Looking for Quality Local Property Fire, Smoke and Soot Damage Cleanup, Restoration and Reconstruction Services?

6/22/2022 (Permalink)

Our SERVPRO professional services are the Right Choice for Fire Damage Cleanup and Remediation Following a Manhattan Home or Business Fire

Tenants, Homes and Businesses in Manhattan neighborhoods are using more electrical appliances and equipment each day, many NYC local buildings were not designed for our ongoing electrical consumption needs. It’s easy to take for granted the power coming from our walls but if you’ve ever tried to switch on the microwave while the oven, dishwasher and coffeemaker were on before a family dinner and the lights shut off, you’ve created an electrical circuit overload.

This residential fire damage cleanup and restoration project was the aftermath of a fire that started in the family room. When our crews arrived quickly, on the same day as the property damage event there was significant smoke and soot damage throughout the entire home. The homeowners were surprised how quickly the smoke and soot damage traveled. If an electrical overload has caused fire, smoke and soot damage to your home or business, you need the professional assistance of a disaster restoration company. Choosing SERVPRO of Central Manhattan for your restoration needs, you are working with professional remediation specialists with the proper training and experience to clean up damages from fire, including smoke and soot. Our fire damage restoration team works quickly to restore your apartment, home or business, “Like it never even happened.”

Circuit breakers play an important part in every property's electrical system.

When the current of electricity going through a circuit is too much for it to handle, an electrical overload can happen. Usually, it occurs when you have too many devices plugged into a single circuit, but it can happen with older homes if you are trying to run an appliance that uses excessive energy. Acting as an important safeguard, a circuit breaker will shut off the electric flow, protecting your home or business from an electrical circuit overload that can cause the circuit to overheat, which could cause damage to appliances and ultimately result in a fire. While circuit breakers are reliable and do a great job preventing residential and commercial fires due to overloads, if the power surges are excessive they can, over time, result in electrical fires.

The three most common causes of a circuit breaker shut-off are:

• Overloaded Circuit
• Short Circuit
• Ground Fault

Signs of Overloaded Circuits

The most obvious sign of an electrical circuit overload is a breaker tripping and shutting off all the power. Other signs can be less noticeable; buzzing sounds, burning smells, and unusually warm devices also can indicate other wiring problems, such as loose connections or short circuits. If any of these problems persist after you’ve taken steps to prevent circuit overloads, contact an electrician.

• Dimming lights, especially if lights dim when you turn on appliances or more lights.
• Buzzing outlets or switches.
• Outlet or switch covers that are warm to the touch.
• Burning odors from outlets or switches.
• Scorched plugs or outlets.
• Power tools, appliances, or electronics that seem to lack enough power.

See our facebook page for links and resources about additional concerns regarding electrical fires

Following a residential or commercial property fire from a circuit overload, or other fire disaster. It’s important to contact your local SERVPRO for professional fire cleanup and restoration help, our first step is to assess the damages.

Fire leaves different kinds of soot on surfaces depending on what burned in your Manhattan residential or commercial property. Even a small blaze produces acidic smoke and soot that needs to be cleaned up. During your initial fire damage inspection, SERVPRO of Central Manhattan 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. Depending on how much smoke damage there is, there are various methods we can use to clean up the surrounding walls and ceiling.

Soot composition can vary quite a bit depending on the underlying causes. All types of soot cause at least some darkening, and in severe cases, any type of soot can look completely black. 

Dry Soot 
Dry soot is caused by very hot fires burning natural ingredients swiftly. It has a dry, dusty texture and almost no smell. Dry soot is often easier to manage than mold or storm damage. In many cases, removing it is as simple as using a vacuum with a HEPA filter on all surfaces. 

Wet Soot 
If a fire smolders for a while on low heat and burns high moisture items, wet soot may be created. This is essentially dry soot that has mingled with steam to create a sort of soggy, sooty mess. Cleaning up wet soot requires a combination of fire damage and water damage strategies. 

Oily Soot 
When plastics, rubbers, and other products containing oil are burned, soot can turn into a sticky, greasy substance. If you try to wipe it up, it will just smear instead of going away.  Also, because it contains oil, it will be resistant to water-based cleaning products. Unlike dry soot, oily soot will cling to any surface, even vertical areas. 

Protein Soot 
Protein-based soot is a greasy soot that tends to occur as the buildup in kitchens or the product of a kitchen fire. It involves overcooked proteins that turn to soot, and it has a very pungent odor. This type of soot is quite hard to get rid of, and the odor may linger if it is not cleaned up properly. 

Our technicians check out all damage and match the best cleaning method to soiling, each type of soot gets a different cleaning method. Our technicians are fully trained and certified under the guidelines of The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) to restore your home to its original state. Local teams learn the latest procedures to clean carpets, furniture and surfaces of soot and to remove the smoke odor that can linger for weeks in an untreated home. One fire site can need a variety of cleaning methods, our crews can handle it all.

Our Fire Damage Restoration Specialists use commercial grade vacuums to remove soot and another residue. Our blowers and exhaust fans can be adapted to work from a large family room to a small laundry closet. We use a wide-variety of cleaning products specialized for every surface in a home from marble countertop cleaners to soaps and dry sponges that gently remove soot and not the paint underneath. We can use HEPA grade filtration systems, air scrubbers, and ozone machines to help improve the Indoor Air Quality.

For Fire Disaster Property Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO of Central Manhattan at (347) 960-5658

When dealing with soot damage, our SERVPRO teams have a few different options available

Dry Clean the Soot 
If you primarily have dry soot in your home, you can use dry cleaning methods to pick up most of the soot. These methods are essentially the same methods you would use for removing dust. A dry cloth can remove soot from tables and furniture, while a vacuum can pick it up off carpets, upholstery, and flooring. Dry-cleaning will ensure that powdery soot does not smear into a blackened grime. 

This method is a little tedious, so it is normally only recommended for smaller areas of soot. It can be helpful for doing a basic clean up and ensuring the soot does not spread before you can get more help. Keep in mind that if you try a dry-cleaning method and the soot begins to smear, you may need to try a wet cleaning method. 

Wet Clean the Soot 
A wet cleaning method can be effective if you have wet or oily soot. To use this method, combine soap with water to lightly scrub an area with soot. Try testing it in a small area to ensure that it can pick up soot without making the mess worse or damage the underlying surface. 

Wet cleaning soot does have some benefits because it can pick up soot that is mixed in with oil or moisture. However, it is quite time-consuming and requires a lot of effort. Another downside of the wet cleaning soot method is it’s only feasible on tile or other waterproof surfaces. Using water to clean drywall, wood, or electronics is not advisable. 

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

When you experience fire or smoke damage to your local NYC home or business you might not be sure what steps to take next. Once the fire department has left and you have called SERVPRO of Central Manhattan, our fire damage remediation specialists will guide you through the fire damage restoration process and take the necessary steps to get you on the path to recovery.

1. Initial Inspection- One of our trained managers will come inspect your property for damages and see how intensely the fire/smoke affected your home and determine with you and/or your adjuster what steps need to be taken next.
2. Structure/Content Clean- Depending on what has been determined in step one, SERVPRO will start the process of cleaning and restoring your home and/or contents, including cleaning walls and ceilings, personal belongings, ducts, etc.

Fire Restoration & Reconstruction Services

Residential or Commercial Fires often causes significant structural damage and often require repairing and rebuilding your property. SERVPRO of Central Manhattan offers comprehensive reconstruction services for both residential and commercial properties our professionals are uniquely qualified and prepared to meet your reconstruction needs. Our construction team works quickly and effectively, working with you to survey the extent of the damage, develop a plan for reconstruction, and assess whether your property is safe to occupy. Our SERVPRO of Central Manhattan crews are ready to undertake reconstruction projects of any size, structural repairs and rebuilding may only involve a portion of your property, or in some cases a complete rebuild may be necessary.

Contact us today if your property has been damaged and needs repairs or reconstruction 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.

We're Here to Help You

If you do experience a fire, professional fire restoration services like SERVPRO of Central Manhattan can handle the entire fire cleanup process—from assessing the smoke and fire damage to rebuilding your home, "Like it never even happened." Wherever your Manhattan Residential or Commercial Property Disaster occurs SERVPRO Restoration Teams can help.

Focus on safety to avoid backyard summer fire hazards and property damage from grills, fire pits, and torches

6/16/2022 (Permalink)

Open flames are hazardous whatever time of year, the changing of the season to warmer weather brings outside spring and summer fire hazards to your backyard. This year as our community continues to endure the global pandemic and people are encouraged to entertain in small groups outdoors and with social distance, outside spaces will see more use. BBQ’s, fire pits, portable heaters, and other cooking or recreational flames can cause accidental property fire damage. 

In New York City, grilling outdoors is an automatic no-no if your grill is within 10 feet of anything that could easily catch fire, including building walls, trees, wood deck surfaces, and furniture. Plus, you must have access to a garden-type hose attached to a water supply or a four-gallon bucket of water available when needed. It also depends on what type of fuel your barbecue uses: Electric grills are okay in a NYC apartment building on balconies, terraces, roofs, or yards, as long building rules allow it. Other types are prohibited so do some research before lighting up.

Spring and Summer Fire Hazards can cause accidental property damages.

Summer is a fun time for most, family and friends gather for pool parties, and people take vacations, but Summer is also a prime time for home fires. Every year, there are between 350,000 and 400,000 home fires in the U.S. (according to the National Fire Protection Association). Your home is at risk of catching fire for a variety of reasons no matter what the season, knowing some common reasons for residential fire damage can be important to fire prevention. SERVPRO of Central Manhattan has been providing property disaster cleanup and restoration service to fire property damage victims for nearly 30 years, our IICRC certified fire damage restoration specialists arrive ready to rescue and recover your home and property following a fire, "Like it never even happened."

Common causes of residential fire property damage disasters:

Grilling: Nothing announces the arrival of summer like firing up the grill. In the summer months, many people grill outdoors for various holidays and barbecue dinners. 

Prevention tips: To prevent barbecue fires, check for gas leaks before use, regularly clean your barbeque, and try to create a dedicated safe barbecuing space that is free of clutter and away from children.

Fire pits/Heaters: On cool summer nights, kids and adults alike will enjoy a cozy place to gather and stay warm. Fire pits are known to be a major source of warmth and ambience. Unfortunately, due to the increase in popularity, the number of fire-related injuries and accidents is on the rise as well. The good news is that with the proper safety precautions, the whole family can safely enjoy a fire pit.

Prevention tips: Before striking the match, never place a pit closer than 10 feet from anything flammable, including your house and overhead tree branches. Keep children and pets at least 3 feet away from the fire. 

Electrical fires: About 2,300 residential air conditioners start fires each year. These fires are usually the result of inadequate wiring while having to deal with heavy electric loads, short circuits, or other electrical malfunctions. It is not just the AC that catches on fire, if your AC heats up, flammable materials near your unit can catch on fire. Fires are most likely to occur when it is hottest outside—between 2 and 8 p.m. 

Prevention tips: Using fans may allow you to set your thermostat a degree or two warmer than you may have been able to stand otherwise—especially if you rotate the blades clockwise, which directs airflow downward and prevents hotter air from rising up and signaling the A/C unit to kick on.

Candles/Torches: Adding candles and torches can provide ambient lighting and fend off mosquitoes and other nighttime insects when used with citronella. Yet, similar to anything that involves a fire or open flame, it’s important to exercise caution when installing, handling, and storing these creative outdoor lighting options.

Prevention tips: It is important to exercise caution with these lighting options, consider placement carefully no not place torches under trees, overhangs or near other flammable materials. Position torches at least 6 feet away from the house or other structures. Never leave an open flame unattended, keep an eye on any flames and ensure they are entirely out before you go inside for the night.

Be aware of the risk of fires and prepare by checking the batteries in your smoke detectors and having functioning fire extinguishers. If you find yourself faced with a fire emergency this summer, we are here to help!

The Damage Caused by a Property Fire 

To repair the property entirely after experiencing a damaging fire, you will need to seek the help of a professional team like SERVPRO. Fire damage is multi-faceted and to recover as much of your property as possible, it is important to contact the professionals right away. Our experience, equipment and training will help avoid additional repairs and costs. Our Manhattan SERVPRO technicians know what steps to take to assess your property and possessions, they can look for hidden damages and quickly start to mitigate concerns to avoid further damage from smoke and soot, documenting damages and removing items for restoration. 

Why Choosing a Professional Disaster Restoration Company, like SERVPRO is Important?

SERVPRO of Central Manhattan offers Emergency Restoration Services in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit your unique property damage disaster needs. Our staff and restoration managers understand that a rapid response is critical to your recovery, our team will provide comprehensive cleanup, mitigation, restoration and rebuild options following a property fire disaster. SERVPRO is a trusted leader in the restoration industry providing advanced technology and training to a nationwide team of skilled technicians and project managers. Our crews have experience and knowledge offering a wide variety of restoration services to recover your commercial property with minimized cost and business interruption.

• Our crews will assess the full damage of your property taking necessary steps to save as much of your inventory, appliances and equipment, furnishings, and inventory as possible.
• They will do a complete inventory of all items removed from your property taking photos and documentation and return all salvageable items back to your business following the restoration process.
• Our technicians work quickly and carefully to get your business up and running as soon as possible. Our project managers and staff will follow-up to make sure you are satisfied or address any other concerns.
• Our construction managers can seamlessly begin putting back together any structural, interior, and exterior damages sustained during the initial disaster or as a result of the restoration and cleanup process. Our staff can work with your insurance and answer any concerns you may have about the process.

If your property needs fire damage repair, find an experienced and certified fire damage restoration service near you.

Hiring SERVPRO, a trusted industry leader in fire and water damage restoration ensures that your home repairs are effectively managed after a property fire damage. It is essential to find a reliable and experienced fire restoration expert who can offer a range of services. This includes everything from smoke damage restoration to soot damage repair to water restoration and removal.

SERVPRO works quickly to restore your home or business after fire damage

2/15/2022 (Permalink)

Fire damage is multi-faceted and to recover as much of your property as possible contact professionals right away.

It is important to contact trained property damage restoration technicians from SERVPRO to minimize damages and restore your property faster

Manhattan fire damage needs professionals

The Damage Caused by a Property Fire 

When you experience a property fire, big or small it’s best to contact a fire damage restoration company in your area to mitigate the damage and put you on a quick road to recovery. To repair the property entirely after experiencing a damaging fire, you will need to seek the help of a professional team like SERVPRO. Fire damage is multi-faceted and to recover as much of your property as possible contacting professionals right away with experience, equipment and training will help avoid additional repairs and costs. Our Manhattan technicians know what steps to take to assess your property and possessions, they can look for hidden damages and quickly start to mitigate concerns to avoid further damage from smoke and soot, documenting damages and removing items for restoration. 

Many factors contribute to the increased risk of fire during winter months

Keeping warm in the winter months can be challenging, homeowners often use secondary heating sources to supplement furnaces and radiators to help keep warm. Fireplaces, wood burning stoves, space heaters, or electric blankets can produce comfortable heat for smaller, more targeted areas of your home at a fraction of the cost of turning up the thermostat for the entire home. These heat sources also pose their own unique risks, and it's important to take safety precautions when using them. Typically, electrical fires are at their peak during the winter months, staying inside using additional lighting, heating and other electrical equipment causes increased strain on your electrical system, that can sometimes result in a fire. 

Common Sources of Electrical Fires

• Faulty outlets and appliances: worn or frayed cords can be enough to spark a fire and have it spread to flammable surfaces in your home like carpets, drapes, and rugs. Avoid running electrical cords under rugs to minimize wear and tear that can contribute to fire risks. Do not remove the grounding prong from a cord for use in a two-prong outlet.

• Light fixture failures: Always check the maximum recommended wattage on your lights and avoid using bulbs that go over that limit. Placing flammable materials like paper or cloth over a lampshade can also start a fire.

• Extension cords:Extension cords are meant to be a temporary measure for appliance usage. If you are using an extension cord because you do not have the type of outlet you need for your appliance, talk to your local electrician about installing new outlets that are compatible.

Property owners and residents can minimize electrical fire risk with a variety of safety measures, including the following:

• Avoid overloading outlets or power strips and the use of extension cables as a long-term power source.
• Have your wiring inspected to ensure that it is up to code per the standards set by the National Electrical Code (NEC). A licensed electrician can mitigate potential faults such as rusty contacts in an outlet. A professional can also advise you on inspection intervals.
• Use protective measures like surge protectors, ground-fault circuit interrupters, and arc-fault circuit interrupters.

Fire Prevention Tips for Common Causes of Home Fire Damage

2/15/2022 (Permalink)

Large or small fires can bring significant smoke and soot damage throughout your home. We can provide property damage restoration service near you.

What to expect from our SERVPRO professional fire damage restoration process in Manhattan

Every year, there are between 350,000 and 400,000 home fires in the U.S. (according to the National Fire Protection Association). Any building is at risk of catching fire for a variety of reasons, knowing the most common reasons for residential fire damage can be important to fire prevention. SERVPRO of Central Manhattan has been providing property disaster cleanup and restoration service to fire damage victims for nearly 30 years, our IICRC certified fire damage restoration specialists arrive ready to rescue and recover your home and property following a fire, “Like it never even happened.”

Our SERVPRO location responded quickly to this home fire, in the West Village. Our restoration specialists contained the damaged areas to stop the spread of hazardous soot, smoke, and toxins. SERVPRO is a trusted leader in the restoration industry; our team is ready to respond to your emergency fire property damage, quickly and effectively with unparalleled training and equipment. Giving you peace of mind that your property is being cleaned and restored by caring and competent restoration professionals.

Often during a fire restoration, many recovery operations need to happen simultaneously, some of our crew will work on water extraction and demolition, while others will inventory and pack up items to move to another location to help prevent further property damage from exposure to contaminated areas. Smoke and soot particles are small and can get deep inside building materials, furniture, and other porous items. HEPA filters help our industrial strength air scrubbers and vacuums capture soot, purify the air, and neutralize odors. Our SERVPRO of Central Manhattan location is fortunate to offer restoration and rebuilding services following a property disaster from fire, water, or mold. Using our highly qualified construction team will help keep your recovery process moving steady and hassle free, often it can also minimize costs and completion time.

FIRST STEPS TO FIRE RESTORATION:

Isolate Fire Damaged Areas

SERVPRO professionals will start with containment to help restrict odors and debris from contaminating the air throughout the house and keep the damage contained at the source of the fire and affected areas of the home.

Water Damage Remediation

Fire suppression and rescue uses a lot of water and it can be just as destructive to structural components and contents as the fire. Our SERVPRO professionals will take the steps needed to minimize the damage by prioritizing water extraction.

Pack-Out for Contents

Fire damage mitigation and restoration is more effective when furnishings and personal possessions are relocated to avoid continued exposure to contaminated air and debris. Our contents claim inventory service creates a digital listing of the affected property, very helpful when corresponding with your insurance company. Specialized contents technicians evaluate the pack-out items’ conditions and recommend and implement efficient strategies to clean, dry, deodorize, and disinfect them.

Customized Soot Removal

Smoke and soot damages are especially invasive attacking every space of your residential property, including areas far from the actual fire. The residue from the fire travels with the air coating surfaces 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. Quick action is crucial to minimize damages; soot must be removed before it begins etching, distorting, discoloring, and disintegrating wood, carpeting, fabric, drywall, plastic, metal, and glass.

Common causes of residential fire property damage disasters:

Cooking: Most house fires are caused by cooking-related incidents, specifically, a person leaving a hot oven or stove unattended.

Prevention tips: Always keep an eye on cooking equipment while it’s in use. Use a timer to remind you cooking is in progress. Make sure to remove flammable objects and materials around cooking areas and surfaces.

Heating: Portable and stationary space heaters accounted for 32% of these fires, but most resulted from the homeowner’s failure to clean heating equipment or chimneys. 

Prevention tips: Have heating equipment cleaned and inspected every year to ensure it’s working properly. When using space heaters, situate them away from combustible objects such as clothing, furniture and bedding and turn them off when you leave home.

Electrical systems: Lighting sources are responsible for most electrical fires. Fires started through electrical systems represent more than $1 billion in property losses each year. 

Prevention tips: Use qualified electricians to handle your electrical projects, many fires are the result of improper installation by homeowners. When using electrical appliances, replace frayed or damaged cords, refrain from overloading outlets with plugs and use bulbs of the proper wattage for lamps.

Candles: Candles are responsible for 5 percent of home fire deaths, and on average, 35 home fires caused by candles are reported each day in the United States. 

Prevention tips: Don’t leave burning candles unattended and put them out before going to bed.

Fires cause massive amounts of damage to a residential property; the flames, soot and smoke can destroy structural materials, interior and exterior items, and personal processions. The aftermath of a fire can bring a massive amount of water damage, toxic chemicals, harmful soot pollution and unhealthy smoke levels. First responders often extinguish the flames quickly, but soot and smoke move even more rapidly, spreading damage throughout the entire property. Even a minor fire can bring significant smoke and soot damage throughout your home. We can provide property damage restoration service near you, SERVPRO is here to help with highly trained IICRC certified fire damage restoration experts and advanced technology and equipment to restore your home and possessions and provide knowledge and experience when you need it most.

SERVPRO of Central Manhattan responds quickly to your fire damage emergency with skilled technicians to your home, our team’s primary goal is to mitigate additional damages with preventative procedures and neutralize and recover sustained damages using expert skill, experience, and equipment.

SERVPRO provides complete cleanup, restoration and rebuild services after fire damage to your Manhattan property

2/15/2022 (Permalink)

Our IICRC certified professionals are prepared 24/7 to restore your home after a fire. SERVPRO is always here to help!

Consult SERVPRO to develop a complete plan to rebuild and restore your home after a property fire. 

Whether it is a small fire in the kitchen or something more significant, most homeowners and families can feel overwhelmed. Some disasters that affect your Manhattan home offer little hope of a fast restoration and recovery. Instead, large fire situations can pose a great risk to homeowners and the occupants of the household until substantial work occurs to the property to return it to a safe and secure preloss condition. Calling our local SERVPRO team puts you in contact with our highly trained and experienced staff to answer your questions about the fire disaster restoration and recovery process… should your family move out until repairs are made, how can the odor from the smoke ever be removed?  When a fire causes widespread structural damage and other secondary concerns throughout the property. You need a team with the experience and the skill sets to restore and rebuild all the damage to your house, not only a portion of it. Our team has lots of experience with fire damage situations and can provide suggestions and helpful information regarding what to do in these situations. Most importantly, we will develop a complete restoration plan in conjunction with your insurance provider that will cleanup, restore and rebuild your home and property “Like it never even happened.” We respond quickly and our emergency teams are available every day, 24 hours a day.

Planning your property cleanup and recovery from fire damages

Fire leaves different kinds of soot on surfaces depending on what burned in your residential or commercial property. Even a small blaze produces acidic smoke and soot that needs to be cleaned up. During your initial fire damage inspection, SERVPRO of Central Manhattan 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. Depending on how much smoke damage there is, there are various methods we can use to clean up the surrounding walls and ceiling.

Every property disaster is unique, our experts will assess your specific situation, the amount of damage, and if there are any safety concerns for you, your family, and our team members. Before professionals can get the fire restoration process started, our team will determine the extent of damage by using some of the following methods:

• Testing for soot or smoke damage
• Documenting the destruction
• Determining which assets are salvageable

Each type of soot gets a different cleaning method. Our technicians check out all damage and match the best cleaning method to soiling. Once damage does happen, our technicians are fully trained and certified under the guidelines of The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) to restore your home to its original state. Local teams learn the latest procedures to clean carpets, furniture, and surfaces of soot and to remove the smoke odor that can linger for weeks in an untreated home. One fire site can need a variety of cleaning methods, our fire disaster restoration professionals can handle it all.

Our Fire Damage Restoration Specialists use commercial grade vacuums to remove soot and other residue. Our blowers and exhaust fans can be adapted to work from a large family room to a small laundry closet. We use a wide variety of cleaning products specialized for every surface in a home from marble countertop cleaners to soaps and dry sponges that gently remove soot and not the paint underneath. We can use HEPA grade filtration systems, air scrubbers, and ozone machines to help improve the Indoor Air Quality.

Our SERVPRO manager and crew chief will formulate a plan based on the amount of damage to your property from your fire disaster to restore your home to its original condition. Our team will explain the plan, the timeline, and the overall cost. Once a plan is in place, homeowners can focus on their personal recovery and trust our experts in fire damage recovery to work on their behalf to expedite the phases of the mitigation, restoration, and rebuilding process. Our SERVPRO rapid response team offers real-time mitigation solutions designed to protect the contents and the structure of your home as much as possible, sometimes areas of your home are too badly damaged to restore. We use controlled demolition techniques on the fire-damaged structural elements of the property to remove only what cannot be saved. When this happens, our licensed contracting division can help provide comprehensive support to our customers from the initial inspection through entire reconstructions of leveled properties. Along with our mitigation and restoration tactics, our licensed contractors work to efficiently replace the removed materials to minimize our impact on your life in this traumatic time to get you back into your home quickly.

Central Manhattan Commercial Building Fire Damage Cleanup and Repair Service

2/14/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO can provide services to prevent further damage, help determine which items can be restored and rebuild your property completely.

Fire damage can have a devastating effect on local businesses SERVPRO is here to help, providing emergency and rebuild services to local New York City property owners and managers.

Fires cause massive amounts of damage; destroying structural materials and business items, also bringing massive amounts of water damage, toxic chemicals, harmful soot pollution and unhealthy smoke levels. First Responders often extinguish the flames quickly, but soot and smoke move even more rapidly. The moment authorities permit you to reenter your dwelling the clock starts on a successful restoration. SERVPRO of Central Manhattan understands the need for speed and assigns skilled technicians to your job within hours of your first call.

COMMON TYPES OF COMMERCIAL FIRE DAMAGE

    •    Burnt Structure; framing, roofing, doors, drywall, flooring and cabinets
    •    Office Property and Equipment; furniture, supplies and appliances
    •    Soot and Smoke Damage; HVAC unit, surfaces, air quality
    •    Odor; smoke and toxic chemicals from damaged structure and contents
    •    Water Damage; results of fire suppression system and local Fire Department efforts
    •    Mold Damage; water damage left untreated can quickly cause mold growth

Smoke and soot damage are especially invasive attacking every space of your commercial property, including areas far from the actual fire. The residue from the fire travels with the air coating surfaces. This debris must be removed before it begins etching, distorting, discoloring, and disintegrating wood, carpeting, fabric, drywall, plastic, metal, and glass.

CONSIDER CLEANUP REQUIREMENTS: SERVPRO of Central Manhattan can provide services to prevent further damage, help determine which items can or cannot be refurbished and which structural elements do and do not need to be repaired or replaced.

SERVPRO of Central Manhattan is here to help repair commercial fire disasters

    1.    Secure your business site including board up and tarping services
    2.    Protect areas unaffected by the fire with barriers and storage if necessary
    3.    Assess the affected areas for a full scope of damages
    4.    Take a detailed inventory of damaged property and materials
    5.    Detect, neutralize, and remove harmful gases and toxic materials
    6.    Determine the best cleaning, repair and restoration solutions for your property
    7.    Restore, replace and repair building materials with our skilled building/restoration teams

SERVPRO of Central Manhattan has the training, experience, and equipment to handle large commercial fire damage emergencies. Whether your fire emergency occurs in a restaurant, motel, or office building, our crew will assess the damage in each room and plan proper procedures, using dry or wet cleaning strategies matched to the character of the residue found and the materials affected. Systematically SERVPRO progresses through your business room by room to assure all harm is reversed and the corrosive soot and smoke permanently eliminated.

We answer the phone ready to help with your property damage

As a leader in property damage restoration and repair services, we have helped countless families and businesses through very unpredictable and devastating residential and commercial property losses. We understand you may not know what to do in a disaster situation; SERVPRO of Central Manhattan can help by responding faster with professionals who can help you through the restoration process.

SERVPRO offers a Custom “EMERGENCY READY PROFILE” Preparation Service; one of our professionals will come to your commercial property and assess your proper emergency service solution should you have a disaster in the future. The preparation process is quick and easy and makes the aftermath of a disaster simple, because all the details are assessable to our staff and technicians should you need us.

SERVPRO technicians can answer all your fire, smoke and soot property damage cleanup and restoration questions for the Manhattan community

6/2/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO fire damage restoration starts with a Deep-Cleaning of all surfaces to remove soot and mitigate smoke damages fast.

SMOKE AND SOOT CONCERNS FOR YOUR PROPERTY

When office spaces and apartments are closely packed together, like inside Manhattan high-rise buildings, even a minor property fire can cause or contribute to significant smoke or soot damage to your Manhattan property’s interiors and exteriors, including your HVAC unit. Our SERVPRO restoration specialists know a lot about the secondary damages from soot and smoke that happen as the result of a blaze. Fire creates smoke and soot, and the tiny particles float in the air and will become trapped in drapes, carpets, and furniture, or collect on surfaces and inside your HVAC system. When these issues arise and you see soot residue or smell smoke odors, the solution is the same. Calling our Manhattan SERVPRO Fire Cleanup and Restoration Professionals will provide top quality services, experience, knowledge, and trust that our New York City property restoration crews will quickly restore your home or business, “Like it never even happened.”

Smoke and soot can permeate your walls, surfaces and air ducts leaving unseen odors throughout your property. Consulting a full-service cleanup, restoration and repair company is your top-priority to keeping restoration costs lower and salvaging as much of your property and possessions as possible. SERVPRO has a long history in the restoration industry, and we focus on salvaging and restoring your contents and structure whenever feasible. SERVPRO of Central Manhattan provides exceptional fire, smoke and soot damage restoration services and experience, balanced with efficiency and cost-effective techniques in response to your property damage disaster.

Want to know more about how SERVPRO can help with smoke odors and soot damage in your home following seasonal outdoor fire property damage?

SERVPRO has been providing disaster restoration services including, fire, smoke, flood and water damage for decades, our team knows that property damage happens even to the most cautious of property owners. A fast response is critical as fire residue can immediately damage structural components and contents, the contamination grows progressively worse and more expensive to remediate as time passes. SERVPRO is Faster to any size disaster, arriving at your home as soon as possible with a full complement of Fire & Smoke Restoration Technicians (FSRT) and the products, tools, and equipment needed in our well-stocked service vehicles.

The training our crews complete from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) prepares them to use effective strategies that clean up the charring, soiling, and odors post-fire. SERVPRO’s professional fire restoration specialists and high-tech commercial equipment ensure quick and effective cleanup, removal and repairs of your property and contents following smoke, soot and ash surface buildup and damage before it continues to spread. SERVPRO uses industrial grade foggers to deodorize a property.

SERVPRO fire damage restoration starts with a Deep-Cleaning of all surfaces to remove soot and mitigate smoke damages fast.

• Clean the soot residue that builds up on surfaces before it continues to spread.
• Remove soot residue from at-risk items including brass, aluminum, chrome, marble, tile, fabrics, carpets, and upholstery.
• Deodorize carpets, curtains and clothing and other porous materials.
• Neutralize the odor to keep them from returning.

Deodorization is a multi-step process - our SERVPRO technicians use a variety of processes and equipment to reverse odor concerns caused by fire and smoke damages, including;

    •    EPA registered antimicrobials
    •    Thermal and ultra-low volume (ULV) foggers
    •    Odor counteracting beads
    •    Trays of scented granules placed near air intakes
    •    HEPA filter air scrubbers


Residential and commercial property can suffer fire and smoke damage in a multitude of ways, Manhattan property owners can rely on SERVPRO’s trusted and educated approach to fire restoration service to get the job done completely. Our technicians are IICRC certified and are trained to detect different types of smoke and teach them the most effective methods of restoration of each kind. Removing odors relies on having access to the right equipment and the training to understand how smoke travels. When you have lingering smoke or fire damage problems in your home or business give our professional SERVPRO restoration staff a call to find out what our services can do for your property.

SERVPRO provides complete cleanup, restoration and rebuild services after fire damage to your property

3/2/2021 (Permalink)

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

When you experience fire or smoke damage to your local Manhattan home or business you might not be sure what steps to take next. Once the fire department has left and you have called SERVPRO of Central Manhattan, wait for the professionals to arrive, our fire damage remediation specialists will guide you through the fire damage restoration process.

1. Initial Inspection- One of our trained managers will come inspect your property for damages and see how intensely the fire/smoke affected your home and determine with you and/or your adjuster what steps need to be taken next.
   
2. Structure/Content Clean- Depending on what has been determined in step one, SERVPRO will start the process of cleaning and restoring your home and/or contents, including cleaning walls and ceilings, personal belongings, ducts, etc.

Restoration & Reconstruction

Residential or Commercial Fires often causes significant structural damage and often require repairing and rebuilding your property. SERVPRO of Central Manhattan offers comprehensive reconstruction services for both residential and commercial properties our professionals are uniquely qualified and prepared to meet your reconstruction needs. Our construction team works quickly and effectively, working with you to survey the extent of the damage, develop a plan for reconstruction, and assess whether your property is safe to occupy. Our Manhattan SERVPRO crews are ready to undertake reconstruction projects of any size, structural repairs and rebuilding may only involve a portion of your property, or in some cases a complete rebuild may be necessary.

Contact us today if your property has been damaged and is in need of repairs or reconstruction 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.

We're Here To Help You

If you do experience a fire, professional fire restoration services like SERVPRO can handle the entire fire cleanup process—from assessing the smoke and fire damage to rebuilding your home—"Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO smoke odor removal and fire damage disaster restoration services

5/21/2020 (Permalink)

July is the peak month for outdoor fire mishaps and property damage concerns. It’s important to keep safety in mind!

Don’t let an smoke and soot from fire pits and BBQs ruin your property, SERVPRO of Central Manhattan has some helpful tips for preventing fire property disasters.

It’s a great time to tryout some new grilling recipes and perfect your marshmallow roasting technique. Spending summer evenings outdoors cooking yummy things on the grill and relaxing with family and friends by the fire pit are wonderful ways to make great spring and summer memories. July is the peak month for outdoor fire mishaps and property damage concerns. It’s important to keep safety in mind when enjoying these fun but hazardous activities this summer, SERVPRO wants your summer to be remembered for fabulous food and outdoor entertaining, not the charred steaks and a burnt building.

Contact us today if your home has experienced smoke or soot damage from an outdoor fire mishap or an accidental fire disaster.

REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE FROM OUTDOOR GRILLS & FIRE PITS… NEVER LEAVE YOUR BURNING GRILL OR FIRE UNATTENDED!

Tips for Backyard Grill and Fire Pit Fire Safety

    •    Keep at least a safe 3-foot clearance around the entire grill or fire pit. Keep kids and pets clear of this area too!
    •    Move the grill away from the house and fence, and move it out from underneath any overhangs. Do not use the grill under trees or near shrubbery.
    •    Regularly clean out the grease traps on your grill to prevent grease fires.
    •    Never leave your grill unattended!
    •    If using charcoal, make sure the coals have cooled completely before disposing of them in a metal container.
    •    Keeping a fire extinguisher or a big box of baking soda in the vicinity is good idea in case a fire does breakout.
    •    Drag a hose over to where you’re burning. If you have a sprayer on your hose, turn the water on and keep it on until you’re through with your fire in case of an emergency.
    •    Never have a fire under trees or overhangs, near shrubbery, or close to the house.
    •    Keep flammable materials away from fires.
    •    Never have a fire on a windy day!

SERVPRO offers professional fire, smoke and soot cleanup and restoration assistance for Manhattan property damage disasters.

3/3/2020 (Permalink)

The more time that passes after the fire event and before restoration services begin gives soot the opportunity to spread and cause additional damage.

After your Manhattan commercial property suffers from a fire, water or other disaster, contacting our local New York SERVPRO Property Restoration Professionals is an important step to avoid costly secondary damages. Our SERVPRO team has over 30 years of experience helping local Manhattan communities during property disasters, trust that your commercial property will be restored quickly and correctly by IICRC licensed professionals and advanced equipment.

Getting your local commercial property operational quickly following a property disaster is the SERVPRO way. Our local Manhattan restoration professionals rely on decades of hands-on property restoration experience and proven results to help local business owners and managers dealing with fire, smoke and soot damage cleanup, repair and restore their commercial property quickly. Our commitment to quick and effective property restoration and recovery after a property disaster makes selecting SERVPRO of Central Manhattan restoration experts the right choice.

SERVPRO commercial property restoration services include special help to minimize damages including:

Eliminating Fire Damage Residue
Our SERVPRO technicians will assess and pre-test many damages areas and property to decide the precise type of clean and fire damage remediation services needed for your commercial disaster. Our crews use various wet and dry methods to clean different materials most effectively. We can also use specialized cleaning methods such as soda blasting which offers deodorization qualities and helps restore charred surfaces without causing further damages.

Remove Smoke Odors
Odor control after a fire is a crucial part of the restoration process, odor-causing particles are microscopic SERVPRO has advanced equipment to eliminate the microscopic odor-causing particles and reverse your commercial property damage concerns.

Guarding Against Mold
Water is a big help when putting out fires, however it can have a lasting negative impact on the structural elements and contents of your building. Our SERVPRO IICRC certified water or mold remediation specialists work to extract the remaining water quickly and can take proactive actions against mold growth if necessary.

Big or small, fire, smoke and soot damage to your New York City commercial property will have a multi-faceted impact on your business. The effects of a property disaster can range from loss of revenue, inventory, customers and/or employees to irreversible structural and financial damages. After a property disaster strikes, we recommend calling an expert in property restoration. Here at SERVPRO of Central Manhattan we can get to work fixing your commercial fire property damage immediately. Our SERVPRO team is here to help with fast and effective disaster restoration and cleanup services, we provide a full-range of disaster restoration services including: emergency response, water damage extraction and repair, water removal, flood restoration, fire damage restoration, soot and smoke damage services, storm damage repairs, wind damage restoration, industrial dehumidification, structural cleaning and decontamination, mold remediation, environmental services such as hazardous waste removal, lead removal and asbestos removal, duct cleaning services, vital document and paper recovery, machinery and equipment restoration, semiconductor services, reconstruction, consulting and more. Restoring your commercial property is our business, and we are always ready to help get local businesses back up and running, “Like it never even happened.”

Why Choosing a Professional Disaster Restoration Company, like SERVPRO is Important?

SERVPRO offers Manhattan Emergency Restoration Services in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit your unique commercial property damage disaster needs. Our staff and restoration managers understand that a rapid response is critical to your recovery, our team will provide comprehensive cleanup, mitigation, restoration and rebuild options following a property fire disaster. SERVPRO is trusted leader in the restoration industry providing advanced technology and training to a nationwide team of skilled technicians and project managers. Our crews have vast experience and knowledge offering a wide variety of restoration services to recover your commercial property with minimized cost and business interruption.

• Our crews will assess the full damage of your property taking necessary steps to save as much of your inventory, appliances and equipment, furnishings and inventory as possible.
• They will do a complete inventory of all items removed from your property taking photos and documentation and return all salvageable items back to your business following the restoration process.
• Our technicians work quickly and carefully to get your business up and running as soon as possible. Our project managers and staff will follow-up to make sure you are satisfied or address any other concerns.
• Our construction managers can seamlessly begin putting back together any structural, interior and exterior damages sustained during the initial disaster or as a result of restoration and cleanup. Our staff can work with your insurance and answer any concerns you may have about the process.

SERVPRO provides emergency response service and effective remediation for furnace puff backs in Manhattan

2/6/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO restoration professionals have extensive training and experience to clean and remediate the damages your property is facing.

The cold temperatures have officially come, furnaces across the Northeast are getting turned on for the first time as the colder weather descends. When an oil or gas furnace is operating properly, there is little to no soot generated as the fuel is burned to create the heat you need to warm your home or business. Unfortunately, it only takes one leaky or clogged burner to create a dangerous situation leading to an explosion known as a puff back. SERVPRO of Central Manhattan has helped countless residential and commercial owner’s cleanup, remediate and restore smoke and soot property damage caused from an oil or gas furnace puffback or fireplace puffback.

A residential or commercial furnace malfunction causes a puffback, when an oil or gas burner backfires, sending black, sticky soot and debris through the furnace or boiler's exhaust system, and throughout your home or business you’ve experienced a puff back. There are two types of puff backs, one type happens all at once, like a balloon popping, emitting soot, smoke and debris throughout your property. A puff back can also happen more gradually, as if someone was holding the end of a balloon and letting the air seep out slowly. If you have a forced air system, the problem can worsen as your heating ducts can spread the soot into every corner of your home, with the same efficiency that they spread heat. Although there is no guaranteed way to prevent a puffback, annual inspection and maintenance of your oil burner or furnace can greatly reduce your risk.

Once a Puff back occurs soot spreads throughout your home, covering your furniture, drapery, wall, ceilings, and other property and possessions. The soot coverage may range from a light dusting to a more concentrated ash. Soot is black and sticky and brings some major cleaning and deodorizing challenges and concerns. Though, it may look like a DIY project, it’s best left to professionals to handle soot removal and cleaning because it has the potential to spread easily and become an even bigger concern. Soot is not only extremely messy and pungent, it may contain be carcinogenic, and needs to be cleaning and deodorized properly to avoid secondary damages to your property and your family.

Manhattan chooses SERVPRO for professional disaster restoration services after a furnace puffback

Our restoration process begins with a thorough inspection of your Manhattan property, assessing the damage and determining which equipment and services are necessary. Our Emergency response crews are available right away to begin the most effective techniques for cleaning and restoring your property and possessions, including soot, smoke and stain removal, odor removal and deodorizing, our restoration professionals are here to help with all the recovery solutions you need to restore your property just like before.

SERVPRO SMOKE, SOOT & ODOR REMOVAL & CLEANING SERVICES

• Immediate placement of HEPA air scrubbers and hydroxyls to begin soot and odor mitigation
• Contact insurance carrier/adjuster to give them the size and scope of the project
• Clean the ash and soot residue that builds up on surfaces, including walls, cabinets and furniture
• Coordinate the cleaning of soft goods, such as clothing, bedding, draperies, furniture, etc.

Quick action is necessary to minimize property damages after a fire or furnace puff back, smoke and soot are easily absorbed by many materials within your property and can have a lasting effect. Smoke and soot can be absorbed by almost all your possessions including, furniture and building materials, especially porous materials and surfaces. Soot’s chemical composition is a major challenge for post puff back recovery, secondary damages can start to occur immediately. Puff back cleanup experts will assist you during your puff back event, providing you services and solutions every step of the cleanup and restoration process. Puff back cleaning services can include; odor removal from your structure and contents, structural soot cleanup and smoke damage cleanup, pack-out and claim assistance, contents cleanup and smoke damage mitigation.

After your apartment or office building suffers a puff back, the spread of soot can cause wide-spread damages throughout your home and can feel especially overwhelming and discouraging. SERVPRO restoration professionals have extensive training and experience to clean and remediate the damages your property is facing.

If your home or business experiences a puffback, you should:

• Notify your insurance agent immediately
• Throw away all exposed food
• Call a repairman to fix the malfunctioning oil furnace
• Call SERVPRO to begin cleaning and deodorizing all affected areas immediately

Our team will perform a complete smoke and soot damage cleanup, loss documentation, oil smoke odor removal, property recovery and disposal of non-recoverable items, and a tailored solution to return your building and contents to preloss condition and reverse the signs of your oil burner property damage event. Calling SERVPRO of Central Manhattan after a home or business puffback provides an advanced cleanup and restoration solution complete with advanced equipment, expert knowledge and experience that you can trust to restore your home and possessions, “Like it never even happened.”

Fire damage restoration and repair solutions for your Manhattan home

1/24/2019 (Permalink)

If you have experienced fire or smoke damage in your residence it is important to contact SERVPRO for quick and effective mitigation and restoration.

FIRE DAMAGE RESTORATION SOLUTIONS AND HOME FIRE PREVENTION TIPS

Artic temperatures across the Northeast have Manhattan homeowners getting warm and cozy by their fireplaces and wood-burning stoves. It is important to remember proper maintenance and fire safety actions when starting that fire this season, for the first time and each time after. Fireplaces and wood-burning stoves pose a considerable fire threat to your home and family, a fire can result in the loss of personal items, property and even life. Taking proper precautions when using your fireplace or wood-burning stove can help you avoid a property fire disaster negatively impacting your life this winter.

Chimney fires and puffbacks can cause major destruction to your home and possessions; smoke and soot can continue to cause damage long after the flames have gone out.

If you have experienced fire or smoke damage in your home it is important to contact the SERVPRO team for quick and effective mitigation and restoration, depending on the surface material and the duration and time elapsed, damage from soot and smoke maybe completely reversible. Smoke and soot cleanup is expensive and time-consuming, our SERVPRO professionals take careful steps to minimize further damage from soot staining, mold and mildew, rust and corrosion and improve the air quality in your home following a fire emergency. Our trained professionals have the knowledge, skills and equipment to restore your property quickly and efficiently saving you valuable time and money.

STEPS FOR PROPER FIRE PROPERTY RESTORATION:

STEP 1: THE INSPECTION

The first step in the fire mitigation process is determining the cause of the fire, as well as the extent of the smoke damage, and then documenting it through photos to provide to the homeowner’s insurance company. How the fire was started and what materials were damaged gives insight to our professionals on how best to cleanup and restore the loss areas. SERVPRO professionals will explain the cleaning process, go over what you can expect from the demolition and repair/rebuild phases, explain the types of equipment used during the process and begin to decide what items are salvageable after a thorough inventory has been completed.

STEP 2: PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE WITH CLEANUP & INTERVENTION

SERVPRO cleanup teams will remove any contents from your home as quickly as possible to minimize further damage, our technicians will focus on improving air quality and removing soot and debris to avoid continued damage to your home and contents. HERE TO HELP TIP: If you can turn off your homes HVAC system until a professional arrives for the inspection to avoid spreading contamination to unaffected areas. Our restoration professionals may recommend having vents, ducts and furnaces cleaned/serviced to prevent soot from circulating throughout the home.

STEP 3: REMOVAL OF ITEMS DAMAGED BY FIRE AND SMOKE

SERVPRO professionals know how important your Manhattan home and possessions are, we take extra care in removing items, and involve homeowners during the inventory process. Make sure to notify our SERVPRO technicians of important/sentimental items, or things your family may need returned to them quickly. Contents are photographed, inventoried and packaged, and then taken offsite to our cleaning facility where they’re stored during the repairs. Since the fire cleanup process can vary, it’s common for fire- or smoke-damaged items to be inventoried and later determined as salvageable or non-salvageable.

STEP 4: CONTAINMENT, MITIGATION, REPAIRS AND RESTORATION

SERVPRO professionals will start with containment to help restrict odors and debris from contaminating the air throughout the house and keep the damage contained at the source of the fire and affected areas of the home.

Mitigation – water restoration equipment including air movers and dehumidifiers will remove moisture from walls, flooring and subflooring. Our SERVPRO team will give advice when deciding what items and materials to clean and restored, or what should be replaced. Carpets, fabrics and other porous materials usually need special attention because they are easily ruined. SERVPRO of Central Manhattan’s licensed construction team is an asset to our organization, with them our professionals can provide an additional estimate to continue your complete home restoration solutions with scheduling your repairs and reconstruction phase getting homeowners back into their property as quickly as possible.

WHILE YOU COZY UP TO YOUR FIREPLACE or WOOD-BURNING STOVE PRACTICE THESE FIRE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS:

Before making a fire in the fireplace, open the damper and crack open a window, keep the screen closed to encourage airflow up into the chimney. Light a match, blow it out and watch the smoke to see if it is properly going up the chimney. To increase the draft in your chimney, burn your fires hot and for short periods of time instead of all day. Improper airflow can cause smoke and soot damage to your home’s contents. Poor airflow can result from excessive creosote deposits, closed or plugged dampers, malfunctioning flues, and chimney blockages or a dirty cap, always remember never leave a fire unattended.

Avoid using wood from recently cut trees, they contain high levels of moisture which contributes to additional smoke and deposits inside your chimney. Seasoned and dry wood appears dark, has cracks on the end and will sound hollow when hitting another piece of wood. Look for signs of creosote and soot buildup, creosote is a dark substance that accumulates if wood isn’t burning completely, it’s a major factor in chimney fires and a good reason to have an annual inspection to avoid costly fire property damage and repairs.

SERVPRO professionals have all the tools, equipment, and experience necessary to manage your entire property restoration from beginning to end. Our team work tirelessly to produce quality results from quick and effective mitigation, to putting the finishing touches on any repairs and reconstruction needed to complete the job.  

Fire & Smoke Restoration Technician
Odor Control Technician
Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning Technician
Water Damage Restoration Technician

SERVPRO of Central Manhattan services NYC providing full-service solutions for all your fire, smoke, sewage and water emergency situations 24/7, 365, day or night. Call us today for access to fully IICRC certified cleaning and restoration professionals you can trust. (212) 246-4148

SERVPRO of Central Manhattan has some helpful tips to keep your Manhattan kitchen safe from fire damage.

11/20/2018 (Permalink)

Cooking fires are the most common cause of home fires, follow these tips to help prevent potential cooking hazards in your home this holiday season.

Don’t let a cooking fire ruin your holiday season, SERVPRO of Central Manhattan has some helpful tips for preventing fire property disasters.

While most of us are thankful for spending time with loved ones and eating too much delicious food on Thanksgiving. There are more potential hazards in your Manhattan kitchen than over stuffing your turkey or yourself.

Year after year cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires and fire injuries. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cooking accounts for about 47% of home fires and 45% of the fire-related injuries reported across the country each year. The NFPA says Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day and then Christmas Eve. Make sure you keep yourself and your family safe this year with these safety tips.

REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE IN THE KITCHEN

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says 6 out of 7 cooking fires occurred while the cook was out of the kitchen, and 2/3rds of these fires happened in the first 15 minutes of cooking. The BEST WAY you can do to keep you and your family and property safe this year, ALWAYS watch what you’re cooking. If you’re using the stovetop, stay in the kitchen and watch closely. Also, experts recommend setting a timer periodically to remind you to check the oven.

OTHER FIRE PREVENTION TIPS INCLUDE

• Roll up sleeves and don’t wear loose fitting clothing that could catch and open flame or heating element
• Ban children and pets from a 3-foot “safe zone” around the stove
• Keep the stove and oven clean, turn pot handles in to avoid spills and cleanup any messes when appropriate
• Keep potholders, dishtowels, oven mitts, food packaging and other clutter off and away from the stove.
• Clean cooking equipment thoroughly because built-up grease can catch fire.
• Don’t over heat your oils, and wait for grease to cool before disposing, tossing hot grease in a trashcan could turn into a disaster

Smoke detectors are your first line for defense against a fire disaster situation so make sure you have one installed in or near the kitchen and make sure it’s working properly.

IF A FIRE DOES HAPPEN, CONSIDER THESE SAFETY TIPS

• Just get out, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
• Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number after you leave.
• For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.
  Keep a lid nearby when you’re cooking to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.

People often try to put out cooking fires themselves with a fire extinguisher or even water. NEVER use water on any grease fire. Store fire safety equipment in a cabinet or under the sink – It’s important to have a fire extinguisher close by as well as a box of baking soda or salt for grease fires. The first step you can take is turning the stove off and having a lid handy to put over the pan you can also smother the fire with baking soda or salt. If the fire is in your oven just close the door and turn off the heat. Done improperly your Manhattan cooking fire can spread to other parts of the kitchen, any time you are unsure of how to combat a fire your best option is to leave and call your local fire department.

CREATE AND PRACTICE A FIRE ESCAPE PLAN

In the event of a fire, remember that every second counts, so you and your family must always be prepared. Escape plans help you get out of your home quickly.

Practice your home fire escape plan at least twice a year, more often if you have small children.

Some tips to consider when preparing this plan include:

• Find two ways out. Visit each room of your house and find two ways out, including windows and doors. Make sure all escape routes open easily so you can get outside, install emergency release devices on any security bars on doors or windows. Practice feeling your war out in the dark and with your eyes closed.
• Involve children in planning. Consider having your children help create a fire evacuation plan. Draw a map of the home and have children mark two exit routes and the locations of smoke detectors. Make sure your children know NOT to hide from firefighters or other first responders.
• Choose a meeting spot. Decide on a meeting place outside, such as a neighbor’s house, mailbox or stop sign. It should be in the front of the house so emergency responders can see you when they arrive. Agree not to go back into the house after you leave.
• Have a backup plan. If the planned exit routes are blocked and it’s not possible to leave the house, close all doors between you and the fire. Place a towel under the door and go to an exterior-facing window. Call the fire department to report your location.

Whether you’re trying a new cooking technique or cooking your signature dish the way you have countless times before; practicing these important holiday safety tips can help you to avoid major mishaps that could lead to smoke or fire damage.

SERVPRO of Central Manhattan wishes you a safe and happy holiday season. If your home does experience fire or smoke damage, give us call at (212) 246-4148. We can restore your home “Like it never even happened.”

Fire and Water Damage in your Laundry Room can cause serious damage to your home.

8/7/2018 (Permalink)

FACT: The typical life expectancy of a washing machine is 10-11 years, during that time it can wash up to 5,000 loads.

When someone mentions they have a laundry emergency, most people’s first thought would be a red wine or grass stain, but here at SERVPRO of Central Manhattan a laundry emergency is a much BIGGER deal! What you aren’t thinking about is without proper inspection and maintenance those appliances you rely on can really lead to a serious disaster in your home.

Washing Machines typically run a few times per week in most homes, and the typical life expectancy of a washing machine is 10-11 years, during that time it can wash up to 5,000 loads. Washers come with 3 hoses filled with water: hot water, cold water and a drain, that gives that appliance 3 opportunities to suddenly leave you with a laundry room flood, or worse widespread water damage.

To complete a full cycle of laundry you have to put those wet clothes somewhere, and it is convent that the clothes dryer is located right next to the washing machine, right? No one forgets to throw in the laundry detergent when doing a load, but forgetting to dispose of your dryer lint, well that can cause BIG problems. Dryer lint is very combustible, the accumulation of lint in your dryer and vent can reduce airflow, causing your dryer to overheat. An improperly vented dryer can have dangerous consequences and is a leading cause of fire damage in homes.

Steps to prevent a laundry emergency in your home:

1. Inspect the hoses on your washing machine regularly, remember to check for leaks thoroughly but be sure not to disconnect them. The best way to check is to start a small load on a short cycle and make sure you don’t see any water, with each cycle. Better yet replace rubber hoses with a stainless-steel option, they have a longer life span.

2. Give your washer some room, keeping it 6” away from the wall can help prevent the hoses from kinking. Also, make sure you don’t see a lot of movement, an imbalanced washer can move around enough to loosen or cause added stress on your hose connections.

3. If you seem to have continued problems with your washer install a flood stopper. It’s placed on the floor near your washing machine and when it detects water it can shut off the water supply.

4. It is recommended to have your dryer exhaust system cleaned at least twice a year. Make sure you remove lint from your filter and underneath it every time you start a new load. Don’t use dryer sheets and fabric softener and remove the back of the dryer regularly to remove trapped lint.

5. Check that your dryer vent outside is lifting/venting properly. When installing the duct line keep it as short as possible to accumulate less debris. Keep the area around your dryer free of dust and other debris.

Accidents sometimes happen even after taking proper precautions and performing routine maintenance in your home. We here at SERVPRO of Central Manhattan have responded to dozens of calls for water or fire property damage caused by laundry emergencies. We specialize in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after fire, smoke or water damage. Our professional staff has the equipment, expertise, and experience to respond faster to any size disaster.

If you have a laundry emergency caused by Fire/Water Damage! SERVPRO of Central Manhattan is always here to help!

Providing 24 Hour Emergency service, 7 Days a week, (212) 246-4148 we are just a phone call away!

FIRES HAPPEN! Once the fire is out, the recovery process begins. SERVPRO of Central Manhattan is here to help!

6/29/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Central Manhattan has been successfully helping Central Manhattan, NY homeowners with fire damage for over 27 years.

SERVPRO of Central Manhattan’s local professionals have been successfully helping Central Manhattan, NY homeowners with fire damage for over 27 years. We provide 24-hour emergency service and are dedicated to responding FASTER to any size disaster. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it "Like it never even happened."

24-Hour Emergency Fire Restoration Service

Call SERVPRO of Central Manhattan, New York at (212) 246-4148 we’re ready 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help with all your damage remediation needs. 

First Steps After a Fire:

• Safety: Ask the firefighters or proper authorities on the scene if it is safe to go inside.
• Call your Insurance provider: Let them know what happened so they can start a claim and initiate the paperwork for you.
• Contact loved ones: Call to let everyone know you’re okay or let people who weren’t home know what happened.
• Secure the residence/business: Prevent theft by locking the doors and covering windows or holes. If, you need help contact SERVPRO of Central Manhattan, we are here to help!
• Obtain a copy of the fire report: The report specifies all the necessary information about the fire including the time, casualties, date and the extent of fire damage.
• Your current location: Notify friends, family, employers, schools, utilities & services of your temporary location. If you need somewhere to stay you can also contact the American Red Cross for assistance.

CONSIDER CLEANUP REQUIREMENTS: SERVPRO of Central Manhattan, NY can provide services to prevent further damage, help determine which items can or cannot be refurbished and which structural items do and do not need to be repaired or replaced. We can help you with providing estimates to insurance companies for the cost of damages and will help walk you through the process of thoroughly deodorizing, cleaning and repairing your home.

SERVPRO Steps for a Fire Damage Emergency:

Step 1: Emergency Contact

The restoration process begins when you call the SERVPRO of Central Manhattan, New York, which is staffed 24 hours a day. Our representative will ask a series of questions regarding the fire damage event that will help us dispatch the nearest SERVPRO of Central Manhattan Professional with the appropriate equipment and resources.

Step 2: Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment

Our Professionals will carefully inspect and test adjoining rooms of your property to determine the extent of the fire, smoke, and soot damage. This step is crucial to developing a plan of action.

Step 3: Immediate Board-Up and Roof-Tarp Service

Fire damage can often compromise windows, walls, and roofs. To maintain security and to protect against further damage, the SERVPRO of Central Manhattan Professional can board up missing windows and walls and place tarps on damaged roofs.

Step 4: Water Removal and Drying

The water removal process begins almost immediately and removes the majority of the water. They will then use dehumidifiers and air movers to remove the remaining water and complete the drying process.

Step 5: Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces

The SERVPRO of Central Manhattan Professionals use specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces.

Step 6: Cleaning and Sanitizing

They will clean all of the restorable items and structures that were damaged by the fire. They use a variety of cleaning techniques to restore your belongings to pre-fire condition. They’re also trained to remove odors using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.

Step 7: Restoration

Restoration is the final step—getting your home or business to its pre-fire condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet; or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.

If You Have Questions or Need Help, Call Us Today

SERVPRO of Central Manhattan, New York at (212) 246-4148

Prevent Smoke Damage From Your Fireplace

12/21/2017 (Permalink)

Prevent Smoke Damage From Your Fireplace

The weather outside is frightful and there is nothing better than curling up on a cold night to the warm glow of a fireplace. Unfortunately, fireplaces can also pose a smoke and fire hazard to your home. There is, however, nothing particularly soothing about unwanted fireplace smoke puffs that spill into the home while the fire is burning. Fires can also start when hot embers from the fire catch on residue from unclean chimneys.

If you are someone who likes to use their fireplace during the winter here are a few tips to prevent smoke or fire damage to your home.

Nobody likes a drafty house, but a house that is relatively airtight may not be able to supply enough outside air to the fire, resulting in a negative pressure in the home. Well-insulated homes can benefit from an outside air supply vent installed in the fireplace to satisfy the fire's needs.

Exhaust fans—like in kitchens or in forced air heating systems—can cause negative pressure, which will drag the smoke from your fireplace into your home. Turn off exhaust fans before settling down by the fire.

Only use your fireplace when it is cold out. The difference between the indoor and outdoor air helps the smoke draft properly. If it is too warm the smoke will have nowhere to go.

Make sure that the damper is open all the way. Sometimes there is a rain cap or even another damper on top of the chimney, which may be obstructed and needs attention. This can also be a fire hazard, so be careful.

Wet firewood can create heavy smoke. Make sure you only use seasoned firewood that is dry in your fireplace.

If you experience smoke or fire damage from your fireplace this winter contact the experts at SERVPRO of Central Manhattan. Their smoke damage experts can clean your furniture, curtains, walls, and floors to get rid of not only the black soot, but the foul odor it leaves behind.

Fire Remediation

10/20/2017 (Permalink)

Fire damage restoration.

On average U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 358,300 home structure fires per year. Fires usually strike without warning and even relatively small fires can be devastating. The main thing to remember when faced with a house fire is to get everyone safely out of the house. Items can be replaced, family cannot.

Once you and your family are safe, contact your insurance company IMMEDIATELY after the fire is out. They can provide advice on how to handle the aftermath of your fire and possibly be able to recommend a professional fire restorer, like SERVPRO of Central Manhattan.

The fire restoration experts at SERVPRO of Central Manhattan can not only rebuild your fire damaged home, but they can also help determine which items can or cannot be refurbished and which structural items do and do not need to be repaired or replaced. They can also help with water damage caused by fire fighters’ hoses, as well as clean soot and the smoke smell from areas of your home not damaged by the flames themselves.

Here are some additional tips to follow after the event of a fire.

Safety Tips During Restoration

• Do not use electrical appliances that have been near a fire.
• Do not use ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet.
• Do not touch anything during your first inspection to prevent transferring soot from item to item.
• Do not wash drapes or other materials that may require dry cleaning.
• Do not hesitate to seek professional help in a restoration effort.

Hiring a professional to do the clean up after a fire is always recommended, if you experienced a house fire and need help with fire restoration call SERVPRO of Central Manhattan

What to Do After a Fire

6/1/2017 (Permalink)

Fire damage can be devastating.

There is nothing quite as devastating as a house fire. Once the smoke clears, and the fire trucks drive away, the real work begins: rebuilding. It may be a daunting task, especially when there is such a mess left behind, but it is possible to rebuild.

The first thing you should do after a fire is contact your insurance company within the first 24 hours. Your insurance company will advise you on how to handle the aftermath of your fire, and possibly be able to recommend a professional fire restoration company—such as SERVPRO of Medford. A fire restoration company provides services to prevent further damage, help determine which items can or cannot be refurbished, and which structural items do and do not need to be repaired or replaced. They provide estimates to insurance companies for the cost of damages, and will help walk you through the process of thoroughly deodorizing, cleaning, and repairing your home.

Things to remember after a fire:

• Don’t use any electrical appliance that was in or around the fire.
• If the ceiling or floor above is wet, do not use any ceiling lights or fans.
• Don’t touch anything to prevent soot from getting everywhere.
• Don’t wash drapes or other materials that may require dry cleaning.

Hiring a professional like SERVPRO of Central Manhattan right after a fire can save you time and money.

Call SERVPRO of Central Manhattan at (212) 246-4148