Avoid Fire Hazards During Fourth of July Celebrations

6/21/2024 (Permalink)

Enjoy your fireworks show safely this 2024 July Fourth celebration!

The History of July Fourth  

The Fourth of July, also known as Independence Day, has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941. However, the tradition of Independence Day celebrations dates to the 18th century and the American Revolution. On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence in the U.S. and two days later delegates from the thirteen colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence. From 1776 to present day, July fourth has been celebrated nationwide as the birth of the American independence. Festivities for July fourth include fireworks, parades, concerts, family gatherings, barbeques and food. In other words, Independence Day celebrations are a big deal!

Ensure Safe Celebrations This July Fourth  

Grilling is a favorite during the summer season and especially on holiday celebrations with family and friends. It is important to practice safe cooking and be prepared in case a grill accident occurs. Each year there are over 10,600 home fires that are started by grills. This year, make sure you follow the following grill safety tips to avoid disaster:  

-Do not leave a lit grill unattended and make sure that you actively supervise your grill when it is in use.  

-Never let children operate or play around the grill.  

-Make sure your grill is placed away from any structures, branches or trees that could easily catch on fire and spread. 

-Keep a fire extinguisher near the grill in case something happens so you can act quickly. 

Fireworks can also be dangerous and cause fires with improper or negligent use. Each year in the U.S., fireworks are responsible for an average of 19,500 fires. To ensure that your family has a happy and safe Fourth of July, be sure to follow the following safety tips: 

• Never point fireworks at cars, buildings or other individuals. 

• Be sure to follow all provided instructions on how to use fireworks.  

• Children should never be the ones to ignite fireworks and should always be under adult supervision when operating sparklers.  

• Keep a fire extinguisher nearby to quickly extinguish any accidental fires.  

In the case of a fire, SERVPRO of Augusta is here to make it "Like it never even happened"®. Give us a call at 706-750-0200 in the state of a fire emergency today! 

Facts About Fires in Georgia

6/22/2023 (Permalink)

Fire is among the most important element humanity has harnessed. It has changed the course of human technology and is a tool that has helped us with numerous aspects of our daily lives. In that same token, fire can also be extremely dangerous and has caused an astonishing amount of damage all across the world.

According to the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS), in May of 2021 Georgia has reported an estimate of 368,500 residential building fires and $8.1 billion in property damage. Furthermore, 51% of residential fires indicated that the primary cause of the loss was due to cooking. There also appears to be an uptick of fire losses in the cooler months, peaking in January during the hours of 5 to 8pm.

Identifying the Right Fire Restoration Company for You

There are multiple, detailed steps to mitigating and restoring a fire-damaged home, SERVPRO® of Augusta North can assist with the following:

• Board up
• Dry out
• Deodorization and emergency pre-cleaning
• Content pack out & inventory
• Dry cleaning and garment restoration
• Contents cleaning and restoration
• Structure cleaning

Doing the cleanup and deodorization may seem doable, but it can quickly become physically and emotionally overwhelming. It is vital that an experienced fire mitigation and restoration company that you can rely on, like SERVPRO® is hired.

SERVPRO of Augusta North has trained technicians that work on fires regularly and utilize specialized deodorizing techniques. If you need fire or smoke restoration, give us a call at 706-750-0200, we are available 24/7/365 to help!

A Song of (Dry) Ice and Fire

6/23/2022 (Permalink)

Did you know that one of the best ways to restore properties that have been affected by fire damage is dry ice blasting? It is ideal for the restoration of wood, concrete, brick, and building materials because it dries instantly, is fast, and leave little to no residue behind. Additionally, dry ice is effective in removing smoke and even mildew smells from fire damage without causing further deterioration of surface material.

Why Dry Ice Blasting?

Dry ice blasting is precise in tight spaces with the added benefit of not damaging to the affected services. It takes three to five times longer for traditional fire restoration methods to clean an area than the dry ice blasting technique. Dry ice blasting utilizes CO2, which converts to high pressured gas and is then blasted against surfaces, simultaneously eliminating odors as well.

Additional Benefits of Dry Ice Blasting

• Cleans and deodorizes concrete, wood, brick, and more.
• Avoids the typical abrasive blasting and cleans area without erosion and etching.
• There will not be water damage.
• It is more environmentally safe—no need for using caustics and acids when cleaning.
• It is safe for electrical components.
• Dry ice blasting is faster than other methods of restoration.

Have you experienced fire or smoke damage? Contact SERVPRO® of North Augusta at 706-750-0200 to schedule an inspection with our trained technicians.

Soot: The Unanticipated Nuisance of a Fire

4/25/2022 (Permalink)

What is Soot?

Soot is that powdery black substance that occurs when the fire doesn’t burn the fuel source, or in other words, it is incomplete combustion. It can stick to everything, including the HVAC system where it could then get distributed throughout the rest of your home, causing damage to even initially unaffected areas. Here are some tips on how you should combat the soot in your home, whether it be from s fire loss or simply from your fireplace.

Do:

• Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpet.
• Keep hands clean – soot on hands can further soil upholstery, walls, and woodwork.
• Place dry, colorfast towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery, and carpet traffic areas.
• Wipe soot from chrome on kitchen and bathroom faucets, trim and appliances, the protect these surfaces with a light coating of lubricant.
• Wash both sides of leaves on house plants.
• Change HVAC filter but leave system off until a trained professional can check the system.
• Tape double layers of cheesecloth over an air register to stop particles of soot from getting in or out of the HVAC system.

Do NOT:

• Attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces without first contacting your SERVPRO® professionals.
• Attempt to shampoo carpet or upholstered furniture without first consulting your local SERVPRO® Franchise.
• Attempt to clean any electrical appliances (i.e., TV sets, radios, etc.) that may have been close to fire, heat, or water without first communicating to an authorized repair service.
• Consume any food or beverages that may have been close to fire, heat, or water as they may be contaminated.
• Turn on ceiling fixtures, especially if ceiling is wet. Wiring may be wet or damaged and cause electrical shock, and air movement may create secondary soot damage.
• Send garments to the dry cleaner as improper cleaning may set in smoke order.

SERVPRO® of North Augusta has the capability to make soot damage a thing of the past! Make sure your home and family are safe by giving us a call at 706-750-0200. No matter the extent of the damage, we are here to make it, “Like it never even happened. ®”

How SERVPRO® can Make Fire Damage "Like it never even happened."

4/14/2022 (Permalink)

Have you experienced a fire in your home? Give SERVPRO® of Augusta a call at 706-750-0200 to schedule a consultation time today.

How We Restore Homes to Pre-loss Condition

After fire or smoke damage, your property usually needs thorough cleaning. Typically, this means ceilings, walls, carpeting and flooring will need to be scrubbed down. Upon calling SERVPRO® of Augusta, our experienced technicians will come out and do a pre-test to determine the extent of damage. Depending on the amount of soot our crew will be able to determine which SERVPRO® cleaning products and equipment will be required to get your home back to preloss condition.

All restorable contents in affected areas in the home will be cleaned and deodorized. This means rugs, furniture, and upholstery. We begin by testing all fabrics that have been damaged by soot to figure out which cleaning methods are the most effective. SERVPRO® professionals can provide wet or dry-cleaning services. If your home is still under reconstruction, storing contents at our facility until your home is ready is an additional helpful tool we offer.

How Using the Right Equipment Makes the Difference

Using professional equipment makes a huge difference in reducing loss expense. SERVPRO® professionals are thoroughly trained in fire cleanup and restoration services. Our crews being able to spot the different types of smoke and smoke patterns make for proper and timely property restoration.

Examples:

• Wet Smoke is typically plastic or synthetic material and typically has a pungent odor and a sticky/smeary consistency.
• Dry smoke consists of paper and wood, it burns at a quick rate and has dry, non-smeary residues.

Pretesting allows technicians to determine which soot they’re looking at and how to properly clean and disinfect your home.

Additional Services for Fire Restoration

In some cases, additional steps are required to get your property back where it needs to be. We offer board ups in the case that parts of your structure need to be protected by weather intrusion. If long-term exposure threatens your contents, we may suggest moving your textiles and contents to our facility for short-term storing. Crews are trained to properly inventory, move and control the contents from your property during the cleaning and deodorization process.

Don’t Know Where to Begin After a Home Fire? Give SERVPRO® of Augusta a call at 706-750-0200 to schedule a consultation time today, we’re always “Here to help®.”

From the Field: Fire Threatens Downtown Restaurant

1/26/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is available 24/7 to help restore your business after a fire disaster. Need us? Call our team at 706-750-0200.

Augusta Fire Outbreak Disrupts Business

A fire outbreak is one event you never want to happen as a business owner. Products could suffer irrevocable damages, structural damage could keep customers away for days or weeks, and the stress of lost revenue can seem insurmountable. However, SERVPRO® of Augusta can eradicate these business threats. A call to SERVPRO of Augusta provides options for restoring your business’ products, contents, furniture, textiles, air ducts and more. Our team’s ultimate goal is to help your business reopen quickly through providing 5-star quality service, excellent customer care through clear and direct communication, and unmatched advanced restorative techniques that will help save you time and money.

After a Fire, We Answer the Call

After fire responders leave your property, thinking about where to start could bring confusion and fear for lost revenue. How do we help combat lost revenue? Our teams respond quickly. For commercial fire damage, timing is everything. SERVPRO achieves the fastest industry response times. We easily achieve fast response times as our teams are always supplied with the necessary equipment, tools, training, and knowledgeability to begin restoring your property quickly and effectively.

Additionally, when on site of your fire loss, SERVPRO crews work effectively through conducting restorative processes that are highly regimented. This regimented process leads our crews on the fast-track to restoring your property, while crew supervisors help achieve customer satisfaction through a meticulous check of work process for quality assurance.

From the Field: Fire Threatens Downtown Restaurant

Our SERVPRO crews have helped to restore countless homes, schools, government buildings, and other commercial businesses and properties over the past 39 years in business. Last year, SERVPRO crews had the opportunity to restore one of the most well-known Downtown Augusta, GA restaurants on Broad Street. Friday night, our crews quickly responded to a desperate call for help from a kitchen fire that had affected not only the popular restaurant, but also 8 apartment spaces above the structure. SERVPRO crews were on scene quickly waiting to begin restoring while first responders were still extinguishing the blaze. Through the night and continuing into the weekend, SERVPRO crews worked tirelessly to help reopen the business by that following Monday – A total of 3 days to restore the entire restaurant and 8 apartments above, while managing to retain the integrity of the space, dry items in place, restore contents, and salvage 100-year-old pine flooring.

Our crews exist to make your fire disasters "Like it never even happened." ® Our goal is always to help restore normalcy back to your life and help your business reopen quickly after a disaster strikes. Should you need us, our team is ready to answer the call for help! Need SERVPRO now? Call our office at 706-750-0200.

Fire Safety Just in Time For Christmas Season

12/1/2021 (Permalink)

Don’t FA-LA-LA- Fall Victim to Holiday Fires  

Lights around a Christmas tree, candles burning favorite holiday scents and warm fireplaces are typical family practices during the holiday season. Your home is never quite as cozy and warm feeling as it is during Christmastime, which can aid in the magical feeling that this time of year brings. Although your home may feel warm and safe, pretty decorations and traditions could pose a risk for fire to your household, so it is important to be mindful of fire hazards.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, fire hazards increase 85% percent between the months of October to January. But do not worry, SERVPRO of Augusta is here to keep you safe with 14 Christmas Fire Safety Tips! 

1. Do not use your stove for storage or as a heat source. 
2. Water real Christmas trees daily. 
3. A safer alternative to real trees is fire-resistant artificial trees.
4. Inspect all lights on your tree as you are placing them.
5. Never throw wrapping paper in your fireplace. 
6. Follow the ‘rule of three’ when it comes to power strips to avoid risk of electrical fires. (Meaning only 3 electronics should be plugged into a singular strip at a time)
7. Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from anything in the room they are being used in. 
8. Do not use indoor lights outside or vice. 
9. Set timers when baking or cooking. 
10. Pay attention to where you place décor. 
11. Place fire extinguishers all around the house, and make sure your family members know how to effectively use them.
12. Use caution when it comes to using candles. 
13. Make sure you have functioning fire alarms with fresh working batteries.
14. Have an emergency escape plan in place just in case and run through it with your household.

SERVPRO of Augusta has you covered while you deck your halls with boughs of holly. In case of fire emergency give us a call at 706-750-0200 and we’ll make it "Like it never even happened."®

Thanksgiving Fire Safety Tips

11/1/2021 (Permalink)

Stovetops, Ovens and Fryers 

Thanksgiving is the day where American families come from all over to be together and celebrate the most important thing there is- love for each other. With the influx of family, cooking can become dangerous if you allow it. The National Fire Protection Association displayed in a national study that the number of cooking fires is three times higher on Thanksgiving than any other day in the year.  Jammed stovetops and crowded kitchens aren’t the only potential dangers, turkey fryers and candles are elevating fire risk more and more each year.  

Remember to always keep a fire extinguisher nearby and make sure everyone in the house knows how to use it.  

Whomever is cooking can easily become distracted by preparing dishes while also trying to entertain guests. Preventing fires is simple when following some basic guidelines:  

• It’s always a great start to the holiday when you begin with a clean oven and stove. Removing buildup from old food and grease on your burners and in your oven can save you from a holiday disaster. 
• Don’t get distracted by guests and leave food cooking unattended.
• Always make sure someone is in the home and keeping a close eye on the kitchen if you do have to step away. 

Pro Tip: Setting a timer when cooking a large turkey can make the difference in holiday cheer and holiday oh dear.  

• Keep children away from the kitchen, if you do have young ones running around- try to only utilize the back burners if possible. 
• In case of an oven fire, turn off the heat and immediately close the oven. 
• Have working smoke alarms and have an emergency evacuation plan in place. 

Turkey Fryer Pro Tips  

Never use a turkey fryer inside the home, in the garage or even under a covered patio. Don’t overfill the oil in the fryer, as it can easily tip over. Most turkey fires due to a fryer happen when the oil is being heated, but turkey fryer accidents can be avoided when following the following turkey fryer safety tips: 

• Always read the fryer instruction manual.
• Make sure turkey is completely thawed out before throwing it into the fryer.
• Don’t overfill the oil in the fryer. Before filling up the fryer with oil test it out with water. Place the turkey in the fryer and fill it with water until the turkey is covered. Mark the water line and then repeat the process with your frying oil. 
• Keep children and pets away from the fryer and never leave your fryer unattended. 
• Only use oil that is recommended by the brand of fryer you’re using. 
• If oil begins to smoke, immediately turn the gas supply off. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby and NEVER use water to try and extinguish an oil fire. 

Final Pro Tip: According to the USFA, candles are responsible for an estimated 15,600 residential fires a year, causing 150 deaths, 1,270 injuries, and $539 million in property damage. More than half of candle fires are a result of a candle being placed too close to flammable holiday decorations. Always keep children in mind when decorating. 

If a fire does occur, give us a call at SERVPRO® at 706-750-0200 and we’ll make it "Like it never even happened."® 

Constitution Day Firework Safety

8/26/2021 (Permalink)

The History of the Constitution Day

Constitution Day is a federal day of observance that occurs annually every year of September 17th. Constitution Day commemorates the day when the U.S. Constitution was created and signed by 39 delegates on September 17, 1787. The U.S. Constitution is the America’s oldest and most important document, as it shapes the framework of our government. It protects the rights and freedoms that shield us, and the generations that come after us as well.

Iowa was the first state to recognize and celebrate the Constitution Day. It was celebrated in their schools and a committee was even formed to promote celebration of the historical day. By 1949, all 48 had started to recognize September 17th as a day of remembrance and observation.

Controversy Surrounding Constitution Day

In 1952 in Louisville, Ohio a local citizen Olga T. Weber began petitioning for September 17th to be recognized in honor of the constitution. The Mayor eventually granted her wish, but Weber didn’t stop there. She petitioned for it to be celebrated statewide, and then, nationwide! Her efforts didn’t go unrewarded because in 1953 President Eisenhower signed it into law. In 1957, Louisville was later named the Constitution Town.

Later between 1997-2004 a woman named Louise Leigh and Senator Robert Bryd lobbied for all American citizens to know more about the Constitution Day and what it represents. Because of their avid petitioning, President Bush added the “Constitution Day” as an amendment to the Omnibus Spending Bill. Leading into the very first federally recognized celebration of Constitution Day on September 17, 2005. September 17th is also recognized with the nickname, “I am an American Day”.

So How Is the Constitution Day Celebrated Today?

Constitution Day has come a long way since 1787. Currently September 17-23 is allocated as Constitution Week. Public schools that receive federal funding are now required by law to observe the day and educate students on the history behind the celebration. Students have opportunities to hear readings from the Constitution, have discussions with local judges and even national heroes! Each year the President even makes an announcement in remembrance and celebration of the sacred American day. Towns and cities hold festivals, celebrations and fairs. And some citizens even display patriotism with flags on their houses, businesses, cars, bikes and even shirts!

Feel Safe That SERVPRO® Technicians and Crews are “Ready for Whatever Happens” on any holiday. For any water or fire emergency give us a call at 706-750-0200. We’re Always Here to Help®.

Does SERVPRO Have All Skills Necessary for Exemplary Fire Damage Restoration in Augusta Properties?

6/20/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Has the Combined Knowledge to Handle Moisture, Odors and General Damages Thus Easing Fire Restoration

After fire ravages your Augusta home, it requires different processes to restore it to its preloss state. Since you might require help fixing the affected areas, you need a restorer with the right skill sets.

For the fire damage restoration done in Augusta homes to bear fruit, it is necessary to address immediate problems and prevent secondary issues. It takes training, experience, and dedication like the one SERVPRO teams have to arrange and execute all the necessary processes.

A comprehensive fire restoration exercise may involve:

• House fire cleanup
• Smoke remediation
• Water & fire damage restorations

On arriving at the loss site, our SERVPRO technicians inspect all areas to establish issues that need immediate attention. For instance, if water is used to put out the fire, vast property sections might be wet. Finding a way to manage the moisture early can help forestall extreme deterioration or prevent stubborn problems like mold growth. Our technicians use specialized equipment such as thermal cameras to trace moisture migration or thermo-hygrometers to check humidity levels inside the house. We can then set up some dehumidifiers to control the moisture.

Our SERVPRO teams are equipped to address all the problems caused by fire. After removing all smoke residues and disposing of the charred items, we embark on deodorization processes. We use various techniques, including thermal fogging, which atomizes solvent-based deodorizers, ensuring maximum penetration into materials because it mimics the smoke that creates the odor problem in the first place. 

SERVPRO of Augusta is well suited to handle any fire damage restoration issues you might face. Call us at (706) 750-0200 if you need help. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Augusta Homeowners Avoid Stress with Quality Fire Restoration Services

4/23/2021 (Permalink)

Fire and smoke damage from a fire can be very messy. Call SERVPRO for their work and experience for the fire restoration service needed for your home.

SERVPRO is here to handle your fire and smoke restoration and cleanup – Call us to your Augusta property today!

The city of Augusta, Georgia, got its name after Princess Augusta hailing from Saxe Gotha. You will find Augusta within Augusta-Richmond County that lies along the central-eastern portion of the state. It is also situated at the Savannah River fall line, right at the head of the navigable part. You may have heard a little bit about Augusta as it is well-known for hosting The Masters annual golf tournament.

There is Something for Everyone in Augusta, GA

Are you going to be visiting Augusta for a bit of rest and relaxation? Will you be thinking about making a move to the region? No matter your reason for a visit, there are many incredible places to see and explore, including:

• Augusta Canal Discovery Center – Located on Greene Street, this interpretive museum dives into the history of the 1846 canal and the region's beginnings throughout the Industrial Revolution.
• Riverwalk – When you want a place to learn about local history while taking in amazing views, then Riverwalk on the Savannah River is just right. Not only is there beautiful scenery, but there is plenty to learn on scattered placards while walking around.
• Savannah Rapids Visitor Center – If you are looking for a place to explore for a walk or to visit to relax a bit, this is an excellent option on Evans to Locks. There is a small swimming hole area that includes a swing rope, kayak rentals, and more.
• Phinizy Swamp Nature Park – Located on Lock and Dam Road, this nature park is well known for incredible trails and wildlife sightings. All of the trails are very well laid out, including informational signs about each section.

Dive Into Some of the Best Taprooms and Breweries Augusta Has to Offer

Not only are there plenty of wonderful sights to see in the area, but Augusta is also a great section of the state to explore if you love specialty beer. Whether you are just getting into craft brews or you want someplace to hang out a bit, these are some top options in the area:

• Riverwatch Brewery
• World of Beer
• Pineapple Ink Tavern
• Arsenal Tap Room + Kitchen

Don't Let Fire and Smoke Damage in Augusta Break the Bank – SERVPRO is the Team for Affordable Fire Restoration Service.

For any house fire cleanup, there are many steps involved. When you have a fire in your Augusta home, you want a crew like SERVPRO on your side to handle everything for you. We work fast because We're Faster To Any Size Disaster – so you can trust us to get your house restored to pre-fire condition quickly.

When you contact us for fire restoration in Augusta, we:

• Remove any damaged components that are unsafe or unable to get salvaged.
• Remove flooring and floor coverings to prevent soot, dust, and contaminate collection.
• Evaluate all structural framing to ensure unseen portions of your house are up to safety standards.
• Carefully treat for odor and contamination typical in fire-damaged homes.
• Clean all salvageable content and materials to remove all fire and smoke damage.
• Remove or restore your HVAC system to keep harmful particles from spreading.

SERVPRO of Augusta is who you want on your side for fire restoration. Call us at (706) 750-0200 when you need emergency service.

Professional Fire Damage Restoration in Augusta

2/23/2021 (Permalink)

When fire damage happens, contact SERVPRO of Augusta at (706) 750-0200, no matter how big or small the problem.

SERVPRO Handles Restoration of Any Type of Fire Damage in Augusta

Golf fans know Augusta for hosting the Master's Golf Tournament every Spring. The tournament started after renowned amateur golfer Bobby Jones retired from championship golf in 1930 and decided to build a unique golf course. A friend suggested that a 365-acre property in Augusta called Fruitland Nurseries would be perfect for the new course. When Jones visited the property, he was immediately impressed by its layout and how well it suited a golf course. 

Augusta is also famous for its warm climate, which made it a popular resort town in the early to the mid-20th century for people visiting the eastern United States. Since it is situated inland on the Savannah River, it was considered a city of strategic importance after the civil war. It was therefore spared the destruction other southern cities faced. Several old buildings and landmarks that survived the war still stand today, especially in the historic downtown lying between 13th Street and East Boundary. 

Establishment History

Augusta was established in 1736 as the second town of the 13th British colony. General James Edward Oglethorpe, who founded the colony, thought the location was perfect since he intended to establish a trading post to compete with New Savannah Town, which lay on the South Carolina side of the Savannah River. His plan succeeded, with many traders from the rival town relocating to Augusta. In 1739, a fort was built, establishing further dominance.

As trading thrived, the population of town also grew since traders brought their families along, thus necessitating the establishment of other amenities. For instance, the first church was built in 1749. Augusta hosted refugees in its fort and church during the French and Indian wars leading to a further population increase.

Annual Events That Bring People to Augusta

Apart from the international golfing event in spring, several other events attract people to the city, including:

• Westobou Festival, held annually in late September and early October. Its goal is to pursue an innovative approach to musical performance. International performance art acts usually grace the event.
• Arts in the Heart of Augusta. The multicultural arts festival features music, visual arts, food from various groups in the region held every fall. 
• Boshears Skyfest, an annual airshow meant to honor aviation pioneers and showcase aerial acrobatics. It features acrobat biplanes, hot air balloon races, and racing jet semi-trucks.

SERVPRO Offers Professional Fire Damage Restoration Services in Augusta

Fire incidents affect properties from time to time. Such incidents can be severe, affecting the structure extensively or remain restricted to a small area such as around the kitchen stove. Whatever the severity level, such incidents necessitate various restoration tasks for the property to regain its preloss state.

SERVPRO assists residents affected by fire damage by providing trained people who understand the best ways to handle the loss. We also have all the necessary tools that simplify restoration processes. Some of the services that we provide include:

• Fire residue cleanup from affected areas or the entire property
• Teardown and restoration of affected building materials
• Deodorization to remove any strong odors

SERVPRO of Augusta can help you perform any fire damage restoration task. Call us at (706) 750-0200.

Should Augusta Residents Get Help for Fire Damage Restoration?

1/21/2021 (Permalink)

Fire loss to your property is no way task to handle. Call the professionals at SERVPRO for the services needed.

SERVPRO Ensures Complete Toxic Smoke and Soot Cleanup in Augusta 

In 1916, Augusta experienced a fire disaster that defined the city and its resilience under tremendous pressure. March 22, 1916, marked the date of a calamity that destroyed or significantly damaged 25 blocks of the city as it stood at that time. The perimeters of the fire were roughly 8th street to East Boundary Street. The flames traveled along Reynolds Street and spread from there. Parts of downtown and Old Town were involved in the destruction.

How Did Augusta's Great Fire Of 1916 Start?

As is sadly familiar with horrific events such as this blaze, the cause was an everyday error that grew wildly out of control. The ignition site was at Jackson and Broad Streets. Now occupied by the SunTrust Building, in 1916, the parcel underlay the Dyer Building. On the first floor, the M. E. Kelly dry goods store ensured the sharp looks of the clothing sold with a tailor's shop. Typical of such a service, the staff used a pressing iron to smooth out wrinkles and set creases. Momentary inattention to the hot implement permitted a fire to break out in the early evening. 

What Path Did the Augusta Fire Take Through the City?

The fire traveled from the Dyer building east, roaring through a quarter-square mile at the city center. Strong winds increased the blaze's intensity, and just about any building in its path provided fuel for its continuous movement. Commercial properties, personal residences, and schools all fell to the heat and flames. Attempts to quell the fire were provided by: 

• Augusta's eight firehouses
• Fire departments from neighboring cities:
• Atlanta
• Savannah
• Charlestown 
• Columbia

Estimates of the numbers of houses burned topped 525, and at least 138 businesses also toppled under the intense fire. 

How Does the 1916 Fire Rank Among Similar Events in Augusta? 

Although fires at other times pressed on the city's resources over the years, Augusta's Great Fire of 1916 was at an entirely different level of damage. It was considered the most significant loss sustained by the city and the entire state of Georgia. Depending on the source of information, the losses were estimated to exceed $6,000,000 at the time of the fire. Structures lost include:

• The Empire Life building
• The Chronicle building
• Tubman High School
• Houghton Grammar school
• The historic St. Paul's Church 

Photographs of the damage are archived and make the extent of the disaster clear. Augusta has rebuilt but does not forget.

What Is the Value of Hiring Professional Restorers for Your Fire Emergency? 

Catching a household blaze before it gets out of hand is a relief. No matter how inconsequential the accident might seem, Augusta fire damage restoration evaluation by SERVPRO is critical. The residues created by a home fire of any size need expert removal because they are:

• Acidic and highly corrosive to a wide range of structural components content
• Toxic, posing potential health effects when airborne and settle on surfaces
• Malodorous, requiring innovative equipment and best-practice protocols to remove

Count on the team at SERVPRO of Augusta to meet your fire mitigation and remediation needs. One call to (706) 750-0200 opens our toolbox of comprehensive resources focused on restoring your property.

Hone Your Business Writing Abilities In Augusta

12/20/2020 (Permalink)

Amp up your writing skills with this online writing course.

Augusta Residents Can Participate In This Skill-Building Class

In the business world, it is vital to be articulate in all forms of communication, particularly in the present day when many Augusta business deals get conducted solely through email or live chat. This business writing class assists participants in creating all types of written materials, from letters to presentations. This eight-hour course takes attendees from start to finish for taking lukewarm writing and making it compelling and persuasive. The instructor takes students through examples of writing and shows them how to elevate it. Elimination of "fluff" words and learning to hone a point in the least amount of words gets covered also. 

• Date: 12/25
• Course fee: $ 599.00
• Time: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Participants that prefer to attend virtually will get a link prior to the start of the classes

SERVPRO of Augusta at (706) 750-0200 serves the local community for any size fire mitigation needed in Augusta. Our technicians are available 24/7 and arrive soon after the initial call to get the restoration services going. 

Augusta Residents Use Fire Damage Restoration to Return their Homes to a Pre-Loss Condition After Fire.

11/25/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Augusta is Ready to Mobilize Expert Service Personnel and Equipment for Residential Fire Losses. 

Along the Savannah River lies Augusta. This sprawling city has an estimated population of 197,000 people, while the comprehensive Augusta Metropolitan Area encompasses an even greater 600,000 residents- making it second only to Atlanta in Georgia's met areas. Perhaps the most famous event that brings people to this city is The Masters' Golf Tour, which takes place every year in the Spring months. Up to 50,000 people turn out each day to watch the finest Golf players of their generation tee off at the Augusta National Golf Club- often referred to as the National. The course itself was designed in 1932 by famous landscapers Jones and Alister Mackenzie. Outside of golf tournaments, Augusta offers fantastic weather thanks to its subtropical climate and mild winters throughout the year. 

The city of Augusta is one with a rich history that goes back beyond the civil war. Downton is known as the historic center with buildings like St. Paul's Episcopal Church on Reynolds Street dating back to the mid-eighteenth century. This city's pre-civil war area can be found on the National Register for Historic Places and is protected due to its cultural and historical significance. The modern city is a diverse mix of traditional southern cuisine, far-reaching natural beauty, music, theater, and outdoor activities. Bringing together the city with the wider metropolitan area is the Savannah River, which runs for 301 miles through Georgia and Carolina before heading out into the Atlantic Ocean. 

• Downton Augusta is connected by Broadstreet, which is abundant with local eateries and nightlife. The 8th street entrance to the River Walk opens out into the Augusta Market, which runs from Spring until Fall and provides delicious local produce, artisan foods, as well as local wineries and craft breweries. Historical sites include the home of US President Woodrow Wilson, the Academy of Richmond County's 1801 campus, and many other unique religious and historic sites.
• Augusta's surrounding natural beauty is a national heritage site and offers incredible opportunities for Kayaking, Hiking, and Trail Riding. The Forks Area Trail System (FATS), starting on Woodlawn Road, was awarded Epic status from the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) and has hosted the IMBA's World Mountain Bike Summit in the past. What draws riders to this corner of the south is the winding trails for all rider levels, the sublime panoramic views, and thick forestry.
• Warm southern eat-outs line the Broad Street walkway, offering soul food, international delicacies, and traditional Southern-style sandwiches. Groucho's Deli on 758 Broad Street has signature sandwiches that delight both visitors and residents all year round. The award-winning sandwiches have seen a recent explosion in popularity, allowing the deli to branch out into nearby Savannah, Greenville, and Aiken. This year, Groucho's won numerous awards, including the Best of Columbia 2020.

Visiting Augusta, GA, for the annual The Masters' Golf tournament. 

The Masters represents one of four major golf tournaments that take place every year. Since 1934 this course has kicked off the tour season starting in April and running for four days. However, many enthusiasts seek out the much-coveted early tickets to observe the practice rounds. This invitational tournament is the smallest of its kind with just 92 contestants but remains among the most prestigious in global golf. Each year the winner is awarded the traditional Green Jacket, passed from victor to victor as far back as 1949. 2020 marks the first year that the Masters have taken place in the winter running from November due to the Covid-19 health crisis. 

• The opening of the tournament begins with the Champions Dinner taking place the Tuesday before tee off. The event invites the tour's previous champions. Previous champions sometimes carry out honorary tee-offs at the beginning of each tournament. Jack Niklaus, a 6-time winner of the Masters, has performed the ceremonial drive alongside other luminaries like Tiger Woods. 
• Finding places to stay during the tournament can almost be as challenging as finding a ticket. The Lookaway Inn on West Forest Avenue is among the best. The converted turn of the century mansion is a short drive from the event with understated neo-gothic architecture and Roman Columns. The Westbank Inn on Washington Road is equally cozy and within walking distance of the daily golf. 
• Getting hold of a ticket for the practice rounds of Augusta's premier golf tournament is more exclusive than it is expensive. The reasonably priced tickets usually need to be booked in advance up to a year before the game occurs and are awarded at random to applicants through a ballot system. Tournament tickets are granted solely to Masters Badge holders and Patrons.

Tackling Fire Damage in your Augusta Home with Professional Guidance and Expertise.

Fire Restoration can be tricky. Smoke stains can come in many forms, while odors can permeate both furnishings and the interior of your building assembly. Correctly identifying soot deposits and the most effective cleaning methodology is an expert task. Homeowners with fire damage in Augusta can help reduce losses by light vacuuming to remove dry soots and cover the upholstery with old sheets to prevent further harm. However, tackling larger areas of smoke may inadvertently cause further damage to the property. The proper application of cleaning products requires careful testing of the soils to determine an effective solution. 

• SERVPRO can analyze and restore wet, dry, or greasy smoke deposits. Our range of cleaning agents includes oil-based, alkaline, and acidic treatments. Natural fabrics often have unique properties. Our resources of machines and cleaners can help to return them to a preloss condition. 
• Fire odors can permeate a home rapidly and be tough to rid from the structure. We can identify odor-causing items and make informed decisions on whether to restore or replace them. Our odor counteractants are recommended by both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certifications (IICRC) S500 program for residential use. 
• Resurfacing, finishing, or upholstering can become expensive. By carefully deciding which items are repairable before beginning restoration, we can ensure services remain time and cost-efficient. 

If a house fire causes soots and soils to buildup on walls, furniture, or appliances, contact SERVPRO of Augusta at (706) 750-0200.

Will This Fire Damage Be Undetectable After Cleanup?

9/15/2020 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot linger after the flames are extinguished. SERVPRO has the know-how to restore your home. Call us today!

Hiring Skilled Technicians from SERVPRO for Fire Damage Restoration Brings Your Martinez Interior Back to Pre-Loss Condition 

A fire's impact can be devastating to any home, often leaving you at a loss for where to start the cleanup. SERVPRO offers 24/7 emergency response when you have a fire that leaves you in need of prompt, reliable restoration services. We make it easier for you and your family because we are Faster to Any Size Disaster, and we work quickly to bring your interior back to pre-fire condition. Our team's goal is to erase all fire traces in your Martinez home while using the latest equipment and professional techniques. 

What Should be My First Steps After the Fire? 

After the fire gets fully extinguished, first responders will let you know if it is safe to enter your property. You can call SERVPRO right away to help with fire damage restoration in Martinez, where we will start the initial assessment. This assessment allows us to tailor a plan suited to your need for cleanup and repair so that your interior is left "Like it never even happened." With the variety of EPA-registered cleaning products, latest techniques, and industrial-grade equipment, we ensure that everything gets restored faster than any DIY methods could ever achieve. 

What About Air Quality? 

With all of the soot particles and smoke residue left after a fire, it is essential to address the air quality. It is also crucial to look at any moisture remaining from extinguishing the flames, bringing mildew and mold growth potential. Excessive mold colonization poses potential health effects for you and your family. The good news is that SERVPRO features IICRC-certified technicians to clean your interior while restoring indoor air quality thoroughly, keeping your interior breathable but also cuts back on the potential for odorous smoke and microbial contamination. Some of the equipment we may employ includes: 

• Air Scrubbers –Such machinery works to reduce particulates and debris from the air inside your home. They also help to lessen the threat of different microorganisms known to colonize when moist conditions develop. Working similarly to hydroxyl machinery, the air scrubbers pull contaminated air inside and trap airborne particles, then putting out cleaner air.
• Hydroxyl Generators –This dual-action equipment works to deodorize your interior while helping to filter out and purify the air. These machines feature HEPA filtration, which brings air inside where debris, particulates, and microbes get trapped. 

How Will SERVPRO Handle Soot Stains? 

The heat from the fire that developed in your Martinez home can cause charring to a variety of surfaces. Standard restoration efforts prove that resurfacing or replacement is sometimes the best option. Due to the time involved, our crew has a variety of advanced equipment and proven methods that we can use to tackle even the toughest smoke and soot residue in a shorter timeframe. Soda blasting includes pressurized air that shoots sodium bicarbonate out at high speed. This blasting strips away the charring and smoke residue but also acts like a deodorizer that blasts away odorous elements from the damaged items getting treated. 

Particulates from smoke and soot will settle quickly on your walls, ceilings, and other flat surfaces after a fire in your home. If you try to clean using DIY methods alone, it can be time-consuming and unproductive. We use the best processes for your unique fire project, such as pressure washers or vacuums to remove residue. SERVPRO also has HEPA filtration in our industrial-grade vacuums that work to pull out any soot particles not to distribute them within the home. 

Will You Completely Eliminate the Smoke Smell? 

SERVPRO has perfected our smoke removal process, meaning that we put forth our best efforts to eliminate smoke odors after the fire. Every step helps break down the residue left behind while also looking for any hidden cracks or crevices where particulates may have traveled. 

Common steps get taken when called to restoration projects in Martinez, including: 

• The removal of furniture and belongings from the home to be cleaned and deodorized elsewhere. Clearing the room not only helps allow for more room as our technicians work, but it also limits the amount of smoke residue, soot, and debris tracking from one space to the next.
• All surfaces get cleaned carefully to ensure no area is left untreated. Our extensive selection of EPA-registered cleaning agents helps remove harsh residue from various materials, including plastic, wood, metals, etc.
• If pungent odors are present in your home, our technicians can recreate the process that brought on odor penetration. Thermal fogging equipment heats up deodorizing agents to create a fine mist that penetrates materials and traps odors for removal.
• Any exposed surfaces can get sealed where a fair amount of smoke residue is present. We have special primers used to treat ductwork or seal walls that can then get finished with a final coat of paint.  

Call SERVPRO of Augusta at (706) 750-0200 whenever you need 24/7 assistance with fire damage restoration!

Soot and Smoke Residues Are All Over My Property. Where Can I Seek Help?

7/27/2020 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot are difficult to remove. SERVPRO has the expertise and experience to restore your home.

Talk to the SERVPRO Team of Technicians in Augusta for Fire Damage Restoration Services.

Property owners face a wide range of issues in their homes, but fires are among the worst. The repercussions of a fire can be devastating and deadly. Thankfully, professional fire restorers can help bring your Augusta property back to its preloss condition following a fire loss.

How do technicians handle fire and smoke damage?

A small fire cannot cause significant damage to a structure, but the smoke and soot residues the fire leaves can be extreme. At SERVPRO, we have a team of restorers with exceptional skills in handling fire damage in Augusta properties. With access to hi-tech equipment and cutting-edge restoration processes, we can restore items such as:

• Woodwork
• Flooring
• Carpeting
• Ceilings
• Walls

Also, we can decontaminate your ductwork and HVAC system. The decontamination process involves removing pollutants such as mold and soot from the system to ensure it works as expected.

How safe is my property during restoration?

Our technicians understand that the weather can change any time during the restoration. Therefore, we board up our customer’s property using plywood by attaching it to the surface around openings. We bolt up the plywood to two-by-fours to hold the covering in place by tension. If the roof incurred damage during the fire loss incident, we could place a temporary cover over it to protect your residence from sustaining further damage.

How do you clean the affected area?

Before we begin the restoration process, our technicians first inspect the home, which helps us determine the tools and restoration processes. We use both wet and dry cleaning techniques depending on the surfaces we are cleaning. We can use strong acid cleaners such as stone and porcelain cleaner to remove smoke and soot from brick and stone surfaces. The product can also remove soap scum and hard water deposits.

SERVPRO technicians can also use abrasion blasting to clean masonry, which is an aggressive cleaning method that involves using different types of blasting media. Our technicians can perform gentle abrasion using materials like:

• Soda ash
• Sponge
• Dry ice
• Ground corn cobs

We can also use sand during abrasion blasting, but it changes the surfaces. So, it is not prudent to use it at times, such as when sandblasting can affect a building’s historical value.

Do not stress over fire damage since SERVPRO of Augusta can help you. We can handle the fire loss to make it “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at (706) 750-0200. 

More about Augusta.

Can One Company Help to Eliminate Both Fire Damage and Smoke Odors?

5/27/2020 (Permalink)

Your home is in good hands with our teams at SERVPRO. Give us a call at (706) 750-0200, we are always available.

SERVPRO Has the Skills and Equipment to Manage All Aspects of Augusta Residential Fire Damage Recovery

Cleaning up after a fire rages through your home is overwhelming, requiring a seemingly endless set of tasks to be completed before you can enjoy the security and comfort of your house again. The soils and residues created during the disaster are like nothing else the typical Augusta homeowner encounters in home repair and maintenance. Not only are surfaces charred and coated with soot, but an incredibly unpleasant stench also pervades every space in your dwelling, including rooms that appear otherwise unaffected by the fire loss. Are sound strategies for deodorization available through the professional companies that provide fire damage mitigations and remediation? 

How Are Persistent Odors Linked to Fire Damage?

The lingering odors complained of by homeowners tie directly to other types of fire damage in Augusta. When a fire burns inside a building, the fuels change from room to room. Wood and paper burn fast and hot, leaving a light, ashy soot that is relatively easy to clean up nearly completely with dusting, dry sponging, and HEPA-filtered vacuuming approaches. Plastics, rubber, damp materials, and other synthetics smolder at a lower temperature, spreading a thick, dark soot that sticks and stinks. Removal needs the help of agitation, properly matched cleaners, heat manipulation, and time for cleaners to soak off the residue. Protein-based soot relates to kitchen fires, the coating tenaciously adhered to surfaces. This final type of soot has a pungent and offensive stench caused by the dehydrated rancid food and grease proteins left behind.

Are There Conditions that Make Smoke Odors Worse?

When SERVPRO considers the range of solutions available for fire damage and odor, the more data we have, the better. Basic deodorization protocols used by our crews may not achieve the success desired because of heightened humidity or temperatures that vaporize odors that are absorbed deeply into permeable structural components. Materials inside walls are difficult to examine for an odor assessment, such as insulation that holds the odor-bearing particles of soot far within, permitting the odor to flow outward later as air pressure varies. Every individual perceives odors differently as well, posing a problem when all other occupants of your home breathe freely, yet one person is more sensitive and continues to note malodors.

How Do Professionals Eliminate Fire Odors from Your Home?

The good news is that several tasks our remediation crews use to clean up the charring and sticky coatings on every surface are the same as some of the first phases of odor elimination. Since odors are attached to soot particles, thorough cleaning is an effective way to achieve the deodorization as well. Here are some procedures our crews use to clean residues that can rid your house of odors as a double benefit:

Containment

Designated containment areas reduces the drift of smoke and soot and prevents further spread of residues stirred up during the cleaning efforts. When we contain an area after fire damage, we frequently employ a negative pressure air scrubbing system that forces airborne residues, including odors, through HEPA filters and then vents the air to the outdoors. Vacuuming and wipe downs of all soot-covered surfaces ensure very few odor-bearing particles remain. The contained area is wrapped in 1.6 mil polyethylene for more protection. 

Debris Removal

Chunks of charred material, either structural or from burned contents, are significant carriers of odor. Our crews collect and bag these items, removing them and their smell from the house.

Sealing of Surfaces

Sometimes odors, linked to the soot, are ground into surfaces. If staining remains, our crews arrange for priming and repainting or refinishing of surfaces. This action can seal the odors inside. Sealing is also used as an odor-eliminating strategy on its own. 

What if Cleaning Up Still Permits Odor to Permeate?

When odors survive even thorough, professional cleaning, our Odor Control Technicians (OCT) turn to advanced technologies. As an Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) certified firm, we continually monitor innovative deodorization equipment and techniques. We work through options until one works for your property.

Thermal Fogging

Deodorants are combusted, replicating the conditions of the fire, and fogged into odiferous spaces. The deodorant particles seek out the soot, pairing with the odor bearing particles and neutralizing them.

Hydroxyl Generators

This specialized machine creates reactive hydroxyl molecules that can convert the contaminants into harmless, non-odiferous compounds. It is safe to operate this equipment around people and pets. 

Why is SERVPRO of Augusta the fire damage and odor restoration leader in our region? Contact us at (706) 750-0200 to discuss the options we can offer. 

How Do I Clean Common Household Items After a Fire in Augusta?

4/20/2020 (Permalink)

Turn to SERVPRO of Augusta to clean your household items after a fire.

Check Out the Cleaning Strategies Used by SERVPRO to Handle Fire Damage in Your Augusta Home

After a fire, most of the initial focus is on cleaning structures and surfaces. But many household items require special cleaning techniques, strategies, and materials, so you should consider using the advice and help of experts to restore these items.

What is the best way to identify the household items that need special cleaning procedures?
SERVPRO professionals know which items need special attention, and they can help homeowners make a list of these items after suffering fire damage in their Augusta home.

What are some common kitchen items that have to be cleaned?

    •    Dishes
    •    Crystal and china
    •    Appliances

What are some of the special cleaning procedures and products for kitchen items?
One example would be dishes and china; the procedures for these two items are often completely different. Dishes are prone to heat damage, and they should also be cleaned quickly to prevent a residue buildup. China is more delicate and should be cleaned by hand, rather than exposing different pieces to harsh detergents or placing them in an ultrasound machine.

What are some examples from other rooms in the house?

    •    Draperies
    •    Decorative items
    •    Venetian or vertical blinds
    •    Bathroom fixtures

How are drapes and blinds usually cleaned?
Drapes can be cleaned by hot water extraction or by machine dry cleaning. The cleaning decision is based on several factors, including the type of fiber, the condition of the material, and level of smoke residue. Blinds can be cleaned by immersing them in an ultrasonic tank or by placing them on a padded surface and using wet-cleaning.

What about bathroom fixtures?
Heat and smoke residue can cause stains on fiberglass fixtures, especially on fixtures with light colors. Liquid creme cleaners are used to remove these residues.

Turn to SERVPRO of Augusta to clean your household items after a fire. Call us at (706) 750-0200 to schedule an assessment and estimate.

For more about Augusta click here.

We Put The Flames Of Worry Out In Augusta

2/27/2020 (Permalink)

We cut restoration costs and limit further damage after a fire and have the training and equipment to properly restore your home. Call us right away.

Addressing Kitchen Fire Damage in an Augusta Home

The kitchen is the number one spot for home fires. Whether they come from cooking or appliance failures, these disasters pose unique challenges for homeowners. Soot can quickly discolor and corrode surfaces, while invisible protein residues from cooking can impart strong, unpleasant odors that can spread through your home's HVAC system.

If your Augusta residence requires fast fire damage mitigation, the technicians at SERVPRO are ready to assist you. This firm prides itself not only on the education its staff receives but also on its ability to educate insurance and real estate professionals on disaster mitigation to further assist homeowners. These credit and non-credit courses cover topics like fire and water damage, mold remediation, restorative drying, and mitigation awareness response. 

Tips for Preventing Cooking Fires

• Keep appliances clean and in good shape. Clean ovens, microwaves, and stoves that are free of flammable debris and grease are much less likely to start a fire.
• Unplug devices that are not in use. Appliances that are shut off still use electricity as long as they are plugged in, which can pose a fire risk if you have old or faulty electrical wiring. 
• Keep flammable materials away from the stove. This includes pulling back long sleeves and hair and keeping oven mitts and paper towels away from the stove. Never leave cooking food unattended. 
• Smother fires to prevent spreading. Keep the microwave and oven doors closed if a fire breaks out. Small stove fires can often be addressed with kitchen fire extinguishers, baking soda, or salt. Never use water, flour, or sugar to extinguish a kitchen fire. 

SERVPRO's Odor Control Techniques

SERVPRO technicians have a variety of odor control methods available for fire damage, including EPA-registered antimicrobials, blast media like baking soda to remove char, as well as agitating tools and cleaners to dislodge odor-causing soils and deposits. One of the most effective odor removal tools available, however, is the thermal fogger, which allows deodorizers to be dispensed in the form of a dry smoke that penetrates surfaces in the same way that smoke does during a fire. These 

SERVPRO of Augusta is committed to leaving your home looking, "Like it never even happened." Call (706) 750-0200 for rapid disaster cleanup.

See more about Augusta.

We Act Fast In Augusta After A Fire

1/23/2020 (Permalink)

Mitigating Electrical Fire Damage to an Augusta Residence

Georgia homeowners may know to be careful with items like power strips and surge protectors. Still, they may be surprised to find out how many precautions are needed to handle extension cords safely. While these auxiliary power sources are convenient for a variety of applications, it is not safe to use them as a permanent connector for appliances. Without proper precautions, an electrical fire can cause considerable damage to your home.

If your Augusta residence has suffered fire damage from electrical wiring or appliances, certified SERVPRO technicians are available to mitigate disaster and restore your home to a preloss condition. These certified professionals are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, so that homeowners can always get the cleanup that they need fast.

Electrical Fire Safety Tips

When purchasing extension cables, only get cords that have been approved through independent testing labs. If you need a power source for outdoor projects, stick to only using extension cables that are labeled for that purpose. Be mindful of the correct usage of the cable, as indicated in any included documentation.

Only use cables that can handle the wattage of the devices you intend to use. The lower the gauge of the wire, the more safely that it can handle the electrical current. Shorter cords are also highly recommended for more electrical current, while longer cables manage much less. In short, for larger appliances, use thick, round, low gauge extension cords, and for smaller devices, use thin or flat ones. Always use cords with polarized or three-pronged plugs, and never modify an extension cable or remove its grounding pin to fit it into a two-prong outlet.

How SERVPRO Removes Fire Damage

One of the most persistent issues after an electrical fire is the odors left behind. Whether from burnt metals, rubber, or singed flooring and other structural materials, these odors can persist for long periods without professional cleanup materials. SERVPRO technicians can use specialized industrial-grade deodorizers, like thermal foggers, to address odors.

The thermal fogger is designed to penetrate odor-affected surfaces the same way that smoke penetrates surfaces during a fire. Dry, solvent-based smoke is spread throughout the fire damaged area and works to eliminate odor-causing particles in tandem with EPA-registered antimicrobials, pump-sprayed deodorizers, odor counteractant beads, and manual soil-dislodging tools.

SERVPRO of Augusta wants to make your home look, "Like it never even happened." If you need disaster cleanup service, do not delay. Call (706) 750-0200 today.

See more about Augusta.

Fires Damage in Martinez is Stressful. Let SERVPRO Handle the Cleanup and Restoration Process for You

11/25/2019 (Permalink)

Even a small fire can do a lot of damage. SERVPRO of Augusta has the know-how to restore your home. Call us today!

Taking Care of Complexities During Fire Damage Cleanup in Martinez Homes

When we receive notification from a distraught property owner regarding a fire damage incident, we collect as much information as possible about it. Our customer service team can ask you several questions to gauge the intensity of the disaster at your residence, such as what time the fire occurred, what caused it, and if you have tried to do any cleanup after the incident.

After the call, our SERVPRO fire restoration crew can arrive at your property within an hour to evaluate the fire damage in your Martinez home. We can then take the necessary steps to restore the property to its pre-fire damage condition. Quickly beginning the cleanup process can prevent smoke residues, water, and soot from causing additional damage to your belongings and home.

As fire restoration experts, we know the guidelines to follow when restoring your home so we can achieve the desired results. Some factors can create complexities that can affect the restoration procedure. For instance, air currents can create problems that affect the proper dispersal of deodorizing sprays. To prevent this problem, our technicians can block off air current paths such as doors, windows, and vents so that deodorizers get to the intended surfaces.

When restoring a fire-damaged home, getting rid of smoke residues is essential. When the smoke settles on surfaces as a residue, it is known as soot. Soot residues may contain various kinds of acids because the sulfides and chlorides in smoke mix with moisture or with the humidity in the air to form acids. If acidic residues remain on materials for extended periods, they can cause corrosion and discoloration. Our SERVPRO team can use tools like dry cleaning sponges to remove the smoke residues. Our restorers can also agitate items such as drapes and upholstered fabrics to remove smoke particles.

The fire may have affected the masonry surfaces of your property, such as brick, fieldstone, and cinder block. If that is the case, we can use the right cleaning products and techniques to clean them. For instance, the materials found in fieldstone might react with cleaning products, and the reaction may cause a change in the stone’s color. By identifying the affected masonry surface correctly, our crew can choose a product that can clean the particular surface effectively.

We complete the fire damage repair according to the set timelines. After completing the restoration process, we allow property owners to conduct a walkthrough and check if we have completed the restoration work as required.

If you are dealing with a fire loss in your Martinez or Grovetown home, SERVPRO of Augusta can help. Contact us at (706) 750-0200 for quick restoration. We can handle the damage effectively to make it seem, “Like it never even happened.”

More about Martinez.

Electrical Fire Damage in Your Grovetown Home May Necessitate the Removal of Smoke Residues

9/30/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO will be there for you and your Grovetown home fire damage.

Electrical faults are a leading cause of fires in homes. Electrical fires can happen because of faulty appliances and improper use of electrical outlets. Old wiring inside walls can also become worn or frayed, causing sparks and shorts that may ignite. To prevent such fires, ensure that a certified electrician does all the electrical work in your home.

If you experience fire damage in your Grovetown residence, hiring experts who can restore it to its pre-damaged condition is critical. A fire can ruin your belongings and also char the ceilings, walls, and floors. SERVPRO franchise professionals can assist you in performing fire damage cleanup. 

A fire might have only caused damage to a part of your home, but smoke may have traveled to all the rooms. After the smoke settles on the surface as residue, we usually refer it to as soot. Soot is a byproduct of incomplete combustion, and it can contain a combination of soils, metals, acids, dust, and chemicals, based on the substances that a fire has burned. 

Soot residues may comprise different types of acids because sulfides and chlorides mix with moisture to form acids or humidity in the air. Acidic soot residues can cause corrosion and discoloration if they remain on surfaces for a long time. Some types of soot and more challenging to remove than others. Our technicians can effectively clean different residues, including:

• Wet smoke residues 
• Fuel oil smoke residues
• Dry smoke residues
• Protein smoke residues

Our Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technicians (FSRTs) use different cleaning methods to eliminate different residues. It is easier to remove dry smoke residues than it is to remove dry smoke residues. Less aggressive cleaning procedures are adequate for removing dry smoke residues. Dry cleaning methods involve the use of specific counteractants specific to the kind of fire that occurred. Wet cleaning involves applying detergent solutions to fire-ruined textiles, and we may soak them first. We can clean the ceiling and lighting fixtures using low pressure steam cleaning. Our SERVPRO technicians also remove and dispose of all contaminated materials correctly. 

When a fire leaves soot in different parts of your home, SERVPRO of Augusta is the right restoration company to hire. We can make the damage look “Like it never happened.” Call us anytime at (706) 750-0200 for quick remediation. 

To learn more about Grovetown, click here.

Our Technicians Discuss What You Need To Do During A Fire In Your Augusta Home

7/15/2019 (Permalink)

Whenever you need assistance with the fire damage inside your home, never wait.

What You Should Do During A Fire Damage Emergency In Your Augusta Home

It's an unpleasant experience for any homeowner when a blaze causes fire damage to their property. It's essential to have a fire extinguisher in your home, which is not expired, just in case an emergency should happen. Using a fire extinguisher can help limit how much damage happens inside of your home until the firefighters arrive at the scene of the blaze.

Fortunately, the fire damage in your Augusta home was not catastrophic. An electrical surge in your living room caused the outlet, which your window air conditioner was plugged into, to catch on fire. Thankfully for your quick and calm reaction, the fire did not have much time to grow past the contained area of where the outlet was located.

Even if the fire damage inside of your home is minimal, and contained to just a surface or two, it is wise to call for professional help. Here at SERVPRO, we take every job seriously, large or small, and always rush to arrive at the job site. Our fire damage restoration technicians (FDRT) can get to your home within a couple of hours of your initial call, equipped with advanced technological equipment to fight the fire damage.

In order to combat the fire damage inside of your home, our SERVPRO FDRT can use a variety of techniques and devices to remove odors, surface char, excess water, and soot, such as:

    •    C02 blasters or sodium bicarbonate blasters

    •    House-formulated cleaning solutions

    •    Handheld HEPA vacuums or Air Scrubbers with HEPA filters

    •    Wet/Dry Vacuums

Here at SERVPRO, we firmly believe in removing as much evidence of the fire as possible so that you can return to your home in its pre-fire state. Remember, the best method of minimizing damage inside of your home during an emergency is to remain calm and call for help as soon as possible.

Whenever you need assistance with the fire damage inside your home, never wait. Get in touch with SERVPRO of Augusta by calling (706) 750-0200. We're open 24/7 and ready to help.

For more about Augusta click here.

Call Us Right After A Fire Has Occurred In Your Augusta Home

6/4/2019 (Permalink)

Give our experienced team a call anytime that you need us at (706) 750-0200.

Debris Removal Solutions For Your Fire-Damaged Augusta Home

Immediately following the extinguishment of a fire in your Augusta home, once first responders have deemed the property safe enough to re-enter, homeowners are often unclear as to what their next step should be. With so much work to get done to bring your house back to its original condition, it can be damaging to avoid getting mitigation and recovery started immediately. Even still, homeowners often choose to reach out to their insurance provider instead of our restoration specialists first, and there are a few reasons why that might be a mistake.

After extinguishment, many effects exist that must get cleaned up, and fire removal services for your Augusta home is not something that your insurance company can give you. Debris removal is a critical component to recovery after a fire loss incident, and this begins with a thorough inspection of the home to determine what elements and construction materials can stay installed and which must get removed and replaced by our competent professionals.

Our SERVPRO technicians have extensive experience in spot testing materials like drywall and wood to determine the extent of their damage and to determine if restorative actions are possible. This assessment, even the structural testing, and evaluation are all components of detailed documentation and evidence that your insurance provider expects before they can begin the process of filing a damage claim for your household.

The professionals that we dispatch to your fire-damaged home arrive with the expertise and the equipment to begin controlled demolition quickly. By pinpointing specific portions of materials and areas of your house to get repaired rather than rebuilding much larger surface areas, we can save our customers time and money on the reconstruction that follows from our experienced contractors.

We know that there are many obstacles after a fire loss incident, but you can count on our SERVPRO of Augusta specialists to help you through every phase of recovery and restoration. Give our experienced team a call anytime that you need us at (706) 750-0200.

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When You Plug Fire Damage Into Your Augusta Home

4/29/2019 (Permalink)

Augusta Fire Damage from Destructive Electrical Fire Gets Fast Mitigation

When it comes to everyday items causing fire damage, extension cords are in the top ten. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates over 3,300 residential fires per year. When you have a fire in your home, it needs to be addressed quickly to minimize loss.

Fire damage in an Augusta home was caused by misuse of an extension cord. The homeowner was running a television, air conditioner, dehumidifier and toaster oven on a couple of strung-together extension cords. The ungrounded outlet in the wall got overheated and caught fire which was extinguished quickly but there was a large amount of damage to deal with when our technicians arrived, and the electricity was off.

Our technicians arrived on the scene soon after the initial call and brought our portable generators to run our equipment. The room where the fire occurred was quickly contained to stop any further spread of soot or odors. The damaged drywall was removed using controlled demolition techniques. Items in the room were inspected and removed if they were too damaged for restoration. Residual water from extinguishing the fire was quickly extracted. So the property could be dried, cleaned and disinfected.

Lingering fire odors remained in the room, so air scrubbers were used followed by the application of thermal fogging to neutralize odor-causing particulates completely. Once the remediation from the fire was completed, suggestions were made by our technicians for the completion of the restoration with the replacement of the damaged structural components. Our building services division was able to rebuild the damaged wall for the homeowner and install new grounded outlets to avoid a repeat of this scenario.

SERVPRO of Augusta is available to mitigate fire damage to your property 24-hours a day at (706) 750-0200. Our certified technicians have the equipment and expertise to handle any amount of damage and "We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster."

Augusta was first settled in 1736.  Read more here.

You Can Put Your Faith In Our Crew To Restore Your Augusta Home After A Fire

2/12/2019 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of Augusta, our goal is to return each home to its original, pre-fire condition.

Cleaning And Restoring Fire Damage In Augusta

Augusta homeowners enjoy the spectacle of The Masters and other golf tournaments every year. No matter how many times they can meet past winners and smile at the whole thing, certain events like a house fire can take it all away in minutes. Fortunately, most physical damage from fires in the home is usually limited to one or two rooms with the majority of the restoration directed at cleaning.

SERVPRO restoration teams use four methods designed to clean and remove fire damage residues from Augusta homes, loosening them and other soils from affected surfaces. Chemical, Lubrication and Mechanical actions, along with Suspension can take care of all but the worst residue problems.

Technicians use chemical agents to alter the residue. In most cases, a team member uses a liquid or powder cleaner that breaks down the residue layers, making them easier to remove using cloths, sponges, or brushes when needed. Agents for this type of action include shampoos for carpeting and bleach solutions that work on fabrics like clothing, drapes, and upholstery.

For hard surfaces, SERVPRO specialists use specialized detergents to lubricate them. This action makes the surfaces slippery, so that additional removal actions cause the residue and other soils to break away and become absorbed by, or “slide” in the detergent solution. The reaction is also called emulsification.

For thicker layers or to simply prepare surfaces for chemical and lubrication actions, specialists also use mechanical brushes and other devices to agitate the residues and other soils. Depending on the type of surface, some liquid cleaners can cause particles left by smoke to absorb into them. That makes mechanical action the only option for a small number of items. Mechanical action works exceptionally well on dry, non-greasy residues.

Suspension is a cleaning action that traps the residues in the cleaning agent after removing it from the surface. It is similar to lubrication, but suspension only happens when residues and other soils dissolve into the cleaning agent.

At SERVPRO of Augusta, our goal is to return each home to its original, pre-fire condition. Regardless of the size of the fire, cleaning and removing smoke and soot residues requires a professional agency. If you need our services, contact us at (706) 868-5441 today.

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Stress and Disruptions

1/27/2016 (Permalink)

A home or business fire can be a very stressful event for the property owner. Damage to personal belongings and the contents of the building is just one concern. Timely mitigation is the key to controlling damage, while reducing downtime and recovery cost$$$! We understand how disruptive fires can be for business owners, tenants and even customers. That is why SERVPRO offers 24 hour emergency response. Don't proscatinate on making the call to start the mitigation process. A rapid response cuts loss of time and money. SERVPRO will help limit damage and get your home or facility back in operation quickly.