Recent Fire Damage Posts
Burgers and Hot Dogs Hot Off the Safe Grill | SERVPRO of Tri-County
5/1/2024 (Permalink)
Have you had a barbeque gone wrong? Call SERVPRO of Tri-County to get your space back in shape.
Is there a better season than summer? Especially here in Georgia, where greenery grows lush and gardens are full of beautiful colors. Even if you aren’t a fan of the high humidity that comes with a summer in Toccoa, you likely still get outside every once in a while to fire up the grill.
Grilling is a great way to feed the family without heating up the house, but when it isn’t done safely it can result in a terrible disaster. Improper use of a grill is one of the leading causes of house fires, particularly during the summer season. SERVPRO of Tri-County wants to ensure that you can eat all the burgers you want without worrying about fire.
The SetupIn order to grill safely all season long, the first thing you need to do is pick the appropriate place to set up. Grills should be in an exterior, open space only. That means even when we have a rainy week in Canon, you still shouldn’t try and cook in the garage. Place your grill somewhere that is free of overhangs and low-hanging tree limbs.
You should also locate a spot that is at least 10 feet away from any structures. Create a solid radius around the grill so that sparks can’t catch anything on fire, and make sure you animals and children understand this is a zone they are not allowed in to prevent accidents.
If you are using a charcoal grill, clean it before every use. Remove ash and any other buildup, and examine the grill for holes or other signs of wear. Propane and any other kind of gas grills should also get a full inspection before use. Check to ensure connections are tight and there are no holes in the gas lines. Even a tiny hole can result in disaster.
Manning the FlamesOnce you have your setup ready, take the time to get your supplies ready. Keep a squirt bottle within reach to take care of flames when they get too high, and hook up your hose or store a fire extinguisher close enough to grab in a hurry in case of an emergency.
Even after the food is cooked, stay by the grill to get everything turned off and start the cooling process. Turn off the gas supply, and cut off the burners. Close vents in order to smother out flames by cutting off the oxygen supply.
The sooner you can remove ash or leftover charcoal from the grill, the better. Leftover fuel supplies can catch fire very easily, so take it out and dispose of them in a metal container. Check the grill before you head to bed and make sure it has cooled down plenty.
Summers here are incredible, and you should be able to enjoy every moment of them free of worries. Grill safely this summer, and keep SERVPRO of Tri-County’s phone number handy. We are available 24⁄7 to start restoration quickly if things do get out of hand.
Don’t let fire damage linger in your home. Call us at SERVPRO of Tri-County for a fast restoration.
The Basics for Safe Outdoor Fires | SERVPRO of Tri-County
5/1/2024 (Permalink)
Bonfire season is upon us! SERVPRO of Tri-County has your back with these helpful fire safety tips.
You might not have noticed much of a difference, but fall is rapidly approaching. There will be a cool breeze in the air and pumpkins decorating everything before we know it. While the break in the heat and humidity is always a very welcome change, there are a lot of other wonderful things about the fall season.
Many of us love spending more time outside this time of year, including evenings around the fire pit. Gathering our loved ones for sticky marshmallows and the chance to share stories can be pure magic, especially when you take the time to keep everything safe.
SERVPRO® is always here for you when a disaster strikes and leaves your property with damages, but we also want to make sure you know how to prevent a fire from ever starting in the first place.
Tips for Starting the FireIn order to keep things safe from the start, consider these things you should do:
Do find a spot that will be safe for creating your blaze. Choose somewhere that has no low hanging branches, loose debris or nearby structures.
Do keep water for emergency use at arms’ reach. A bucket full of water can put out a flame that gets into the wrong place before it causes extensive damage. Dirt and sand can also help smother embers that might accidentally fly out as well.
Do check the weather. A little bit of wind can spell disaster when it comes to outdoor fires. Look for wind advisories and change your plans if things are predicted to get breezy. Check on any potential burn bans for the area as well, and make sure you are keeping up with any changes in regulations.
Tips for While the Fire Is HotKeeping things safe during the fire is pretty easy as well when you keep a few things you don’t want to do in mind:
Don’t burn anything other than treated wood. Using fuel accelerants of any kind can result in a dangerous situation, as can tossing trash onto the fire.
Don’t allow playing around the fire. Create a zone for the kids and your pets to stay out of, and set up any yard games a safe distance away.
Don’t create a massive bonfire, no matter how many friends are cheering you on. Keep it small so that you can stamp out any rogue flame quickly.
Don’t leave the fire until it is completely out. Put water on the fire when you are done for the night, and keep a close eye on it until there are no red embers. Glowing embers can flame at any moment.
Wildfire PreventionHaving a safe fire is incredibly important. Keep in mind that most wildfires could have been prevented. Do what you can to prevent even the possibility of things getting out of control by keeping things small, having water nearby and never walking away.
If you do ever have a fire on your property, SERVPRO is ready to take care of the damage fast. Call us and we will be there to put things back together so you can continue to enjoy this season and every other one.
Fire can cause a lot of damage in a short amount of time. Contact us day or night for immediate assistance.
Threats to Your Home | SERVPRO of Tri-County
5/1/2024 (Permalink)
If you discover damage in your residence, call SERVPRO of Tri-County right away.
There are many threats to your home on a regular basis—extreme weather, fires, aging or even a neighborhood football game with one bad throw that ends up in your living room instead of the end zone.
Even with a multitude of ways our homes could be damaged, we can’t spend our days worrying about them. Instead, we can prepare for them and rest easy knowing that even the most unpredicted natural disaster won’t be able to keep us down for long.
In order to prepare for them, we must first come to understand all the threats to our homes. The more understanding we gain, the more we will also understand how simple the restoration process can be, especially with the SERVPRO of Tri-County team right around the corner.
The Biggest RisksHave you heard the saying “if you don’t like the weather, wait 10 minutes”? We are pretty sure that it was written about Georgia! The temperatures can swing wildly, strong thunderstorms are possible year-round, and tornado season keeps getting longer and longer. We can also experience some hard freezes periodically that leave our pipes vulnerable to freezing.
Even with the number of threats the weather can bring us throughout the year, there are three main kinds of damage everyone should focus on. Water, fire and roof damage are the top threats to houses everywhere.
All three of those kinds of damage can come from a number of sources. Water damage could start from a flash flood, or it could be the result of an appliance failure. Your roof could experience a leak during a torrential downpour, or it could gain a hole when a limb you didn’t know was weak comes falling down. Fire can come from external sources like wildfires, but more often, fires start inside from human error.
Compounding DamagesDealing with a disaster is incredibly difficult, but when you start to take a look at the compounding damage that is left behind, it can be easy to get quickly overwhelmed. No matter what the disaster was, one kind of damage almost always leads to another.
Flooding will soak everything in its path completely through, but it will also create the perfect environment for mold to grow and spread all the way to your foundation. Fire not only burns everything the flames touch, it also spreads soot and smoke damage throughout your home. The firefighting efforts can cause damage as well, as the water or chemicals used leave your belongings stained and wet.
If your home was damaged, it doesn’t really matter how the disaster started. Any kind of disaster will require a multi-step recovery process. With training in fire, wind, mold, water and construction, SERVPRO® is ready to handle everything.
When a flood happens, our first step will be to start drying everything that got wet. Our crew will make sure everything is structurally sound, and we can replace roof beams or parts of your foundation. During the recovery process, we will also sanitize your home, removing any odors and sealing out the possibility of mold regrowing.
After a fire, we will tackle your recovery in much the same way, starting with the most damaged places and removing anything burned while we secure your home. Our professionals will also address water damage left behind by firefighting as needed, and we will make sure smoke, soot and odors are all gone. If part of your home was burned beyond repair, we can tear it down and rebuild it.
SERVPRO works directly with your insurance company and coordinates with any other necessary contractors. It’s our goal to make the process smooth and easy—and with our availability, tools and experience, we are always ready to do just that.
Does your home need restoration and you don’t want to make more than one call? Contact us to get everything handled by one team.
A Fire-Safe, Jolly Holiday Season | SERVPRO of Tri-County
5/1/2024 (Permalink)
Fire damage in your home? Not for long with SERVPRO of Tri-County on the case!
It’s the season we all wait for, the holiday season! Whatever holidays you celebrate this time of year, there is bound to be food involved. If you are the personal chef for all your family and friends, make sure you cook safely to prevent a disaster.
The number of house fires increases every year during the holidays, with a large number of them starting in the kitchen. That makes it vital to cook with as many safety measures in place as possible.
Reducing Flammable Materials in the KitchenWhen you head into the kitchen to get the meal started, take a few extra prep steps in order to protect your home. A lot of fires start because there are flammable items too close to heat sources.
Pay attention to where you are tossing towels and pot holders while you cook, and make sure to keep them away from the stove. It only takes a pop of hot grease to get a flame going. Wooden utensils are another item you should use with caution in the kitchen in order to prevent fires.
Think about what you are wearing when you head into the kitchen as well. Things with strings, flowing fabric or dangling material are all a fire hazard. Save the fun holiday sweaters for after the cooking, and keep yourself safe while you prepare the meal.
Keep a Close Eye on FoodThe best rule of thumb for staying safe when you cook is to stay close the entire time. Whether you are grilling, baking or frying, flames that start small can grow very quickly. If you are not in the room, your entire kitchen could catch fire before you ever make it back into the room.
If deep-frying a turkey is part of your plans, make sure you handle the process with extra safety. Put the fryer on a level surface, don’t overfill the oil and make sure the kiddos know to stay away.
Your turkey needs to be completely thawed before you get it near the oil. Even a turkey that is only half frozen can cause the oil to pop, and a frozen turkey can cause an explosion.
Install Protective MeasuresWe know that we can’t stop every fire, but when we take extra precautions, we can greatly cut down the risks. Make sure your home has plenty of safety measures, including smoke detectors on every level of your home and in or near your kitchen. Check the batteries in your detectors regularly, but make it a point to check the batteries in the detector near your kitchen before you start cooking the holiday meal.
You should also have a small fire extinguisher near your kitchen as well. Make sure a few people in your home know how to use it so that quick action can be taken when something does happen. Keep lids in arms reach as well in order to quickly smother any grease fires that pop up.
Make your holiday season a safe one. If you do end up with some fire damage, call us. We can respond to your property fast and handle your restoration. It’s our goal to get your home put back together so that you can get back to your celebrations before the holidays are over.
House fires can happen in the blink of an eye. Contact us for a quick restoration day or night!
Things to Consider About Disaster Recovery at Your Business | SERVPRO® Tri-County
11/9/2020 (Permalink)
SERVPRO Tri-County is near you when any disaster occurs. Get in touch with us to learn more.
There are a lot of decisions that business owners have to make throughout their daily operations, but it is important think about the future, too—especially when it comes to devastating events that are out of your control. Many businesses that face disasters do not recover from their impact, but those who plan ahead tend to fair better in the aftermath.
The safety of your staff is of the utmost importance in the event of a disaster, so you should always first consider your evacuation and emergency procedures in your planning. Once you are confident this is complete, it is time to begin thinking through recovery measures that can help you get your doors reopened quickly.
Planning Out Your Disaster Recovery as a Business Owner
File an insurance claim and begin restoration. There is plenty of variety in commercial insurance coverage, so contacting your insurance company is the only way to know for certain what you will be eligible to claim. After you do this, making sure you contact your restoration company quickly so they can begin getting a response crew together to handle your damage.
Give customers the chance to show their support. It is impossible to know what type of operation you will be able to maintain after a disaster, but regardless of what you choose to do, letting customers know what your plan is will be key for getting their support. You may be doing takeout only, closed temporarily or operating on shortened hours—using social media to announce these changes will ensure that customers can support you when they are able.
Make use of the financial assistance that is offered. Even if you can claim your damages with your insurance provider, there can be many costs that are not covered such as loss of income and excess damages. The disaster loan program through the Small Business Administration is designed to help with this, so see if you qualify for funding options through them to help cover some of these extra expenses.
If your business has been damaged due to a disaster, we’re here to help. Contact us at any hour to report your damage or to learn more about our commercial restoration services.
A little soot goes a long way
8/28/2020 (Permalink)
Call your friendly neighborhood SERVPRO professional for a quick, FREE and thorough fire damage consultation.
Modern smoke and fire alarms are great life saving devices that alert us to this threat. Homes and businesses should all be equipped with fire alerts, extinguishing and escape equipment.
Our local volunteer firefighters are the last line of defense. These amazing neighbors of ours respond at any time day or night to quickly extinguish the flames.
Because of these valuable tools and people, the incidents of total fire loss have declined over the years in proportion to the number of structure fires.
However, a small fire can still be a huge problem.
As the fire burns, it discharges soot in the smoke and vapor column that it produces. Soot is the residue of the ignited material that wasn’t converted into heat or vapor.
That sooty residue amplifies the qualities of the material burned.
Natural materials that God made like wood tend to burn more completely. It produces grey ash that is “cleaner”. The soot residue is more powdery and generally is more easily removed.
Man-made materials such as plastic, rubber and artificial fibers generally include varying amounts of petroleum bases. Those materials will burn more slowly and are less consumed.
The resulting soot is oily, greasy and smears when touched. This type of soot is much harder to remove.
Special products, tools, and supplies are required to properly clean and remove this soot.
Should you experience the trauma of a fire at your home, try to refrain from cleaning. Improper methods can actually “set” the soot and staining in surfaces.
Call your friendly neighborhood SERVPRO professional for a quick, FREE and thorough fire damage consultation. We can assist with determining what can be cleaned, what methods to use and what results to expect.
Call today!
Dirt is no respecter of churches
8/28/2020 (Permalink)
Your Hometown Professionals at SERVPRO of Tri-County are ready to help wash away those sins!
Every commercial facility needs to be in top condition to welcome the public. Churches are no exception to that rule.
Churches are a focal point of our lives here in Northeast Georgia. So many of us attend and participate in the life our local fellowship.
And with life, comes some messes! Our church carpets are the first to feel those messes.
Who does love dinner on the grounds? We all do! But some of that dinner always ends up on the ground! The delicious food and drinks are a delight, but every event seems to leave its mark on our floors.
Of course, the kids must be released into the wild or they will explode. And they are going to bring that soil and dirt from the outside to the inside.
The men will eventually schedule a workday or a barbeque. That is going to punish the floors and carpet more than anything else. Talk about the unwashed masses….
But our favorite place of Worship doesn’t have to suffer in silence.
Your Hometown Professionals at SERVPRO of Tri-County are ready to help wash away those sins!
Our trained and certified technicians can evaluate and consult with your facility director to provide the best solution of our 5 top grade cleaning methods to restore your carpets and floors to a heavenly state.
Call today for a free on-site evaluation!
Why a grease fire can be a real stinker
8/26/2020 (Permalink)
Anyone familiar with the kitchen knows the potential for grease fires and the odors left behind. SERVPRO is "Here to Help"
It was just a small grease fire that never got off the kitchen stove. But the odor was overpowering thru ought the entire home.
Even if the fire itself did little or no damage, its the smoke and vapors that could create a lasting problem.
When food items are cooked long enough, the proteins can be released into the escaping smoke and vapor. This creates a sticky film that can get on all surfaces.
This situation is referred to as a “Protein Damage”
The laws of physics can increase the challenge of a small fire. Science teaches that hot air rises and that temperatures will equalize in a confined space.
As any fire burns, it will put off smoke, vapor and gases. All of which will be driven upwards and outwards from the fire itself. That hot air can also carry an amazing amount of protein film with it.
The damaging smoke can travel and will eventually fill the structure completely until finally escaping thru leaks around doors, windows or the attic.
That hot air will continue to move away from the fire source seeking to equalize with the cooler air. Of course, it will carry the smoke, gases and soot with it.
As the hot air cools and loses it’s energy, it will begin to drop those vapors and soot on surfaces
Protein soot can be nearly invisible but very sticky. It can be very difficult to remove and all surfaces must be addressed including the underside and insides of furnishings and other contents.
Professionally restoring a home requires source removal of all soot, grease and other films on all surfaces as a first step. Deodorization of the air space including unseen cracks and crevices must be done as well. Finally, all fabrics including carpets, upholstery and drapery must be thoroughly cleaned.
The professionals at your hometown SERVPRO of Tri-County can assist with restoring your home or business with total cleaning and restoration. Call today for a free consultation and quote. throughout the structure.
Why a small fire is still a big problem
8/26/2020 (Permalink)
Even small fires can cause BIG problems, SERVPRO is "Here to Help"
It was just a small grease fire that never got off the kitchen stove. Or maybe the space heater was too close to the trashcan and set some papers on fire but quickly went out.
Even if the fire itself did little or no damage, its the smoke and vapors that could create a lasting problem.
We all know from grade school science that hot air rises and that temperatures will equalize in a confined space. Both of those laws of physics can increase the challenge of a small fire.
As any fire burns, it will put off smoke, vapor and gases. All of which will be driven upwards and outwards from the fire itself. That hot air can also carry an amazing amount of soot with it.
The damaging smoke can travel and will eventually fill the structure completely until finally escaping thru leaks around doors, windows or the attic.
As the areas closest the fire heat up, smoke and vapor can be driven into cracks and crevices. It the temperature of the ceilings and wall increase to a certain point, the pores of those surfaces can expand allowing the smoke to penetrate directly.
That hot air will continue to move away from the fire source seeking to equalize with the cooler air. Of course, it will carry the smoke, gases and soot with it.
As the air loses it’s energy, it will begin to drop those vapors and soot on surfaces throughout the structure.
Now the soot, odor and vapor residue has been spread throughout the building including places that can’t be accessed by hand.
Professionally restoring a home or business after damage can be quite involved even when the fire itself was small.
A source removal of all soot, grease and other films on all surfaces must be completed as a first step. Deodorization of the air space including unseen cracks and crevices must be done as well. Finally, all fabrics including carpets, upholstery and drapery must be thoroughly cleaned.
The professionals at your hometown SERVPRO of Tri-County can assist with restoring your home or business with total cleaning and restoration. Call today for a free consultation and quote.
Historic Hart County Church Fire
8/26/2020 (Permalink)
Sardis Baptist Church has a beautiful campus just north of Hartwell near the dam.
SERVPRO of Tri-County recently completed a fire and smoke damage cleanup for Sardis Baptist Church in Hart County just north of Hartwell, Georgia. The campus overlooks beautiful Lake Hartwell near the Big Oaks State Park.
This church family has been serving the local community since the late 1800s. Members and visitors hail from neighboring Elbert, Franklin, and Anderson counties as well. The historic church is in its fifth sanctuary building.
Just a few days before Christmas, a candle reignited after evening service. Thankfully, a family camping nearby at Watsadler State Park had stopped in the church parking lot.They noticed the flickering fire through the stained-glass window and called 911.
Volunteer firefighters from Hart County Station 1 and the Bio Volunteer Fire station responded quickly and saved the sanctuary from total loss.
While structural damage was contained to the one window and adjoining wall, smoke and odor had heavily impacted the entire sanctuary. SERVPRO of Tri-County was chosen to remove the soot and odor.
Church sanctuaries present unique challenges when cleaning and restoring. 25 foot high ceilings, recessed light, speakers, projectors and chandeliers were difficult to access. Additionally, over 100 pews had to be detached, cleaned, deodorized, and reset. Every wall and surface had to be cleaned and deodorized by hand.
The entire project took several weeks but in February, the congregation was able to return to its normal schedule of worship and its mission to serve the community.
Northeast Georgia Smoke and Soot Cleanup
5/13/2016 (Permalink)
Smoke and Soot Damage Can Cause a Pervasive Odor in Your Northeast Georgia Home.
Smoke and soot is 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 from 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 Tri-County will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during 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 temperatures, 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 – 706-245-7109
24/7 Emergency Service