Content Cleaning and Fire Damage

10/2/2022 (Permalink)

Fire damage in property

Content Cleaning and Fire Damage

The smell of smoke and soot are a reminder of a terrible fire, but they're also signs that your contents need special attention. Whether you've just had a small kitchen fire or your home was damaged by flames, you'll want to take action right away to clean your belongings. The company will take an inventory of the items that need cleaning and what needs to be replaced or disposed of completely. Content cleaning removes dust, dirt, soot, and smoke remnants from your belongings. Items that can't be cleaned with water are taken off-site for ultrasonic content cleaning at specialized facilities where they can be exposed to high-pressure water jets under controlled conditions that prevent damage caused by normal washing machines (or other methods).

Smoke and Soot Damage Quickly

Smoke damage and soot damage happen almost instantly to your clothing, upholstery, and other belongings. The smoke from a fire can permeate into the fabric of your items, leaving behind an oily residue that can be difficult to remove. Soap and water are options for cleaning clothes and fabrics that have been exposed to smoke or soot. 

However, soap has a tendency to leave a white residue on darker-colored fabrics such as blue jeans. To avoid this issue you may want to consider using an additional cleaner like OxyClean™ liquid laundry booster in conjunction with water when cleaning clothes that have been affected by smoke or fire damage.

So what exactly is soot? Soot is produced by incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels (such as candles or cigarettes). As the air passes over burning material it begins collecting tiny particles from the burning substance which creates black streaks on walls, ceilings, and other surfaces around where there is heat being generated from these sources--this includes areas directly above where flames are present!

Technicians Can Help

Once the technician has taken an inventory of your belongings, he or she will be able to give you an estimate of how long it will take to clean and/or repair your property. The technician will also advise you on what needs to be replaced or disposed of completely.

What is Content Cleaning?

Content cleaning is a process that uses water and detergents to clean the contents of your home. The cleaning process involves washing away soot, smoke remnants, and other debris from furniture, carpeting, and clothing. Content cleaning may be performed by professional cleaners or you can do it yourself with the proper equipment.

In order to make sure that your belongings are properly cleaned after a fire, you should hire a reputable company such as SERVPRO of Grosse Point. We provide content cleaning services for residential properties as well as commercial properties throughout Grosse Point. It is important that we use our own equipment because it ensures consistency in our operations while providing peace of mind to homeowners who are concerned about the potential damage caused by poorly maintained equipment used by other companies.

Offsite Cleaning

Some items go offsite for even more specialized cleaning:

• Ultrasonic cleaning is a gentler process than dry cleaning.
• It uses high-frequency sound waves to remove dirt, stains, and odors from non-porous items; items that are nonporous include clothes, leather, plastics, and rubber.

Treat Immediately

If you’re not cleaning your items right away, they can become breeding grounds for mold, mildew, and dust mites— tiny bugs that feed on skin cells and shed body parts (deerskin cells). The longer these insects have access to un-cleaned fabrics and carpets, the more likely it is that they will infest those surfaces with their eggs.

In the event of a fire, it's important to take action as quickly as possible. You can choose to have your clothes cleaned in-house or sent out for specialized content cleaning.

Content cleaning is a specialized service and involves removing the smoke odor from all of your belongings, whether they're made of fabric or not. It's best to find out what kind of damage has been done to your property before making any decisions about how much time has passed since the fire and whether it will be safe enough to handle yourself. If there are still hot spots on carpets or floorboards, then it might not be advisable for you to try doing this yourself unless you have protective equipment available (e.g., gloves).

If you're looking for a company to help with content cleaning after a fire, then contact us today! We have experienced technicians who can provide both onsite and off-site services.

3 Tips for Protecting Your Business From Winter Storm Damage

8/10/2022 (Permalink)

Protect Your Business Before Bad Weather Arrives

When cold weather descends on Harper Woods, MI, it can affect your business in a variety of ways. A winter storm can bring heavy snowfall, freezing rain and single-digit temperatures that might cause power outages, frozen water pipes and other issues that might damage your building. However, there are a few steps you can take before bad weather arrives that may help you protect your business.

1. Back Up Your Data To the Cloud

Cold weather can cause your building’s pipes to freeze. When this happens, the expanding water inside them may result in a pipe break and flooding. This can be especially common in basements, where the overall temperature is cooler to begin with. Stored files can be ruined by this type of flooding, so it is a good idea to transform paper records to electronic ones that can be stored on the cloud. This can also make searching for certain blocks of data more efficient when you need to access them.

2. Have an Employee Storm Plan in Place

Prepare a contingency plan with your employees and discuss it in detail so they know how to react in case of a winter storm. Include how they will be contacted in case of a closure, whether they can telecommute in case roads shut down and how to close the building down if the weather forces a shutdown in the middle of the day. Keeping everyone on the same page can prevent confusion and ensure the safety of your employees.

3. Have a Restoration Company on Retainer

Trying to find a storm damage and restoration company after your building has been partially destroyed by winter weather can be frustrating and cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars in lost operating hours. To prevent this, sign on with a company before the cold weather comes. Then, if the worst should happen, you can start the recovery process with one phone call.

The fallout from a winter storm in Harper Woods, MI, can be severe and harm your business. However, when you prepare for such an event, you may be able to act with more confidence and protect your investment.

Three Suggestions to Help Avoid a Building Fire

7/24/2022 (Permalink)

Avoid a Building Fire

A fire at a commercial building in Grosse Pointe Park, MI may wreak havoc on a business. In addition to structural damage caused by a fire, a blaze at an office could make it impossible to work in the building for an extended period. In order to avoid business interruption, it may be wise to practice fire safety and do everything possible to avoid a business fire from starting in the first place. Here are three simple suggestions to help avoid a building fire.

1. Use Caution Around Flames
It is critical to practice caution around open flames. For example, if decorative and scented candles are utilized at an office, it may be beneficial to request that employees use extreme caution around them and to not leave candles unattended. If workers smoke cigarettes, designating a smoking area outside and away from the building that contains receptacles for the safe disposal of cigarettes may be helpful. Any and all flames could pose a risk for a business fire, and it is important for individuals in the office to be very careful.

2. Regularly Inspect Electrical Systems
While a fire could be caused by an open flame, electrical issues could also cause a fire. It may be helpful for a business owner to schedule regular inspections and maintenance of the electrical system in the office to avoid a fire and subsequent business interruption. Additionally, small electronic devices – such as personal heaters for instance – may pose a threat if the device or its wires are damaged. Ensuring that all electrical systems and electrical items in the office are working properly is vital.

3. Install Fire Sprinklers and Place Extinguishers Throughout the Office
Installing overhead fire sprinklers in a building may be one of the most important ways to help extinguish a fire. Placing fire extinguishers throughout the office and showing employees where the extinguishers are located can also help to stop a blaze from spreading in the event of an emergency.
Professionals who specialize in fire cleaning and fire restoration can help if a fire does occur. However, if fire safety is practiced regularly, avoiding a business fire and business interruption may be possible.

4 Fire Prevention Tips for Businesses

5/21/2022 (Permalink)

Fire Prevention Plan

Considering that there are more than 75,000 commercial fires a year, according to OSHA statistics, is your Grosse Pointe, MI, business protected? Although it may not be possible to ensure a fire never breaks out, having a fire prevention plan in place may help minimize the loss and time it takes for a professional fire damage restoration to restore the business. Below are four tips to reduce the risk.

1. Determine the Risk
Since every business is different, each business will have different risk factors. Conduct a thorough inspection of the property to determine what may incite a fire. This may include inspecting equipment and appliances to ensure proper airflow and checking that outlets aren’t overloaded with extension cords.

2. Maintain Business Fire Equipment
Smoke detectors, fire sprinklers, alarms and extinguishers are essential tools for detecting and putting out small fires. A business can only count on this vital equipment to work if it is properly maintained. It is recommended to add fire safety equipment to routine maintenance.

3. Develop an Evacuation Plan
A key component of fire prevention is having an evacuation plan. The faster that people are able to get out of the building the better. Along with ensuring that exit areas are clearly marked, key roles should be defined to help ensure a smooth exit.

4. Communicate the Plan
As perfect as the plan may be, everyone on-site needs to have a clear understanding of it. This should include how the evacuation process will work, how they will be notified of a fire and who is in charge of the evacuation. Conducting regular fire drills is an easy and efficient way to ensure that everyone understands what to do during an emergency.
Although a fire may not be completely avoided, the above fire prevention tips may help minimize the risk and ensure that everyone is on the same page if an incident happens.

Common Indoor Molds and How to Tell Them Apart

3/31/2022 (Permalink)

Mold spores may be everywhere, but that doesn’t mean you want them growing in your Detroit, MI, business. Along with black mold, this fungus comes in an array of colors and textures, as well as toxicity levels. Before diving into mold cleanup, it is good to have some knowledge on the common types of mold and what they look like.

Common Molds

While there are more than 100,000 types of mold, including edible mushrooms, not all of them are able to thrive indoors. Below are four of the most common molds that may be lurking in your building.

Alternaria: It is often olive green or brown and gray. This velvety fungus finds its way in from the outdoors. There are more than 40 species of this variety.

Aspergillus: Although it may come in different colors, it is often black with white or yellow underneath. Its long spores make it easy to form thick layers on surfaces.

Cladosporium: Able to grow in warm and cool conditions, it is velvety and typically green or brown. It often starts as small spots that come together to create large patches.

Stachybotrys: Frequently called black mold, this greenish-black variety has a slimy texture and thrives on paper, dust and lint. It often makes an appearance after a flood or when humidity levels are very high.

Call the Experts

When you first see mold, it's best to call in a mold remediation and restoration company to properly remove the problem. Along with having the right tools, they will have extensive knowledge of the different types of molds and how to remove them. Unfortunately, mold is often detected via smell rather than sight. When that happens, an indoor environmental professional can conduct a test to determine the type and extent of the hidden problem.
While black mold may be the most talked about, many varieties can flourish indoors. Regardless of the type, quickly addressing the problem is important.

What Every Business Owner Should Know About Black Water Flooding

2/28/2022 (Permalink)

Flooding is a potential risk for business owners everywhere. If your commercial property in Grosse Pointe Park, MI, is affected by flood water, you should be aware that this water could be very dangerous. Luckily, an emergency restoration specialist can determine what type of water you’re dealing with and make an action plan to safely clean and restore your property.

How Is Water From a Flood Classified?

Water from a flood is classified into three categories, based on its source and contents.

• Category One is “clean” and does not pose a health risk.
  
• Category Two is “gray” and contains some contaminants.
  
• Category Three is “black” and is heavily contaminated.
  
  

Water classified as black presents a high risk of hazard to both humans and animals. Because of the possibility of illness or death, any contact with this water should be avoided.

What Is Black Water?

This category of water likely contains human or animal waste, along with other harmful components, such as bacteria, viruses, mold and fungi. The floodwater can come from sewage backup, overflowing toilets or storms.

Levels of Black Water Damage:

Water from flooding that has been categorized as black can be further classified into sub-levels. This designation assists professionals in deciding on the best course of action for sanitation and restoration.

• Level I damage is limited. The water originates inside the building and usually only affects a small space. Porous materials are not contaminated, and there is no structural penetration.

• Level II damage signifies greater contamination in a larger space. While still originating inside the building, porous materials are affected, and the structure should be closely inspected.

• Level III damage presents the highest degree of contamination. This water originates outside the building and can come from sewage lines, septic tanks or storm damage.

Flood water can cause tremendous damage to your property, along with safety risks. When water is present in your building, avoid any contact, and wait for the professionals to assess the situation and manage the sanitation and restoration process.