Be Aware of Your Fire Pits!

9/14/2022 (Permalink)

Though we’re still feeling the summer heat and fall seems to be far away, we’ll start to experience colder temperatures as we approach October. Fall is prime time for s’mores, apple cider, time spent outdoors, and of course, fire pits. According to the National Fire Protection Association, fire pits and campfires can facilitate accidents that may lead to injury if safety guidelines are not followed. Keep reading to learn ways in which you can safely use a fire pit and prevent fire damage to your property this fall.

Fire Safety at the Fire Pit

Two different types of fire pits can be purchased for properties: in-ground and above-ground. Both types must be kept at a safe distance away from your home, in addition to any combustible objects on your property, like sheds, trees, bushes, and other types of brush. Your fire pit should also be built from a non-combustible material, heavy metal, brick, or stone, in order to reduce fire risks. To prevent a fire emergency, a responsible adult should supervise the fire pit at all times whenever a fire is actively burning in the fire pit. 

Make Safety a Priority

Be informed about your fire pit’s fuel safety protocols in order to protect your property. If you have a wood-burning fire pit, be sure that you use dry, clean wood. If your fire pit is not wood-burning, it is crucial that you follow the safety guidelines of your fuel type. These safety precautions may seem obvious, but a small oversight can have a significant impact on the safety of your property. Taking fire safety precautions such as those listed in this blog can decrease the risk of fire damage to your property, but accidents happen. For this reason, it is beneficial to always have a fire extinguishing device at the ready when using your fire pit. A fire extinguisher is a helpful tool, but a garden hose or bucket of water sitting nearby are also sufficient tools that can quickly douse a fire in an emergency.

Have a Fire? Call SERVPRO 

Emphasizing fire safety is of the utmost importance, but if disaster strikes unexpectedly, SERVPRO Team Wall has your back. Available to you 24/7 with our 24-Hour Emergency Services, our professional team of experienced fire damage restoration technicians will work diligently to restore your property to its preloss condition. make it “Like it never even happened” after fire emergencies large and small. To learn more about our fire restoration services, pick up the phone and call us today at 952-314-1994!

SERVPRO of Chaska Chanhassen: Count on Us for Fire Damage Restoration

5/18/2022 (Permalink)

As a water and fire restoration company, our number one priority at SERVPRO of Chaska Chanhassen is returning water and fire damaged areas back to preloss condition. Every single day we strive to make it "Like it never even happened."

How do we handle Fire Damage Restoration?

Structural Cleaning: After smoke damage or fire damage occurs, ceilings, woodwork, walls, carpets, and flooring will often need to be thoroughly cleaned. Our professionals at SERVPRO of Chaska Chanhassen will begin to clean from the source of the damage and move outwards. They will scrub every last inch until it is cleaned! By determining the extent of the damage first, our team can determine the most cost efficient and time efficient method for your individual circumstance. Our team are highly-trained individuals who will clean any damage and prepare it for painting. By ensure that locations such as walls are deodorized and properly cleaned, the new layer of paint will adhere properly to the surface and you will never be able to tell that there was smoke damage or fire damage!

Contents Cleaning: Another one of our top concerns here at SERVPRO of Chaska Chanhassen is to repair versus replace. Our technicians will sift through the damaged contents and determine if it is salvageable or not. If the contents are repairable, not only will the affected areas be cleaned but items such as rugs, furniture, draperies, and upholstery will be cleaned and deodorized, too! We are vigilant when it comes down to wiping all content materials of soot as we know that soot residue can be hard to see or extremely overwhelming. We will use our documentation process to inventory all "to be claimed" items if requested so that handling insurance is less of a nightmare.

Deodorization: You can count on SERVPRO of Chaska Chanhassen to use the best quality specialized services that will rid your home or place of business of offensive odors that are often left by smoke damage or fire damage. Every technician is trained to use top of the line deodorization equipment and environmentally friendly chemicals to remove the source of odor. 

We're a one stop shop!

If significant fire damage has erupted in your home, you can call us for the remediation and for all of your reconstruction needs! Our Construction Division has exploded this year and we have built out a team of intelligent, capable individuals to handle all of your needs.

When disaster strikes, don't hesitate to give the professionals a call! SERVPRO of Chaska Chanhassen is available 24/7 at 952-999-2435

Proper Ingredients for Fire Safety

5/2/2022 (Permalink)

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) research, cooking is the leading cause of home fires. Two of every five home fires begin in the kitchen-more than any other place in the home. Cooking fires are also the leading cause of home fire-related injuries. Most of these fires start because people aren't paying attention. While a few minutes may not seem like much time to be away from what's cooking, that is all it takes to start a fire. 

Leaving cooking unattended and other unsafe kitchen practices are a recipe for disaster. Review the cooking safety tips provided below to learn how to help prevent kitchen fires before they start.

- Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. 

- When you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, stay in the home, and use a timer to remind you. 

- Keep cooking areas clean and clear of combustibles such as towels, drapes, and pot holders. 

- Keep children away from cooking areas by enforcing a "kid free zone" of three feet around the stove. 

- If an oven fire starts, turn off the heat and keep the door closed. If the fire does not go out, get out of the home and call the fire department. 

- If you have a fire in your microwave, turn it off and keep the door closed. Don't open the door until the fire is completely out. If in doubt, get out of the home and call the fire department. 

- Always keep an oven mitt and a lid nearby. If a small grease fire starts in a pan, smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan (wearing the oven mitt). Do not move the pan. To keep the fire from restarting, do not remove the lid until it is completely cool. NEVER pour water on a grease fire. 

There is no substitute for training and experience. Here at SERVPRO of Chaska Chanhassen, we are built on a foundation of fire damage restoration expertise. If your property suffers from fire damage, smoke damage, or anything in between, give us a call at 952-999-2435! We're here to service Chaska, Waconia, Carver, Cologne, Chanhassen, Victoria, Norwood Young America, and the whole greater Twin Cities.

Fire Safety Tips for Warmer Months

3/15/2022 (Permalink)

Warm weather is on the horizon! It's time to switch from sweaters to shorts, deep fryers to grills, and indoor parties to backyard barbecues. Just because we're less inclined to switch on the heat does not mean that we shouldn't be vigilant when it comes to protecting ourselves and our property from fire hazards. See below for high-risk areas for fire damage and how to maintain them.

Spring Fire Safety Tips

Fire cannot be avoided when you're preparing a perfectly cooked steak or patty on the grill. From the get-go, you've got inherent risks. Before starting a grill, be sure to check all potential problematic points including the propane tank, the hose, and all connecting points. You can do this while your meat is marinating or while you're trimming your chicken!

We understand that every house has a pyro-happy Boy/Girl Scout around. When starting a charcoal grill, charcoal should only be soaked with charcoal starter fluid. Avoid using lighter fluid as that can create a burst of heat and flames can get out of control quickly!

Every Dad loves a shiny, clean grill. Nearly 20% of all grill structure fires occur due to failing to clean the grill before and after use. Give your grill a nice scrape down while it's hot so it's ready to go for next time!

There's nothing worse than dropping your smore into a fire, right? Wrong! There's nothing worse than falling into a fire yourself! Never leave young children unattended near a fire pit. 

Safety first, safety first, safety first! Fill a bucket with water and set it next to your put before your even build a fire. Avoid throwing leaves, pine cones, pine needs, and paper into a fire pit as they catch fire quickly and can result in dangerous floating embers.

When things go awry, we're your guy!

In any emergency situation, always call 9-1-1 before calling SERVPRO of Chaska / Chanhassen. Once a fire has been properly handled by the fire department, give us a call at 952-999-2435! We're always "Here to Help!"

Maintaining Your Smoke Alarm

2/4/2022 (Permalink)

To avoid a total fire damage disaster, properly maintain your smoke alarms so that you're notified of any suspicious situations immediately!

Experiencing a fire on your property can be one of the most stressful situations you can have as a property owner. Smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries. Not only can fire damage restoration be expensive, but the process can take much longer than drying out a flooded room.

Smoke and Fire Alarms

In more than half of the homes that reported fires to U.S fire departments, the fire alarm sounded to alert the residents of the property. The death rate per 1,000 reported home fires was more than twice as high in homes that did not have working smoke alarms (NFPA).

Here's what you need to know!

Smoke alarms should be interconnected. when one sounds in the basement, all other alarms around the house should alert you of potential smoke damage.

Test your smoke alarms at least once a month. As you're sweeping the floors, vacuuming, or moving around the house doing chores, take a second to press the test button to be sure the alarm is working. 

Replace all smoke alarms in your home every 10 years. With the advancement of time, smoke alarms will be more technologically advanced to respond to a multitude of fire conditions, in addition to mitigating false alarms.

What do you do when you experience fire damage?

Call us, of course! We are one of the top fire damage restoration companies near you. We are available 24/7 and have crews ready round the clock to respond to any emergency that you might have. We've got the committed people and the  most advanced tools to make restoring your home as painless as possible.

We Handle All Cases of Fire Damage!

12/9/2021 (Permalink)

We specialize in the tough jobs and never lose site that a person's home is their most prized asset.

Fires are one of the most destructive events that can happen in anyone's life. Whether a fire damage event occurs in a residential home or commercial building, we are the fire damage restoration experts that have the power to change your life!

Not All Fire Damage is Created Equal

Nuances in technique, equipment, and technology can make a drastic difference in cost and results. Read the following techniques that we use to get results in the best timeframe, in the most cost efficient manner, and to help more people who have experienced the devastating destruction of fire.

Matterport Scanning

We take pride in using the most technically advanced and up-to-date equipment as possible. The Matterport camera allows us to take high-quality 3D images in a virtual reality platform, allowing us to examine the site without ever having to step foot in the actual building. By creating a doll house view of the property, documentation reaches a higher level for all materially interested parties. Not only can this aid in the speed at which the scope for restoration and fire repair occurs, but it can be used to create a plan for returning the job side to pre-fire condition. 

Choosing Deodorizing Tools and Products Sensibly

We take full advantage of having a full network of franchises to discuss the efficiency of tools and products to use when it comes to repairing fire damage or deodorizing the affected areas. We have access to suppliers that have products ranging from odor absorbent crystals, smoke odor counteractant and deodorants, degreasing cleaners, woodcraft cleaners, and many more options.

Caring for Contents

If your personal belongings have been affected by fire or smoke damage, we have the capabilities and mindset to restore rather than replace your precious items. Our technicians are cert-ified through the IICRC and are experienced in removing smoke damage that can cause long-lasting health hazards for the occupants. We use activated carbon or charcoal filters for maximum results when addressing odors, making the site easier and healthier to work in.

Here at SERVPRO of Chaska/Chanhassen, we're always "Here to Help!"

When fire damage ravages your property, give us a call at 952-999-2435. Our certified team and fast disaster response will save you precious time and money.

Fire Evacuation Plan - Don't Forget the Pets!

11/22/2021 (Permalink)

Pictured is a ceiling damaged by a raging fire. All 3 levels were affected after a fire broke out while a family was cooking.

Although not everyone may entirely agree... pets are family too! It is crucial for families to create a fire evacuation plan that they can quickly put into action in the event that there is an emergency. When you ensure that all members of your family understand what to do if a fire breaks out in your home, it decreases the need to take unnecessary risks and is a helpful tool to use in case of panic. Even if you do have to consider fire damage restoration in the aftermath, you will find excellent consolation knowing that you have created a plan to follow. In case of a fire emergency, the tips below will help you include every family member - even the ones with paws, wings, or scales!

Planning with Pets

Prepare an Emergency Food Kit

When a fire sparks in your home, you won't have time to think about how many cans of wet food to grab or be able to count out a sufficient amount of daily cups for your pet. By compiling these items beforehand, you will be able to grab and go, saving you precious time in a dangerous situation. Don't forget to pack water, bowls, doggy bags, potential litter. A spare collar with your animal's information wouldn't be a bad idea either!

Create a Form of Shelter

By putting your pet's emergency kit into a crate or some form of travel shelter, you won't have to think about grabbing multiple bags and forgetting the necessities. Even something as simple as a blanket will help keep your pet comfortable in a stressful situation like a fire.

Medication

Fire damage can sometimes make it impossible to return to your property until it is safe, which may take longer than you think. If you are unable to return to your home, you won't be able to access your pet's vital medication. A simple plastic bag will do the trick - just toss it in with your food and other essential materials.

Many people become extremely overwhelmed during and after a fire damage event. We know that coping with the aftermath can be confusing, scary, and just plain difficult. That's why we're always here to help whether you are in downtown Minneapolis, Chaska, Chanhassen, or anywhere in the greater Twin Cities area. Our team can assist you in every step of the way. 

Shakopee Career Expo - On Fire!

11/19/2021 (Permalink)

Getting Involved

Shakopee High School, through the Academies of Shakopee, hosted the 2021 Career Expo this November! The Career Expo is a free annual event for high school students and community partners alike, serving as an opportunity for students to learn about occupations and businesses, and partners to provide information on their industries and companies. The Expo also serves as an opportunity for employers/partners and students to discuss future internship and career/job openings.

Aimee and Tierney had an awesome time being a part of the Shakopee High School Career Expo. with a focus on fire damage, these two were able to share finer details about the processes of our company with prospective employees. Although most students are currently too young to be hired, it gives them a golden opportunity in the future.

Aimee and Tierney were asked questions ranging from simple processes to detailed methods of fire damage restoration. Some examples include:

• How long does fire damage restoration take?
• Is fire damage cleanup a dangerous process?
• How many people does it take to clean up after fire damage?
• What products do you use to clean soot damage?
• What is the most difficult part about smoke damage cleanup?

We promise you - that list barely scratches the surface!

Overall, the opportunity to engage students and inform them about how our company works was a blast! We're very fortunate to be able to educate anyone at any age about the restoration industry.

Do you have more questions about our company? Give us a call today!

Fire Damage Hazards in the Cold Months

11/17/2021 (Permalink)

As fire and water restoration specialists, we have the training, experience and specialized equipment necessary to restore your home or business!

Believe it or not, fire damage occurs more often during the winter months. Many homeowners will light their chimneys, cook out, and crank up the thermostat when the temperature drops. In the event of fire damage, timely mitigation is the best way to reduce your fire damage costs. We know that restoration is virtually a requirement after fire damage occurs, but how about measures to prevent fire damage? Look no further!

Main Fire Hazards

Holiday Lights - for those of us who put up holiday lights right after Halloween (Thanksgiving, who?), your home's holiday lights might become hazardous. While hanging up your lights, be sure to double-check any wires or bulbs that might become hazardous. 

Electronics - technology is always advancing and you might receive a fancy new piece of electronics for the holidays. Untested electronics are a major fire hazard and every single year people light up their living rooms with more than their Christmas tree. 

The Holiday Tree - Speaking of trees.... many people begin their holiday season with a bushy, green, pine-smelling bunch of branches. However, as time goes on, these supple branches die and can become a nasty problem (and we're not talking about the cleanup). Be sure your tree is properly watered, at least a couple feet away from an outlet, and for Pete's sake don't put any candles nearby!

Holiday's never stop our fire restoration services!

Here at SERVPRO of Chaska/Chanhassen, even if it is the holiday season, we are still faster to any sized disaster! The fire department will have to put our your fire, but we will zip in immediately after it is safe to handle deeper restorations. As your local water damage and fire damage company, we can handle it all! From start to finish (yes that means reconstruction services, too!), we're here to help. Call 952-999-2435 today with any questions about our services.

Quick Fire Damage Information

11/16/2021 (Permalink)

The fire triangle illustrates the three elements a fire needs to ignite: heat, fuel, and an oxidizing agent.

A Little Lesson About Fire

When the leaves begin to fall and snowflakes begin to flurry around, people begin to dread the cold weather. "Time to crank up the heat!" As much as we adore our HVAC heating systems and indoor fireplaces, it is important to be cognizant of the hazards of fires.

Each year, from 2017 to 2019, there was an estimated average of 106,700 multifamily residential building fires. These fires results in 400 deaths, 3,875 injuries, and over $1.7 billion dollars in property losses. Wow!

It is important to be aware of the obvious concerns like avoiding crowding your furnace or keeping things by an open flame, but it is important to consider other threats. Cooking (around 74%) was the leading cause of multifamily residential building homes. In addition to cooking, cooking areas and kitchens were the primary areas of origin for non-confined multifamily residential building fires. Holiday lights are also on the list! Be aware of how many cords you're plugging into an extension cord.

24/7 Fire Restoration Services

Our certified technicians are on the clock 24 hours a day, seven days a week year round. Even though multifamily residential building fires occur most commonly from 4pm-9pm, you could be in the 3% that occur at 1am. In that case, we are the ones to call! Once the firefighters take care of business, we will follow with the water damage and fire damage mitigation steps.

If your property has been affected by fire damage, call SERVPRO of Chaska/Chanhassen today at 952-999-2435. We're here to service Chaska, Chanhassen, Waconia, and the greater Twin Cities area in general. We're always "Here to Help!"

Source

Tips to Prepare Your HVAC System for Winter

11/12/2021 (Permalink)

We're back in full swing for school, the leaves are dropping like flies, and your Starbucks Pumpkin flavored beverage is only doing so much to stave off the morning chill. It's that dreaded time of year again: turning your HVAC system from "Cool" to "Heat." Take a quick moment to check the following list to be sure that your furnace is good to go for the upcoming winter and dropping temperatures.

Tips to Prepare Your Furnace for Winter

1. Change your air filters. More than likely, you have air filters behind a vent grill in a wall or ceiling, or potentially a single filter in the HVAC system itself. By cleaning or replacing your filter, you will keep nasty particles out of you HVAC system and the air that you breathe in general will be cleaner.
2. Clean the heat exchanger. By hiring a trained professional, your heat exchanger should be brushed and vacuumed out annually. Why? The technician will check for cracks or damages that could lead to a dangerous carbon monoxide leak. 
3. Inspect your carbon monoxide detectors. Just like your fire detectors, you should be routinely inspecting and replacing your carbon monoxide detectors. These alarms will help protect you from the "silent killer."
4. Remove any items you have stored near your furnace. Especially the flammable ones! It is extremely dangerous to congest your furnace with items, particularly anything that is likely to catch fire. Remove any items that are sitting on top or in front of your air vents, too.
5. Inspect the exhaust flue that is outside. Surprisingly enough, you might have a smart animal that has built a nest in your flue or a tree that has grown just a little too much and is now blocking the way. Clear any obstruction to ensure that your HVAC system can work properly.

If you have any issues with these tips, don't be afraid to contact your local HVAC professional. It'll always be better to prepare than to deal with fire damage later. If fire damage occurs in your home, don't hesitate to call us! We're here to help all day every day!

Curtail Furnace Fires!

10/25/2021 (Permalink)

Know how to complete routine maintenance on your furnace!

The National Fire Protection Association claims that more than one in six home fires originate from heating equipment, which is the second most common cause of a fire behind cooking. Even though a large majority of these pieces of heating equipment are space heaters or fire places, one out of every ten starts with a central heating system.

Follow the tips below to minimize your chances for a furnace fire!

• Have your furnace serviced - Prior to the cold season, hire a professional to inspect your equipment to ensure your furnace is working properly.
• Replace the air filter - You should replace your filter every month or so, depending on the manufacturer's specifications. Furnace filters help prevent air contamination in your home.
• Check and clean air vents and ducts - it's as simple as getting out your vacuum and removing the dust in your vents and ducts. We know this job can suck, so you can always hire a professional!
• Inspect the exhaust vent - Ensure that your exhaust vent is clear from any obstruction such as a rodent's nest, leaves, or snow. 
• Remove items from around the furnace - if there are flammable items near a flame, need we say more? Clear the area of all flammable objects. 

When winterizing your home or preparing for cold season, your furnace should be on the list! All of these maintenance tasks can be complete in just a few hours. If you're not comfortable with any of these processes, call a professional! For professional fire, water, and mold remediation services, give us a jingle at 952-999-2435

Content Cleaning: What is it and how do we do it?

9/7/2021 (Permalink)

Here is an example of a children's toy that was damaged by fire and cleaned up by our certified technicians.

As one of the top SERVPRO franchises in Minnesota, SERVPRO of Chaska/Chanhassen is there to help you when everything has been turned upside down by fire damage. When your property has been ravaged by flames, many important belongings and documents can be severely damaged by flames, soot, and smoke odors. With our expansive cleaning capabilities, we are able to salvage many of your items and restore them to make it look "Like it never even happened." By doing this, we can save you money by restoring your contents instead of having to replace them.

Packing Out the Contents

The first thing to do after you experience fire damage is to assess the entire property for damage. By assessing the damage, we will be able to figure out what our next steps are regarding cleaning your personal belongings. Our certified technicians will determine whether or not the items are salvageable, they will take photos of all of the contents, they will take inventory of items that are restorable, and then we will safely and carefully pack up all of the items to be moved. Once boxed up, the items will be labeled by name and stored in our 18,000 square foot warehouse in climate-controlled vault storage.

The Cleaning

Once the contents have been safely moved to our warehouse, they are brought into our cleaning room where our certified technicians will dictate the best method of cleaning. They will determine the best path of cleaning based on several factors:

• Are they hard or soft contents?
• Do they need to be hand washed or machine washed?
• What sort of chemical can be used that won't damage the material?

Hard contents, such as dishes, vases, and other sturdy objects will be cleaned in machines like  ultrasonic equipment and deodorizers for smoke odor. For objects that cannot handle the harshness of an automated machine, we will hand-clean the item with environmentally-friendly degreaser or odor counteractants.

Moving Back Home

After our technicians mitigate the fire damage and our reconstruction division repairs your property back to normal, our team will pack up your contents and send them to your home. With your fire damaged contents repair back to normal, you can enjoy living life the way it was prior to your properties' fire.

If you find yourself in need of water or fire damage mitigation, content cleaning, or reconstruction services, give us a ring today at 952-999-2435. We service Chaska, Chanhassen, and the greater Twin Cities Area (Minneapolis and St. Paul).

Fire Damage Restoration Process

7/22/2021 (Permalink)

The fire damage restoration process includes the removal of soot residues from various surfaces and materials. Depending on the severity of the fire, the soot that remains can be drastically different from one fire to the next.

Fires that give off smoke produce smoke-filled residues and soot. When smoke is released into the air when various materials are decomposing, the soot is in the form of suspended particles, gases, and aerosols.

The fire damage restoration process is dependent on what types of residue is on the material. Different cleaning and restoration methods will be used for each residue.

1. Cleaning Dry Smoke Residue
2. Cleaning Wet Smoke Residue
3. Protein Residue
4. Fuel Oil Soot Residue

During a fire, soot and smoke particles love to settle on and adhere to any surface they can get their hands on. Our fire damage restoration process is top-notch and means we have the capability to remove and clean these residues. Put confidence in your local professionals that provide you with the best fire restoration services available!

Tackling Fire Odors

6/10/2021 (Permalink)

Ryan examining a fire damaged home in Chaska.

Anyone that ever shares space with a smoker knows how hard it is to get the smell out of your clothes, hair, and skin. Imagine flames in your home and that smoke is making its way through the ventilation system, going from room to room and settling upon your bed sheets, upholstery, curtains, and even your wallpaper. Regardless of the extent of fire damage to your home, it almost seems like the smoke, and its residual smell is an even bigger problem than sweeping ashes and cleaning soot.

In Chaska or Chanhassen (as well as surrounding areas), your smoke and fire damage is ideal for our SERVPRO team to tackle. Our team of experts trains specifically to address all consequences of a home fire, regardless of its size. Once we arrive at your home, we invite you to trust our knowledge and expertise as we attack all aspects of fire damage, including ridding your home of the unpleasant smell of smoke.

The term deodorizing is the all-inclusive name we use for agents capable of neutralizing or eliminating odor molecules. In practice, there are quite a few options to expel smells from your home. Our SERVPRO team considers each option and its benefits before applying it to your home. In some cases, we may bring special equipment such as an ozone generator, ventilators, or pressure sprayers to help us in deodorizing your home. In other instances, such as the use of deodorizing pellets, the application is straightforward and does not require extra equipment or space. When we exhaust our resources, and the smell remains, we may opt to use a sealant in your home, which permanently traps odor molecules, so your senses do not pick up on them.

SERVPRO of Chaska/Chanhassen is available to you around the clock. Our hotline is available 24/7 to meet your needs. Call us at 952-999-2435 as soon as it is safe to enter your home and let us address the smoke and soot remains as quickly as possible. Our careful and knowledgeable approach helps us leave your home, "Like it never even happened."

The Damage Done When Smoke Gets In Your Chaska Home

11/18/2020 (Permalink)

When your Chaska or Chanhassen home suffers fire damage it can be a traumatic event. Many people tend to overlook the fact that smoke can do a great deal of damage all by itself, and its circle of influence often extends far beyond the area impacted by the actual fire. At SERVPRO of Chaska Chanhassen, we know that smoke can ride air currents for miles, leaving damage in its wake. 

The Damage Smoke Does

Smoke can slither in through the smallest cracks in your home's building envelope, bringing with it noxious odors, tiny particles of soot and ash, and acidic tendencies. Once inside, it settles into furnishings, personal possessions, decor, and the materials that make up a home. In many cases, it seeps into small, hidden spaces where it can go undetected, and that's a significant problem. When smoke and the residues that it carries are allowed to linger on a surface, they can cause extensive damage. In some cases, this involves saturating the item with a pungent, smoky odor. Fabrics, carpets, upholstery, clothing, and even wooden flooring or furniture can fall victim to this fate. Other materials fare worse as the smoke acts as an acid, eating away at them. Smoke can etch glass surfaces, tarnish or corrode metal ones, and stain or discolor plastics and finishes. 

Chaska Chanhassen Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Services

At SERVPRO of Chaska Chanhassen we are faster to any size disaster, and we're always ready to deliver an effective response that halts the damage process in its tracks. This limits the damage and keeps your restoration costs lower. Once our highly-skilled technicians are onsite, they'll quickly perform a thorough assessment and offer an effective plan. Give us a call at 952-999-2335 to learn more or if you need our services. 

Fire Damage Restoration Protocol

11/17/2020 (Permalink)

When a homeowner in the Chaska and Chanhassen area suffers a fire damage in their home it can be a traumatic experience. SERVPRO of Chaska/Chanhassen is here to help you get your life back. 

Fire Damage Restoration Protocol

SERVPRO follows a research-based and consistent procedure when investigating a fire scene and planning for mitigation and remediation. 

• Checking for safety hazards and structural integrity. 
• Inspecting firefighting residues and planning for chemical and water removal.
• Removing burned debris and planning for repairs or rebuilding. 
• Inspecting and planning for the restoration of the structural components and fixtures such as floor coverings. 
• Identifying the types of materials burned to match with effective cleaning products and techniques and implementing cleaning procedures. 
• Sorting and considering the pack-out of damaged contents for off-site evaluation and specialized cleaning, drying. disinfecting, and restoring. 
• After cleaning, disinfecting, and deodorizing all structures and fixtures, returning any packed-out items to their appointed places. 

Give SERVPRO of Chaska/Chanhassen a call

Reach out to us at 952-999-2435. We are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. SERVPRO employees are highly-trained in fire damage mitigation and remediation. We are uniquely qualified to address your fire damage restoration needs and are always ready to offer expert assistance after a fire. 

Fire Safety Tips When Managing a Fire

11/17/2020 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of Chaska/Chanhassen we receive many calls in dealing with fire damage cleanup and restoration. Here are some fire safety tips when managing a fire. 

What To Do While Waiting For The SERVPRO Team

• Pack necessary items for each member of the family if temporary evacuation is required. 
• Change filters in your HVAC system and air out the structure if outdoor temperatures are above 60 degrees. 
• Affix cheesecloth over heating and cooling system vents and intakes.
• Wipe laminate surfaces as well as chrome, porcelain, and aluminium fixtures and coat with oil to prevent permanent tarnishing and etching.
• Clean out freezers and referigerators if power is off, and prop doors open. Throw out open food packages, and wait to consume other foods until after consultation with SERVPRO technicians. 
• Gather clothes and linens for laundering or dry cleaning by qualified providers.

Avoid The Following Actions

• Limit touching items as oils from your hands can set stains and spread residues. 
• Do not wash walls or clean carpets and upholstery. Special techniques, products, and equipment possessed by our professionals give the best results. 
• Resist turning on electronics until they are checked. 
• Prevent anyone from turning on ceiling light fixtures if water is present. 

Leave Restoration To The Professionals

SERVPRO of Chaska/Chanhassen is ready for your phone call 24 hours a day. We can be reached at 952-999-2435. Fire residues are highly toxic and we are experts in managing them with proper personal equipment, education, products, and tools. 

Kinds Of Fire Damage Residues

11/17/2020 (Permalink)

If your home has suffered a fire in the Chaska and Chanhassen area there are different kinds of fire damage residues we might be dealing with that has affected your home. 

Kinds Of Fire Damage Residues

• Protein-based residues are the evaporated remnants of kitchen fires, including foods, oils, and grease. Protein soot has strong malodors and adheres tightly to surfaces. 
• Complex residues result from the broad range of natural and synthetic building materials and contents that can burn in a residential fire. Incompletely combusted particles of these items are the solids found in smoke. This type of soot is typically black and sticky, coating many surfaces. 
• Natural fire residues from wildfires or planned burns outside result when trees, shrubs, and other vegetation burns. Soot and odors can penetrate homes near the fires. 
• Heating system malfunctions can create "puff backs" that spread fossil fuel-based residues across your residence. 

Fire Damage Residues are Corrosive

A rapid removal of ash, smoke, and soot is critical because they discolor, warp, tarnish, and etch building materials and household contents. Permanent damage can occur within minutes, as walls, ceilings, and other surfaces become discolored. Kitchen appliances yellow after a few hours of exposure to smoke and soot. Glass etches, and metal tarnishes from exposure in the days after a fire. 

Odors Linger

The tiny bits of incompletely combusted materials that make up soot are odor carriers. If soot remains on surfaces or settled on furnishings, odors persevere. We use a variety of strategies to eliminate fire residue odors, including specialized cleaning and deodorizing products and advanced equipment technologies.

Call SERVPRO of Chaska Chanhassen

We can be reached at 952-999-243. We are ready to answer any questions and provide you great service. 

SERVPRO Fire Restoration Services

11/16/2020 (Permalink)

How SERVPRO Fire Restoration Services Protect Your Belongings

When a fire strikes your Chaska or Chanhassen home, it can turn your entire life upside down. With so many memories lost, it can be hard to look to the future. Careful restoration of just a few of those things you thought you'd lost can be an important anchor. Learn how Chaska and Chanhassen fire restoration services can protect your belongings and give you something of your life back again.

Careful Recovery of Your Belongings

Once the fire is out, your first step is to carefully remove and recover any of your belongings that can be salvaged. Your SERVPRO professionals will make this a primary priority as they survey the damage.

Cleaning and Drying

Next, all of your belongings that can be salvaged will be carefully and thoroughly dried to mitigate water damage from fighting the fire. They will be cleaned to remove soot and dirt and sanitized to protect against other contaminants.

Restoration

Finally, any items that require just a simple cleaning will be cleaned and returned. Items that can be restored will be returned to as close to their pre-fire condition as possible. In this way, your fire restoration specialists will ensure that you get as much of your life back as possible.

SERVPRO Chaska and Chanhassen

If you've suffered fire damage in your Chaska or Chanhassen home, don't wait. Call the locally-owned and -operated expert fire restoration services at SERVPRO for help. We're ready to aid you 24 hours a day, seven days a week to get you back to pre-fire condition, "Like it never even happened." Call 952-403-1050 to get started today.

Renewed Focus on Smoke Alarms

6/10/2020 (Permalink)

Renewed Focus on Smoke Alarms to Prevent Damage

Smoke Alarms Save Lives

There's no question smoke alarms continue to save lives even as they often go unnoticed in a business or home. Making sure to renew your batteries and/or properly install your smoke alarm reduces the likelihood of fire damage. In fact, the National Fire Protection Association encourages owners to install smoke alarms in individual bedrooms as well as hallways and main rooms throughout your business or home. Local businesses should also consult their Fire Marshall for fire codes in their area and specific placement and numbers of fire detectors. 

Along with a renewed focus on smoke alarms, having a fire escape plan is essential for protecting people, family and clients in any smoke emergency situation. 

Safety Tips for Smoke Alarms

• Make sure you have a dedicated smoke alarm for every floor of your home or business. This includes substructures and basements. 
• To avoid false alarms, make sure to install your smoke detectors away from your kitchen cooking area (start about 10 feet from stove). 
• Make sure to test your smoke alarms monthly by pressing the test button. This guarantees the batteries are powered and the unit is functioning properly 
• If you test the alarm and it is weak or not responsive, make sure to switch out your batteries, and generally speaking, replace batteries once-a-year for each individual smoke alarm in your home or business.
• Note: an indication that your smoke detector is running low on batteries is that annoying little "chirp" that echoes throughout the property. If you hear this, replace your batteries.
• Lastly, you may not know it, but replacing your smoke detectors every 10 years is good practice to avoid deterioration and/or malfunction.

With these tips, smoke damage restoration is often unnecessary because early detection by smoke alarms/detectors saves the day!