Summer Time Brings Increased Chances for Structural Fires.

6/10/2022 (Permalink)

Grilling is one of the leading causes of structural fires in the summer time. (Photo by Paul Hermann on Unsplash)

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) the top leading causes for house fires are: cooking, heating, electrical, smoking, and burning candles.

In the summer time there are two more main causes for house fires: grilling and fireworks.

Each year around 4000 structural fires are caused by grills, hibachis or barbecues.

Fireworks started an estimated 1,900 structure fires in 2018

The NFPA's website has many safety tips for homeowners to help reduce the chance of a structural fire in your home.

If you experience a structural fire in your home, call the professionals at SERVPRO of Brainerd and Park Rapids at 218-568-6923.

Our experienced team at SERVPRO of Brainerd and Park Rapids is ready too respond.  Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quickly to your home or business.  This fast response and immediate action can limit damage, prevent further damage and reduce restoration costs.   SERVPRO's highly trained crews have the specialized equipment and resources to handle the job whether it be large or small.  We are prepared to assist your needs in case of fire, wind and soot conditions throughout Crow Wing, Cass, Wadena and Hubbard counties.

Visit our website to see what fire damage and restoration services SERVPRO of Brainerd and Park Rapids can offer you.

At SERVPRO of Brainerd and Park Rapids, we understand the Trauma of Fire Disasters.

5/27/2022 (Permalink)

Documents damaged by water used to put out a house fire.

Your home contains many of your most valuable possessions. SERVPRO of Brainerd and Park Rapids understands the trauma you experience after a home fire.

According to the Minnesota State Fire Marshall's office, in the last five years there have been approximately 5000 house fires per year! 

Only one will matter to you! Not only do you have to clean up from the fire itself, but also the water used to extinguish the fire.

You may be asking questions like:

• Have I lost all of my family photos?
• Can the quilt my Grandmother made me be cleaned?
• Is the picture my friend painted for me as a wedding present able to be saved?

SERVPRO of Brainerd and Park Rapids will follow the following steps for the cleanup and restoration process of your personal belongings referred to as contents.

Inventory:

One of the first priorities in fire restoration is to complete an accurate inventory to ensure you properly account for all of your belongings. SERVPRO of Brainerd and Park Rapids can provide comprehensive room-by-room inventories and digital photographs suitable for filing insurance claims.

Move Outs:

If your home has suffered significant damage to the structure, the cleanup and restoration process may need to moved to another facility for cleaning, deodorization, and storage while your home is being repaired. The professionals at SERVPRO of Brainerd and Park Rapids will carefully pack and move your home's contents.

Contents Cleaning:

All the restorable contents in your home affected by the fire will be professionally cleaned and deodorized. This includes such items as area rugs, furniture, draperies and upholstery. The SERVPRO of Brainerd and Park Rapids professionals will carefully inspect and test all fabrics in the structure to determine which cleaning methods are the most appropriate. All other restorable contents will be cleaned and deodorized to as close to preloss condition as possible. This includes such items as clothing, bedding, kitchen items, wood furniture bric-a-brac and art.

Specialty Cleaning:

Documents & paper goods can be carefully packed out and sent to SERVPRO's document restoration facility. SERVPRO's document restoration team has training and experience in specialties, including photo restoration services, document freeze-drying and old document restoration. They use state-of-the-art technology to help restore your paper goods to as close to their pre-damaged condition as possible.

For electronic items, SERVPRO of Brainerd and Park Rapids will help assess which items are restorable and assist you with finding a repair specialist in the area.

When fire damage takes control of your life, nobody helps you take it back like the professionals at SERVPRO of Brainerd and Park Rapids. Call us at 218-568-6923.

The Do's and Don'ts After You Have Had a Fire

5/25/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Brainerd and Park Rapids has the specialized training and equipment to clean up after a fire.

The unthinkable has happened and you have had a fire in your home or business. Call SERVPRO of Brainerd and Park Rapids for professional help on how to clean up after a fire at 218-568-6923.

While you are waiting for SERVPRO of Brainerd and Park Rapids to arrive here is a list of Do's and Don'ts to minimize the damage from the fire, smoke and soot:

Do's

• Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpet.
• Keep hands clean. Soot on your hands can further soil upholstery, walls, and woodwork.
• Place dry colorfast towels or old linens (such as sheets) on rugs, upholstery, and carpet traffic areas.
• If the electricity is off, empty freezers and refrigerators completely and prop the doors open to prevent odors.
• If it is winter time, poor RV antifreeze in sinks, toilet bowls, and tubs (holding tank if applicable) to avoid freezing pipes and fixtures.
• Wash both sides of leaves on house plants.
• Change the HVAC filter, but leave system off until a trained professional can check the system.
• Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers to stop particles of soot from getting in our out of the HVAC system.

Don'ts

• Do not attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces without checking with SERVPRO of Brainerd and Park Rapids first.
• Do not attempt to shampoo carpet or upholstered furniture without first checking with SERVPRO of Brainerd and Park Rapids.
• Do not attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, heat, or water without first consulting an authorized repair service.
• Do not consume any food or beverages that may have been stored close to fire, heat, or water. (They may be contaminated.)
• Do not turn on any ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet. Wiring may be wet or damaged and can cause electrical shock, and air movement may create secondary damage.
• Send garments to the dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set a smoke odor in the garments.

Visit our Fire Damage and Restoration Process webpage to learn more about what you should do after a fire and what services SERVPRO of Brainerd and Park Rapids can offer you.

Smoke and Soot Damage Cleanup

4/20/2022 (Permalink)

Wet Smoke caused these smoke webs to form. Smoke webs need a special cleaning process to prevent them from smearing and spreading soot.

Second to the trauma of having a fire, is cleaning and restoring your home/business from all the smoke and soot damage.

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 Brainerd and Park Rapids 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 – 218-568-6923

Let the experts at SERVPRO of Brainerd and Park Rapids keep you safe and clean, deodorize, and restore your belongings.

Is Your Dryer Safe and Working Properly?

3/12/2020 (Permalink)

If you see this, it might be time to clean your dryer vent.

Regular maintenance can save time and prevent lint fires?

Here Are Three Signs That Tell You It May Not Be:

• Vent trap doesn't open correctly
• Clothes take longer to dry
• Burning Smell

1.  The Vent Trap Doesn't Open Properly

A stuck vent trap is also another sign of lint build-up.  It could be the result of overdue maintenance and will eventually affect your appliance.  You should frequently check for debris or lint around the dryer hose to catch this problem before it causes a nasty clog or lint fire.

2.  Clothes Take Longer to Dry

When your dryer vent is clogged, clothes take to dryer as hot humid air cannot leave the dryer.This translates into more dry time and wear and tear on your dryer.  This may also add unnecessary humidity into your structure which could cause secondary damages.

3.  A Burning Smell

If you detect a burning smell from your dryer, please turn it off immediately.  This could be caused by your drum or lint trap being clogged.  The smell could be coming from hot clothes and longer drying times.  Check your dryer's vents and traps immediately, or call in a professional appliance company. 

Dryers are a luxury for most homeowners, don't wait until a malfunction to start your troubleshooting.  Regular maintenance will save you money and prevent a possible lint fire in the future.  

Call 218-568-6923 to schedule you dryer vent cleaning today!

Extreme Heat Causes Meltdown!

3/12/2020 (Permalink)

The music has stopped for this stereo in Cass Lake, MN.

Learn More About Fires

Fire is FAST!  In less than 30 seconds a small flame can turn into a major fire.  It only takes minutes for thick black smoke to fill a house or for it to be engulfed in flames.

Fire is HOT!  Heat is more threatening than flames.  Room temperatures in a fire can be 100 degrees at floor level and rise to 600 degrees at eye level.  Inhaling this super-hot air will scorch your lungs and melt clothes to your skin.

Fire is DARK!  Fire starts bright, but quickly produces black smoke and complete darkness.

Fire is DEADLY!  Smoke and toxic gases kill more people than flames do.  Fire produces poisonous gases that make you disoriented and drowsy.  Asphyxiation is the leading cause of fire deaths, exceeding burns by a three-to-one ratio.

For more information about fires visit: https://www.ready.gov/home-fires

For your clean up needs, call SERVPRO of Brainerd and Park Rapids at 218-568-6923.

Fire leaves residue throughout home in Little Falls, MN

2/25/2020 (Permalink)

Smoke isn't as easy as 1, 2, 3...

Behavior of Smoke

A fire loss can be complex due to the unique behavior of smoke.  That's why it's important to call on SERVPRO of Brainerd and Park Rapids trained professionals to have in your home at your time of need.

• Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas.
• Smoke migrates to upper levels of a structure.
• Smoke flows around plumbing, using holes around pipes to go from floor to floor.
• The type of smoke present will greatly affect the restoration process.

Types of Smoke

The SERVPRO Professional at your fire scene will calm your fears and test the smoke to see what type of fire has taken place.

Wet Smoke-

Plastics and Rubbers - Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary.

Dry Smoke-

Paper and Wood - Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.

Easy Smoke? Never!

Protein Fire Residue-

Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire.

Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extremely pungent odor.

Fuel Oil Soot-

Furnace Puff Backs

While "puff backs" can create havoc for you, SERVPRO Professionals can in most cases restore the contents and structure quickly.

Other Types-

Tear gas, fingerprint powder and fire extinguisher residue.

Special loss situations require special care.  SERVPRO of Brainerd and Park Rapids is trained to handle your toughest losses!

While any fire can be a major disruption for your home or business, SERVPRO Professional's will help calm your nerves and address concerns through pretesting the damage.  This allows SERVPRO to focus on saving precious items for your customers, and that is what really matters to you!

Call us when you need us, we are Here to Help! 218-568-6923.

Crow Wing County Fire Damage from Woodburning Fireplace.

1/6/2020 (Permalink)

Personal belongings and memories soot stained from fire in adjacent room.

For Homeowners, Putting Out A FIRE Can Be Worse Than The FIRE ITSELF

A backdraft of emotions often sweeps over the homeowners after a fire ravages a home.  Fear, uncertainty, stress and doubt about the future of the property can overwhelm the homeowner long after the flames have been extinguished and the smoke has cleared.

So after the first wave of heroes have rescued the property, let SERVPRO of Brainerd and Park Rapids help you restore it.  With the industry-approved training to employ rapid response, the utmost professionalism, cutting-edge technology and open communication, we strive to restore not only the home, but the customer's peace of mind as well.

The first 48 hours after fire damage can make the difference between restoring versus replacing your property and personal belongings.  SERVPRO of Brainerd and Park Rapids can help prevent fire damage from creating long-term problems.  SERVPRO of Brainerd and Park Rapids provides timely response with mitigation services ranging from fire, smoke and soot removal to contents claims inventory and document restoration.  These services help ensure your property, belongings and memories are restored to preloss condition when possible.

What You Can Do Until Help Arrives

• Limit movement in the home to prevent sootparticles from spreading and additional damage from occurring.
• Place clean towels or old linens on rugs and high traffic areas and upholstery.
• Coat chrome faucets, trim and appliances with petroleum jelly or oil.
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpet.
• Do not wash any walls or painted surfaces.
• Do not shampoo carpet or upholstery.
• Do not clean any electrical equipment
• Do not send clothing to a dry cleaner since improper cleaning may set smoke odor.

SERVPRO of Brainerd and Park Rapids is available 24-hours a day, 365 days a year to help you regain control quickly. 218-568-6923.

Crow Wing county Smoke and Soot Cleanup

11/27/2018 (Permalink)

Smoke and Soot Damage Can Cause a Pervasive Odor in Your Crow Wing county 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 Brainerd and Park Rapids 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 - 218-568-6923