process we will work alongside you and your insurance claims adjuster to figure out:

What can be restored?
What would you like restored or replaced if the value is comparable?
What needs to be replaced?

We work to answer these questions item by item, room by room with you all while inventorying your possessions. I thorough and correct inventory list will be crucial in getting your home back to preloss condition.

If a property disaster should strike your home or office, make sure to call the team with 27+ years of experience, SERVPRO® of Tigard/Tualatin.

Cleaning Up After a Fire

3/11/2022 (Permalink)

Crew of Workers Unloading Equipment

When smoke damage strikes your home or office after the chaos and immediate worry is over you may be asking each other, how to clean up the mess? Maybe even talk and make plans to clean up the mess yourselves. After all, it will keep costs down and you can get it done in your time frame.

It is completely within your rights to decide who helps with your loss or to do the work yourselves. But we at SERVPRO® of Tigard/Tualatin are trained in the latest techniques and with the best cleaning agents to cut through soot and smoke in your property.

We work alongside you and your insurance company to quickly get you back in your home or office restoring your property to preloss condition and making it “Like it never even happened.”

If fire damage should occur in your home or office, from an electrical fire or a grease fire on the stove, we are here 24/7, 365 to help you. Call us at 503-684-5829.

Restore or replace

3/11/2022 (Permalink)

Content Vaults Filled with Personal Belongings

When disaster strikes your home and takes its toll on your flooring, walls, and furniture you may be stuck wondering if you are able to restore what has been damaged or if it will be replaced or maybe even what is the difference really.

Restore: To return something or someone to a former condition, place or position.

Replace: To fill the role of someone or something with a substitute.

During the claim process we will work alongside you and your insurance claims adjuster to figure out:

What can be restored?
What would you like restored or replaced if the value is comparable?
What needs to be replaced?

We work to answer these questions item by item, room by room with you all while inventorying your possessions. I thorough and correct inventory list will be crucial in getting your home back to preloss condition.

If a property disaster should strike your home or office, make sure to call the team with 27+ years of experience, SERVPRO® of Tigard/Tualatin.

Saving money and your home

2/23/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Employee and Equipment

Heating and energy costs can really add up and affect your monthly budget. To save a few dollars and unneeded energy you can set thermostats at 68° when you are home and at night and when you are not going to be home for most of the day you can turn it down farther to 65-66° for additional savings.

Energy costs and monthly bills can be a daunting part of our lives, but by making small changes you can save yourself some green while being greener for our planet at the same time.

When customers have had water losses, one of the first things we do is add equipment, this is great for drying out building materials and contents. But not so great for your energy bill. We encourage customers to look at their past years' bill for the same time period and submit those to the insurance carrier for reimbursement. If water or fire damage should affect your home or office make sure to call the team with 27+ years of experience in the community, SERVPRO of Tigard/Tualatin.

Saving money and your home

2/23/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Employee and Equipment

Heating and energy costs can really add up and affect your monthly budget. To save a few dollars and unneeded energy you can set thermostats at 68° when you are home and at night and when you are not going to be home for most of the day you can turn it down farther to 65-66° for additional savings.

Energy costs and monthly bills can be a daunting part of our lives, but by making small changes you can save yourself some green while being greener for our planet at the same time.

When customers have had water losses, one of the first things we do is add equipment, this is great for drying out building materials and contents. But not so great for your energy bill. We encourage customers to look at their past years' bill for the same time period and submit those to the insurance carrier for reimbursement. If water or fire damage should affect your home or office make sure to call the team with 27+ years of experience in the community, SERVPRO of Tigard/Tualatin.

Understanding Fire Damage

2/8/2022 (Permalink)

Fire Damage in a Kitchen

STOP! If you have fire or smoke damage in your property right now, call us at 503-SERVPRO RIGHT NOW. Don’t wait to mitigate - the longer damage sits unattended, the more likely it will develop secondary damage. Call us at 503-SERVPRO now.

Here at SERVPRO of Tigard/Tualatin/Lake Oswego/West Linn and Beaverton, our thoughts are with Australia as they work to contain the bushfires sweeping their country. We understand the devastation of wildfires, having traveled to California in recent years to assist families and businesses recover from them. We also understand the devastation and the struggle of trying to build your life back up after your home or business sustains fire damage.

Preparedness advocacy is a large part of what we do here at SERVPRO, and in light of the recent coverage of the fires in Australia, we wanted to share crucial information to remember if your home or business ever experiences a fire.

Fire is FAST! In less than 30 seconds a small flame can turn into a major fire. It only takes minutes for thick black smoke to fill a house or for it to be engulfed in flames.
Fire is HOT! Heat is more threatening than flames. Room Temperatures in a fire can be 100 degrees at floor level and rise to 600 degrees at eye level. Inhaling this super-hot air will scorch your lungs and melt clothes to your skin.
Fire is DARK! Fire starts brights, but quickly produces black smoke and complete darkness.
Fire is DANGEROUS! Smoke and toxic gases kill more people than flames do. Fire produces poisonous gases that make you disoriented and drowsy. Asphyxiation is the leading cause of fire deaths, exceeding burns by a three-to-one ratio.

Understanding Fire Damage

2/8/2022 (Permalink)

Fire Damage in a Kitchen

STOP! If you have fire or smoke damage in your property right now, call us at 503-SERVPRO RIGHT NOW. Don’t wait to mitigate - the longer damage sits unattended, the more likely it will develop secondary damage. Call us at 503-SERVPRO now.

Here at SERVPRO of Tigard/Tualatin/Lake Oswego/West Linn and Beaverton, our thoughts are with Australia as they work to contain the bushfires sweeping their country. We understand the devastation of wildfires, having traveled to California in recent years to assist families and businesses recover from them. We also understand the devastation and the struggle of trying to build your life back up after your home or business sustains fire damage.

Preparedness advocacy is a large part of what we do here at SERVPRO, and in light of the recent coverage of the fires in Australia, we wanted to share crucial information to remember if your home or business ever experiences a fire.

Fire is FAST! In less than 30 seconds a small flame can turn into a major fire. It only takes minutes for thick black smoke to fill a house or for it to be engulfed in flames.
Fire is HOT! Heat is more threatening than flames. Room Temperatures in a fire can be 100 degrees at floor level and rise to 600 degrees at eye level. Inhaling this super-hot air will scorch your lungs and melt clothes to your skin.
Fire is DARK! Fire starts brights, but quickly produces black smoke and complete darkness.
Fire is DANGEROUS! Smoke and toxic gases kill more people than flames do. Fire produces poisonous gases that make you disoriented and drowsy. Asphyxiation is the leading cause of fire deaths, exceeding burns by a three-to-one ratio.

Saving on heat expenses

12/6/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Water Mitigation Equipment

Heating and energy costs can really add up and affect your monthly budget. To save a few dollars and unneeded energy you can set thermostats at 68° when you are home and at night and when you are not going to be home for most of the day you can turn it down farther to 65-66° for additional savings.

Energy costs and monthly bills can be a daunting part of our lives, but by making small changes you can save yourself some green while being greener for our planet at the same time.

When customers have had water losses, one of the first things we do is add equipment, this is great for drying out building materials and contents. But not so great for your energy bill. We encourage customers to look at their past years' bill for the same time period and submit those to the insurance carrier for reimbursement. If water or fire damage should affect your home or office make sure to call the team with 27+ years of experience in the community, SERVPRO of Tigard/Tualatin.

Saving on heat expenses

12/6/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Water Mitigation Equipment

Heating and energy costs can really add up and affect your monthly budget. To save a few dollars and unneeded energy you can set thermostats at 68° when you are home and at night and when you are not going to be home for most of the day you can turn it down farther to 65-66° for additional savings.

Energy costs and monthly bills can be a daunting part of our lives, but by making small changes you can save yourself some green while being greener for our planet at the same time.

When customers have had water losses, one of the first things we do is add equipment, this is great for drying out building materials and contents. But not so great for your energy bill. We encourage customers to look at their past years' bill for the same time period and submit those to the insurance carrier for reimbursement. If water or fire damage should affect your home or office make sure to call the team with 27+ years of experience in the community, SERVPRO of Tigard/Tualatin.

Fire Damage, what to do?

11/22/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO team

When disaster strikes your home and takes its toll on your flooring, walls, and furniture you may be stuck wondering if you are able to restore what has been damaged or if it will be replaced or maybe even what is the difference really.

Restore: To return something or someone to a former condition, place or position.

Replace: To fill the role of someone or something with a substitute.

During the claim process we will work alongside you and your insurance claims adjuster to figure out:

What can be restored?
What would you like restored or replaced if the value is comparable?
What needs to be replaced?

We work to answer these questions item by item, room by room with you all while inventorying your possessions. I thorough and correct inventory list will be crucial in getting your home back to preloss condition.

If a property disaster should strike your home or office, make sure to call the team with 27+ years of experience, SERVPRO® of Tigard/Tualatin.

Fire Damage, what to do?

11/22/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO team

When disaster strikes your home and takes its toll on your flooring, walls, and furniture you may be stuck wondering if you are able to restore what has been damaged or if it will be replaced or maybe even what is the difference really.

Restore: To return something or someone to a former condition, place or position.

Replace: To fill the role of someone or something with a substitute.

During the claim process we will work alongside you and your insurance claims adjuster to figure out:

What can be restored?
What would you like restored or replaced if the value is comparable?
What needs to be replaced?

We work to answer these questions item by item, room by room with you all while inventorying your possessions. I thorough and correct inventory list will be crucial in getting your home back to preloss condition.

If a property disaster should strike your home or office, make sure to call the team with 27+ years of experience, SERVPRO® of Tigard/Tualatin.

Kitchen Fire Safety

3/10/2021 (Permalink)

Kitchen Fire

A favorite activity of many residents in Tigard and Tualatin, cooking lets us show off our skill and our personalities. It also brings friends and family together, teaches our children a vital but fundamental skill, and promotes our health.

Tigard and Tualatin part-time chefs can protect their kitchens from fire damage by exercising caution when frying foods. Oils can quickly ignite, creating instantaneous flames that can spread quickly. If this happens, turn off the stove's burners as quickly as possible. Using water in attempts to extinguish such fires rarely ends well. Instead, cover the pot to suffocate the flames, or toss several boxes of baking soda on a blazing skillet, which can extinguish the fire, if you act quickly enough.

However, it takes a tremendous amount of baking soda to accomplish this feat. The mistaken use of baking powder, or worse, flour, can create even more problems, as these ignite when exposed to too much heat. Smoking heavily, oil gives off a warning sign when becoming too hot, so reducing the temperature can effectively prevent a grease fire.

Even if a kitchen fire blazes for only a short time and efforts to extinguish it succeed, the smoke can ruin your kitchen. However, the technicians at SERVPRO combine extensive experience with intensive training, so your home always receives the protection it deserves. We can clean your kitchen and adjacent areas in your home, so it sparkles once again. Making homes feel clean and bright again, so homeowners feel “Like it never even happened,” makes our work fulfilling and highly worthwhile.

At times, structural damage to the home occurs because of a fire that raged out of control and spread, but we are always ready for such disasters. Cleaning these situations up to restoring your home through repairs or replacements makes it safe once again to enjoy cooking and providing others with delicious food from your kitchen. Removing the sooty deposits means no malodorous remnants remain to ruin the taste of your food, either.

SERVPRO of Tigard/Tualatin can be contacted at our local number, (503) 684-5829, any day of the year, and at any hour. We care about those in our community and helping ensure that each family can engage in their daily activities without interruption remains one of our goals.

Cleaning Up After a Fire

3/10/2021 (Permalink)

House Fire

When smoke damage strikes your home or office after the chaos and immediate worry is over you may be asking each other, how to clean up the mess? Maybe even talk and make plans to clean up the mess yourselves. After all, it will keep costs down and you can get it done in your time frame.

It is completely within your rights to decide who helps with your loss or to do the work yourselves. But we at SERVPRO® of Tigard/Tualatin are trained in the latest techniques and with the best cleaning agents to cut through soot and smoke in your property.

We work alongside you and your insurance company to quickly get you back in your home or office restoring your property to preloss condition and making it “Like it never even happened.”

If fire damage should occur in your home or office, from an electrical fire or a grease fire on the stove, we are here 24/7, 365 to help you. Call us at 503-684-5829.

Kitchen Fire Safety

3/10/2021 (Permalink)

Kitchen Fire

A favorite activity of many residents in Tigard and Tualatin, cooking lets us show off our skill and our personalities. It also brings friends and family together, teaches our children a vital but fundamental skill, and promotes our health.

Tigard and Tualatin part-time chefs can protect their kitchens from fire damage by exercising caution when frying foods. Oils can quickly ignite, creating instantaneous flames that can spread quickly. If this happens, turn off the stove's burners as quickly as possible. Using water in attempts to extinguish such fires rarely ends well. Instead, cover the pot to suffocate the flames, or toss several boxes of baking soda on a blazing skillet, which can extinguish the fire, if you act quickly enough.

However, it takes a tremendous amount of baking soda to accomplish this feat. The mistaken use of baking powder, or worse, flour, can create even more problems, as these ignite when exposed to too much heat. Smoking heavily, oil gives off a warning sign when becoming too hot, so reducing the temperature can effectively prevent a grease fire.

Even if a kitchen fire blazes for only a short time and efforts to extinguish it succeed, the smoke can ruin your kitchen. However, the technicians at SERVPRO combine extensive experience with intensive training, so your home always receives the protection it deserves. We can clean your kitchen and adjacent areas in your home, so it sparkles once again. Making homes feel clean and bright again, so homeowners feel “Like it never even happened,” makes our work fulfilling and highly worthwhile.

At times, structural damage to the home occurs because of a fire that raged out of control and spread, but we are always ready for such disasters. Cleaning these situations up to restoring your home through repairs or replacements makes it safe once again to enjoy cooking and providing others with delicious food from your kitchen. Removing the sooty deposits means no malodorous remnants remain to ruin the taste of your food, either.

SERVPRO of Tigard/Tualatin can be contacted at our local number, (503) 684-5829, any day of the year, and at any hour. We care about those in our community and helping ensure that each family can engage in their daily activities without interruption remains one of our goals.

Cleaning Up After a Fire

3/10/2021 (Permalink)

House Fire

When smoke damage strikes your home or office after the chaos and immediate worry is over you may be asking each other, how to clean up the mess? Maybe even talk and make plans to clean up the mess yourselves. After all, it will keep costs down and you can get it done in your time frame.

It is completely within your rights to decide who helps with your loss or to do the work yourselves. But we at SERVPRO® of Tigard/Tualatin are trained in the latest techniques and with the best cleaning agents to cut through soot and smoke in your property.

We work alongside you and your insurance company to quickly get you back in your home or office restoring your property to preloss condition and making it “Like it never even happened.”

If fire damage should occur in your home or office, from an electrical fire or a grease fire on the stove, we are here 24/7, 365 to help you. Call us at 503-684-5829.

What to do after a house fire

2/26/2021 (Permalink)

Fire Damage

A house fire can be one of the most devastating events to occur in the life of a homeowner. In an attempt to save money, insurance companies will actively look for ways to penny-pinch fire insurance claims. It is likely you have lost a tremendous amount of personal belongings and have suffered a substantial amount of mental anguish. You don’t need an insurance company giving you grief about your claim. Here are a few tips that you can proactively implement in the event of a fire loss.

Review your policy

You may have replacement coverage for you home, but it may only be for “actual cash value” for your lost personal items. Upon contacting your insurance company, the agent should be able to tell you about this and may suggest purchasing an endorsement to ensure that your personal belongs will, in fact be covered under a replacement policy.

Secure Your Property

Most homeowner’s coverage policies require the insured to make reasonable efforts to minimize secondary damage to their property. Without getting overly complicated, this is what is known as your duty to mitigate damages. These are usually simple items such as covering exposed areas with plastic or shutting off the water main in the event of a burst pipe. It is likely that you will be reimbursed for any expense incurred when you start your claim.

Immediately File Your Claim.

All homeowner policies require that you report the damage as soon as possible. Your first step is to submit a “proof of loss” claim to your agent. This document will consist of an itemized list your losses and the value of each item. The longer you put off this step, the longer it will take your insurance company to send an adjuster to address your claim.

Record Your Living Expenses

All homeowner’s policies contain a “loss of use” clause which entitles the insured to be reimbursed for additional living expenses incurred while their home is uninhabitable. Be mindful that these expenses only include additional living expenses, meaning the difference between your normal expenses and what it is costing your while you are kept from your home. An example of this would be If your families normal food budget is $600, but due to your circumstance, your family spends $750 in a week by going out to eat, you can claim that additional $150.

Fire damage remediation is a long process, and navigating your insurance can prove to be difficult without the correct knowledge. Regardless of if you have experienced a small kitchen fire or a complete burn down, you will need an experienced restoration company to help assess the damage. SERVPRO is ready when fire strikes, 24/7. Our team of highly trained, IIRC certified professionals see this every day. Let us be your partner in the road to recovery. Call us today. (503) 684-5829. We are always here to help.

What to do after a house fire

2/26/2021 (Permalink)

Fire Damage

A house fire can be one of the most devastating events to occur in the life of a homeowner. In an attempt to save money, insurance companies will actively look for ways to penny-pinch fire insurance claims. It is likely you have lost a tremendous amount of personal belongings and have suffered a substantial amount of mental anguish. You don’t need an insurance company giving you grief about your claim. Here are a few tips that you can proactively implement in the event of a fire loss.

Review your policy

You may have replacement coverage for you home, but it may only be for “actual cash value” for your lost personal items. Upon contacting your insurance company, the agent should be able to tell you about this and may suggest purchasing an endorsement to ensure that your personal belongs will, in fact be covered under a replacement policy.

Secure Your Property

Most homeowner’s coverage policies require the insured to make reasonable efforts to minimize secondary damage to their property. Without getting overly complicated, this is what is known as your duty to mitigate damages. These are usually simple items such as covering exposed areas with plastic or shutting off the water main in the event of a burst pipe. It is likely that you will be reimbursed for any expense incurred when you start your claim.

Immediately File Your Claim.

All homeowner policies require that you report the damage as soon as possible. Your first step is to submit a “proof of loss” claim to your agent. This document will consist of an itemized list your losses and the value of each item. The longer you put off this step, the longer it will take your insurance company to send an adjuster to address your claim.

Record Your Living Expenses

All homeowner’s policies contain a “loss of use” clause which entitles the insured to be reimbursed for additional living expenses incurred while their home is uninhabitable. Be mindful that these expenses only include additional living expenses, meaning the difference between your normal expenses and what it is costing your while you are kept from your home. An example of this would be If your families normal food budget is $600, but due to your circumstance, your family spends $750 in a week by going out to eat, you can claim that additional $150.

Fire damage remediation is a long process, and navigating your insurance can prove to be difficult without the correct knowledge. Regardless of if you have experienced a small kitchen fire or a complete burn down, you will need an experienced restoration company to help assess the damage. SERVPRO is ready when fire strikes, 24/7. Our team of highly trained, IIRC certified professionals see this every day. Let us be your partner in the road to recovery. Call us today. (503) 684-5829. We are always here to help.

Combustion Fire Theory

2/4/2021 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of Tigard/Tualatin/Lake Oswego/West Linn and Beaverton we are experts at Fire Restoration. We work closely with local fire agencies and independent fire investigators when we are the restoration contractor after a fire event. Each fire event is different but they all have one thing in common - fire theory.

Understanding fire theory can be a valuable addition to operating knowledge of any property owner. Understanding fire can help you understand how you can prepare and what to expect. Let’s review some basics of fire theory:

Combustion is burning. Combustion takes place when a material is burning - if we can see a material is burning then we can also say it is combusting. Combustion occurs when a solid turns into a gas by means of heat and is a more technical term. As combustion takes place, the burning material is actually breaking down and combining with oxygen while heat is given off.

This you may be familiar with - we’ve discussed it before in our blogs: for fire combustion to occur three conditions must be present, fuel (the material that is able to burn), oxygen, and heat. If all three of those conditions are in perfect balance, in theory there should be no residue after combustion.

However, have any of us witnessed a fire without residue left behind? Most would answer no. Incomplete combustion produces smoke and soot residues, and most, if not all, fires produce smoke and soot.

If you experience fire, smoke, or soot damage in your property, you can trust the restoration professionals who handle fire damage every day. SERVPRO of Tigard/Tualatin/Lake Oswego/West Linn and Beaverton is here to guide you through the recovery process.

Combustion Fire Theory

2/4/2021 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of Tigard/Tualatin/Lake Oswego/West Linn and Beaverton we are experts at Fire Restoration. We work closely with local fire agencies and independent fire investigators when we are the restoration contractor after a fire event. Each fire event is different but they all have one thing in common - fire theory.

Understanding fire theory can be a valuable addition to operating knowledge of any property owner. Understanding fire can help you understand how you can prepare and what to expect. Let’s review some basics of fire theory:

Combustion is burning. Combustion takes place when a material is burning - if we can see a material is burning then we can also say it is combusting. Combustion occurs when a solid turns into a gas by means of heat and is a more technical term. As combustion takes place, the burning material is actually breaking down and combining with oxygen while heat is given off.

This you may be familiar with - we’ve discussed it before in our blogs: for fire combustion to occur three conditions must be present, fuel (the material that is able to burn), oxygen, and heat. If all three of those conditions are in perfect balance, in theory there should be no residue after combustion.

However, have any of us witnessed a fire without residue left behind? Most would answer no. Incomplete combustion produces smoke and soot residues, and most, if not all, fires produce smoke and soot.

If you experience fire, smoke, or soot damage in your property, you can trust the restoration professionals who handle fire damage every day. SERVPRO of Tigard/Tualatin/Lake Oswego/West Linn and Beaverton is here to guide you through the recovery process.

Fireplace Safety Tips to Keep the Fireplace a Safe Place and Avoid Fire Damage and Other Hazards

1/3/2021 (Permalink)

Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Ennis/Red Oak, a damage restoration company, shares fireplace safety tips for local homeowners.

SERVPRO of Ennis/Red Oak is the best choice for fire damage restoration in the local area. When a fire disaster strikes, life is disrupted and filled with anxiety and stress. The team of property damage restoration specialists strives to serve the community by reducing the turmoil in the aftermath of a disaster. Ennis and Red Oak residents can count on the caring professionals at SERVPRO of Ennis/Red Oak to quickly restore homes that have suffered fire damage, water damage, or smoke damage.

Fireplace Safety Tips

The luxurious warmth of glowing flames and a steaming cup of rich hot cocoa create a cozy winter ambiance that extends well beyond the holidays. Every winter, homeowners in Ennis, Red Oak, and the surrounding area rely upon their fireplaces, gas logs, and woodburning stoves for supplemental heating for their homes and other living and working spaces. Yet, there exists a risk of accidental fire from flaming embers, creosote residue, and temperatures that rise at times above 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. To greatly reduce the risk of accidental fire, follow the fireplace safety tips listed below.

Tip #1: Have a certified, professional chimney sweep inspect and clean the chimney annually.

If the fireplace or wood-burning stove has not been used in a while, a chimney inspection to determine creosote levels, assess structural integrity, and remove any blockages from debris ensures the safety and health of the home and family.

Creosote buildup can ignite under high temperatures and when exposed to burning embers. Damage to the chimney can prevent proper airflow and allow hot embers and dangerous smoke and soot to blow back into the home. Animal nests can not only restrict airflow but they can also ignite and potentially cause serious fire damage. Homeowners who rely heavily upon their fireplace or wood stove to heat their homes should consider having an additional inspection and chimney cleaning after burning three chords of wood.

Tip #2: Practice safe fire building techniques.

Before starting a fire, fully open the fireplace damper. Restricted airflow can cause smoke, toxic soot, and carbon monoxide to flow into the home and create serious health effects. Also, be careful when choosing the type of wood to burn in the fireplace or woodstove. Use seasoned hardwoods, which burn more efficiently and produce less smoke and creosote.

Tip #3: Keep the fireplace and nearby area clean and safe.

Debris and clutter, such as extra firewood, newspaper, and kindling, are combustible and should be stored far away from the fireplace. An unnoticed burning ember can light on cured wood, dry newspaper, or kindling and ignite the flammable material.

Keeping fireplace ash to a minimum will increase airflow through the chimney, which will cause the wood to burn more efficiently. Clean out the fireplace frequently. Make sure the fire is completely out and there are no lingering embers. Dispose of the ash properly. Never put the ash in a garbage can just in case there are some remaining hot embers. Avoid allowing ash to accumulate more than one inch in the fireplace.

Use a fireplace screen to prevent hot embers, sparks, and ash from popping out of the fireplace and onto the floor or carpeting and causing a fire. Aerosol cans, stain remover, nail polish, alcohol, and other flammable liquids should be safely stored away from the heat of the fireplace. The dangerous, flammable fumes from these products can ignite, causing a flash fire.

Tip #4: Reduce the risk of a roof fire.

Have a certified chimney solutions provider install a chimney cap with a spark arrestor. This application not only helps prevent roof fires but also reduces the risk of wildfires.

Tip #5: Childproof the fireplace.

To prevent fire-related injuries, children should always be supervised when the fireplace or wood stove is in use. The fireplace glass door should be kept closed. If young children are in the home, install a hearth gate around the fireplace. Teach children proper fireplace safety from the earliest age. Children should know that fires are very hot and can cause serious burns or death. Teaching children to maintain a safe distance from the wood stove or fireplace can prevent serious burns and save their lives.

Tip #6: Never leave a fireplace, wood stove, or gas logs unattended.

Fire safety experts warn that homeowners should never leave a burning fireplace unattended. If the fire is not properly supervised, a chimney fire can flare up and spread very quickly. Before going to bed or leaving the house, the homeowner should make sure that the fire has been completely extinguished. Keep the damper partially open until the fire is totally extinguished and absolutely safe.

Tip #7: Install a smoke detector and a carbon monoxide detector on each level of the home.

Test and replace batteries at least twice a year. New Year’s Day (January 1st) and Independence Day (July 4th) are great days to practice this home fire safety action. It can take less than two minutes for a small fire to get out of control. Keep a fire extinguisher in one or more accessible locations. In case of a fire, stay calm. Focus on getting everyone out of the home and a safe distance away. Call 9-1-1.

SERVPRO of Ennis/Red Oak has been serving the community since 2000. Centrally located in Ellis County, the property damage response team can reach any destination in the area in under thirty minutes. The staff receives continuous, rigorous training in property damage cleanup and restoration.

For more information about fire damage restoration in Ennis, TX, contact the SERVPRO of Ennis/Red Oak office by phone at (972) 937-1494 or by email at acarey@SERVPRO10932.com.

Home fire recovery resources for Tigard/Tualatin residents

12/14/2020 (Permalink)

If you’ve experienced a traumatic fire event at your home, the road to recovery can be confusing to navigate. Here at SERVPRO of Tigard/Tualatin/Lake Oswego/West Linn and Beaverton, we’re always checking in with our customers to see what support we can offer, especially in the days right after the fire occurs.

According to The Red Cross, people who experience a fire event may be:

Feeling physically and mentally drained
Having difficulty making decisions or staying focused on topics
Feeling frustration more quickly and more often
Arguing more with family and friends
Feeling tired, sad, numb, lonely, or worried
Experiencing changes in appetite or sleep patterns

The Red Cross has a variety of resources to help individuals recovering from disasters. Here are some tips they recommend for the recovery process:

First, take care of your safety. Find a safe place to stay and make sure your physical health needs and those of your family are addressed.

Eat healthy. During times of stress it is important that you maintain a balanced diet and drink plenty of water.

Get some rest. With so much to do, it may be difficult to have enough time to rest or get adequate sleep. Giving your body and mind a break can boost your ability to cope with the stress you may be experiencing.

Stay connected with family and friends. Giving and getting support is one of the most important things you can do.

Be patient with yourself and with those around you. Recognize that everyone is stressed and may need some time to put their feelings and thoughts in order.

Set priorities. Tackle tasks in small steps.

Gather information about assistance and resources that will help you and your family members meet your disaster-related needs.

Stay positive. Remind yourself of how you’ve successfully gotten through difficult times in the past. Reach out when you need support, and help others when they need it.

Lastly, we recommend checking in with a PR liaison. If you haven’t been in touch with our SERVPRO Priority Response Team, please know that we are here to help you navigate the recovery process. Our PR team members have worked with a variety of people recovering from traumatic fire events, and we can help you figure out some next steps.

SERVPRO of Tigard/Tualatin/Lake Oswego/West Linn and Beaverton knows how intimidating the first steps of recovery can be after a home fire - we are here to help. Call us any day, any time at 503-684-5829. If you’d like to reach out to our Priority Response Team, you can call the PR manager, Race Schwarzbach, at 971-334-0189.

Source: The Red Cross.

Home fire recovery resources for Tigard/Tualatin residents

12/14/2020 (Permalink)

If you’ve experienced a traumatic fire event at your home, the road to recovery can be confusing to navigate. Here at SERVPRO of Tigard/Tualatin/Lake Oswego/West Linn and Beaverton, we’re always checking in with our customers to see what support we can offer, especially in the days right after the fire occurs.

According to The Red Cross, people who experience a fire event may be:

Feeling physically and mentally drained
Having difficulty making decisions or staying focused on topics
Feeling frustration more quickly and more often
Arguing more with family and friends
Feeling tired, sad, numb, lonely, or worried
Experiencing changes in appetite or sleep patterns

The Red Cross has a variety of resources to help individuals recovering from disasters. Here are some tips they recommend for the recovery process:

First, take care of your safety. Find a safe place to stay and make sure your physical health needs and those of your family are addressed.

Eat healthy. During times of stress it is important that you maintain a balanced diet and drink plenty of water.

Get some rest. With so much to do, it may be difficult to have enough time to rest or get adequate sleep. Giving your body and mind a break can boost your ability to cope with the stress you may be experiencing.

Stay connected with family and friends. Giving and getting support is one of the most important things you can do.

Be patient with yourself and with those around you. Recognize that everyone is stressed and may need some time to put their feelings and thoughts in order.

Set priorities. Tackle tasks in small steps.

Gather information about assistance and resources that will help you and your family members meet your disaster-related needs.

Stay positive. Remind yourself of how you’ve successfully gotten through difficult times in the past. Reach out when you need support, and help others when they need it.

Lastly, we recommend checking in with a PR liaison. If you haven’t been in touch with our SERVPRO Priority Response Team, please know that we are here to help you navigate the recovery process. Our PR team members have worked with a variety of people recovering from traumatic fire events, and we can help you figure out some next steps.

SERVPRO of Tigard/Tualatin/Lake Oswego/West Linn and Beaverton knows how intimidating the first steps of recovery can be after a home fire - we are here to help. Call us any day, any time at 503-684-5829. If you’d like to reach out to our Priority Response Team, you can call the PR manager, Race Schwarzbach, at 971-334-0189.

Source: The Red Cross.

On-site safety during fire restoration

11/24/2020 (Permalink)

For every fire restoration professional, understanding the nature of fire is crucial to performing quality restoration work. Fire Restoration Technicians at SERVPRO of Tigard/Tualatin/Lake Oswego/West Linn and Beaverton go through an IICRC approved training program to learn the effects of fire before working with fire damaged contents or materials.

The first step in their fire restoration training is safety, both precautions and preparations. Here is an insight into the safety knowledge our technicians use every day in the field.

On a fire restoration work site – or any restoration work site – safety is the responsibility of everyone present. Technicians at SERVPRO train regularly and work as a team to identify hazards and set up engineering controls that protect workers and occupants.

Before any work can be done or any damaged materials can be disturbed, it’s important that restoration professionals coordinate lead and asbestos testing to see if abatement is needed on the property.

Smoke, soot, and char damage to the structure or materials within can sometimes require strong restoration chemicals that, if not stored or used properly, can be hazardous to humans. This is why restoration professionals take care to secure, label, and organize our cleaning chemicals at the warehouse as well as during transit and onsite.

When working with these chemicals, it’s important that restoration technicians are informed about what they are made of and the instructions for use. This knowledge comes from training and experience, but restorers are also able to verify information about chemical makeup, safety instructions, and more from data sheets kept on file and in vehicles, labels on the products themselves, and through regular training.

If occupants are chemically-sensitive, it’s advised that they be absent while chemical cleaning and restoration work is being performed.

Safety is our number one priority at SERVPRO of Tigard/Tualatin/Lake Oswego/West Linn and Beaverton. If you ever experience fire, smoke or soot damage in your home or business, you can trust SERVPRO to handle the restoration with care. Call us 24/7 at 503-684-5829.