Not All Fire Damages Are Structural. What About Smoke Odor Damage?

10/28/2022 (Permalink)

Ozone machines are effective at cleaning up smoke odors

How Do I Remove Smoke Odor After a Fire?

Following a fire, smoke odor can linger for months. That lingering smoke odor can be a serious hazard and will affect the resale value of your property. You need a professional cleaning company to restore your home to pre-fire condition and eliminate unpleasant smoke odor and contaminants from the fire damage.

Smoke Can Permeate the Entire Structure

One of the most annoying and lingering effects of a fire is the smell of smoke that can permeate the entire structure. As you’re aware, this odor is caused by smoke particles that are released into the air during a fire. Smoke particles are very small and can get into the smallest cracks and crevices in your home or building, including air ducts. Even if you had your air ducts professionally cleaned after your fire damage, there is still a chance that some odor-causing particles may remain in them.

Thermal Foggers Neutralize Odors At Its Source

To treat smoke odors in your home, you have several options. The most effective is thermal fogging—a process in which a fog is generated with heat, then injected into the affected area to neutralize the odor at its source. The fog will also penetrate porous materials such as wood, upholstery and even carpeting.

Air Filtration Devices (AFD) Are Commonly Used

Air Filtration Devices (AFDs) are probably the most commonly used piece of equipment to help clean up after a fire. AFD's are used in homes and offices, but they can also be used in commercial buildings such as hotels, restaurants, nursing homes, and schools. 

Air filtration devices are similar to air purifiers as they have an air filter which removes smoke particles from the air as it passes through it. However, there is one difference between these two devices - an AFD removes odors from your home while purifiers do not remove odors from your home unless they have special filters installed that are specifically designed for this purpose (which most don't).

Ozone Machines Can Also Remove Foul Odors 

Ozone is a gas that is created when oxygen is exposed to ultraviolet light. It's a powerful oxidizer, meaning it can help remove odors from your home.

But before we go any further, let's be clear: ozone isn't the same as oxygen, even though it has "oxy" in its name. Oxygen atoms have eight protons, eight neutrons and eight electrons (O8) while ozone atoms only have seven of each (O7).

Ozone machines are effective at cleaning up smoke odors because they're able to break down organic compounds in the air by combining with them and making them into other compounds like carbon dioxide or water vapor.

If you have experienced a fire, call SERVPRO of North Naples. We can help restore your property to pre-fire condition and eliminate unpleasant smoke odor and contaminants from the fire damage. We will come out and assess the damage and develop a plan with you to handle everything from cleaning to restoration. Our professionals are certified in fire and smoke damage restoration by IICRC which means they know all there is to know about handling this type of situation. We'll make it right!

3 Steps To Take After Experiencing Commercial Water Damage

6/25/2022 (Permalink)

Contact local commercial building restoration services.

Three Things To Do If Your Business Suffers From Commercial Water Damage

When water overtakes your business space due to plumbing issues, natural floods or any other misfortune, repairs can be extensive and daunting to get the building back to its previous condition. Here are three steps you can take to tackle any water damage in your North Naples, FL, building and prevent it from occurring again. 

1. Begin Insurance Claims Process
As soon as you notice water within your building, contact your insurance company and file a damage claim. This is an important step to ultimately determine how costly the restoration and repair process will be. Compile photo evidence along with any moisture detector readings you may have to relay to insurers. 

2. Contact a Water Cleanup Crew
You should quickly contact local commercial building restoration services. These trained experts are best equipped to remove any standing water, dry the structure out, disinfect all impacted surfaces and issue necessary repairs. Even if you think there is only minor damage, there could be a larger unseen issue that may go unresolved without mitigation from professionals. 

3. Perform Routine Maintenance
Commercial water damage can present itself through broken pipes, a leaking roof, malfunctioning fire sprinklers and a myriad of other causes. To best prevent future water issues, be sure to perform regular maintenance on areas of the building where water collection is possible. This includes routine inspection of pipes, the sprinkler system, heating and cooling systems, and toilets. Along with regular inspections, be sure to keep records of any repairs or replacements issued. This will keep you on top of potential water issues before they occur. 
A major flooding event can impact businesses every day. If your commercial property is affected by water damage, it's important to immediately file an insurance claim, contact building restoration professionals and keep up with necessary maintenance to prevent further water issues. 

3 Problems Smoke Damage Can Cause In Your Commercial Building

5/10/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial fire damage in Barefoot Beach, FL.

How Smoke Can Affect Your Business?

When a fire damages your Barefoot Beach, FL, business property, you may find yourself facing more than scorched walls or a compromised roof. Smoke damage can be a major problem and difficult to clean. This type of issue often causes multiple problems and understanding how smoke can affect your business may help you to choose cleaning services that can restore it properly.

1. Corrosion

Smoke and soot damage can corrode many different items, especially electronics and many types of metal. When smoke residue is not removed completely, it can continue the corrosion process over time and cause machinery and important electronic systems to malfunction. In many cases, corrosion occurs where you cannot see it, which makes it more difficult to handle with everyday cleaning methods.

2. Discoloration From Smoke Damage

After a fire, building materials, such as drywall, can absorb smoke and cause discoloration to painted surfaces. It can yellow many surfaces and cause them to appear aged or dirty. Your building's decor can also become discolored when smoke residue remains on its surfaces, which customers may notice. Smoke can also leave behind a bitter, sooty odor on these items, which can linger for months after a fire.

3. Acidity Can Affect Windows

The acid content of smoke can affect glass, as after the material absorbs it, most types of glass take on a tarnished appearance. This discoloration often becomes worse over time, especially during periods of high humidity or if your building retains moisture. A fire restoration and mitigation service can perform smoke cleaning services to protect your building's glass and prevent discoloration that may make it appear unsanitary or old.
When smoke damage affects your Barefoot Beach, FL, business, ensuring that all your building's systems are free of harmful residue can be challenging. However, when you understand the type of issues smoke might cause, the more confident you might feel when it comes to calling for help to eliminate it completely and protect your property.

3 Common Commercial Irrigation System Problems

3/1/2022 (Permalink)

When the head of an irrigation system is obstructed it might be due to the head being clogged.

Commercial Irrigation System Problems

Is your building in East Naples, FL, experiencing irrigation problems? There are usually only a few common troubles that affect a standard irrigation system, and the fixes are usually simple ones.

1. Clogged or Obstructed Heads

The most common and simplest issue is a clogged head. The cause is any number of things: foot traffic, lawn care equipment and workers, pets or wild animals, or simply just weather and erosion. To start, check all of your system's heads to see if any are clogged with dirt or crooked. Gently clean any dirt or other debris such as leaves away from the heads. If any are crooked, gently straighten them. This fix helps to clear up any uneven pressure or individual heads that weren't working.

2. Excess or Inadequate Flow

Whether it's too much or not enough water, both aren't good for the health of your lawn. Before doing anything, check your irrigation system controller and be sure that it has been properly adjusted. It might be helpful to check your owner's manual or call the installer if you aren't sure how to operate your system. Next, determine if the flow is uneven across the lawn or if it's concentrated into one area. From this, you can tell if it's a valve issue or a head issue.

3. Leaking Valves or Pipes

As the seasons change, your system needs a lot of maintenance. Along with adjusting your flow from the controller box, you should also be checking for any leaking valves or pipes. If you have already found a leaky pipe or if you've had a sudden burst, it's best to call in a water damage cleanup and restoration specialist. These experts are equipped with special tech to make cleanup a cinch.
Troubleshooting an irrigation system is simple once you know the common problems and have the reassurance of a professional in case things go wrong.

4 Tips for Commercial Roof Maintenance

2/17/2022 (Permalink)

If repairs are needed, a commercial storm damage professional can provide the expertise needed for a cost-effective solution.

4 Roof Maintenance Tips For Businesses

As one of the most valuable and necessary components of your business’s infrastructure, your commercial roof requires regular maintenance. Damage can appear in the form of a roof leak, wind damage or heat damage, and doing as much as you can to prevent and correct this is imperative to saving money and resources down the line. Here are a few tips for inspecting and maintaining your commercial roof in East Naples, FL.

1. Perform regular inspections with a qualified

professional. Schedule regular inspections every six months with a qualified inspector. Additionally, schedule inspections after storms to assess for any wind damage that could make your building more susceptible to a roof leak. In the event of a hail storm with ¾ inch or greater sized hail, schedule an inspection with your insurer to ensure damage did not occur. If repairs are needed, a commercial storm damage professional can provide the expertise needed for a cost-effective solution.

2. Seal vents and skylights.

Check to make sure all vents are sealed to prevent debris and leaks. Regularly take a special look around any skylights and other roof features to make sure all edges are sealed and equipment remains properly secured.

3. Keep records of previous damage.

Because repairs to previous damage can create weak spots in the roof, keep a record of any previous storm damage or repairs made. Keep a closer eye on these areas during inspections or after any severe weather events.

4. Trim trees and keep gutters clear.

To prevent trees from scratching at the roof or creating wind damage, trim branches to create a safe clearance. Also, regularly check gutters to make sure they have not become clogged with twigs or leaves.

Performing regular maintenance and inspections is an essential part of ensuring your commercial roof’s longevity. Following these tips can help you, as a business owner, minimize the risk of a roof leak or other potential damage.