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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

Archived Fire Damage Blog Posts

Trust SERVPRO for Fire Damage Restoration in Clearwater

3/4/2024 (Permalink)

If you have fire damage in your Clearwater home, call SERVPRO. We'll make it “Like it never even happened.”

Fire Damage Repair in Clearwater is Efficient with Experts 

Fire damage is an issue that many homeowners face. According to house fire statistics from The Zebra, every year, about 358,300 home-based fires occur in the U.S.A. After a fire damages your home, it is vital to turn to experts to restore it. 

The main goal of fire restoration is to return a property to its preloss condition, ensuring it’s structurally sound, safe, and free from hazardous residues. SERVPRO® is ready to perform fire damage repairs in your Clearwater residence. Our restoration process involves the following steps:

  • Inspection
  • Content cleaning and repairs
  • Water damage repairs
  • Handling hazardous materials 
  • Deodorization

Inspection

Our SERVPRO technicians can examine the affected areas in your home to determine the severity of the destruction. We can locate the affected areas using a dry-cleaning sponge so you can see how involved or large the loss is. We may also inspect the affected areas with a thermal camera or moisture meter since there may be wet materials. 

Handling water damage from fire extinguishing efforts

Fire restoration is the comprehensive process of cleaning and repairing properties after smoke, fire, and the subsequent water damage or chemical damage resulting from fire-fighting efforts. SERVPRO can handle water intrusion issues to mitigate secondary problems like structural deterioration and mold infestation. 

Properly handling safety risks and hazardous materials. 

Our professional restoration team can handle safety risks and hazardous materials properly. We can protect your property and its occupants and offer you peace of mind. Our technicians can work diligently to ensure that the restored building complies with every safety regulation. 

Odor removal 

Our SERVPRO restorers can use thermal foggers to vaporize petroleum-based or solvent-based deodorizers to eliminate smoke odors. The foggers generate a fog or smoke consisting of small particles that enable the deodorizer to interact effectively with smell-causing residues. Thermal fogs react chemically with odor-causing residues and eliminate the smells. 

Contact SERVPRO of Largo at (727) 586-0060 to develop a customized fire restoration plan. Here to Help®.

Largo Fire Damage Cleanup: Crucial Areas of the Home

4/5/2023 (Permalink)

Don't deal with fire damage on your own. Contact SERVPRO for remediation services right after the firefighters leave for the best results.

SERVPRO Can Handle Top to Bottom Fire Restoration in Largo Properties

Typically, the most common area of a Largo home likely to need fire damage mitigation is the kitchen. A resident in a house doing the simple act of making a meal on the stove can cause massive amounts of damage by leaving a hot pan with grease in it unattended. Another issue is putting a frozen piece of meat or another frozen item into a hot pan with oil. The result is the same for both scenarios: a fire occurs in the kitchen. Water used on the fire can compound the situation further. When water encounters hot oil, it vaporizes immediately and brings the flames upward with it. This situation allows a small pan on fire to destroy an entire kitchen quickly. Other issues that cause fire damage in Largo properties within a home include: 

  • HVAC malfunctions
  • Lit cigarettes left unattended in bedrooms
  • Overloaded fuses or faulty wiring
  • Candles too close to flammable objects
  • Fires caused by lightning strikes

SERVPRO Uses Professional Cleaners for Fire and Smoke Damage Removal

Unfortunately, there is no single magic secret formula for smoke and fire damage cleanup in Largo. SERVPRO technicians rely on various factors when choosing the right cleaning agent for the job. The techs undergo extensive training to obtain FSRT - Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technicians certification. They use an organized method to drill down to the best approach for cleaning. This process involves:

  • Visual inspection to determine residue type
  • Identifying surfaces and building materials
  • Mixing solutions with solvents as needed

Why is the Smoke Damage Type So Important? 

Determining the residue type on a surface impacts the technicians' cleaning application against the smoke damage. For example, high heat fires leave lightweight soot around the job site area. SERVPRO technicians know the proper way to clean up this issue by using dry cleaning sponges to lift off the soot gently. Adding a liquid solution to this smoke can damage a porous surface by driving the particles deeper into the article instead of removing it. Furthermore, the other common fire damage residue that SERVPRO team members handle is wet smoke. This kind usually needs extra effort because it tends to be greasy and stick to surfaces. The techs choose or mix their own liquid solutions with solvents based on the surface type getting wiped down. Part of selecting a method for cleaning involves the color fastness and durability of the surface to handle the cleaning method used for a successful outcome to the restoration. 

Fabrics, Textiles, and Carpet with Fire Damage

A carpeted home that experiences fire damage is not necessarily looking at removing the carpet. If there is no heat damage, fire restoration services may clean it for reuse by utilizing vacuums with HEPA filtration, steam cleaning with proprietary agents, and odor control methods. Washable fabrics and textiles can undergo restorative cleaning with the Esporta Washing System. The powerful piece of equipment removes soot and odors, saving property owners the cost and stress of replacing them. 

SERVPRO of Largo at (727) 586-0060 offers professional fire damage restoration services to the Largo area. Their fire cleanup team is available 24/7.

Affordable, High-Quality Fire Damage Remediation in Largo

3/2/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO rushes to your fire damaged Largo home and leaves making you feel "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO Helps Largo Residents Overcome Fire Damage

Largo homeowners constantly face the very real threat of a house fire. Such catastrophic events could result from one or more of several different causes. Among these potential catalysts are cooking mishaps, often involving hot oil or grease, carelessness while smoking, children playing with matches or heating appliances, and faulty electrical wiring.

Whatever causes your Largo home’s fire damage, your helpful neighbors at SERVPRO can help. Our house fire clean-up experts have routinely completed all smoke remediation and fire damage restoration stages. After your initial call, we usually arrive at your residence in less than four hours to begin addressing its fire and smoke damage. SERVPRO technicians then:

 Following Established Protocols

  • Thoroughly inspect your home, evaluating its overall level of impact, and determine what needs to be done to return your property to its pre-fire state
  • Tarp damaged or destroyed ceilings and walls, board up compromised doors and windows, erect fencing around your residence, and post warning signs about possible hazards
  • Remove irreparably damaged items/materials and professionally dispose of them
  • Use fire remediation industry-approved techniques to eliminate all types of residues from household surfaces
  • Sanitize HVAC networks with specialized cleaning systems, thereby helping to prevent fire-related particles from spreading around your house, and deodorize interiors with powerful deodorant-filled injection devices and foggers
  • Address any destruction present by repainting fire-damaged surfaces, repairing or rebuilding significantly impacted rooms, and replacing destroyed household contents

Once these actions have been taken, fire-impacted residences often show no signs that a blaze ever occurred. This responsiveness is why SERVPRO has gained a strong reputation as one of the area’s best cleanup and restoration firms.

Know that SERVPRO of Largo can help you remediate your fire damage. So, if you ever need assistance overcoming the effects of a house fire, call us at (727) 586-0060.

Largo Residents' Expectations Following Fire Damage

9/1/2022 (Permalink)

"Like it never even happened" -- SERVPRO's goal following a fire damaging cleanup for a Largo property.

SERVPRO Features Proven Fire Damage Restoration Methods for Restoring a Largo Property Fast

Any damage stemming from a fire can be immense. However, there are levels to the damage that many Largo homeowners are not aware of. There is usually some structural damage, overwhelming soot and smoke odor, damage to your contents, and water damage from first responders extinguishing the flames. SERVPRO is happy to come out, day or night, to get started on your smoke and fire damage restoration needs.

Many homeowners might not realize all the layers involved when it comes to fire damage restoration in Largo. Some types of damage that we often experience when called to house fire clean-up include:

  • Odors – Fire leaves overwhelming odors, especially if there is a mixture of soot, smoke, and mildew growth.
  • Soot – This is a carbon byproduct generated when materials burn. Soot is corrosive by nature, and it wreaks havoc on textured and porous surfaces like textiles, carpeting, wood, grout, and stone.
  • Rust – Speaking of corrosion, you could see issues with metal corrosion after a fire. This can be potentially risky when it comes to damaged electrical items.
  • Mold – Because mold thrives in dark, damp areas, there are plenty of nooks and crannies for it to colonize after a fire. After the moisture throughout the air starts to interact with mold spores, mildew grows and causes damage to any porous surfaces.

Always Hire Professional Fire and Smoke Restoration Technicians (FSRT)

Fire disasters strike at any time, but how you act speaks volumes about the result. SERVPRO will come out and begin assessments so that we can formulate a plan of action for debris clean-up, smoke odor control, drying, and restoration services. We understand that no two fires are alike, so we continuously adapt to reach our goals.

Call (727) 586-0060 if you need a team ready for fire damage restoration. SERVPRO of Largo is available 24 hours a day.

Understanding the Fire Damage to Your Largo Home

5/2/2022 (Permalink)

Don't deal with fire damage on your own. Contact SERVPRO for remediation services right after the fire fighters leave for best results.

SERVPRO Technicians are Fully Certified in Remediating Fire Damage

Fire damage is a devastating event for any homeowner. However, understanding the effects of fire, smoke and heat can help you prepare better for the restoration process. 

After the professionals arrive at your Largo home after a fire damage incidence, they assess the damage due to smoke and the heat. It is essential to understand the difference between the damage caused by the actual burning of the contents and the smoke residue. SERVPRO technicians use different approaches to tackle the damage depending on the source of that damage. 

Damage Caused Due to Combustion 

Combustion is burning or material due to excessive heat. Technically, this ignition is the same as burning. The three components required for burning are fuel (the component that burns), oxygen, and heat. If these three components are in perfect balance, all the fuel is burnt, and no residue remains. Unfortunately, these components are not always in equilibrium during a house fire. In such a situation, the energy burns inefficiently, leaving a ton of residue in the form of charred surface and smoke. SERVPRO professionals use some of the best equipment and techniques to remove this type of damage. 

If the extent of combustion is extensive, there is a lot of structural damage, and the ability to restore a property takes a hit. 

Damage Caused by Smoke 

Smoke is generated by inefficient combustion, a hallmark of a house fire. It contains suspended particles, gasses, and aerosols. Gasses such as oxides of nitrogen and sulfur are also quite common in smoke. 

The particles in the smoke can be as small as 0.1 to 4 microns and can penetrate surfaces easily. Once the smoke particles settle on surfaces, it is often called soot. Once deposited on the exterior areas, the soot causes discoloration and blackening, which is typical of a fire. 

The soot particles often react with the moisture present in the air and generate acidic residues that are incredibly harmful to the surfaces. It often causes discoloration and corrosion of the exterior areas if not promptly removed. 

Seeking professional help as soon as possible is the best option to limit the damage caused by a fire. Call SERVPRO of Largo today at (727) 586-0060 to schedule an appointment.

Stored Items Can Easily Ignite and Leave You with Fire Damage in Your Largo Residence

4/4/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO works hard to restore your home after a fire, "Like it never even happened."

Fast and Efficient Fire Damage Restoration Services

Preparing for a hurricane often creates a rush to place everything in safer locations throughout your Largo home. Fire is not something that many see as a risk during such a time.

Because Largo residents store a medley of items together, fire damage can easily happen and then spread quickly. If your home is unattended when a fire ignites within your stored belongings, the damage can become extensive. Even wet contents can burn if exposed to high enough heat. The steam produced can then cause other damage within your home and affect undisturbed belongings elsewhere in your residence.

If you are present and able to catch fires in their initial stages, damage levels often remain low. However, hidden problems can still exist, and experienced professionals can help locate these areas, which is why no job is too small for us to mitigate. Every job is important because the damage, including minor smoke and fire damage, only worsens without restoration.

Our technicians hold certifications from the IICRC in Fire and Smoke Restoration (FSRT), preparing them for any fire-related disaster that homeowners might find inside their residence. Vast buildings or tiny apartments can pose safety hazards, both large and small, but our employees easily handle all of these.

Discussing the individual situation with you means no further surprises can create additional stress for you and your family. We examine and assess the damage to your home and then explain the processes needed to restore your home completely. Our goal- to make your home "Like it never even happened," is made easier when we have your assistance. Partnering with you from the start of the restoration process also alleviates your concerns regarding timing and the financial costs involved.

SERVPRO of Largo's skilled and experienced professionals know you want your home restored as quickly as possible and can work with you during the entire process. Call our local number, (727) 586-0060, to contact us. Fire damage may seem insurmountable, but we assure you that we can mitigate and restore your family to return home again.

Why Awareness Eases Fire Damage Restoration in Clearwater Properties

2/8/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO IICRC certified fire damage technicians have all the training needed for the disaster in your home. Call now!

Experienced SERVPRO Teams Offer Unique Industry Insight That Assists Clearwater Homeowners

Properties in Clearwater damaged by fire exhibit different signs. The subtle differences may not mean much to an untrained eye, but once restoration starts, they have a significant impact that interferes with the process.

Understanding what different signs mean is as essential for successful fire damage restoration in a Clearwater property as having the right equipment. One advantage our SERVPRO technicians have is significant experience from dealing with several fire incidents over the years, so we interpret the implications of fire residues better.

Essential things to know about fire damage include:

  • What needs urgent attention
  • What signifies severe underlying problems
  • What damages look severe, but it is not

Quickly putting out a fire is essential to limit damage in specific areas or how far it spreads around a structure. However, the urgency does not end when the fire is extinguished. Various destructive processes continue afterward. Residues like soot can cause staining or corrosive deterioration. Any moisture leftover from firefighting is also detrimental and thus requires immediate attention.

Most of the problems caused by fires are readily discernible. For example, you can easily tell whether a material is charred or scorched through a simple physical examination. However, some problems may seem subtle, yet they are severe. Our SERVPRO technicians are wary of residues since it is impossible to clean wet smoke residues from most surfaces. Establishing the char depth is also necessary since depths exceeding 15% lead to loss of structural integrity.

Since a significant percentage of the restoration work done after a fire involves cleaning soiled areas, better knowledge about soiling is necessary.

Understanding these aspects helps streamline cleaning:

  • What different residue patterns mean
  • The residue types deposited by fires
  • The different sizes of smoke residues

Residue patterns such as heat lines indicate the fire was scorching and thus left deeply embedded, which can be difficult to clean. Smoke has different-sized molecules, the smallest ranging from 0.1 to 4 microns penetrating deep into materials and leaving stubborn odors.

SERVPRO of Largo has all the necessary knowledge gained from years of experience doing fire damage restoration. Call us at (727) 586-0060. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

How Effective Is Fire Damage Restoration for Largo Properties?

2/4/2022 (Permalink)

Fires may cause significant damage. SERVPRO fire damage restoration specialists will have your home back to preloss condition ASAP.

SERVPRO Tailors Fire Damage Restoration to Match the Conditions at Your Largo Property

Since fire causes significant damages within a room or an entire property, you need a sound plan to manage the destroyed items. A comprehensive restoration plan helps deal with soiling, charring, residues, odors, and any other problem.

The effectiveness of fire damage restoration in Largo homes depends on available resources. That is why the assistance from SERVPRO is crucial since we have IICRC certified Fire Restoration Technicians whose advanced skills are essential in resolving most of the problems that arise. We also have a wide variety of equipment.

Useful equipment during fire restoration includes:

  • HEPA vacuums to remove fire residues from crevices
  • Thermal foggers to modify deeply embedded odors
  • Blast cleaners to remove deeply embedded soils and char residues
  • Ultrasonic cleaners for submersible cleaning

Restoration is more effective when using procedures that match the soiling levels or type of material. In some cases, wet cleaning may be necessary, and in others, such a method would cause significant deterioration of the material being cleaned. Luckily, our SERVPRO technicians have sufficient experience and thus know the best solutions.

Restoration situations that require special care include:

  • Cleaning sensitive structural materials such as acoustic tiles
  • Cleaning sensitive contents such as artworks or chandeliers
  • Tedious work like removing insulation

Specialized resources ensure our SERVPRO crews handle such sensitive tasks without causing additional damage. For example, a technical cleaning method like Peroxide-Active cleaning effectively safely removes residues from acoustic tiles. On the other hand, ultrasonic cleaners simplify cleaning the tiny blisters on glass contents or chandeliers. For tedious processes like removing insulation, specialized vacuums streamline the process.

SERVPRO of Largo can ensure fire damage restoration is worth every ounce of effort you put in. You can reach us at (727) 586-0060. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Who Can Help with Fire Restoration in Largo?

12/9/2021 (Permalink)

Don't let a fire take away your holiday cheer. Call SERVPRO of Largo.

SERVPRO Can Help Repair Fire Damaged Homes in Largo

Many people like to try different recipes for dinners during the holiday season to mix things up a bit. Turkey is a popular item for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and many choose to fry them using a large deep fryer. Frying a turkey can be a delicious twist to your normal holiday dinner, but the process could result in a disaster. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), deep fryers cause over 1,000 fires each year, resulting in more than $15 million in property damage annually.

When conducting fire restoration in Largo, our SERVPRO technicians find that cooking is a major source of structural blazes. When you are deep frying a turkey, for instance, the hot grease can splash around, possibly causing fuels nearby to ignite. The flames could then spread to your house and catch part of your building on fire. Even if the blaze did not reach the interior of your home, it is still possible that your structure suffered from smoke damage. 

Whenever your building materials get burnt, it is wise to call in a professional restoration company such as SERVPRO. We can administer a thorough inspection of your building and determine what areas got damaged by the fire or smoke. Once we know the extent of your problems, we can then help your restore your home using the following procedures:

  • Fire Debris Removal
  • Smoke Damage Mitigation
  • Soot and Soil Removal
  • Smoke Odor Deodorization
  • Fire Clean Up and Remediation
  • Content Cleaning

If part of your house got burnt during a turkey deep-frying mishap, the first step we can take is to remove any severely charred building materials. 

If you ever have a cooking mishap over the holidays that results in a fire, call SERVPRO of Largo at (727) 586-0060.

How Can I Make Sure My Home is Safe for Myself and Workers During the Fire Restoration Process?

11/12/2021 (Permalink)

Facing a fire can be devastating. Contact SERVPRO right after the fire fighters leave to help you through the remediation process. We are here 24/7.

SERVPRO Takes Safety Precautions Seriously when Cleaning Your Largo Residence.

A fire in your Largo home in Pinellas County can be utterly overwhelming as you decide what course of action to take. Safety is the first concern, and it is vital to remove all imminent dangers from your house. Technicians thoroughly scope the damage while ensuring a safe working environment.

Do I Need to Leave My House During the Cleanup Process?

SERVPRO Creates an Individualized Plan Catered to Your Unique Situation in Largo. We understand that each fire damage restoration project in Largo comes with its own set of issues and that property owners may not want to leave the property during the cleanup and repair process. However, it would be best for you to consider factors such as your electricity and water status. Together, you decide with the SERVPRO project manager or team leader, whether or not your home is inhabitable during the restoration process. 

What Are Some Safety Issues to Consider?

  • Homeowners and restorers must communicate throughout the restoration process to establish procedures, particularly on securing the worksite. 
  • Both homeowners and technicians should keep the area clean and organized to eliminate further safety hazards.
  • Technicians should wear PPE (personal protective equipment) during the restoration process.

What Is Proper PPE Protocol for Fire Restoration?

  • PPE should be clean before each use. 
  • Technicians wear respirators when dealing with organic or chemical vapors and debris. As a homeowner, if you see a technician wearing a respirator, it is safe to say that you either need a respirator or you should steer clear of the area where they are working.
  • When wearing gloves, they should be chemical resistant for skin safety to avoid blisters or irritation. 

For 24/7 assistance completing your home restoration project, contact SERVPRO of Largo at (727) 586-0060. We make it, "Like it never even happened."

Types of Home Fires and Fire Damage in Largo

7/22/2021 (Permalink)

You can depend on our professionals with state of the art equipment to clean up and restore your property so you can return safely after a fire.

SERVPRO Technicians Tackle Fire Damage Methodically After a Fire on Your Property

Although home fires can begin anytime and anywhere in Largo, you should be aware of a few different types of fires. Knowing them can help you to lower or even eliminate the risk of a fire starting in your home. 

The most common kind of fire and fire damage in your Largo home is a grease fire in your kitchen. Grease fires are hazardous since they can get out of hand fast and spread from the stove through the whole kitchen and other rooms of the house. Many grease fires happen when a frying pan is left unattended on the stove. They also occur if a pan is overheated and the grease catches fire. These types of fires can seriously injure you and cause extensive damage to your property. Other kitchen fires can include appliance and oven fires. Fires also begin in your kitchen when electricity contacts water. 

After a kitchen fire, you need the assistance of a professional fire damage remediation company. SERVPRO has trained and experienced technicians who can help you clean up after fire damage and do so in a timely fashion. 

Wiring can Lead to Fire Damage

If your home is older, it may not have the proper wiring to handle the number of electrical appliances many people use today. Old wiring can be frayed or worn, which causes sparks and shorts that can ignite. 

Older breaker boxes are built to shut off electrical current when the circuit is overloaded to prevent fire, but these connections are often broken or worn and do not activate the switch. 

Lighting can also cause electrical fires, which can be started by improper wiring or the use of light bulbs that are higher in wattage than what the appliance recommended. 

Coil space heaters are very hazardous since the coils ignite anything nearby which is combustible. Keep any space heater at least three feet away from anything that can catch fire, including bedding, curtains, furniture, and clothing. 

Our SERVPRO staff can assist you with clean up and repair after fire damage. We also clean up water damage from firefighting efforts and help you speak with an insurance agent. We understand that any fire, large or small, is a stressful event, so we strive to make the process of restoration as simple for you as possible. 

SERVPRO of Largo can come to your home any time that you need us to help you get your home back to normal. Residents of Largo, Clearwater, and Belleair Bluffs can reach us whenever needed by dialing (727) 586-0060. 

Electrical Fire Prevention in Your Largo Home

6/11/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO knows all the steps to take after an electrical fire in your home. Call us today at (727) 586-0060.

SERVPRO Tips to Stop Smoke and Fire from Damaging Your Property

They can begin small, but electrical fires can spread fast, especially if they are inside a socket and can travel through the wall before you realize there is a fire. Since how these fires start is unique, they also require special measures when dealing with them. Prevention is, of course, the first step; however, in case you have one in your home, you should be prepared how to react. As with any fire, if it is growing too quickly or is unsafe, evacuate you and your family and pets right away. 

You should shut down the power source from the electrical panel to help deter more fire damage to your Largo home. The simplest way to do this is to access the main. Be sure you know where your circuit box is and never obscure your path to it. Once the power is cut, spray the fire with a Class C chemical extinguisher. You can also use baking soda. Do not ever use water since it is a conductor and can electrocute you. Do not restore power until a licensed electrician checks your wiring. 

Fire Damage Restoration

SERVPRO, a licensed fire damage remediation company, can then come in to repair any damages and clean up soot and smoke left behind. 

Basic steps can deter electrical shorts and sparks from leading to full-blown blazes. Begin by not overloading circuits, maintaining electronics and appliances with care, and regularly inspecting your wiring. Exposed or frayed wires should be replaced to stop the risk of shorts. Plus, cut the power to your home so you can open and inspect outlets, looking for singles or frayed wiring, which suggests an electrical problem. 

Never leave any space heaters, stoves, or electric blankets on while you are not home, and keep a good eye on portable heating units, placing them three feet or more away from curtains and furniture. Also, put these devices on sturdy, hard surfaces to eliminate the risk of tipping over. Check your fire detectors twice a year and cut power from any appliance that begins to smell strange, smoke, or run erratically. 

Water & Fire Damage Restorations

Our staff at SERVPRO are specially trained to handle damage after an electrical fire. We repair any damages, plus clean up soot and smoke, deodorize the affected area and dry up any water from firefighting efforts if necessary. 

SERVPRO of Largo arrives at your home quickly after receiving your call for help. You can reach us anytime by dialing (727) 586-0060, so do not hesitate to call.

How Can Fire-Damaged Contents Get Cleaned from Largo Homes?

5/12/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO techs are trained and equipped to clean your fire damaged home.

We Have On-Site and Off-Site Restoration Approaches for Damaged Contents from Largo Homes

Content cleaning is a considerable aspect of fire restoration and house fire cleanup. As leading fire and smoke damage cleaning professionals, we can respond quickly to prevent irreparable harm to your valued possessions.

What Can Be Done at Our Nearby SERVPRO Facility for Fire and Smoke Damage?

When on-site cleaning and fire restoration for Largo home’s contents cannot happen, the suitable solution is to utilize the pack-out process to relocate these possessions to our SERVPRO facility nearby. We have advanced cleaning systems and products to overcome substantial damages based on the condition of the items and the best approach to protecting the underlying substrate. We provide solutions for:

  • Deodorization
  • Gentle surface cleaning
  • Abrasive cleaning
  • Ultrasonic tank cleaning
  • Safe storage

Fire restoration requires our SERVPRO of Largo team to manage consistently changing conditions in area homes and working to protect damaged or exposed contents. Our team is ready 24/7 to make it “Like it never even happened,” when you call (727) 586-0060.

What Are Some Causes of Fire Damage in Largo?

4/23/2021 (Permalink)

We have the training, expertise, and state-of-the-art equipment to restore your property to pre-damage condition after a fire. Call us right away.

Fire Damage in Largo Results from One or More of a Few Causes. 

Every day, fire hazards threaten your home and its contents. These hazards come in various forms, from the hardly noticeable and seemingly benign to more obvious threats. Measures should be taken to address these potential fire risks. 

SERVPRO, a Largo fire damage restoration company, has effectively dealt with all kinds of residential fire and smoke damage. In performing their work, our skilled technicians have found that most fire damaged homes suffered that fate because of one or more of the following fire hazards:



  • Careless cooking
  • Dropped cigarettes, candles, or incense
  • Overturned halogen lamps
  • Improperly stored fuels or other flammable liquids
  • Electrical shorts or exposed wiring
  • Appliance malfunctions

As you can see, house fires can result from many different causes. This is why it is important to routinely check your home for potential problems before the unthinkable occurs. It is also crucial to remain forever mindful of fire risks and be careful when cooking or doing anything else that might cause a fire.

So, if you ever need house fire clean up or fire damage restoration services for your Largo home, call SERVPRO of Largo at (727) 586-0060.

Does Fire and Smoke Remediation Depend on the Soot?

2/15/2021 (Permalink)

Fire and soot damage should be handled by the professionals. SERVPRO technicians are IICRC certified and trained for the job.

SERVPRO knows each residue needs a different approach

One of the significant parts of fire and smoke remediation is dealing with the different kinds of smoke residue. The sight of blackened walls and ceilings can be very unsettling, but a professional remediation team like SERVPRO can sort it out and leave your home clean again.

When it comes to fire and smoke remediation in Clearwater, it is vital that the restoration crew understands the different types of soot:

  • Dry soot looks black and powdery
  • Wet soot is much more oily and tends to spread across surfaces if you try to brush it away
  • Protein soot is paler in color (brown or yellow) and often smells noxious.

Our teams know how to assess smoke damage and determine the type of soot to draw up an appropriate cleaning plan. For example, we might use a powerful HEPA vacuum to deal with dry soot to prevent it from spreading into the air. We might tackle soot-damaged basement walls or wooden beams with baking soda blasting.

For a knowledgeable fire and smoke remediation service, call SERVPRO of Largo at (727) 586-0060.

Do You Need Help with Fire Damage Restoration in Largo?

2/2/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is much more than fire restoration services. They will help you throughout the entire process, from start to finish.

SERVPRO helps Largo residents deal with fire’s aftermath

Largo first became famous as a bedroom community – a mostly residential neighborhood that was well-placed for busier towns like Tampa. Largo was first incorporated in 1905. Back then, it was mostly a farming town. The primary sources of income were cattle and hog farming, sawmills, turpentine stills, and, of course, citrus groves. 

After the Great Depression, Largo was left with a lot of debt, and the city’s population dropped by 30%. However, it has enjoyed rapid progress since and even calls itself “The City of Progress.”

Relax around Largo

One of the things residents and tourists love about Largo is that it still has a laid-back oceanside vibe despite its size. If you want to relax and enjoy a slower pace of life, Largo offers plenty of opportunities:

  • George C. McGough Nature Park offers a relaxing oasis that you will not be in a hurry to leave. Stroll through shady oak hammocks, enjoy the mangroves, or visit the butterfly garden. There are lots of interactive activities for children, and the park is home to a large population of turtles.
  • Largo Central Park is an urban park in the heart of the city, but it is so lush and green you will think you are in the countryside! The park features plenty of grasslands, along with water features and picnic areas. There are also several playgrounds for children.
  • Florida Botanical Gardens offers 182 acres of beautifully designed gardens. There are educational activities for children and interpretive nature trails where you can see everything from bald eagles to tortoises. 

If you are looking for something different to do, Largo also offers a wonderful Heritage Museum. Take a step back in time to the early nineteenth century at this fascinating historical village. You can explore everything from authentic greengrocers and a church to homes, schools, and even a railroad. The museum also offers live re-enactments throughout the year.

Enjoy time at the beach.

Largo also offers access to some gorgeous beaches. Some of the most popular include:

  • Clearwater Beach offers miles of white sands, with stunning sunsets in the evening.
  • Indian Rocks Beach is the nearest beach to Largo and offers the same white sands and stunning views as Clearwater, with fewer crowds. It’s also an ideal place for snorkeling.
  • Madeira Beach offers lovely sands and easy access to a wide range of parks, shops, and restaurants.

Do not let fire damage unsettle you – we are here to help.

SERVPRO understands that seeing the results of fire damage is devastating. That is why we designed our fire damage restoration service to be as stress-free and helpful as possible.

Of course, we take care of the core parts of fire damage restoration:

  • Assessing the situation
  • Using monitoring tools to measure water damage from fire-fighting
  • Scrubbing away soot
  • Overseeing structural repairs such as replacing drywall or carpets

However, we take care of other aspects, too. We can send your belongings to specialist facilities for extra cleaning. We can also liaise with your insurance company and provide evidence for your claim. And if you need to move your belongings out, we can take care of that and safely bring them back.

If you need help with fire damage restoration in your home, call SERVPRO of Largo at (727) 586-0060.

What Emergency Services Do You Provide If A Fire Occurs in My Home?

8/6/2020 (Permalink)

Smoke and fire can damage are very stressful for homeowners. SERVPRO can help. We are trained and equipped for complete fire damage remediation.

SERVPRO has Professionally Trained Technicians That Can Provide Emergency Fire Mitigation to Any Largo Home Damaged by fire 

If your residence in Largo should ever need fire restoration services, you want a company that will be there from start to finish. SERVPRO steps in and provides emergency services and then moves on to clean up, repair, and restoration. 

What are Emergency Services? 

When you call SERVPRO because of fire damage to your Largo home, emergency fire mitigation happens first. Emergency services: 

  • Reduce losses to the property
  • Reduce claims expense
  • Minimize the disruption to you
  • Provide a safe work site
  • Prepare the site for cleanup and restoration work 

What Are the Steps Taken During This Process? 

Each home and fire are different, but some necessary steps typically happen in the process. Safety is foremost for anyone going into the structure. So, the first step is to conduct building inspections allowing the crew to check for any safety or health hazards present. Here are some other measures we take in the beginning. 

  • Board up the residence.This protection prevents any unwanted intrusions into your home. It also protects against the weather.
  • Extract water and dry the structure. Water is a necessary part of extinguishing a fire. Excessive water needs extracted, and the structure requires drying out. Our crews set up drying equipment and monitor moisture content.
  • Establish emergency electricity. A temporary power source needs set up immediately.
  • Deodorize areas that are affected. Removing odors is not always done right away. If the smoke odors are overpowering, then deodorizing right away may be required. Air scrubbers or thermal fogging get used.
  • Initial cleaning begins. It can include cleaning personal items needed by occupants wherever they are staying. It prevents secondary damage from soot residues. It can also involve pre-treating items such as carpets and removing charred remains.
  • Pest extermination if needed. If there is a problem with pests, this needs to be dealt with right away. We move contents to the warehouse after ensuring the removal of all pests. 

What Can I Do to Help? 

Your home is not just a building where you and your family eat and sleep. It is a treasure trove of memories and items that mean something to you. Your home is grandma’s dishes, a child’s artwork, and dad’s war memorabilia. Your first impulse is naturally going to be to help. But the things you do can impact the cleaning and restoration if not handled the right way. Improper cleaning can make restoration harder, if not impossible.  

Things to Do That Can Help 

If the structure is sound and you can go inside the home safely, certain things are helpful. You can cover carpeting and furniture with towels or old linens to prevent further fire damage in Largo. We ensure they are colorfast. Limit the amount of movement in the house as this spreads the soot. Be sure your hands are clean at all times. If you have residue on your hands, you can cause more fire damage to anything you touch. Things like faucets and appliances can get cleaned with a light lubricant coating in the kitchen and bathroom areas. Empty the refrigerator and freezer of food. You could change furnace filters if your HVAC system were running. 

What Not to Do 

You may want to do things that look easy, but do not attempt them. For example, do not clean any walls. Do not operate electrical appliances or equipment until they have been cleaned and inspected. If you have clothing that is smoke damaged, do not send it out to the dry cleaners. Unless they have the training to treat clothing that has been in a fire, the process can embed the smells and residues. Please keep in mind carbon monoxide, and smoke residue may still be around, so never enter a severely burnt home until you know it is safe. 

Let Us Manage the Stress of the Mess 

The more you leave in the hands of our fire damage experts, the better. Your job is to keep your family together and calm. Our job is to clean and restore your home and leave it, “Like it never even happened.” SERVPRO’s crew are professionally trained and certified: 

  • Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)
  • Fire and Smoke Restoration Technicians (FSRT
  • Contractor Licenses: General: CBC1250662
  • Contractor Licenses: Mold Remediation: MRSR1163

Contact SERVPRO of Largo at (727) 586-0060 for expert fire damage service. We assist you and your insurance, ensuring everything gets handled properly. You can have peace of mind knowing we are doing everything possible to restore your home. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

I Need to Get Started on Fire Restoration, Where Do I Begin?

7/2/2020 (Permalink)

Largo House Fire Cleanup and Restoration by SERVPRO Can Be Part of a Good Insurance Policy

SERVPRO Has the Techniques and Manpower to Handle Fire Restoration to Bring Your Largo Home Back to Life

While DIY efforts may be at the forefront of your mind after a fire in your Largo home, hiring skilled technicians for the job yields the best results. Professional cleaning and restoration reduce the cost of your overall fire damage claim and also shortens the time that you have to wait to return your life to the way it was before the loss. SERVPRO is available to apply all of our proven methods for cleaning to restore your materials and belongings to preloss condition. Our goal with every job we are called to is to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Is There Anything I Can Do Right After the Fire Has Been Extinguished?

When faced with fire damage in Largo, SERVPRO is available and ready to work seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Our emergency restoration services address the airborne threats and debris throughout your home that would be difficult to tackle using do-it-yourself methods alone. Upon arrival, the crew chief does a walkthrough after first responders deem your home safe for entry. This assessment identifies all levels of damage and any unique challenges that may be present so that we can formulate the best practices for proceeding.

Our crews arrive on the scene with advanced equipment and tools geared toward helping to remove stubborn soot and smoke residue. With any fire loss, prompt mitigation helps lessen the severity of damage while reducing the onset of hazardous, long-lasting effects.

Why Should I Enlist the Help of SERVPRO for Fire Restoration?

We have IICRC-certified technicians trained to look for all areas where soot and smoke residue might have traveled, including tight cracks and crevices. Any damaged debris or materials get entirely removed so that we can tackle the rest of the restoration and replacement. We devise a plan that is structured so that we can use our resources in a fast and effective manner, including:

  • If necessary, pack-out services facilitate the removal of personal belongings to our facility so that they can be cleaned in detail.
  • We remove soot from all surfaces to eliminate the onset of corrosion.
  • Technicians get assigned to clean walls, ceilings, and other surfaces
  • All structural elements go through a detailed inspection to ensure safety.
  • Insulation that has taken on a great deal of smoke damage can be replaced with brand-new materials.

Can I Start Cleaning Up Before Your Team Arrives?

It is essential to wait until the first responders declare your interior safe for entry once the flames are extinguished. However, it is recommended that you wait until our crew arrives to address any charred debris or soot within the affected areas. Professional intervention is best after a fire for several reasons:

  • Toxicity is a concern throughout the debris and residue that fire leaves behind. SERVPRO arrives and uses personal protective equipment (PPE) to manage your fire damage project safely.
  • Moisture throughout the affected area must also be addressed. Any water or chemicals left behind after extinguishing the flames have to be cleaned up, and the area dried thoroughly. We use extraction techniques and professional-grade equipment to help speed the process.
  • Our crew chief takes the time to assess portions of your structure to determine stability carefully – this includes the ceilings, walls, and floors.
  • The cleaning methods and products that we use depend on all the materials impacted and how they burned. We take into consideration the chemical composition and nature of all impacted materials and adjust our cleaning methods accordingly.
  • To ensure that your interior is not riddled with lingering odors from the fire, we have a broad range of EPA-cleaning agents and powerful disinfectants that clean and deodorize your home.

We use a variety of cleaning techniques to restore your belongings to preloss condition, including:

  • Agitation: this involves moving surfaces, cleaning solutions, or both, during the cleaning process. Agitation helps to dislodge soils so that they can easily be washed away. Some of these methods include scrubbing, rotating brushes, water or air pressure, wiping, and sandblasting.
  • Chemical Action: this involves cleaning solutions that make the process of cleaning easier. We use the idea that ‘like dissolves like’ – meaning water-based solutions work best on water-based soils, where oil-based cleaning solutions work best on oil-based soils.
  • Suspension and Dispersion: this is where loosening soils comes in handy as the most common cleaning action. This gets followed by suspending these soils and dispersing them in a cleaning solution. We then extract soils with the cleaning solution.

We have the tried-and-true fire damage techniques that you need after dealing with fire loss in your home. Call SERVPRO of Largo whenever you need us at (727) 586-0060, and we send out a crew as soon as possible to get to work.

Do I Know if I Have to Move Out After I Suffer from a Fire?

6/9/2020 (Permalink)

House fires are stressful. Let SERVPRO take the pressure off and restore your home.

If You Ever Have Fire Damage in Your Largo Home SERVPRO Can Help Determine if Your House is Livable or Not

Our SERVPRO technicians can take several steps during the initial inspection process to determine if you can stay in your dwelling during the restoration process. It all boils down to whether your building's structure is sound or not and if you can still have your necessities available to you after the blaze occurs.

What factors can force me to move out of my home during the restoration process?

During any fire damage restoration in Largo, our SERVPRO team looks at several occurrences, including the following:

  • Safety Hazards: During some situations, there can be hazards that can make your home unlivable. When the blaze severely burns sections of your structure, then you may have to leave your house during the restoration process.
  • Structural Integrity Issues: Some fires can cause your wooden studs or ceiling trusses to get burnt. If the charring is deep enough, your structural components could become weak and deem your building not safe for occupants.
  • Lack of Access to Utilities: Suffering from a house fire can cause necessary utilities to become unavailable. For example, burnt materials could cause electrical shorts, a loss of water, or natural gas resources. If you are unable to keep up your usual living situation after items burn inside your house, you will most likely have to move out during the remediation procedures.

If I move out of my home during the restoration process, do you have to remove my contents?

During more severe fire restoration procedures, it is more efficient to restore your structural components and personal items separately. It is much easier to clean contents in an unaffected area, just like it works better to restore a structure free of the moveable items in your house.

If you ever happen to have even a small fire torch items inside your house in Belleair Bluffs or Indian Rocks Beach, call SERVPRO of Largo at (727) 586-0060.

More about Largo.

What is the Best way to Deal with Heavy Soot Damage in my Home?

4/22/2020 (Permalink)

Your Fire Damage needs SERVPRO’s Tools and Reliability.

SERVPRO has the Tools and Equipment along with Experienced Teams to Help you. 

Every fire is different, causing a variety of conditions that homeowners must manage. Some fires produce a great deal of smoke and smoke residue or soot. While others burn hot and do a lot of actual fire damage. In many cases, the smoke residue is distributed throughout the house into every room. Soot may be covering all of the furniture, knick-knacks, walls, and clothing. It can seem very overwhelming to many homeowners.

SERVPRO has been providing fire damage restoration in Largo and surrounding areas for over 35 years. We are a family-run franchise and support the local community in a variety of ways. Damage to residential homes is always unexpected, and that's why our team is available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. We respond to your call immediately and are usually onsite in less than 4 hours.

Removing Soot from Your Home

A fire that does not receive enough oxygen can produce a great deal of soot. Forced air heating systems, along with natural air currents within the home can spread the soot throughout the home. Fortunately, there may not be a great deal of actual damage from the fire. However, everything in the home must be cleaned and deodorized.

SERVPRO technicians are highly trained in all aspects of restoring a home after a fire and removing soot from your home. One of the first actions our crew chief undertakes is to remove the primary source of the odor from your home. We conduct a complete assessment. We examine the spread of smoke within the home and map out a plan for cleaning and deodorization. We discuss everything with the homeowner and their insurance adjuster, including repair, reconstruction, cleaning processes, deodorization, temporary lodgings, and timeline.

We also hold contractor licenses: General: CBC1250662, Mold Remediation: MRSR1163, and can provide complete restoral services at lower costs to our customers without delays. We aim to return your home to its original condition, "Like it never even happened." 

Call SERVPRO of Largo at (727) 586-0060 for 24/7 service. We proudly serve Belleair Shores, Harbor Bluffs, and surrounding areas. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

See more about Largo.

Do I Need Professional Help to Restore My Home and Contents After a Fire?

4/11/2020 (Permalink)

Your home is in good hands with SERVPRO. We are always available to help, call us today at (727) 586-0060.

Avoid Exposure to Toxins and Return Your Largo Home to Safety and Comfort When SERVPRO Is on the Job

You might have heard that recovery from a household fire is not a task a homeowner should take on without expert assistance. Even if you are confident that you possess better than average DIY skills, cleaning up fire residues requires a highly-specialized set of skills backed up by professional training, tools, and products, and the use of personal protective gear. Failure to have the background and take precautions can put you and your family in harm's way.

Why Are Fire Residues More Hazardous Than Ordinary Dirt and Grime?

When a fire moves through your Largo home, it uses building materials and contents as fuel. The incompletely consumed bits of the structure and personal possessions and furnishings comprise the fire damage residues Largo residents must clear away. Heat and combustion causes chemical changes in the substances burned and heated, which in many homes include:

  • Foams
  • Plastics
  • Rubber
  • Plaster
  • Wood and wood products
  • Metals
  • Paper
  • Organic and synthetic fibers
  • Foods and grease

What Kinds of Byproducts Can Household Fires Produce?

Some of the residues created by a fire remain airborne, exposing occupants to respiratory risks. Other particles coat surfaces, corroding, discoloring, and infusing porous materials with malodors. Cleaning of the soot can result in skin contact and reintroduction of the disturbed particles into the air. The byproducts of a household fire depend on the dwelling's construction date, the makeup of the contents, and many other factors. Hazardous substances can include:

Tars Ammonia Sulfur dioxide

Nitrogen oxides Aldehydes Acid gases

Benzene Toluene Styrene

Metals Dioxins Asbestos

Lead Formaldehyde Carbon monoxide

Carbon dioxide Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)

How Do Professionals Protect Occupants and Workers During Fire Cleanup?

Containment and the use of PPE are essential when SERVPRO crews plan for professional smoke, soot, and odor abatement. We frequently choose to wrap the damaged spaces in 1.6 mil polyethylene and employ a negative pressure air scrubbing system to prevent the drift of fire residues into unaffected spaces in your home. The atmosphere inside the partition is forced through HEPA filters, removing nearly all contaminants before exhausting to the outside. The suction created seals the contained space from the rest of the house. 

What Kinds of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Are Essential for Fire Damage Restoration Workers?

When our crews take on cleanup operations, they suit up in appropriate clothing and other equipment to make sure they can complete the tasks safely. The following items and others added if necessary not only guard against skin contact with toxic substances or inhaling contaminants by the technicians, but they also ensure our employees do not track these hazardous residues into unaffected spaces in your home.

  • Hard hats
  • Eye protection
  • Hand protection
  • Protective clothing
  • Boots or safety shoes
  • Respirators that either filter air or supply an alternative "atmosphere" (from air tanks or compressors) according to recommendations of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

Do You Need Special Cleaners and Tools to Remove Soot?

The substances coating the surfaces of your home after a fire are not only potentially hazardous, they also are often tightly adhered and challenging to remove. SERVPRO managers and technicians complete rigorous coursework through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC). We learn how to match the soils deposited by the fire with safe and effective products and tools that can loosen and clean them from walls, ceilings, floors, furnishings, and other items.

How Do Professionals Clean Off Different Residues?

Soot, generally speaking, presents in one of three primary ways. We approach each type with a plan based on research and best practices taught by the IICRC. 

Dry Soot  

What causes dry soot? 

Usually, dry soot deposits when wood and paper burns fast and hot. The residues are loose and ashy. Cleaning methods are primarily mechanical, and include:

  • Vacuuming
  • Brushing 
  • Dry (chemical) sponging
  • Dusting with feather dusters and cloths

Wet Soot

What causes wet soot?

Rubber and plastics create a thick, dark, and sticky residue when they heat and burn. Damp fabrics and low-oxygen fires smolder and deposit wet soot on surfaces. Cleaning methods use heat, chemical reactions, agitation, and dwell time to enhance the dissolving or emulsifying of soils, breaking the bonds between the surface and the soot:

  • Spray and wipe with soaps and detergents plus water, or solvents for oily residues
  • Agitation with cloths, towels, sponges and "elbow grease"
  • Abrasive tools and abrasive substances added to cleaners
  • Immersion cleaning, including ultrasonic machines that use sound waves to dislodge residues

Protein Soot

What is protein soot?

Kitchen fires result in a unique, very malodorous coating from the food, grease, and oils that fueled the blaze. The resulting "mist" of dehydrated proteins is nearly colorless, but clings like lacquer to anything it touches, even far from the point of origin. Dispatching of protein residues requires:

  • Solvents
  • Abrasive tools or additives
  • Extended dwell times
  • Use of immersion or ultrasonic devices and strategies if possible

SERVPRO of Largo is ready 24/7 to discuss your fire damage mitigation and remediation options. Our general contractor license also permits us to offer repair and rebuilding services. Call us at (727) 586-0060 to schedule an assessment.

Contractor Licenses:

General: CBC1250662

Learn more about Largo.

Our Professionals Can Reduce Odors In Your Largo Condo After A Fire

12/8/2019 (Permalink)

Give our technicians a call today at (727) 586-0060.

Reducing Odor Damage to a Largo Condo After a Kitchen Fire

Many property owners do not understand the considerable undertaking that odor removal can be in Largo condos. As this is one of the most challenging obstacles that our SERVPRO team faces after fire losses, we have many specific strategies to address odor in various materials, forms, and severities. The better prepared we are for the conditions inside your residence after an extinguished fire, the better able to protect installed construction materials and contents we become.

Effective deodorization strategies for fire damage and odor in Largo condos starts with a thorough assessment of your property conducted by our project manager. Our team is careful to identify airborne contaminants like soot particles during this scoping, as well. Many of our deodorizing machines can simultaneously filter particulates in the air to make the overall environment safer for our technicians and any others exposed. Units like the hydroxyl generator and ozone machines can neutralize scents in a broad area while working to remove debris as well.

Because kitchen fires can affect surfaces like the drywall behind the stove or other porous materials like the cabinetry, approaches like thermal fogging can be useful. Water-based fogging solutions can get heated to a vapor form and dispersed throughout the damaged area, with the highest concentration being in the kitchen. It is customary for our SERVPRO team to utilize these products with a supporting scent like cherry or cinnamon to leave a pleasant odor behind after neutralizing smoke effects. We have unscented deodorization products as well for homes with sensory-sensitive occupants.

Painted walls and surfaces can be challenging to deodorize where they are thoroughly, and the ideal solution is to address these materials with fogging first. Once this phase completes, we can roll on sealants to encapsulate remaining odor residues. We often lean on quick-dry formulas that can allow the top coat of matching paint to get applied after an hour.

Fire loss effects can be challenging to overcome, especially when odors can travel so far from the initial ignition point. You can trust in the premium deodorization solutions our SERVPRO of Largo uses to make fire emergencies “Like it never even happened.” Give our technicians a call today at (727) 586-0060.

For more about Largo click here.

We Are Available 24/7 For All Your Largo Fire Damage Restoration Services

10/21/2019 (Permalink)

We cleaned up the fire damage and water damage and tore out the damaged building materials followed by odor control.

Tiny Wire Worked Loose in a Switch Plate or Socket can cause Extensive Fire Damage in a Largo Residence

It doesn't always take much to start a fire. A small wire that ends up corroded from too much humidity can short out and start a fire in your Largo home. You might never notice any difference in the strength of the electricity in that area from other parts of the house. 

Electrical fires cause some homes in Largo isolated fire damage. Our building services department, General Contractor License # CBC1250662, helps in these situations by making repairs to your electrical wiring where needed. Reconnecting loosened wires or making other needed repairs also helps reduce the chances of another fire.

Depending on the location and its cause, a fire could spread and create additional fire damage, or it might burn plastics and leave thick soot deposits. Cleaning soot away from surfaces helps us in determining which materials need restoring and which others became too damaged for this method. Some materials are damaged beyond our ability to clean them, so we need to remove them and then, once we finish, have our building team reinstall new materials. 

Cleaning happens with a sponge, in many places where flat surfaces exist, but others require smaller tools. Trim around doors and windows, switch plates and sockets, and air vents also need a thorough cleaning. Furniture also requires wiping down with special dry sponges and in some places, light application of cleaning agents, brushes, and vacuuming. 

Household linens often collect large amounts of soot during a fire. This soot can eat away at the fabric if left alone, so we vacuum much of the soot away from the textiles. Different materials require different cleaning types, and we discuss these with you to provide the best results. 

The personal belongings of your family members fall into several different category types and SERVPRO has matching methods to restore most, if not all, of these. We have access to different methods that can clean items made of soft materials or non-porous ones. Anything that needs packed up and taken to our facility for cleaning gets inventoried as we place the items in the boxes. We also do the same for any items and building materials that were too damaged for restoration.

SERVPRO of Largo is always ready and near you when your Dunedin or Clearwater Beach residence sustains fire damage from overheated electrical wires or appliances. Call us at our service line, (727) 586-0060, for help in restoring your property “Like it never even happened.”

See more about Largo.

Don't Let Fire Destroy Your Family Treasures in Your Largo Home

9/3/2019 (Permalink)

Often not everything is a loss after a fire. Trust SERVPRO to restore your family treasures.

Steps for Recovery after a Fire Damages Your Largo Home 

Fire disasters are devastating, and they do not discriminate. They can affect any home regardless of its location, condition or age. The flames engulf everything that gets in their way, and this can lead to a significant amount of damage within a short time. Fires also produce a significant amount of smoke that destroys items on its own.

A fire can ruin a lifetime of irreplaceable possessions and precious memories. When your Largo home has fire damage, the first thing you should do is wait until the fire department says it is safe to enter the property. Even though your home may appear to have sustained cosmetic damage, the fire could have severely ruined essential structures, making it unsafe to go back in. A fire can also leave various hazardous debris behind like pieces of broken metals, glass, wood, and plastic. Your property may also have exposed wiring after a fire.

Another vital thing to do after a fire is contacting your insurance firm. Your agent can give you in the right direction and help you take essential steps a few hours after the incident. Some steps may include:

  • Keeping the destruction to a minimum by coverings doors, windows, and other openings to prevent water damage.
  • Putting up a temporary fence around your home to prevent theft and vandalism.
  • Listing the items the fire-damaged and their prices.
  • Locating temporary accommodation for you and your family.
  • Hiring a property inspector to assess the structural damage caused by the fire. Some structures that a home inspector evaluates include the roof, windows, plumbing fixtures, heating systems, floors, doors and door frames, siding, concrete and electrical circuits.

As you speak to your insurance agent, find out what your insurance policy can cover and what it cannot. You should also call a professional fire damage restoration company like SERVPRO to help you clean up your property and restore the damaged structures and contents.

During fire restoration cleaning, our technicians determine which items need salvaging or replacing.  We can also inform you and your insurance company about the condition that may have existed before the fire happened. Addressing preexisting conditions or damages as part of the fire restoration process is not a must, but it is vital to recognize and document them.

Before cleaning structure, our crew tests them to determine the suitable cleaning method. Washable or non-washable are the categories we separate materials. Our SERVPRO technicians can wet clean washable materials using water-based cleaning products. We use dry cleaning methods to clean non-washable materials. Fires may also cause unpleasant odors in your home. We perform deodorization of strong odors like those from a protein fire using equipment like Ultra Low Volume (ULV) foggers and air scrubbers.

If your property in Clearwater, Dunedin, or Clearwater Beach has sustained fire damage, you can trust SERVPRO of Largo with the restoration work. Contact us at (727) 586-0060 to get your home back to livable conditions quickly.

More about Largo.

Fire Damage and a Fast Cleanup at Your Largo Condo--Yeah SERVPRO!

8/2/2019 (Permalink)

The Sign Says It All for Largo Restoration Services

A Largo Summer Gathering Goes Up in Flames

When you live in Largo, a summer gathering with friends is a must.  The heat, longer days, and relaxed atmosphere provide a perfect setting to get together in a half-outdoors, half-indoors event.  It is perfectly normal to set some citronella candles, a grill, and drinks on the patio and then walk in and out of the air-conditioned living room throughout the evening.  What you cannot plan is the billowing curtains catching fire from the citronella candle, causing flames to enter your home and leave a mark on your kitchen while you search for the fire extinguisher to bring the fire under control.

Even as the party resumes, you can already see that your kitchen needs help.  Fire damage to your Largo home is a problem best left to a professional team, such as SERVPRO. Before you attempt to clean the smoke and soot remains with storebought abrasive cleaners, it is best to consult with our fire restoration experts and have them guide you through the process.  By enlisting our expert help, you can prevent subsequent damage caused during the cleanup process.

Our SERVPRO technicians excel at their job because they train in industry best-practices both in a classroom setting and on the job.  They understand the principles behind the physical and chemical aspects of the fire and have seen them in action on the field. As soon as you call us, we can take targeted steps to remediate your damage and leave your kitchen in pristine condition.  Before we arrive, help us mitigate your losses by taking the following steps:

-Isolate your kitchen as much as possible to prevent airborne particles from traveling to other parts of your home

-Remove items unaffected by the fire and extinguishing agents to preserve them

-Use protective equipment such as gloves when handling the residue

Upon arrival, we can take over and apply industry-grade cleaning solutions made specifically for each surface we clean. We always pre-test surfaces, hard, porous, or fabric, before cleaning with our products. Our SERVPRO crew understands the nature of each flammable item (organic vs. manmade products) and applies products accordingly.  Failure to address each item individually can cause irreversible damage by applying the wrong cleaning solution.  

SERVPRO of Largo is ready to get your summer back on track.  Just call us at (727) 586-0060 even if your damage does not appear extensive.  Together, we can leave your home, "Like it never even happened."  

Our Professionals Can Restore Your Collectibles After A Fire In Your Largo Property

6/8/2019 (Permalink)

Call us by dialing (727) 586-0060, and speak with an IICRC-certified specialist who can help make everything “Like it never even happened.”

Cleaning Collectibles Is A Crucial Part Of Fire Damage Mitigation In Largo

Finding your pristine collection of 1950’s dolls or once-colorful beer steins covered in a dense layer of dark soot while inspecting your Largo residence after a fire can make you feel like the fire, and its effects invaded every aspect of your home. Even glass cabinets and other enclosures often permit smoke to find its way in and settle on the contents’ surfaces.

At SERVPRO, we take pride in helping our customers reclaiming their homes and their possessions from fire damage in Largo. We lessen its effects by using approved methods we learn through our Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) training. Before, we cleaned such items by hand, which could produce excellent results, although taking an enormous amount of time to accomplish.

Instead, we now use ultrasonic technology to remove soot and other grime from your most prized possessions. Small imperfections can grip onto soot and make an unsightly, ugly mark that diminishes the beauty of such pieces in a collection. Cleaning by hand often left these defects marred. A short period in our ultrasonic water bath, however, cleans soot from every surface, including in between tightly abutted surfaces that face each other. This ability to clean blemishes and hairline cracks makes a tremendous difference in how your collection appears when you receive it back from us.

While still at your property, we carefully pack each item in its own piece of plain paper and place it inside a clean box. Taking these boxes to our facility also includes inventory sheets that correspond to each box. These sheets follow your items through the entire process. After the water bath, we place them in a drying chamber.

Although the cleaning method eliminates the soot that causes collectible items to smell like smoke, we still provide further deodorization. We do this inside the drying chamber without moving them. Handling them as little as possible reduces the chances of breakage. We then re-wrap each item and place it into a new box so we can return these items to you, along with their inventory sheets.

SERVPRO of Largo takes mitigating fire damage in every part of your Harbor Bluffs, Indian Rocks Beach, or Belleair Shores residence seriously. From structural damage to personal favorite items, we help families recover from the effects of both large and small fires. Call us by dialing (727) 586-0060, and speak with an IICRC-certified specialist who can help make everything “Like it never even happened.”

Click here for more about Largo.

No More Mistakes With Fire Damage Remediation In Your Largo Home

5/18/2019 (Permalink)

Fire damage remediation can be time consuming and difficult. Contact SERVPRO today for remediation assistance.

Steps that Help Protect a Structure after Fire Damage in Largo

When fire razes your Largo home, there is a need to take some steps to help protect the structure from secondary damages. When performed correctly, such steps help prevent aspects of the damage such as smoke residues from causing additional damages. They also ensure safety for occupants and restorers who may access the building in its damaged state. Our IICRC, Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, certified Fire and Smoke Restoration Technicians can help protect your structure.

Conducting building inspection helps establish whether the fire damage incident in Largo left any health or safety hazards. Lingering smoke which might be noxious or contain harmful gases poses health risks. Partially burnt sections such as stairs are safety hazards because they can collapse under the bodyweight of someone using them. Our SERVPRO technicians take note of such areas and secure them or post warning signs to protect anyone visiting the affected property.

Fire damages walls, roofs and even causes windows to shatter depending on the cause or the intensity of the blaze. Firefighters also douse the flames with gallons of water leaving wet areas. These aspects can cause several secondary damages. Our SERVPRO technicians board up the property and install roof tarps which helps prevent damage by weather elements and keep vandals out. We also extract any standing water using our truck-mounted water extractors and take other steps to dry excess moisture.

Initial cleaning of contents affected by the fire is necessary. It helps ensure the occupants have items to use as they wait for the completion of the restoration. Initial cleaning also helps prevent secondary damage from the effects of acidic soot residues. Our SERVPRO crews pre-clean carpets and furniture to remove massive soot deposits. We also wipe porcelain, stone and metal items to prevent staining. We also remove charred item remains immediately from the property because it helps reduce the emotional toll fire incidents have on the occupants.

For proper response after incidents of fire damage, call SERVPRO of Largo at (727) 586-0060 to help. We are available 24/7.

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Our Crew Can Restore Your Home In Belleair After A Fire Has Caused Significant Damage

2/25/2019 (Permalink)

Let our SERVPRO of Largo rapid response team provide this inspection and necessary mitigation for your property in this troubling time.

Fire Debris Removal And Inspection Of Your Belleair Property

If a fire breaks out in your Belleair home, many owners become most concerned with getting their families to safety or grabbing a few irreplaceable items to protect. Structure fires can spread quickly, threatening not only the property but also those that choose to go back inside once the fire has gotten extinguished. It is never advisable to assess damage on your own, as many hazardous variables could injure or adversely affect the inspecting party.

As your insurance company requires a detailed catalog of the fire damage to your Belleair home after the incident to process a claim, many homeowners might believe that they have no choice but to face these potential hazards to get the approval for their claim. Our SERVPRO professionals can arrive quickly after you call to provide this thorough inspection on your behalf, cataloging all of the damage and providing photographic evidence of the effects for your insurance adjuster to expedite your claim’s approval.

The estimator we dispatch to provide this inspection also works to determine the proposed cost to repair and restore the damage to the property. This information includes the personnel required, processes needed, and what areas might require complete reconstruction to get restored entirely.

Additionally, our SERVPRO professionals work to mitigate your loss with this initial visit to your home following the disaster. This process begins with debris removal and indoor air quality control. We can address hazards and risks such as structural failures through this debris removal process, ensuring that glaring concerns get taken care of before the restoration work begins on your property. Our Contents Department can also remove at-risk items through this mitigation process to take to our facility for cleaning and deodorization.

After a fire has affected your home, you do not have much time before your insurance provider needs credible information to substantiate your damage claim. Let our SERVPRO of Largo rapid response team provide this inspection and necessary mitigation for your property in this troubling time. Give us a call at (727) 586-0060.

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Fire Damage? SERVPRO is Here To Help & Respond Immediately!

1/3/2019 (Permalink)

Don't let a fire overwhelm you and stress you out. Call SERVPRO and we'll take care of you and your home!

SERVPRO - Cleaning And Eliminating Fire Damage In Largo Homes

As one of the few cities that touch both coasts, Largo is a unique place to live. Unfortunately, that doesn’t protect homeowners and residents from disasters like extreme thunderstorms and not-as-extreme events like house fires.

Cleaning and restoring Largo fire damage requires a trained, well-equipped, professional agency. SERVPRO restoration teams meet the latest rules and guidelines issued by the IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification). In addition to our extensive, on-hand inventory of cleaning agents and equipment, our office has access to a support network of thousands of other franchises if needed.

It all is required to deal with the extensive types of damage to a home. Besides the obvious, physical damage from heat and flames, there is the cleaning required to property affected by smoke and soot residues. In addition to those problems, there are the odors exuded from burned material. Cleaning each type of damage depends on different factors: The material that burned, how fast it burned, and what type of surface did the residues or odors settle on.

As an example, eliminating odors and restoring items to their pre-fire condition requires several methods of deodorization, which we refer to as multi-phase odor control. SERVPRO technicians start with Chemical Containment.

They use a pump-up sprayer to release a deodorizing chemical onto materials with residues to block odor-causing molecules from vaporizing into the air. The spray creates a barrier which slows down or stops evaporation until other team members can clean or remove the affected item.

Next, technicians release deodorant particles to counteract odor particles already airborne. This Vapor Odor Control method uses granular counteragents in the form of pellets placed at the most malodorous areas. It works particularly well after using Chemical Containment but is also useful individually.

If the odors deeply penetrated an item of personal or structural property, team members use a final method called Thermal Fogging. With a heated fogger device and solvent-based deodorizers, they create a cloud of deodorizing particles the same size as the original odors. These particles can penetrate to the same level as the malodors and neutralize all they encounter.

Locally Owned Company with National Resources


Eliminating odors and other fire damage is not a simple process, but SERVPRO of Largo uses the latest training and equipment to return each home to its original condition as quickly as possible. Regardless if it was a large fire, or restricted to only one room like the kitchen, call us at (727) 586-0060 today. We are here for you.

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Your Best Guide to Pinellas County Fire Damage Remediation

11/18/2018 (Permalink)

Regardless of the room or rooms that fire damage effects, SERVPRO can provide effective remediation and restoration services.

Expertly Trained Fire Damage Cleanup & Restoration Technicians Available In Pinellas County

Looking at the amount of damage that can occur after a fire rages through your property, it can be easy to think that many of your belongings are lost or not worth having restored. Luckily, for everyone that couldn’t be farther from the truth. A quality restoration company can provide you with a variety of services to restore fire damaged contents in your Pinellas County home.

Consider how much training and experience your local technicians endure to provide you with fire damage restoration services in Pinellas County.  Technicians put their heart and soul into every home restoration process, cleaning countless appliances, furniture, fabrics, and miscellaneous contents without a second thought. Day-in and day-out, you can count on these rugged individuals to be there when you need them, 24-hours a day, 7-days a week.

When confronting fire-damaged appliances in your home, SERVPRO technicians have to put all of their experience to the test. Appliances can have a variety of surface types, including metal, paint, glass, plastic, composite materials, and even formica. All of these surfaces are nonabsorbent and easily cleaned with a water-based detergent solution. However, smoke damages, involving heavy smoke residues and greasy soils require your technician to increase the alkalinity of the cleaning solution to obtain the best results.

Hardwood surfaces present SERVPRO technicians with many obstacles as well. Since wood finish can contain varnish, shellac, lacquer, paint, or waxes, it can be hard to determine which cleaning methods to use. The finish used on an item affects furniture’s resistance to heat, smoke, moisture, and odors while unfinished wood easily absorbs all kinds of nasty materials that often cause stains. Both dry and wet cleaning options are available for reducing possible losses, although its how a technician introduces the cleaning steps that improve an item’s restorative quality.

Everything from carpets to rugs and mattresses to lampshades generally has fabric woven into their design. Your SERVPRO technicians understand how to apply cleaning services to each of these items and do our best to reduce any losses. In many situations, smoke residues fail to penetrate a fabric items internal areas, making it possible to lift excess soot and restore the item in question.

SERVPRO of Largo stands ready to assist you with all of these cleaning situations and more, providing full fire-damage restoration services throughout the area. (727) 586-0060

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Want It Clean and Fresh After a Fire? Contact SERVPRO in Pinellas County for Results You Can Love

9/25/2018 (Permalink)

Fire in Your Pinellas County Home? SERVPRO Is Right Behind the Red Trucks with Our Green Ones

The Importance of Testing for Restoration of Fire Damage to Pinellas County Homeowner

Cleaning the mess left behind by fire is more complicated than you might think. The challenges stem from the fact that a fire is not one single action, but rather a series of reactions. Each result is unique and can be influenced by materials, temperature, airflow and surface textures. The only way to combat the varied challenges of fire is by taking a varied, educated approach to restoration.

When we approach fire damage in Pinellas County, we make no assumptions about the best method of cleaning. A SERVPRO technician is trained to thoroughly pre-test the affected area before any work begins. A pre-test provides us with invaluable information about the type of smoke we are dealing with, the nature of the materials that have burned and how well they respond to different methods of cleaning.

It is not uncommon for properties that require restoration to be at high risk of secondary damages. The water used to contain a fire whether by sprinkler or because of fire-fighting efforts can set residues causing permanent damage and staining. Equally, porous materials or older surfaces absorb soot and can be more difficult to clean. By testing for every variable, a SERVPRO technician can accurately assess outcomes and ensure an efficient service.

Cleaning and restoration are more cost-effective than replacement in the majority of services we carry out. These savings you may enjoy by our service remaining within the budget of your insurance claim. By us working with your insurance adjuster, the result can lessen the likelihood of your insurance rates increasing after a claim. SERVPRO has many different methods to restore your home and prevent costs from stacking up.

When it comes to clearing away soot and smoke residues wet cleaning is beneficial. For set residues, we may apply abrasive cleaning solution or steel wool to the affected area. Porous or delicate contents can benefit from dry-cleaning along with expensive fabrics and upholstery. No matter the type of material, SERVPRO can work toward a restore over replace method throughout the service. Often we can continue cleaning of personal possessions at our facility using Esporta washers and ultrasonic tubs. We provide many options in our quest to restore and not replace.

If your property is in need of professional restoration after fire, contact SERVPRO of Largo at (727) 586-0060 for a tailored solution.

The Fire Administration right here.
 

A Hair Straightener Can Cause a Small Fire in Your Bathroom

7/22/2018 (Permalink)

Hair straighteners look innocent enough but can sometimes cause fires. If your bathroom has suffered through an electrical fire, contact SERVPRO.

Team SERVPRO Tackles BOTH the Fire Damage in Your Bathroom as Well as the Lingering Smell

Hair straighteners can get very hot, but the potential for fire damage does not come from their heating element. A faulty cord or electrical outlet is much more likely to cause a fire in your bathroom, and unfortunately, these types of fires can be somewhat common. Luckily, the fires that break out from these conditions are usually caught swiftly and small in scale, but even a small blaze has the potential to be damaging to your home. It is vital for you to call for professional restoration services after a fire is extinguished in your home.
 
While the blaze may not have been tremendous, the fire damage in your Pinellas County bathroom can still be worth hundreds upon hundreds of dollars. The drapes of your window caught fire and burned up, while smoke attached itself to your bathtub, toilet, sink, and walls. Additionally, all of the medication in your medicine cabinet have been compromised, and hundreds of dollars worth of self-care products have also been ruined. While your bathroom is structurally sound, the stains from the soot alone must be handled by an expert, as well as the odors left behind. Even a small fire leaves behind damage that needs a professional touch.
 
When you call SERVPRO, we always aim to arrive at your residence swiftly. Upon getting to your home, the very first thing SERVPRO can do is investigate the soot adhered around your bathroom. Smoke residue cannot only be cleaned with one method.
 
Depending on how it has attached itself, the temperature of the smoke and the surrounding area, and what it attaches itself to, the method of cleansing may change. Our technicians may need to employ chemical cleaning solutions in your bathtub while using lubricative cleaning methods on your toilet instead.
 
To rid your bathroom of the odorous scent left behind, SERVPRO can use advanced trade technology to neutralize the smell. We can use devices such as thermal foggers or hydroxyl generators to combat the odor. Once the smell is gone, the job is done.
 
Even if the fire that breaks out on your property is small, do not idle. Dial (727) 586-0060 to speak with SERVPRO of Largo. We aim to make you feel "Like it never even happened."
 
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Fire Damage In Pinellas County Can Negatively Affect Your Personal Possessions

7/3/2018 (Permalink)

Removing soot from structural parts of your home is essential to save materials and deodorize the house.

Fire Damage Can Negatively Affect Your Possessions

Any time something burns in Pinellas County whether it is indoor or outdoor, smoke exhausted by the blaze can spread to areas far away from the source. This partially combusted gas then floats around and attaches to cooler surfaces. Once smoke hits items with a lower temperature, soots and soils get left on the objects. Residues can ruin the finish on some things and create pungent aromas to exist inside the building.

Removing soot from structural parts of your home is essential to save materials and deodorize the house. If there is ever fire damage in Pinellas County, our SERVPRO technician's clean soils from your contents as well as building components. Soiled contents can also be a source for foul, burnt fragrances. Some types of smoke residues can force items to get replaced while others clean off with minimal effort.

In many situations where your possessions were affected by smoke, our SERVPRO crew packs up and transports your damaged goods to a clean and disinfected area for extensive content cleaning. Once at the cleaning location, we test different materials and draw up a conclusion as to which methods and detergents will work the best on the various forms of soot possibly present. Since there are thousands of kinds of materials things are made of, we have a vast collection of cleaning tools at our disposal.

If the soils are light and easy to remove, a feather duster or dusting cloth can be effective at removing the contamination. Our SERVPRO technicians use dry sponges for cleaning slightly heavier concentrations of residue that adheres well to affected surfaces. Porous surfaces should always be cleaned with dry methods instead of using wet chemicals because the moisture in the product can soak the soot deeper into the item causing secondary damage.

Foam cleaning uses a foaming agent to clean fabric and upholstery. Polishing is a rather aggressive method and works well cleaning damaged metal objects or furniture. Wet cleaning with high alkaline products can be the only thing that works for heavy soiling. In more severe cases, semi-refinishing takes place, a process that strips off part of something's surface.

Utilizing the correct techniques can save time and money in the long run. If the wrong method gets used in the incorrect scenario, secondary damage can add cost to the overall scope of the project. Make sure your beloved possessions are taken care of by calling SERVPRO of Largo at (727) 586-0060 immediately after any problem is noticed.

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Let SERVPRO Take Care of You and Your Home in Indian Rocks Beach After Flood Damage

3/30/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO arrives quickly to remove water and begin the restoration process after a flood affects your property.

SERVPRO Puts Your Family First During the Flood Damage Restoration Process

With spring here, one thing that everyone in Indian Rocks Beach should do is protect their home from possible flooding. In past years, many homes were not ready for the great amount of rain, so what can you as a homeowner do to ensure you limit flooding damage to your home? Checking your gutters and making sure they are clear of debris is a good start. Also, if you live in an area with torrential downpours, check to ensure there are no holes or gaps in the sealant around your windows and doors.

Storing electrical devices upstairs if you are in for massive storms is also wise, as is covering any air vents with plastic. When flood damage still affects your Indian Rocks Beach, it is essential to get the water removed from your home quickly. More damage accumulates the longer the water sits. The technicians at SERVPRO understand this, which is why we do not hesitate to get to your home once you call us for help.

We recognize that flood damage can create a huge setback for you and your family. Because of this, we do everything we need to so you get your home back to normal with minimal disruptions. Our process of restoration is focused on you and your property.

SERVPRO staff does not call a job done until we have met or exceeded your expectations. We are here to help you and want you to feel that way. With compassion and knowledge, we understand what an emergency water extraction requires.

We inspect your home first to determine the full extent of the damage, both visible and hidden. We use tools such as hygrometers and moisture detectors to do so. We also try to help your feelings of helplessness by explaining our process in a way which you can understand what is going on at all times, what to expect, and what you can do.

SERVPRO of Largo is not just here to restore your home in Harbor Bluffs, Largo, or Clearwater, but instead, we also want to restore your sense of security. Getting in contact with us at (727) 586-0060 as soon as you can after your loss helps us to prevent further damage.

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Fire Damage from Oily Rags in Your Pinellas County Home

2/27/2018 (Permalink)

Oily rags left in your garage can ignite without a separate ignition source, this is know as spontaneous combustion.

SERVPRO’s Fire Damage Restoration Process

Although many people in Pinellas County do not realize it, oily rags which are left in a pile on the floor or in a waste can ignite without a separate ignition source. When this happens, it is called spontaneous combustion. Various materials can be prone to self-heating, combusting spontaneously. These can include cotton rags. When there is no ventilation in the area, the process of combustion can be inevitable.

Storing oily rags in metal containers with covers in place can prevent this type of disaster. If a fire did ignite in your garage with an oily rag, you need assistance cleaning up the fire damage to your Pinellas County home. At SERVPRO, all our staff has been professionally trained to handle these situations, and we get to your home quickly with the correct tools to help you out.

When restoring materials that have been smoke-damaged, our goal is to restore them back to their preloss condition. We apply basic principles of cleaning to accomplish this task.

First, SERVPRO staff locate the smoke residues by inspecting the affected areas carefully. We begin our inspection near the fire’s source and trace how far the smoke moved through your structure. We then need to identify the kinds of smoke residues that are present. Different types can exist in the same environment. We choose a cleaning method which effectively removes the kind of residues that we find present.

We also need to identify the kind of surfaces that were affected to determine what products and cleaning methods are safe to use. We are careful to preserve the surface or material we are cleaning, and some materials might not be restorable if they cannot withstand our cleaning process.

Capturing and removing the residues is next. Smoke residues bond with the surfaces they come into contact with. We use wet and dry cleaning processes to release the residue particles and carry them away from the affected area. Lastly, the cleaning waste and debris are disposed of properly.

SERVPRO of Largo knows how to thoroughly clean your home in Largo, Belleair, or Harbor Bluffs of smoke residues after a fire. Just reach out to us as soon as the fire is out at (727) 586-0060.

Click here for more information about Pinellas County.

Dealing with Burn Marks and Stains in a Largo Home

3/20/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Cleans Smoke Stains in Largo "Like it never even happened."

Call SERVPRO to Mitigate Fire and Smoke Damage

Even if burns are not very deep, fire can leave obvious visual blemishes across a home. Stains and burn marks can happen to any material, from wallpaper to wood to glass to laminate, and each of these materials and types of burns can require a different approach to clean up properly. This complicated burning result is why many companies fail to adequately solve the problem: they simply lack the training or equipment necessary to handle a broad array of situations. SERVPRO technicians are trained extensively and have access to a franchise supply of tools to ensure that every job gets done right the first time. We are also part of a national network for disaster mitigation.

Superficial Burn Marks
Many burns from fire damage in Largo are, aside from their visual appearance, virtually harmless for the building in question. Aside from discoloration and perhaps a layer of smoke residue, these burns have done very little to degrade the material they coat. Typically, these are easy for our technicians to deal with, requiring only a thorough cleaning with professional grade detergents, hand tools, sponges, and repainting. Another issue, for a future article, explores the problems associated with smoke odors and how to eliminate their pervasiveness.
 
Smoke Staining
Some types of smoke may leave stains on various materials, especially when mixed with water. Here is where SERVPRO’s flexibility comes into play: smoke can be tough to remove without damaging many materials. To name a few materials, upholstery, wood, carpet, fabric, and tile grout all require careful attention to adequately and safely clean away the smoke. Smoke and soot can dig deep into a material, sometimes requiring thorough washing or dry cleaning to remove effectively. The nature of the smoke, whether it is wet or dry, is a key factor in utilizing correct IICRC best practices for restoration. We realize the acidic nature of this combusted residue and how pitting can harm many surfaces.

Deeper Burns
When a fire has burned around an object or surface, it usually causes both visual and structural damage. Materials are often heavily degraded or deformed, and discoloration is typically pervasive. Again, different materials can require different approaches, with flammables such as wood, fabric, and upholstery requiring especially extensive restorations or perhaps replacement.
 
SERVPRO of Largo is a local fire damage restoration company with national backing and resources. Call us as soon as possible after a fire at (727) 586-0060.

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