Recent Fire Damage Posts
Tips for Avoiding Fire Damage Year-Round in Central Seattle Homes
9/12/2022 (Permalink)
SERVPRO says--space heaters can cause fire damage to your Seattle area home or business.
SERVPRO Brings Professional Fire Damage Restoration Services Available 24/7 to Central Seattle Properties
According to the Insurance Information Institute, a house fire occurs in the United States every 87 seconds. While not every Central Seattle fire can be prevented, many of them could have been avoided or stopped early on with the right monitoring equipment, knowledge, and tools to extinguish it. This can greatly reduce fire damage.
There are many different ways fire damage can occur within a Seattle home, and SERVPRO has tips to lessen the potential for the need for house fire cleanup services. A little time spent preparing can avoid the cost of fire damage restoration.
Holiday Season Fire Hazards
While the holiday season is a time of joy, it also comes with a lot of potential fire damage. Christmas trees, in particular, are common causes. Natural trees need to get watered, and the needles should not dry out. The heat from the lights or a spark can set the tree ablaze. Artificial trees are not always constructed using fire retardant materials, and decorations that can overheat should not be in direct contact with the materials of the limbs. No matter what type of tree gets used, homeowners should never leave the lights on unattended. Decorations such as lights hung outside the home should use UL-approved cords and waterproof weather cases around extension cord connections. Prevent fire damage from setting your seasonal hopes up in smoke.
Candle and Space Heater Dangers
When used safely, a space heater is ideal for heating a cold area in the home. To avoid fire damage, consumers should look for space heaters that have the following features:
- Space heaters should be plugged directly into a wall outlet without the use of an extension cord or 3-prong adaptors
- Inspect the cord and plug occasionally during operation to ensure it is not becoming too hot
- Keep flammable materials and textiles at least 3 feet away from the unit or expect fire damage
While space heaters bring warmth into a home, candles bring the appearance of warmth, ambiance, and pleasant scents. Candles should never be left burning unattended, particularly if there are pets or children in the home. Much like a space heater, the heat from a candle can ignite nearby fabrics or flammable materials and cause minor to major fire damage. Homeowners should burn candles away from anything that could easily ignite, such as curtains, lampshades, books, clothing, or dried flowers arrangements.
Local homeowners should install smoke alarms in each room in the home and test them monthly to ensure they are working. A family escape plan for how to get out of the house in the event of a blaze and where to meet, including pets. Practicing this plan at least a few times a year can work to save lives.
Benefits of Outsourcing Fire Damage Restoration Services
SERVPRO technicians treat every fire damage restoration service uniquely while following the systems of science upon which they are based. Cleaning fire and smoke damage, soot removal, and fire odor removal are crucial aspects of their detailed assistance.
Seattle residents rely on SERVPRO of Central Seattle at (206) 282-9500 for any size and type of fire damage restoration needed to make it "Like it never even happened."
How Can I Stop Damages from a Fire Affecting My Whole Seattle House?
9/11/2022 (Permalink)
Even though the fire started in your kitchen, the damage can spread throughout your home. Contact SERVPRO 24/7 to remediate the damage.
Containment Is Vital to Stopping the Spread of Soot, Smoke, and Odors – Our SERVPRO Team Can Help.
Knowing how to reduce the spread and severity of fire loss effects is not common knowledge to homeowners, but it is something that professional restoration teams like our SERVPRO technicians begin working on immediately with our arrival. Containment strategies help to keep the damaged area in one place and do not allow the work involved in restoration to be necessary over the entire property.
How Does Containment Work?
When it comes to reducing fire damage in Seattle homes, containment barriers are among the first steps that our responding technicians employ. There are multiple approaches to accomplishing this, including physical constructions around the perimeter of the damaged area to keep spreading effects like soot and odors in one area. These walls usually feature wood and thick plastic sheeting. Non-physical barriers are the equipment set up along this perimeter to contain environmental threats like soot particles, floating debris, ash, and odors.
Some other advantages to containing the damage include:
- Singular recovery area
- Maximizes drying and cleaning
- Prevents the spread of harmful effects
How Do You Prevent Contaminating Clean Areas?
Cross-contamination can be a challenge to avoid on any recovery site. Our SERVPRO team sets up a staging area beside the primary damaged region of your house. This second space also gets contained with the same defense. This area allows us to manage tools getting used in the compromised space and our clothing to prevent contaminating other areas of the house. Setting up a staging area limits our trips in and out of the work area as well, which reduces the chances of contaminating other areas of the house.
Fire losses can be stressful enough without the effects spreading throughout your entire residence. Our SERVPRO of Central Seattle can help with effective containment to maximize our production and focus. Give our professionals a call anytime at (206) 282-9500.
Why Professional Restoration is Needed for Kitchen Fires in Seattle
7/17/2022 (Permalink)
Kitchen fires can quickly escalate and the damage spreads throughout your home. Contact our team to investigate the extent and remediate the damage.
Why Advanced Training in Appropriate Kitchen Fire Damage Cleaning Is Crucial in Seattle
Cleaning up after a fire in your Seattle home requires more than an upbeat attitude and some elbow grease. Even if the flames subsided quickly, residues from the kitchen fire likely spread widely throughout your home. The soiling attaches to any surface, horizontal, vertical, or slanted, the hot air currents from the fire depositing the soot on cooler walls, ceilings, and furnishings often far from the ignition site. Residues are almost transparent but very bad smelling and tightly adhered to the surfaces.
Not Typical Household Dirt and Grime
To understand issues presented by fire damage in Seattle, imagine the interior of your oven after many roastings and broilings without cleaning. Think about the coatings in a microwave or outdoor grill that were not addressed immediately after cooking. The residues that drift through your home after a kitchen fire are similar, not the dry and ashy soot of a wood fire, but the remains of grease, oils, and proteins, now dehydrated and in every corner of your abode.
Principles and Elements of Cleaning
At SERVPRO, our technicians train extensively to ensure that our cleaning efforts are successful. First, we focus on the principles of cleaning:
- Locating the fire residues
- Identifying the type of residue
- Identifying the types of surfaces affected
- Capturing and removing residues for proper disposal
Armed with that knowledge, we approach cleaning tasks by manipulating the following elements of cleaning:
- Temperature
- Agitation
- Chemical action
- Time
How Do Protein-Based Residues Fit the Protocol?
SERVPRO technicians are familiar with the challenges of resolving kitchen fire residues. The greasy, almost varnish-like residues are impervious to the water-based cleansers frequently relied upon as “one size fits all” solutions for cleanup. We use research-based procedures to break the bonds, utilizing the principle that “like dissolves like.” Instead of soap, we select a solvent and often choose to employ both agitation and abrasive tools to loosen the kitchen fire sourced soot. Detergents can also help us dislodge oily residues, acting with water to create an emulsion to suspend the dehydrated food and grease particles.
SERVPRO of Central Seattle has a highly-trained and skilled workforce ready to assist with your fire damage challenges. Call us at (206) 282-9500 to set up a prompt evaluation.
How SERVPRO Cleans Fire Damaged Fabrics in Seattle
5/9/2022 (Permalink)
Smoke and soot damage are difficult to remove - especially in fabrics. SERVPRO has the know how to restore your home. Call us today!
Superior Cleaning Approaches Help Save Fabrics Affected by Fire Damage Incident in Seattle
Fire incidents in Seattle affect many materials in a house. Most fabric items are highly combustible, so they are readily consumed by the fire. We went to a kitchen fire loss site where the affected fabrics resided in sections where the flames did not reach. However, smoke spread all over the property, leaving massive deposits.
Before taking any steps to clean the residues left by the fire damage incident in Seattle, we had to perform elaborate pretesting. Without this step, we risked using the wrong cleaning product or method, leading to aggravation of the existing problem. Our SERVPRO technicians also had to confirm whether there were pre-existing problems for fabrics such as carpets since they are prone to issues like bad seams, stains, and even burns.
During the pretesting phase, we identified various crucial factors that helped in cleaning, including:
- Colorfast materials
- Types of fibers in different fabrics
- The type of soiling
- The level of soling
Colorfastness affects multicolored items such as area rugs, wool carpets, Persian, and Oriental rugs. Our SERVPRO technicians collected all the fabric items we identified as colorfast in the house, cleaning them separately to prevent them from spreading dyes and staining other items during the cleaning process.
The smoke damage had left oily residues, especially on the draperies. Cleaning such materials in conventional ways can leave traces of oily residues. Our SERVPRO technicians are used to handling such forms of soiling. In this case, we used detergents with emulsifiers to remove the oily residues. The emulsifying process creates an emulsion in which residues turn into a liquid and evenly spread in another liquid without forming a solution.
After fire incidents in Foster Island, Sodo, or Magnolia, cleaning contents can pose various challenges. Call SERVPRO of Central Seattle at (206) 282-9500 to help find a way to deal with any challenging aspect. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.
Are Solvents Helpful for Fire Damage Cleanup in Foster Island?
2/9/2022 (Permalink)
Call SERVPRO of Central Seattle at (206) 282-9500 for fast and efficient service.
SERVPRO Uses Different Professional Cleaners in Foster Island Properties with Smoke Damage
After a fire of any size within a Foster Island property, it is not unusual for property owners to outsource the cleanup to a professional service. SERVPRO techs bring numerous types of cleaning agents, including solvent-based solutions, to each job.
Fire damage cleanup in a Foster Island home can have multiple challenges for SERVPRO technicians to handle, including:
- Walls with soot
- Pungent odors
- Smoke webs in some cases
- Water damage creating further issues
The SERVPRO Team Utilizes Several Types of Cleaners
The techs choose cleaning agents based on the type of smoke damage and also the surfaces or items getting cleaned. This can result in several different choices, including detergents or solvent-based solutions getting used.
Nuances of Protein Fire Cleanup
Grease fires are one of the most challenging types of cleanup post-fire. The reason is the protein residues from the fire vaporize and coat surfaces in the vicinity. Because they are nearly invisible yet smelly, seeing what areas need cleaning is not easy. Because of the greasy, thick residues left on cabinets, floors, walls, and other surfaces, the techs rely on solvent-based cleaners to release the grip and wipe them cleanly away.
Cleaning With Water Alone Can Be a Mistake
Many types of smoke residues can worsen if exposed to water; this is particularly true for oily kinds. SERVPRO technicians use the power of detergents to lift away these hard-to-remove substances. When needed, the technicians can mix their own solvent-based solutions to get rid of soils on items that could get damaged from exposure to water. Before any cleaning begins, the techs test both residues and surfaces to choose the correct method.
SERVPRO of Central Seattle at (206) 282-9500 supports the local Foster Island community to recover their property and contents after fire damage.
Can Seattle Fire Restoration Help Porous Surfaces?
2/9/2022 (Permalink)
For fast and efficient service call SERVPRO of Central Seattle at (206) 282-9500.
SERVPRO Has Special Training to Handle Seattle Fire Damage
Fire damage in a Seattle house can have several challenges for SERVPRO technicians to handle. The heat expands the air during a fire and drives soot into unsealed and porous surfaces.
Professional fire restoration services can assist a Seattle home with numerous articles and building materials that might otherwise be unrecoverable. The techs have specific tools and training to handle all types of porous items and remove the smoke damage and soot.
Special Circumstances for Soot Removal:
- The walls in a home can have unique attributes that contribute to the challenge of removing the soot and odors from the house fire. Some of the most common issues SERVPRO technicians encounter in walls and wall coverings include:
- Plaster
- Carpet (most often found in commercial properties)
- Concrete
- Tile with unsealed grout lines
- Unsealed wood
Unsealed Wood Tips
Raw, unsealed wood can absorb smoke odors and take in solutions that can result in deeply embedded stains and odors. SERVPRO technicians have specific applications to clean these problem areas safely.
Special Handling of Plaster Walls
Plaster over wood lathe is common in older construction. There are different types, such as acoustic and sprayed-on applications. All of these types can absorb and hold odors, and wet solutions can damage the plaster and drive soot particles into the surface. The techs have tools and methods to lift smoke damage off plaster walls gently.
Carpeted Walls
There are generally two types of structures with carpet on the walls: commercial properties and houses with midcentury modern or 1970s decor styles. The techs confirm that the carpet has not lost adhesion from exposure to the heat. It can often get cleaned in place using one of the many kinds of fiber cleaning solutions SERVPRO has in its collection of professional and EPA-registered cleaning agents.
SERVPRO of Central Seattle at (206) 282-9500 brings advanced fire restoration services to local Seattle property owners.
Can Property Be Deodorized with Other Fire Restoration Activities in Progress?
12/10/2021 (Permalink)
Hydroxyl generators and ozone machines are in SERVPRO's inventory to combat fire odors in Seattle homes and businesses
SERVPRO Uses Several Approaches to Manage Fire Odors While Running Other Restoration Processes
One of the difficult issues to manage after a fire incident is the strong odor leftover from the combustion of materials. Odors can linger even after removing residues and cleaning all surfaces. Finding a way to simultaneously deodorize and perform other forms of fire damage restoration at your home can lead to better outcomes.
Removing all residues when handling fire damage restoration at a Foster Island property is crucial in managing odors. However, odors originate from other sources, including particulate matter suspended in the air and invisible residues. Such issues require specialized management, such as the advanced deodorization procedures SERVPRO uses.
Some viable deodorization procedures to try while still restoring the house include:
- Ventilation
- Running photo-catalytic oxidizers
- Air filtration
These methods help remove particulate matter or smoke remnants by forcing air out of the house, thus replacing it with cleaner outdoor air or running the indoor air through a filtration system to remove particulate matter and aerosols. Oxidizers, on the other hand, use unstable oxygen molecules which combine with volatile odor compounds, neutralizing them. Air scrubbers can be rigged with HEPA filters to capture these airborne particulates.
Fine residues like soot and ash characterize fire disaster sites. Therefore, some deodorization methods such as ventilation can create other problems such as spreading residues to unintended areas. Air filtration devices might also clog when there is a constant supply of particulate materials. Our SERVPRO crews prefer alternatives that do not spread residues.
Some of these helpful deodorization methods include:
These approaches make it possible to deliver deodorizers without causing additional problems that might hamper restoration efforts. The methods also match the penetrative capacity of odors, thus removing all odor reservoirs hidden deep within materials.
SERVPRO of Central Seattle works hard to expedite and improve convenience during fire damage restoration. Call us at (206) 282-9500 after an incident. We can help make it “Like it never even happened.”
Where to Get Efficient Fire Damage Restoration Services in Foster Island
11/8/2021 (Permalink)
After a fire, your home can have offensive odors. SERVPRO has the tools to remove the fire smell.
SERVPRO is a Great Provider of Fire Damage Repair Services in Foster Island
A fire in your home can be debilitating and might transform your life in minutes. As a premier fire restoration provider, SERVPRO can help you recover from fire damage as efficiently and quickly as possible. With our state-of-the-art restoring equipment and techniques, we can make the fire incident seem “Like it never even happened.”
To perform fire damage repair in your Foster residence, our technicians start by performing a thorough inspection. This analysis also enables us to determine the correct cleaning method to remove residues from affected surfaces of materials without damaging them. Our SERVPRO team categorizes materials as washable and non-washable. We can wet clean the washable items. Even if we apply water-based cleaning products to the materials, they cannot sustain damage. On the other hand, non-washable materials can get damaged if water-based cleaning materials are used on them.
Our SERVPRO technicians consider the type of residues on a surface to determine the cleaning method to use. Grease or oil-based residues require dry solvent cleaning agents. The repair timeline is based on the extent of the fire destruction, including how much soot, smoke, debris, and water need to be removed. Our fire damage repair process may involve:
- Debris removal
- Soot removal
- Water removal and drying
- Repairing or replacing ruined structures
If some of the wooden surfaces of your home are damaged, we can use wood creme cleaners to restore them. These products can eliminate rings or water stains and can also help in the deodorization process. Wood crème cleaners function as mild strippers and can remove some finishes if left to penetrate a surface. Our SERVPRO technicians can also apply them to appliances that have yellowed because of smoke residues. After a fire, your home can have offensive odors. Our technicians can use various deodorization products to eliminate odors.
If your residence requires fire damage repair, you can get help from SERVPRO of Central Seattle. We are a certified fire restoration firm. Our helpline is (206) 282-9500.
What Are Some Important Points on Chemical Usage During Smoke and Fire Cleanup in Seattle Properties?
9/30/2021 (Permalink)
You can count on SERVPRO's skilled technicians to restore your property after fire damage. Just call (206) 282-9500.
SERVPRO Matches Soils with Appropriate Chemical Agents for Easier House Fire Cleanup
After most fire incidents, cleaning up the property is one of the main tasks necessary to restore preloss conditions. Smoke and fire cleanup can be challenging compared to dealing with other everyday soils. Professional restoration is one way to ease the process.
The process of smoke and fire cleanup in your Seattle home must address various issues, including different types of residues produced by the combustion process. It must also remove soils from different locations, surface deposits, or those embedded within materials when heat opens up pores. SERVPRO can handle the simple cleaning tasks and the advanced removal of deeply embedded residues and lingering odor.
Various Resources are Necessary for the Best Outcomes During House Fire Cleanup, Including:
- Use of appropriate chemical agents
- Physical removal of the soils
- Removal of any traces of cleaning agents
Chemical agents help remove the combustion residues or any stains that develop afterward. Such chemicals work in different ways, including suspending, dissolving, or chemically altering the soils. Our SERVPRO technicians are fully trained in identifying different soils and chemical agents correctly, thus ensuring correct matching for easier cleaning.
Apart from using regular cleaning products, SERVPRO teams also use specially formulated cleaning agents that offer additional benefits for the cleaning process, delivering better outcomes.
Specially Formulated Products for Cleaning Fire Residues:
- Biodegradable rapidly
- Are non-toxic and phosphate-free
- Are developed for specific tasks such as cleaning glass or wood surfaces
SERVPRO of Central Seattle delivers satisfactory results when assigned smoke and fire cleanup tasks. Call us at (206) 282-9500. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.
How do Professionals Clean Structures During Fire Damage Restoration in Seattle?
7/22/2021 (Permalink)
Smoke and soot damage made by fire is no easy task. SERVPRO uses the latest and most innovative equipment for every size of disaster.
SERVPRO Techs Use Several Cleaning Techniques During Fire Damage Restoration of Your Seattle Home
Cleaning the soot and residue left behind is a significant part of the fire damage restoration of your Seattle home. The techniques and cleaning methods that SERVPRO techs use to clean the structures depend on the amount and type of residue and the surfaces involved.
From emulsifying the residue in a solvent to altering the residue chemically, SERVPRO techs use many cleaning approaches during fire damage restoration of your Seattle home. However, it often takes a mechanical agitation to dislodge residues left behind by smoke damage. SERVPRO techs can often clean light concentrations of non-greasy residues on non-porous surfaces through mechanical agitation. The amount of agitation required depends on the condition of the fire-damaged homes.
How SERVPRO Techs Produce Agitation During House Fire Cleanup of Your Seattle Home?
Heavy agitation during fire restoration is needed to dislodge thicker residues that form tight bonds with the surfaces. Some ways of producing serious agitation include the following-
- Abrasive Powders- These powders have particulates that can exert an abrasive effect when applied correctly to a surface. SERVPRO techs use powders in the form of Liquid Crème Cleaners on non-porous surfaces such as stainless steel and high gloss paint.
- Roto pads and brushes- The rotating pads and brushes agitate, buff, or polish flooring surfaces of your fire-damaged Seattle home.
- Blast cleaning- Utilizes compressed air to blast some media against the soiled surface during fire and smoke damage restoration. Some of the standard media used in blast cleaning include sand, baking soda, and dry ice. The amount of agitation depends on the size of the media particles and their speed.
Call SERVPRO of Central Seattle at (206) 282-9500 for fast and efficient service.
How do Foster Island Restoration Services Clean Sensitive Materials?
4/26/2021 (Permalink)
Recent fire with some smoke damage? Our SERVPRO team is standing by with the tools and know how to remediate the situation. Call us right away.
SERVPRO Technicians in Foster Island Have Industry-leading Training for Sensitive Fabric Care during Fire Restoration.
Not all fabrics respond well to conventional cleaning methods. The fastest way to remove soiling is through aggressive agitation or direct applications of solvents and detergents. Sensitive materials, which could include linens or cotton, may suffer adversely when using the fastest soil removal methods due to their fragile nature.
SERVPRO helps residents deal with:
- Fire damaged homes
- Smoke remediation
- Fire and smoke damage restoration and cleanup
Absorption is a valuable method for fire restoration in your Foster Island homes. Unlike other cleaning methods, absorption does not disturb the fibers of the material. Instead, the soil on fibers is absorbed in powder which can then be lightly vacuumed away. We use this method for sensitive fabrics as well as semi-porous building materials like brickwork.
- Absorption powders can be combined with cleaning solutions to create a cleaning paste that dries onto a surface before being vacuumed.
- We use this method for concrete, marble, brick, upholstery carpets, and fabrics.
- Powders can also be mixed with solvents for materials that only suit dry cleaning.
Understanding the nature of materials is fundamental to restoration. Contact SERVPRO of Central Seattle for fire restoration at (206) 282-9500.
When Should Seattle Residents Seek Professional Fire Damage Restoration?
4/18/2021 (Permalink)
Fire damage can really catch you off guard. After your family and pets are safe, contact team SERVPRO for remediation services. We are available 24/7.
SERVPRO Could Save Seattle Residents Expense through Fire Damage Restoration and Mitigation
Seattle is one of the largest cities on the Western Coast. It has always been a primary trading outpost for much of America's import and export trades that was even a central destination during the Klondike Gold Rush era. The influx of migrant workers and businesses throughout its long history has seen Seattle blossom into a multicultural zenith with Asian, Irish, Italian, and Hispanic communities, districts, and neighborhoods. Built on the Pacific Northwest's shores, Seattle's nightlife, restaurant businesses, and music venues are among some of the most sought-after in the country. Seattle's residents have also benefited from its growth as a tech hub to rival Silicon Valley on the West Coast.
Pioneer Square is one of Seattle's oldest neighborhoods, with a rich history covering the Klondike Gold Rush and a superb International Chinatown District just around the corner. Pioneer Square has also developed a reputation as a tech hub, with many fortune 500 companies setting up shop on the iconic plaza. A trip to Belltown is well worth it to elevate yourself above the city streets in Seattle's Space Needle. The feat of architecture was initially constructed for the World Fair of 1962 and offered panoramic views of the nearby waterways, the Olympic Mountains to the North, and an overview of Seattle's bustling neighborhoods.
- Bainbridge Island is a tranquil spot on the Puget Sound where Seattle's dominant fishing industry ships up each morning. On the Island are over 150-acres of maintained gardens. The Bloedel Reserve is among the highlights, and visitors can take the Bainbridge Island Ferry, which takes just over half an hour and provides stunning views of Seattle's oceanfront.
- Seattle is the home of global coffee aficionados, Starbucks. Visitors can learn how to produce superb coffee from their homes with classes at the Seattle Barista Academy. Courses for beginners are around three hours long and cover the basics of ideal temperatures, sourcing beans, and Latte art.
- As a thriving cultural hub, Seattle produces more than its fair share of legendary rock and pop musicians, including Jimi Hendrix and Nirvana. The Museum of Pop Culture tracks the history of Seattle from its early blues influences through to the summer of love and the nineties' grunge period spearheaded by Kurt Cobain.
SERVPRO Can Restore Metals to a Pre-loss condition after Fire Damage
Residential properties are full of metal materials. These may include appliance surfaces, oven hoods, or furniture. Property fires can have a corrosive effect on metals. We can assist homeowners with:
- Fire and smoke damage
- Fire damaged homes
- Smoke remediation
Fire damage restoration professionals in Seattle can counteract the corrosive effect. Smoke can contain a higher level of acid or alkaline than expected, resulting from the types of material that combust. In cases where surfaces are cooler, such as with metals, the effect of condensation and acidic smoke residues can lead to corrosion or a rusting impact left on the material.
- Rusticides are oxalic-phosphorous-based cleaners that can break down rusts on surfaces as well as on organic textiles.
- A rust remover is applied for 10 minutes before being removed using water extraction.
- Sometimes a wood-creme paste can be applied directly to appliance surfaces to clear away visible yellowing from fire.
Managing fire impact requires expertise. Contact SERVPRO of Central Seattle for fire damage restoration at (206) 282-9500.
Help is Here for Fire Damage Restoration in Seattle
2/9/2021 (Permalink)
Unfortunately, fires happen. SERVPRO has the know-how to restore any fire damage you may incur.
SERVPRO Sets Buildings Right After Fire Damage
Seattle is an iconic city known for many things, including its music scene, elegant skyscrapers, and a welcoming multicultural vibe. Boasting a population of 3.98 million, Seattle is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. Bill Gates was born in Seattle, and Amazon located its first headquarters in this city. The tech industry is still a significant part of the Seattle economy.
Enjoy the Sounds of Seattle
Seattle has a lengthy history as a center for performing arts. There are many prominent arts organizations in the city, including such prestigious groups as:
- The Seattle Opera is especially famous for its performances of Richard Wagner's works.
- The Seattle Symphony Orchestra, which is over a century old.
- The Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra is the largest symphonic group for young people in the United States.
Seattle has a strong jazz culture. In the first to mid decades of the twentieth century, the city was home to two dozen jazz nightclubs on Jackson Street alone. Seattle jazz clubs helped launch such luminaries as Quincy Jones, Ernestine Anderson, and Ray Charles.
In more modern times, Seattle became known as grunge music's birthplace. Grunge is characterized by its punk rock and indie influences, reflective and sometimes angsty themes, drums, bass, and distorted guitar. The link between Seattle and grunge music is so strong that the genre is also known as the "Seattle Sound." Some of the most famous grunge musicians to come out of Seattle include Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, and Nirvana. If classical music is more your scene, chamber music festivals are in the city in summer and winter.
More than Music
Although the music scene is a huge part of Seattle's culture, there are many other ways to enjoy this vibrant city's performing arts. Seattle is home to many distinguished slam poets and sends a team to the National Poetry Slam every year. The town also boasts several performing arts venues, museums, and galleries. Some unmissable stops include:
- The 5th Avenue Theater puts on plenty of glitzy musical shows worthy of Broadway, featuring local and international talent.
- Frye Art Museum features dark, dramatic artworks from the nineteenth century to the present day.
- Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture is the original natural history museum in the state of Washington.
- The National Nordic Museum is home to several permanent exhibits about the Nordic countries' culture and art.
SERVPRO Restores Buildings After Fire Damage
One of the risks of having so many old buildings packed together is fire. In 1889, the Great Seattle Fire destroyed almost all of the downtown business district and caused $20,000,000 worth of losses (that is £569 million in today's figures!)
Fire can cause damage to all aspects of a building's structure, including:
- Supporting columns and roof beams
- Wooden floors and subfloors
- Insulation and drywall
- Painted and wallpapered surfaces
SERVPRO teams can oversee all aspects of building restoration, including removing debris and smoke-damaged elements, repainting and re-papering walls, and replacing drywall, plaster, and other structural elements. If needed, we will call in skilled contractors and oversee their work, so you do not have to worry about coordinating several restoration professionals.
For a restoration service that reduces your stress, call SERVPRO of Central Seattle at (206) 282-9500.
How Likely Is an Integrated Process of Fire Damage Restoration in Seattle?
1/11/2021 (Permalink)
Home fires can take a toll on your spirit. Let SERVPRO handle all the work for you from beginning to end.Fire restoration is a specialty of theirs.
SERVPRO's In-House Contracting Division Limits Delays and Extra Expenses During Fire Damage Restoration in Seattle
A warm, dry spring in Seattle 1889 set the stage for a citywide conflagration that became known as the Great Seattle Fire. The relative lack of moisture and other circumstances combined to create conditions for a disaster that changed both the look and the regulation of city infrastructure—reflecting upon the path taken after this momentous fire informed fire safety approaches in the Northwest and elsewhere in the country.
What Specific Event Caused the Great Seattle Fire?
John Back, a worker in Victor Clairmont's woodworking shop located at what is now First Avenue and Madison Avenue, made a pair of mistakes that would completely change the landscape of Seattle. At roughly 2:15 pm June 6, 1889, a pot of glue Back heated to secure materials together in the workshop boiled, spilling over the top. The glue poured into the gasoline fire beneath and burst into flame. Quickly the fire spread to the floor, where it immediately ignited fuels in the form of scattered wood chips and drips of turpentine. Back tried to douse the fire with water, but the oil-based turpentine was lighter than the water, resulting in the flames' rapid spread.
Did Seattle Have a Fire Department in 1889?
An all-volunteer fire fighting force attempted to quell the burning once they gained notice of the emergency. It took 30 minutes for the volunteers to arrive, and by that time, the smoke was so dense planning for effective interventions was nearly impossible. The nearby Dietz and Mayer Liquor store and two saloons fueled an uptick in the fire's intensity, resulting in the entire Seattle block from Marion to Madison leaping into flames. Complicating matters was the bad luck that the Fire Chief Josiah Collins was in San Francisco at a firefighting convention rather than in the city to guide the rescue.
Was the Seattle Water Supply Up to the Challenge of the Great Fire?
For firefighters, a significant limitation in battling the fire was Seattle's rudimentary water system's inadequacy. A private enterprise, the Spring Hill Water Company, controlled the water provision in the city. Flaws in the configuration included:
- Hydrants were widely spaced, located on every other street.
- Piping was narrow in diameter.
- Pipes were frequently crafted of wood -- hollowed-out logs -- that caught fire during the disaster.
- Low water pressure that decreased further during the fight, preventing meaningful hose use
- Pumping water from Elliott Bay was ineffective because the tide was out, and attached hoses were too short to reach various burning buildings.
Did the Community Support the Firefighting Effort?
Unfortunately, many of the citizens of Seattle exacerbated the situation by harassing the volunteers, blaming them for insufficient water pressure. Rather than assisting, townspeople criticized the firefighters as the winds picked up, spreading the fire to the:
- Commercial Mill
- Coleman Building
- Opera House
The acting Fire Chief James Murphy was stripped of command by Mayor Robert Moran. Moran attempted to stop the spread of the fire by detonating the Colman block. The flames jumped over the block, consuming the wharves and moving up the hill in the direction of Second Avenue.
What Was the Fire Experience Like for Seattle Residents?
Fewer than two hours in, it was clear that the city center would not survive the blaze. The region surrounding Seattle was becoming aware of the crisis as smoke was visible from Tacoma. The distinctive roar of an out-of-control fire was reported to be audible miles away from the city as it raged unabated. The city sought help from Tacoma, Portland, and Victoria, British Columbia, but it did not come fast enough. Many buildings burned to the ground, but the Courthouse was saved by Lawrence Booth, who scaled the roof and poured water down the sides. Bucket brigades saved a few other commercial and residential properties.
How Did the Fire in Seattle Resolve?
Approximately twelve and a half hours after it started, the fire burned out at 3:00 am June 7, 1889. Over 120 acres burned, comprising an area of 25 city blocks. No accurate death toll was recorded, but the fire's cost is estimated to have totaled $20,000,000. The rebuilding of the city began immediately, with neighboring communities raising and contributing funds. Twelve months later, 465 buildings sprung up. Businesses reopened, and life continued, with an increase in the population of 33 percent.
Were There Permanent Changes in Seattle's Operations Because of the Fire?
The community of Seattle took the opportunity to reconsider the delivery of essential services during the aftermath of the fire. Enhancing fire safety into the future included:
- The volunteer fire department disbanded.
- A professional firefighting organization was in place by October 1889.
- Seattle took charge of the water supply:
- Increasing pipe diameters.
- Ridding the system of wooden pipes.
- Adding hydrants.
What Can Professional Seattle Fire Damage Restoration Offer Seattle Residents?
Modern firefighting techniques have improved dramatically over the past 130 plus years. Many buildings are saved but need fire damage restoration in Seattle. Our Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)-trained managers and technicians can deliver an outstanding outcome for property owners, always aiming to make it "Like it never even happened." We use our skills, experience, and advanced equipment to complete the following after a fire:
- Assessing your property for safety hazards and using industry best practices to control the dangers so restoration can proceed
- Removing firefighting water and contaminants
- Performing structural drying
- Evaluating residues and matching them with efficient removal products, tools, and techniques
- Deodorizing the spaces
Who Can Help Seattle Residents with Post-Fire Build Back?
After fire damage restoration in Seattle, SERVPRO is uniquely positioned to tear out, repair, and replace irreparably damaged building materials. Our in-house construction division avoids your need to find and hire additional contractors. This saves you stress, time, and expense.
Rely on the wrap-around restoration assistance of SERVPRO of Central Seattle to resolve the issues presented by a household fire aftermath. Call us at (206) 282-9500 to schedule an assessment as soon as the fire department gives the go-ahead.
Enjoy a Winter Walk along the Puget Sound by Taking the Foster Island Trails this November.
11/23/2020 (Permalink)
We hope to see you at the Foster Island Trails!
Take a Break From the Busy Life of Central Seattle by Walking this Stunning National Trail.
Walking along Puget Sound is a beautiful way to enjoy hiking on your back doorstep. While many events this year are canceled due to Covid restrictions, this breezy trail offers some stunning views and woodland. Beginning at the Washington Park Arboretum on East Foster Island Road. The trail passes along Duck Bay, which attracts kayakers all year round. Pass through forests on the wide walkway and cross under Highway 520. From here, there is a hillock leading to a large Lake overlooking the Husky Stadium. The circular trails ensure that you return to your parking spot at the end of your walk for easy access back into the city.
• Observe the stunning wetland wildlife of Union Bay
• Pass the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) in Lake Union Park
• Take a spot overlooking the Historic University of Washington Campus and grounds.
Foster Island wildfires and prescribed burnings could affect your property with smoke or soot damages. To ensure a quick recovery and mitigate damages, contact SERVPRO of Central Seattle at (206) 282-9500.
How Does a Homeowner Rid Their Seattle Home of Strong Smoke Odor?
9/20/2020 (Permalink)
A fire in your home can have lasting effects if not taken care of properly. Contact SERVPRO 24/7 for professional remediation services in your home.
SERVPRO Uses a Variety of Odor Removal Techniques in your Seattle Home
Without a doubt, smoke odor is one of the most significant challenges for homeowners after a house fire in Seattle. Even if the damage appears minimal, the smell of smoke can permeate throughout your home for weeks and possibly even months if left unattended. A surface-level clean does not suffice when attempting to remove odors. Before you consider all the cleaning products you may need, it is first essential to remove the odor's source. If you left something burning on the stove, the first thing you should do is remove the burnt items from your home.
Does Every Fire Require Fogging After a Fire to Remove Odor?
Each House Fire Requires an Individualized Plan to Remove Odor
During the fire restoration process in your Seattle home, our trained fire specialists attack smoke odor from several angles to best rid your home of the unpleasant smell. Simply fogging your home after a fire does not have the same effectiveness as fogging in conjunction with using masking agents and cleaning thoroughly with disinfectants.
What are some types of deodorization equipment and products?
- Thermal and ULV foggers replicate smoke particles that can travel throughout the home and reach the same tiny spaces where the smoke particles landed previously. Fogging usually requires residents to vacate the property.
- Air scrubbers pull air particles into the scrubbing machine, run the air through several filters before exhausting it back into the impacted space.
- Ozone cleaners release ozone into the air to remove odors. Ozone should be administered carefully as it poses health risks when breathed in by people.
- Deodorizers absorb the odor but often are not enough on their own.
- Masking agents cover odors with strong pleasant scents but again are often insufficient on their own.
For assistance attacking malodor after a fire, contact SERVPRO of Central Seattle. We make it, "Like it never even happened." (206) 282-9500.
Click here for more information about Seattle.
How Can I Prevent Fire Residue From Spreading Inside my Seattle Home?
6/21/2020 (Permalink)
When a room in your home has fire damage, you need to contact SERVPRO. Our technicians will assess and remediate.
Call SERVPRO to Clean your Seattle Home After a Fire and Stop the Spread of Residue
Your Seattle home can catch on fire without any warning. Even when the flames are subdued, you may be left with visible damage and wondering whether there is invisible damage as well. Put your questions to rest by calling a reputable fire restoration team who can assess consequences and restore your home.
SERVPRO is a leading team in Seattle focusing on fire damage restoration. Our technicians are certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC), a testament to their expertise in the field. When you reach our 24-hour hotline, you access to experience and knowledge specific to fire restoration.
How do I eliminate existing fire residue?
Soot and smoke travel quickly through your home and eradicating it can be complicated. Our SERVPRO crew takes into account the direction of the smoke, inspects your ventilations system, and makes an educated decision on the cleaning techniques it needs to apply to restore your home. Often, we need to examine your ducts and prevent the spread of smoke particles through your home. Some of the steps we take include:
- Cleaning air vents and ducts
- Washing the interior of the ducts with a specialized solution
- Sealing the ducts and fogging them with a deodorizing solution
Well, beyond taking care of your HVAC system, our team also inspects building elements to restore or replace them as appropriate. Our process is mindful of personal property still in the home, and we work diligently to prevent damage resulting from abrasive cleaning agents.
AT SERVPRO of Central Seattle, we know that fire damage restoration is not a simple task. When you call us at (206) 282-9500, our team brings relevant experience into your home to help avoid escalation of damages. As you aim to return to normal, our staff works hard to make your home feel, "Like it never even happened."
Click here for more information about Seattle.
We Had a Small Fire, How Long Will Restoration Take?
6/11/2020 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Central Seattle is here to restore your fire damaged home.
SERVPRO Restores Fire and Smoke Damage Quickly to Ensure Life in Your Seattle Home Gets Back to Normal
Regardless of the scope of a house fire, the levels and layers of damage can be immense. Many homeowners are best off seeking another place to stay during the time that their Seattle home gets restored. Not only is there odorous soot and debris that gets tracked through the house, but there is the potential for breathing in harmful irritants found in soot and smoke residue. The good news is that our trained and IICRC-certified technicians are available 24/7 to address any fire emergency you may have.
Why Do I Need Professional Cleanup for a Small Fire?
Our team at SERVPRO has the skills and equipment necessary to handle your fire and smoke damage quickly in Seattle efficiently. Many airborne soot particles can be invisible to the naked eye. A significant element of fire loss mitigation is the use of advanced equipment that helps to capture all particulates. Some of the methods that we use include actions like:
- Odor-control equipment that helps to neutralize odors from the fire
- Total removal and disposal of debris and charred items to cut back on odors
- Deployment of air scrubber technology, which helps to improve air quality while mitigation takes place
How Can You Prevent Debris and Grime from Getting Tracked Throughout My Home?
In many cases, our team partitions off the fire loss zone from the rest of your interior to limit cross-contamination. It is vital to remove charred building materials and any non-salvageable items carefully and meticulously to prevent tracking. Our crew also wears personal protective equipment (PPE) and foot coverings to cut back on the amount of cross-contamination from one room to the next.
After Extinguishing the Fire, Everything is Wet, Now What?
From the moment that our crew arrives on your property, we assess the damages, which includes looking at all areas where water or chemicals from extinguishing the fire may be present. During cleaning up debris and controlled demolition methods, we also use different tools to locate hidden moisture, including:
- Moisture sensors
- Moisture meters
- Thermal imaging
We carefully of any saturated, non-salvageable materials, and our team uses targeted drying with the help of industrial-strength fans, air movers, and dehumidifiers.
What is a Controlled Demolition?
Depending on the amount of fire damage to your Seattle building materials, controlled demolition might be a necessary step. This process can often save homeowners a considerable amount of money by carefully removing damaged materials and replacing them with brand new items. If you have charred wooden studs, we have a variety of abrasive measures to remove it. Everything is then treated with a special sealant to keep odors from permeating throughout your interior.
What is Done for Smoke Odors?
SERVPRO has a specific process that allows us to remove odorous smoke particles and soot from your home after a fire loss. Every step helps break down stubborn residue while also pinpointing specific areas where particles might have wandered.
- We offer pack-out services to remove furnishings and personal belongings to clean and deodorize offsite. This service limits the amount of smoke residue transfer into other unaffected areas of your home.
- We carefully begin cleaning any surfaces covered in soot residue, ensuring that no area gets left untreated. Our trucks house EPA-approved disinfectant solutions and cleaning agents that remove residue from a variety of materials, including sheetrock, plastics, and wood.
- Should pungent odors occur, we can recreate the event that brought on odor penetration. We have fogging equipment that heats deodorant agents to create a chemical cloud that quickly penetrates materials to target the odor molecules.
- We can also seal exposed surfaces, such as walls, using special primers before a final coat of color. We also have a process for sealing ductwork in your home if particles have traveled throughout the HVAC system.
When it comes to the equipment that we use most often with a fire loss project, we have the best tools and products in the industry for cleaning and restoring the air quality in your home.
- Air scrubbers help cut back on debris and particulates throughout your interior.
- Hydroxyl generators are dual-acting, allowing our crew to filter the air in your home while deodorizing it at the same time. These generators have HEPA filtration, bringing air into the machine where the filter traps debris, particles, and microbes.
Have trained technicians on your side to help with fire and smoke damage is a good feeling. Call us at SERVPRO of Central Seattle at (206) 282-9500 when you need emergency service. Once you call, we can have a team on-site in as little as four hours to get to work!
What Do I Do After A Fire Damaged my Home?
5/4/2020 (Permalink)
SERVPRO can help with odors left after a fire.
After A Fire Loss in Seattle, Trust the Experts for Fire and Odor Cleanup
The amount of damage after a fire incident can leave a path of destruction, such as tough odors that can be difficult to address using DIY methods alone. Experienced fire restoration technicians not only have the training necessary to get your home back to normal, but they also come armed with specialized equipment and techniques to get the job done. Regardless of the impact of the fire damage, you need professionals on your side to address all immediate and residual concerns.
When you require fire and odor cleanup in Seattle after a structure fire, threats from debris and airborne particles can hinder restoration efforts. Calling SERVPRO to help is the best way to get started. Upon arrival, the mitigation team does a walkthrough to note all conditions before formulating the proper way to proceed. Our advanced equipment allows us to remove all smoke and soot residue to eliminate tough odors that often linger for an extended period after the fire is cleaned up.
Immediately Following Fire Loss
Debris removal is a critical step after the fire is extinguished, and your home is deemed safe to proceed with the restoration. Our trained SERVPRO technicians take the time to remove all burned materials, debris, and rubbish to help limit the amount of soot and odors circulating throughout the space. Once the initial cleanup is complete, we then implement the use of air-cleaning technology like air scrubbers or hydroxyl generators. These tools easily trap odorous particles and other contaminants by way of HEPA filtration.
Fire Damage Restoration
Fighting the onset of soot and smoke is elemental after a fire. SERVPRO takes pride in professional odor removal. Our teams employ the use of dry and wet cleaning methods as well as eco-friendly cleaning solutions and specialized technology to clean items and remove odors. The combination of abrasives, cleaning sprays, or immersion cleaning used depends on the project and the level of fire damage.
Along with odor removal, fire damage restoration often calls for reconstruction using controlled demolition. SERVPRO technicians expose areas unsalvageable by way of cleaning techniques and ready the space for materials replacement.
If you require help with fire and odor cleanup, SERVPRO of Central Seattle is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call our office at (206) 282-9500, and we will send out a team as soon as possible.
Learn more about Seattle, WA.
Jingle Bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way…….
9/27/2019 (Permalink)
Photo by D A V I D S O N L U N A on Unsplash
STOP!!! Can we get through Halloween first?? Sure, but the
holidays are right around the corner and will be here before we know it. We at SERVPRO want to give you
some Holiday Safety Tips so you make lasting memories with your family that do not include burning
your house down! According to National Fire Protection Assoctiation (NFPA), here are a few holiday
safety tips to remember;
Halloween
- Dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper catch fire easily. Keep all decorations away from open
flames and other heat sources like light bulbs and heaters. - Use a battery-operated candle or glow-stick in jack-o lanterns. If you use a real candle, use
extreme caution. Make sure children are watched at all times when candles are lit. When
lighting candles inside jack-o lanterns, use long, fireplace-style matches or a utility lighter. - Be sure to place lit pumpkins well away from anything that can burn and far enough out of the way of trick-or-treaters, doorsteps, walkways and yards.
Thanksgiving
- Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food.
- Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.
- If deep frying your turkey, defrost the turkey COMPLETELY – and dry it before putting it in hot
oil. - Keep a grease-rated fire extinguisher close by
Christmas
Use lights that have the label of a recognized testing laboratory. Some lights are only for indoor
or outdoor use.- Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.
Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.
Bottom Line
Be safe this Holiday Season.
House Fire in Central Seattle
8/22/2019 (Permalink)
House fire in a Seattle home
A fire in this Seattle home caused severe damage. This picture shows the mess it left behind.
SERVPRO of Central Seattle was called to cleanup the aftermath.
Every fire damage situation is a little different and requires a unique solution, but the general process stays the same. When various materials burn, the soot they create differs greatly and requires a specific cleaning procedure. The steps listed below illustrate our process for the “typical” fire damage restoration. Learn more about our fire damage restoration process.
- Emergency Contact
- Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment
- Immediate Board-Up and Roof Tarp Service (if needed)
- Water Removal and Drying (if water damage is present)
- Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces
- Cleaning and Repair
- Restoration
Click the link to see the Fire Damage Restoration Process: https://www.SERVPROcentralseattle.com/fire-repair-process
When Fish meets Fire
3/9/2018 (Permalink)
Burning food can create odor causing damage in your kitchen
Why does the last 5 minutes of a football game on TV seem to take an hour? You decided to make that salmon dish your uncle was telling you about so you prepped for it first thing this morning.
Start of the 4th quarter you decided to put it into the oven right as your team fell behind 14 points and the game seemed over.
That's when the magic started! The rookie they just drafted gets put in the game and the biggest comeback in franchise history starts.
They tie up the game with 10 seconds left as the wide receiver torched the defender. Torched him so bad you can smell the burning as if you were there.
Wait.....that's not torched defender...that's your Salmon burning in the oven!
It's happened to us all, we see it every day. If this happens to you call SERVPRO and we'll come out and repair the damage. Not all smoke and soot are the same, and trained professionals like we have at SERVPRO know how to deal with each type that occurs.
Smoke and soot facts:
- Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
- Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
- The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.
Different Types of Smoke
There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:
Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber
- Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.
Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood
- Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.
Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire
- Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor.
Our Fire Damage Restoration Services
Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions. We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage. We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.
When the Burnt Fish from Friday's meal is still there Monday
3/9/2018 (Permalink)
Burning food can cause odor damage in your home
Why does the last 5 minutes of a football game on TV seem to take an hour? You decided to make that salmon dish your uncle was telling you about so you prepped for it first thing this morning.
Start of the 4th quarter you decided to put it into the oven right as your team fell behind 14 points and the game seemed over.
That's when the magic started! The rookie they just drafted gets put in the game and the biggest comeback in franchise history starts.
They tie up the game with 10 seconds left as the wide receiver torched the defender. Torched him so bad you can smell the burning as if you were there.
Wait.....that's not torched defender...that's your Salmon burning in the oven!
It's happened to us all, we see it every day. If this happens to you call SERVPRO and we'll come out and repair the damage. Not all smoke and soot are the same, and trained professionals like we have at SERVPRO know how to deal with each type that occurs.
Smoke and soot facts:
- Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
- Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
- The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.
Different Types of Smoke
There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:
Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber
- Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.
Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood
- Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.
Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire
- Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor.
Our Fire Damage Restoration Services
Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions. We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage. We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.
Sometimes your Kitchen just needs to Vent
3/1/2018 (Permalink)
Vent On = Bad Odors and Moisture Out
We’ve all been there, it seemed like a good idea to cook the bacon on High heat but that Text from a friend or the person that distracted us from our stove was enough to make it happen.
“It” is that smell that enters your nostrils that makes your hard race as you run to the stove and turn down the heat. As you fan smoke away from the pan you realize you’re spreading this smoke into other parts of the kitchen. You reach for the fan and turn it on for the first time in a while.
Cranking the knob up to high you look over at the smoke detector and the race is on.
“Will the fan suck up the smoke before it gets to the smoke detector and informs everyone in the house you’ve just burned the bacon?”
The Kitchen Fan is mostly a Reactive function in the kitchen. It rarely gets turned on until smoke comes out of a pan or that pot of water starts to fog up the room.
The perfect time to turn on the fan is actually Before you turn on the stove and start cooking. The main purpose of the fan is to eliminate heat and odors from the cooking that you’re doing. The moisture and odors tend to stick to the walls of your kitchen.
The odors and moisture builds up and can turn your kitchen area into a feeding ground for microbial growth.
How do you reduce the chance for moisture and odor issues in your kitchen? Be proactive and turn the Fan on every time you turn the stove on.
If you ever do run into issues in your Home or Commercial building reach out to SERVPRO and we’ll come out and take care of you.
Fire Prevention Tips for your Central Seattle Home/Property
1/23/2017 (Permalink)
A few small steps can go a long way to prevent fire incidents at your Central Seattle home/property.
"It’s always good to find out you’re going to be working from home…
Unless you’re a firefighter."
According to the National Fire Protection Association (http://www.nfpa.org/news-and-research/fire-statistics-and-reports/fire-statistics/fires-in-the-us), in 2015, there were 500,000+ structure fires causing $10+ billion in property damage! Structure fires were reported every 63 seconds!
Here are a few tips to prevent a fire at your Central Seattle home or property, provided by the American Red Cross (http://www.redcross.org/get-help/prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire/home-fire-preparedness):
- Keep items that can catch on fire at least three feet away from anything that gets hot, such as space heaters.
- Talk to children regularly about the dangers of fire, matches and lighters and keep them out of reach.
- Turn portable heaters off when you leave the room or go to sleep.
- Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and outside every sleeping area. Also, install a carbon monoxide alarm in a central location outside each separate sleeping area.
- Check electrical wiring in your home.
- Avoid overloading outlets or extension cords.
- Make sure wiring is not under rugs, attached by nails, or in high traffic areas.
Have you checked your home or property for fire hazards recently? Have you had conversations with your family about what you would do in a fire emergency? What is your plan if a fire impacts your home?
SERVPRO of Central Seattle specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire or smoke damage event and can help you get back on track after an incident.
If you have any questions about fire, smoke, or soot damage, call SERVPRO of Central Seattle - (206)282-9500
Central Seattle Smoke and Soot Cleanup
8/29/2016 (Permalink)
Smoke and Soot Damage Can Cause a Pervasive Odor in Your Central Seattle Home.
Smoke and soot is very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.
Smoke and soot facts:
- Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
- Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
- The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.
Different Types of Smoke
There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of Central Seattle will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:
Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber
- Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.
Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood
- Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.
Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire
- Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor.
Our Fire Damage Restoration Services
Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions. We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage. We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.
Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – (206)282-9500
24/7 Emergency Service