Barrie Smoke and Soot Cleanup

9/20/2021 (Permalink)

Smoke and Soot Damage Can Cause a Pervasive Odor in Your Barrie 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 Barrie 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 – 705-733-7767

Commercial Fire & Smoke Damage

9/3/2019 (Permalink)

Fire damage is just the beginning when your commercial or office building catches fire. Smoke and fire do more damage than most people realize. More often than not, it is unsafe to enter your place of business even after a fire has been put out, because there could be major structural damage. It is crucial for smoke and fire damage to be mitigated as soon as possible in order for the building to be returned to its safe, pre-fire condition.

Smoke Damage

The types of materials that are burned in a commercial fire leave behind powerful odors. Electronics, carpets, plastic, metals, and engineered-wood furniture are all burned and create odors and ash that can corrode, etch and discolor as well as cling to the remaining structure. These types of fumes from fire seep into the walls and floors and may contaminate the indoor air much later if they are not removed. These cannot be removed with a typical cleaner. It takes special equipment and the expertise of professionals to mitigate smoke damage, so the building is odor-free.

The different types of damage include:

• Metals that tarnish or corrode
• Plastics that melt and change color
• Fiberglass that cracks
• Wood that may need refinishing/replacing  
• Finishes on appliances that turn yellow

The situation worsens the longer you wait to call a professional mitigation contractor. After the fire is out, the smoke and ash remain. It is also more cost-effective to get the repair started as soon as possible. Even if the fire damage is contained in a small part of your commercial building or office space, smoke damage can permeate a greater area.

Getting Smoke Damage Cleaned

Smoke and heat will distribute ash through the home and it can remain in cracks and crevices. One of the best ways to remove smoke odor is through thermal fogging. This technique opens the pores in the walls and floors to neutralize the odor from the smoke that has entered deep into them. Then, use dehumidifiers and high-powered fans to thoroughly dry the water damage cause from putting out the fire.

Professionals Know the Job

The best fire-damage professionals are expertly trained and certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). They take extensive coursework to get their certification. They will identify all the affected materials in your home and find the source of any odors. Experts know what can be salvaged and what needs to be discarded. They use specialized detergents that have been designed to treat specific types of odor.

Professionals can also increase the possibility of saving property rather than needing to replace it, and they can clean out your vents and ducts. Some of the services offered are:

• Removal of smoke and odor
• Cleaning and sanitizing
• Professional deodorization
• Temporary protection of surfaces already cleaned
• Removal of carpets and pads if required

Fire damage is devastating, but it is not over when the fire is out. To get your business back to pre-damaged condition, professional fire and smoke mitigation is essential.

SERVPRO of Barrie is proud to serve Simcoe County and surrounding area. Based out of Barrie and with the full backing of our corporate partners, we are always 'Faster to Any Size Disaster'.

Our fully certified, expert staff can perform a complete damage assessment to your commercial building, warehouse or office area, and implement top-industry standards to get your workspace restored to its original state, ‘Like It Never Even Happened’.

SERVPRO of Barrie is a 24/7 emergency restoration, repair and cleaning company. Our technicians are highly trained and experienced with every fire and water damage situation; from water leakage to total flooding, fire, smoke and mould damage, and catastrophic events cleanup and restoration.

When to use a Fire Extinguisher

1/16/2018 (Permalink)

Do you know where the closest fire extinguisher is in your home or place of work?! And more importantly, do you know how to use it? Both of these things are very important to know so you know what to do in case of an emergency and to keep you safe. Listed below are some tips on when to use a fire extinguisher during an emergency.

1. The outside of the extinguisher is clean, and all parts are operable and not damaged or restricted
2. You have identified an escape, and the fire is not between you and the route
3. You have alerted other occupants, and someone has called the fire department
4. You are safe from the toxic smoke produced by the fire
5. The fire is contained to a single object, such as a wastebasket

These tips are good to know so you can safely use a fire extinguisher. It is also good to familiarize yourself with the location of the fire extinguisher in your home and workplace. Stay safe!

Emergency Dos and Don'ts

12/20/2017 (Permalink)

We are always ready!

What would you do if you were ever in an emergency? Step 1 would be to call SERVPRO of Barrie to help right away with your restoration needs. However, there are certain, and very important dos and don’ts in case of a water or fire emergency that you should or shouldn’t do until we arrive. Let us help you out by listing these dos and don’ts in case you ever are in these situations.

In case of an emergency water damage, pay attention to the following tips:

Do’s

- shut off the water source if possible or contact a qualified party to stop the water source

- turn off circuit breakers for wet areas of the building when access to the power distribution panel is safe from electrical shock

- remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting

- place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting

- move any paintings, art objects, computers, documents, and other sensitive valuables to a dry place

Don’ts

-don’t enter affected areas if electrical outlets, switches, circuit breakers, or electrical equipment are exposed to water. Always avoid electrical shock hazards

- don’t use your household vacuum cleaner to remove water; this could cause electrical shock or damage to the vacuum cleaner

- don’t turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet or enter rooms where ceilings are sagging from retained water

In case of an emergency fire damage, pay attention to the following tips:

Do’s

-limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into carpet and avoid tracking

- keep hands clean. Soot on hands can further soil upholstery, walls, and woodwork

- if electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator completely and prop doors open to help prevent odor

- wipe soot from metal kitchen and bathroom faucets, trim and appliances

Don’ts

-don’t attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces without first contacting SERVPRO of Barrie Professionals

- don’t attempt to shampoo carpet, rugs, or upholstered furniture without first consulting SERVPRO of Barrie

- don’t attempt to clean any electrical appliances (TV sets, radios, etc.) that may have been close to fire, heat, or water without first consulting an authorized repair service