Remediating Residential Fire Damage In Stamford

9/22/2022 (Permalink)

Although typical weather patterns don’t usually predispose the Northeast to fires, they still occur on a regular basis.  There are many things that can cause a fire in your home, from cooking mishaps to faulty electrical wires.  When disaster strikes and leaves you in its wake, you can rely on SERVPRO of Stamford to take care of you.

A Wholistic Approach

We want you to have the best experience with us, given the circumstances of your call.  That’s why we are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  We have the ability to dispatch help very quickly, so that you are not left wondering how your home will be fixed.  We will do an extensive inspection and explain every step in the process.  Our technicians are primed to respond with expert knowledge and state-of-the-art equipment that will make the process as speedy as possible.

Simply put, the process goes as follows:

• Secure your home from the elements
• Extract any standing water left behind by firefighting efforts
• Remove any materials that are not salvageable
• Clean the visible effects of the fire and address any odors that remain
• Rebuild and replace any parts of the structure that could not be kept

We understand how overwhelming a fire in your home can be, so we aim to remove as much stress as possible.

It is important to contact a fire damage restoration professional as soon as you notice any property damage. If you’re in need of restoration, call on the premier restoration company in Fairfield County to help. SERVPRO of Stamford has over 35 years of experience working with people who have had damage to their property.  If you have any type of fire damage, call us immediately at 203.324.1642.

Late Summer Fire Prevention Tips

8/5/2022 (Permalink)

As we enter the final month of summer, hopefully the oppressive temperatures are over.  This means that we can spend more time outside doing summer things like playing games and making food.  But the late summer season brings some unique fire risks that you should be aware of.  Let us tell you of these, and some ways to prevent or monitor these risks.

Practice Grill Safety

An average of 15,000 people seek medical attention due to injuries involving summertime grilling.  These can be direct injuries like burns or smoke inhalation.  But they can also be indirect, like injuries sustained while putting out a fire that has started on the exterior of the house due to poor practices.

There are some ways that you can limit the potential for injury and property damage though:

• Clean your grill properly before or after every use.  This will limit build-up of combustible byproducts on the grill.
• Check your grill for breaks or tears in the gas line regularly.
• Operate your grill a safe distance from your home or other structures.  Trees count too.
• Keep kids and pets a safe distance away too.
• And NEVER leave your grill unattended.

It is important to contact a damage restoration professional as soon as you notice any property damage. If you’re in need of restoration for water, fire, or mold damage, call on the premier restoration company in Fairfield County to help. SERVPRO of Stamford has over 30 years of experience working with people who have had damage to their property.  If you have any type of damage, call us immediately at 203.324.1642.

Kitchen Fire Restoration

3/8/2022 (Permalink)

We all love a good home cooked meal. Normally, home cooking goes off without a hitch.  But every once in a while, a kitchen fire will occur for one reason or another.  Kitchen fires produce some unique challenges that other fires that occur elsewhere in a home do not.

This is because when a kitchen fire occurs, it usually happens when something is burned on the stovetop or in the oven.  When food is burned, it results in two conditions that are sometimes harder to remediate than other small fires.  These are a product of what is known as a protein fire.

Residue

The residue left by a protein fire is almost invisible.  This means that it is very hard to tell where the residue is and isn’t present.  Surfaces may remain affected and strange to the touch if not properly and thoroughly remediated.

Odor

Protein fires produce a smell that is often far worse than a fire that burns paper, cloth, or wood.  The nature of the fire also allows the foul odors to penetrate porous materials much deeper.  This means that without proper remediation, the smell is almost impossible to completely eradicate.

Most commonly, after a professional remediation is completed, the area must also be sealed or repainted to fully fix the smell.

It is important to contact a damage restoration professional as soon as you notice any fire, smoke, or soot damage. Stamford has over 30 years of experience working with people who have had damage to their property.  If you have any type of damage, call us immediately at 203.324.1642.

Cigarette Odor And Discoloration

1/11/2022 (Permalink)

Indoor cigarette use is one way to rapidly discolor walls and add layers of foul odor to any space.  The tar and smoke cakes on the walls and ceilings, which become yellow very quickly.  The odor that lingers is also present when cigarette use is persistent, most noticeably on furniture and clothing.

These issues are very hard to remediate for homeowners themselves.  This is because both the color and smell permeate the porous material that many people have in their homes. When surface cleaner is used, it rarely penetrates to the depth that effectively cleans the issue at its source.  

We have seen an uptick in homeowners that need their space cleaned, as many people are spending more time indoors due to the pandemic.  SERVPRO of Stamford has successfully remediated dozens of homes and apartments with cigarette damage in the past year.  Through our use of the latest methods and safe solutions, we can get the job done quickly and efficiently.

It is important to contact a fire and smoke damage restoration professional as soon as you notice any smoke damage. SERVPRO of Stamford has over 30 years of experience working with people who have had fire damage to their property.  If you have any type of smoke damage, call us immediately at 203.324.1642.

Rebuild After A House Fire In Stamford

12/1/2021 (Permalink)

Recently, a fire broke out in a one-story home in Stamford.  The fire completely gutted the home, so the remediation process involved steps such as cleaning smoke damage from wooden beams and removing residual odor from the space.  The remediation of fire damage is only the beginning of the entire process of bringing a home back to life.

Rebuilding the space is the next set of steps to make the house livable again.  Our rebuild team began work right after the remediation team was finished.  They framed the layout, put insulation in, sheetrocked the entire space, installed flooring, painted, and installed appliances.

In this case, the property owner wanted to also add a second floor to his home.  While not a usual part of the rebuild process, our team added the second floor during the rebuild process.

It is important to contact a fire damage restoration professional as soon as the fire is over to help limit and remediate the damage. SERVPRO of Stamford has over 30 years of experience working with people who have had fire damage to their property.  If you have any type of fire or smoke damage, call us immediately at 203.324.1642.

Wood Burning Stove Safety

12/1/2021 (Permalink)

As temperatures begin to drop, many Fairfield County homeowners will turn to their wood-burning stoves as a home heating solution.  Wood-burning stoves are a popular alternative to gas and electric heating, especially in rural areas, due to readily available fuel sourcing.

While burning wood is relatively safe, there are a few things that increase the risk for a house fire occurring. Make sure to follow the tips below to avoid any unwanted fires in your home.

Burn properly dried wood

You should only burn hardwoods that have been adequately dried out.  Split wood typically takes twelve months to dry to a point that is ready for burning in a stove.  By using only dry wood, you will ensure that your stove burns at the right temperature.

Clean routinely

There are a few areas that can be easily kept clean by any homeowner.  First, empty any ash from the bottom of the stove and store in any metal container that will not catch fire itself.  Store this container outside, and a few feet from the side of the house, where it could ignite.  

Monitor creosote deposits

Creosote is a very flammable compound that can build up inside your stove and chimney.  Creosote is produced from fires that burn at a lower temperature, so not all of the flammable material is sufficiently burned in the fire.  Creosote can form in three ways, two of which are low risk.  It can form in a semi-fluid that will eventually flow back into the stove, where it will be burned off.  It can form as thin flakes that can be removed by the homeowner with light brushing, either from within the stove, or from the roof.  The third creosote formation will be in the form of a thick tar that will need to be removed by a professional.

It is important to contact a fire damage restoration professional as soon as the fire is over to help limit and remediate the damage. SERVPRO of Stamford has over 30 years of experience working with people who have had fire damage to their property.  If you have any type of fire or smoke damage, call us immediately at 203.324.1642.

Fire Aftermath In A Stamford Home

9/23/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Stamford removed this portion of drywall so airflow could dry inside the wall.

Recently, a small kitchen fire broke out in a Stamford home due to a pan on the stovetop being left unattended.  The fire was small enough not to cause extensive damage, but significant enough to require fire department assistance.

The fire department responded quickly, as was able to put the flames out in a matter of minutes.  But the homeowners were surprised at the resulting damage.  What many people don't realize is that in order to extinguish fires, hundreds of gallons of water are used, which causes water damage in the home.  This can be true for even a small kitchen fire such as this.

SERVPRO of Stamford was called in to remediate both the fire damage, and the water damage from the firefighting efforts.  We used safe cleaning solutions to remove odor and discoloration from the walls and ceiling.  Because the water had pooled on the floor, we extracted the water and removed a portion of the drywall to ensure that proper drying would occur within.  

The moisture level returned to normal levels after a few days, and the homeowner was pleased with our work!

It is important to contact a fire damage restoration professional as soon as the fire is over to help limit and remediate the damage. SERVPRO of Stamford has over 30 years of experience working with people who have had fire damage to their property.  If you have any type of fire or smoke damage, call us immediately at 203.324.1642.

Smoke Damage And Lasting Effects

8/4/2021 (Permalink)

We all know the familiar phrase “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.”  The opposite is also true.  When there is fire, there is most definitely smoke filling the area.

Smoke is an unavoidable side effect of fires in homes and businesses. Everyone has an idea of what smoke looks like, but many people don't know that different types of smoke result from different types of fires.  Each kind of smoke will affect the area differently, especially when it comes to the residue that is left behind.

Smoke can be white, black, and every shade of gray in between.  Any smoke is made up of different substances like carbon particles and water vapor. The color varies based on the composition of the smoke.  For instance, a white smoke has more water vapor.  This will leave behind what is known as wet smoke residue.  A darker smoke will consist of a higher concentration of particulate matter from incomplete combustion of surrounding materials.  This smoke can penetrate porous surfaces deeper and leave a thicker layer of particles and darker discoloration.  Both smoke types leave their own unique odor, both of which need to be remediated.

As you can see, smoke damage after a fire isn't as simple as wiping down surfaces.  It is a process that requires expert diagnosis of the affected surfaces and type of smoke damage.  SERVPRO of Stamford has over 30 years of experience with fire and smoke damage. Our SERVPRO crews can have your Stamford home back to normal in no time after a fire damage.

How Many Of These Fire Prevention Steps Have You Taken?

3/9/2021 (Permalink)

Whether at home or at work, you need to be prepared for a fire.  They happen more often than people think, and being prepared can make the difference between a minimal fire, and a larger blaze.  It can also mean the difference between life and death. There are a plethora of ways to prepare for a fire, but there are a few basic steps that everyone can and should take before anything happens.  See how many of these you have done, and work to get the other steps in place.

Smoke Detectors

Make sure that your detectors are in working order.  Change batteries after the recommended period, and routinely check that they are working.

Fire Extinguisher

Having a working extinguisher can really mitigate the potential for a larger fire.  Make sure that they are also in working order.  Make sure that it has not expired yet.

Evacuation Route

If you need to evacuate, make sure that everyone in the family or office knows of two routes to the outside.

Supplies

Pack a supply kit in advance.  This will hold everything that you absolutely need until you are back on your feet.  Medication should absolutely go in these packs.

After a fire in your home or business, SERVPRO of Stamford has the skilled technicians and specialized equipment needed for your commercial damage remediation needs.  That’s why we should be your first call. Contact us at 203.324.1642 for immediate assistance.

A New Year’s Resolution That Matters

1/12/2021 (Permalink)

It’s a new year, which means many of us are trying our best to stick to our New Year’s resolutions.  Whether you want to eat better, lose weight, or read more, resolutions are often tough to maintain.  But SERVPRO of Stamford encourages you to make a change that doesn't take a long time, and is relatively easy.  Make a fire escape plan for your family.  You can find resources online, but here are the main things to focus on:

• Make a fire escape plan, complete with a map of your house, and the best ways out of every area.  It is important to include children so that they know what to do.

• Work with your children on proper safety maneuvers. 
• Stop, drop, and roll
• Staying low to avoid smoke
• Using a pillow or clothing to cover your face, to prevent smoke inhalation
• You may be displaced for a while, and will need essential items. Make a fire emergency kit with these items for afterwards. You can keep these in your car so they will be available outside the home. You can find more info at ready.gov. 

If you experience any fire in your home, get your family to safety as soon as possible.  Once everyone is out, call SERVPRO of Stamford. We have the knowledge and specialized tools to remediate the damage.

Deep-Fry Turkey Safety Tips

11/25/2020 (Permalink)

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time for family and friends to come together. As with any cooking, there is a risk for fire damage to occur.  One risky, but also equally tasty Thanksgiving tradition is deep frying your turkey.  It produces extra juicy meat and has a crispy skin that everyone loves.  But turkey fryers pose serious fire risk if not handled properly.  If this is the way that you will be frying your turkey this year, follow these tips to keep your family and home safe this holiday.

• Always keep fryers a safe distance away from trees and other structures.
• Make sure the turkey is fully thawed and dry before cooking. Ice or water that mixes into the hot oil can cause flare-ups.
• Place the fryer on a level surface, and avoid moving it once it's in use.

• Follow the manufacturer's instructions to avoid overfilling. Oil can ignite when it makes contact with the burner.
• Choose a smaller turkey for frying. A bird that's 8 to 10 pounds is best; pass on turkeys over 12 pounds.
• Never leave fryers unattended.
• If you notice the oil is smoking, turn the fryer off.
• Turn off the burner before lowering the turkey into the oil. Once the turkey is submerged, turn the burner on.
• DO NOT use water or a garden hose on a fire related to Turkey Fryers.
• Keep children and pets away from the fryer at all times.
• Once finished, carefully remove the pot from the burner, place it on a level surface and cover to let the oil cool overnight before disposing.

If you do happen to have any fire or smoke damage, please call SERVPRO of Stamford as soon as possible.  We have over 30 years of experience remediating this type of damage.

Power Surges And Electrical Fires

11/23/2020 (Permalink)

A power surge is a spike in your structure's electrical flow that is generally very rapid - about half a second. The extra power flow is quick, but it can harm large and small electrical devices alike. In extraordinary cases, a power surge can even cause sparks that can lead to a fire.

A number of different things can cause such electrical spikes to occur:

Wiring Issues 

You have an extensive network of wiring throughout your Norwalk home or business.  If a portion of that wiring is faulty, or under-installed, it is more likely to cause issues surrounding a power surge.  Older homes and buildings are even more at risk for this type of electrical fire. If you own an older home, make sure that all of your wiring is up to date and installed properly.

Lightning Events

Even a small bolt of lightning carries more than enough electrical power to overrun your electrician system and network of appliances.In the event of a heavy storm, be attentive to appliances that make noises or strange odors.

Household Power Fluctuations

We all have larger appliances such as generators, central air systems, and air conditioning units.  When these either power on or off, the change in flow of power can cause a short circuit that can produce sparks.  

Use this information to guard yourself against fires that can result from electrical overflows.  If you do suffer a fire, call SERVPRO of Stamford.  We have the knowledge and specialized tools to remediate the damage.

Labor Day Fire Safety Tips

8/26/2020 (Permalink)

Labor Day means cookouts, fireworks, and even campfires as people take advantage of one of the last warm weekends of the year.

It is definitely relaxing and fun to enjoy a backyard fire with friends and loved ones, but it’s also important to make sure that everyone involved stays safe by practicing a few easy fire protection and prevention tips:

Remember this list of four Labor Day fire safety tips:

1. Keep a bucket of water close by. On the off chance that something floating out of your fire catches nearby items on fire, you don't want to have to run to get water to put it out.  With water right there, you can quickly and safely extinguish the issue.
2. Don’t let barbecue grease accumulate. Built up grease and food on a grill grate has a high likelihood of igniting. Before, during, and after using your grill, clean the grate using a wire brush.
3. Inspect the area around your BBQ and campfire.  Make sure to keep as many flammable items away from your grill or fire as possible.  Paper plates and napkins catching on fire are a leading cause of fire damage during Labor Day weekend.  This is especially important if you are grilling near your house or on a deck.
4. Completely extinguish the fire when you are finished. Never leave a grill unattended after cooking, and never go to sleep without ensuring that it is fully out.  A breeze can send embers that are still hot into the air, and they could land on your roof or other parts of your home, leading to a fire.

If you happen to have any fire damage to your home or business, call SERVPRO of Stamford today at 203.324.1642.

What Is Wall Ghosting?

8/5/2020 (Permalink)

Fire damage comes in many shapes and sizes. Obviously, a large fire in a home or business can cause structural damage, water damage from firefighting efforts, and loss of personal items. But a smaller fire can also cause issues that may be annoying and unsightly. You don't even need to have an open flame for this type of fire damage to occur.

One such instance is discoloration on ceilings and walls, that may present itself as lines or dots, often along studs behind the drywall. This is called “ghosting” or “thermal tracking.” Soot from a small fire will adhere to points on ceilings and walls where the temperature is cooler. When a fire occurs, the soot output is very high, so there is an abundance of carbon particles that will discolor the material that it lands on.

As mentioned above, you don't need to have an emergency to experience ghosting. Common household causes include candles, fireplaces, wood stoves, and tobacco smoke. All of these put soot into the air, and over time, can lead to discoloration of surfaces in your home or business.

Whatever the reason that your walls become discolored, SERVPRO of Stamford can help. We are experienced in remediating all types of discoloration that occurs from any heat source, whether it is an emergency or not. Give us a call at 203.324.1642 today.

Carbon Monoxide Stats And Safety

3/9/2020 (Permalink)

According to the Center For Disease Control, more than 400 Americans die, 20,000 visit the hospital and 4,000 are admitted to the hospital due to carbon monoxide poisoning every year. Carbon monoxide is invisible and odorless, which makes it extremely dangerous. Moderate carbon monoxide exposure can lead to a range of symptoms.  The severity of the symptoms varies with the level of exposure that you suffer. Moderate exposure may lead to headaches, nausea, or dizziness. If further exposure occurs, vomiting, confusion and loss of consciousness. It is highly undetectable, and even has the ability to cause death in some cases.

The first step to preventing this from happening in your home or business is to install a carbon monoxide detector.

Additionally, follow these simple tips to stay safe from carbon monoxide:

• Have any gas or coal-burning appliances serviced and inspected by a professional on a regular basis.
• Do not use portable flameless chemical heaters indoors
• Have your chimney serviced and inspected by a professional on a regular basis.
• Never use your gas oven to heat your home or business
• Never run a gas-powered generator inside your home
• Never run your car in an attached garage, even if you have opened the garage door.  Running cars are the leading cause of carbon monoxide poisoning in homes.

If you feel that you may be suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning, immediately go outside to get some fresh air.  This could be the difference between being mildly sick and far more dangerous results.

Fire Damage Encapsulation

1/13/2020 (Permalink)

This house suffered extensive fire damage after a firework landed on the second floor and ignited the wood. Fortunately, the structure was salvageable, although it did suffer major smoke and soot damage.

This produced a strong odor that needed to be eliminated as a part of the remediation process.  After debris was removed, we ice blasted the framework to remove soot and smoke damage from the beams. This removes a large amount of the odor, but another step can eradicate the smell altogether. 

Once the wood was free of soot, our technicians encapsulated the affected areas. We apply a substance to the wood that protects the wood and seals in any lingering odor. This process masks smells caused by smoke and other carcinogens, and it also encapsulates some of the toughest stains that have soaked into the porous surfaces in the area.

Turkey Fryer Safety

11/27/2019 (Permalink)

Fire Caused By Deep Fried Turkey

The allure of deep frying a turkey this Thanksgiving may lead many people to try this method that yields a very tasty alternative the traditional baked option.  But this method comes with many risks, both for your safety, as well as to your home.  Fryers can tip over relatively easily, spilling cooking oil, which can burn you easily.  Pouring too much oil into the fryer may also lead to the same outcome.  One precaution that causes the most fires is attempting to fry a turkey that has not fully thawed.  This causes the oil to become severely agitated, which can cause sever burns, as well as ignite any flammable material in the vicinity.  If this is the way you will be cooking your turkey this year, please review the information below so that you keep your family and property safe from fire damage.

• NEVER attempt to deep fry a turkey indoors
• Keep the fryer away from your house, and away from flammable materials
• Do not fill the fryer with too much oil
• Make sure that your turkey is fully thawed before frying

Fireplace Ash Disposal

11/20/2019 (Permalink)

Recently, firefighters were called to a trash fire that started when fireplace ashes were not properly disposed of. Prematurely discarding ashes, which can stay hot for hours, leads to numerous fires every year. Now that the weather is getting colder, people are turning to their fireplaces and wood burning stoves as a source of heat. Follow of these tips to make sure that you are taking the right precaution with your ashes to avoid any damage to you or your property.

1.) Make sure you allow the remaining wood and ash to completely cool off before removing or transporting them.
2.) Transfer the remaining wood and ashes to a metal bucket, preferably with a shovel or similar metal tool. Get the receptacle as close to the fireplace or stove as possible, as this will minimize any hot material to fall on combustible material and igniting.
3.) Wet down the contents of the bucket to absolutely ensure that no damage can occur. After these steps are followed, you can dispose of the ashes with your normal garbage.

Top Tips for Easy Prevention of Electrical Fires

8/14/2019 (Permalink)

As one of the top causes of house fires, electrical fires can happen anywhere in the home. You don’t want to suffer fire damage or worse due to a preventable electrical risk. Follow these safety tips to prevent electrical fires, and if you have an older home, you may want to hire a certified electrician to look at your wiring.

Plugging in or Unplugging Items - Safety Tips:

• First things first - Cover unused outlets with safety plugs if there are young children present. Or install outlets with spring-latch covers

• Replace or repair loose-fitting plugs, which can cause a shock or fire hazard

• Replace missing or broken wall plates to cover wiring and components

• When pulling a plug from the wall, hold the plug securely. Otherwise, you can wear out the cord, increasing the risk of a short circuit, an electric shock, or a fire

• Minimize use of multi-outlet extenders, power bars, and surge protectors. They pose the risk of overloading a single circuit

• Only use extension cords on a temporary basis. Ask a certified electrician to install additional electrical outlets

If your Stamford home or business suffers damage from an electrical fire, do not hesitate to contact SERVPRO of Stamford.  We have the skilled technicians and specialized equipment to get the job done thoroughly and rapidly.

The Importance of Board-Ups

8/6/2019 (Permalink)

Every year, more than a million fires are reported worldwide. As homeowners, we install fire alarms, equip our property with fire extinguishers and take all measures to prevent one in our Stamford home or business. Sometimes, because of these measures, the house is saved from total destruction, but it needs to be restored before we resume living in it. We need to move to a safe place until the doors and windows of the house are restored. Therefore, it becomes necessary to board up the house after the fire because it becomes prone to various threats. Flames can destroy the doors and windows leaving the interiors vulnerable to the outside elements such as rain, wind, animals, and others from further exacerbating the damage. Boarding up the doors and windows of the fire-damaged house prevents it from external factors such as the environment along with the more feared factors such as looting. After a fire, the building becomes easily accessible to thieves and vandals as they can easily slip into through the damaged doors and windows. Boarding up the property makes it far more difficult to gain access. Boarding the building also makes the fire cleanup process much easier.  Items that cannot be put on sale but can be further used after proper assessment and cleaning and these can also be useful for insurance purposes.

One more important aspect to board up a house after a fire is to prevent human traffic into the house. This is because it further escalates the soot damage. The human intervention causes the soot to be embedded into the carpeting which further makes it difficult to restore them to a good and reusable condition. Therefore, it is highly recommended to get the house boarded up quickly. Board-up services are offered by SERVPRO of Stamford as part of our remediation and rebuild process.

Hole In The Roof

2/4/2019 (Permalink)

Even a small fire can dramatically affect your home.  One thing that people don’t realize is that in order to properly extinguish a fire, the fire department often has to damage the home in the process.  Two measures that cause damage to the home are sometimes taken.  First, a lot of water is often used to extinguish a fire, which causes water damage to the home.  The second measure is cutting a hole in the ceiling and roof so that heat and smoke can escape,  They do this so that cool air can flow into the house, allowing for easier and safer entry to put out the flames.  This picture shows one such hole.  As part of our rebuild process, we will fix this hole that was made by the firefighters.

SERVPRO of Stamford provides 24-hour emergency service and is dedicated to being faster to any-sized disaster. We can respond immediately to your emergency and have the expertise to handle your restoration or cleaning needs.

Flash Fire Damage

2/4/2019 (Permalink)

According to the National Fire Protection Association a “flash fire” is defined as a type of short-duration fire that spreads rapidly through a fuel, such as dust, gas, or the vapors of an ignitible liquid, without the production of damaging pressure. This is what it looks like when a flash fire occurs as a result of improper use of propane tanks.  One unit in this multi-family building exploded due to rapid flame movement throughout.  Once the fire department had left, our crew got to work restoring the property.  Please use extreme caution when using and storing flammable substances.  If you suffer a fire or smoke damage at your home or business, please do not hesitate to call us.

SERVPRO of Stamford provides 24-hour emergency service and is dedicated to being faster to any-sized disaster. We can respond immediately to your emergency and have the expertise to handle your restoration or cleaning needs.

Fire In The Garage

1/30/2019 (Permalink)

Recently, a fire broke out in a home and adjoining garage structure.  Fortunately, none of the inhabitants, one of which was a small dog, were hurt during the ordeal.  The fire consumed most of the interior, and spread rapidly into the garage, pictured here.  You can see just how hot the fire was, based on the damage to the car that was parked away from the house.  We responded quickly by boarding up the structure, and are now in the process of cleaning and deodorizing the interior. Once that step is done, the rebuild can proceed.

SERVPRO of Stamford provides 24-hour emergency service and is dedicated to being faster to any-sized disaster. We can respond immediately to your emergency and have the expertise to handle your restoration or cleaning needs.

Eliminating Secondary Fire Damage

1/29/2019 (Permalink)

When a fire occurs, it is not only the building that has the fire that is affected. Often, the surrounding structures suffer secondary damage like a layer of soot and smoke odors. If not properly cleaned in a timely fashion, the issue can lead to more permanent damage that unfortunately cannot be reversed. Here we see Odir cleaning the floors of an affected apartment to remove a thin layer of soot that will also remove the resulting odors. Because we responded within hours of the fire being extinguished, this will ensure that no long-term damage will occur.

SERVPRO of Stamford provides 24-hour emergency service and is dedicated to being faster to any-sized disaster. We can respond immediately to your emergency and have the expertise to handle your restoration or cleaning needs.

Attic Fire

8/2/2018 (Permalink)

This is a recent fire that started in a residential attic.  The fire started when some flammable material was left in front of a skylight, which ignited under extreme heat.  The fire started in the attic, and spread down to one side of the house.  SERVPRO of Stamford was called in to remediate the damage.  We will be providing a few different services in this case.  First, we will be packing up contents and belongings to store while other work is being done.  We will also be cleaning the soot off the walls, as well as deodorizing the area from the smoke smell.  Then, reconstruction can begin on the actual frame of the house.

To avoid a similar disaster, remember to keep all flammable objects out of direct sunlight where they may get too hot.

Fire Education Class

8/2/2018 (Permalink)

One of the best ways to learn how to avoid a disaster occurring in your home is to be educated about the issues that can be prevented.  Getting that knowledge at an early age is even more valuable, so it becomes normal at a young age. 

That is why SERVPRO of Stamford sponsored a local class for young kids to learn about disaster prevention and management.  The children learned about fire safety in the summer class.  They learned how to make an evacuation plan for the family in the event of a fire, or any other situation where they would need to leave the house.  In the photo, the class is learning about the fire trucks and how they work to put out fires.  Each child even got to spray the hose!

Fire Extinguisher Importance For Your Home or Business

2/5/2018 (Permalink)

Office buildings need specific fire safety equipment to keep both employees and clients safe. This includes smoke detectors, sprinklers, fire alarms, and extinguishers.  

The first step in fire damage restoration is to put out the fire using the proper tools.  A first responder may use an approved portable fire extinguisher to prevent a small fire from growing and causing further damage.  

The National Fire Protection Agency publishes a series of standards and requirements for portable fire extinguishers called NFPA 10, available here.

No matter what the size of the fire, your first priority should be to get everyone out safely and call 911.  Once the fire has been put out, you can call SERVPRO of Stamford at (203) 324-1642 to assist.

Highly Trained Restoration Specialists

Our SERVPRO Professionals are highly trained in property restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO's Corporate Training Facility to regular IICRC industry certifications, our Professionals are equipped with the knowledge to restore your property. The SERVPRO training program includes the follow:

• IICRC Training

• Employee Certification Training

• Initial Franchise Training

• e-Learnings

• Continuing Education Classes

Coping With A Fire

2/5/2018 (Permalink)

When we talk about a fire, or any other disruptive disaster to strike your home, we always refer to SERVPRO’s amazing service and expertise making it "Like it never even happened."  We talk about drying and repairing, dehumidification and reconstruction.  What often gets looked over is the mental aspect of these events.

During and after a disaster it is natural to experience different and strong emotions.  Emotional reactions can often be strong, with young children at an increased risk of experiencing trauma from a disaster at home.

Talk with someone about your feelings - anger, sorrow and other emotions - even though it may be difficult.  You can also look for help from professionals who deal with post-disaster stress.

Whether your Fairfield County home has emergency flood damage or you need your upholstery cleaned, you can depend on us.  Our technicians have extensive cleaning and restoration training and can make your property look its best.  Learn more about our residential services:

• Water Damage Restoration

• Fire Damage Restoration

• Mold Remediation

• Storm Damage Restoration

• Cleaning Services

• Building/Reconstruction Services

Fire Investigation Assistance

2/5/2018 (Permalink)

After a large fire loss many questions need to be answered such as:

• What was the source of the fire?

• Were there any fire accelerants present?

• Was there negligence or arson activity?

• Was it a mechanical/structural issue or human error?

Local fire departments, private insurance companies, gas and power company representatives and many others are called upon to investigate the scene of the fire and do their best to answer these and many other questions. This process can take from a few days to several weeks.

SERVPRO will set up a containment fence around the perimeter of the property and install any needed wind and/or erosion control barriers. We will bring on site portable restrooms and any heavy equipment such as excavators, backhoes and skid steers that are requested by the investigation team.  We provide the investigators with a mobile office, generators for power, lights and computers, hard hats, gloves, respirators, eye protection, water, coffee and miscellaneous office supplies.

Providing the fire investigation team with all the resources necessary to accurately and quickly determine the cause of the fire, helps streamline the entire insurance claims process, ensuring the reconstruction is started sooner for the property owners, so they can get back to living "Like it never even happened.

SERVPRO of Stamford is here to help with all fire damage and remediation issues. 

Avoiding a Dryer Fire

2/5/2018 (Permalink)

The fear of a dryer fire is one that is not commonly heard of, however, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there are an estimated annual 15,500 fires, 10 deaths and 10 injuries due to clothes dryer fires. Several hundred people a year are also subjected to carbon monoxide poisoning from improper dryer vent setups. The financial costs come to nearly $100,000,000 per year. In some cases faulty appliances are to blame, but many fires can be prevented with proper dryer venting.

Here are some small steps to take to Avoid a Dryer Fire:

1. Dryer's produce large amounts of lint. Be sure to clean the lint trap after EVERY use of the dryer.

2. Dryer Vents should ONLY be made of metal and be short and straight. Bends and curves result in lint buildup increasing the risk of a fire. 

3. Do not run the dryer when you are away from home or sleeping. 

Stamford Fire: Part 1

1/31/2017 (Permalink)

Recently, a family home on Underhill St, Stamford CT, went from the bottom up in flames. The first dispatched firefighters arrived to see dark smoke rising from the home. However, even when the total of four firetrucks and 30 firemen were at the scene, they were prohibited to enter the home due to dangerous electrical complications. It was stated that the fire had initiated from the basement and was possibly caused by a faulty electrical panel. The fire spread through the walls of both the second and third floor doing irreparable damage. After the electricity of the home was disconnected by a power company, the firefighters proceeded their fight to eradicate the growing fire.

Most of the damage harmed only the home; However, both a resident and a firemen were transported to the hospital and released later with no serious injuries.

SERVPRO was at the scene while the fire began to dwindle. Offering our best service and consolation to the family that had been displaced from their home. After consulting and conversing an overview of our procedure and any questions they may have had, our crew was ready for their cue to be at the scene to begin clean up. On arrival, the SERVPRO crew began their course of action for board up. A total of 13 sheets of plywood were required to cover the combination of doors and windows that were lost or damaged in the fire.