Top 3 Benefits of Hiring Professional Fire and Smoke Damage Experts

4/18/2024 (Permalink)

Hiring professionals like SERVPRO® for fire and smoke damage cleanup offers numerous benefits.

When faced with the aftermath of a fire, many homeowners are left wondering about the best course of action for cleanup and restoration. While the temptation to tackle the cleanup process independently may be strong, enlisting the help of professionals like SERVPRO® can offer several distinct advantages. In this blog post, we'll explore the top three benefits of hiring professionals to clean up fire and smoke damage.

1. Expertise and Experience

One of the primary benefits of hiring professionals for fire and smoke damage cleanup is their expertise and experience in handling such situations. SERVPRO of Northwest Orlando technicians undergo rigorous training and certification processes, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to assess the extent of the damage, develop comprehensive restoration plans, and execute cleanup efforts with precision and efficiency. With years of experience in the field, our team understands the nuances of fire and smoke damage and knows how to address them effectively, ensuring thorough cleanup and restoration of your property.

2. Advanced Equipment and Techniques

Another key advantage of hiring professionals for fire and smoke damage cleanup is access to advanced equipment and techniques. Our SERVPRO team invests in state-of-the-art tools and technologies specifically designed for fire damage restoration, including specialized cleaning agents, air scrubbers, thermal foggers, and ozone generators. These cutting-edge tools enable our technicians to remove soot, ash, and smoke odor from various surfaces and materials, restoring your home to its pre-fire condition efficiently and effectively. By utilizing industry-leading equipment and techniques, our team ensures superior results and minimizes the risk of secondary damage during the cleanup process.

3. Comprehensive Restoration Services

When you choose SERVPRO of Northwest Orlando for fire and smoke damage cleanup, you gain access to comprehensive restoration services that go beyond basic cleaning. In addition to removing debris, soot, and smoke odor from your property, our technicians can address structural damage, repair or replace damaged materials, and restore salvageable belongings through specialized cleaning and restoration techniques. Whether your home requires minor repairs or extensive reconstruction, our crew has the expertise and resources to handle every aspect of the restoration process, allowing you to focus on rebuilding and restoring your life in the aftermath of a fire.

In conclusion, hiring professionals like SERVPRO® for fire and smoke damage cleanup offers numerous benefits, including expertise and experience, access to advanced equipment and techniques, and comprehensive restoration services. By entrusting your cleanup and restoration needs to skilled professionals, you can rest assured that your property will be restored to its pre-fire condition safely, efficiently, and effectively. Don't hesitate to reach out to SERVPRO for assistance during this challenging time—we're here to help you navigate the aftermath of a fire and restore your home to its former glory.

Laborer to Production Operations Manager - Celebrating Success, Mentorship, and Team Spirit at SERVPRO® of Northwest Orlando

12/6/2023 (Permalink)

Heydrich Kattar Hernandez training his team

In his 2 short years with SERVPRO® Team Nicholson, representing our Orlando location, Heydrich Kattar Hernández has proved endless in zeal, integrity, and a desire for personal and professional development. As we celebrate having Heydrich on board, we not only commemorate his individual successes but also the mentorship and inspiration he offers to our entire team.

In November 2021, Heydrich started with us as a laborer, bringing enthusiasm and an eagerness to learn. His tenure has been marked by significant, quick growth, shaped by his willingness to serve in a variety of roles. He says the diverse experiences—from working on various residential and commercial jobs to the challenges of long hours and extensive travel—have enriched his professional journey.

Now serving as Production Operations Manager within our Training Division, Heydrich continues offering a high standard of service as he uses his passion for making a meaningful impact on our customers’ and employees’ lives. He says, "I've had the privilege of meeting people from all walks of life and contributing to helping others in their homes."

Heydrich embodies the SERVPRO Team Nicholson culture that values knowledge-sharing, encouragement, and opportunity. He says,

“I am sincerely thankful for the belief placed in me, the opportunities to share knowledge, and the continuous support from colleagues who have been mentors and guides. Special appreciation goes to those who have dedicated time to teach, coach, or offer support.“

Heydrich's journey with SERVPRO of Northwest Orlando and SERVPRO Team Nicholson not only marks a personal achievement, but serves as a testament to the power of teamwork and constancy.

Today, Heydrich is excited about the future as he focuses on scouting for talent that aligns with our core values, and continues to help our team grow and improve. Cheers to Heydrich!

Follow the story on our LinkedIn.

Fire Restoration Services

8/15/2023 (Permalink)

Contents Restoration

SERVPRO of Northwest Orlando specializes in restoring contents damaged by water, fire, or mold. Our expertise and "restore" versus "replace" mentality can help you save money while preserving precious keepsakes that can't be replaced. We pretest your belongings to determine what items we can restore to pre-fire condition. We use several methods of cleaning your contents, including:

• Dry Cleaning - Used for cleaning light residues or to pre-clean before wet cleaning.
• Wet Cleaning - An effective cleaning method for removing moderate to heavy residues.
• Spray and Wipe -Effective for items that can't withstand wet cleaning.
• Foam Cleaning - Used for upholstery fabrics that might shrink or bleed if wet cleaned.
• Abrasive Cleaning - Involves agitation of the surface being cleaned.
• Immersion Cleaning - Contents are dipped into a bath of the cleaning product.

Move-Outs/Pack-Outs

If your home requires extensive restoration or cleaning due to fire damage, SERVPRO of Northwest Orlando can conduct an organized, efficient move-out of the affected area. Move-out will provide several benefits, including:

• A quicker remodeling process
• Protecting items from potential damage
• Protecting contents from further on-site damage

When restoration is completed, we will work with you to coordinate the move-in according to your needs. The services offered upon move-in may depend on your insurance coverage.

Electronic Cleanup

Fire-damaged electronics can present a severe hazard. Don't attempt to turn on or operate any damaged electrical device. Smoke residues can contain acids that corrode metal surfaces. If not removed, the residues corrode, causing electronic failure in the device.

• Television sets
• DVD players
• Computers
• And more

The key to restoring electronics is taking prompt action to prevent further damage. Electronics will be cleaned and inspected by a qualified electronics technician.

Call SERVPRO of Northwest Orlando today at (407) 698-5155.

Fire Hazards Your Business Should Avoid

8/15/2023 (Permalink)

3 Things to Pay Attention to

1. Electrical Concerns

Damage to electrical wiring can result in sparks that lead to damaging fires. Electrical wiring damage may include frayed cords, such as those connecting desktop computers to the wall power outlets. It may include damage to internal wiring inside the walls, and these damage pests and other forces. Electrical fires may start when power sockets overload or when equipment gets hot. Periodically review your company's wiring to identify areas of concern that need to be addressed.

2. Poor Equipment Maintenance

Other hazards in workplaces relate to low equipment maintenance. For example, failing to service your furnace may result in accumulating dust and other flammable debris. A gas leak in the furnace could result in a fire or an explosion. Fire hazards related to poor maintenance may include dusty, dirty, or greasy components, such as air ducts and vents, kitchen exhaust vents, and many other features used throughout your facility. Scheduling necessary maintenance can decrease fire risk in these areas.

3. Flammable or Combustible Materials

Flammable and combustible materials are most commonly associated with industrial and warehouse environments, but restaurants, hotels, dry cleaners, and many other types of businesses may store combustible materials on-site. These materials should remain sealed according to the manufacturer's recommendations. 

As you can see, numerous fire hazards could result in severe damage to your business. If your company has already experienced fire damage, repairs are needed as soon as possible. SERVPRO of Northwest Orlando is your trusted source for quality repair services. We can quickly restore your building to its previous condition so that operations can resume in your place of business. To request assistance with your damaged building, contact us today.

Know How To Prepare for Storms

8/15/2023 (Permalink)

Lightning causes around 43 deaths in the U.S. annually (based on statistics from 1989-2018). Thankfully, this number is only 10% of the average lightning strikes, the other 90% are left alive, but with various degrees of disability.

Nationally, lightning ranks second only to flash floods in weather-related deaths. Lightning is the most frequent important weather threat to personal safety during the thunderstorm season. Since the threat of lightning is so common, it is typical that many have a lackadaisical approach to protecting themselves. The main reason is that people stay outside too long as thunderstorms approach or form nearby. 

For example, during the early part of the thunderstorm season, "dry" thunderstorms are quite common. With these types of thunderstorms, little or no precipitation reaches the ground and, as a result, people are less likely to seek shelter.  See lightning facts below for statistics on lightning events. 

Did you know?

• The air near a lightning strike is heated to 50,000 ° F, that is hotter than the surface of the sun!
• The average flash could light a 100-watt light bulb for more than 3 months.
• Lightning occurs with all thunderstorms.

While most lightning casualties occur at the beginning of an approaching storm, a significant number of lightning deaths occur after the thunderstorm has passed.  If thunder is heard, then the storm is close enough for a lightning strike.  DO NOT wait for the rain to start before seeking shelter, and do not leave shelter just because the rain has ended. 

A Cool Lightning Hack

You can approximate the distance of lightning!

Did you know you can approximate the distance a storm is from you but counting the time between the flash of lightning and the thunder sound that coincides with the lightning flash? That means you can, at your own home, with minimal supplies, figure out how far a lightning strike is from you!

What You’ll Need:

1. You Ears
2. Your Eyes
3. A watch with a second counter or a phone

From the time you see lightning, it will take the sound of thunder 5 seconds to travel 1 mile. To approximate the miles a strike is from you, count the seconds between the flash and thunder, divide by 5!

For example, if you see a flash of lightning, start a stop watch and hear a large crash of thunder 5 seconds after the flash, your lightning is only 1 mile away! Anything less than 5 seconds is definitely close, so seek cover!

It's not raining, is there still danger from being struck by lightning?

YES!  Lightning often strikes outside of the heavy rain area and may occur as far as 10 miles away from any rainfall.

Will the rubber soles of my shoes or tires on my car protect me from being struck?

NO! However, the steel frame of a hard-topped car provides a sort of Faraday Cage or Faraday shield. This increases protection if you are not touching metal. Although you may be injured if lightning strikes your car, you are much safer inside the car than outside. When skies darken, or thunderstorms are forecast, look and listen for increasing wind, flashes of lightning, sound of thunder, and static on your AM radio.  While no place is safe from lightning, some places are much safer than others. 

Where you can go…

• Get inside a house or large shelter
• Remain clear of tall, isolated trees and telephone poles
• If possible, move to a sturdy building or hard top automobile
• If you are caught outside, away from shelter, you need to get to a place of safety as quickly as possible. If safe shelter is not possible, lie down on low lying ground or in a ditch.
• If boating or swimming, get out of boats and away from the water, get to land and find shelter immediately

What you can do...

• Watch for signs of an approaching thunderstorm
• Postpone outdoor activities if thunderstorms are imminent. This is your best way to avoid being caught in a dangerous situation
• REMEMBER, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to a storm to be struck by lightning

If your home or property has been damaged by severe winds, water, or storms—call SERVPRO of Northwest Orlando for a free damage restoration estimate.

What To Do If Your Furnace Is Flooded

8/15/2023 (Permalink)

Document Damage

The furnace is most likely your top priority. However, it’s important to note other property damaged in the area. Use the following process to document losses and assign values in a notebook or spreadsheet:

• Photograph the damage,
• Write down the serial number or another unique identifier if available,
• Assign a value.

Don’t forget to include items that may have no monetary value but are still of high importance to you. Professional recovery services are available to try and save irreplaceable items such as documents or photographs.

Investigate Coverage and Decide to Repair or Replace

A burst pipe resulting in a furnace flood is an insurable event, so make sure to check with your provider. The Air-Conditioning, Heating, & Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) recommends replacement versus repair of a flooded furnace. Property owners may receive advice that the furnace will work again after a total dry-out and perhaps some minor electrical repair. However, the life of the unit is reduced. You likely don’t want to choose repair over replacement and have a related problem surface a couple of years later, long after the claim closes.

Care of Air Ducts

The quality of air from a furnace is only as good as the ducts it travels through. Your final task is to schedule a professional air duct cleaning to ensure ducts are clean, dry, and free of mold and debris. Thankfully, your friends at your local SERVPRO can take care of that for you.

Tasks associated with a furnace flood are something nobody wants on their to-do list. Take this systematic approach for the return of a safe and comfortable home. For additional information, call SERVPRO of Northwest Orlando at (407) 698-5155.

Factors to Consider When Drying Out Water Damage

8/15/2023 (Permalink)

After a plumbing disaster, Northwest Orlando homeowners need a water-vac to pull water off the floor, open the doors and windows, and rent a rug shampooer from the local big box store.

To restore a home takes a professional restoration service. Drying a house with water damage in Northwest Orlando requires attention to four key factors that affect humidity. SERVPRO restoration specialists train to analyze each one, knowing which drying methods and equipment they need to use in each home. It all comes down to heat. 

Humidity levels determine the level of water vapor in the air in a home compared to its capacity. A level of 60 percent or higher indicates the air is saturated. That dramatically slows evaporation and increases drying time. Specialists use dehumidifiers to reduce the humidity level in each affected room. Working dehumidifiers can lower the level up to 20 percent every 24 hours.

Evaporation is the natural process of water converting to vapor. With large amounts of water, it is slow. Our SERVPRO specialists use pumps and smaller extraction devices to remove the bulk of the standing water. They get the amount below two inches in depth; the rate of evaporation increases. An augment rate of evaporation with dehumidifiers are to exhaust fans to increase movement, forcing saturated air outside the home.

Air movement increases using dry air to spread across damp surfaces like walls, tables, and countertops to increase the evaporation rate. Air movers and fans' combination to increase air movement is useful to dry clothing in a gentle manner, which doesn't damage the fabric.

Temperature is an essential factor. Since the preferred range to dry home and property is 70 to 90 degrees, we try to engage the HVAC system if it is operational. If not, specialists use space heaters to raise the internal temperature. They monitor the temperature to keep it under 80 degrees on the first day, however, since a higher temperature can increase the humidity.

SERVPRO of Northwest Orlando uses every tool and method available to return every residence to a dry, safe condition for families to live in once again. If you have had a recent water issue in your home, call (407) 698-5155 to schedule a visit. We are here for you.

Inspecting Your Home After a Fire

8/15/2023 (Permalink)

When it comes to loss incidents, fire in your Northwest Orlando home can prove challenging to overcome. Fire damage effects can be reaching for the average homeowner to face on their own. Conventional cleaning efforts and general deodorization, for example, pale in comparison to the effectiveness of professional restoration services.

Reacting to the fire damage in your Northwest Orlando home can seem impossible. When the extinguishing process completes, you can begin restoring it to normal. Fortunately, this isn't a battle that you have to fight on your own. Our SERVPRO team handles fire restoration, from soot clean-up to deodorization, to help make the steps towards getting your house to its original condition.

Our estimator and project manager work to identify the full scope of the damage from when we arrive at your home. We survey every area, whether connected to the fire in your home or not. This thorough inspection records the damage, and our SERVPRO professionals have the equipment and strategies to contend with what they face. We'll deliver the assessment of your damages to the insurance company that covers your home. Claims won't be issued until further details are discussed.

Whether the damage in your home was widespread or not, this process remains the same. Our professionals take great care in assessing the scope of the damage that your home faces in the restoration process. You can trust our SERVPRO of Northwest Orlando fire restoration specialists to work quickly to bring your home back to how it should be. Call anytime at (407) 698-5155.

Factors to Consider When Drying Out Water Damage

9/4/2022 (Permalink)

After a plumbing disaster, Northwest Orlando homeowners need a water-vac to pull water off the floor, open the doors and windows, and rent a rug shampooer from the local big box store.

To restore a home takes a professional restoration service. Drying a house with water damage in Northwest Orlando requires attention to four key factors that affect humidity. SERVPRO restoration specialists train to analyze each one, knowing which drying methods and equipment they need to use in each home. It all comes down to heat. 

Humidity levels determine the level of water vapor in the air in a home compared to its capacity. A level of 60 percent or higher indicates the air is saturated. That dramatically slows evaporation and increases drying time. Specialists use dehumidifiers to reduce the humidity level in each affected room. Working dehumidifiers can lower the level up to 20 percent every 24 hours.

Evaporation is the natural process of water converting to vapor. With large amounts of water, it is slow. Our SERVPRO specialists use pumps and smaller extraction devices to remove the bulk of the standing water. They get the amount below two inches in depth; the rate of evaporation increases. An augment rate of evaporation with dehumidifiers are to exhaust fans to increase movement, forcing saturated air outside the home.

Air movement increases using dry air to spread across damp surfaces like walls, tables, and countertops to increase the evaporation rate. Air movers and fans' combination to increase air movement is useful to dry clothing in a gentle manner, which doesn't damage the fabric.

Temperature is an essential factor. Since the preferred range to dry home and property is 70 to 90 degrees, we try to engage the HVAC system if it is operational. If not, specialists use space heaters to raise the internal temperature. They monitor the temperature to keep it under 80 degrees on the first day, however, since a higher temperature can increase the humidity.

SERVPRO of Northwest Orlando uses every tool and method available to return every residence to a dry, safe condition for families to live in once again. If you have had a recent water issue in your home, call (407) 698-5155 to schedule a visit. We are here for you.

Roof Damage Culprits to Check After a Storm

9/4/2022 (Permalink)

After a significant storm, it's a good idea to inspect your property for storm damage. Your home's main line of defense is your roof, and it takes a beating. Pay attention to things like dings in your gutters or tears in your window screens, which indicate hail damage. You may see missing tiles or other signs of roof damage from the ground, but most leaks don't represent a need for whole roof replacement. Usually, the leak is coming from something requiring minor roof repair.

Find the source of the leak, stop it, and clean any water damage.

Find the Leak Source

During storms in Northwest Orlando, wind damage lets the rain into your roof. Inside your home, look for stains that indicate the source of a leak and the area that needs roof repair. You may see water stains on your ceiling or coming down a wall. When you see that, get your flashlight and head to that area. Here are five familiar sources for a roof leak:

1. Vents and fans
2. Chimneys
3. Window dormers
4. Vent pipes
5. Unsecured nails and nail holes

Fix Water Damage

To complete your roof repair:

1. Start looking for materials damaged by water.
2. Check for discolorations and rotting wood and wet drywall and insulation.
3. When you find mold, remain careful and don't spread during cleanup.

A mold remediation professional can help create a containment area while working on the water and mold damage. If you haven't found mold, start drying any wet materials immediately. Mold can begin growing on wet damaged materials in as little as 48 hours. Drying is critical to preventing mold, and it may take longer than you realize. Specialists have monitoring equipment that they use to ensure materials are dry. Call SERVPRO of Northwest Orlando today.