A Fire Can Be Devastating to Your Home or Business

9/1/2024 (Permalink)

Team RIDNER can manage the aftermath and restore your business or home!

A small fire can be just as devastating for your home or business as a large fire.  Small grease fire in the kitchen can create smoke and soot that spreads throughout the house causing it stick to everything in its way. The actual fire damage can be overwhelming and scary, but your home or business and all your possessions can typically be replaced or cleaned. 

 Once the smoke has cleared and fire is out, what is the next step?

• Ensure that it's safe to enter the property. The fire department could have left behind standing water or broken glass on the floors from extinguishing the fire. 
• To prevent soot particles from causing further damage to upholstery and carpets, you need to limit movement within your property. Believe it or not, walking on the carpets and sitting on the furniture can make the cleaning process more difficult. 
• If electricity is shut off, it’s important to empty your freezer and refrigerator and leave the doors open. Leaving food in place can ruin the appliance. 

We are certified in fire, soot and smoke restoration and can assess the damage and stop any further damage from occurring. For instance, soot and smoke not only leave a strong odor behind but can also cause corrosion and etching that will need to be stopped before it becomes a bigger problem. 

Things to AVOID after a fire. 

• FIRST, you will need to obtain permission from the Fire Department to enter your home or business after the fire. Some fires can cause structural damage and make it unsafe to enter.
• You could cause more damage to walls, surfaces, fabrics, carpets, or furniture by attempting to clean them yourself. It requires specialized cleaning products, tools, and processes to clean affected materials by our team of certified professionals.
• Do not turn on any electronics that have been exposed to fire or smoke. Further damage can occur to affected electronic or worse could cause electrocution.  To help decrease stress, part of our service is to examine your electronics and determine whether they can be professionally cleaned and restored. 

The Aftermath: Who to Call?

For a comprehensive fire damage cleanup and restoration, we recommend reaching out to us, TEAM RIDNER, at 931-723-8088. Our team of professionals are equipped to handle all aspects of fire recovery, ensuring a thorough and efficient return to normalcy. We make it "Like it never even happened."

Do's and Don'ts of Fire Damage

7/28/2023 (Permalink)

Ever wonder what you can do after a fire happens? While looking at the aftermath can be daunting, we have some tips on what you can do to get started after a fire happens, while waiting on your SERVPRO professionals to show up.

First, lets start with the do's. You should limit movement around carpeted and upholstered areas to prevent soot from being embedded. If the electricity is turned off, you can empty the fridge or freezer and leave the doors open to prevent odors from setting in. Wiping down any chrome on appliances, or trim with clean hands. If it is during the winter and the heat is shut off, use RV antifreeze in any water holding areas (i.e. sinks, toilets, holding tanks, tubs) to prevent freezing pipes to avoid a water emergency as well.

Now, moving on to the don'ts. Do not attempt to clean soot from walls, painted surfaces, carpets, upholstered furniture, or electrical appliances without contacting a SERVPRO professional. Do not consume any food or beverages that may have been close to the fire, heat, or water as they may be contaminated. Do not turn on any ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet, as the wiring may be wet and cause secondary damage. Do not clean garments on your own, improper cleaning can cause the smoke odor to set in.

While these tips may help you begin your clean up journey after a fire, always reach out to your local SERVPRO professionals for your fire damage restoration needs. No job is too big or too small.