Commercial Fire Damage in Winter Park, FL

6/13/2022 (Permalink)

Here you can see the destruction caused by a large commercial fire. With this extent of damage, it is extremely important you hire an expert company.

Commercial fire damage includes more than just the visible smoke, flames, and water that can be seen in the aftermath of a fire. It can also cover other unseen damages to commercial spaces. These include structural damages and hidden items like fingerprints, blood drops, chemical smears, and paint chips from mishandled materials. The time it takes for a fire to be extinguished and the extent of water damage depend on the type of fire. Here are the steps for fire restoration in Winter Park.

1. Assessment

2. Safety Work

3. Water Removal

4. Soot and Smoke Removal

5. Cleanup

6. Restoration and Repair

Water Damage Cleanup & Safety Tips

6/13/2022 (Permalink)

Standing water is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and mold. Extracting this water and drying in a timely manner is essential for prevention.

If a house has had a flood, ensure you confirm its safety before entering it. Check for structural damage and electrical hazards while using protective wear such as respirators, and gloves. After these, you can follow the following safety tips:

Act Fast

The seriousness of water damage rises fast as the water stays stagnant, and your house and its contents are soaked in water. Therefore, be quick on time. Molds grow in a short time, within 48 hours. To ensure you contain the flood damages, contact professionals like the SERVPRO of Winter Park to help remove and dry out the water before the molds begin to grow.

Ensure There Is Enough Circulation Of Air In The Affected Areas To Avoid Mold From Growing

Mold thrives in organic materials like particleboard or paper and moisture. To reduce or stop the damage, you can open windows and place fans in the rooms to allow air circulation and maintain average temperatures. When cleaning, work as you go towards the fan to reduce cross-contamination.

Check The Damage Water Has Made To Your Equipment

Assess the water type that has flooded your houses, such as contaminated river water, rainwater, sewage-filled with bacteria, or water from broken pipes. You can salvage your items in many ways. However, the decision to save the items will depend on the sentimental and dollar value of the item to the owner. Things like mattresses, pillows, pads, carpets, box springs, and dry walls may not be worth saving.

At the same time, things like leather couches, heirlooms, and Persian rugs may be worth saving. Wet household fabrics and clothing can be salvaged easily using a washing machine and soaking in hot water and detergent for approximately ten minutes. This will assist remove stains and contamination.

Uncover Pockets Of Saturation

Pockets of saturation, both concealed and hidden ones, must be exposed to be cleaned and dried. Building materials can hold layers of water between them that you will need to discover and dry.

Carry Out A Thorough Cleaning

Clean non-porous and semi-porous materials like hardwood flooring, vinyl products, studs, and joists with regular cleaning products. When cleaning, protect the areas not affected by the flood or mold. When you finish your thorough cleaning of the items you were able to save, apply a disinfectant solution in case they were in contact with harmful bacteria. The harmful bacteria may be from river water debris, stagnant water, or sewage.

Ensure Your House Is Dry Before Reconstruction

To avoid structural damage and dry root, it is essential not to reconstruct or cover with wood the wet areas. Therefore, ensure the site has adequately low moisture content. With the help of professionals, they can help you confirm if the house has sufficiently dried before reconstructing.

How to Eliminate Smoke Smell in Your Orlando Home

6/13/2022 (Permalink)

Eliminating a smoke smell can be challenging because the smell is usually embedded in your furniture, walls, and other things that survived the fire.

A fire disaster in a home has immediate and long-lasting effects. Some immediate ones include loss of property or injuries to the people in the house. After cleaning, however, you will deal with the smoke smell for a longer time.

Eliminating the smell can be challenging because the smell is usually embedded in your furniture, walls, and other things that survived the fire. Some of the tips you can use to eliminate the smell include:

Air it out

This is the first and most crucial step when eliminating smoke in your Orlando home. Open all windows and doors, then turn on your fans to full blast. This will encourage fresh airflow into your home.

It would help if you also used positive pressure, which reduces the air pressure inside the house, encouraging more fresh air from outside to flow in. to use this method:

• Open your front door and place a fan outside facing the house
• Close all other doors and windows except one that acts as a ventilator
• Turn your fan on to full blast, let it run for 15 minutes, then close the open door and window
• Do this for every room until you can’t notice the difference between outside and inside air

Clean the home

Clean your walls, furniture, decks, windows, and other surfaces of your home with mild soap or other cleaning solutions. Ensure you also wash inside the closets, cabinets, and drawers.
Some of the things you can use to clean include:

• Baking soda- This is a natural odor-absorber that you should sprinkle on your carpet, floors, and furniture and use a brush to work it in the fabric. Leave it for a few hours or overnight, then vacuum it out. Do this as many times as you feel necessary.
• Vinegar- This is also a natural odor neutralizer you should use to wipe your washable walls, furniture, floors, and other surfaces. You can also have a jar of vinegar in the room and add some lavender if you don't like the smell of vinegar.
• Activated charcoal- Place a bowl of powdered activated charcoal in the house for a few days to help absorb the smell.
• Febreeze- This is an odor-reducing agent you can find in many shops. Spray a good amount of Febreeze around the room and leave it for a few days.

You should also clean all your clothes, bedding, curtains, and drapes. Add your regular cleaning detergent and a little vinegar to help eliminate the smell. Finally, have your HVAC unit and ducts cleaned to remove smoke residue and soot.

Call the professionals

While cleaning and airing your Orlando home will help remove the smell, sometimes you can't eliminate it completely, especially if the fire was extensive. For the best results, contact professionals who have different commercial cleaning products to thoroughly clean all surfaces and eliminate even the small traces of smoke.

When looking for an Orlando company, consider their experience, skills, credentials, customer service, plus reviews and ratings.

Conclusion

Eliminating the smell of smoke from your Orlando home after a fire disaster is challenging and traumatizing. You can try eliminating the odor by airing your home and cleaning the surfaces, but the best shot is to call the professionals. Calling the professionals will also save you money, time, and effort in the long run.

Water Damage in Vacant Buildings

5/31/2022 (Permalink)

The worst thing about water damage in vacant buildings is that no one is around to notice the problem immediately after it occurs.

The worst thing about water damage in vacant buildings is that no one is around to notice the problem immediately after it occurs. The damage can start as a minor leak and later affect property worth hundreds or thousands of dollars. The water will then cause molds on the walls and floors, damaging the property further. If you have an unoccupied commercial property, you shouldn’t lock it up and stay for months without checking on it. Consider routine checks and maintenance to minimize or prevent property damage.

Causes of Water Damage in Vacant Commercial Property

1. Broken or Damaged Windows

Water damage in most commercial buildings happens because of windows with damaged seals. They allow moisture to get into the building and cause more problems such as warped wood and mold development. Property owners should reseal all windows regularly since the join-up can break down after some time.

2. Leaking Pipes

Several reasons can cause pipes breakages, such as damage to the water supply and drainage system, increase in pressure, and cold weather. Some of the signs of damaged pipes include having loose or cracking tiles, watermarks on the floors and walls, walls that have puffed out, and a stuffy smell. Since it may be difficult to detect leaking pipes, you should hire a specialist who will use a piece of special equipment to confirm the leakage.

3. Clogged Gutters

If you don’t clean gutters regularly, they may become clogged and cause water leakage into the building through the foundation or roof. One sign that can show the possibility of leakage in the foundation is wet frames and water puddles. Unfunctional drainage systems may also cause water damage to the foundation of your commercial property.

4. Leaking Roofs

A leaking roof can cause mold build-up, ceiling damage, and shortened electrical wires, which may cause fire, among others. Heavy rains and snowing and incorrect removal of ice are some causes of roof damage.

5. Problems with the HVAC System

After using the HVAC system for some time, its ducts become damaged due to wearing out and causing leakage. Hence, you should clean your HVAC system regularly and remove all the water left on the reservoirs to prevent damage.

6. Clogging in the Sewer System

Contact a water damage restoration expert to rectify the system if you notice sewer damage signs such as a trickling sound. That is because sewer water consists of bacteria that cause infections and illnesses.

7. Leaks in the Sprinkler System

The other cause of water damage in commercial properties is sprinkler system leakages. You can tell your sprinkler system is leaking by noticing wetness on surfaces, mold, and standing water. Ensure to inspect your sprinkler system regularly to check for leaks and moisture and repair whenever necessary.

Water damage in commercial buildings is a problem that property owners should address immediately to avoid further problems. The above are the main causes of water damage that you should be keen to check periodically. However, you can prevent water damage by having a flood monitoring system, ensuring your property is against flood damage, and conducting regular inspections and maintenance on your property.

How Hurricane Recovery Could Be Impacted by Lumber and Labor

5/31/2022 (Permalink)

The cost of shipping lumber over long distances is difficult because of limited access to transport systems after a hurricane

Hurricane recovery presents numerous challenges for the lumber and labor industry. Historically, lumber has been a vital component in many disaster areas as it is long-lasting and can be easily repaired when damaged. The industry has made significant efforts to ensure that wood materials are readily available in hurricane-affected areas during post-storm cleanup and reconstruction. In many cases, the cost of shipping these materials over long distances is difficult because of limited access to railroads or other transport systems after an event such as a hurricane.

How Hurricane Recovery Could Be Impacted by Lumber and Labor

1. High Prices for Materials Due to Outreach

Hurricane Michael was one of the costliest and most destructive hurricanes ever hit the United States. The most significant impact was along the Florida panhandle, which experienced high winds and torrential rains. Some estimates place the damage as high as $25 billion. This storm strengthened significantly before landfall, resulting in widespread devastation throughout a large geographic area.

2. Shortage of Lumber in Post-Storm Cleanup

During post-storm cleanup, lumber is used to repair damaged structures, and access is limited because many roads are impassable due to debris, fallen power lines, and flooding. Lumber is also used to construct temporary housing, set up shelters, and provide other necessities such as furniture and countertops. This limited supply of lumber must contend with high demand while being transported to help rebuild structures after a hurricane.

3. High Prices for Labor

Labor is required to rebuild structures, clear debris, and debris piles, repair infrastructure, and restore essential services such as electricity in the aftermath of a storm. Many disabled people need support during this period. Expanding the number of individuals employed in a wide range of age groups will help meet this labor demand.

4. Limited Population to Meet Demands

Many people affected by a hurricane are elderly or disabled, which means they cannot be relied upon to rebuild their homes and lives. Temporary housing is a temporary solution, which leads to the need for additional resources as the disaster area continues to rebuild services such as electricity.

5. Limited Availability of Labor Resources

Labor resources are usually located throughout the nation in professional debris removal and building trade companies. Unfortunately, many of these companies were destroyed in the hurricane and subsequent flooding. These companies may experience shortages of trained labor because many workers are now unable to work due to an inability to support themselves paycheck-to-paycheck due to demolished businesses or other factors affecting personal finances during the response period.

6. Logistics and Transportation

Trains and pipelines and roads and bridges may also be damaged after a hurricane. These road, rail, and water systems provide significant access to goods in disaster areas, resulting in the need for resources usually used to transport these goods. In extreme cases, transportation usually is delayed for several days before one can make repairs and goods can be transported.

Hurricane recovery is a critical period during which the lumber and labor industries play a significant role. Due to the economic impacts of past hurricanes, most consumers are willing to pay higher prices for materials and services to rebuild structures as soon as possible.

Reconstruction: Getting Back to Business

5/31/2022 (Permalink)

The SERVPRO team can offer assistance with rebuilding and re-equipping your facility.

Many people believe that it is impossible to restore a business after fire, water, or mold damage. Rest assured that with the help of SERVPRO of Winter Park, you can have peace of mind knowing that they will restore your business to its original condition. SERVPRO is a nationally recognized leader in the restoration industry, helping customers as they return to normalcy. They are dedicated to helping you recover from the unexpected and return your business to normalcy as quickly as possible. Their team of industry professionals can handle any situation with speed and care while helping you minimize your losses.

7 Ways in which SERVPRO of Winter Park can Get a Business Back in Shape with Reconstruction Services

1. Inspect for Water Damage

SERVPRO can inspect your business for extensive water damage by putting a technician in a fish tank to protect them from mold and other airborne contaminants. The technicians will then assess the damage and implement a plan of action that suits your specific situation.

2. Remove Water and Other Contaminants

The SERVPRO team can remove standing water to help prevent further damage to your business or home with generators, pumps, and fans. They can also remove other harmful contaminants such as mildew, mold, and chemicals.

3. Repair Damaged Materials

SERVPRO can quickly and efficiently restore your business with efficient repairs to your facilities, systems, and property. Their technicians have the tools and experience to repair a range of materials, from drywall to electrical panels and appliances. They can also make temporary repairs until you hire a contractor for the proper restoration.

4. Clean and Sanitize

The SERVPRO team can clean your facilities for mold and bacteria, removing harmful germs from your food and other surfaces. It can help to prevent the chances of a reoccurrence of contaminants. SERVPRO can help you with these tasks and remove any items that may have been contaminated, such as any furniture or personal belongings that they may have used during the break-in.

5. Remove Debris

In the aftermath of a water, fire, or mold damage event, SERVPRO can help you with any debris removal. It can help clear your business and make it easier to get back on your feet. The debris may include bookshelves, cabinets, tables, and fixtures now damaged. SERVPRO technicians can safely remove the debris and bring it to a disposal site for proper disposal.

6. Rebuild and Re-equip

The SERVPRO team can offer assistance with rebuilding and re-equipping your facility. They can offer you a range of options, including new flooring, larger electrical panels, brand-new furniture, etc. They can also help you purchase replacement equipment so that your business can quickly bounce back.

7. Future Damage Prevention

The SERVPRO team can also help with future damage prevention by offering you preventative maintenance programs. This service will help protect your facilities, such as air conditioners, water treatment, and other systems that may be important to your business. They can also install security systems to help ensure the safety of both yourself and your business.

As you can see, SERVPRO of Winter Park has many services that they can offer in a water, fire, or mold damage event. In addition to the above services, they can help you with regular preventative maintenance programs that can help better protect your business. With their expertise and dedication to outstanding customer service, SERVPRO of Winter Park is the company you want to hire for your restoration needs.

Flood Danger: Types of Floods

5/31/2022 (Permalink)

Floods continue to affect many people worldwide due to increasing populations and the destruction of wetlands and other natural barriers.

Flooding occurs when rainwater cannot drain quickly enough, causing floods to form on land and at sea. Floods continue to affect many people worldwide due to increasing populations and the destruction of wetlands and other natural barriers. Heavy rains are often the cause of flooding, but they may also be caused by other factors, such as melting snow.

5 Main Types Of Floods

1. Flashfloods

Most commonly known as 'whiplash' floods, sudden downpours of heavy rain cause flash floods. They usually occur in low-lying areas like river valleys and floodplains. Flash floods can be unpredictable - one moment, the ground is dry, and you can walk across; the next, a torrent of water rushes through, causing severe damage and drowning people who have been sight-seeing on foot. Flash floods can also be caused by heavy rainfall around or after rainfall has stopped.

2. Landslides

Landslides usually occur when the ground becomes saturated following heavy rainfall. When the rain ceases, the ground is left unsupported and begins to slide downhill. Landslides may occur on slope sides or in valleys but can also be triggered by ground-level heavy rainfall. Landslides are usually associated with rock, clay, and soil types that become slippery when wet.

3. Seepage

It is caused when surface water containing dissolved materials seeps into underground aquifers through cracks or fault lines. The water can then form into a saturated aquifer and start seeping up through the ground, through cracks and fissures in rock or faults. The ground can become unstable and cause landslides, floods, and earthquakes.

4. Tsunami

Tsunamis occur when a large volume of water piled in the sea causes a giant wave to break out over a wide area, generally around coastal areas. Tsunamis can travel at 600 km 373 miles an hour, destroying everything in their paths, including people, houses, and ships.

5. Storm surge

When a storm front passes over the sea from the ocean, it creates a wave that moves parallel to the coastline. If this is combined with high winds and waves already present in the seawater, the result can be storm tides known as storm surges. When they reach the coast, they cause widespread flooding on land around a country's coastline. In the UK, for example, storm surges can be caused by the extratropical cyclone created when warm air meets cold air over the sea.

A flood hazard map can show areas of risk and associated threat levels. The level of flooding varies from one flood to another in line with such factors as duration, intensity, frequency, and catchment area. Flooding in rivers occurs due to rainfall not being absorbed or held back by natural barriers such as wetlands and dams. When rainfall exceeds the capacity of natural barriers, water backs up. It can flood valley floors called flash floods or overflow into surrounding areas, often referred to as riverine flooding. A combination of flooding causes problems during extreme weather events. Landslides occur when saturated soil is loosened by rain or melting snow, and debris flows can follow heavy rainfall. Flood water then rushes down steep slopes in torrents causing rivers to burst their banks and inundate surrounding land.

What are Puff Back Fires and How Can They Happen?

5/31/2022 (Permalink)

Puff back fires happen when your oil burner is running and the product of combustion, natural gas, is released into the air.

Puff back fires happen when your oil burner is running and the product of combustion, natural gas, is released into the air. It can occur when a burner's hot exhaust pipe comes into contact with combustible materials like dry leaves or even just water vapor that already exists in the air. The fire burns through these materials, releasing more heat and gases into the atmosphere and causing a massive explosion that disrupts your heating system.

Causes of a Puff Back Fires

There are several causes of puff backfires. The following are some of them:

Burner is clogged

The most common cause is a clogged burner. It's imperative to check your burners regularly, more than once a month, especially when it's cold outside. If your burner has formed a clog and you don't remove it, your system will not run as efficiently, and the chances of puff backfire increase.

Improper combustion

Another common cause of puff backfires is improper combustion. It occurs when there's not enough air or too much air is being fed into your burner. You must keep the burning process in a particular state to prevent the fire from overly combusting, which can cause a puff to backfire.

Chimney is clogged

There are many ways for a chimney to become clogged, but one of the most common is when too much ash builds up in the bottom. It is caused by an inefficient combustion process in your burner, which results in excessive ash being left over.

Low oxygen levels

Another cause of puff backfires is having too low oxygen levels in your air supply. When oxygen levels are too low, your combustion process cannot burn properly, and a puff will occur. Most boilers or furnaces have a mechanism that detects low oxygen levels and will shut off the device to prevent a fire, but you must check the levels yourself.

Gas leaks

Gas is not very compressible, and when it leaks into the air, it causes an increase in pressure which results in a puff backfire. It is most likely caused by the leak coming from your gas pipe. It could be the result of poor installation or poor maintenance.

Safety Measures

Proper installation and maintenance

You have to have a burner that is properly installed and maintained to avoid puff backfires. The best way to do this is to have a professional install your system because they are better trained. It will also reduce the chances that you have a gas leak or a clogged burner.

Reduce combustible materials

You should decrease the amount of combustible materials around your home. It would help keep your yard neat and tidy to avoid getting a puff to backfire from dry leaves and dead branches.

Proper ventilation

Another preventive measure is to have proper ventilation when using your fireplace or heating system. You should keep the windows open if you are in a room with an operating fireplace. It's also a good idea to keep an exhaust fan on while your system is running.

Use of safety shut-offs

You can also have a safety shut-off installed on your system. It will shut down the oil burner in case of low oxygen levels or a clogged chimney.

Puff back fires are very dangerous and can cause a lot of damage to your home. They are also preventable if you take the proper precautions. There are several reasonable safety measures that you can take, but it's best to have a professional come in and inspect your system if you have any doubts.

Winter Heating Safety in Florida

5/20/2022 (Permalink)

A space heater needs to be three feet away from everything else. It can burn up anything that is close to it.

Staying Safe with Different Heating Systems

Although we are a ways off from being worried about staying warm here in Florida, we also believe in informing our readers ahead of time so they can be best prepared. That brings us to this post about home heating systems. There are several winter heating systems that can keep your home warm during the winter. However, safety is the most important thing that you have to keep in mind. You need to do the following in order to ensure that you safely heat your home.

Space Heater

People love space heaters because they are efficient and do not take up a lot of space. You will instantly feel the heat when you turn it on. However, there are a number of hazards that are associated with using a space heater.

You need to put your space heater in the right place. The space heater needs to be three feet away from everything else. It can burn up anything that is close to it. Keep in mind that some space heaters have temperatures that can exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

You should not put a space heater on carpet. You should also avoid putting it somewhere that has heavy traffic. A space heater can easily start a fire if it is knocked over.

Open Ovens

Ovens are great for baking good food. Many people also use their ovens to warm their home. However, it is a bad idea for you to keep your oven if you plan on leaving the house. An oven cannot efficiently heat your entire home. It can only heat the surrounding area.

If you have children or pets, then leaving an oven open can cause them to get injured. Additionally, there is a possibility that your oven can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. That is why it is important for you to maintain your oven.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

According to the CDC, 50,000 people die each year due to carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide poisoning is most likely to occur during the winter because of carbon monoxide poisoning. You can greatly reduce your chances of suffering carbon monoxide poisoning by getting your heating system maintained.

Not only can a professional maintain your heating system, but they can also tell the temperature that is best for you to set the thermostat on. Furthermore, a professional can clear the vents. This will allow your heating system to work efficiently and safely.

Fireplace Fires

A fireplace is one of the best things that you can do to keep your home warm. It also makes your home feel cozy. However, fireplaces are a major fire hazard. You have to make sure that your fireplace does not have any residual coals or ashes.

You should clean out your fireplace every time that you use it. Put the ashes and coal in a container that is at least 10 feet away from your home. Before you use your fireplace, you should put up a screen. This will prevent the ashes from coming out of the fireplace.

You should also clean and maintain your chimney. A chimney sweep can greatly reduce the chances of a fire.

Candles

Candles are something that many people use all year long. People like using them during the winter because they create an ambiance. Fires are not the only hazards that are associated with using candles. If your candles are made out of toxic products, then you can inhale those chemicals.

It is best for you to use beeswax candles. These are natural and clean candles. They can also help clean the air by neutralizing the negative ions.

You can minimize the chances of a candle fire by keeping them away from blankets, paper and bedding. You should also avoid putting them in a place where they can easily be knocked over. Furthermore, it is important to change the HVAC filter on a regular basis. Burning candles frequently can clog up your filter.

Water Damage Categories in Your Orlando Office

5/20/2022 (Permalink)

Blackwater describes sewage water, rising floodwater, seawater, and river and groundwater.

Water-Damage in Office Spaces

Water damage refers to the possibility of harming surfaces that are continually in touch with water. Clean water, greywater, and black water are the three types of water damage. Water damage is a significant threat that affects both homes and businesses, although it is a prevalent problem. To address this issue, company owners have formed repair firms that will assist you in cleaning up the mess before it becomes irreparable. This article seeks to provide information about water damage in office spaces, outlining probable causes and damages that occur and preventative suggestions and procedures to take in the case of a water-damage scenario.

When we talk about water damage in office spaces, it might seem impossible as these are spaces where people don’t typically encounter a lot of water use. However, this damage may occur in many ways, such as rain and flooding seeping into your office through leaks or cracks in the plumbing fixtures, pipes, foundation, and other malfunctioning appliances. Water damage in Orlando is common because most materials used in construction homes and commercial houses are absorbent.

When materials such as wood, insulation, floors, and drywall absorb water, it spreads through them, causing damage. In addition, the absorption of water by these materials causes them to swell, warp and discolor the materials causing weaknesses to the point that the absorption threatens the structural integrity of the building.

Once you have understood how water damage occurs in office spaces, the question that arises is what are the damages to expect? By understanding the three types of water damage, you can quickly identify the kind affecting your office space.

Clean Water Damage

In this category, professionals consider it the least severe of the three. Clean water damage includes damages such as broken pipes and water supply lines, overflowed sinks and bathtubs, and other water appliance issues. This type may be considered less severe since it is sewage and toxin-free, but it might start a more serious hazard.

Greywater Damage

The second water damage category involves water from appliances such as toilets, dishwashers, laundry machines, and sump pump backups. Consumption or any other form of contact with greywater may or may not cause harm to a human being. However, it is crucial to get rid of all affected items, and if any of them is reusable, they should be disinfected thoroughly.

Blackwater Damage

Blackwater damage is extreme and requires swift action to avoid potential health effects. Blackwater describes sewage water, rising floodwater, seawater, and river and groundwater. When this damage occurs, a series of water damage management must be observed, from removing the affected items to disinfecting the office area.