When your heating system misfires, its called a Puff Back

8/9/2024 (Permalink)

Have you ever heard the term Puff Back? This term is used when your heating system misfires. If your heating system is not regularly cleaned, the unburned fuel may accumulate in the combustion chamber, causing it to misfire.

When the heating system has a "puff back" soot is released into the air through your heating system. Buildings and contents can be damaged as well as the heating system. This puff back could cause the stack pipe from being disconnected allowing even more soot to enter your home. As oil creates more soot than gas, the damage created by an oil furnace can be more severe. However, gas furnaces can also allow puff backs to occur.

When a puff back occurs it can allow soot to collect on your ceilings, walls, carpets as well as inside your heating vents. And of course all of your belongings inside your home.

Puff back prevention is essential to all homeowners as it can be expensive and often is not covered by your insurance. Be sure to have your furnace checked every year before firing it up.

Insist on getting the cleanup of a puff back done by professionals, SERVPRO® can help.

How safe is your home from fires?

8/9/2024 (Permalink)

We all think we are safe in our homes. However, many of us do not realize that there may be things in your home that could cause a fire. After all the most important thing to all of us is keeping our families and our property safe. 

Here is a list of things you should look for. 

*Check your smoke/carbon detectors. These items should be checked every year to see if it needs to be replaced and twice a year the batteries should be replaced

*Keep flammable items such as kitchen towels away from the stove as they can easily catch fire quickly. 

* Don't overload your extension cords. Overloading extension cords can lead to an electrical fire.

*Keep clothing and other flammables away form your gas hot water heater as they could ignite when the water heater cycles on. 

*Clean your stove often. Leaving grease buildup on your stove could cause a fire and can get out of hand very quickly. 

*Fireplaces should have the chimney swept once a year. This helps remove any soot and debris that may have built up. 

*Loose electrical outlets should be replaced or fixed in order to prevent an electrical fire. 

*Antiques: be sure to check the wiring on any antique items as the wires may become brittle over time which could fuel a fire. 

*Electronics: do not leave electronics on flammable materials such as bedding. They have been known to cause fires when they heat up. 

* Dust: those little dust bunnies under the bed can ignite quickly and spread a fire throughout your home. Also check to make sure there is no dust inside your electrical outlets, as the tiniest spark could start a fire. 

*Having any type of glass other than windows in direct sunlight could combust due to the direct sunray light. 

*Dryer lint is extremely flammable and because of that you should check your exhaust hose on your dryer yearly. 

These are just some of the ways you can help keep your family and home safe. 

However, if you do have a fire SERVPRO® can restore your home "Like it never even happened."

Know the Dangers of Smoke and Fire Damage

6/3/2024 (Permalink)

Fires are devastating on so many levels, from the damage caused by the flames, to the properties that get reduced to ashes, to the injuries resulting from smoke exposure, heat and escaping the devastation. There are hidden dangers created by fire and smoke that can linger long after the flames have died and the air clears up.

A Lingering Damage

During a home fire, the smoke and heat permeates throughout the house and can embed itself deep into your furniture, wood, insulation, and other materials. This strong odor often lingers and can be so strong that it causes nausea and coughing even days after the fire has been put out.

When a fire burns through toxic materials including plastic, the airborne pollutants can settle into your insulation and duct work. Without proper fire restoration, these waste products can linger and make you sick.

IT STINKS!!!

Fire and smoke damage leaves an unpleasant odor in your furniture, carpets. drapes, and clothes that's difficult to remove. Unfortunately, though, simple washing or scrubbing with laundry detergent wont be enough to get rid of the smell. If you have smoke damage in your home, you'll need special equipment such as an ozone generator to get rid of the odor-and that's something only professionals like us have access to.

Also, the longer you wait, the worse it gets. If you leave it sitting long enough, you may never be able to get rid of the smell, or even salvage anything. Why take a chance on someone else cleaning your home, when SERVPRO of South Springfield/Agawam is specially trained to do so properly.

FIRE ESCAPE plans could save you and your family.

8/21/2023 (Permalink)

One of the most important things you can have for your family is an escape plan in case of a fire. You may only have a few minutes to react and get everyone out of your home safely. Having an emergency evacuation plan will allow your family members to know what to do if this disaster should occur. After all, this is a life and death situation! Here are a few tips to think about when creating a plan of action.

* Make sure everyone in the home is accounted for. If there are children or elderly be sure to have another adult assigned to them to help them out of the building.

* Each room should have two ways to escape, either a door or a window.

* Identify a safe location to meet. This location should be far enough away from the home where you can wait for the fire dept. DO NOT for any reason re-enter the home.

* Make a diagram of your home. Be sure to include the locations of all of the smoke detectors, exits from every room and the house, as well as the meeting place.

* Share it. Be sure to share the plan with everyone in your home. Be sure to include any overnight guests or visitors.

* Practice, practice, practice. Practice runs of the escape plan should be done to ensure that all family members are comfortable.

If a family member cannot escape from the room in which they are in due to the fire being in their way, they should close all doors to the room they are in and put a towel under the door. Then wait near an exterior window for help to arrive.

SERVPRO® of South Springfield, Agawam, Longmeadow are highly qualified and have experience in fire restoration services.

Facts about Smoke Damage

8/21/2023 (Permalink)

There’s no question that fires are deadly. In 2019, almost 1.3 million fires took place in the United States, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). These fires caused 3,3700 civilian deaths, 16,600 civilian injuries, and $14.8 billion in property damage. We all fear fire’s flames, however the smoke from the fire is also a deadly hazard—and it’s one many people don’t talk about. In addition to causing respiratory distress and even death, smoke can wreak havoc in a home. So how does smoke damage permeate a home, and what should you do if you experience smoke damage?

While smoke damage tends to be more apparent in areas directly affected by a fire, it usually extends further. Smoke damage patterns can be erratic and often depend on the flow of air in your home at the time of the fire. From entering duct work to permeating curtains and furniture, smoke damage takes place in the same room where the fire occurred—and far beyond.

If not dealt with quickly, smoke damage will rapidly increase your restoration costs. That’s because when left untreated for long periods of time, smoke and soot from a fire can permeate surfaces and become increasingly difficult to remove. To help mitigate smoke damage if your home suffers a fire, call a restoration expert like SERVPRO right away. SERVPRO of South Springfield/Agawam specializes in cleaning up soot and smoke damage — a difficult task that requires professionals and professional equipment.. Even before the restoration professionals arrive, turn off your HVAC system to avoid the spread of smoke and soot. You may also open windows and doors to help increase good air flow. When SERVPRO of South Springfield/Agawam experts are on site, we will clean and safeguard items that were exposed to the fire, help you organize and handle your insurance claims, and much more.

Fires can be devastating for home and business owners. It’s important to work with a company that understands smoke and fire damage restoration so you can avoid further damage to your personal belongings and your property. Only a trained professional will know how to help you prevent further damage, while minimizing the cost of fire and smoke damage to your home. Always be wary of contractors who show up on your doorstep and talk about their fire restoration services. Check references and see if they have any training in this field, without the proper training they often cause more damage than they fix!

Remember, SERVPRO^® of South Springfield/Agawam is available 24/7 for all emergency services, and technicians can be on site promptly to help you get the restoration process underway. With specialized cleaning methods and equipment, combined with the skills and trained employees, you’ll recover more quickly.

Do you know of someone who has had an Electrical Fire in their Home?

5/9/2022 (Permalink)

Have you ever wondered if your home is safe from electrical fires? Electrical fires can be caused by a number of things. Here are just a few that you should be aware of. 

Consider having old worn out receptacles and/or wiring replaced. 

Don't overload a circuit. If you need additional outlets call a licensed electrician to add more outlets to your home. 

Do you have old appliances that have frayed cords? Consider buying newer appliances to prevent the possibility of a fire in your home. 

Be sure to check the recommended bulb wattage for all of your lighting fixtures. Never use anything higher than what the fixture recommends. 

Always unplug space heaters when you are not at home or when you are sleeping. Never have your space heater to close to curtains or any other flammable items. 

If you do have a fire, SERVPRO will be here to restore your home properly. 

How Smoke Damage affects a home

12/31/2019 (Permalink)

There’s no question that fires are deadly. In 2016, over 1.3 million fires took place in the United States, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). These fires caused 3,390 civilian deaths, 14,650 civilian injuries, and $10.6 billion in property damage. We all fear fire’s flames, but smoke from fires is also a deadly hazard—and it’s one many people don’t talk about. In addition to causing respiratory distress and even death, smoke can wreak havoc in a home. So how does smoke damage permeate a home, and what should you do if you experience smoke damage?

While smoke damage tends to be more apparent in areas affected by a fire, it usually doesn’t stop there. Smoke damage patterns can be erratic and often depend on the flow of air in your home at the time of the fire. From entering duct work to permeating curtains and furniture, smoke damage takes place in the same room where the fire occurred—and far beyond.

If not dealt with quickly, smoke damage will rapidly increase your restoration costs. That’s because when left untreated for long periods of time, smoke and soot from a fire can permeate surfaces and become increasingly difficult to remove. To help mitigate smoke damage if your home suffers a fire, call a restoration expert like SERVPRO right away. Restoration experts specialize in cleaning up soot and smoke damage — a difficult task that requires professionals. Even before the restoration professionals arrive, turn off your HVAC system to avoid the spread of smoke and soot. You may also open windows and doors to help increase good air flow. When SERVPRO experts are on site, they will clean and safeguard items that were exposed to the fire, help you organize and handle your insurance claims, and much more. 

Fires can be devastating for home and business owners. It’s important to work with a company that understands smoke and fire damage restoration so you can avoid further damage to your belongings and your property. Only an expert will know how to help you prevent further damage while minimizing the cost of fire and smoke damage to your home. Always be wary of contractors who show up on your doorstep and talk about their fire restoration services. Often they can cause more damage than they fix!

Remember, SERVPRO of South Springfield/Agawam is available 24/7 for emergency services, and technicians can be on site promptly to help you get the restoration process started properly. With specialized cleaning methods and equipment, combined with skilled and trained employees, you’ll recover more quickly and damage restoration costs will be minimized.

Fire and Smoke Damage can be Dangerous

9/9/2019 (Permalink)

Fires are devastating on so many levels, from the damage caused by the flames, to the properties that get reduced to ashes, to the injuries resulting from smoke exposure, heat and escaping the devastation. There are hidden dangers created by fire and smoke that can linger long after the flames have died and he air clears up.

A Lingering Damage

During a home fire, the smoke and heat permeates throughout the house and can embed itself deep into your furniture, wood, insulation, and other materials. This strong odor often lingers and can be so strong that it causes nausea and coughing even days after the fire has been put out.

When a fire burns through toxic materials including plastic, the airborne pollutants can settle into your insulation and duct work. Without proper fire restoration, these wasate products can linger and make you sick.

It Smells!

Fire and smoke damage leaves an unpleasant odor in your furniture, carpets. drapes, and clothes that's difficult to remove. Unfortunately,though, simple washing or scrubbing with laundry detergent wont be enough to get rid of the smell. If you have smoke damage in your home, you'll need special equipment such as an ozone generator to get rid of the odor-and that's something only professionals like us have access to.

Also, the longer you wait, the worse it gets. If you leave it sitting long enough, you may never be able to get rid of the smell, or even salvage anything.

Springfield/Agawam Smoke and Soot Cleanup

7/3/2018 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot is very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.  

Smoke and soot facts:

• Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
• Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
• The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.

Different Types of Smoke

There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of South Springfield/Agawam will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

• Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

• Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.

Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire

• Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor. 

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions.  We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage.  We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – 413-372-4115

Hampden County Smoke and Soot Cleanup

9/13/2016 (Permalink)

Smoke and Soot Damage Can Cause a Pervasive Odor in Your Hampden County Home.

Smoke and soot is very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.  

Smoke and soot facts:

• Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
• Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
• The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.

Different Types of Smoke

There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of South Springfield/Agawam will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

• Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

• Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.

Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire

• Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor. 

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions.  We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage.  We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – (413) 372-4115