Recent Fire Damage Posts
Why Fire Damage is the Worst Damage
1/16/2024 (Permalink)
Fires typically start in the kitchen, but most fire damage can be restored if the fire is put out in time, and a restoration company is called.
As a leader in disaster restoration, SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston and Dorchester County understands that there are levels of damage in all scenarios that go from bad to worst. With commercial and residential property there are many different types of disaster that can occur, from storm related leaks, to appliance failure caused flooding, from mold and mildew, to biohazards caused by sewer backups, you name it, we can mitigate it. But there is one disaster that reigns over all of them when it comes to property damage, and that is fire damage. Why is fire damage so bad?
Simply put, fire damage is the worst kind of damage a property can undergo because fire can render materials completely unusable to the point of being destroyed and needing replacement. And where there is fire, there is smoke, soot and water. So on top of the damage directly caused by the fire to the contents and materials of the property, there is the added damage caused by the water used to put out the fire and the smoke that permeates throughout the home, getting into all porous and non-porous materials. Fire departments have one mission when they respond to a fire, and it’s not necessarily to save the property on fire, it typically to save the neighborhood around the property on fire. And the fire department will save the neighborhood any way they can, and that usually means dumping as much water as possible, and as necessary, into the property to put out the fire.
But not all is lost. Even the most heavily damaged property, due to fire, can be restored. It’s not a fast or easy process, but there is hope when you work with a professional restoration company who are certified to handle fire and soot damage. The sooner you bring in the experts the better. Minutes matter when it comes to restoration of damaged and wet materials. Many materials can be cleaned of soot, and many can also be dried out from water and moisture. But time is of the essence, and it’s critical that mitigation starts as soon as possible. It can depend on the length of a fire investigation, and the release of the site after insurance adjusters have determined cause and coverage, but once that process is complete, you will want the mitigation and restoration work to begin.
You cannot easily plan for a disaster, but you can be better prepared. Beyond taking important measures to assure your property is safeguarded from potential fire hazards you can also work with us here at SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston & Dorchester County on an Emergency Ready Profile. Creating a profile with us provides an important plan on appropriate steps to take in case of any disaster, but it also puts you directly in connection with a disaster restoration company, that can be dispatched out to you with the push of a button using our app-based Emergency Ready Profile. Consider our complimentary Emergency Ready Profile today, it can work for both commercial and residential properties.
Fire damage is the worst, but it doesn’t have to be the conclusion. A property can be restored if a fire has been contained enough to salvage enough of the property to make it whole again. If your property has been damaged by fire and you would like us to provide an assessment for restoration, call us today at 843.552.1226. We are the experts on fire damage, and we can help you determine what needs to be replaced, and what can be restored. But minutes matter, so call us now, not later.
Smoke and Soot Remediation Can Protect Your Health
1/10/2023 (Permalink)
Soot particles are microscopic in size, and even smaller than a particle of dust. This can pose problems for public health when breathed in.
One of the most difficult situations for people is dealing with the aftermath of a fire. No matter the size, a fire inside your property, whether it’s a home or a business, can be traumatic and pose dangers to health sometimes unseen. Here at SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston & Dorchester County we have highly trained technicians who understand the significance of smoke and soot in your property and why it is so important to remediate the problem right away.
Smoke, and specifically soot, can pose a lot of harm to public health. The main issue is caused by the microscopic size of the soot particles. Soot is a byproduct of burning fossil fuels and chemicals, which can come in a wide variety when you consider what may burn inside a home or business, it’s not just wood burning, there can also be harmful chemicals from plastics and other building materials. Those particles can penetrate deep into the lung tissue and have been known to cause a variety of health issues including asthma, bronchitis, heart attacks, stroke, and even can cause cancer or premature death. It’s safe to say you do not want to breathing in soot particles at all.
Soot is released into the environment in a number of ways. Soot can come as a liquid, solid or a gas. Most soot is released into the air in small particles or liquid droplets, landing on everything and also staying within the air. If you can smell it, it’s in the air. Our technicians work quickly to clean and wipe down all surfaces to help remediate the damage from smoke and soot. We also set up equipment that helps scrub the air of the tiny soot particles. It is very important to clean even what you cannot see, because those particles can cause the biggest problems when they are breathed into our lungs.
We are the experts on fire restoration and we understand the process to assuring your property is cleaned and remediated correctly. When it comes to smoke and soot you want to be sure you don’t have an issue that will persist if it isn’t handled professionally the first time, preventing health issues is the number one reason you want to restore your property after a fire.
If your property has been damaged by fire, smoke or soot, please call us right away for an assessment at 843-552-1226. At SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston & Dorchester County we are ready to handle any disaster!
A Fire Disaster is One Mistake Away
10/26/2022 (Permalink)
Every fireplace should be inspected and cleaned before using. Always have a professional service your chimney once a year before the winter season.
Winter is coming! So are the fires…
Here in the Lowcountry of South Carolina it’s not typical to use a fireplace. It is typically reserved for the very coldest part of the year, which is a pretty brief period between January and February. With such infrequent use of fireplaces, it becomes even more important to consider fireplace safety. Here at SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston & Dorchester County we have seen our share of home’s ravaged by fire and smoke due to improper use of a fireplace. With the winter season approaching we thought it was important to share some key tips with our community.
First off, before you even use your fireplace ask yourself a question, when was the last time you had it inspected? It’s exciting to think about the holidays and sitting by a roaring fire around New Years and all the warm and toasty feelings it creates but forgetting to take this critical step could risk lives, and your home. Have your fireplace inspected by a professional, and licensed, chimney sweep company. It’s so important to have a professional clean your chimney and check it for leaks or damage to the components that make up your chimney, like the flue, heat shield and top.
Here are some more important tips:
- Keep a clearance zone of a few feet. Items NOT allowed in this zone would include any items made of paper like books and magazines; fabrics, including drapes and blankets; and wood.
- Always use a safety screen made of metal or glass. This prevents flames or burning embers from escaping the fireplace, and keeps flammable items from getting in.
- For electric fireplaces always use a grounded heavy duty power cable with the proper gauge and wattage rating.
- For wood burning fireplaces, always use dry wood. Freshly cut wood has high levels of moisture which means more smoke and the potential for deposits collecting inside the chimney.
- Keep a metal container handy for removing hot embers and ashes, and always store it outside at a safe distance away from the home.
- NEVER use gasoline, kerosene or lighter fluid to start your fire. Only use newspaper or dry kindling.
- Keep your chimney clean, look for soot or creosote buildup regularly.
Everyone should get to enjoy an evening around the ambience of a fireplace, just always make sure you take the necessary precautions to enjoy it without the risks of starting a fire. And even if you don’t have a fireplace and prefer to stand around a fire pit outside, take the same level of precaution and follow local guidelines and laws. There’s no reason why you can’t enjoy a nice winter season using your fireplace and fire pit without causing a fire. Stay safe out there!
Fire Solutions – Step One, Securing the Scene
8/2/2022 (Permalink)
A home with fire damage to the roof and exterior requires tarping and a board-up to secure the property and location.
One of the ways we provide assistance to our local fire departments and first responders is being able to provide them with immediate help with services like Board-ups to secure a scene where fire or an accident has occurred. Here at SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston and Dorchester County we pride ourselves on our ability to provide relief and support during the immediate aftermath of a house or business fire.
Fire is one of the worst disasters that can befall a homeowner or business owner. It destroys everything it touches and requires a lot of water at times to put it out. Which means you are left with a sometimes burnt out and sopping wet environment that you have to figure out what to do with. The first thing we do is help secure the scene from intrusion or further damage.
Board-ups are a service that we provide to fire and police departments, and to the community in general, as it shores up the devastation that might have been caused by the fire. Where you may no longer have windows or doors, or even walls or ceiling, we provide either plywood or tarps to cover and secure the spaces from intrusion by people, animals or weather. It can take some time for insurance companies or the fire or police departments to conclude their investigations before any restoration and construction work can begin. Board-ups provide temporary security until our teams can come in and start putting things back together.
We can also have fencing provided and put up around a location for extreme cases where people need to be kept away for their own safety, and the security of the scene. Standalone chain link fence is an option for situations where you may have a community to keep safe from a building that may be at risk of collapse or poses direct danger to anyone venturing close to it.
It’s a good idea to keep our number handy for moments like these when disaster strikes and you need the location secured before the restoration process can begin. Call us today to inquire more about the services provided for fire damage and securing a scene – 843.552.1226
Fire Culprits – Preventing Lithium Battery Fires
5/18/2022 (Permalink)
Lithium battery fires can start in Lap Tops to Radio Controlled Cars. Always follow the manufacturer's directions for proper battery use and care.
There are many different culprits that can cause fires. We have seen all sorts of devastation caused by fire in our community from North Charleston to Summerville, South Carolina. This blog series focuses on the varying ways that fires start, and the things we can do to help prevent them. Today we will talk about fires that are caused by lithium batteries.
It’s not a common occurrence but rechargeable lithium batteries can be very volatile and dangerous, especially if steps are missed in the care and maintenance of these battery types. First off, where do we see these types of batteries being used? Well typically, you would find Lithium Polymer (LiPo) and Lithium Ion batteries in hobby products like Radio Controlled Vehicles and Drones, but we also find these battery types in other common electronics, like cellphones, laptops, and wireless speakers. These batteries store a large amount of energy in a small amount of space.
These batteries also have the propensity for overheating and sometimes explosion under certain conditions or improper recharging. You always want to make sure you are handling these batteries and electronics with great care when recharging and storing. The first thing you want to do is make sure you always follow all directions, instructions and warnings that come with the purchase of your electronic device that contains a Lithium battery.
When recharging larger batteries with higher energy capacity like we see with Radio Control and drone hobbies you want to purchase a Lithium Fire Safety Bag or Case. This is a special bag meant to store your batteries during charging and storage to assure that overheating and explosions are contained.
When charging phones and other electronic devices, never keep them under your pillow, on your bed or couch, most fires will begin that way when electronics begin to overheat with a bad battery or poor connection on the charging port. Always make sure your charging cables are in good shape, no frays or exposed wires, and when plugging them into the device make sure the connection is plugged in all the way.
If you fear that something is wrong with the battery never discard of it in the trash. Stop using it right away, contact the proper authorities for disposal instructions or for immediate response if you suspect a risk of fire. If possible, it is important to safely remove the battery from the vicinity of other flammable materials.
Our team here at SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston and Dorchester County has been there to help put back the pieces after fires have destroyed property and belongings for some of our neighbors here in the Lowcountry. But we also want to help prevent these disasters for our community as well. We hope some of these tips, provided by the NFPA, will help you protect your family and home.
Fires Often Start in the Kitchen
4/14/2022 (Permalink)
Fires often start on the stovetop.
So many fires start in the kitchen... on the stovetop to be specific.
Being prepared for the worst case scenario will allow you to find the best solutions when disasters like those caused by a stovetop fire strike.
One tip is to always keep an extinguisher in the kitchen, but keep it in a place that's NOT above or near the stovetop and oven. Make sure its functioning properly and up-to-date with the assistance of your local fire department. In case of a fire never put your life in danger, always call 911 and exit the property as quickly and safely as possible.
Another great way to be prepared is to call or message us today about Emergency Ready Plans, it is a great tool to minimize down time getting your life and business back on track after a fire.
For more information on our fire services go here.
New Year...Time to Inventory!
1/28/2022 (Permalink)
Water. Fire. Mold. "Like it never even happened."
A current Home Inventory can save you thousands in lost contents!
Our technicians specialize in the restoration of contents damaged by fire, water, or mold. Their expertise can help you save money on your loss. Having a complete inventory of the contents of your home BEFORE a water or fire damage can make certain that all items lost in the fire or flood are included in your insurance claim.
How to create a home inventory
- Group your possessions into logical categories, i.e., by hobby, by room in your home, etc.
- Your list should include not just essentials, but all types of belongings. For example: jewelry and art, as well as everyday leisure items such as televisions and guitars.
- Don't forget items you use rarely such as holiday decorations, sports equipment, tools, contents stored in the attic or garage, etc.
- Pull together copies of original sales receipts and/or appraisal documents. Also note model and serial numbers and put in a safe place.
- Carefully photograph or videotape each item and document a brief description, including age, purchase price and estimated current value.
- Store your home inventory and related documents in a safe, easily accessible place online, on your computer or in a fire-proof box or safe deposit box. Consider sharing a copy your insurance provider as well.
- Once you have completed your home inventory and stored it safely, set a reminder to update the inventory and photos annually.
These are all suggestions and the detail you want to include is up to you. In the event of a fire, water, or mold damage to your home, ALL contents that are not salvageable should be covered by your insurance claim. Right down to the spices in your kitchen cabinet. So whether you go through the whole process of creating a cataloged inventory, or just take pictures of the contents in each room a few times a year, we highly recommend you have a current home inventory. Just in case.
We are here and always ready to help if you suffer a damage to your home. Our teams are trained, professional, and treat each and every home as if it were our own.
Ready. 24/7 (843) 552-1226
Signs That You Need A Fire Restoration Company
1/11/2022 (Permalink)
Always ready to take care of your fire restoration needs!
What is Fire Damage Restoration, and When Do You Need It?
Fire damage restoration involves the process of repairing and restoring your property, residential or commercial, after the damage caused by fire or smoke. Fire restoration may content cleaning asbestos and lead abatement, property board up, eradicating soot, smoke odors, and debris removal, demolition, and reconstruction.
The best option for addressing a fire damage situation is by immediately calling a professional fire damage restoration company, like SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston. Delayed restoration after even small fire damage might lead to many issues, including decay of your property and structural issues. You might also face other problems such as mold growth, water damage, and even theft.
Sometimes a fire may not seem to have caused enough damage to involve a professional team or your insurance company. Here are some common signs that you should get a restoration company involved.
- Dirty or Stained Walls: One of the easiest ways to trace fire damages is through checking ceilings and walls where the fire originated. You should immediately address the matter if you notice your walls have black or gray stains days after the fire. A fire damage restoration contractor will be able to conduct a quality fire cleanup service that will also enable you to avoid replacing the material in some situations.
- Cloudy Air: If you still see cloudiness even after turning on your fans and opening your windows call a professional to conduct a fire damage cleanup. Breathing this kind of air can be very dangerous to your health.
- Persistent Smoke Smell Smoke: odor in their homes gets absorbed into many materials and can remain for quite some time, even after a thorough cleaning. Fire restoration services are equipped with the proper cleaning and equipment supplies to ensure proper cleaning.
- Rusting: Metal hardware that was on the pathway during a fire might start to rust a few days later. If your personal property relies on this hardware, the deterioration can be dangerous. Experts from a restoration company will guide you on whether to clean them thoroughly so that you can minimize rust or replace them altogether.
Why Choose SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston?
When you encounter a fire damage disaster, timing is everything. You'll need professionals who will get to your home or commercial property within the shortest time possible. SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston, we are available 24/7 and we always respond fast to ensure that our clients limit the property damage of the fire loss and lessen their fire restoration cost.
We are a locally owned company and we've served the residents of the Greater Northern Charleston as good neighbors with quality services at affordable rates. We are here for you, 24/7. 843-552-1226
What To Do After A Fire In Your Home
10/26/2021 (Permalink)
We are always here to help.
What To Do After A Fire
In the midst of the chaos of a fire, it helps to know that someone is here to help. Here are a few tips on what to do immediately after a fire, and how a professional restoration company like SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston can help.
Most Important: Your health comes first!
Having a house fire can be disconcerting at best! Often causing feelings of fear, confusion, and stress. The most important part of the recovery process is to work with first responders and medical professionals to ensure everyone… including your pets!... receive any needed medical care. Smoke inhalation, burns, and even feelings of panic or anxiety are all potential symptoms of a fire. The EPA's website has extensive information about potential health effects when you have experienced a smoke or fire disaster.
Now. On to what to do in the aftermath of a fire in your home.
Contact A Professional Fire Damage Restoration Company
Fire damage restoration experts will perform mitigation work and ensure that it is safe for you to be on your property. There are many risks that can develop after a house fire and our technicians at SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston are trained to assess and create a restoration plan that takes into account your safety, personal belongings, insurance claim, and peace of mind.
Secure Your Home
Any windows, doors, or areas of the roof that were damaged by the fire itself or during the process of the fire department extinguishing the fire should be boarded up and secured as soon as the fire chief says it is safe to do so. If you do not know a contractor who can take care of this for you, our construction team is ready and available.
Get A Fire Report
As they fire department conducts their assessment after a fire, they generate a report that is important throughout the recovery process. It has valuable information on the cause of the fire, as well as the “all clear” from the fire chief that it is safe to move forward with getting your life put back together.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Fire damage and smoke clean-up can be expensive, so it is best to know exactly what your options are early in the process. Confirming your coverage and deductible amounts, along with what the claim representative will need from you in order to expedite payment and repairs, reduces stress in the chaos of the first few days of clean up.
Take Inventory
List everything that you lost as a result of the fire for your insurance company. Pictures and videos are extremely helpful as well. When our restoration teams arrives onsite, they will be listing as much as they can see was damaged. But only you truly know exactly what was in rooms with extensive damage. We will also be determining what items can and cannot be cleaned and listing those that cannot for insurance reimbursement as well.
How Professional Restoration Services Can Help You With Your Home's Recovery Process
Why is a professional service needed? Here are a few reasons.
Emergency Removal and Storage of Belongings
Professional restoration experts will begin work immediately and help you to safely remove your belongings including your personal items from your property. They will then move your belongings to their facility for storage purposes where they will be safe until you have repaired the structural damage of your property. No renting trucks, storage units, or mobile pods. All of those issues already have a solution.
Emergency Boarding Up and Tarping
Fire restoration companies will send their professionals to tarp and board up any areas in your property that were damaged and exposed as a result of a fire. On staff technicians and partnerships with contractors are already in place. Lessing the time it takes to secure your home.
Communicating With Your Insurance Companies
SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston has worked with just about every insurance company in the US. We understand the fire damage claims process very well and we will do all we can to ensure your claim is as stress free as possible. Our goal is to work with your insurance adjuster to help you receive payments quickly and accurately.
Clean Your Home
House fire and smoke damages can sometimes be very extensive and it can leave dangerous contaminates behind. Especially when water is used to extinguish the fire. Our trained technicians are certified in IICRC cleaning standards and take great pride in taking care of your home and family by meeting or exceeding those standards at all times.
Why Choose SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston
When you encounter a fire damage disaster, time is everything. SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston, is available 24/7 and have managers and teams on call at all times to ensure a rapid response time.
We are a locally owned company and we've served the residents of the Greater Northern Charleston as good neighbors with quality services at affordable rates. We will be involved from start to finish during your home or property fire damage restoration process.
Contact us and let us help you restore fire damage in your home or property in the most efficient way possible with our experienced and friendly professionals.
Got Smoke??
8/4/2021 (Permalink)
Smoke damage can be daunting to tackle. We can help!
The complexity of property loss or destruction due to fire damage is largely due to smoke's unique behavior. Smoke can penetrate any porous material not only inside the home, but within cavities of the structure as well, causing hidden damage and odor.
Having a SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston Professional inspect and assess your home after fire damage before beginning the cleaning process saves time. It can prevent the loss of essential items or keepsakes as we can help put a plan in place for you as you await insurance approval or for the fire department to complete their investigaton.
For more detail on the behavior of smoke, the risk of hidden damage, and how we at SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston can help, please contact us at 843-552-1226 or through our "Contact Us" page on our website.
We are always here to help!
Why Replace When You Can Restore?
5/25/2021 (Permalink)
We work with all insurance companies to get you back into your home quickly and efficiently.
At SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston & Dorchester County, we are in the business of restoration rather than replacement. Restoration vs. replacement provides the homeowner peace of mind, in the event of a loss, that they will be able to make the most of any insurance payments they receive.
Why do we focus on restoration?
- To help minimize the amount of building material discarded into landfills.
- To help preserve the original architecture of building structures.
- Restoration is much more cost-efficient than replacement.
- Many items cannot be replaced, such as important documents and family heirlooms.
- Restoration can better satisfy a complete return to normalcy when catastrophe occurs.
- Insurance policies often have limits that cap the amount of a claim - restoration allows for minimizing the costs of returning a structure to preloss condition.
SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston works seamlessly with insurance companies nationwide, providing them with restoration budgets that not only meet their stringent guidelines, but provide the homeowner with the best possible outcome.
You have a choice when it comes to who to trust with your home after a fire or flood. Choose SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston & Dorchester County and let us help you make it… “Like it never even happened.”
We can be reached 24/7 at (843) 552-1226.
Covering Contents.
4/22/2021 (Permalink)
Would you remember all the items in this room?
It is no secret how damaging flames and smoke can be to your home or business. Smoke and soot clean up alone can be tedious and expensive. One area we find is often overlook when it comes to protecting a home and office, are the contents contained within.
Most insurance policies have contents coverage, in the event that they get damaged in a fire or water (sometimes both!) loss. However, policy holders are still required to submit a list of the items that were deemed unsalvageable in order to receive payment. We assess and do our very best when on the job site to notate any item we determine must be thrown away. But sadly, not all items can be recognized. Especially in the room where the fire started.
Having pictures and an up to date home inventory, can help determine what times were stored in each room so nothing gets missed. If you are renting your home or office space, and have tenant's insurance, your inventory is just as critical!
Set aside a few minutes every quarter to take pictures and make note of any new valuable items. Hopefully you will never need to use them, but if disaster does strike, they could keep you from losing out on content reimbursement.
We are here for you 24/7 if you have a fire or smoke disaster. 843.552.1226
Top Fire Damage Company in North Charleston.
1/27/2021 (Permalink)
We can help restore your home after a fire damage.
Whether you have recently experienced a fire-related accident or went through the incident a while ago, revisiting the damaged site is sometimes enough to bring up painful memories. While coping with the loss can take its own time, the first step is mostly about repairing your affected property and salvaging what you can.
The process to restore your building and belongings to their former state may sound immensely difficult. But it is not at all impossible. As long as you reach out to a reliable provider like SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston, you can go through the issues without any stress.
Through our targeted cleaning, specialized recovery, and intensive repair processes, the SERVPRO team can help you restore your property from fire or smoke damage. With our holistic approach and affordable solutions, our fire and smoke damage restoration services are just a call away.
Fire Damage Restoration Process
Regardless of your affected building's size, restoring the destroyed belongings and property after a fire can be an intensive process. Apart from the visible devastation of your furniture and appliances, you need to also look out for associated factors such as smoke damage and water damage.
It is because even being highly destructive, deadly flames are not the only consequence of a fire. In addition to destroying everything they touch, these flames also result in other byproducts such as soot and smoke stains. If the flames come in contact with your electrical or plumbing fixtures, they can cause excessive damage on that front as well. The efforts put in place to extinguish the fire also leave excessive water on the site, which could create problems such as water damage, soaked belongings, and mold growth.
As a result, the associated damage from a fire often goes beyond burnt furniture or destroyed fixtures. This also calls for an intensive restoration approach that comprises much more than typical deep cleaning.
SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston's fire damage restoration services bring extensive processes and targeted expertise to the table. From taking care of damaged windows to preventing mold formation, our recovery processes look at the big picture while restoring your property to its original state.
This careful execution mitigates added risks and keeps unnecessary problems at bay. As a result, you can steer clear of any issues that could affect the restoration process or cause further damage to your property long after the fire is out.
With this in mind, our usual fire damage recovery process includes the following steps.
- Inspection and Analysis of the Affected Site
We start with a thorough examination and assessment of the damaged site. Besides noting the damage, it also helps us factor in all related repair processes that you may need to restore your property to its former state. The approach is incredibly helpful in planning a timely restoration project that ensures your property's recovery without further stress.
- Risk Mitigation and Recovery Preparation
Similar to other accidents, fire incidents can also come out of nowhere. This makes them a devastating emergency in all senses of the phrase. With SERVPRO’s extensive experience in performing fire damage restoration, our team executes a swift response to risk management in such situations. In addition to cutting electricity and water supply, we also secure the area to ensure no further harm comes to it due to exposure to different elements.
- Deep Cleaning of Property and Belongings
The next step in the process comes in the form of targeted cleaning. In addition to clearing up excess water from the site, we also move forward with cleaning smoke stains and visual damage. This process also applies to your furniture and related belongings. We also prevent moisture in your property and your belongings while also executing mold remediation services wherever they are required.
- Thorough Repair and Restoration
Once your property is clean and clear of debris, damaged furniture, and smoke stains, our repair and restoration process takes care of associated fixtures. Fixing your floors, replacing your windows, and painting your walls are just a few of the steps that fall under this process. We also take care of your electrical and plumbing infrastructure to ensure you don't have to go through different providers to fulfill this requirement.
While these steps are typical to performing fire damage restoration on most affected sites, the actual execution may vary upon the extent of the damage on your property.
That's why our fire damage restoration experts ensure to make active communication our top priority and keep you posted throughout the process with a focus on transparency. This ensures that you are never blindsided by sudden costs and know about your restoration project's actual expenditure, delivery timeline, and overall progress.
Fire Damage Restoration Cost
While the costs for restoring fire damage broadly vary on the specific site itself, you can still get a rough idea of how much the process may cost you.
It is also essential to understand that fire damage recovery requires several restoration segments to come together. Due to the requirement to address aspects such as smoke damage and water damage, the process often encompasses these critical segments' costs. This is why, even if the initial outlay may seem high, they remain justified due to their overall coverage of different aspects of restoration and repair.
Contact Our Fire Damage Restoration Experts Today!
To get a free quote or discuss the overall process, don't hesitate to contact SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston today. We will be here to answer your questions and help you obtain targeted yet swift recovery services right away.
Preparing For the Worst: First Steps.
8/3/2020 (Permalink)
Preparing for the worst lessens confusion and uncertainty when disaster strikes.
Disaster has struck! Your worst nightmare has come true. Your refuge has been compromised. Emotion is running high. There’s so much to do - so many questions. Where do you turn? Who do you trust? What are the next steps? Hopefully, in the next few minutes we can help you sort this stuff out.
- Notify your insurance company of the loss. PLAN AHEAD: keep a copy of your policy and contact information at a safe alternate location. Set up an insurance contact in your phone in advance, just in case. In a catastrophe, emotions run high and trying to remember insurance details is an unnecessary stressor.
- Get advice from a first response company. They can quickly send out an expert who will evaluate your situation and help you protect the property from further damage. We all live busy lives, but taking time to research beforehand so you aren’t making snap decisions in a tough moment, is time well spent. Here at SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston, we offer programs to evaluate your home or business and put you on a preferential service list in the event of a community wide disaster.
- Hire a pre-screened construction professional. Some mitigation companies, like ours, do turn-key projects. We not only mitigate the original damage but can handle the reconstruction as well. If yours doesn’t offer this, take the time to investigate your options beforehand. The key to managing stress in a crisis is eliminating as many unknowns as possible before disaster strikes.
- Notify your mortgage company that you’ve had damage. Most companies have a “Loss Draft Department” that exists solely to process money as the insurance company issues it. Larger settlements are often escrowed by the company and distributed in increments based upon progress made by the contractor. There is usually a package of documents that has to be filled out and submitted by you and your licensed contractor to begin distribution of funds.
- Understand the limits of your policy. This is a complex process with many moving parts. On larger claims many home owners make mistakes early in the process that can cause grave financial harm to them as the situation unfolds. Beware of offers of convenience as they are often quite costly. Every expense in an insurance claim is assigned to a category within the policy. When the category is used up there’s no more money. Ask your agent to go over the various components with you and explain what protections you are buying and how they match up to real world expenses if you ever have to file a claim.
We are locally owned and have been serving the Lowcountry for 16 years, and counting! If you have any questions about how you can be prepared for a fire or flood emergency in your home or business, do not hesitate to call or contact us through our site!
We are here for you 24/7.
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Now Offering Textile Cleaning!
5/21/2020 (Permalink)
We can take care of your textile cleaning in the aftermath of a fire or water damage.
Restoration projects due to a fire, water, or mold loss have many different variables and moving parts. SERVPRO of Greater N. Charleston and Dorchester County pride ourselves in our ability to respond quickly and perform mitigation in an efficient and timely matter. We are always looking for new ways to streamline the process and, as the result of this effort, we can now offer you textile services directly through our franchise!
We understand the value of restoring, in lieu of replacing, as many of the affected contents and materials as possible for an ongoing job. Not only does restoring contents save more of your belongings and save you money, it also helps make the insurance claim process run a bit more smoothly. By having full oversight of the textile cleaning process, we will be able to ensure that all restorable contents are cleaned and returned to you in an efficient and orderly manner.
Please feel free to call (843-552-1226) or email us with any questions you may have and to discuss how we can best serve you in the aftermath of a disaster in your home or commercial space.
The More You Know About Smoke.
3/12/2020 (Permalink)
Got smoke? We can help!
The complexity of property loss or destruction due to fire damage is due to the unique behavior of smoke. Smoke can penetrate within cavities of the structure, causing hidden damage and odor.
Some things you may not know about smoke:
Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
Smoke flows around plumbing systems, using holes around pipes to go from floor to floor.
The type of smoke may greatly affect the fire damage restoration process.
There are many types of soot and residues left behind by smoke: Wet, Dry, Protein, Fuel Oil and others.
Having a SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston Professional inspect and pretest your home after fire damage, prior to beginning the cleaning process, saves time and can prevent the loss of important items or keepsakes.
For more detail on the behavior of smoke, the risk of hidden damage and how we at SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston can help, visit our Fire Damage and Restoration page and feel free to contact us, 24/7 at (843)-552-1226 or via our Contact Us form.
The Kitchen is Where Most Fires Start!
2/27/2020 (Permalink)
Kitchen fire? We are always here to help!
House fires, no matter how or why they start, are frightening at best and there are many causes. Cooking equipment is at the top of the list for causing kitchen fires because they are often left unattended. Fires that begin this way are the highest cause of personal injury and 2nd cause of death in home fires. This link has some great information about preventing home fires on the National Fire Protection Association website.
As always, we at SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston hope you never have to face the aftermath of a fire damage in your home, but in the unfortunate event that it does happen, we are here to help. We can be reached 24/7/365 days a year at (843) 552-1226. We love taking care of you, Charleston... Feel free to call us anytime.
Can You Feel the Heat?
9/25/2019 (Permalink)
When will you be installing your heat detector?
Anytime anyone, anywhere, talks about the subject of fire safety, they ask the dreaded question, "Have you tested your smoke detectors lately?" While we certainly hope you have checked them in the last 30 days (wink), today, we are discussing heat detectors.
There are over 6,500 garage fires in the U.S. every year, and the majority of them are in one and two family homes. Insects, humidity, fumes, temperature changes, and dust are just a few of the variables that exist in spaces like your attic and garage that can damage a smoke detector. Rendering them unreliable. Heat detectors, on the other hand, respond only to extreme changes in temperature. If a fire breaks out, the detector sounds an alarm, giving homeowners the opportunity to minimize property damage and quickly get help on the way.
Without question, interior smoke detectors are the best way to protect the people in your home. Heat detectors are meant to help you better protect your property. Click for more information on heat detectors and to learn more about reducing the risk of a garage fire in your home.
Prevention and preparedness are at the heart of everything we do at SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston. However, if you find yourself dealing with the aftermath of a fire in your home or business, we are always ready to help. 24/7, 365 days a year.
NOW is the time to have a plan.
8/21/2019 (Permalink)
You take care of your family. We will take care of the rest.
Statistics show you will likely have less than 2 minutes get out of your home, if a fire breaks out. Every family should have an escape plan worked out, in advance, to help prevent injury to family members and pets.
Here are few things to remember when creating your plan:
- All rooms need 2 exit strategies, if possible.
- Take into account the physical abilities of all family members and pets.
- Make sure all windows and doors function properly.
- Choose a safe meeting space outside, a safe distance from the home.
- Never go back into the house once you are out!
- Make a drawing of your plan, showing all rooms, windows, doors and share with everyone in the home.
- Practice, practice, practice!
FEMA has more information and ideas on how to put your escape plan together.
Stay safe, Friends! If you have a fire damage in your home, you take care of getting your family out safely, we will take care of the aftermath. Here for you 24/7, 843.552.1226Y
Product Spotlight: Wall and All Surface Cleaner
6/13/2019 (Permalink)
One of our favorites Fire Cleaning products!
Introducing, Wall and All Surface Cleaner. We simply cannot say enough about this product or use enough of it! The name speaks for itself. This heavy duty cleaner works on just about any hard surface to clean smoke and soot with ease. The best part is the fact that it is still gentle enough to use on painted surfaces without removing the paint or deteriorating salvageable drywall. In the process of fire restoration cleaning, this plays an important role in limiting the amount of material that must be replaced versus cleaned and treated. Being able to clean and restore is more cost effective, timely, and insurance "friendly" than replacement.
We love working with home and business owners in the Greater Charleston area. If you have a fire or smoke damage, please feel free to call us, 24/7, for more information on how we can help. (843) 552-1226
Contents! Contents! Contents!
5/1/2019 (Permalink)
Would you be able to remember everything you have stored in your garage if a devastating fire were to break out?
It is no secret how damaging flames and smoke can be to your home or business. Smoke and soot clean up alone can be tedious and expensive. One area we find that home and business owners overlook when it comes to protecting their home and office, are the contents contained within.
Most insurance policies have contents coverage, in the event that they get damaged in a fire or water (sometimes both!) loss. However, policy holders are still required to submit a list of the items that were deemed unsalvageable in order to receive payment. We do our very best when on the job site to notate any item we determine must be thrown away. But sadly, not all items can be recognized. Especially in the room where the fire started.
Having pictures and an up to date home inventory, can help jog your memory as to what was stored in each room so nothing gets missed. If you are renting your home or office space, and have tenant's insurance, your inventory is just as critical!
We are here for you 24/7 if you have a fire or smoke disaster. 843.552.1226
Do you know the fire hazards in your home?
3/7/2019 (Permalink)
Know the fire hazard risks in your home.
The possibility of seeing your home damaged by fire is never a pleasant thought, but unfortunately, it’s a harsh reality for thousands of Americans.
One way you can help protect your home is by understanding common fire hazards and knowing how to identify them and lesser-known hazards.
Here are just a few:
- Cooking may be the leading cause of home fires, but smoking inside is the leading cause of home fire deaths. And most of those fires start in bedrooms and living rooms due to excess flammable materials
- Watch your candles! When you’re burning a candle, be sure it’s kept at least one foot away from flammable materials; use a sturdy holder; never use a candle if oxygen is used in the home; and always blow out all candles before bed.
- Dust bunnies can pose a fire risk when collecting near electrical sockets and floor heaters. Sweeping or vacuuming in especially hard-to-reach areas like behind the entertainment system can help prevent buildup.
- Loose outlets in your home can cause movement and loosen the wires connected to the outlet, creating dangerous arching.
Fire and smoke damage can be devastating to homes, and in many circumstances, can be accompanied by water damage from firefighting efforts. If your home is damaged by fire or smoke, SERVPRO® of Greater Northern Charleston is here to help restore your home to pre-fire condition.
We are available 24/7 at 843.552.1226 or you can use our Contact Us page on the web.
Heat your home safely.
2/27/2019 (Permalink)
Portable heating devices are a leading cause of house fires.
Each year fire claims the lives of 3,500 Americans, injures 18,300, and causes billions of dollars worth of damage. Our winters in Charleston, SC may be mild in comparison to other parts of the country, but this often results in the use of portable heat sources more often. Space heaters in the office and outdoor heaters on our patios, offer just enough warmth to be comfortable and cost effective.
Here are a few tips to avoid a fire:
- All heating equipment needs space.
- Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away.
- Supervise children whenever a wood stove or space heater is being used.
- Have a three-foot "kid-free" zone around open fires and space heaters.
- Always unplug your electric space heater when not in use.
- Never burn trash, paper or green wood in your fireplace.
- Make sure all smoke alarms are functioning.
To find out how SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston responds to a fire damage, visit the Fire Restoration page on our website. Feel free to contact us at anytime if you are affected by a fire or smoke damage in your home or business.
24/7 - 843.552.1226 or Contact Us via our website.
For more information on Home Heating Safety from FEMA, visit http://www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/home_fire_prev/heating/.
Leading Cause of Home Fires? Your Kitchen!
3/6/2018 (Permalink)
Kitchen fires are the leading cause of house fires!
House fires, no matter how or why they start, are frightening at best and can easily become deadly. What you may not know is exactly how preventable so many kitchen fires can be. Cooking equipment is at the top of the list for causing kitchen fires; and what is on the top of the list of reasons why? Pot and pans being left unattended. Food drying out and catching fire and, more notably, oils left on the stove exceeding their smoking point. Statistically fires that begin with cooking equipment are the highest cause of personal injury and sadly, the 2nd leading cause of deaths in home fires. Please take a few minutes to read up about preventing home fires on the National Fire Protection Association website.
We also did a little digging for some information on what oils have the highest and lowest smoking points. Whether you cook often or typically just use your oven for extra storage, the more you know, the safer you will be. Check out this table of smoking points of your favorite cooking oils from one of our favorite websites, The Spruce.
As always, we at SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston hope you never have to face the aftermath of a fire damage in your home, but in the unfortunate event that it does happen, we are here to help. We can be reached 24/7/365 days a year at (843) 552-1226, always with a knowledgeable manager answering the phone. No answering service here! We love taking care of you, Charleston... Feel free to call us anytime.
Lights, Candles, Action!
12/16/2013 (Permalink)
Seasonal traditions cause an average of 230 home fires each year.
The holidays bring with them brightly lighted decorations, elaborate meals and large gatherings are all part of traditional holiday celebrations. Unfortunately, these seasonal traditions also cause an average of 230 home fires each year, with an average of 4 deaths, 21 injuries and $17.3 million in property damage.
There are almost twice as many on Christmas Day as there are on non-holidays. Homeowners can help keep their homes and their families safe during the holiday season by understanding the dangers and taking some simple, commonsense precautions in the kitchen. Here are a few facts to consider:
Holiday Cooking Fire Facts
· Thanksgiving Day has three times the average number of reported home structure fires involving cooking equipment.
· The two other peak days for cooking-related fires are Christmas Day and Christmas Eve.
Holiday Cooking Safety Tips
· Supervise items on the stovetop. Fifty-eight percent of kitchen fires involve ranges; homes with electric cooktops have a higher risk of fire than homes with gas cooktops.
· Keep flammable items – potholders, packaging, wrapping, wooden utensils, loose clothing – away from the stovetop.
· Don’t let lack of sleep or alcohol consumption affect your ability to concentrate on preparing the meal.
We hope these tips will be a reminder to families in North Charleston and surrounding Charleston communities to make fire prevention a priority in preparing for the holidays. The aftermath and clean up after a house fire would certainly be an unwanted interruption to time celebrating with family and friends!
For more fire prevention tips and information about fire and water damage restoration services, contact SERVPRO® of Greater Northern Charleston at (843) 747-8750, 24/7.
Heat Your Home Safely
12/11/2013 (Permalink)
Portable heating devices are a leading cause of house fires.
Each year fire claims the lives of 3,500 Americans, injures 18,300, and causes billions of dollars worth of damage. Our winters in Charleston, SC may be mild in comparison to other parts of the country, but this often results in the use of portable heat sources more often. Space heaters in the office and outdoor heaters on our patios, offer just enough warmth to be comfortable and cost effective.
Here are a few tips to avoid a fire:
- All heating equipment needs space.
- Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away.
- Supervise children whenever a wood stove or space heater is being used.
- Have a three-foot "kid-free" zone around open fires and space heaters.
- Always unplug your electric space heater when not in use.
- Never burn trash, paper or green wood in your fireplace.
- Make sure all smoke alarms are functioning.
To find out how SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston responds to a fire damage, visit the Fire Restoration page on our website. Feel free to contact us at anytime if you are affected by a fire or smoke damage in your home or business.
24/7 - 843.552.1226 or Contact Us via our website.
For more information on Home Heating Safety from FEMA, visit http://www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/home_fire_prev/heating/.
Smoke Can Be Surprising!
11/5/2013 (Permalink)
Even a small fire can produce devastating smoke damage.
The complexity of property loss or destruction due to fire damage is due to the unique behavior of smoke. Smoke can penetrate within cavities of the structure, causing hidden damage and odor.
Some things you may not know about smoke:
- Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
- Smoke flows around plumbing systems, using holes around pipes to go from floor to floor.
- The type of smoke may greatly affect the fire damage restoration process.
- There are at least many types of soot and residues left behind by smoke: Wet, Dry, Protein, Fuel Oil and others.
Having a SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston Professional inspect and pretest your home after fire damage prior to beginning the cleaning process saves time and can prevent the loss of important items or keepsakes.
For more detail on the behavior of smoke, the risk of hidden damage and how we at SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston can help, visit our Fire Damage and Restoration page and feel free to contact us, 24/7 at (843)-747-8750 or via our Contact Us form.
Restoration vs. Replacement
10/18/2013 (Permalink)
Working hand in hand with your insurance company to restore your home.
At SERVPRO we are in the business of restoration rather than replacement - this provides the benefits of not only lower costs but also a smaller ecological footprint. On a more personal level, restoration vs. replacement provides the homeowner peace of mind, in the event of a loss, that they will be able to make the most of any insurance payments they receive.
Why do we focus on restoration?
- We minimize the amount of building material discarded into landfills.
- We preserve the original architecture of building structures.
- Restoration is much more cost-efficient than replacement.
- Many items cannot be replaced, such as important documents and family heirlooms.
In addition to preserving original structures and items, a drive towards restoration can better satisfy a complete return to normalcy when catastrophe occurs. Insurance policies often have limits that cap the amount of a claim - restoration allows for minimizing the costs of returning a structure to preloss condition.
SERVPRO works seamlessly with insurance companies nationwide, providing them with restoration budgets that not only meet their stringent guidelines, but provide the homeowner with the best possible outcome.
You have a choice when it comes to who to trust with your home after a fire or flood. Choose SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston and let us help you make it… “Like it never even happened.”
We can be reached 24/7 at (843) 747-8750.
THIS WEEK! Fire Prevention Week
10/4/2013 (Permalink)
Sparky and the NFPA bringing you National Fire Prevention Week, 2013.
With over 90 years of history, Fire Prevention Week is the longest running national health and public safely observance. What started as a commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire 1871, has become a week dedicated to educating and preventing fires and the injury, death and destruction they produce.
President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed the first Fire Prevention Week in 1925. As part of his proclamation that day, he cited that fires the previous year were responsible for the loss of 15,000 lives and over 500 million dollars in damages. His determined response remains the focus of the National Fire Prevention Association as they sponsor this important week each year.
“This vast waste is incurred under conditions which cannot fail to arouse a sense of horror and shame, for our experience indicates a major portion of it is preventable. “
The number of deaths due to fire has been drastically reduced over the past 9 decades; however, the number of unnecessary deaths is still staggering. In the United States, an average of 7 people, per day, die in-home fires. Many of which could have been prevented.
As we provide information and tips to you this week, we hope that you will take a little time to inspect your home and office for potential fire hazards. Most are very easy and inexpensive to correct.
Follow SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/servproofgnc), Twitter (https://twitter.com/servproofgnc) , Google+(https://plus.google.com/u/0/104866530372825233415/posts) or Pinterest (http://www.pinterest.com/servproofgnc/) so you don't miss out on some great information...and a lot of fun stuff too!
Have a safe and happy week!
Sources for this blog and more information on Fire Safety: National Fire Prevention Association: http://www.nfpa.org/safety-information/fire-prevention-week; Fire Files Digital Library: http://fire.omeka.net/items/show/596
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