Protect Your Business Against Winter Fire Hazards

12/27/2023 (Permalink)

With everyone eager to stay warm and festive during the winter season, fire risks unfortunately increase due to increased cooking, heating, and electric decorations. Don’t fret–as long as you are careful, you and your workers can safely enjoy the holidays.  Here are some fire safety tips for your business from the team at SERVPRO Belle Meade/West Nashville!

Common Winter Fire Hazards

• Space Heaters: Space heaters are an efficient option when it comes to heating your office space, but they should be used with caution. You should never leave a space heater unattended, and they should never be plugged into an extension cord. If used, space heaters should be kept on a flat surface, far away from paper or other flammable materials, and be monitored during use. 
• Electrical Fires: Defective extension cords, faulty wiring, or overused power sockets are all common culprits of office fires. It is essential to make sure that your office electronics are in peak condition to avoid any sort of overheating or sparks. Feel free to put up holiday lights to decorate your space–just remain sure not to overwhelm extension cords or outlets while doing so! 
• Cooking Fires: Cooking fires are incredibly common in homes, and businesses also face similar risks, particularly ones with office kitchens. It is important not to neglect any devices that are in use in an office as fires can start quickly and spread in these areas. It is wise to continuously check coffee makers, microwaves, and other gadgets for broken wiring.
• Flammable Materials: We get it: businesses can get cluttered, especially during the holiday season, when you are likely fielding more packages than ever. It is important to keep your business tidy though, because cardboard boxes, stacks of paper and clutter are all fire hazards. Store flammable materials in safe areas. If your cleaning needs start to feel insurmountable, SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville  can help with our professional cleaning services!

SERVPRO Commercial Fire Damage Response

• The restoration process begins when you call us. Our representative will ask questions regarding the fire damage event that will help us quickly respond with the appropriate equipment and resources. With over 2,190 franchises with equipment and personnel to pull from for aid, no job is too large for SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville.
• Upon arrival we carefully inspect and test adjoining rooms of your property to determine the extent of the fire, smoke, and soot damage, which helps to develop a plan of action. Fire damage can often compromise windows, walls, and roofs. To maintain security and to protect against further damage, we board up missing windows and walls and place tarps on damaged roofs. 
• We use specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces. Next, we clean, sanitize, and disinfect all of the restorable items and structures that were damaged by the fire. We use a variety of cleaning techniques to restore your belongings to pre-fire condition. We’re also trained to remove odors using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment so you won’t be left with the smell of smoke in your office as a reminder of the fire. 
• Restoration is the final step—getting your business to its pre-fire condition. This work may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet; or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms. Whatever restoration efforts are needed, you can trust that our team will work with precision and care to get the job done.

SERVPRO Belle Meade/West Nashville can be reached at (615) 242-9391 or via our website for fire damage restoration needs. Fire damage may be scary, but we promise that everything in your business that can be restored will be under our care.

This franchise is independently owned and operated.

Cold-Weather Fire Risks Your Business Should Be Aware Of

12/5/2023 (Permalink)

Heating, sweaters, and cheery decor are all integral parts of the winter season. It is essential to keep warm during the colder months, and who doesn't enjoy lovely holiday decorations? Unfortunately, these elements of winter lifestyles can pose a fire threat to your business if not maintained properly. Keep reading for more information!

Commercial Fire Damage Risks For Winter

• Space Heaters: Space heaters can quickly warm up a room, but they should be used with caution. Never leave one unattended, and do not plug anything else into the same outlet as the heater. Make sure it is on a flat surface and keep flammable materials far away.
• Cooking: Cooking fires are incredibly common in homes, and businesses also face similar risks, particularly ones with office kitchens. It is important not to neglect any devices that are in use in an office, and also continuously check coffee makers, microwaves, and other gadgets for broken wiring.
• Electrical Fires: Defective extension cords, faulty wiring, or overused power sockets are all common culprits of office fires. It is essential to make sure that your office electronics are in peak condition to avoid any sort of overheating or sparks.If you are putting up holiday lights, be sure you are not overwhelming the power sockets in your area.
• Flammable Materials: Cardboard boxes, stacks of paper and clutter can pose fire risks. It is wise to keep a tidy office area and store flammable materials in safe, orderly areas. Do your cleaning needs go beyond what a janitorial staff can handle? Contact SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville for professional cleaning services!

Commercial Fire Damage Restoration

Fire damage can be tough to handle. That’s why SERVPRO is just a call away for restoration aid. Here is a breakdown of our fire damage restoration process:

• Water Removal: Water used to put out fires by fire fighters or sprinkler systems can cause secondary damage if not dried quickly. We begin our restoration process by assessing the damage and drying the affected area using vacuums, dehumidifiers and air movers. 
• Smoke and Soot Cleaning: Inhaling smoke and soot is dangerous for your health, so all traces must be eliminated to ensure your business is safe to operate again. We use specialized equipment to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces. 
• Odor Removal: The smell of smoke can permeate buildings after a fire, leaving an unpleasant reminder of every time you walk through the door if not addressed. SERVPRO has the technology to not mask odors but extract them at the source, eliminating them completely.
• Fire Damage Restoration: After a fire, all you want is for your business to look and operate as normal. At SERVPRO, we operate on a restore vs. replace approach to get you up and running as smoothly and cost effectively as possible. Trust that no commercial building or disaster is too big for SERVPRO to handle. 

Our SERVPRO Belle Meade/West Nashville team can be reached at (615) 242-9391 or via our website for all of your commercial fire damage needs. With 2,170 franchises available to access all over the country, no commercial job is too large for us to handle. SERVPRO. Like it never even happened.

This franchise is independently owned and operated.

Preserving Your Possessions After a Fire

11/22/2023 (Permalink)

Experiencing a fire can compromise your sense of safety, destroy important documents and precious sentimental items. If your belongings are salvageable, it is important to preserve them with care. Our technicians at SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville care about our community, which is why we take every step to restore your home and belongings after a fire. Keep reading to learn more about how to preserve your possessions after a fire, and how SERVPRO can help. 

What Can Be Saved After A Fire

The first step after fire damage is to ensure your safety and the safety of your loved ones. Be sure not to enter the affected area until it has been deemed safe!

• Some materials in and constructing your home can be saved after a fire if they have not sustained heavy damage or come into direct contact with the fire. The list may surprise you, which includes: 
• Clothes, Bedding Towels
• Curtains and Upholstery
• Glass and Ceramic
• Hardwood Floors
• Other belongings should be thrown away after a fire as their safety can no longer be guaranteed. These include:
• Cosmetics
• Medicine
• Canned, boxed, and perishable foods

The SERVPRO Fire Damage Restoration Process

At SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville, we understand the immense emotional weight that fire damage can have on you and your family. That is why we do everything in our power to make sure that your belongings can be returned to their original condition. 

• Assessment: Upon arrival, we will walk through your property and survey the extent of the fire damage. This includes checking the structural integrity of your home, which can be compromised by a fire. Water damage will also have to be accounted for, as water likely was used to put out the fire. A number of our specialty technicians will be on site, including: 
• Fire & Smoke Restoration Technician
• Odor Control Technician
• Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning Technician
• Water Damage Restoration Technician
• Soot & Smoke Removal: We use specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces, which in turn eliminates lingering odors of smoke from your home. 
• Sanitization: Our cleaning process is specific to the items being sanitized and is thorough to prevent health risks in the future. Here are some of the processes we employ during cleanup: 
• Dry Cleaning: Used for cleaning light residues or to pre-clean prior to wet cleaning.
• Wet Cleaning: A cleaning method for removing moderate to heavy residues.
• Spray and Wipe: For items that can’t withstand wet cleaning.
• Foam Cleaning: Used for upholstery fabrics that might shrink or bleed if wet cleaned.
• Abrasive Cleaning: Involves agitation of the surface being cleaned.
• Immersion Cleaning: Contents are dipped into a bath of the cleaning product.
• Restoration: Working off of a “restore vs. replace” approach means that everything that can be repaired in your home will be. This mentality saves you time and money in the long run, and you can gain some peace of mind knowing what can be brought back to its pre-fire condition will be. 

SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville is here to help in times of trouble. Call (615) 242-9391 day or night for help with fire damage restoration. Our team is experienced and ready to aid in a tough situation! 

This franchise is independently owned and operated.

How to Ensure a Safe and Enjoyable Fall Bonfire

11/1/2023 (Permalink)

Fall just might be the perfect time of year–it isn’t too cold but not too hot, and the leaf change in Nashville is an incredible sight to see. Unfortunately, fallen leaves and tree branches make for a more hazardous time of year when it comes to fires. While you can safely enjoy a fall bonfire, there are some precautions that you should take to ensure the safety of you, your loved ones, and the community. As fire damage restoration experts, we have seen the effects of fire damage and want you to avoid these risks! Here are some fire safety tips from our team at SERVPRO Belle Meade/West Nashville. 

Bonfire Safety Tips

• Choose a level location for your bonfire and make sure all leaves, sticks, and other flammable objects are removed from the area before starting the fire. Also, ensure that you are at least 25 feet away from any buildings or structures, like a house or shed, and also from anything flammable such as bushes or trees. 
• Do not use gasoline or any other flammable liquids to start the bonfire. Opt for small sticks, branches, or pieces of newspaper to let the fire grow.
• Never leave a fire unattended! Always have an adult watching the fire, and keep children and pets at least three feet away from the flames at all times. Never leave them alone with the fire!
• Always keep a shovel and sand and/or a bucket of water nearby to put out the fire once you’re ready. It is imperative that you are absolutely sure the fire is completely out before leaving the area. Be sure that all of the embers are completely gone! 

Other Fall Fire Damage Risks

• Ignoring burn bans: Fall is an especially dry season, and to account for this, burn bans are issued via local news or weather apps when conditions are especially dry and windy. High or even moderate winds can carry embers and start a wildfire, so it is important to be aware of weather conditions before you consider starting a bonfire. 
• Holiday Decorations: While it is wonderful to be festive during this time of year, it is important to do so safely. Be sure to check decorative lights for safety certifications, and keep decor away from open flames or heat sources, such as light bulbs. Make sure that you aren’t overloading outlets during this time. 
• Candles: The fall and winter are the coziest time to use candles as long as you are doing so responsibly. Never leave a candle unattended, and keep it far away from any loose fabric or flammable materials. When you are done using the candle, be sure to use a candle snuffer to prevent hot wax from splattering. 
• Heating and Cooking: People are indoors, cooking more and heating their homes during the fall and winter. These situations can lead to house fires and are among some of the most common causes of them. Be sure to never leave heating devices or cooking unattended, and make sure that you keep flammable materials away from hot objects. 

Our SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville team wishes you a fun and safe start to your holiday season. We offer advice to prevent fire damage whenever possible, but we are also here to help in the unfortunate case of a fire. We can be reached at (615) 242-9391 or via our website for fire damage restoration services. 

This franchise is independently owned and operated.

How SERVPRO Helps You Rebuild Your Business After A Fire

10/18/2023 (Permalink)

Experiencing a fire in your business can be devastating. Your business is your livelihood. How do you know where to begin with recovery? Calling SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville will put the restoration motions into place. Let’s discuss some of the common causes of commercial fires and how SERVPRO can help you get back to business should you experience one. 

What Are Some Common Causes of Commercial Fires? 

• Kitchen Fires: Whether your commercial building is a restaurant or not, the presence of kitchen equipment increases the chances of a fire breaking out. Flammable oils, high temperatures, and gas and electrical equipment that is faulty or unsupervised can all create a risk of fire. Everyone using cooking appliances within your business should be aware of fire safety protocols and fire prevention tips. 
• Electrical Issues: Faults with electrical systems can be caused by age, improper wiring, installation, or mishandling. During the winter months, rates of fires tend to spike because of heaters that malfunctioned or were placed close to flammable materials. Keeping your business safe means being diligent about maintaining the electrical equipment that keeps it running.  
• Arson: Unfortunately, sometimes a fire is completely out of your control. If you are the victim of arson or vandalism, know that SERVPRO can help you get through this distressing time. In case of all fires, it is important to document the damage and contact your insurance company for reimbursement. 

SERVPRO’s Commercial Fire Damage Restoration

Fire can bring multiple types of damage to the same property. Water damage from putting out the fire must be addressed, as well as the smoke and soot that has been left behind. SERVPRO Belle Meade/West Nashville is prepared to handle all of these issues and others that may arise. With 2170 franchises available to access all over the country, no commercial job is too large for us to handle. 

• Water Removal: Water damage from sprinkler systems or firefighters can cause secondary damage if not removed quickly. We begin drying the affected area immediately using vacuums and then dehumidifiers and air movers to complete the drying process. 
• Smoke and Soot Cleaning: Inhaling smoke and soot is dangerous for your health, so all traces must be eliminated to ensure your business is safe to operate again. We use specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces. 
• Odor Removal: The smell of smoke can permeate buildings after a fire, leaving an unpleasant reminder of a terrible event. SERVPRO has the technology not to mask odors but to extract them at the source, eliminating them completely.
• Fire Damage Restoration: After a fire, all you want is for your business to look and operate as normal. With SERVPRO, we will go the extra mile to get you there. Whether this means replacing drywall and carpet or rebuilding multiple areas, know that no commercial building or disaster is too big for SERVPRO to handle. 

Fire damage is scary and brings uncertainty, but the recovery process doesn’t have to be. Call (615) 242-9391 or visit our website for more information about our fire damage restoration services. Your business is in good hands when you call SERVPRO!

This franchise is independently owned and operated.

Smoke Damage 101: How SERVPRO Belle Meade Cleans and Restores Your Business

9/27/2023 (Permalink)

After a fire, the damage left behind by smoke and soot is an ugly reminder of a harrowing event. Our SERVPRO Belle Meade/West Nashville team doesn’t want you to have to relive memories of a fire every time you enter your home or business, and inhaling smoke and soot remnants can cause severe health problems. This week, we discuss how SERVPRO cleans and restores your business after fire damage. 

Smoke Damage 101

• Health Hazards: Inhaling smoke can cause severe health issues such as respiratory infections, cardiovascular problems, lung damage, and even an increased risk of certain cancers. In order to ensure your buildings’ safety after a fire, it is important to have your business thoroughly cleaned. 
• Structural Damage: No matter the size of the fire that occurs in your business, it is essential to get the structural integrity of your building checked out after a fire. This step is imperative for the safety of your employees and patrons. 
• Odor: Smoke and soot can leave behind an unpleasant odor that lingers and makes your building unpleasant to spend time in. Professional odor removal is needed to eliminate the source of the odors for good. 

How SERVPRO Belle Meade Can Help With Smoke Damage

• Odor Removal: As experts in deodorization, SERVPRO technicians take IICRC technical classes in the proper removal of odors. Our experts have access to several odor removal products capable of penetrating surfaces to neutralize an unpleasant odor thoroughly and effectively. 

• Trained Technicians: Our team members have seen many fire damage situations and are versed in how to approach a number of situations. Our specialists include: 

• Fire & Smoke Restoration Technician
• Odor Control Technician
• Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning Technician
• Water Damage Restoration Technician

• Commercial Restoration: The visual reminder of fire damage is something no business owner should have to deal with. That’s why our restoration team works diligently, with a “restore vs. replace” mindset, to bring your business back to pre-damage condition. With SERVPRO Commercial Large Loss Division specialists positioned strategically throughout the country, you can rest assured that no commercial restoration job is too large for SERVPRO to handle. 

Has your business experienced fire damage recently? Do not hesitate to reach out to our SERVPRO Belle Meade/West Nashville team at (615) 242-9391 or via our website. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week! 

This franchise is independently owned and operated.

If Your Restaurant Kitchen Experiences a Fire

9/13/2023 (Permalink)

If you work in a restaurant, you’re already aware that they pose a lot of fire risks. The busy nature, open fires, and flammable materials can make for a dangerous environment if not maintained vigilantly. SERVPRO Belle Meade/West Nashville is committed to your safety, which means helping spread awareness of fire risks and also working to restore your business in case of a fire. Let’s discuss how to maintain a safe restaurant environment and go over the steps you should take after a kitchen fire occurs. 

Restaurant Fire Safety

• Clear Exits: Maintaining exits for staff and patrons that are clear and easy to access is a top priority in case of fire. It is important to make sure that exits are not locked or obstructed by storage materials. 
• Inspection and Maintenance: Routine inspections of cooking equipment are essential. The hood, exhaust systems, and fire extinguishers should all be checked routinely to make sure they are in working order and do not have grease buildup. 
• Staff Awareness: Fire safety is up to everyone. Whenever new staff enter the restaurant space, they should be aware of fire risks, know how to use a fire extinguisher, and be careful not to place flammable materials, such as rags or aprons, near an open flame. 

SERVPRO Commercial Fire Damage Restoration

Every fire damage situation is different, but here is the typical journey the SERVPRO fire damage restoration process takes: 

• Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment: As soon as we arrive on the scene, our fire damage restoration team will inspect the extent of the damage and begin a restoration plan. 
• Board-Up and Roof-Tarp Service: If the damage is severe, our team will put up boards and tarp to contain the area and make sure external elements do not cause further damage to your business.
• Water Removal and Drying: Water used to put out the flames can cause damage if not taken care of properly. Our SERVPRO technicians will use high-powered air vacuums and other technology to make sure your property will not experience secondary damage in the form of water or mold. 
• Smoke and Soot Removal: Smoke and soot can be dangerous to breathe in and leave an unpleasant odor. Removing both will make your building safe to operate again. Cleaning and repairs at this stage will further prepare your building for restoration. 

• Restoration: Lastly, SERVPRO technicians will begin restoring your property to its pre-damage condition. Our team checks for structural damage and replaces weakened materials when needed to make sure that your building is as safe as ever.

At SERVPRO, we have seen what fire damage can do, and this is why we are committed to spreading awareness about fire safety. In case of a disaster, know that we will bring our experience, understanding, and professionalism to the table to make it as if a fire “never even happened. Our team at SERVPRO Belle Meade/West Nashville can be reached at (615) 242-9391 by phone or on our website. 

This franchise is independently owned and operated.

Fire Threats To Be Aware of In Your Hotel

8/23/2023 (Permalink)

Working in the hospitality industry, you are used to putting out metaphorical fires daily, but sometimes, an actual fire may strike. Even if you are familiar with SERVPRO Belle Meade/West Nashville for home cleaning and restoration, you may not realize we also handle commercial restoration. Our team would like to bring awareness to fire risks that you should be aware of in your hotel and detail how we can help get your hotel in working order after a fire. 

Most Common Fire Threats In Hotels

• Electrical Appliances: Hotels are full of electrical appliances, with many in guest rooms ranging from kettles to blow dryers to irons and more. Human error or faulty wiring can result in a fire. That is why it is important to make sure equipment is replaced if it is malfunctioning or old. 
• Cooking: Cooking is the number one fire starter in homes, and the risk it poses is also high in restaurants. Whether it is human error or faulty equipment, fires in restaurant kitchens can quickly spread to the rest of the hotel. Making sure your hotel’s automatic sprinkler system is in working order will give you and your staff peace of mind. 
• Smoking: Cigarettes can easily start fires and are a common culprit of fires in the hospitality industry, even if your building is smoke-free. 
• Arson: Unfortunately, despite following all the fire safety precautions available to you, there is a chance someone may start a fire on purpose. That is why it is always important to be aware of fire safety protocol and keep exits clear. 

SERVPRO Commercial Fire Damage Restoration

No restoration job is too large for SERVPRO Belle Meade/West Nashville. If a hotel you operate experiences a fire, know that our team is ready and able to help restore your property to pre-damage condition. Here is a rundown of our commercial fire damage restoration process: 

• Inspection: Upon arrival, our team will carefully inspect your entire property to determine the extent of the fire, smoke, and soot damage. This step is crucial to developing a plan of action and understanding how much equipment is needed for a large building such as a hotel. 
• Board Up and Roof-Tarp Service: Fire damage can often compromise windows, walls, and roofs. To maintain security and to protect against further damage, we board up broken windows and walls and place tarps on damaged roofs. 
• Water Removal: Water from automatic sprinklers can cause water and mold damage to your hotel if not taken care of. The water removal process begins almost immediately and removes the majority of the water. We then use dehumidifiers and air movers to complete the drying process. 
• Smoke and Soot Removal: We use specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces. We’re also trained to remove smoke odors using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.
• Sanitization and Restoration: We clean, sanitize, and disinfect all structures that were damaged by the fire. Restoration returns your hotel to its pre-fire condition, so you can get back to serving guests and functioning as normal. 

Commercial fire damage restoration is a lofty topic; you may have questions beyond the topics addressed here. We encourage you to reach out to our SERVPRO Belle Meade/West Nashville team to learn more about commercial restoration and other commercial services! Just give us a call at (615) 242-9391 for more information. 

This franchise is independently owned and operated. 

The Top Causes of Fire Damage And How To Avoid Them

8/12/2023 (Permalink)

Experiencing a fire in your home or business can be devastating on so many levels. That’s why our SERVPRO Belle Meade/West Nashville team aims to keep you informed on fire safety for your well-being and peace of mind. You may have some fire hazards sitting around and not even realize it! Keep reading for tips on how to make your home and/or business a safer place. 

What Are Some Top Causes of Fires? 

•  Cooking Fires: Cooking fires are the top cause of home fires in the U.S., starting almost half of all fires. Whenever you are cooking with any kind of heat source, be sure to stay in the kitchen and keep a watchful eye. 
• Heating: While essential during the winter, heaters can be detrimental and cause fires. Space heaters should be kept away from anything that can catch fire, such as blankets, curtains, or other fabrics, and used cautiously. It is also important to know what areas of your home get overheated during the summer, particularly if you are in an older home. 
• Electrical systems and lighting equipment: particularly around the holidays, lighting and electrical equipment can spark and cause fires. However, faulty wiring can strike and start a fire at any time of year. It is important to be aware if the wiring starts not to work properly. 
• Candles: Unattended candles can be a significant cause of fires, responsible for approximately 20 home fires reported every day. 

How Can I Be Vigilant about Fire Safety? 

• Regular maintenance is a key way to make sure that you are keeping your business or home safe. If you have any loose or unsafe-looking outlets, ensure you are addressing them, and replace extension and power cords as soon as they show signs of wear.
• Designate a spot, like a hook or a shelf, for dish towels and hot pads when cooking so they do not accidentally get placed on a hot stove. Turn off all hot appliances as soon as you are done cooking. 
• Never leave any source of fire, from a candle to a fireplace, unattended. Be sure to get your chimney cleaned before using it for the first time in a season. 
• Educate your family, particularly young children, about the importance of fire safety. Teach children not to play with lighters or matches, and help them understand how quickly a fire can spread. 

Our SERVPRO Belle Meade/West Nashville team cares about the well-being and safety of our community. That’s why we want to make sure you are informed about fire hazards and keep these fire safety tips in mind. In the unfortunate circumstance that you do experience a fire, know that SERVPRO Belle Meade/West Nashville can help restore your home or business to its pre-fire condition with one call to (615) 242-9391. With SERVPRO by your side, it will be “like it never even happened.” 

This franchise is independently owned and operated. 

The Hidden Dangers of Fire Damage In Your Home

7/18/2023 (Permalink)

Fire damage is usually pretty apparent. Burnt walls, soot, and the smell of smoke make it hard to miss. What you may not realize about fire damage is that without proper remediation processes, dangers may linger even after cosmetic repairs are done. Here are some facts about fire damage you may not be aware of, and how to make sure that they do not negatively affect you or your loved ones. 

Hidden Dangers After Fire Damage

• Structural damage: the incredible heat that builds up within your home can weaken its structural integrity. You may not be able to see this structural damage, but it certainly compromises the safety of your home. 
• Toxic Particles: After a house fire, asbestos-containing products such as insulation, floor tile and even old appliances can release asbestos particles into the air. Since such particles are microscopic, the air quality of your home needs to be tested for contamination. 
• Soot: In a house fire, soot spreads throughout the affected area, attaching to various surfaces. If not cleaned thoroughly, these toxic particles can lead to many health problems such as asthma, breathing issues, bronchitis, heart disease and even cancer. 

SERVPRO Eliminates Danger After Fire Damage

When it comes to fire damage, you want the absolute best in the industry to be the ones to give you the green light for when it is safe to move in again. You won’t find a more experienced or detailed fire damage restoration team than SERVPRO Belle Meade/West Nashville. 

Here are a few of the ways that our technicians make your home safe again after fire damage.  

• Surveying structural damage: SERVPRO experts will carefully inspect and test the rooms of your property to determine the extent of the fire, smoke, and soot damage. This step is crucial to developing a plan of action and ensuring your safety after restoration. 

• Eliminating toxic particles: We use specialized equipment and techniques to remove stubborn smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces. 

• Cleaning and removing soot and smoke reside: We thoroughly clean, sanitize, and disinfect all of the restorable items and structures in your home that were damaged by the fire. We employ a variety of cleaning techniques to restore your belongings to pre-fire condition, and remove odors using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.

Experiencing a house fire is heartbreaking and destabilizing, but SERVPRO is here to ensure your life can return to normal as quickly as possible. From speedy response times immediately following your disaster to communication and care every step of the way, you and your family should be assured that SERVPRO Belle Meade/West Nashville is here for you. Whether you are in need of help after fire damage or another form of restoration, you can always contact us at (615) 242-9391. As a BBB-accredited business, we offer excellent service and top-notch care throughout some of the most life-altering events. 

This franchise is independently owned and operated. 

Apartment Fire Damage: What to Do Next

7/14/2023 (Permalink)

Experiencing a fire is a frightening and destabilizing experience. You may have lost some precious belongings, and at the very least, your living space does not function, look, or smell anything like normal. What do you do when you live in an apartment, and this happens? Calling SERVPRO Belle Meade/West Nashville is the first step in the right direction. After a disaster, we will be on the scene, ready to clean, restore, and return your space to its pre-fire condition.

Apartment Fire Damage: What To Know

Cooking fires, lack of maintenance, or leaving candles unattended are all common causes of home and apartment fires. While it is best to be extremely cautious of fire hazards, disasters happen. Here’s what you need to know if a fire breaks out in your apartment: 

• Call your insurance company to report the situation and start a claim. This will help you secure temporary housing as soon as possible. 
• Be careful to move through the fire-damaged apartment as little as possible to avoid embedding soot particles in carpets and other fabrics. 
• Don't attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, heat, or water without consulting an authorized repair service.
• Don't turn on any ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet. The wiring may be damaged.

SERVPRO’S Apartment Fire Damage Restoration Process

Every fire damage restoration process is different, but here are a few of the typical steps our experts take when addressing fire damage: 

• All recovery processes start with an inspection to understand the extent of the damage and create a restoration plan. 
• Your apartment may have water damage from when the fire was put out, so the water removal process begins almost immediately and removes most of the water. We then use dehumidifiers and air movers to remove the remaining moisture. 
• Next, we utilize special equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces. Smoke and soot is detrimental to your health, so we thoroughly clean, sanitize, and disinfect all of the restorable items and structures that were damaged by the fire. 
• Restoration is the final step—getting your apartment back to normal. No matter how minor or major the repairs are, we can assure you that our work will return your space to its pre-fire condition. 

Calling SERVPRO is an essential step in the first moments after a disaster. No job is too small or large for our experienced and certified technicians. We know how to best approach fire damage and restore your space so that it is as if your disaster “never even happened.” Give us a call at (615) 242-9391 for speedy assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

This franchise is independently owned and operated.

How Do I Recover From Fire Damage To The Deck Or Patio Of My Hermitage/Donelson Home?

7/10/2023 (Permalink)

A fire may leave your deck or patio in ruin. You’ll want to recover it as soon as possible so you can continue enjoying the beautiful summer weather! 

The recovery process from fire damage is the same whether indoors or outdoors. You’ll want to contact a fire damage restoration company immediately to start your restoration process, and you can count on SERVPRO of Hermitage/Donelson to arrive directly! 

What Is The SERVPRO Fire Damage Restoration Process?

Here is what you can expect from SERVPRO of Hermitage/Donelson when disaster strikes:

Step 1: Emergency Contact. Your restoration begins when you call us at (615) 242-9391. Our representative will ask questions regarding the fire damage event to help us respond immediately with the appropriate equipment and resources. 

Step 2: Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment. We carefully inspect and test adjoining rooms of your property to determine the extent of the fire, smoke, and soot damage. This step is crucial to developing a plan of action. 

Step 3: Immediate Board-Up and Roof-Tarp Service. Fire damage can often compromise windows, walls, and roofs. To maintain security and to protect against further damage, we can board up missing windows and walls and place tarps on damaged roofs. 

Step 4: Water Removal and Drying (if water damage is present). The water removal process begins almost immediately and removes most of the water. We then use dehumidifiers and air movers to remove the remaining water and complete the drying process. 

Step 5: Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces. We use specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces. 

Step 6: Cleaning and Sanitizing. We clean, sanitize, and disinfect all of the restorable items and structures damaged by the fire. We use various cleaning techniques to restore your belongings to pre-fire condition. We’re also trained to remove odors using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.

Step 7: Restoration. Restoration is the final step—getting your home or business to its pre-fire condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet, or major repairs, such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.

Why Is SERVPRO Of Hermitage/Donelson My Best Bet For Fire Damage Restoration?

SERVPRO of Hermitage/Donelson specializes in fire and water damage restoration. We have specific damage restoration training, personnel, and equipment and can quickly restore your home to pre-fire condition.

• We Provide 24-Hour Emergency Service
• We Are Faster to Disasters of Any Size 
• We’re Locally Owned and Operated
• We Are Trusted Leaders in the Restoration Industry
• Our Team Comprises Highly Trained Fire Restoration Technicians

SERVPRO of Hermitage / Donelson is locally owned and operated—so we are part of the Nashville community. We are also part of a national network of over 2140 SERVPRO Franchises and special Disaster Recovery Teams strategically located nationwide to respond to large-scale disasters.

We are proud to serve our local communities:

• Nashville, TN
• Hermitage, TN
• Donelson, TN
• Old Hickory, TN
• Opryland, TN
• Clover Bottom, TN

This franchise is independently owned and operated. 

Choosing the Right Fire Extinguisher

6/14/2023 (Permalink)

Fire damage happens unexpectedly, but choosing the right fire extinguisher gives you a sense of control over the uncontrollable. Several factors come into play when picking the right fire extinguisher- factors like the specific type of fire, UL rating for safety and performance, and size depending on where the fire is happening. It’s easy to assume that fire extinguishers all look one way, but that couldn’t be further from the truth! It can be a matter of life and death, literally, when picking out the right fire extinguisher because it saves lives and can even protect your belongings from being too far gone. 

What Factors Should You Keep In Mind When Purchasing A Fire Extinguisher?

As mentioned above, the three main factors you should keep in mind when picking a fire extinguisher are:

• Type of fire: Fire hazards often come from flammable liquids like oils or electrical appliances. Fire extinguishers are grouped into categories based on what types of fires they can put out; for example, Class A fires stem from ordinary combustible materials like wood, and Class K fires come from cooking oils like vegetable oil. Remember that Class K fires are not to be confused with Class B fires which stem from oils, but these oils originate from grease and gasoline. 
• UL rating for safety and performance: UL ratings are broken down into three ratings: Class A, Class B, and Class C ratings. Class A ratings represent water equivalency on a scale of 1-40, where one extinguisher = ¼ of a gallon. Class B and C extinguishers represent how many square feet the extinguisher can reach when putting out a fire. 
• Size: Fire extinguishers are meant to be effective during a fire, not too large and bulky for the average person to use during a crisis because that would defeat the purpose. Several fire extinguishers come in 10-pound, 5-pound, and 2-pound variations. As you can guess, 10-pound fire extinguishers are best for commercial properties, whereas 2-pound fire extinguishers are best for keeping on hand in your vehicle. The 5-pounder is great to have in your West End home or even in small office spaces. 

What Content Cleaning Services Does SERVPRO Offer After A Fire?

SERVPRO offers a host of content cleaning services to restore your items to their preloss condition, including the following:

• Dry Cleaning: This type of cleaning involves a light cleaning of any residues before wet cleaning.
• Wet Cleaning: Our wet cleaning methods best treat moderate to heavy residues. 
• Immersion Cleaning: As the name suggests, immersion cleaning involves dipping your belongings into the cleaning product, similar to giving your belongings a bath. 
• Move-Outs/Packouts: If your West End home requires extensive fire damage cleanup and restoration services, our move-out and pack-out services are the best option! This can lead to a quicker remodeling process and prevents further damage from happening. 
• Contents Claim Inventory Service: This service provides a detailed and accurate list of all your belongings which is helpful for insurance purposes. 
• Read more about our content-cleaning services here!

SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville has the tools, fast emergency response times, and a highly-trained team to restore your West End home or business to its condition before fire damage. We know that a fire blazing through your property is stressful enough without the hassle of what needs to happen afterward- and SERVPRO understands. Our mission is to help you return to your new normal as soon as possible. If you need fire or water damage restoration and cleanup services in West End, contact us at (615) 242-9391. We are a BBB-accredited business AND a Hire Vets Medallion Awards recipient- and we were only one of 17 businesses recognized for the latter award in Tennessee, so you know we’re legit!

This franchise is independently owned and operated.

Cleaning Smoke Damage in Your Home

5/31/2023 (Permalink)

Fire damage is an unfathomable ordeal that we wouldn’t wish upon our worst enemies. The loss it brings is devastating physically and emotionally to the point where it’s difficult to know where to even start with the cleanup and restoration process. There are several points to consider when restoring your Belle Meade home from fire damage. Charred remains, soot, and smoke damage are all byproducts that need immediate cleaning and deodorizing. As the experts in odor removal and deodorization, SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville/Downtown Nashville can handle any and all of your fire damage concerns, including removing smoke smells from your property. 

What Are The First Steps You Should Take To Clean Smoke Damage?

***Please ensure you don’t take the steps below in place of calling the professionals! While these first steps will help you immediately after smoke damage while waiting for SERVPRO to arrive, heavy smoke and soot restoration is a professional job. 

• Place clean towels on rugs and other high-traffic areas in your home. You can also use old linens for the same purpose. 
• If you own houseplants, wash them on both sides of the leaves to ensure there isn’t soot clinging to them. 
• Mixing TSP and warm water to wipe down your home can be an effective combination. TSP, or Trisodium Phosphate, can break down the grime from smoke damage. You can buy this at a local hardware store, and once you dissolve one tablespoon of TSP per gallon of warm water, you can wipe down your home. (with prospective gear on, of course!)

How Does SERVPRO Effectively Clean Smoke Damage In Your Belle Meade Home?

• Our equipment is designed to control air quality and remove airborne contaminants during the cleanup and restoration process. These machines include air scrubbers and thermal foggers. 
• Firefighting efforts post-fire damage can lead to excess moisture because of water damage in the affected areas. Our deodorization products control such odors from surfacing and prevent them from spreading even further. 
• Our disinfection products stop mold, mildew, and other harmful microorganism growth throughout your home. You can often spot mold from its musty odors in areas affected by water damage. If you suspect your Belle Meade home might have mold, read more on SERVPRO’s mold remediation services. 

Strong smells are a gateway to some of our most vivid memories, and the potent smells from smoke damage are enough to trigger painful memories of your house fire experience. You’ve already been through so much, and at SERVPRO, we understand. As fire damage cleanup and restoration experts with over fifty years of industry experience, we are a BBB-accredited business, so you know we mean business. With our highly trained technicians who can handle the most complicated of fire damage scenarios, our goal is to bring your Belle Meade home back to its preloss condition. If you need us, give us a call at (615) 242-9391 or fill out this contact form if that’s easier. All it takes is one call before we’re on the scene in a matter of minutes! 

This franchise is independently owned and operated.

Practice Candle Safety At Home

5/10/2023 (Permalink)

Scented candles are lovely to have around to destress and have sweet smells waft throughout your Bellevue home. Aromatherapy has been around for years as a mood booster and even as a way to cure some diseases. As nice as all of that sounds, dealing with the repercussions of fire damage can be a huge pain because you left your burning candle unattended. Because prevention saves a lot of headaches down the road, we will share our top tips for practicing proper candle safety at home; however, we’re also aware that you can do everything and still need fire damage restoration/cleanup services. That’s where SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville can help you during moments of crisis- read more on our fire damage restoration process in Bellevue!

What Are The Most Effective Ways You Can Practice Candle Safety At Home?

• As we mentioned earlier, never leave a burning candle unattended! Even if you’re about to run a small errand, leaving a candle burning while you are away is too risky. You can always re-ignite the candle when you come home. 
• Piggybacking off of the previous point, leaving a candle unattended in your home with pets nearby can spell trouble! Ensure that you keep candles out of reach of pets and small children. 
• It is recommended that you never burn a candle all the way down. A good rule of thumb is to stop burning a candle when there’s half an inch to an inch left of it to reduce the chance of a fire. 

What Does Fire Damage Restoration Look Like In Bellevue?

• The first step starts with you calling us! We know that every fire damage scenario is different and deserves to be treated with the care that personalization offers. Our rep will ask you questions about your fire damage situation so that our team knows what type of equipment to bring. 
• Once we know what to bring, we’ll promptly conduct the inspection and fire damage assessment portion of this process. This involves examining every room of your Bellevue home to determine the extent of fire, smoke, and soot damage. 
• Before we start the restoration, we must put up temporary measures like board-up and roof-tarp services. Fire damage significantly affects windows, roofs, and walls, so this step is vital to prevent further damage. 
• This step is dedicated to water removal and drying if water damage is present. In many fire damage scenarios, water damage is present because of firefighting efforts. Effective water removal and drying occur thanks to our air movers and dehumidifiers. 
• Before we clean and sanitize the affected areas, we remove smoke and soot from all surfaces of your Bellevue home, including the ceilings, walls, and floors. 
• The second to last step of this process is cleaning and sanitizing all restorable items and areas that succumbed to fire damage. We’re trained in odor removal and deodorization, which means our team learns several cleaning techniques during training to restore your belongings to their preloss condition. 
• And finally, restoration! This can be minor repairs, such as replacing drywall and installing a new carpet, or major repairs, such as the full-scale reconstruction of one or more rooms in your home. 

Fire damage is often wrought with pain, loss, and stress, and it can be challenging to pick up the pieces and move toward restoration. A few practical measures are all it takes to ensure peace of mind, but when the unthinkable happens, you can count on SERVPRO to help you through the crisis. You can’t go wrong with our advanced equipment, highly-trained team, and 24/7 emergency response every day of the year, including holidays, to get your Bellevue home back to its preloss condition. We even help you with the insurance paperwork during the claims process to lessen the headache from this ordeal. If you need us for fire damage cleanup and restoration services, contact us at (615) 242-9391. With over 50 years of experience in fire damage restoration, you can count on us to walk you through this stressful moment!   

This franchise is independently owned and operated. 

Fire Hazards In Your Home

4/26/2023 (Permalink)

Your home is the place where you should feel safe and secure at all times. While this is the idea in most cases, there are items in your home that you may not even realize could cause a fire hazard. It only takes a spark for something in your Green Hills home to catch fire and burn to the ground… and it all happens in a matter of minutes. The emotional distress that follows fire damage is unimaginable and, combined with the cost of damages, is stressful enough. The first step is educating yourself on the fire hazards in your home, which can help you and your loved ones prevent fire damage and stay safe!

What Should You Know About Fire Hazards In Your Home?

• According to the Red Cross, space heaters are the main culprits of fire damage causing 1 in every six residential fires. It's a good rule of thumb to keep space heaters and other equipment that generates heat at least three feet away from flammable items. 
• We all love a sweet-smelling candle, but you don't want to leave it unattended when it's burning, especially if you've left it near something flammable. Blow out candles and unplug heating appliances before leaving the room and, most importantly, before leaving your house. 
• Have your chimney cleaned once a year if you have a fireplace! Embers can escape easily, and soot/dirt buildup in your chimney can ignite fires if not maintained properly. 

Kitchen Fire Damage: What Should You Know And How Can You Deal With It?

• You may think putting water over a fire can put out ANY fire… think again! Adding water to a grease fire causes the oil from said grease fire to splash, leading the fire to spread throughout your kitchen. In this case, the best course of action would be to smother a grease fire and let it fizzle out without your interference. 
• Wondering how to smother a fire? The best way to do that is to have a pot or pan nearby and use the lid to cover the flames before it's extinguished on its own.  
• Never throw flour at a grease fire! Baking soda is usually your best bet, and if you're running low on that, try salt. Both ingredients are good for putting out a small grease fire in your kitchen; however, if the fire is spreading rapidly, the most important thing to do is to get to safety and call the pros. 

Fire damage is unthinkable, and the actual incident happens faster than you can process it. It's easy to assume that once fire damage occurs, all is lost, but this is often not the case! Many of your belongings are, in fact, restorable, allowing you to save thousands of dollars that would have gone toward replacing them! Because disasters are unplanned and often happen in the blink of an eye, it's critical to call a trusted restoration company available 24 hours a day, every day of the week. Enter SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville. Our team has top-of-the-line equipment, solid training, and experience in a wide range of cleaning/restoration services that are difficult to find elsewhere. When you contact us at (615) 242-9391, you can breathe easy knowing that you have a group of dedicated, caring individuals in your corner- we even help with the insurance paperwork during the claims process. We're only one call away! 

This franchise is independently owned and operated. 

Our Odor Removal Process After Smoke Damage

4/12/2023 (Permalink)

Fire damage is devastating enough for your home or business, but the impact is multiplied when the smell of smoke and grains of charred ashes remain on your property. Certain smells often remind us of specific memories from our lives. Smoky residues left behind on your Nashville property are enough to bring back the painful memories that linger from fire damage. At SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville, we know that odor removal goes deeper than putting air fresheners on the affected areas. Our team ensures quality that goes beyond the surface through a host of odor removal and deodorization methods, which we will list below. Not only does this rid your home or business of smoky odors, but your air quality will also be cleaner and healthier for everyone in the building. 

What Kinds Of Odor Removal Techniques Does Our Team Use?

• The machines we use to remove odors after a fire are made to control air quality by removing airborne contaminants. Our odor removal and deodorization equipment include the following:
• Thermal foggers
• Industrial air scrubbers
• HEPA vacuums
• Disaster restoration is often cyclical. With fire damage can come water damage from firefighting efforts. If the water damage isn’t handled promptly, moisture can sink in, leading to mold growth. Our deodorization products ensure odor control from excessive moisture so you can stop the problem at its root. 
• Suppose you’re a business owner looking for a tailor-made cleaning program to remove odors. In that case, our Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program can be an excellent resource. This program caters to the unique needs of your facility because we know that every commercial property is different. 

What Else Should You Know About Odors Caused By Fire Damage?

• One of the first places you should have checked for odors after fire damage is your HVAC units. Smoke and soot odors will circulate and re-circulate throughout your property leading to poor indoor air quality that can be detrimental to your health if you ignore these units. SERVPRO can examine your HVAC units for any harmful particles lodged in there and conduct the necessary cleaning processes to breathe new life into your HVAC systems. 
• Cleaning and sanitizing are essential parts of our fire damage restoration process. We use OSHA-approved cleaning and sanitizing agents to stop mold, mildew, and other harmful microorganism growth. 
• Our highly trained team takes courses on fire/water restoration as well as carpet and upholstery cleaning. After completing course modules and an exam, our team becomes certified in disaster restoration, including odor removal. 

We hope you feel more at ease about how odor removal after fire damage works. It’s difficult to pick up the pieces of your life from something as impactful as fire damage. While the effects are different depending on whether you’re a homeowner or business owner, the fact remains that the chain of events afterward can be overwhelming to endure. If you need odor removal services post-fire damage, feel free to contact us at (615) 242-9391. We are dedicated to making life a little easier for our Nashville neighbors!

This franchise is independently owned and operated

The Importance of Fire Safety

3/22/2023 (Permalink)

Fire damage is one of the most devastating events for a home or business. The restoration process afterward is daunting enough without the added stress of filling out insurance paperwork during the claims process. To save yourself from this added stress, it is always best to practice fire safety procedures, so you don’t have to deal with the heartache of fire damage cleanup. Additionally, you save yourself thousands of dollars in damage when you take actionable steps to prevent fires as much as possible. Remember that prevention doesn’t always guarantee that fires will stay at bay! However, if you educate yourself on fire safety and its importance, you are taking care of your West End home or business before anything can happen, should it occur. 

How Can You Prevent Fires To Your Home Or Business?

• Knowing what can start a fire is critical to figuring out how to stop them or prevent them from happening altogether. One way to prevent fires from happening to your West End property is a simple housekeeping tip: keep your surroundings clean! Avoid misplacing flammable items and store all chemicals in a safe, clean area. 
• Are your heating sources working properly? If not, it may be time to get them checked! Air conditioning filters and other HVAC units need to be cleaned and maintained at least once a year to prevent fires from happening. It is recommended that you consult a professional restoration company when you have questions about your HVAC units. 
• Faulty wiring is yet another cause of house and business fires. If you feel heat in your wires when you touch them, we recommend getting those checked out by an expert and making any necessary repairs. 

How Can SERVPRO Help If The Unthinkable Happens?

• SERVPRO has over five decades of experience in fire and water damage restoration. With fire damage comes water damage due to firefighting efforts, so we have trained technicians capable of handling both scenarios in any form. 
• Aside from the cleanup and restoration aspect of fire damage, our team is trained to eliminate the distinctive odors that smoke produces. It isn’t enough to just spray air freshener over the smells- our team gets to the root cause of the scent to neutralize the unpleasant odor before it can spread throughout your home or business. 
• Our restore vs. replace mentality allows us to restore the precious items you thought you lost forever to fire damage. While some things may be too far gone to bring back, you may be surprised to hear that many of your belongings can actually be restored post-disaster. Learn more about some of our content restoration methods here. 

When fire or water damage takes over your life, SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville is here to help you take it back! With state-of-the-art technology and faster-than-average emergency response times, our team is always nearby and ready to help when disaster strikes. Our projects range from residential to commercial, and we can also handle mold and storm damage restoration. We’re only one call away- all you have to do is contact us at (615) 242-9391. We’ll handle the rest. 

This franchise is independently owned and operated.

In Need of Fire Damage Restoration? Here's What to Expect

3/8/2023 (Permalink)

Fire damage is one of the most devastating events to happen to your home or business. Not only do you have to focus on restoration and cleanup, but having experienced a fire is a highly emotional ordeal. You may not know what to expect: that's why SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville cares about helping you through such trying times. As specialists in fire damage restoration and cleanup, we believe in the value of continuing education so that we can always stay on top of the latest how-tos in fire damage restoration. Read more below on what to expect when the unexpected happens!

What Should You Know About Fire Damage Restoration In Belle Meade?

• Fire damage isn't just limited to the fire- you also have to consider the subsequent water damage that follows because of firefighting efforts! With fire and water damage restoration being our bread and butter, we can take care of every aspect of these processes, from the initial assessment of your Belle Meade property to the full-scale restoration of your home or business. 
• Immediately after a fire, it is best to tape cheesecloth over air vents to catch loose soot in the air. 
• Wet materials are deceptively heavy, so be careful after a fire!

How Does SERVPRO Handle Carpet And Upholstery Cleaning After Fire Damage?

• Our specialized carpet and upholstery cleaning methods include the following:
• Bonnet cleaning for short pile carpets. This is a less aggressive method compared to other cleaning methods. 
• Dry cleaning is saved for coloring issues after fire or water damage. 
• Hot water extraction is a deeper cleaning method reserved for deeply soiled areas for all carpet types. 
• And more!
• If you want professional carpet cleaning post-fire damage for maintenance purposes, SERVPRO can get the job done right with over 50 years of experience under our belt!

Our team at SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville is dedicated to responding quickly when disaster strikes. A quick response is critical to saving time and money as well as reducing further damage. Our technicians are trained in fire/smoke restoration, odor control, water damage, and upholstery/fabric cleaning. With our restore vs. replace mentality, you can continue saving money while keeping the items most precious to you. If you need fire or water damage restoration and cleanup services this spring, contact us at (615) 242-9391. We are happy to serve Belle Meade, Nashville, and other surrounding neighborhoods, including downtown!

This franchise is independently owned and operated.

How to Avoid Fires in Your Home or Business

2/20/2023 (Permalink)

Fire damage is undoubtedly one of the most heart-wrenching incidents for a homeowner or a business owner. It’s an overwhelming ordeal to handle all at once, and you shouldn’t have to take care of it alone. When you call SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville, you can count on the fire and water damage cleanup and restoration experts to arrive on the scene prepared and ready to handle anything. The best way to arm yourself against fires happening in your Belle Meade home or business is education. Knowledge is power, and you can guard against fire damage if you follow a few simple prevention tips listed below. If you have just experienced a fire, we have also laid out ways you can care for your belongings after a fire. 

How Can You Prevent Fires From Happening In Your Belle Meade Home Or Business? 

• Turn off space heaters before leaving the room, and never keep them too close to bedding, furniture, and loose clothing. 
• Disrupt all appliances, including stoves and electronics, if power lines are down. 
• Create a fire escape plan! Walk through your home or business and map out every possible escape route. You should also practice exiting the home or business from every route and ensure that your family members or staff have practiced every route also. 

What Should You Do To Care For Your Belongings After A Fire?

• SERVPRO offers several contents restoration services which include the following:
• Dry cleaning
• Wet Cleaning
• Immersion Cleaning
• And more!
• Electronics damaged by fire pose a severe hazard to anyone who comes in contact with them. Acids from smoke residues can corrode metal surfaces. SERVPRO can restore the following electronic devices after a fire:
• TV sets
• Computers
• DVD players
• And more!
• Our Contents Claim Inventory Service (CCIS) provides an accurate list of your belongings for insurance purposes. Some other benefits of the CCIS include the following:
• A detailed report with the preloss value of your items
• More accurate information for quicker claims settlement
• Assistance during the claims process

We are here to help! SERVPRO has over five decades of experience cleaning up and restoring homes and businesses after fire damage. We understand the stress and strain that follows a fire- we work with your insurance provider to help you manage the paperwork during the fire damage restoration process. We are respectful and empathetic to your situation because we know that every fire damage incident is different. When you contact us at (615) 242-9391, you can trust that SERVPRO will get the job done well. All you have to do is call. We’ll take care of the rest!

This franchise is independently owned and operated.

Steps to Take After Experiencing a House Fire

2/1/2023 (Permalink)

A house fire is a devastating loss to incur mentally and emotionally aside from the obvious physically. While everyone reacts to a house fire differently, one thing remains the same: you must have a plan for what to do afterward! First things first, determine whether it is safe to re-enter your home. After mentally preparing for the damage you will see inside your Bellevue home, exercise caution throughout the house because any structural damage could crumble to the touch. 

What Steps Should You Take Immediately After Experiencing A House Fire? 

• Have your Bellevue home secured with boarding up and roof tarps to prevent additional damage. SERVPRO provides a host of building services to secure your home while the restoration is underway. Learn more about them here. 
• Contact your insurance agent as soon as possible and document everything before and after fire damage in the home. That way, your provider can determine coverage. Many insurance companies require a fire report chronicling the incident, so contacting your local fire department to have that done is critical to the insurance paperwork process. 
• Place old cloths or clean towels in high-traffic areas of your home. That way, you'll be able to limit soot particles from being embedded into carpets and upholstery. 

In What Ways Can You Prevent A Fire From Happening Again? 

• Inspect all areas of your home, including your kitchen and laundry rooms, with kitchen fires being the main culprit behind residential fire incidents. 
• When cooking, don't wear loose-fitting clothing that (literally) fan the flames and catch fire! 
• Check for any potential hazards in your home, including appliance cords that are frayed and cracked. If you have gasoline cans, ensure you don't store them inside the house. 

SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville are THE fire damage cleanup and restoration experts! As the Angie's List Super Service Award recipients, we are a trusted leader in the disaster restoration industry. Our highly-trained technicians specialize in the fire damage restoration process and have the tools to carry out ALL fire damage scenarios, big and small. We know how life-changing fire damage can be for a homeowner. And we understand. That's why we strive to center our systems around restoration, not replacement. Not only does that save money, but you get to keep whatever salvageable items that are not too far gone for years to come. If you need fire damage cleanup and restoration services in Bellevue, contact us at (615) 242-9391. Additionally, we work with your insurance provider to make the claims process easier for you!

This franchise is independently owned and operated. 

How to Deal with Fire Damage in Your Attic

1/18/2023 (Permalink)

Many people use their attics for storage because of the open space it provides. Attics are also known for temperature control and are very well insulated during winter. An electrical system malfunction is your attic's most common form of fire damage. When your Nashville home has an overloaded heating system, circuit breakers can crash and cause a fire that can start from your attic and spread throughout the house. It is critical to do a once-over on all your HVAC systems in the attic because that area of your home is often overlooked compared to the kitchen or the living room. Today, we will share some tips on how to handle the aftermath of fire damage in your attic and how you can maintain your HVAC system to prevent it from overheating. 

What Should You Do After A Fire In Your Attic?

• Wear protective gear when cleaning your attic after a fire! Aside from goggles, you should wear gloves and knee pads for cramped areas. 
• Open your attic windows to ventilate the space and allow fresh air into the room. 
• Vacuuming the area to remove harmful materials like soot and ashes is a good thing to do while waiting for help to arrive. 
• And, of course, keep your hands clean to avoid soiling upholstery and woodwork. According to the CDC, washing your hands for at least twenty seconds is an effective way to keep germs at bay. 

How Can You Take Care Of Your HVAC Systems To Prevent Them From Overheating?

• If you hear strange hissing sounds coming from your heating unit, you should start paying attention to any other electrical problems with your HVAC system instead of labeling it as just another glitch. Ignoring a minor issue now could become a major problem and even cause permanent damage to your HVAC system.
• Change your HVAC filters regularly! Your heating unit can regularly collect dust and grime over time, leading to poor air quality in your Nashville home. A good rule of thumb would be to change HVAC filters once a month to avoid this issue. 
• Call the professionals to share their recommendations on cleaning your HVAC systems. SERVPRO is equipped to perform maintenance checks on your heating and cooling systems to ensure they are in good working order. Keeping these central units in your home clean prolongs the life of these systems and guarantees better air quality for you and your family. 

SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville are trusted leaders in the restoration industry with top-tier tools in our tool pack, decades of experience thanks to our constantly-evolving training programs, and speedy emergency response times. We believe in restoration over replacement because we know that you just can't replace some things. We can save you time during the insurance claims process by managing the paperwork while you get your home in order. As a locally owned and operated business with access to franchise resources, we provide the camaraderie of a local business with the expertise of a franchise. We are proud to take an active role in the Nashville community- if you need SERVPRO for fire damage cleanup and restoration in Music City, contact us at (615) 242-9391. We also specialize in commercial restoration and all water damage and mold scenarios. 

This franchise is independently owned and operated.

Dealing with Smoke Damage to Your Walls

12/28/2022 (Permalink)

Fire damage is not only soul-crushing, but its impact on your Green Hills home or business leaves an imprint on your mind like no other. It can be difficult to decipher where to begin. There’s the cleanup, restoration, and of course, the insurance paperwork that comes with filing a claim on your property. And let’s not forget the distinct odor that a fire leaves behind, which many experts have said that smells often unlock vivid memories. The goal is to get you back on your feet as soon as possible, starting with the smoke damage to your walls. We will discuss below the top tips on dealing with smoke damage and what DIY cleanup methods you can take advantage of while the professionals are on their way. 

How Can You Remedy Smoke Damage While Waiting For SERVPRO? 

• According to the Red Cross, one way to get rid of smoke and soot from your walls is to use a mild detergent or add 4-6 tablespoons of tri-sodium phosphate and 1 cup of a household cleaner to warm water. Ensure that you are wearing rubber gloves throughout the process. 
• Another way you can remedy smoke damage while waiting for us is to wipe down your walls with a clean rag dipped in vinegar. This solution is known to cut through even the trickiest of smoke smells, but it is only a temporary solution because restoration doesn’t just end at getting rid of a pungent odor. 
• Before having your walls repainted, make sure all surfaces are completely dry! It may sound like common sense, but mold damage is a valid concern when there is still wetness from firefighting efforts or moisture from cleaning up with warm water. 

What Should You Do Immediately After A Fire? 

• After determining that it is safe enough to go inside your home or business, limit all movement to reduce soot particles from clinging to other areas of the property, like the floors and carpets. 
• Change your HVAC filters; while you’re at it, take care of your air registers by taping double layers of cheesecloth over them!
• Place old linens and clean towels in heavy traffic areas to avoid spreading more soot and ashy remains throughout the property. 

Fire damage is a rough ordeal. We understand. SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville are highly trained and technologically savvy, so our technicians are the pros at efficiently bringing your Green Hills property back to its preloss condition. Our “restore vs. replace” mentality sets us apart from other restoration companies in Green Hills because you’ll save money while keeping irreplaceable mementos. We even manage the insurance paperwork during the claims process to make things easier for you. If you need us, contact us at (615) 242-9391. All it takes is one call, and we’ll handle the rest!

This franchise is independently owned and operated.

How to Handle Fire Damage at Your Hotel

12/7/2022 (Permalink)

Being in the hospitality industry means showing top-notch customer service and providing a comfortable atmosphere to your customers and stakeholders. Almost every business depends on facility maintenance and customer service from their employees, but this is even more so with hotel management. When a fire takes over, it is overwhelming and anxiety-inducing. You need the right restoration company to handle such a colossal task. Look no further than SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville, where we have the tools of the trade and over five decades of experience to restore your West End hotel to its preloss condition. 

What Kinds Of Building Services Do We Offer Post-Fire Damage? 

• The immediate concern after fire damage to your hotel should be temporary protective measures before professional restoration experts handle the fire damage restoration process. 
• Having one restoration company take care of both the initial damage mitigation and reconstructing the affected areas makes the fire damage restoration process more efficient while saving money. 
• SERVPRO can offer the following building services after a disaster:

• Board up
• Document drying
• Roof tarp
• Carpet repair and installation
• Drywall removal
• Hardwood floor repair
• And several more!

What Does SERVPRO’s Fire Damage Restoration Process Look Like? 

Every fire damage scenario is unique. Our goal as the number one restoration company in West End is to conduct the restoration process following the steps below while tailoring our solutions to match the level of your hotel’s damage. 

• Step One: The first step starts when you contact us. Our representative will ask questions about the damage so that our technicians know what equipment to bring. 
• Step Two: The inspection and fire damage assessment occur once we arrive on the scene. Our technicians will carefully examine each affected room of your hotel to determine the severity of the smoke, soot, and fire damage. Water damage from firefighting efforts will also be present in many fire damage situations, so we’ll carry out the following steps with that in mind. 
• Step Three: The third step is where our team implements temporary protective measures to prevent further damage. This includes immediate board-up and roof tarp services. 
• Step Four: The water removal and drying process occurs immediately after the board-up and roof tarp. Our potent air movers and dehumidifiers remove the remaining water to speed up the drying timeline. 
• Step Five: Before cleaning and sanitizing, we remove smoke and soot from all surfaces, including ceilings, walls, and floors. 
• Step Six: This is where we clean and sanitize all restorable structures that were impacted by fire damage. Our team is trained to remove offensive odors with the help of industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.
• Step Seven: The restoration process is just beginning with step seven! This is where the restoration process commences depending on the fire damage. It can include minor repairs such as installing new carpet and replacing drywall or major reconstruction of several areas of your hotel. 

At SERVPRO, our restoration experience spans many industries, including the service industry, corporate offices, and government buildings like The Pentagon! We are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, because we know that disaster never sleeps. We have access to the resources of over 2,030 franchises, so you can feel safe knowing that there isn’t a commercial project that’s too big for us. We are also experts in water damage, mold damage, and a handful of residential and commercial cleaning services. If you need us, give us a call at (615) 242-9391. It’s supposed to be the happiest time of year, and our goal this time and every time of the year is to make it “Like it never even happened!” 

This franchise is independently owned and operated.

Holiday Decoration Safety Tips

11/30/2022 (Permalink)

The holidays are here, which means good company, good food, and a festive atmosphere. It’s a jolly time of year, but those feelings can be dampened when you don’t adhere to holiday safety tips, and a fire starts because of it. Fire damage is devastating, even more so during the holiday season. No matter what your plans are, safety always comes first. We have listed below the top tips for the two main holiday accessories: trees and lights. We hope you learn something new today!

Tree’s Company: What Are Some Christmas Tree Safety Tips You Shouldn’t Skip?

• While many artificial trees are fire-resistant, it’s essential to look for proof in writing that states that the tree you’re buying is indeed fire-resistant. A rule of thumb to remember here is that a fresh tree will be less of a fire hazard than a dry one, so you want to check for freshness first. 
• Place your tree out of high-traffic areas of your Belle Meade home or office, and make sure you use guy wires to secure your tree to ceilings or walls. 
• Keep your Christmas tree away from fireplaces, space heaters, and heat sources. Trees can dry out quickly in a heated room for a long time, causing a fire hazard, so keep your tree about six inches away from all heat sources. 

Night Light: What Are Some Holiday Lights Safety Tips You Can Use This Season? 

• Battery-operated lighting may be a wise choice to reduce the risk of an electrical fire. You can even go for small holiday bags with battery-operated candles for a safe, festive feel. 
• Check each set of lights for cracked sockets, frayed wires, or loose connections. All these options are fire hazards, so please ensure that your lights are repaired before using them or disposed of properly if you buy a new set.
• A quick housekeeping tip that can be forgotten during the magic of the holidays: turn off all lights on Christmas trees and other decorations before going to bed! A fire can start from lights getting short-circuited. 

Happy Holidays from SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville! Following the safety tips above is always a good move, but as with the nature of natural disasters, they can come out of nowhere during the most inconvenient times. If the unthinkable happens, there’s no better restoration company to call than SERVPRO. With over five decades of experience in fire damage restoration, SERVPRO has the training and high-tech equipment to mitigate fire damage in Belle Meade effectively. If you need this, contact us at (615) 242-9391. We even work with your insurance company and handle the claims paperwork to make this time easier for you and your loved ones. 

This franchise is independently owned and operated.

Fireplace Safety for Winter

11/23/2022 (Permalink)

The holidays are here, and it’s the happiest time of year. There’s nothing more comforting than sitting around the fireplace with family and loved ones to bask in the joys of the season. However, there are a few safety precautions to ensure everyone’s safety and good spirits this season. Depending on the type of fireplace you have, you can follow some guidelines while taking full advantage of the hearth of your home. No matter what, safety always comes first. 

What Safety Precautions Should Be In Place If You Have A Gas Fireplace?

• Keep ALL furniture at least three feet away from the fireplace! Keeping your items a safe distance away from your gas fireplace allows you room for error should a fire start. It’s only a matter of time before a tiny spark becomes a blazing fire. 
• Going along with the first point, ensure you don’t leave flammable items near your gas fireplace! Paper products and window treatments, among others, are highly flammable and should be kept from the fireplace at all times. 
• Have you checked your safety screen barrier? While efficient, the sturdy glass panel that separates your gas fireplace from your Belle Meade home can get hot quickly. You should ensure the screen barrier is securely attached to the unit for your safety. 

Do You Have A Wood Fireplace? Here’s What You Should Know…

• This tip also applies to gas fireplaces: Install a carbon monoxide detector! Faulty fireplace maintenance can directly result from carbon monoxide odors permeating your home. 
• Natural wood has its issues when you burn it for your fireplace- that’s why we recommend seasoned hardwood or manufactured logs to reduce soot buildup. Chimney fires are often correlated with soot buildup over time which manufactured logs can prevent. However, these logs burn hotter than natural wood, so be careful not to burn too many at once!
• NEVER (and we mean never) overload the fireplace to prevent burning embers from rolling out of the fireplace. It might be a simple housekeeping tip grounded in common sense, but a little really goes a long way. 

At SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville, we specialize in fire damage restoration, from the cleanup aspect to the full-scale restoration of your Belle Meade home. We arrive on the scene at a moment’s notice, bringing top-of-the-line equipment with us to mitigate damage effectively. Fire and water damage restoration are the cornerstones of our business, and we work tirelessly to bring you high-quality cleanup and restoration services unlike that of other restoration companies. We even go the extra mile to integrate our restore vs. replace mentality into our process to save you money and help you keep the valuable items you can’t put a price on. If you need us, contact us at (615) 242-9391. We’re on call 24/7, 365 days a year, for any and all fire damage concerns. 

This franchise is independently owned and operated. 

Keeping Fall Bonfires Under Control/Bonfire Safety at Home

10/26/2022 (Permalink)

What's your favorite fall pastime? Is it going to a haunted house, jumping in a pile of crunchy leaves, drinking apple cider (or a pumpkin spice latte!), hosting a bonfire, or all of the above? Whatever your favorite fall activity, safety always comes first. The last thing you want is a fall bonfire, meant to be a fun gathering, going up in flames because you didn't maintain it properly. Below, we have put together a list of things to remember when you are hosting a bonfire and ways you can keep yourself and your loved ones safe during this festive time of year. 

What Safety Precautions Should You Remember When Hosting A Bonfire?

• Do a temperature check! You don't want to host a bonfire on a windy night…
• Watch out for anyone running too close to a bonfire so that no one gets hurt. 
• Is your bonfire in a legal spot? Research fire regulations in your area and take precautions accordingly. 
• The wood you're burning matters! Ensure the wood is dry and seasoned and that nothing you're putting into the fire is coated or treated. 
• If you have long hair, tie it back and don't wear loose clothes that have a possibility of catching fire. 
• Keep a hose attached to a water source or buckets of water, just in case. You never know when/if you will need it. 

How Else Can You Protect Yourself And Your Loved Ones At A Bonfire?

• Before lighting your bonfire, check to see if any pets or outside animals like squirrels and hedgehogs found their way into the pit, and bring them out if they have. 
• Instead of pouring petrol to start a bonfire, use firelighters to keep hazardous flare-ups at bay. 
• Do NOT burn waste from your home- it's not only dangerous, but the flames from burnt waste can be harmful to inhale and can cause pollution. 

Bonfires can be a great way to connect with loved ones and ring in a season that brings a slew of holidays with it. However, it only takes one mistake for the night to be memorable- and not necessarily in a good way. We hope you learned something new from the above tips, and if you need us to mitigate fire damage, (we hope you don't!) SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville is on call 24/7 to get your Bellevue home back to its preloss condition. We use state-of-the-art equipment and are exceptionally trained, with several crew members being IICRC-certified. We're just one call away at (615) 242-9391; we even offer a contact form if you prefer to reach out to us that way. Our mission is to make your fire damage situation "Like it never even happened!"

This franchise is independently owned and operated!

It's Fire Prevention Week! What Are Some Steps You Can Take To Avoid Fires This Fall?

10/12/2022 (Permalink)

Did you know that there's an entire week dedicated to preventing fires? Since 1922, The National Fire Protection (NFPA) has sponsored community observance of Fire Prevention Week every year in October. Not only is it the longest-running public health observance in the US, but it is also an effective way to get educated on preventing fires from happening in the first place. This life-saving practice was recognized during the second week of October to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, which devastated the community. While we believe every week should be Fire Prevention Week, we want to take some time to compile a few handy tips on preventing fall fires in Nashville- there's no better time than now to be educated on the topic!

What Are Some Proactive Steps You Can Take To Prevent Fires This Fall?

• Create a family action plan! Remember that this should include possible escape routes when a fire starts because it's only a matter of seconds for a fire to destroy everything in its path. Your plan should consist of everyone in your Nashville home and be ready to assist more vulnerable individuals. 
• Ensure that smoke alarms are in every bedroom so that if the worst were to happen, every member of the family would be able to hear it right away. Also, double-check that there are smoke alarms at every level of your home, including the basement. You can invest in carbon monoxide and combination smoke alarms for heightened safety. 
• Practice, practice, practice! Know your home fire drill by heart so that you and your family won't be scrambling around if an actual fire happens. 

What Else Should You Know About Fire Damage This Fire Prevention Week?

• You may think that the flames are more deadly, but it's the heat from a fire that's more threatening! At eye level, room temperature can rapidly rise to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. 
• If fire damage happens, it's not just fire damage that's being cleaned up-; water damage from firefighting efforts is also a concern, so there's an extra layer to the restoration process in the instance of fire damage. 
• Even if the heat left behind by fire damage is uncomfortable, do NOT turn on ceiling fixtures, especially if they're still wet! The wiring may be damaged and can be dangerous. 

The aftermath of fire damage is unlike any other kind of damage left behind by a natural disaster. The soot-filled walls, ashy remains, and singed floors are disheartening to witness, and it's even more overwhelming to think about the claims process. We hope that the above tips help you prevent fires this fall, but sometimes, no matter how much you prepare, the unthinkable can happen. If you're in that situation, contact SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville at (615) 242-9391. Our fire damage specialists are equipped and ready 24/7! 

This franchise is independently owned and operated.

The Beginner's Guide To The Different Types Of Smoke After Fire Damage

9/21/2022 (Permalink)

Did you know that smoke isn't limited to thick, black smoke? Yes, it's true- there are actually four different types of smoke you can experience after fire damage. Each type of smoke is caused by various fire damage circumstances, which is why education is vital here. Depending on the fire's temperature, fuel materials, and even location, the fire damage restoration process will be adjusted slightly for every situation. We hope to educate you today on the types of smoke after fire damage and what the odor removal/deodorization process looks like after smoke has left its mark in your West End home or business. 

What Are The Four Types Of Smoke Damage, And How Can You Identify Them?

• Dry Smoke: The powdery texture from this type of smoke is usually the product of incinerated paper or wood. Because the powder is so fine, it can fall into cracks or other porous areas within your West End home or business. On the bright side, the smell from this type of smoke is not as strong as the other three types, AND it's relatively easy to clean!
• Wet Smoke: If dry smoke germinates from fast-burning fires, wet smoke usually comes from smoldering, slow-burning fires. Unfortunately, this is the smoke smell most people think of after fire damage because it's a cloud of black smoke that can overtake your property with its pungent odors. 
• Fuel/Oil Residue: Also known as petroleum residue, this type of smoke damage is usually not found in residential or commercial fires unless you used petroleum products before the fire. However, a more common situation that can bring about this type of smoke is if a building's furnace were to have a small leak which is how you'll come across this sticky, dense smoke. If you suspect this is the type of smoke you're dealing with, call the professionals because fuel-generated smokes are especially difficult to clean!
• Protein Residue: Cooking fires are often the culprit behind this smoke! When organic material evaporates during a low-heat fire, you may not notice soot or even much smoke, for that matter. But don't let that fool you- this type of smoke can discolor your surfaces for good! While protein residues may not be completely visible, you'll easily be able to recognize its intense, unpleasant smell, which a professional has experience in eliminating. 

What Does The Odor Removal And Deodorization Process Look Like In West End?

• Our highly trained team at SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville is certified in removing even the most pungent odors. We know that these odors can come from both inside and outside of a structure which is why we go the extra mile when carrying out our deodorization process. 
• If your smoke odor is serious and persistent, spraying an air freshener won't cut it. You need expert techniques and advanced tools to eliminate your odor problem. 
• Our equipment, including thermal foggers and air scrubbers, removes airborne contaminants and controls air quality during the fire damage restoration and cleanup process. If you need the experts, look no further than SERVPRO!

No matter what takeaway you took from the above information, we hope you feel more confident when going about the next steps of your fire damage restoration journey. Knowledge is power, and by distinguishing the types of smoke there are, you'll be able to explain your situation better when you speak to one of our reps over the phone. Contact us at (615) 242-9391 if you need us. We provide fire damage restoration AND cleanup services in West End! This franchise is independently owned and operated. 

You're Doing It Wrong: Top Five Tips On Properly Using A Fire Extinguisher

9/4/2022 (Permalink)

What if we told you everything you know about using a fire extinguisher was wrong? Yes, that's right: there are ways to use a fire extinguisher safely and efficiently, and that's what we're here to teach you today! When a fire happens, it's all too easy to give in to the panic and distress that often follows- and we understand. That's why it's essential to learn how to use a fire extinguisher when preventing and preparing for a fire in case the unthinkable happens. According to OSHA, the easiest way to remember to use a fire extinguisher is with the acronym (mnemonic device) PASS. 

What Does PASS Stand For In The Context Of Fire Extinguishers?

• Pull the pin, which helps you break the seal. 
• Aim the extinguisher's nozzle low towards the fire's base. But make sure you don't accidentally touch the plastic discharge horn on a Carbon dioxide extinguisher, as this can damage skin!
• Squeeze the handle to release the material. 
• Sweep the base of the fire from side to side until the fire subsides. Keep a close watch on the area- if the fire still appears, repeat steps two and three and sweep until the fire has decreased. 
• And a fifth bonus tip on using a fire extinguisher: Know what type of fire extinguisher you have! You must check the recommended pressure level depending on what type you use. Your fire extinguisher's gauge shows when the pressure is too high or low, so you can adjust accordingly before squeezing the extinguishing agent towards the fire. 

***Please remember: If you still feel unsure about using a fire extinguisher, don't wait- call the fire department and evacuate immediately! Your safety comes first!

You've Called The Professionals: What Can You Do While Waiting?

• Once it's safe to go back inside your Nashville home or business, avoid electrical "slip and fall" hazards, as these are the most prominent concerns after fire damage. 
• Change the HVAC filter- smoke and soot circulating in the air are detrimental to your health!
• Limit movement around your home or business to prevent soot particles from mixing with your carpets. 
• Are you a plant parent? Then, you should wash your houseplants' leaves on both sides!

We hope you learned something new about properly using a fire extinguisher! As mentioned earlier, no matter what, just remember that you and your loved ones come first. If you even feel a little bit uncertain about using a fire extinguisher, call the professionals who can extinguish the fire and then call a trusted restoration company to mitigate the damage post-fire. Your Nashville neighbors over at SERVPRO have the know-how, expertise, and training to efficiently restore your home or business to its post-fire condition. Not only that, but we arrive on the scene in minutes from the moment you call us! Contact us at (615) 242-9391, where our rep will ask you questions about your fire damage scenario so that we know what to bring on to the scene! This franchise is independently owned and operated.

Grill Safely This Summer! You Won't Go Wrong With These 3 Tips…

8/30/2022 (Permalink)

Ah, summertime. Pool parties, summer vacation (even if it's ending), and barbecues. If you hosted a barbecue this summer or will be hosting one in the next couple of weeks before the leaves change color, do you think about grill safety? Whether you answered yes or no to that question, it is critical to read up on top tips for grill safety so that an innocuous barbecue doesn't become a scorching nightmare. 

What Are Some Safety Precautions You Can Take To Avoid Fires While Grilling?

If you're an experienced grillmaster, you may be familiar with "flare-ups" or flames that start small and increase quickly. Luckily, you can avoid flare-ups, so don't let that stop you from enjoying your barbecue!

• Please close your lid while cooking so there's less oxygen to burn. Doing this also helps distribute heat evenly so that there isn't a massive heat buildup in one area of your grill!
• You can also consider reducing fat content before grilling because the oils from the fat content contribute to grease buildup. 
• To piggyback off the second point, don't poke or puncture your food to see if it's cooked because the juice will seep over to the grill leading to a flare-up or a full-blown fire. 

What Are The Best Tips To Maintaining Your Grill For Years To Come?

With seven out of ten adults in the US owning a grill, there is an increased risk of residential fires. Grease building in your grill without regular cleaning and maintenance is a fire hazard waiting to happen. Luckily, you don't need to go out of your way to maintain your grill properly- you can just follow these few pointers below to help you stay safe and enjoy the warm weather out there!

•  Before cooking, brush your grill grates and the inner walls of your grill! You should also burn off old grease after each grilling session. 
• Place your grill according to safety precautions for optimum efficiency. Set up your grill in a well-ventilated area at least 10 feet away from your Bellevue home. Ensure that all parts of your grill are stable and where they need to be. 
• What type of grill do you have? If you have a gas grill, make sure you understand the safety essentials that come with owning one! For example, you should never force extra propane into a liquid propane cylinder. Just because the cylinder isn't used up to full capacity doesn't mean you should add more liquid to it- by law, a 20-pound cylinder may only be used up to eighty percent capacity so that the liquid can expand comfortably without overflowing. 

We hope you learned something new about grill safety! While you can set yourself up for success to prevent disasters from happening, there isn't a guaranteed way to avoid disasters altogether, no matter how much you prepare. If you need THE fire damage experts, SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville is here for YOU. We know that time waits for no one, and we arrive on the scene at a moment's notice. Fire damage can burn you out, but we strive to make the process as stress-free as possible- that's why we work with your insurance company to manage the paperwork that comes with the claims process. Give us a call at (615) 242-9391 or contact us using this form. We hope you won't need us during a fun get-together, but if you do, your Nashville neighbors are here for you! 

This franchise is independently owned and operated.  

There Are Two Types Of Smoke Detectors. Which One Do You Use?

8/30/2022 (Permalink)

How much do you think about your smoke detectors? Maybe you only think about them when it starts making noise for you to change them. Either way, smoke detectors are an essential part of the framework of your Belle Meade home or business. They keep you safe by letting you know when a fire is imminent. The least we can do is learn about the two types of smoke detectors there are so you know what purpose each one serves. 

What are The Two Types Of Smoke Detectors, And How Do They Protect You From Fire Damage?

• Photoelectric and ionization are the two types of smoke detectors in place for your Belle Meade home to detect a fire or the start of one. Both smoke alarms sense smoke presence differently. 
• The type of smoke depends on the fire; for example, a smoldering fire differs from a flaming one. 
• Photoelectric smoke alarms generally respond faster to smoldering fire smoke, while ionization smoke alarms respond faster to flaming fire smoke. 

Be Prepared: What Are The Key Components Of A Fire Escape Plan?

• Start by drawing your Belle Meade home’s floor plan! Label all the doors and windows in every room of your house and brainstorm at least two escape routes for each room- yes, each room! You can never be too safe when creating a fire escape plan. 
• After creating your plan, go through it a few times so you can apply your escape routes in practice instead of just drawing it out in theory. 
• Tell your children to call 911, especially if you or any other adult is not in the home! This step may be a common emergency rule, but your children are never too old to keep up with safety measures. 

We are THE fire damage restoration experts! At SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville, we know how much fire damage affects families and businesses. Fire damage is so unthinkable that we would never wish it on our worst enemy. Aside from the charred remains, smoke and soot smells can overpower your Belle Meade home or business, taking you back to an unpleasant time. If you need us to mitigate your fire damage situation, contact us at (615) 242-9391. We show up, day or night! 

This franchise is independently owned and operated. 

This Is The Most Commonly Used Item After Fire Damage (Hint: This Material May Be In Your Moisturizer!)

7/20/2022 (Permalink)

Few things shake up your world the way fire damage does. It’s challenging to bring up the inevitable question, “where do I even start?” If you are in this position, just know that you are not alone! The SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville team is well-equipped to handle fire damage scenarios, large or small, and we do it with respect and empathy, too. We genuinely care about the greater Nashville community, and we have operators who know Music City like it’s the back of their hands, so you know that we won’t waste precious time when you contact us. While you are waiting for us to arrive on the scene, we’ve laid out a few tips you SHOULD do and the kinds of fire restoration services we offer in Nashville. 

What Are The Top Tips For Cleaning Up After Fire Damage While Waiting For Us?

If you’re wondering what the most commonly used item after fire damage is, this is it: petroleum jelly. Yes, you read that right! 

• Light coats of petroleum jelly or oil can be used to clean and protect chrome. When used in moderation, petroleum jelly effectively safeguards chrome surfaces (like your kitchen counter) from tarnishing. Who knew an ingredient in your moisturizer could be so multi-faceted?
• A tip applied during COVID quarantine days still applies after fire damage: wash your hands! You don’t want to further soil upholstery, woodwork, and walls with dirty hands. 
• Limit movement within your Nashville home to prevent soot particles from traveling and being embedded in your carpets. 
• Change your HVAC filter! Air filters can trap larger particles which can aggravate the damage already done. The last thing you want after fire damage is to have your HVAC systems intensify the smoke smell throughout your home. 

What Are The Fire, Smoke, And Soot Restoration Services We Offer In Nashville?

• Your walls, carpeting, floors, and woodwork need thorough structural cleaning after fire and smoke damage. Our team will determine the extent of damage by pretesting and then use the specific equipment and tools necessary to clean and protect your surfaces. In some cases, SERVPRO may clean to “prepare for painting”  to ensure new coats of paint will properly stick to the surface. 
• Our restore vs. replace mentality is cost-effective AND allows you to preserve priceless mementos such as artwork, collectibles, and heirlooms. Our professionals will test all fabrics and objects to check which cleaning method is appropriate. Most importantly, you can request SERVPRO to provide an inventory list of “to be claimed” items for your records. 
• Fire and smoke smells leave behind offensive odors reminiscent of a time in your life that you want to forget as soon as possible. Merely covering up the stench with a fragrance is not enough: SERVPRO uses several deodorization techniques to find the odor source and eliminate them from the root. 

We hope you found the above tips and insights helpful during a stressful time. Our goal is to get you back on your feet so you can adjust to a new normal in your life. We take our mission a step further by helping you with the insurance paperwork so you can go through a seamless claims process. Do you need the experts to take care of your fire damage scenario? Give us a call at (615) 242-9391, and we’ll take care of the rest. 

This franchise is independently owned and operated. 

Catastrophe Checklist: Your Top Tips To Overcome Commercial Fire Damage To Your West End Business

7/6/2022 (Permalink)

Few things break your spirit like fire damage does, and the entire ordeal can feel overwhelming and never-ending. Suppose a fire has taken over your West End commercial property. In that case, the last thing you want to do is worry about choosing which restoration company has the qualifications and experience to restore your business. That’s where SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville comes in. Our professionals care deeply about the local community, and we have operators who know the ins and outs of Music City. These are trying times, and we guarantee professionalism, respect, and empathy when you work with us. With fire damage specialists in tow when you call us, our goal is to get you back to your routine as soon as possible. 

What Are Some Of The Most Cost-Effective Ways You Can Combat Fire Damage To Your West End Property? 

• This may be an obvious one, but check the weather and drought conditions! While Tennessee is known for its summer rains, southeastern heat is not to be ignored. It is advisable to avoid activities that could spark fires when it’s dry, humid, or windy. 
• Maintain your equipment and vehicles! These items have exhaust pipes that can shoot sparks if not sustained regularly. 

Have you looked into nanotechnology? FEMA has done some research on this matter, and it turns out that there are several benefits to leveraging nanotechnology (in a cost-effective way!) to prevent fires, some of which include:

• Fire-resistant nanocoatings on engine parts and fuel lines can prevent vehicle fires.
• Fire-resistant nanocoatings have a higher tolerance to high thermal energy due to material durability and increased strength.  
• Fire suppression systems can better extinguish fires through chemical mixtures being broken down into particle-like sizes. 
• You can check out this resource for more information on what further research is being conducted in this realm. 

Restore vs. Replace: What Are The Fundamental Differences And Why We Choose Restoration? 

• Staying with the cost-effectiveness theme, our restore vs. replace mentality is significantly less costly as opposed to demolishing the scorched areas and rebuilding from the ground up. 
• You can also recover your damaged items by following the restore vs. replace method if your belongings aren’t too far-gone. Chances are, most items CAN be restored, so you don’t have to fret about losing priceless items forever!
• Additionally, it is less disruptive to restore the areas on your West End commercial property that have been affected than to close off whole spaces of your building to demolish and rebuild. 

Do you need fire damage restoration to your West End commercial property? We are fire damage experts! With technicians trained in fire and smoke restoration, odor control, fabric cleaning, and water damage restoration, we are committed to responding immediately when you contact us. We have completed work for several industries, including The Pentagon! You can feel secure knowing that the professionals are on your side. Call us at (615) 242-9391, and let us help you get your life back! 

This franchise is independently owned and operated. 

No More Exposed Wiring After Fire Damage. Here's What Fire Damage Restoration Really Looks Like In West End

6/22/2022 (Permalink)

The charred remains of your West End home or business can leave a scar on your mind and heart. It's unfathomable to think it can happen to you and even more devastating when it does. You would need an expert to guide you through the crisis if and when the unthinkable happens. At SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville, we are the fire damage experts, carefully weaving our way through disaster to help you recover contents from the rubble of ash and soot. As your Nashville neighbors, we're here to help YOU! By bringing our advanced tools and seasoned team to the scene, we make it "Like it never even happened!"

What Does The Fire Damage Restoration Process Look Like In West End? 

• The first step starts when you call us! You will be asked a series of questions by our rep, so we know what your fire damage situation looks like. Not all fire scenarios are the same, so we want to know all the details to know what to bring on to the scene. 
• When we arrive, we'll inspect the property before conducting the fire damage assessment to examine the scope of the damage. This step is integral to developing a course of action. 
• We offer building services which include immediate board-up and roof-tarp services. Fire damage can compromise windows, roofs, and walls, so this step is critical to protect against further damage for security reasons. 
• If water damage is present from firefighting efforts, we provide water damage restoration services during this step in the fire damage restoration process. We use air movers and dehumidifiers to extract excess water and commence the drying process. 
• Step 5 involves us removing smoke and soot from all surfaces. Inhaling the scent that permeates from smoke and soot smells is unhealthy, so this step is vital to the fire damage restoration timeline!
• Just because the dry, musty odors of smoke and soot are gone doesn't mean we can ignore sanitizing! We clean, sanitize, and disinfect all restorable contents damaged by the fire. We use air scrubbers and fogging equipment to remove odors effectively. 
• The seventh and final step is restoration! Based on the damages, we can do minor repairs like replacing drywall or installing carpet or major repairs like full-scale restoration across your West End home or business. 

How Can You Avoid Fires Caused By Electrical Outlets, Leading To Exposed Wires?

Out of the estimated average of 346,800 home structure fires a year during 2015-2019, many of these fires were caused by electrical outlets. 

• It's critical to spot the signs of electrical wiring issues that can start a fire. Some of these signs include unexplained burning smells, shocks or sparks from appliances or outlets and intermittent power cuts. 
• It may seem like a no-brainer, but installing a high-quality smoke detector can save a lot of headaches down the road. It can be easy to procrastinate when you are disaster-free, but you never know when the unpredictable can happen, so investing in suitable smoke detectors and fire extinguishers can go a long way! 
• Keep fixtures away from textiles like curtains or bedding! Additionally, you should never decorate a lamp with paper or cloth that could catch fire. 

A natural disaster wreaking havoc on your West End property is stressful and intrusive, at the very least. We get it. SERVPRO takes care of the paperwork during the insurance timeline for a smooth claims-filing process. From the first call to the full-scale restoration process, we aim to make the transition to your new normal as seamless as possible. You never have to walk alone during the fire damage restoration process when you have a trusted restoration company like SERVPRO in your corner. Contact us at (615) 242-9391, and let us show you a new way of restoration in West End! 

This franchise is independently owned and operated. 

Three Guaranteed Ways To Make Your Life Easier After Fire Damage

6/1/2022 (Permalink)

Few life events are as stressful and intrusive as fire damage to your West End home or business. The blazing flames of a scorching fire can bring back memories of a time you want nothing more than to forget. If or when the unthinkable happens, you need fire damage restoration experts. That would be none other than SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville! Our team will guide you through the crisis and ask a series of questions, so our technicians know what to bring onsite. Every fire damage scenario is treated on a case-by-case basis and with the utmost respect and empathy. Below are three ways you can gain a sense of normalcy after fire damage and effective ways to care for your belongings after such a life-altering event. 

What Are Three Foolproof Ways To Simplify Your Life Post-Fire Damage?

• Check the structural integrity of your West End home or commercial property before re-entering to avoid getting trapped in a building with a weak foundation. 
• If your wallpaper can be washed, it should be cleaned like a painted wall- but beware of wetting the paper and only use a commercial paste to loosen up any edges or sections!
•  Avoid asserting pressure onto blistered surfaces like paintings and photographs, which are usually delicate after a fire. 

How Can You Effectively Care For Your Belongings After Fire Damage?

• We offer documents and photograph drying, especially after water damage that runs parallel to fire damage through firefighting efforts. We provide air drying techniques, dehumidification, and freezer drying (among others!) depending on the level of fire damage and the document/photograph type. 
• It may be tempting to use your laptop or turn your TV on after fire damage, but this presents a severe hazard! Smoke residues hold acids that corrode metal surfaces which can cause electronic failure in your device if the residues are not removed. Our qualified electronics technicians will inspect and thoroughly clean your device, so it’s safe to use again!
• From carpet and upholstery cleaning to odor removal services, our SERVPRO team has all the advanced tools and technology in their arsenal to make your fire damage situation “Like it never even happened.”

Fire damage leaves behind a trail of soot, smoke smells, and the burning embers of a home or business that you worked so hard to make your own. As always in these scenarios, it’s essential to look at the big picture and prioritize safety at all costs. From the time you contact us to the time we appear on the scene, you can keep calm knowing that our team has a rapid 24-hour emergency response, meaning that we’ll show up in minutes. If you need us, call us at (615) 242-9391. We’ll even work with your insurance company to make the claim-filing process that much easier! This franchise is independently owned and operated. 

Break Free From The Soot And Smoke Smells From Fire Damage! Here's How.

5/11/2022 (Permalink)

Few things are as painful as witnessing the effects of fire damage to your Green Hills home or business. Aside from the ashen remains, the smoke and soot smells can bring back memories from an unsavory time. At SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville, we treat every fire damage scenario with the utmost respect and empathy, ensuring that each incident is treated on a case-by-case basis. Several of our professionals are from the greater Nashville area, so you can trust that they can navigate Nashville and its surrounding neighborhoods in their sleep. When you take that first step to call SERVPRO, you can trust that you have a friend in us- as they say, a friend in need is a friend indeed!

What Are Some Ways We Can Help You Tackle Soot And Smoke Smells From Fire Damage?

Part of our training and expertise involves being able to identify and eliminate pungent odors. It's easy to assume that all odors most likely come from your Green Hills property's interior, but don't underestimate the stenches that can emanate from the property's exterior!

• We use machines like air scrubbers and thermal air foggers to remove airborne contaminants, which in turn controls air quality during the fire damage restoration and cleanup process!
• We use several OSHA-approved cleaning and sanitation agents to deodorize affected areas. This helps control odors and prevent excess moisture born from the water damage that comes with firefighting efforts post-fire. 
• We also use germicides and anti-microbial treatments from the musty odors that can come from fire and water damage leading to mold damage from a surplus of moisture. These disinfection methods stop bacteria, fungi, and mildew growth and prevent other harmful microorganisms from making a home on your Green Hills property!

How Can You Maintain Your Carpets And Upholstery Post-Fire?

Whether you need post-fire cleaning and restoration to your furniture post-fire or you simply need routine cleaning for maintenance purposes, we provide a host of specialized cleaning services no matter the circumstance.

These methods include:

• Deluxe precondition and rinse for deeply soiled areas. 
• Bonnet cleaning for short pile carpets.
• Hot water extraction for all carpet types, a deep cleaning experience when the wear and tear of everyday life shows on your carpet.
• And more!

Do you need fire restoration and cleanup services in Green Hills? You've come to the right place! At SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville, we put our all into our work, and it shows. As the proud recipients of the BBB Accredited Business and the Angie's List Super Service Award, we are dedicated to helping Music City however we can! From Green Hills to Bellevue, West End to Belle Meade, we are your Nashville neighbors ready to lend a helping hand when disaster strikes. Give us a call at (615) 242-9391 or fill out this contact form to better help us to help you! This franchise is independently owned and operated. 

You Thought You Knew Some Common Best Practices After Fire Damage? Think Again.

4/19/2022 (Permalink)

Few things are more earth-shattering than the damage a fire causes along its path. The aftermath of fire damage is devastating to deal with even years after a fire happened. When the unpredictable strikes and you need an expert to guide you through the process, SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville are the fire restoration experts! Camaraderie and resilience are hallmarks of the human spirit. With our community-centered approach, we strive to treat every fire damage scenario with the care and empathy that it deserves. Below, we have listed some common misconceptions about fire damage that can be shrugged off and what to do post-fire damage while you are waiting for the professionals. 

What Are Some Common Notions About Fire Damage That You Should Avoid? 

• Elevators are hazardous: this may pertain to anyone that lives or works in a building where they frequently use elevators. While it’s easy to think elevators are the last place to go when a fire occurs, this is simply a myth. Some buildings are actually better equipped to use elevators in an emergency, and these elevators will generally be marked as safe to use in an emergency. 
• It’s a common myth that fire and smoke alarms will sound before a fire, but this is not true! The reality is that some alarms will detect fires during the smoke phase just before the fire breaks out, while others may use neural nets to catch fire right as it starts. 
• Door stuck when you’re trying to get inside the house? Do NOT force it open! This may compromise the structural integrity of your Bellevue home. While there are other ways to get inside, please ensure it is safe to do so first and foremost. 

What Actions Should You Take Immediately After Fire Damage While Waiting For The Experts? 

After any fire damage scenario, your priority should be safety first! 

• Ensure it’s safe to stay inside your Bellevue home or business before proceeding further. 
• Wet materials resulting from water damage from firefighting efforts can be hefty- exercise caution!
• Once you determine that it’s safe to stay on your Bellevue property, limit movement within affected areas to prevent soot particles from being embedded into carpets and upholstery. 
• Prop doors open and empty refrigerators/freezers if electricity is off. 

While fire damage is something we would never wish upon even our worst enemies, we know that the unthinkable can happen when you least expect it. If this happens, know that our team at SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville has the fire, smoke, and water damage training to help you through this tough time. Do you need fire restoration services this spring? Contact us at (615) 242-9391, and we’ll make it “Like it never even happened!” This franchise is independently owned and operated. 

Here's What The Fire Restoration Process Looks Like For Your Nashville Commercial Kitchen

3/30/2022 (Permalink)

It can be a painful ordeal to bear remembering the glowing embers of a rampant fire making its way through your Nashville kitchen. Not only do you have to deal with the emotional aspect of this experience, but the idea of working through the practical aspects, including insurance paperwork, researching, and calling the right restoration company, is frustrating. Most importantly, getting back to business can be anxiety-inducing. That's why at SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville, we give our all when it comes to restoring your Nashville commercial kitchen. Aside from restoration, we also provide commercial cleaning services and specialty building services. 

What Does The Fire Restoration Process Look Like In Nashville? Part One:

It's crucial to remember that while not all fire damage scenarios look the same based on the size and scope of the damage, the general step-by-step process stays the same. 

• The emergency fire restoration starts when you contact us! Our representative will ask you a series of comprehensive questions based on your fire damage issue to know what kinds of equipment and resources to bring to your location. This helps us respond immediately and without too many hiccups along the way. 
• A fire damage assessment will be conducted around your Nashville commercial kitchen to examine the smoke, soot, and water damage that were the byproducts of fire damage.
• Some of the building services we offer are roof-tarp and board-up services to prevent further fire, smoke, and soot damage from compromising the roof, walls, and windows of your commercial property. 

What Does The Fire Restoration Process Look Like In Nashville? Part Two:

• If water removal and drying are necessary, we take those steps here. By using dehumidifiers and air movers, we can remove most of the water and begin the drying process. 
• We remove smoke and soot from all surfaces at this point. Smoke inhalation can have adverse effects on your health and irritate your nasal passage. To avoid any aggravated allergies, we use air scrubbers, thermal foggers, and deodorization agents to remove airborne contaminants and improve air quality. 
• This leads us to the sanitation treatments we carry out to remove odors and other contaminants from your property. These OSHA-approved cleaning agents control odors from retaining excessive moisture (leading to mold!) and preventing the growth of harmful microorganisms. 
• The final step to the fire restoration process in Nashville is the actual restoration process. Depending on how severe the damage is, restoration can involve minor repairs like replacing carpet or installing drywall or major repairs like complete repair and reconstruction of various areas in your Nashville commercial kitchen. 

While there isn't a cookie-cutter remedy to getting over fire damage because we all process these things differently, know that you have a friend in us! We are a locally owned and operated business, so we're always nearby and ready to help our Nashville neighbors however we can. We even work with your insurance company to help you manage the paperwork throughout the claims process! All you have to do is call us at (615) 242-9391. Let us handle the rest. This franchise is independently owned and operated. 

Top 6 Ways To Rid Your West End Home Of Smoke Smells After A Fire (#3 Is Critical!)

3/16/2022 (Permalink)

A fire having made its way through your West End home is already traumatic enough to bear. The odors that come along with it not only whisk you away to an unpleasant time, it is also detrimental to your health if you are breathing in the stale smoke smell constantly. If you need a detail-oriented group of experts to perform odor removal services, you’ve come to the right place! At SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville, we are fire damage restoration specialists with training in fire and smoke damage, odor control, upholstery and fabric cleaning, and water damage (which can happen due to firefighting efforts). 

What Are Some Ways To Get Rid Of The Rank Smoke Smells In Your West End Home? 

• Method #1: Cleaning to remove the odor source should be your first point of interest. Baking soda is a standard option that many homeowners lean towards because it absorbs odors naturally and is inexpensive. 
• Method #2: You can also use activated charcoal to absorb odors by placing it in bowls around the house for several days. It would also be helpful to keep doors open for some time until the smell dissipates. (Unless the weather has other ideas!)
• Method #3: If you’re trying to get smoke smells out of clothing, which is generally the most difficult to get rid of, adding one cup of vinegar in the wash cycle with your usual detergent is effective. However, if the smell persists, try this process again until the smoke smell is gone. 
• Method #4: According to the FEMA website, you must have all HVAC units and ductwork professionally cleaned to remove soot, smoke, and ash residue. Having these integral parts in a home routinely inspected is critical to prolonging the life of these systems. 
• Method #5: While you may be busy focusing on cleaning structural areas of your West End home, don’t forget knick-knacks and other items that may seem “random.” It may only be a small part of your home’s belongings, but washing and dusting these will go a long way in removing offensive smoke odors and preventing the smell from lingering.
• Method #6: Indeed, smoke molecules left behind post-fire have a way of clinging to walls, furniture, and other areas of your West End home. If the intense smell doesn’t show any signs of leaving, you may need to hire professionals to remove airborne contaminants through air scrubbers and deodorization agents. 

What Procedures Do We Conduct For Carpet And Fabric Upholstery Cleaning? 

• Each fabric tells its own story, so it may seem like all is lost when the smoke odors envelop the textiles. When you call us, you are protecting your investment because we have a host of cleaning options to match any carpet or upholstery. 
• For short-pile carpets, we do bonnet cleaning, which is a less aggressive cleaning method. 
• We oversee hot water extraction for all carpet types, a deeper cleaning method to rid your West End home of any smoke smells from carpets and upholstery. 
• For deeply soiled areas, a deluxe precondition and rinse is the way to go. 
• And many more!

When disaster strikes, SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville is here for you! It’s already stressful enough to deal with the checklist of to-dos after fire damage to your West End home, and we understand. To make the process simpler for you, we even work with your insurance company to manage the paperwork when you file a claim. Our goal is to get your life back to normal as soon as possible, so when you contact us, we arrive on the scene almost immediately because we know disaster doesn’t set a schedule to make a bang. We won’t keep you waiting! Call us at (615) 242-9391 for a stress-free restoration experience. 

This franchise is independently owned and operated. 

What Are Some Preventative Measures To Take After Experiencing Fire Damage?

3/2/2022 (Permalink)

The scorching heat of a burning fire that overtook your Green Hills property is sure to bring back distressing memories. The soot, the smoke smell, the odors, the hard-to-recover belongings - the list goes on. Adding to the stress of rebuilding your Green Hills home or business is the looming task of filing a claim with your insurance company. We know how overwhelming this process can be, which is why it is better to take steps to prevent fire damage from happening rather than having to deal with the headache of fire damage after the fact. Below, we have listed preventative cleaning measures and what the fire restoration process looks like in Green Hills. Although no one fire damage scenario is the same, and each situation requires different equipment on the scene, the general process remains. 

What Kinds Preventative Cleaning Measures Should You Take To Ensure Proper Maintenance Post-Fire? 

• Check air filters regularly and replace them if it’s visibly soiled, especially if your Green Hills home has central air. 
• Carpets can easily trap dirt, dust, gases, soils, and animal hair. It would be helpful to conserve your carpet’s capabilities by vacuuming regularly, moving furniture to change traffic patterns, and using walk-off mats to reduce carpet soil. 
• Our top-notch professional cleaning services can address surplus soils in your carpet. How often you need professional cleaning depends on soil buildup, the color of carpeting, and traffic patterns. We recommend having your carpet professionally cleaned at least once a year.

If You Need Fire Restoration Services In Green Hills, What Does That Process Look Like? 

• The first step starts with contacting us! Our representative will ask questions based on the extent of damage done to your Green Hills property, so we know the right way to respond by bringing the appropriate equipment and resources. 
• Once we appear on the scene, we inspect your property to determine the extent of fire, smoke, water, and soot damage. The insights from this inspection are crucial for devising a plan of action. 
• Next, we provide immediate board-up and roof-tarp services. This helps maintain security and prevent further damage as fire damage often compromises roofs, windows, and walls. 
• The fourth step is to provide water damage restoration and drying services if water damage is present. Due to firefighting efforts and other restoration services, the water removal process is crucial to fire damage restoration. We use dehumidifiers and air movers to remove excess water, and from there, we complete the drying process. 
• We will then use specialized equipment to remove smoke odors and soot from all surfaces, including ceilings and walls. 
• Once we clean, sanitize, and disinfect all restorable items, we begin the restoration process. (Thanks to our industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment!) This can range from minor fixes such as replacing drywall, painting and installing new carpet to major repairs such as full-scale room reconstruction to your Green Hills home or business. 

The trials and tribulations of fire damage may make it hard to figure out where to get started, but you don’t have to walk this road alone! Our specialty is fire and water damage restoration at SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville. With our caring professionals who have an eye for detail and the training to back us up, you can feel secure knowing you have the professionals working with you. All you have to do is call us at (615) 242-9391. We’ll take care of the rest. 

This franchise is independently owned and operated. 

Are You Sending Garments To An Ordinary Dry Cleaner Post-Fire Damage? Here's What You Should Do With Clothes Instead

2/16/2022 (Permalink)

It doesn't take much for a fire to damage everything in its wake. The smoke, soot, odor, and water damage typical of fire damage is hard enough to clean up, but what do you know about cleaning textiles post-fire? One thing you should keep in mind with garments after fire damage is NOT to send them to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning can set off smoke odors, making cleaning even more difficult. Below, we have listed what you should do with clothes post-fire, as well as what else you shouldn't do after a fire at your Bellevue home or business. 

What Should You REALLY Do With Clothes After A Fire? 

• Since soot is oily, it can easily stain items, so you shouldn't touch upholstery, curtains, and other furniture after a fire. It is best to call the professionals to do heavy-duty garment cleaning, but you can also do some DIY cleaning while waiting for the experts. 
• Some soot can be removed by holding a vacuum cleaner nozzle slightly off the surface of the textile to be cleaned. You shouldn't use the vacuum cleaner as a whole to do a deep clean of soot because it can ruin the machine! 
• Removing smoke odor from clothing after a fire should also be high on your list of priorities. Unless properly deodorized, smoke can remain in clothes, carpets, draperies, and upholstered furniture. 
• At SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville, we use wet or dry cleaning methods as necessary to clean and maintain fabrics. It is a good rule of thumb to clean fabrics every two years whether you have experienced a natural disaster or not.  

What Else Shouldn't You Do After A Fire? 

• Don't attempt to wash or paint any walls or surfaces without contacting us! This also goes for shampooing carpets and upholstery. 
• If any canned or packaged food or beverage has been stored near the fire, heat, or water, do NOT use it!
• Wiring may be damaged post-fire, so you should refrain from turning on ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet. 
• Unless you've contacted a reliable repair service, you shouldn't clean any electrical appliances that have been close to a fire, water, or heat. 

Need fire damage restoration and cleaning services? SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville is here to help! Our "restore vs. replace" mentality ensures that you save money while being able to hold onto precious keepsakes that are irreplaceable. Contact us at (615) 242-9391, and let us be a part of your Bellevue restoration journey! This franchise is independently owned and operated. 

West End Office Space Suffering From Fire Damage? We Are The Fire Damage Experts!

1/19/2022 (Permalink)

Several problems plague a business post-fire damage aside from the emotional turmoil you may be going through. These can include smoke damage, soot, water damage, and musty odors that you have to take care of. Fortunately for you, this is not something you have to go through alone. Our trained team at SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville are THE fire damage experts with the tools and training necessary to handle damage of any and all capacities. 

What Kind Of Contents Restoration Services Do We Offer Post-Fire Damage To Your West End Office Space? 

• First things first: never try to save any belongings at the expense of your own safety! 
• Take photos of your damaged belongings for when insurance comes into the picture. 
• We offer various contents restoration services, including: 

• Move-outs and Pack-outs
• Electronic Cleanup
• Document and Photograph Drying
• Contents Claim Inventory Service

How Is SERVPRO Of Belle Meade And West Nashville Equipped To Handle Odor Removal? 

• We are trained to identify and remove offensive odors as the experts in sanitation and deodorization! Since these odors can come from a number of places, both inside and out of a structure, each scenario is treated differently. 
• SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville teaches IICRC technical classes as a part of our team’s training so that odors can be removed properly. If your odor problem is severe and persistent, masking and other short-term methods won’t cut it. 
• Because fire damage often affects your West End office space’s indoor air quality, checking your ventilation systems regularly is essential to your HVAC unit’s lifespan. 
• You should also check the ceilings, walls, and floors of your West End office space, because these areas are prone to dirt, dust, cooking oils, grease, pet dander, cigarette smoke, and other contaminants. These contaminants are magnified through the smoke and soot odors of fire damage, so it’s vital to regularly check your ceilings, walls, and floors for the long-term sustenance of these areas. 
• If you need a professional to examine your West End office space’s HVAC units and internal structures for additional fire damage and other contaminants, don’t be afraid to contact us- we are the fire damage experts!

Fire damage has a way of turning your world upside down, but with SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville’s expert team and quick response times, you can rest assured that you have the right people on your restoration journey. We also work with your insurance provider to help you manage the paperwork for a seamless claims process. Call us at (615) 242-9391- we’d be happy to help. This franchise is independently owned and operated. 

These Are The Top 10 Ways To Resolve Fire Damage To Your Nashville Property

1/5/2022 (Permalink)

Starting the new year right is challenging when a fire throws its weight around your Nashville property. It conjures up numerous painful memories that you want to dispel as soon as it appears. If the unthinkable occurs this New Year, you will need expert help to get your life back to normal. Below, we have listed the top 5 things you should do immediately after fire damage while waiting for the professionals and the top 5 do-not-dos, so you have a good idea of what to keep an eye out for and what to avoid. 

What To Do After A Fire To Your Nashville Property? 

• Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets. 
• Change the HVAC filter. 
• Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers. 
• Prop doors open and empty freezers if electricity is off. 
• To reduce further soiling walls, woodwork, and upholstery, keep hands clean and place clean towels or old linens in major traffic areas in your Nashville home or business. 

What NOT To Do After A Fire To Your Nashville Property? 

• The wiring may be damaged post-fire damage, so it’s imperative that you DO NOT turn on any ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet. 
• DO NOT attempt to wash painted walls and surfaces or shampoo carpets and upholstery- leave the heavy-duty cleaning to the professionals!
• DO NOT use any food or beverages that have been near fire, heat, or water without reaching out to a certified repair service. 
• DO NOT send garments to an ordinary dry cleaner because smoke odor may result from improper cleaning. 
• DO NOT clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, water or heat without contacting the right people. 

After any fire damage scenario, your primary concern should be safety first! You also have to remember not to carry wet materials as they can be heavier than they look. We hope you won’t need us this New Year, but if you do, contact us at (615) 242-9391. We’ll restore your Nashville property AND work with your insurance provider for a stress-free claims process. This franchise is independently owned and operated. 

How Much Does It Cost To Fix The Remnants Of Fire Damage In West End?

12/15/2021 (Permalink)

Few stories are as tragic as a fire running rampant on your West End home or business. Dealing with the devastation that fire damage presents is disheartening, and it can be stressful trying to figure out where to start. From calling the right professionals to filing a claim with your insurance company to the costs that come into the equation, you shouldn’t have to struggle alone. Your neighbors at SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville are just the people to call when experiencing an incident that’s as life-changing as fire damage. We are the fire damage experts, and we can help manage the insurance paperwork and process so you can get your life back on track. 

What Are The Costs Of Fixing Fire Damage On Average In West End? 

• While fire damage costs vary depending on the size and scope of the damage, many homeowners and business owners usually pay between close to $3,000 and $33,000, with a national average of close to $17,000 for a complete repair. 
• The exact costs will depend on potential water cleanup, soot removal, smoke damage restoration, and chemical repair from fire extinguishers. 
• Policy coverage will come into play here, especially with out-of-pocket costs, so it is crucial to contact your insurance company. 

What Are Some Fire Damage Tips I Can Incorporate While Waiting For Help To Arrive? 

• After any fire damage situation, your main priority should be whether staying in your West End home or business is safe. 
• Post-fire, you should limit movement in your property to prevent soot particles from being imprinted onto carpets and upholstery. You want to maintain clean hands to avoid soiling walls and woodworks also. 
• It is also critical to change your HVAC filter and double tape layers of cheesecloth over air registers. 
• We DO NOT recommend cleaning any electronic appliances that have been close to fire, heat, or water without contacting us! You also shouldn’t wash any walls or painted surfaces without proper care and guidance. 
• This may be common sense, but it should be mentioned nonetheless: DO NOT use any canned food packages or beverages stored near fire or water. 
• It is also advised to NOT turn on ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet because the wiring could be damaged. 

No matter the size or scope of fire damage to your West End home or business, disaster is disaster, and it is our job to bring a sense of normalcy after your life has done a complete one-eighty. We take pride in our rapid response times, training certifications, and advanced equipment to make fire damage look "Like it never even happened." Contact us at (615) 242-9391, and let us bring you some peace this holiday season. 

This franchise is independently owned and operated.

What To Do After Fire Damage To Your Green Hills Commercial Kitchen?

11/30/2021 (Permalink)

The memories that fire damage conjures up can be excruciatingly painful, even more so when the ashy shreds of what used to be your Green Hills commercial kitchen lay in the dust. While this is an overwhelming experience, you don’t have to go through it alone. If the unthinkable happens, you will need a professional to guide you through the process. That’s where SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville comes in. 

How Is SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville Trained To Handle Commercial Fire Restoration? 

• The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) sets the requirements to adhere to in the restoration industry. To fully prepare our team for the worst, our professionals study best practices in fire restoration, carpet and upholstery cleaning, and other related restoration courses. 
• The foundation of the SERVPRO training program is the Initial Franchise training. A 15-day hands-on course at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility, this program is for new franchise owners, and topics covered include Fire Restoration, Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning, Water Restoration, and Mold Remediation. 
• Our team also takes part in continuing education classes because learning goes beyond the initial training period. As trends in the restoration industry change and evolve, it only makes sense to keep up with them so we can continue being a trusted leader in the restoration industry!

What Does The Fire Damage Restoration Process Look Like In Green Hills? 

• First things first, you need to contact us! Our representative will ask questions about the event so that we are better prepared to help you when we arrive on the scene. 
• Next, we will do a thorough inspection and fire damage assessment which involves testing adjoining rooms of your property to determine the severity of the fire, soot, and smoke. 
• After this, we immediately board up the missing windows and walls and place tarps on damaged roofs to prevent further damage. 
• If water damage is present, this is where we take action. We remove excess water and then use air movers and dehumidifiers to complete the drying process. 
• This is the point where we remove soot and smoke from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces using specialized equipment. 
• After ridding your Green Hills commercial kitchen of any remains of fire damage, we make sure to clean, sanitize, deodorize, and disinfect all items. We’re trained to do this using fogging equipment and various industrial air scrubbers. 
• Once we have completed the above steps, the restoration process can finally begin. This means getting your Green Hills business back to pre-fire condition. Depending on the scope of the damage, restoration may involve minor damages such as replacing drywall, painting and installing new carpets, or major damages such as the complete reconstruction of your Green Hills commercial kitchen. 

There are few things more devastating than the trail of destruction that fire damage leaves behind. When this happens, the best thing to do is call us at (615) 242-9391. We are a locally owned and operated business that cares about our neighbors and the Nashville community. Let us help you so that you can get back to business. 

This franchise is independently owned and operated.

What Are Some Wood Fireplace Safety Tips To Adhere To This Holiday Season?

11/10/2021 (Permalink)

It’s that time of year when the days get shorter, the weather gets colder, and all you want to do is cozy up in a warm blanket near a crackling, wood-burning fireplace in your Green Hills abode. While it’s certainly true that home is where the hearth is, if not kept safely, your wood-burning fireplace can cause heartache and stress during what’s supposed to be one of the most celebratory times of the year. Here are some fireplace safety tips to keep you and your loved ones safe this holiday season. 

The Lowdown On Fireplace Safety: What Are Some Preventative Measures To Take? 

• Use manufactured logs or seasoned hardwood that burns more cleanly than natural wood! This minimizes soot buildup, which often causes chimney fires. However, one thing to note about manufactured logs is that they burn hotter than natural wood, and if you burn more than one at a time, it can negatively affect your wood-burning fireplace. Slow and steady does the trick!
• Keep it simple! What we mean by this is logs that have decorative finishes like glossy wrapping paper and foam peanuts can release toxic fumes. Avoiding evergreen boughs and pounds of paper is better for your fireplace because such material can cause your fireplace to flare up quickly. 
• Open the windows when you are lighting a fire! This ensures the fire has enough oxygen to burn efficiently. Fires usually require about five times more oxygen than a room without a fireplace, so keep your windows open to guarantee that your fire burns safely. 
• Install a carbon monoxide detector! Carbon monoxide is a deadly, odorless gas that is usually caused by faulty fireplace maintenance. Investing in a carbon monoxide detector will help you and your loved ones be more proactive than reactive, not just during the holidays but year-round. 

If The Unthinkable Happens, How Can SERVPRO Of Belle Meade And West Nashville Help? 

• While we hope you don’t have to deal with the incinerated remains of your Green Hills home this holiday season, if it does happen, know that SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville is just one call away! We are faster to any size disaster because we know how physically and mentally devastating natural disasters can be. 
• Fire and water damage restorations are our bread and butter, so it makes sense that we specialize in these processes! We are trained in fire and smoke restoration, upholstery and fabric cleaning, odor control, and soot cleanup. 
• Our restore vs. replace mentality saves money, helps you recover your restorable belongings after cleanup, and gets you back into your Green Hills home sooner than if everything were to be replaced! 

While few things are more overwhelming than the destruction that fire damage leaves in its wake, we hope that these precautionary measures will help you and your family stay safe this holiday season. If ever the situation arises, SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville will rise to the occasion! Contact us at (615) 242-9391, and let us do the heavy lifting! 

This franchise is independently owned and operated. 

What to Do After Fire Damage To My Bellevue Commercial Building

10/27/2021 (Permalink)

Few incidents evoke painful memories as a fire running rampant throughout your Bellevue commercial building. If the unthinkable occurs and you have to call someone who can help you get your business back and running, SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville can do the job! Our speedy response times, highly trained technicians specializing in fire restoration, and advanced technology set us apart from the competition. 

What Kind Of Precautions Should You Take Immediately Post-Fire? 

• You should prioritize safety under all circumstances! If it is unsafe to stay in the house, we can conduct efficient move-outs/packouts, so you don't remain in the exposed area for too long. 
• Do not overload outlets. If necessary, use extension cords or surge-protected multi-outlet power strips. 
• Post-fire, electrical "slip and fall" hazards are the most common concerns- be careful!
• Wet materials are heavier than they look- think twice before picking up a damp object!

What Are Some Preventative Maintenance Tips You Can Take After A Fire?

• Carpets can filter trapping gases, dirt, dust, soot, animal hairs, and other soils. The actions you take between carpet cleanings can significantly increase the lifespan of your carpet. 
• 79% of soil in your carpet is dry soil, according to the IICRC. It may seem like a simple household task, but vacuuming is integral to your carpet's thorough care and maintenance. 
• Other preventative measures include moving furniture to change traffic patterns and piloting the carpet to prevent matting. 
• A good rule of thumb is to get your carpet and upholstery professionally cleaned once a year, regardless of a natural disaster. If you wait until your carpet and upholstery get filthy post-disaster, it may be too late to restore them to their former glory. 

Facing the effects of fire damage is never easy. It may be intimidating to think about where to begin when you may still be reeling from the aftermath that the destruction left behind. We understand. As a business ourselves, we know how paramount it is to get your business back to normal as soon as possible. That's why SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville operates 24/7 - because we know disaster can strike at any moment. Contact us today at (615) 242-9391. This franchise is independently owned and operated. 

Keeping Yourself Safe During Bonfires In Nashville

10/5/2021 (Permalink)

Cooler weathers, leaves changing color, and pumpkin spice may signify the arrival of fall, but one other activity that screams fall is bonfires! Sitting around a bonfire with your family and friends may be a fun way to spend time this fall in Nashville, but you should never forget the risk that comes with outdoor fires. Compiled here is a list of guidelines to adhere to so you can have a safe, fun bonfire this fall. 

What Are Some Safety Measures To Protect Yourself From Fire Damage As A Result Of Bonfires? 

• Check the weather before building your bonfire! Don’t set up a bonfire on a windy night. 
• Make sure that the area you have your bonfire is in a legal location. Before you begin, find out your state’s regulations about fire.  
• Keep an eye on anyone running too close to a bonfire so that no one gets hurt. 
• Keep a garden hose or a bucket of water nearby in case the fire spreads. It never hurts to be prepared. 
• Make sure that the wood you’re burning is dry and seasoned. No furniture, nothing coated or treated, and certainly no railroad ties should be thrown into the flames. 
•  Do NOT burn anything with foam or paint! This includes canisters and aerosols. The chemicals from these items can release toxic fumes and are incredibly flammable. Such products are known to explode, so it’s best to stay away from these materials during a bonfire. 
• Douse the area with water so that there aren’t any flammable fragments after the bonfire. 

How Can SERVPRO of Belle Meade And West Nashville Help With Fire Restoration This Fall? 

• We’re faster to any disaster- big or small. Damage is damage, and we strive to restore your Nashville property "Like it never even happened."
• We specialize in fire and water damage, which is the foundation of our business. This includes fire, smoke, and soot restoration, odor control, fabric cleaning, and water damage restoration. 
• We have a “restore vs. replace” mentality. This helps you get back to your Nashville home or business faster while also lowering costs. This mindset leads to the specialized training and equipment that we use to get your property back to the way it was before the fire. 
• We know that every fire damage scenario is unique, so we tailor each restoration project to the situation on hand. 

A warm, jovial activity such as a fall bonfire can be a festive way to ring in fall, but if you’re not careful, the night can end in disaster. We hope that with these tips, you can have a safe, enjoyable bonfire this season, but if the situation arises (we hope it doesn’t!), our experienced team at SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville is only one call away. Contact us at (615) 242- 9391. This franchise is independently owned and operated.  

How To Prevent Fire Damage To My Nashville Home

9/22/2021 (Permalink)

Few things in this world are scarier than fire damage, and the aftermath evokes painful memories. To prevent life-changing fire damage from happening, you have to exercise caution and learn the necessary safety precautions. This is so that the heartbreak of losing your Nashville home doesn’t happen again. 

What Are Some Preventative Measures I Can Take To Keep My Nashville Home Fire-Safe? 

• Test your fire and smoke alarms every month! In today’s busy world, where it seems like we are doing a million things at once, it can be easy for a small detail like checking the smoke alarms to slip our minds. But a small detail like that can make a big difference! Making routine checks and changing your smoke alarm batteries helps in the long run. 

• Measure carbon monoxide levels! While carbon monoxide doesn’t damage your home as a fire does, it can be dangerous when released from burning carbon materials. It is an odorless, colorless gas that releases from burning wood, natural gas, coal, and heating oil. When you use the fireplace carelessly or leave something on the stove unattended, you increase the chances of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning in your Nashville home. It would be wise to get a dual-sensor carbon monoxide and smoke detector to stay safe from a fire this fall. 
• Practice safe habits! Be responsible around candles, don't smoke indoors, and refrain from closing bedroom doors at night. 

How Can SERVPRO Of Belle Meade/West Nashville Help If You Lost Your Nashville Home To Fire? 

• If you are dealing with the unimaginable horror that comes with post-fire damage, SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville is here to help! The hallmark of our business is fire and water damage restoration. We have extensive training to get your Nashville home back to pre-fire condition. This includes expertise in fire and smoke restoration, odor control, deodorization and sanitation techniques, upholstery and fabric cleaning, and water damage restoration. 
• We are faster to disasters of all sizes and scopes! We have a 24-hour emergency response because we know accidents and natural disasters can happen day or night. 

If you are recovering from the unfortunate loss of your Nashville home to fire damage, don’t hesitate to contact us through our website or call us at (615) 242-9391. This franchise is independently owned and operated. 

What To Do After Smoke Damage To My West End Home?

9/1/2021 (Permalink)

Dealing with the cleanup that comes post-fire damage is devastating enough, but what about handling the soot and smoke smell afterward? Often, it’s true that scents can bring back emotional memories, and the smoke damage is sure to conjure up some traumatic ones. That’s why, at SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville, we specialize in deodorization and odor removal so that you can start the restoration process post-disaster.   

What Are Some Ways SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville Can Eliminate Smoke Odors?

• Our experienced team is trained to identify and eradicate offensive odors as a result of smoke damage. These odors are known to come from sources beyond the interior of your West End home. 
• We have the training and equipment required to detect these odors, thereby eliminating them soon afterward. Our technicians have access to numerous odor removal products capable of penetrating through carpets, upholstery, and surfaces to neutralize the smell completely. 
• We also teach IICRC technical courses in proper odor removal. We know that just going surface level won’t be enough to thoroughly eliminate smoke odors, especially if those odors are severe or persistent. In other words, we know better than to take shortcuts! 

How Can I Recover Important Documents And Precious Photographs After Smoke Damage?   

We handle all documents and photographs with extreme care to ensure that fire/smoke damage doesn’t ruin the items further. Although some documents may be beyond saving, SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville can still save many of your documents and help reduce further damage. 

There are five options for document/photograph drying, depending on the level of smoke, soot, and fire damage. These options are: 

• Vacuum Thermal Drying
• Vacuum Freeze Drying
• Air Dehumidification
• Freezer Drying 
• Air Drying

Smoke damage to your West End home as a byproduct of fire damage doesn’t have to turn your life upside down. However, with our expertise in this field and our prompt response time, you can get your life back to normal in no time! Don’t hesitate to call SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville today at (615) 242-9391. This franchise is independently owned and operated.

Steps You Should Take After Fire Damage in Green Hills

8/18/2021 (Permalink)

Few things are scarier than the destruction that a fire leaves in its wake. It’s overwhelming to think about where to start with the restoration process. You may have some burning questions on the causes of fire damage, how to prevent a fire from reoccurring, or how to effectively recover from fire damage. 

To Do Or Not To Do?

• DO limit movement in the area to prevent soot particles from getting onto any carpets and upholstery.
• DO keep your hands clean to prevent further contamination on walls, upholstery, furniture, etc.
• DO change HVAC filters and tape extra layers of cheesecloth over the air registers.
• DO empty the freezer and keep the refrigerator door open if the electricity is off.
• DON’T wash any walls or surfaces without contacting us.
• DON’T try to shampoo rugs and carpets without us assessing the area first.
• DON’T use any food or beverage that has been too close to the fire. 
• DON’T try to clean any electrical appliances that have been to close to the fire, smoke, heat, or water without reaching out to an authorized repair service. 

What Does The Fire Restoration Process Look Like For Your Green Hills Home/Business?

• The process begins when you call us. When you make this call, a company representative will ask questions about the extent of the fire damage to give us context on how best to help you, since we know that each fire is different. This will help us to respond quickly with the best resources and equipment. 
• The next step is inspection of your Green Hills home/business and a fire damage assessment so that we can put together a game plan after detecting the size and scope of the fire, smoke, and soot damage. 
• Since fire damage affects roofs, windows, and walls the most, immediate board-up and roof tarp services are crucial to maintain security and put preventative measures in place. 
• If water damage is evident, water removal and drying begin immediately after removing soot and smoke from all surfaces. 
• We clean and sanitize before restoration, which is the final step on the arduous journey to fire damage repair. 

After the physical, emotional, and mental turmoil that a fire can cause for your Green Hills home or business, SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville is committed to helping you find some normalcy after such a devastating event. Contact us today at (615) 242-9391. This franchise is independently owned and operated.

What Are Some Dangers Of Fire Damage in West End?

7/28/2021 (Permalink)

When not properly addressed and taken care of, fire damage in West End, or any other place in Nashville, can spell disaster for a building’s structural integrity as well as the general health and well-being of the building’s occupants. After a fire, there are several necessary steps that must be taken during the fire damage restoration process to restore buildings to their original conditions and ensure the health and safety of everyone who enters them.

So, what are some of the dangers of fire damage in West End?

• Fire damage can leave your building full of soot, which when inhaled, can cause or exacerbate serious conditions like lung cancer, asthma, and more. 
• Heat can severely weaken or damage concrete, wood, and other structural materials that often make up the commercial and residential buildings on West End. Your building should always be assessed post-fire damage to check for structural damage before you or anyone else enters it again.
• Permanent fire damage can also impact the buildings adjacent to where the fire took place. Depending on how far the fire and smoke spread, others buildings nearby may not be safe or need to be restored, too.

How can you restore fire damage in West End?

Here at SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville, our fire damage restoration process consists of the following steps. 

Step 1: Emergency Contact

The restoration process begins when you call (615) 242-9391.

Step 2: Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment

We carefully inspect and test the adjoining rooms of your property to determine the extent of the damage. 

Step 3: Immediate Board-Up and Roof-Tarp Service

We can board up missing windows and walls and place tarps on damaged roofs to prevent further damage. 

Step 4: Water Removal and Drying (if water damage is present)

If water is present, the removal process begins almost immediately.

Step 5: Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces

Specialized equipment and techniques help remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces. 

Step 6: Cleaning and Sanitizing

Next up comes cleaning, sanitization, and disinfecting. 

Step 7: Restoration

Restoration is the final step to restore the building to its pre-fire condition.

You can contact SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville for fire damage restoration or other disaster restoration services by calling (615) 242-9391. This franchise is independently owned and operated.

Preventing Fire Damage To Your Green Hills Home This Summer

7/14/2021 (Permalink)

Hot, humid Nashville weather is here to stay for the summer season, and all the static electricity in the air paired with the high temperatures are a recipe for fires everywhere, including Green Hills. House fires can be sparked by a wide variety of incidents--from leaving your stove on to a spark catching flame in your dryer. Nevertheless, you can take action to minimize the chances that your home will not experience fire damage.

How Do You Prevent Fire Damage to Your Green Hills Home?

There are a few steps that you can take to prevent fire damage to your Green Hills home this summer. 

1. Test your fire/smoke alarms every month. It’s better to be safe than sorry, and you never know when the batteries in your smoke detectors decide it’s time to quit on you. Make it a routine habit to check your fire/smoke alarms every month, replacing any batteries as necessary.
2. Clean your dryer’s lint trap and external vent. After continuously drying loads of laundry for days and weeks on end, your dryer’s external vent can experience lots of buildup from the lint that doesn’t get caught in its lint trap. Especially during the summer months, you should make sure that your home’s external vent is cleaned and replaced if necessary. Always removing the lint from your dryer’s lint trap after every use is also a good practice to adopt.
3. Regularly wipe down your kitchen. Any grease lingering on your stove or oven is a recipe for disaster waiting to happen. Fire damage can often easily be traced back to grease in your kitchen, so making it a habit to clean your stove, oven, and all your other kitchen appliances will ensure that you minimize the chances of a grease fire occurring.

How Else Can You Lower the Chances of Fire Damage in Your Green Hills Home?

In addition to the preventative measures listed above, you can also proactively protect yourself and your home from fire damage by doing the following.

1. Invest in homeowners’ or renters’ insurance.

Make sure that your homeowners’ insurance policy includes house fires. In the unfortunate event that fire damage does occur, you want to have peace of mind that your insurance will cover any damages that are beyond repair. This will prevent you from losing everything even if an emergency hits.

2. Store flammable lawn clippings and other outdoor materials in safe places.

Don’t just leave dry leaves and lawn clippings in piles in your yard. This puts your home in a prime position to act as kindling for any fire that occurs within these flammable materials close by. Dispose of flammable outdoor materials as soon as you can, and while you’re waiting to get rid of them, keep them far away from your house to minimize the chances that your house catches fire if they somehow do.

3. Make sure your family knows your emergency fire escape plan.

Every homeowner should have an emergency fire escape plan in case of fire in your Nashville home. Write the plan down and go over it with your roommates, family members, or tenants so that they are prepared if the worst comes to pass.

If you ever find yourself in need of fire damage restoration specialists, SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville has a team of fire restoration specialists who can restore your home or business to preloss condition. For more information on our disaster restoration emergency services, contact us at (615) 242-9391. This franchise is independently owned and operated.

Three Ways To Protect Your Belle Meade Home From a Fire

6/23/2021 (Permalink)

Your home is a special place, full of happy family memories and history. You have spent both time and money on your home over the years to make it truly yours, so it’s a significant investment, too. Losing any part of your home from a house fire would be costly and devastating. 

Being aware of the most significant hazards will help to keep your home safe from the damages of a house fire and help you avoid the costs associated with its recovery. Here are three ways to protect your Belle Meade/West Nashville home from a fire: 

How Can I Protect My Belle Meade Home From An Electrical Fire?

Electrical fires are all too common. An equipment malfunction can cause an electrical fire due to:

• An overloaded circuit
• A bad extension cord
• An overheated light bulb
• Various other types of electrical home appliances

Taking the proper safety precautions when it comes to electrical systems will help you to avoid a fire. 

Some tips to help avoid a fire includes:

• Overload outlets or electrical cords
• Leave halogen, holiday, or outdoor lights on overnight or when away from your home

You can also schedule an electrician to come and perform an annual checkup of your home’s wiring.

How Can I Avoid Fires in My Belle Meade Kitchen?

Another way to protect your home from a fire is to be safe in the kitchen. Ensure you have the proper tools to use for all cooking projects, such as:

• Pans and pots in good condition
• Hot pads that don’t have holes in them
• Afire extinguisher, and someone who knows how to use it properly.

There may be some people in your household that need special help when working in the kitchen, such as young children or people with physical disabilities; be sure they have a helper with them to avoid accidents that could result in a fire. 

How Do I Prevent Fires From Open Flames In Belle Meade?

Any type of open flame needs to be handled correctly, such as:

• A fire in your fireplace
• Candles
• Matches

A fire in your fireplace needs to be extinguished before everyone goes to bed. Matches should be stored out of the reach of children. Candles are a lovely way to add pleasant scent and ambiance to your Belle Meade home, but they also become a fire hazard if left alone. Always ensure that candles are not left to burn when the household is asleep or away from the house.

These three fire hazards prevention practices are just a few of the ways you can protect your Belle Meade/West Nashville home from a fire. Here at SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville, we are proud to serve the Nashville community. We restore homes and businesses after fire damage, as well as flooding, accidents, vandalism, biohazards, and more. We can get your home or business Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, too. This franchise is independently owned and operated.

What Does A Fire Damage Restoration Company Do?

6/9/2021 (Permalink)

Maybe you’ve heard of a fire damage restoration company before, but what exactly do they do? Why would it be helpful to hire one post-fire? 

What does a fire damage restoration company do?

• Damage assessment 

First and foremost, a fire damage restoration company assesses the damage caused by fire and decides the most appropriate course of action to take to tackle the aftermath. 

• Fire and smoke restoration

Anything damaged by fire is likely charred, smoke-filled, sooty, and potentially past return. Fire and smoke restoration technicians will restore any possessions that they can to their original state if desired.

• Odor control and deodorization

Smoke can be hazardous to your health and is pervasive throughout your home or business after a fire. Controlling and removing this odor is a specialty of fire damage restoration companies. 

• Upholstery and fabric cleaning

Smoke, soot, ash, and fire often severely damage and pervade upholstery and fabrics within your home or business. These can be cleaned and restored by a fire damage restoration company if they’re not past the point of no return. 

How does a fire damage restoration company restore your property after fire damage?

At SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville, our fire damage restoration process starts with you making an emergency call to us at (615) 242-9391 and answering a trained representative’s questions so we can send you the help you need. After we get the information from you, we go about the following steps.

1. Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment
2. Immediate Board-Up and Roof-Tarp Service
3. Water Removal and Drying (if water damage is present)
4. Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces
5. Cleaning and Sanitizing
6. Restoration

For a more detailed look at each of these steps in our fire damage restoration process, check out the whole fire damage restoration breakdown. We recommend saving SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville’s number in your phone for any fire damage or water damage emergencies that you may experience in Nashville: (615) 242-9391. This franchise is independently owned and operated.

What To Do After Fire Damage To Your Nashville Home

5/18/2021 (Permalink)

Fire damage is no joke. From ashes to soot, smoke, and odors that linger for days, it can be a very hefty job to take on fire damage restoration and cleanup in your Nashville home. Fires are never planned for, but they do happen, which is why it’s best to be prepared for the worst and know what to do after fire damage hits your home in Nashville.

What steps should I take after there is fire damage to my Nashville home?

• Stay out of your home until the fire department deems it safe for you to enter it. Never, ever, ever walk into a home with fire damage until you’re given the a-okay from the professional firefighters. Your home may have severe damage to its structural integrity, which could result in structures falling and causing more damage in short order if you choose to enter it. 
• Take pictures of the damage from afar once you’re approved to enter (if you’re permitted to enter). Fire damage can leave your Nashville home in disarray, but your homeowners’ insurance should cover some of the damage if you can provide documented proof that a fire occurred. Show pictures of your ruined home and possessions to make sure it’s covered.
• Call restoration professionals to assess the damage. Depending on how damaged your home is, it may not be worth repairing. Calling disaster restoration professionals to look at how severely the fire damages your possessions and your home will help you know what steps to take down the road.

How should I deal with fire damage to my Nashville home?

• Call your insurance provider and provide documentation of your Nashville home’s fire. Your provider should be able to tell you what is and isn’t covered under your current policy, and that should provide a sound basis on what you should look into getting restored or not. If the fire was significant, it might not be worth getting anything restored. 
• Determine a timeline with your restoration professionals to have everything restored. How much will it cost for you to have your home and possessions restored, and which ones can actually be restored? Talking with your restoration professionals will allow you to figure out what a reasonable timeline is to expect and what accommodations you may need to make in the meantime. 

The next time you or someone you know unexpectedly deals with fire damage to their Middle Tennessee home, contact SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville at (615) 242-9391. We’re here to restore your home to its former state. This franchise is independently owned and operated.

Is Your Business Prepared In Case of A Fire?

5/5/2021 (Permalink)

Fires can come swiftly, quietly, and in the middle of the day or the dead of night, catching you off guard. So, how can you prepare in case of a fire? While many individuals have a fire safety plan for their home, it’s important not to forget to have preparations in case of a fire for your business, too. After all, you probably have employees or customers that frequent your business, so how can you be prepared to keep them safe if a fire were to occur?

To help you plan ahead to face an emergency, we’ve compiled a list of 3 things you can do to prepare your business in case of a fire.

How Many Fire Extinguishers Do I Need In My Business?

Have at least one fire extinguisher on each floor of your building. Not only is having fire safety equipment on hand integral for the safety of everyone at your business, it normally is required by most fire codes. If your business’s office or storefront has multiple floors, there should be a minimum of one fire extinguisher per floor of your building. Your entire staff should also know where the fire extinguishers are located and how to properly use them, too. 

1. Pull the pin
2. Aim at the fire’s base
3. Squeeze the extinguisher’s nozzle
4. Sweep the spray from side to side to fight the fire.

Do We Need To Conduct Fire Drills?

In addition to fire drills, make sure your employees know:

• Where the fire extinguishers are located and how to use them
• To call the local emergency department or 911 in the event of a fire
• Where to safely evacuate from the building.

Run through your fire safety evacuation plan at least annually, and do fire drills where the alarms go off and you follow your evacuation plan to a T so that everyone knows what to do if they go off for real. 

How Does My Insurance Apply After Fire Damage?

No matter what type of business you own and operate, you should have the appropriate insurance to cover any fires that destroy your material goods or space. In addition to having insurance to cover the costs of any fire emergencies, you should also have a backup that syncs regularly between your business’s server and cloud technology. You should also have digital copies of all important physical documents. This ensures that the destruction of any computers or materials will not completely compromise or eliminate your important documents and papers.

Is your business prepared in case of a fire? If not, today is a great day to start! It’s never too early or too late to plan for a potential fire at your business and consider the impacts that it could have. Contact SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville for fire damage restoration help at any day and any hour. You can reach us at (615) 242-9391. This franchise is independently owned and operated.

How to Care For Your Belongings After a House Fire

4/14/2021 (Permalink)

A house fire often brings destruction and leaves damage in its wake, and there’s a good chance that your belongings received the brunt of the damage. Caring for your belongings after a house fire may seem overwhelming, but there are a few things that you can do once you call the professionals, have the fire put out, and your house is deemed safe to enter again. Always, always make sure that your house fire is completely out and your home is safe to enter before even thinking about caring for your belongings post-house fire. Your safety and well-being are most important.

So, how do you care for your belongings after a house fire?

1) Coordinate electronic cleanup with professionals.

Under no circumstances should you turn on any electronics that were affected by your house fire. Any electrical devices or appliances may pose big hazards to you and your health if they were damaged in a fire since smoke residues may have caused their metal surfaces to corrode. Don’t attempt to turn on or operate any electronics. We advise you to leave the restoration to the professionals.

2) Approach contents restoration in a multi-faceted manner

Depending on the contents of your home, dry cleaning, wet cleaning, or even immersion cleaning may be in order. Our website nicely defines the different types of content restoration cleaning that you may need to undertake or invest in following a house fire.

• Dry Cleaning - Used for cleaning light residues or to pre-clean prior to wet cleaning.
• Wet Cleaning - An effective cleaning method for removing moderate to heavy residues.
• Spray and Wipe -Effective for items that can’t withstand wet cleaning.
• Foam Cleaning - Used for upholstery fabrics that might shrink or bleed if wet cleaned.
• Abrasive Cleaning - Involves agitation of the surface being cleaned.
• Immersion Cleaning - Contents are dipped into a bath of the cleaning product.
  
  

3) Take pictures of everything

If it’s safe for you to do so, take pictures of everything that was damaged in the fire so you can make the proper insurance claims and get them approved. Alternatively, a restoration team can do this for you in a safe, timely manner so that you have evidence of all the damage and it’s documented for any questions in the future.

For more information regarding caring for your belongings after a house fire, check out this page on our website. Our fire damage restoration team is always equipped and ready to come out to your home or apartment to take care of the damage and restore your property to its original condition. You can reach our SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville team by calling (615) 242-9391. This franchise is independently owned and operated.

Odor Removal After Smoke Damage

3/31/2021 (Permalink)

One of the worst parts of fire and smoke damage is the lingering odor that seems like it will never, ever go away. However, the good news is that with proper treatment and deodorization, you won’t have to live in a home or work at a business that smells like smoke forever! While there are some buildings that are truly lost causes after the aftermath of a fire, many salvageable buildings will not permanently house a smoke odor if you hire restoration specialists to remove the smoke particles from every surface and material within the building, including the walls.

How do we go about odor removal?

1) Identify the source.

When it comes to smoke odors, the odors quite literally live in the materials of your home. From your drywall to your cabinets, furniture, and everything in between, smoke particles and soot have likely made their way into the molecules of your belongings. This means that all of these sources need to be wiped down and have the particles properly removed using the right equipment. However, without properly identifying where exactly the smoke odor is coming from, there’s no way you can expect to get rid of it. So figuring out where the smoke odor is coming from and then assessing how to deodorize those sources is always step number one.

2) Penetrate surfaces to neutralize or eliminate odors.

As mentioned above, smoke odors often penetrate surfaces and live within the very fabric, quite literally, of your belongings. This means that we need to penetrate these odor sources to remove the sources and neutralize the odors. We have high-quality deodorization equipment and techniques to do this safely so that you no longer have to tolerate the offensive and unpleasant odor of smoke in your building.

3) Eliminate any traces that linger.

Finally, we eliminate any traces of odors that linger. We know that “almost gone” isn’t good enough when it comes to deodorization, which is why we’re completely committed to eliminating traces of offensive odors in your building so that your property smells like it did prior to the smoke damage. You can rest assured that your deodorization job is in great hands when you hire our specialists at SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville, and we look forward to working with you to restore your property to its former state.

For smoke damage, fire damage, storm damage, water damage, or mold, contact SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville at (615) 242-9391. You don’t need to tolerate offensive and unpleasant smoke odors, and removal likely is possible. Contact us to learn more! This franchise is independently owned and operated.

4 Most Common Causes Of House Fires

3/10/2021 (Permalink)

Knowledge comes before prevention, which is why we want to educate you regarding disasters that could occur. While it’s never fun imagining all the “what-ifs,” it’s an integral step to strategizing and planning how you can take the necessary steps to avoid the “what-ifs” to the best of your abilities. This includes knowing what the most common causes of house fires are! 

We’ve compiled a list of 4 of the most common causes of house fires so you know what precautions to take to avoid your home catching ablaze.

1) Cooking

You probably already guessed—cooking is the most common cause of house fires across the country. We frequent our kitchens often to cook meals (or even just to microwave them), and many of the kitchen appliances we frequently use include electrical components as well as open flames if you have a gas stove. Your microwave, stove, oven, and even your fridge and dishwasher are susceptible to causing house fires while you cook if you don’t properly clean up grease and other flammable materials that you may use while cooking, like oil. Overheating food in the microwave leading to combustion fires is also very real! Be careful while cooking, and don’t forget to clean up as you go or, at the very least, after you’re done cooking.

2) Heaters

Another common culprit of house fires is heaters. Heaters are often placed too close to clothes, furniture, bedding, fabric, and other flammable materials, which burst into flames when they become too hot. Having clothing hung over them to dry or placing them too close to curtains are also common ways that heaters cause house fires, so you should always use space heaters with caution. Make sure they’re placed on even ground and are at least two feet away from anything flammable. Heaters should also be regularly cleaned. 

3) Cigarettes

Smoking cigarettes can lead to deadly house fires. Be careful about where and when you smoke cigarettes to avoid house fires at all costs. Cigarettes and other materials that are smoked should always be properly extinguished and disposed of, and flicking them into shrubs, onto your porch or balcony, or elsewhere is a potential recipe for disaster. Be vigilant and stay safe while smoking near your home, if you do it at all.

4) Washing Machines and Dryers

Laundry appliances, in particular clothes dryers, are another very common cause of house fires. The build-up of lint, dust, dirt, as well as the clothes circulating within clothes dryers, can catch aflame within the machine or due to lint in the external dryer vent. Washing machines and clothes dryers can alight because of electrical faults, and this is also true of any large kitchen appliances or other appliances like furnaces, fireplaces, and wood stoves that you may have in your home.

No matter what may cause damage to your home, whether it be fire, water, a storm, or mold, our team at SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville can help you at a moment’s notice. Just contact us at (615) 242-9391 for a highly trained technician to be on their way to you! This franchise is independently owned and operated.

Fire Damage Tips Before Help Arrives

2/23/2021 (Permalink)

Fires often occur unexpectedly and for bizarre reasons. Maybe you forgot to blow out your bathroom candle before you went to work, the kitchen grease caught fire, static electricity made your dryer vent go up in flames, or a fire originated from one of a host of other sources. Regardless of where the fire started, the facts are the facts: fire damage can do a serious toll on your home or business—oftentimes, you’re not only dealing with burnt possessions, but soot, ash, and smoke are quite literally everywhere.

The longer your property sits in the aftermath of a fire, the more damage may occur, so it’s integral to take the following steps after a fire blazes through your property and you’re waiting for professionals to arrive to assess the situation and restore what they can.

1) Limit movement within the affected space.

Any movement in or out of the space affected by fire may stir up soot and cause even more damage than what’s already occurred. Soot particles very easily embed themselves into just about everything imaginable within your property, so take great caution to not cause them to sink any further into the surfaces they’re currently covering. 

2) Take pictures of the damage.

We can’t emphasize this step enough. If only one area of your property is affected and you can enter it to document the damage, take all the photos you can of your damaged possessions to file with your business or homeowner’s insurance claim. Having picture proof of what happened will be essential to ensuring you get the money that you’re owed thanks to whatever coverage you have. 

3) Keep your hands clean and try not to touch things.

Just like we advise you to limit movement throughout your home, make sure that anyone who does traverse through your property has clean hands and touches as few things as possible. Like we said before, soot and ashes from fire damage are super easy to smear throughout your home, causing even more damage than what’s already occurred. 

4) Cover your carpets and upholstery.

Clean towels or old linens should go over all of your carpets, upholstery, and rugs that you’re walking over so that you don’t actively step in any messes or tread things further into your flooring or your home. Fabric and textiles are probably the most difficult items to salvage or clean following a fire if they were directly affected, so you should be careful to cover all the traffic areas in your home.

In addition to these 4 tips to implement while waiting for professional restoration help to arrive at the place of the fire, you can read more about what you should do and also what you should NOT do after a fire here. Whether you experience fire damage, water damage, storm damage, mold, or smoke, SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville is available 24/7 with highly trained technicians and restoration specialists who are equipped to help you restore your property following a disaster. Put our emergency contact number in your cell so that you can call us whenever you need: (615) 242-9391. This franchise is independently owned and operated.

Preventing Commercial Kitchen Fires

2/9/2021 (Permalink)

Of all the businesses you can think of, which seem like the most likely to catch fire? You guessed it: restaurants and buildings with commercial kitchens. Besides the obvious fact that commercial kitchens often contain ovens and stoves, they also usually have refrigeration equipment, big electrical appliances, and different types of cooking equipment like fryers that lend themselves well to going up in flames if the wrong materials are nearby at the wrong time. 

So how do you prevent commercial kitchen fires? We’ve put together a list of safety precautions to help you avoid an unplanned kitchen fire and maintain a safe commercial kitchen. 

1) Maintain your cooking equipment regularly

We can’t stress this point enough. Although maintenance may seem like a hassle to schedule and unnecessary fees every year, it’s an integral part of maintaining a commercial kitchen with minimal fire hazards. Since cooking equipment and appliances are normally fired up every day, or at least most days, wear and tear builds up in no time. If any minor issues are left unaddressed, this could lead to more vulnerabilities in the equipment that may make it easier for things to catch fire. Be proactive about repairing any damage and fine-tuning the equipment to save money in the long run as well as be vigilant about safety.

2) De-grease your kitchen

Almost all restaurants experience grease building up on their appliances and countertops as oil splatters out of pans and things aren’t properly cleaned as people are moving speedily about your kitchen. However, grease is a highly flammable substance that should be degreasing all of your kitchen surfaces on a regular basis. So many kitchen fires stem from grease catching ablaze, but reducing the amount of grease available to catch fire should automatically reduce the risk of your kitchen going up in flames. 

3) Have fire safety systems in place

Does your restaurant have a sprinkler system in place? It should at least have carbon monoxide detectors installed and fire extinguishers in the kitchen. Make sure that your entire kitchen staff is trained on what to do in the event of a fire and where to go. They should all know how to use a fire extinguisher, and education on how to handle grease fires (do NOT throw water on them) should also be widely known.

If you experience fire damage, water damage, storm damage, mold, or another disaster, give the SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville restoration specialists a call at (615) 242-9391. We’re available 24/7, 365 days a year. This franchise is independently owned and operated.

Handling Smoke Damage To Your Furniture

2/2/2021 (Permalink)

Although flames are pretty when they’re dancing in your backyard campfire, they’re suddenly a threat when afflicting your property and leaving some serious ruin in their wake. Fire can cause major damage to your commercial and residential properties, but burning things to a crisp isn’t the only signs of aftermath you have to deal with after a fire runs its course.

In addition to burning everything in sight, flames often leave dust, ash, soot, and smoke, which cause plenty of problems on their own. Smoke, which consists of the gases and vapors that emit from anything that undergoes combustion, seeps into household objects and lingers in the form of a very discernible odor when it soaks into things like furniture, in particular. 

Even if your couches and chairs escape the wrath of flames, smoke damage to your furniture is a very real issue that you may experience. Clothing, furniture, and textile items are vulnerable to smoke seeping into their threads and stuffing, and the odor isn’t one that will simply disappear if you leave your furniture to air out in the sun for a day or two.

To firmly tackle smoke damage, it’s always best to contact your local restoration professionals to deodorize the furniture to ensure odors are completely removed whenever possible. However, while you wait for the experts to arrive, you can do a few things to provide temporary relief. These practices include vacuuming any soot or ash from your furniture, using vinegar spray on visible stains, and wipe any wood furniture with a dry chemical sponge to remove soot.

Once the professional restoration experts arrive, we often use an ozone treatment to produce an oxidizing agent that actually breaks up the smoke molecules to remove their odor. 

Smoke damage calls for deodorization that is complicated, but SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville has technicians who are specially trained to remove any odors from your home for your health and peace of mind. Call us at (615) 242-9391 for assistance! This franchise is independently owned and operated.

Gas Fireplace Safety Tips

1/19/2021 (Permalink)

The cold temperatures of winter are upon us, and there’s nothing quite like cozying up beside a gas fireplace to revel in the warmth of a fire. Gas fireplaces are common features in today’s houses and business lobbies, and they add a homey or classic touch that not much can’t be matched by much else. 

Now, more than any other time of year, you’re probably using your gas fireplace often, and we’ve gathered a few tips to help you take safety precautions while enjoying the warmth and light of your fireplace.

1) Install carbon monoxide detectors throughout the building. 

Perhaps the most important safety precaution you should take when you have a gas fireplace in your building is to install carbon monoxide detectors on every floor of your home or office. Gas fireplaces are not known to increase the carbon monoxide levels in the building they’re present in. However, any gas appliances should be accompanied by carbon monoxide detectors so you can catch any leaks before they cause serious damage. Schedule two times annually to check and change your detectors’ batteries so they continue to function properly all year-round. 

2) Keep all furniture at least 3 feet away from the fireplace.

As a general rule of thumb, you should keep all furniture and flammable objects at the very least 3 feet away from your gas fireplace. Although it’s unlikely that your gas fireplace will catch things ablaze, it’s best not to risk it, and keeping anything flammable a safe distance away from the fireplace will prevent this from happening. Even just having something flammable lean up against the hot glass or cage protecting you from the fireplace may cause a fire.

3) At least once a year, hire a professional to inspect your fireplace.

Regular maintenance is important for any appliance, and this rings true when it comes to a gas fireplace. Hire a professional to inspect your fireplace gas log set at least once a year to clean and adjust the logs and glowing embers, clean the glass, remove any obstructions from the vents, and clean the fan and air circulation passages. 

As always, if you have any questions or concerns regarding professional cleaning, fire damage, water damage, mold, or other cleanup jobs, contact SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville at (615) 242-9391. This franchise is independently owned and operated.

Fireworks Safety Tips

12/29/2020 (Permalink)

The new year is almost here! Setting off fireworks is a popular activity to celebrate big events, and this is especially true when it comes to big holidays like the Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve. Although gatherings may be largely virtual or socially distanced this holiday season, fireworks are fun ways to celebrate the end of the year while staying far away from other people. Many look forward to appreciating the dazzling lights illuminating the dark sky to ring in the new year, but fireworks can be safety hazards if they aren’t set up and monitored properly.

To minimize any potential risks, take these 4 fireworks safety tips into account before setting off any fireworks to celebrate the new year. 

1) Keep the fireworks away from children.

This safety tip should go without saying, but never let children handle fireworks. In the event that fireworks are improperly handled or malfunction, they should be far away from any young children and in the vicinity of a responsible adult. It’s also important that the adult who is setting off the fireworks is not impaired by alcohol or drugs while handling them. 

2) Do not light fireworks indoors or while they’re in your hands.

Never ever light fireworks while you are inside. Fireworks are meant to be enjoyed outdoors and far away from humans so they do not harm anyone. You should also never handle fireworks when they’re lighted. As soon as you light a firework, you should back away from it or throw it in the direction you want it to go off. Also, never ignite fireworks while they’re in a container. 

3) Point or throw the fireworks away from other people.

Avoid pointing or throwing fireworks toward other people--this is a recipe for disaster. Fireworks should only be used away from houses, people, and all flammable materials. Light your fireworks one at a time and maintain a safe distance away from them as soon as you are finished lighting them.

4) Keep a bucket of water nearby.

It’s always wise to have a bucket of water on hand to extinguish any fireworks that spin out of control, don’t go off, or catch fire. After using fireworks, you should always soak the spent or unused ones in water for a few hours to ensure they don’t go off after the fact.

SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville wishes you a great holiday season and a happy new year. In the event that you need restoration experts to help you manage fire damage, water damage, storm damage, or mold, you can reach us at (615) 242-9391. We’re available 24/7, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year. This franchise is independently owned and operated.

What Is Soot And Why Is It Dangerous?

12/17/2020 (Permalink)

After a fire has blazed, soot often rests in the fire’s aftermath. Soot is a black residue of fine particles that appears after a fire burns and a carbon-filled material like wood, coal, oil, or other fuel is burned incompletely. All combustion sources can yield soot, and it often lingers in the air for a while after a fire has burned as well as disperses around the scene of a fire, accumulating on pretty much every surface available in a fine layer. 

Soot often can be distinguished by looking for black residue on items after a fire occurs, but soot particles are even smaller than dust, which means that not all of it is visible to the naked eye. Soot’s prevalence and pervasiveness after a fire can have serious implications for your health and home, which is why it’s incredibly important to hire a team of professionals to clean up soot after a fire occurs.

Soot contamination also can stain materials in your home, causing the odor to stick around long after the time of a fire. Soot’s foul-smelling odors resemble fire and smoke smells, and its lingering presence ensures that its odor stays while it does, too. Particles from soot are also shown to corrode metal in electronic devices, making your property at risk for damage from it.  

All in all, soot decreases the level of air quality at your property and may put you or others at risk.

Don’t let soot take advantage of your health and property--make sure professionals clean it up and restore your property to its previous state for your well-being! The SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville team has fire damage restoration experts who will remove every trace of soot from your home, restoring it to its pre-fire condition. Call us at (615) 242-9391 today for help removing soot from your residential or commercial property.

5 Space Heater Safety Tips

11/24/2020 (Permalink)

As the temperatures drop lower and cold weather rolls in to stay for awhile, you’re probably breaking out the space heaters to warm up your home or business. While space heaters provide wonderful warmth during the colder months, they also can be safety hazards if they aren’t properly set up and monitored to ensure they don’t pose any risks to you or your home. A space heater fire is never on anyone’s agenda, so we recommend following these 5 space heater safety tips to avoid any unwanted fires from occurring:

1. Carefully place your space heater at least 3 feet away from flammable objects. If any objects come in contact with the space heater’s electric heating face or a hot surface, it poses a serious fire risk. As a general rule, never sit or drape anything over your space heater, don’t set it near rugs, furniture, bedding, clothing, window treatments, or other flammable materials. Also, make sure that it’s sitting on a level surface so that it doesn’t accidentally fall or tip over. 
2. Don’t use extension cords. Plug your space heater directly into an outlet. There’s a much higher chance of your space heater overheating or otherwise malfunctioning if it’s plugged into an extension cord or an outlet strip. Minimize these dangers by plugging your space heater directly into an outlet that has the power capacity necessary to fire it up and keep it running.
3. Unplug it when you’re not using it. This should go for almost all appliances, but it’s especially relevant for your space heater. When you’re not using your space heater, you should first turn it off and then you should unplug it. Having a space heater running while you don’t want it to be running poses a fire hazard as well as a waste of energy. 
4. Clean, inspect, and maintain your space heater. On a regular basis, you should clean your space heater and wipe it down to avoid dispersing dust and other allergens throughout your house. You should also carefully monitor your space heater to ensure that it’s working as it’s supposed to and nothing wonky is happening. If anything seems out of order, turn it off and unplug it right away until a professional can inspect it and you can safely run it again. Alternatively, you can just dispose of it and purchase a new space heater.
5. Don’t run your space heater in the bathroom or a basement. Space heaters should never be run in places that are humid or wet because space heaters are not meant to be wet. Don’t handle your space heater if your hands are wet or you just got out of the shower. The electricity from the space heater could run through the water and shock you. This is dangerous and should be avoided at all costs.

While we love our space heaters as much as the rest of you, it’s important to run them safely when you have them operating. SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville is here to help you with any fire damage, water damage, storm damage, or mold that comes your way this fall and winter season, and we’re available 24/7 at (615) 242-9391. Give us a call today to discuss how we can help you fix any damage to your home or business. 

How To Prevent Fires In Your Commercial Kitchen

11/10/2020 (Permalink)

When they’re not properly cleaned and kept in order, commercial kitchens are hotbeds for fires. Heat sources like ovens, stoves, microwaves, fryers, and more paired with flammable liquids like oils, alcohol, and other cooking materials can spell disaster within a commercial kitchen if preventive steps aren’t taken. Keep your commercial kitchen fire-free with these 5 steps:

1. Keep anything flammable away from the flames and heat sources.

Paper towels, plastic containers, packaging, and just plain towels should be kept far away from any open flames or heat sources as a general rule of thumb. Even when your stove isn’t fired up, it’s still smart to keep all flammable objects far away from the heat source. If someone accidentally bumps a burner or forgets to turn it off, it could be a prime opportunity for a flammable object to catch aflame, and that’s the last thing that you want to be dealing with. 

2. Make sure your cooking equipment is well-maintained.

It’s super easy for your cooking equipment to malfunction, spark, or accidentally turn on if they’re not fitted with modern fire suppression systems. Cooking equipment is a huge cause of commercial kitchen fires, so be sure to have all the fire suppression measures in place that you can to prevent any malfunctions or accidental fires from occurring. Having your cooking equipment regularly inspected and serviced is an integral part of keeping it well-maintained. 

3. Clean up grease.

Perhaps the most highly flammable substance in a kitchen is grease, and this can be everywhere if you don’t clean it up. Cleaning your kitchen on a regular basis is incredibly important from a general health perspective as well as from a fire safety perspective. As you cook things in your kitchen over time, especially in a frier or anything that involves oil or fat or some sort, grease builds up in your kitchen and flies onto objects like your cooking equipment, your cabinetry, your countertops, and your clothes. Maintain a regular, thorough cleaning schedule to remove the grease buildup and prevent grease kitchen fires.

4. Monitor your electrical cords.

Although commercial kitchen fires often are the result of your equipment catching fire, electrical fires do also occur. Make sure you monitor your electrical cords winding throughout the kitchen and that you have them replaced or repaired if you see any fraying or signs of melting. These make the electric supply more vulnerable to starting fires.

5. Train your staff on how to handle a kitchen fire.

Last but certainly not least, ensure that your kitchen staff is properly trained on what to do in the event that a fire occurs. For example, they should know that they should never open an oven if there are flames inside of it, where the fire extinguisher is, what to throw on a grease fire (hint: it’s NOT water...flour is a good alternative).

Although you can never completely prevent fires from occurring, taking preventive measures can significantly reduce the chances that you need to deal with a commercial kitchen fire. Are you dealing with the aftermath of a fire? Contact SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville at (615) 242-9391 and we can send our expert fire damage restoration professionals to return your commercial kitchen to its former glory. We also are experts in deodorization and water damage, storm damage, and mold remediation, so give us a call if you’re in need of restoration services. We’d be happy to work with you.

Do You Have A Fire Escape Plan For Your Family?

10/21/2020 (Permalink)

Living in the moment is a great way to savor your daily life and everything that occurs within it, but it’s integral to plan ahead for potential future emergencies to ensure that the best outcome possible occurs to the best of your ability if things don’t go to plan. Emergencies are never desirable, but anticipating them and preparing your family to face them ensures that they know what to do when bad things happen. Fires, in particular, can occur out of nowhere, and creating a family fire escape plan will empower everyone to act in the event that a fire takes place, no matter who they’re with or where they are in your home.

The last thing that you want to happen is for one of your family members to be trapped by a fire in your home with no means of escape, and crafting and sharing a fire escape plan can help you avoid this scenario. Creating a fire escape plan and walking through it with your family may prove life-saving in the future, and here’s how to do that. 

1. Draw your home floor plan. 

Make sure you label all the doors and windows as well as every room in your house and plan at least two escape routes from every room. Account for all your family members’ disabilities and create alternative escape routes as necessary. 

2. Plan a meeting place near your home.

Designate a spot near your home for a family meeting place when a fire occurs. As you may be separated from your other family members when a fire occurs, it’s important to regroup and get a headcount after escaping from your home that’s ablaze. 

3. Tell your kids to call 9-1-1 for help. 

No matter how old your kids are, it’s important to tell them to dial 9-1-1 when a fire happens as soon as they’re capable of comprehending how to do so. This is essential, especially if no adults are home at the time of the fire. 

4. Run through your fire escape plan.

Walk with your family from room to room in your house and verbally talk through the instructions on how to escape. Maybe even practice escaping if it is easy and safe to do so. Try sounding the fire alarm to get your family in the right mindset and to associate leaving the house with the alarm sounding. 

In addition to the above steps, remember to educate your family on stop-drop-and-roll protocol if they catch fire and to check the doors for heat to see if they should open them or not after your fire alarm sounds. Regularly change the batteries of all your smoke detectors as well so they sound when signs of a fire are evident. 

If you experience a fire at home or at your business, first dial 9-1-1, and after the fire is extinguished, call (615) 242-9391 for SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville’s trained technicians to restore all the fire damage that has occurred. In addition to repairing and restoring anything damaged by heat and flames, we also remove all the soot, ash, and smoke from the fire as well as deodorize your property. 

Fall Fire Hazards

10/6/2020 (Permalink)

As the air grows drier and the temperatures drop lower in the fall, the risk of fire hazards increases. In addition to beautiful foliage and a change of weather, fall also brings a variety of fire safety risks that you should be aware of and take preventive steps to reduce the risk of fire damage occurring. Check out the following tips to minimize the number of fire hazards you experience this season:

Remove flammable debris from your lawn

Deciduous trees shed their leaves during the fall months, and dry, dead leaves act as excellent kindling. While this may be great for starting any carefully monitored campfires or bonfires to gather around, letting this flammable debris accumulate in your lawn makes your yard very vulnerable to fire in the event that any of the debris were to catch a flame. To reduce this fire hazard, make it a routine to periodically (think every 2-3 weeks) rake up the leaves and twigs in your lawn and remove them. 

Clean your dryer vent

Did you know that your dryer has an external vent where lint builds up over time? Every fall, start the habit of cleaning this dryer vent or hiring a professional to do so. Especially with an increase in static electricity in the air during the autumn months due to low humidity and dryer weather, this lint is far more susceptible to sparking and causing a fire. Cleaning your dryer vent in the fall can help you reduce the risk of this happening.

Monitor candles, space heaters, and other flames and heat sources closely

Chillier weather during the fall often means that you’ll start running space heaters and other heat sources like furnaces and fireplaces to warm your home. Fall also often means that you’ll light candles more often to make things cozy. All of these flames and heat sources have the potential to start fires if left unmonitored. Like your dryer vent, any space heaters should be regularly cleaned and turned off when not in use. As a general rule of thumb, don’t leave a candle or your fireplace unattended if you’re not in the room. It’s always a good idea to blow out, turn off, or extinguish any flames or heat-generating sources when you leave your home, go to sleep, or leave the room where they’re located for an extended period of time.

Hire a professional to inspect your fireplace, chimney, and furnace

Before firing up your fireplace, chimney, or furnace for fall use, hire a professional to inspect and clean them so you don’t accidentally allow any fires to spark or spring out of control. This also rings true for wood and coal stoves. It’s very possible to start fires in your chimney by burning the wrong materials in any of your stoves or fireplaces, and you should never use gasoline to start fires in any fireplaces or stoves inside your home, either. Doing so increases the risk of initiating fire damage.

As you enjoy this season, stay vigilant and aware of all of these fall fire hazards to ensure your family’s safety and reduce the likelihood of an unfortunate event occurring. In the event that you do experience a fire this autumn, our team of professionals at SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville is trained and equipped to help you with any fire or smoke damage that comes your way. We’re available 24/7, 365 days of the year, and we’re ready to help at a moment’s notice. Just dial (615) 242-9391. 

How To Deal With a Kitchen Fire

9/15/2020 (Permalink)

Cooking in your kitchen often includes heat of some sort, which makes it an area prone to fire hazards. However, there are several steps you can take in the event that you experience a kitchen fire due to hot oil, a stovetop nightmare, a microwave disaster, or any other cause. Kitchen fires are terrifying and can be costly, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t be prepared to deal with them. Since kitchen fires are the leading cause of fire injuries and home fires, it’s important to know what to do if a grease fire or another type of kitchen fire occurs to prevent it from spreading to the rest of your home.

• Never, ever put water on a grease fire. 

Grease fires should be smothered and then left to fizzle out the rest of the way on their own. Instead of extinguishing a grease fire, water often causes the oil that caused the fire to splash, which can encourage the fire to spread. A good tip is to keep the pot or pan lid nearby at all times when cooking, and in the event of a grease fire, grab an oven mitt to use the lid to place over the fire.

• Close the oven or microwave door if there’s a fire in either appliance.

Spy a fire in one of your kitchen appliances? Don’t open the door! The lack of oxygen inside each appliance while shut should suffocate the flames. On the contrary, opening the microwave or oven door will feed the flames with oxygen, allowing the fire to stoke and spread. However, if your oven or microwave continues to smoke while closed and you suspect a fire may be raging inside it for a while, call your local fire department to come out and take care of it.

• Use a fire extinguisher.

If the kitchen fire is too big to smother with a pot or pan lid, grab your fire extinguisher and aim it at the base of the fire. Don’t spray the fire extinguisher at the flames. The flames stem from the base of the fire, which is what you want to extinguish because once the base of the fire is put out, the flames will follow. Remember to pull the pin out, aim low, squeeze the handle, and sweep the extinguisher back and forth from side to side at the fire’s base.

• Don’t throw flour at a fire. Try baking soda or salt instead. Flour is prone to exploding, which is the opposite of what you want to happen, as this may make the fire worse. Baking soda or salt may be enough to smother a small grease fire if you have nothing else close by on hand to combat the fire with.

Are you dealing with the aftermath of a kitchen fire? For professional help dealing with smoke damage, fire damage, or deodorization, contact the fire disaster restoration professionals at SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville by calling (615) 242-9391. We have years of experience restoring properties after fire, water, storm, and mold damage, and we are available 24/7 to respond to emergencies that come your way.

Fire Safety In Your Office

9/1/2020 (Permalink)

In the event that a fire ever occurs in your office, it’s important to have a few fire safety precautions in place to keep your employees and commercial building prepared for dealing with one. While having a fire extinguisher and smoke detectors goes without saying, do your employees know what to do if the alarm sounds or they have to use the extinguisher?

Here are a few fire safety precautions that you should ensure are in place:

• Make sure your employees know how to use a fire extinguisher. Every 6 months or so, hold a training session where your employees learn how to use a fire extinguisher if they don’t already know how to use one. Something as simple as this could be the difference between an accidental office fire from a microwave or a lighter being extinguished or burning up everything in sight. Here’s a great article on how to use a fire extinguisher.

• Regularly change your smoke detectors’ batteries and ensure one is installed in every room. As a general rule of thumb, test your smoke detectors once a month and replace their batteries twice a year. By ensuring that your smoke detectors do their job and have the battery juice to sound, you can prevent office fires whenever smoke occurs first.

• Share your office’s evacuation plan. Depending on the size of your office, you need to have one or multiple evacuation plans to adhere to the building’s fire code. Make sure to take into account any legal requirements for fire evacuation plans before you post them around the building and share them. 

• Do a few fire drills. Sharing your office’s evacuation plan isn’t enough. Hold a couple fire drills and run your employees through the proper evacuation routes so they know where to go if the building catches on fire. Rehearsing an evacuation plan makes it that much easier to take action in the event that a fire actually occurs.

With all of these fire safety precautions in place, we hope that you’ll never have to manage the aftermath of an office fire. However, If you ever end up dealing with fire damage, water damage, mold, or other natural disaster damage, give SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville a call at (615) 242-9391. Our team of professionals are trained and equipped to help you manage restoration and cleaning.

First Steps For Cleaning Smoke Damage in Your Home

8/11/2020 (Permalink)

Fire can cause devastating damage to your home, but perhaps even more challenging than facing fire damage is the aftermath it leaves in its wake: smoke damage. 

Fire smoke consists of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and soot, which enters walls, paint, furniture, fabric, ductwork, and every other nook and cranny in your home. These harmful chemicals linger in the air as well as become absorbed by your belongings, forming residue on and within your belongings.

Without proper identification and removal, smoke damage and its lingering odor are nearly impossible to eliminate, but there are a few first steps that you can take to address the damage while waiting for cleanup professionals to arrive. Don’t let the impact of smoke damage get you down. Here’s what to do:

1. Assess what you can save and what you should discard. If the fire and smoke that occurred caused significant damage, there will most likely be some items that are beyond repair and are not worth trying to salvage. Try to identify these from the get-go and dispose of them as you can. 
2. Invest in appropriate supplies. In order to go about removing smoke damage, it’s important to have the right supplies to protect yourself from the harmful chemicals that smoke residue contains. Make sure to wear safety goggles and gloves while wiping down furniture and the walls to remove the surface residue. Terrycloth towels and Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) that you can buy at your local hardware store are two essentials to help you break down the grime that smoke has deposited throughout your home.
3. Dissolve TSP in warm water to wipe things down. It is generally recommended to dissolve one tablespoon of TSP per one gallon of warm water. Use this solution and a sponge to wipe down your property with protective gear on. 
4. Wait for the professionals to arrive. Although you can start taking care of smoke damage by following the three steps above, it’s always best to hire a professional for heavy soot or smoke damage as well as deodorization, which is a big, daunting task. It’ll save you time and stress to hire the professionals to take care of the most extensive damage.

If you ever have the misfortune of experiencing fire and smoke damage, contact the professionals at SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville by calling (615) 242-9391.  We’re trained and ready to help.

Safety Tips For Using A Fire Extinguisher

7/28/2020 (Permalink)

OSHA states that fire is the most common emergency occurrence owners of homes and small businesses should plan for. One of the best ways to be prepared is by having a fire extinguisher readily available, making sure it’s properly maintained and audited, and by being educated on its proper use. This will already be a fire safety requirement for any business, and it’s a good idea for the homeowner, as well. 

OSHA requires employers to train their staff thoroughly on how to use a fire extinguisher correctly and to accurately assess the situation if a fire is to occur so that it can be determined if/when an evacuation needs to take place. OSHA has established annual training for employees as a minimal requirement for all places of business, and this training is helpful for homeowners as well.  

The PASS training technique is recommended: 

• P. Pull the pin on the extinguisher.
• A. Aim the nozzle of the hose at the base of the fire. 
• S. Squeeze the handle to release the extinguishing agent. 
• S. Sweep the nozzle from side to side, directed at the base of the flames, until the fire is extinguished. 

Once someone knows how to properly operate a fire extinguisher, they should then also be trained to follow fire safety protocol. Such training should enable anyone to be able to:

• Locate and activate the fire alarm.
• Call the fire department and emergency responders immediately. 
• Determine a safe evacuation route that will direct people away from flames, excessive heat, and smoke. They should also know how to keep the route from becoming blocked,
• Use the PASS technique for discharging a fire extinguisher (outlined above), and know the importance of backing away from the area if the fire flares up again. 
• Evacuate the area immediately if the fire is still going and the extinguisher is empty, or if the fire grows beyond what can be safely handled without fire department personnel. 

NOTE: Fire extinguishers are made to handle small fires only. If the environment becomes too dangerous, everyone should know when and how to evacuate. Excessive smoke and heat, impaired evacuation routes, and poor visibility are all conditions that can evolve very quickly, and people need to understand that safety comes first and foremost. 

SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville is here to help with cleanup projects both large and small and are dedicated to getting your business Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned. We also handle mold prevention and remediation, as well as fire damage and water damage.

What To Do In Case Of A Fire In Your Restaurant Kitchen

7/7/2020 (Permalink)

A fire in your restaurant kitchen can happen with little to no warning, so you will need to act fast to keep the fire from getting out of control and putting your staff and property in danger. 

Here are a few tips on what to do in case of a fire in your restaurant kitchen:

• If it’s a fire in one of the ovens, close the door immediately and turn off the oven, leaving the door closed. Lack of oxygen will suffocate the flames. 
• If the oven continues to smoke and it looks like the fire is continuing to grow, call the fire department right away. 
• When it is a fire in a cooking pan or pot, ensure that a lid is put on right away, and move it off the burner. Turn off the stove and wait for the lack of oxygen to stop the flames inside your pot.  
• If you are not able to safely put the lid on the flaming pan, or if there is no lid readily available, use the fire extinguisher. Always aim at the base of the fire, not the flames themselves. 
• Never use water to put out a grease fire. Water repels grease and can spread the fire by splattering the grease. Try one of these methods instead:

• If the fire is small, put on the lid and turn off the burner.
• Throw lots of baking soda on the fire; do not use flour, since it can explode or make the fire even worse. 
• Smother the fire with a wet towel or other large, wet cloth. 
• Use a fire extinguisher. 
• Swatting the fire with a towel, apron, or other material is likely to fan the flames and spread the fire. 
• If the fire is spreading and you don’t have control, get every person and pet out of the house and call 911! 

Have a plan to educate every staff member properly on fire prevention and proper fire management before they come to work for you. Education in this area can save money and lives. 

For cleanup after any type of fire SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville is ready to help. In addition to handling fire damage, we also handle water damage and mold remediation.

Smoke Removal From Your Furniture

6/23/2020 (Permalink)

No matter where the odor of smoke comes from, whether it is a house fire, fire pit or cigarette/cigar smoke, it’s one that lingers longer than anyone wants it to. Today we are going to share a few ways you can get the smell of smoke out of your furniture, whether you are handling wood or fabric. 

Cleaning Fabrics. Two cups of witch hazel and twenty drops of an essential oil, such as lemon or peppermint, can be a very efficient and cost-effective way to get rid of the odor of smoke from your furniture. Place the mixture in a glass spray bottle and shake well, and then spray liberally onto your furniture fabric and allow it to air dry. The oil will help to absorb the smoke odor instead of just masking it. 

Dry Cleaning for Wood. As a test, sprinkle a small amount of baking soda on a corner of the piece and let it sit as a test for about an hour, then vacuum away. Once you have determined that your furniture will not be negatively affected, cover the exterior and interior of your pieces with the baking soda and let it absorb the smoke odor for up to eight hours, depending on how bad the smell is, and again you can just vacuum up the baking soda from the exterior parts. We do recommend that you wait a week before removing the baking soda from the interior since this area will probably have been more affected by the smoke. Repeat this process as needed. 

Wet Cleaning for Wood. Apply Murphy’s Oil Soap, using an amount approximately the size of a nickel, to a soft sponge; you can also use a 50/50 mixture of water and vinegar here. Gently rub the affected areas in a circular motion, which will help you avoid damage to the wood surface and finish. Allow your furniture to air dry in a warm interior space, although make sure not to place your piece in the direct sunlight, as it could cause the wood to warp. 

If your furniture and other belongings have been negatively affected by unpleasant smoky odors and you aren’t able to get satisfactory results by yourself, remember that SERVPRO is just a phone call away. The team here at SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville is always ready to help with smoke odor, fire damage, water damage, and mold prevention/remediation. We maintain the necessary training, skills, and equipment that will help us to get your belongings back to normal as soon as possible. We are committed to getting your property Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned!

Gas Fireplace Best Practices

6/2/2020 (Permalink)

In addition to being the centerpieces of ambiance in any home, a gas fireplace provides fire and heat. They also require specific safety precautions. Here are some gas fireplace best practices:

Safety Screens. All gas fireplaces should have a protective screen over the glass. Such screens help to reduce the risk of someone getting a serious burn by providing a barrier that will prevent skin from coming into direct contact with the hot glass. Keep in mind, however, that screens can also retain heat, so touching them is never a good idea. If there are children in your home you’ll want to keep that in mind.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors. Carbon monoxide is an odorless and poisonous gas that can be deadly. For safety reasons, every home should have at least one carbon monoxide detector located in rooms near gas appliances, including fireplaces. In addition, your home should also have smoke detectors. Be sure to check and replace the batteries on a regular basis to ensure that they are in good condition.

Annual Inspections. Schedule inspections with a licensed gas technician or hearth dealer to inspect your gas fireplace every year. They can check the gas lines, clean the unit’s burner and control compartment, and look to see if condensation is present. This is an important yearly appointment that shouldn’t be delayed.

Venting. When you are selecting your gas fireplace, try to choose a model that offers direct-venting. They have sealed combustion systems that protect indoor air quality by drawing air from outside the building while sending all the combustion exhaust and any by-products to the outside. A video explaining direct vent technology is available here.

Fire Damage. If you have an accident and your premises suffer from fire damage, you can call us here at SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville for clean up or repairs from a fire event. We also handle water damage, and we’re mold remediation experts, too. We are proud to serve our friends and neighbors here in Nashville, and we hope that you keep us in mind for all your future needs.

How To Clean Up After Smoke Damage

5/19/2020 (Permalink)

After a fire, contacting a cleaning professional may be the best decision you can make, since fire will affect everything in your home or business, through the flames, heat, soot, and smoke. Your structure can even be adversely affected. You’ll need the assistance of professionals who have the expertise and equipment that is needed to get your work or personal space back to normal as soon as possible. 

Unsafe Conditions. Inhaling smoke can have an immediate negative effect on you, even if it’s only for a short time, so avoiding a smoky situation is really important. With that in mind, you won’t want to enter your home or business until all the smoke is cleared from your premises. Hiring a professional fire and smoke damage restoration contractor will ensure that your property is free from the after-effects of a fire quickly and thoroughly. 

Cleaning Methods. SERVPRO specializes in restoring the contents of a home or business that has suffered from fire damage or water damage. The team will assess all your belongings carefully to determine which items can be restored to their “pre-fire” condition and will use several cleaning methods to restore your property to its original condition. These can include:

• Foam. This is used for upholstery since upholstery can shrink or the colors may bleed if water is used. 
• Dry. This method is used to get rid of light residue.
• Wet. This is a very effective cleaning method, used to remove moderate to heavy residues.
• Immersion. In this method, items are dipped into a bath of cleaning products for a thorough cleaning that removes heavy residues and overwhelming odors.  

Electronics. Electronics that have been damaged by fire and the accompanying smoke often present a serious hazard, so never turn your electronics on after they have been damaged by fire, just to be safe. Smoke residue contains acids that corrode metal and that can cause electronic failure in a device. Computers, televisions, and CD/DVD players should be assessed and cleaned by a professional before they are used again. 

If the smoke and fire damage to your home or business is such that it will need extensive restoration or cleaning, SERVPRO can organize your move-out process if that is necessary. Removing your items from the area will help any remodeling process go a lot faster, as well as l protect your items from any further potential damage. Once that is complete we can then coordinate and organize your move back into your premises so you can get back to normal.

If your home or business has suffered damage from fire, water, or mold, here at SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville we handle fire and water damage projects of all sizes, and we are mold prevention and remediation experts, too.

Candle Safety At Home

4/28/2020 (Permalink)

Candles have been used as a method of home lighting throughout human history, and even though electric light bulbs have now overtaken candles as the main lighting source in our homes, millions of decorative candles are still sold every year. There’s just something about the glow and scent of candles that ensures they are a part of our lives. 

Unfortunately, candle use is also the cause of many preventable home fires. It is estimated that candles cause more than 15,000 home fires every year, many of which result in injury or even death. More than half of these fires start because the candles are too close to combustible materials, which is something that is easily preventable.

Here are a few tips that can help you practice candle safety at home:

• Burning candles should never be left unattended, and be sure to keep candles away from anything flammable.
• If your candle is in a candle holder, it should be sturdy enough to avoid being easily knocked over. Candles should be placed where children and pets can’t reach them.
• Candle wicks should be trimmed to ¼ inch each time before burning. Long wicks can cause uneven burning and dripping. Keep the pool of wax in the candle clear of debris such as wick trimmings. 
• Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for candle use. Most candles should be burned for only a couple of hours at a time.
• Extinguish candles with a candle snuffer rather than blowing them out, as hot wax can splatter.

Flameless candles are a safe alternative to lit candles and produce a similar soft, glowing effect. Lit candles are not recommended for use during power outages, so use battery-powered flashlights, lanterns and even flameless candles instead.

Finally, any talk of candle safety is incomplete without a reminder to check all smoke alarms in your home. Working smoke alarms in your home will greatly increase your chances of surviving a home fire, so check them every month to ensure they are working properly.

Here at SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville, we care about your safety. Call us if you experience fire damage, water damage, or issues from a mold infestation.

Top Fire Hazards In Your Home

4/14/2020 (Permalink)

The causes of house fires range from candles left burning to unattended food in the kitchen, and it is estimated that over ¾ of all structure fires are in residential properties. A lot of these fires are preventable by taking precautions, so today we want to share some of the top fire hazards,  along with safety tips to minimize your risks.

Candles. From 2009-2013, an average of 9,300 home fires in the U.S. were started by candles. That’s an average of 25 candle fires per day. Some safety precautions:

• Extinguish all candles when you leave the room or go to bed.
• Avoid the use of candles in the bedroom.
• Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn.
• Use sturdy candle holders that won’t tip over easily.
• Never burn a candle all the way down.

Cooking is the number one cause of home fires and home injuries. Some safety tips include:

• Stay alert when cooking and don’t leave cooking food unattended.
• Wear close-fitted clothing with short or tightly rolled sleeves.
• Keep hot pads, oven mitts, wooden utensils, and towels away from any heat source.
• Do not place metal or foil in a microwave oven.
• Don’t throw water on a grease fire; put a lid on the pan to smother the fire.

Electrical. These fires can be caused by an equipment malfunction, an overloaded circuit, or an overheated appliance such as a washer, dryer or space heater. Take these safety precautions:

• Replace or repair damaged or loose electrical cords.
• Don’t overload circuits or outlets.
• Consider having additional circuits or outlets added by a qualified electrician so you don’t have to use extension cords.
• Consider hiring an electrician to perform an annual checkup of your home’s wiring.

Space Heating. Space heaters accounted for one-third of home heating fires and four out of five home heating fire deaths. To be safe:

• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment.
• Never use your oven to heat your home.
• Have heating equipment cleaned and inspected annually.
• Turn off portable heaters when leaving the room or going to bed.
• Test smoke alarms monthly.

If you experience water damage or fire damage in your home or business, always remember that SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville is ready to help! We’re mold remediation and prevention experts, too.

Fire Prevention In Your Kitchen

3/24/2020 (Permalink)

Mealtime is a time when families get together. We all look forward to cooking a wonderful meal while visiting with our loved ones. When in the kitchen, you should practice fire safety, so that you can prevent a fire in this room known as the heart of the home. Fire damage can be incredibly costly; a single fire may cause hundreds if not thousands of dollars in fire damage, and can put those you love at risk. Here are some fire prevention tips for your kitchen:

Cleanliness. Before you even begin to prep for the meal, ensure that the entire kitchen is clean by clearing all grime from the oven, washing the microwave, and making sure the floors are swept. Leftover food particles and grease can help a fire ignite before you know it. A clean kitchen is a safe kitchen.

Protection. When cooking, make sure to wear the right clothing. Don’t wear anything with dangling sleeves that could catch or spread a fire. Oven mitts are a must when you bring things out of the stove, too. Hot pots, pans, and utensils can catch other items on fire, so prepare a place to put them after you bring them out. Clear an area for hot items, and make sure the surface is clean and dry. 

Children. Mealtime brings the kids into the kitchen, and they will enjoy help you by performing simple tasks, such as helping to get things out of the fridge. You can use this time to teach them fire safety and to ensure that they know to keep away from stoves and any other place where there might be live flames.

Proper Storage. One of the best ways to help prevent fires in your kitchen is to store all chemicals like solvents away from any heat source. Keep cleaning fluids on shelving that is protected far away from the stove and range, and make sure that any pots you are using have all handles away from everyone in the kitchen. Knocking a burning pot or pan onto the floor or a person can cause serious injuries and start a fire quickly. 

Your kitchen should always be filled with friends, family, and food, and SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville is here to help make that happen. Whether your home suffers from fire damage, water damage, or a mold infestation, we are ready at a moment’s notice!

How To Safely Use Your Fire Pit

3/10/2020 (Permalink)

Now that it’s becoming more pleasant outside, many of us are uncovering our firepits and looking forward to spending time gathering around them to enjoy time with family and friends. Practicing fire safety is going to be an important thing to remember. 

Let’s have a quick refresher on how to safely use your firepit:

Whether you prefer a built-in or portable fire pit, choose one that is not too large for the area. The pit should be a minimum of 10 feet away from any structures or combustible materials as well as away from trees, fences, sheds, power lines, and telephone wires.

Make sure that the seating area is large enough and properly placed for comfort and ventilation.

Don’t start your fire if it’s really windy; a strong breeze can easily blow sparks onto nearby flammable materials, such as firewood piles or roofs, and can hurt people, too. 

Burn only dry material. Damp material will create excess smoke. 

Don’t use lighter fluid or gasoline to get your fire going as it can easily burn out of control or even result in explosions. Don't burn tires, aerosols, fireworks, or anything containing paint or foam to avoid toxic fumes which could also explode and cause injury.

To start the fire, use a lighter to ignite crumpled pieces of paper covered with small sticks. Then, add larger sticks and a log or two to keep it burning. 

Wear non-flammable clothing and hard-soled shoes when starting, sitting near, or extinguishing the fire. 

Never leave the fire unattended, and keep pets and children far away from the fire as they will be attracted to it.

Keep the proper fire extinguishing equipment, or at least a water hose, handy in case there is an emergency. You could also fill a bucket with sand, which can be used instead of water to help extinguish a fire.

As the fire dies down, use a shovel and spread out the ashes to allow them to cool down. Then slowly pour water over those ashes and watch them closely to be sure that no burning embers remain or reignite. Put the cooled ashes in a specially designated ash storage metal can. 

SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville is dedicated to providing the quickest response to any fire event that may occur in our area. Immediate action is crucial to limiting the damage, and we have a trained and experienced team, along with the specialized equipment necessary for prompt recovery and restoring your home or business.

Fire Threats To Be Aware Of In Your Restaurant

2/18/2020 (Permalink)

A restaurant kitchen fire can happen in no time, and in that environment, there are many fire threats to be aware of. Awareness and caution can help to keep fires from starting, and also be vital in keeping the fire from spreading, threatening peoples’ lives and damaging expensive property and equipment. 

• The first fire threat you will think of will be the ovens. If there is a fire in an oven, close the door immediately and turn it off, leaving the door closed. Lack of oxygen will suffocate the flames. If the oven continues to smoke and you think the fire may have continued, call the fire department right away. 
• The next threat will be your stovetops. When it is a fire in a cooking pan or pot, use an oven mitt or other protection to put the lid on right away, and move it off the burner. Turn off the stove and wait for the lack of oxygen to stop the flames inside your pot. If you are not able to safely put the lid on the flaming pan, or if there is no lid readily available, use the kitchen fire extinguisher. Always aim at the base of the fire, not the flames themselves. 
• A major fire threat in any restaurant kitchen is going to be a grease fire. Never throw water on this type of fire; water repels grease and will splash, spreading the fire by splattering the grease. Try one of these methods instead:
• If the fire is small, put on the lid and turn off the burner.
• Dump baking soda on it. Do not use flour; it can explode or cause the fire to expand and thread. 
• Smother the fire with a wet towel or other large, wet cloth. 
• Use a fire extinguisher. 
• Swatting the fire with a towel, apron, or other material is likely to fan the flames and spread the fire. 
• If the fire is spreading and you don’t have control, evacuate your kitchen and restaurant premises and call emergency personnel. 

For cleanup after any type of fire, the SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville is always ready to help. We have all the training, skills, and equipment necessary to get you back in business as soon as possible. We are also water damage and mold remediation specialists.

How To Get The Smell Of Smoke Out Of Your Furniture

2/4/2020 (Permalink)

There may not be anything more unpleasant than the smell of smoke clinging to your furniture, curtains, or clothing. No matter where the smell originated, whether a house fire, fire pit or cigarette/cigar smoke, this particular smell can linger even after washing the items. Today we want to share a few methods that can help to get the smell of smoke out of your furniture fabric or the surfaces of your wooden furniture and restore them to their original condition.

Fabric Furniture

You can make a spray from two cups of witch hazel and twenty drops of an essential oil such as lemon or peppermint, place the mixture in a glass spray bottle and shake well. Spray liberally onto your furniture fabric and allow it to air dry. The oil will help to absorb the smoke odor instead of just masking it. 

Wooden Furniture

Sprinkle just a small amount of baking soda on a corner of the piece and let it sit as a test for about an hour. Vacuum it up with your vacuum cleaner brush attachment. Once you have determined that your furniture will be okay with this method, cover the exterior and interior of your pieces with the baking soda and let it absorb the smoke odor for two to eight hours, depending on how bad the smell is. Using your brush attachment, vacuum up the baking soda. We recommend that you wait a week before removing the baking soda from the interior since this area is probably more affected. Repeat this process as needed. 

Apply a dollop of Murphy’s Oil Soap the size of a nickel to a soft sponge, or use a half-and-half mixture of water and vinegar. Gently rub the affected areas in a circle, which will avoid damage to the wood surface and finish. Allow your furniture to air dry in a warm interior space. Do not place in the direct sunlight; this will help to keep the wood from warping.

When it comes to fire damage and all the issues that fire can cause, the team here at SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville is always ready to help. We maintain the necessary training and skill that will help us to get your belongings back to pre-fire condition as soon as possible. We handle water damage and mold remediation, too.

The Most Common Causes Of House Fires

1/14/2020 (Permalink)

A fire can ignite in seconds and spread uncontrollably, decimating your home in minutes. According to reports, there are more than 350,000 house fires every year in the U.S. They can be started in many ways, generally falling into either of these two categories: combustible materials or chemical reactions. Here are some of the most common causes of house fires:

• Cooking. This is probably the most common of all and is often caused by grease that is overheated on a stove or in the oven. Grease is very flammable and can combust spontaneously. Once it is ignited it’s difficult to control. Never leave the kitchen unattended when cooking in oil or if the food you are cooking produces grease.
• Heaters. Space and baseboard heaters are common causes of fire as well, especially if items made of fabric or combustible materials are placed too close to them. Electrical heaters are also dangerous if the wiring is faulty or if flammable items get too near. 
• Electrical Wiring. Short circuits causing arcing are another culprit, as are circuits that are overloaded.
• Smoking. Cigarette butts dropped on furniture, carpets, or other flammable materials are yet another common cause of house fires. This often happens due to the smoker falling asleep. Smoking in bed is especially dangerous since it only takes a single stray ash to ignite bedding or clothing. 
• Candles. During the holidays, candles are a common culprit of house fires. Always extinguish them when you leave the room, and keep them at least 12 inches away from any flammable materials. 
• Chemicals. Residential chemical fires occur when vapors from gas and other petroleum liquids reach a high temperature or when the fumes contact a source of an open flame.   
  Store all fuels and other chemicals in their proper containers and keep them in locations that are protected from heat. 
• Oily Rags. Another cause of fires is when oily rags spontaneously heat up. Never store oil-soaked or chemical-soaked rags after they are used, and never stack them in a pile. Heat can be spontaneously generated as the fumes combine with oxygen. These rags should be spread out in an outdoor location until the oil evaporates. Once thoroughly dry, they can be washed for reuse. 
• Christmas Trees. Christmas trees are a holiday tradition for many families, but they come with risks. Real evergreen trees tend to dry out over time, and by the end of the holiday season, they can pose a very serious danger of flash fire. A hot light or a spark can immediately set the tree aflame, and such fires spread incredibly fast, engulfing a room in a matter of seconds. 

If you experience damage from fire or flooding, give us a call. The team here at SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville has the training, equipment, and expertise to get you back to normal as soon as possible.

How To Properly Use Space Heaters

12/31/2019 (Permalink)

During the winter, your central heating system works overtime. Sometimes you may only need to heat one room and give your main heater a break by using a portable space heater - an effective option, and one that can save you some money, too. 

These units are high-wattage appliances, though, and they do have the potential to cause fires in your home if not used correctly. Today, we are sharing some tips on the proper use of space heaters so that you and your loved ones can stay safe. 

When Purchasing A Space Heater

• Label. Check to see that your heater is listed by a qualified testing laboratory.
• Smart Heaters. Purchase one with a sensor that will shut it off automatically if it overheats or gets tipped over. 

• Preparation. Install smoke detectors in your home, as well as carbon monoxide alarms. These need to be tested monthly. 
• Inspection. Inspect your heater and its cord and plug. Do not use it if you think it could be defective. 

Setting Up Your Space Heater

• Placement. Place your heater on a solid flat surface, and make sure it’s at least 3 feet from anything flammable. If it is being used in the garage or workshop, keep it away from any paint, oil, and gas cans. 
• Hazards. Don’t place the heater on furniture or cover it up, and be careful of high-traffic areas and doorways, where someone could trip over it and get burned. Never run a power cord under carpets, rugs, or furniture. 
• Plugs. Plug your heater into an outlet directly instead of using an extension cord or power strip. Make sure the plug fits well and is the only plug in the outlet.  
• Water. Always keep your heater away from water, and if you’re wet - don’t touch it. 

Running Your Space Heater

• Check. Check your heater often to make sure that the plug, cord, outlet, or faceplate isn’t hot. If it is, stop using it immediately, and remember that a hot cord may mean it is defective and could ignite a fire. 
• Time. Don’t run your heater 24/7. It isn’t made to work for long periods of time. 
• Turn it off. Never leave a space heater unattended or in a child’s room, and turn it off while you are sleeping. 

Here at SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville, we care about you and your family, and we want you to be safe. If you do experience damage to your property from fire or water, call us! We are specialists when it comes to fire damage or water damage, and we can handle mold, too.

What To Do If Your Restaurant Kitchen Catches On Fire

12/10/2019 (Permalink)

A fire in a restaurant kitchen can happen in an instant with little to no warning. If a fire starts, you will need to act fast to keep it from getting out of control, putting your staff and your patrons at risk. Take stock of what kind of fire you have and where it is located in your kitchen area. Here are a few tips on what to do if your restaurant kitchen catches on fire:

• If it’s a fire in the oven, close the door immediately and turn off the oven. Leave the door closed! Lack of oxygen will suffocate the flames. 
• If the oven continues to smoke and you think the fire may have continued, call the fire department right away. 
• When it is a fire in a cooking pan or pot, use your oven mitt to put the lid on right away, and move it off the burner. Turn off the stove and wait for the lack of oxygen to stop the flames inside your pot. 
• If you are not able to safely put the lid on the flaming pan, or if there is no lid readily available, use your fire extinguisher. Always aim at the base of the fire, not the flames themselves. 
• Never use water to put out a grease fire! Water repels grease and can spread the fire by splattering the grease. Try one of these methods instead:

• If the fire is small, put on the lid and turn off the burner.
• Throw lots of baking soda on it. Do not use flour; it can explode or make the fire even worse. 
• Smother the fire with a wet towel or other large, wet cloth. 
• Use a fire extinguisher. 
• Swatting the fire with a towel, apron, or other material is likely to fan the flames and spread the fire. 
• If the fire is spreading and you don’t have control, get every person out of the building and call emergency services. 

For cleanup after any type of fire, the SERVPRO team of Belle Meade/West Nashville is here to help. We can be on-site with all the necessary equipment and skill right away to get you back in business as soon as possible.

How To Prepare Your Home For Winter Storms

11/26/2019 (Permalink)

Here at SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville, we advise homeowners to prepare their homes and property for the coming winter storm season. Extreme weather can lead to power outages and disruption of communications, as well as damaging personal and business property and belongings. Flooding and large snow accumulations can cause travel to become extremely dangerous and even deadly, so it’s important to be prepared for many different serious situations to occur during winter here in Tennessee. 

Here are three essential safety tips to help you prepare your home for the coming winter season:

• Trim bushes and trees. Remove dead trees, tall bushes, and all broken branches from around your home. These can cause injury and damage the roof of your house if they fall during extreme weather involving wind, ice, or heavy snow accumulation. 
• Clear clogged rain gutters. When snow melts, it needs to be able to flow down your rain gutters and away from your roofing. If there is dirt and debris left in your gutters from last spring, the water will pool and begin to back up, possibly damaging even interior wall spaces in your home. This can even lead to mold growth, causing a need for mold removal on top of the storm damage. A rain gutter that is full of dirt can become heavy and can pull away from the building, creating another set of issues. 
• Check chimney and heating equipment. Have your chimney inspected and cleaned after winter and again before it comes around again, to prevent chimney fires. Your HVAC system also needs to be inspected, and all ducts clear and ready for use. Change out all your filters in the system, as well. If you will be using space heaters, make sure they are in great shape and also that everyone in the house knows the proper way to use them. They should never be left on if there is no one in the room. 

Our team here at SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville cares about your safety and the safety of your loved ones and your property.

Deodorizing Your Condominium

11/5/2019 (Permalink)

You may be dealing with some unpleasant odors in your condominium. Funky smells from pets, foods, cigarette smoke or just plain old grime can make life in a small-sized living space truly unbearable. As renovation and home repair experts, here at SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville, we have a lot of experience in handling interior odor situations. Today, we would like to list some tips for you that can help you when deodorizing your condominium. 

• Clean every surface, including behind your refrigerator and stove, and consider replacing your shower liner, bed linens, and mattress pad, too. Pantries and vanities can often hold old food and products that emit smells due to their age, so purging these items can really help. 
• Make sure you clean fabrics like drapes, throw pillows, and zippered upholstery according to their cleaning instructions. Any rugs or carpeting should be professionally cleaned for a fresh start. SERVPRO of Belle Meade employs all the necessary equipment for deep carpet-cleaning. 
• A fresh coat of paint can also go a long way toward making your condominium smell and feel like new. Clean and flat neutral colors will make your condo seem larger, as well.
• Pet odor has become the most common problem stinking up people’s homes, and has actually surpassed cigarette smoke! People smoke in their homes less often these days because they don’t want their furniture to soak in the smell. Smoke-free condominiums have a premium over smokers’ units, so your property manager will really appreciate your choice to smoke outside, too. When it comes to your pets, make sure they are using the proper facilities for their needs, and make sure to empty the litter box daily to help deodorize your condominium. 

In a smoker’s residence, there can be instances where the smell becomes so entrenched that the sheetrock of walls has to be redone to avoid the home being completely devalued. If that is a possibility in your case, SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville can help you to deodorize your condominium. We specialize in carpet cleaning and large scale cleanups. We are a full-service repair and renovation company, and we handle water damage and fire damage, too.

How To Keep Your Fall Bonfire Safe And Fun

10/22/2019 (Permalink)

Keep your bonfires safe and fun with these tips!

Fall is the time of year when the weather begins to cool off here in Middle Tennessee, and building a toasty bonfire in the backyard becomes a popular way to pass the time.  Bonfires take some of the chill out of the frosty air and give us opportunities to spend time with friends and family outdoors. The following tips can ensure a safe, fun evening while gathered around your bonfire:

• Your fire pit. You’ll probably be using some type of fire pit for building your fire in your backyard. Whether you will be using a built-in or portable model, be sure to select one that isn’t too large for the area. Your firepit should be at least 10 feet away from structures and combustible materials, and you will also want to make sure you have room for a seating area that is large enough for proper comfort and ventilation.
• Your weather. Check your area forecast before lighting your fire. You definitely want to avoid starting your bonfire during extremely windy conditions, since a strong breeze could blow sparks onto nearby surfaces or people.
• Starting your bonfire. Never use accelerants such as gasoline or lighter fluid to start or re-light your bonfire, since this practice could cause your fire to burn out of control. Use a lighter to light crumpled pieces of paper covered with small sticks as kindling to get your fire started, and then add larger sticks and eventually a log or two to keep it burning. Never throw fireworks, batteries or other combustible items into a burning fire, either. 
• Your bonfire control. Make sure you have a fire extinguisher, garden hose and water source nearby in case of an emergency. You can also choose to fill a bucket with sand since sand is a very effective alternative to water to help extinguish a fire.
• Your clothing. Be sure to wear non-flammable clothing when starting, sitting by, or extinguishing your bonfire, and wear hard-soled shoes instead of rubber sneakers or flip flops; leaping sparks could cause them to ignite. Be sure no one goes barefoot around your bonfire!
• Your kids and pets. Pets and children are likely to be attracted to your bonfire. Show your kids a safe path to walk that keeps them far away from the burning fire, and put glow-in-the-dark collars on your pets to easily track their movements. It might be even better to just keep them indoors. 
• Putting out your bonfire. As the evening winds down and the fire has burned out, use a shovel to spread out the ashes and let them cool down. Slowly pour water over the ashes and monitor them closely to be sure that no burning embers remain, and then place cooled ashes in a metal can designated for ash storage only.

Don’t forget to check to see whether your area has any rules in place regarding backyard bonfires. The last thing you want to do is start a fire during a burn ban! If you experience fire damage to your property, SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville is here and always ready to help. We are experts in water damage and mold remediation, too. 

How To Avoid Fires In Your Commercial Kitchen

10/1/2019 (Permalink)

If your commercial kitchen isn’t properly maintained, it can present a significant fire hazard. Your kitchen is a hectic environment that produces a lot of food quickly, with high temperatures and flames going all day and night. When you combine this environment with excess grease and oil you could very well find yourself facing a fire in your commercial kitchen. 

Here are some tips that can help you avoid a fire in your commercial kitchen:

• Inspect and maintain electrical equipment on a regular basis. Inspections should include looking for hazards such as frayed cords or wiring that can spark and cause an electrical fire. It is also important to check for cracked or broken switch plates on outlets, as these can expose wires and collect dust and grease, leading to a short circuit and then a fire. Any cords running behind appliances should be moved to a place where they are more visible. If problems are identified, stop using the equipment or appliance until it can be repaired or replaced.
• Call a professional to repair damaged or malfunctioning appliances. With the built-in complexity of today’s commercial kitchen appliances, it is always a good idea to have them maintained and repaired by a trained professional. Never attempt to repair broken appliances and electrical equipment yourself.
• Keep your deep fat fryers away from open flame cooking equipment. According to one study, deep fryers are involved in one out of every five fires. It is important to keep your fryers at least 16 inches away from any source of open flame or to install a vertical divider that extends at least 8 inches above the top of the fryer. Either option will help to ensure that hot oil in the fryer won’t splash onto an open flame and ignite. All deep fat fryers should also be equipped with a high temperature-limiting device that will automatically shut off the fuel or power to the fryer if the oil exceeds 475 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Have your kitchen’s exhaust system regularly inspected and cleaned to prevent grease build-up. This is not only a best practice – it is required by fire safety codes. There are different inspections and cleaning schedules for exhaust systems – monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually – based on the type of cooking operation you have.

When it comes to being prepared, our SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville team is ready to help you. We are fire and water damage experts!

Fire Prevention Tips For Your Apartment

9/17/2019 (Permalink)

A fire in a small space, such as your apartment, can spread quickly and become a deadly fire within just a few minutes. Just a few precautions taken beforehand can protect you, your apartment, and your belongings. Today, we’d like to share some fire prevention tips with you:

• Inspection First. Take a good look around your home to make sure all potential hazards have been identified and eliminated:
• Use surge protectors in place of overloaded circuits or extension cords
• Appliance cords that are frayed or cracked are replaced immediately
• No cords are being extended under rugs or between rooms
• Space heaters are not being used near flammable materials, such as furniture and drapery. Make sure your space heaters are always turned off when the room is empty or everyone is going to bed
• No matches or lighters are within reach of children
• Candles and incense are never left unattended - make sure these items are used far away from curtains and other flammable materials
• Items such as gasoline cans or propane tanks are not stored inside your apartment 

• Kitchen Safety:   
• Never leave food cooking on your stove unattended
• Keep towels and potholders away from cooking areas
• Don’t wear loosely fitted sleeves while cooking

• Laundry Room Safety
• Have your dryer installed and serviced by professionals
• Always use a lint filter in your dryer, and clean it before or after every load 
• Remove lint that collects around the drum of your dryer regularly
• Make sure the right plug and outlet are being used and that your machine is connected properly
• Never leave the dryer running when you go out of the apartment or when you go to bed

• Smoke Alarms
• Make sure there are smoke alarms in your apartment, and that they function correctly. There should be one installed outside of every sleeping area, and they should be tested once a month, with batteries changed at least once a year. 

Here at SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville, we are fire safety experts, and we are here for you if you experience damage from a fire, as well. 

Cleaning Up After A Restaurant Kitchen Fire

8/27/2019 (Permalink)

Restaurant fires can be disastrous but damage can be minimized if you stay prepared.

A restaurant kitchen fire creates a different set of issues than a fire in a home kitchen. The main issue is going to be that damage of this kind will mean the restaurant has to be closed until everything is back to normal. It will be unusual for a restaurant to continue a partial operation, since codes and regulations that address food preparation, storage, and serving are very strict, and rightly so. Therefore, the damage that a restaurant kitchen fire causes will have to be remediated immediately so that the business owner doesn’t lose too much time or money. 

The restoration process will return the restaurant to its pre-fire condition and is done by first performing a complete assessment and inspection of the structure to determine the extent of the damage and what will need to be repaired or replaced. These repairs may even include the dining areas, depending on where the fire traveled. 

Fire damage will require a lot of cleaning to deal with soot, ash, and removing smoke odor. Specialized chemicals may have to be used for counters, kitchen ranges and exhaust hoods, shelving, walls and ceilings, doors, and all appliances, since soot and smoke often create toxic fumes that are hazardous to inhale. Smoke odor may not even be fully removable in some cases, and that will mean surfaces have to be cleaned thoroughly and then repainted and resealed to eliminate the issue. 

The kitchen equipment can possibly be repaired after fire damage, but in many cases, it probably can be replaced. The replacement costs may be less than the cost to repair and more convenient in the long run. Repaired units have to be tested and approved before being put back into service, and that can take more time than a restaurant owner wants to invest. 

Cooperation with local fire and health officials throughout the restoration process will help to facilitate the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, and this means that the restaurant can be reopened for business. 

Cleaning up after a kitchen fire in your restaurant will be time-consuming and costly. Here at SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville, we are ready to help with this kind of damage. You can also call us for water damage cleanup or if you have developed an issue with mold or mildew. 

HOW TO REMOVE ODORS THAT ARE PERMEATING YOUR ENTIRE OFFICE

8/13/2019 (Permalink)

Stubborn, foul-smelling odors often remain in hard to reach or clean places in the office, no matter how hard we try. It may take an experienced and well-equipped professional to deal with the stubborn smells emanating from your office refrigerator when it has housed expired food. When odors permeate your entire office, they make the workday unpleasant for everyone, so today we’re sharing some tips that will help you remove them:  

Clear the Air.  Allow a stream of fresh air to flow through your enclosed spaces to get rid of bad smells. To do this, the location of your office windows will have to be near areas that offer fresh air, for example, away from dumpsters. High-rise office building windows rarely open, so any fresh air may need to be pumped in through your HVAC system.

• Open a window to allow fresh air to clear the room, lower the temperature, and reduce the humidity.
• Implement HEPA filtered HVAC filters and air purifiers in kitchens, restrooms, and offices as needed.
• Keep garbage and other trash receptacles away from the building, especially windows and doors. 

Kitchen Odors. Kitchen odors often start on the inside of microwaves, refrigerators, trash cans and garbage disposals, so keep these tools clean by attending to them regularly. While your cleaning crew will typically remove your trash nightly--scrubbing out the inside of a garbage can, refrigerator, garbage disposal or microwave is generally considered a special service, carrying an additional fee. Surprisingly, there are some natural products you may find around your office kitchen that you can use to absorb or completely remove those stubborn smells, including:

• Fresh coffee grounds or baking soda
• Water
• White Vinegar

Some tips for use:

• For refrigerators, place an open box of baking soda or an open can of fresh coffee beans towards the back to absorb smells.
• For garbage disposals, freeze some white vinegar in ice trays and empty them into the garbage disposal, running it until the ice is gone. Repeat as necessary. You can also use fresh lemon or orange peels in place of the vinegar.
• White vinegar also works well with smelly trash cans. Just add some to a spray bottle, spray down the inside and outside of the can, and allow it to soak for about 5-10 minutes before wiping it down with a microfiber cloth.
• For microwaves that have food splattered and caked along the inside, mix two parts white vinegar and one part water in a dish. Place the dish in the microwave and turn it on for a few minutes.  Use a microfiber cloth to wipe down the inside, repeating as necessary.
• If your office break room has a dishwasher, chances are the inside is never cleaned. Two cups of white vinegar in an empty dishwasher on a full cycle should do the trick.
• Additionally, old carpet and furniture absorb large quantities of dust and different smells over the years, and you may be better off by just removing and replacing them. If you would prefer to keep them, make sure to use green cleaning and extraction tools to avoid adding to the air pollution.

Here at SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville, we’re experts on odors. If you need help with unpleasant smells in your home or office, we’ve got the skills and experience to take care of that for you. Give us a call at (615) 442-7768 today!

DIFFERENT SOURCES OF FIRE DAMAGE

7/23/2019 (Permalink)

When it comes to fire safety, there is a lot to think about, no matter the time of year. Each season brings its own fire challenges, and summertime is no exception. You’ll be spending more time enjoying the outdoors and the beautiful weather with friends and family this time of year, and you want everyone to be safe. With that in mind, today we are sharing different sources of fire damage.

• Campfires and firepits. These two items are a big part of summer for most of us. Who doesn’t love sitting around a fire, enjoying a beverage and telling stories under the stars? However, it’s also a potential source of fire damage. Make sure you have an operational fire extinguisher at hand and that you know how to use it. If you have children around the fire, teach them early on how to practice fire safety.
• Fireworks. It’s not unusual for people to ignore fire safety on the Fourth of July. Many cities have actually banned the use of fireworks within city limits, but often these bans are ignored and fire damage is the unfortunate result. Be wise and careful, and encourage those you love to adhere to fire safety ordinances. 
• Trash. Summertime requires yard cleanup and landscaping, and branches and other things can sometimes end up sitting in places they should not. Make sure you arrange for the pickup of all your trash, and place it in an area where it is unlikely to cause fire damage from a stray match or other sources of flame. 
• Electrical. If you have electrical cords running to equipment in your yard or free-standing garage, make sure they are in great shape, insulated properly, and that there is no overloading of electric sources.
• Lightning. This is a source of fire damage that we can’t control. Be safe, and stay indoors during a storm that brings electrical activity with it. 

The team here at SERVPRO of Belle Meade / West Nashville is highly trained and experienced in the areas of fire and water damage. If you have experienced damages from a fire, call us today and let’s get you back to normal! We are also mold remediation experts.

SOURCES OF FIRE DAMAGE TO AVOID THIS SUMMER

7/9/2019 (Permalink)

Avoiding fire damage can be as simple as following a few preventive tips.

During the summer, we spend more time outdoors. We barbecue and use our firepits, or we have bonfires if we live in an area that is approved for them. We may spend time cleaning out our garages or getting our landscaping done, and these types of activities create trash that will need to be disposed of. This often entails a call to the city waste management department, with the trash then waiting curbside or near our homes or businesses for pickup. Renovation and construction projects often get scheduled for summer, too, and these also create waste that can take time to remove. 

What do all of these scenarios have in common?

They can all become fire hazards. 

One stray spark from a Fourth of July sparkler near a dry pile of wood from fencing or roofing can turn a fun night into a disaster, and a lack of good sense near a fire pit can change everything in a second. Here are a few tips to help you avoid fire damage this summer. 

• Make sure your family and other loved ones understand fire safety before they start roasting marshmallows or cooking burgers. 
• Schedule trash pickup immediately to avoid large amounts of dry material from sitting in your yard. 
• Remove dry, dead vegetation from around your home or business premises so that if a fire breaks out this material won’t provide more fuel. 
• Using propane tanks can be dangerous; make sure the person responsible for filling it and using the barbecue understands how to properly handle volatile fuel sources. 
• Follow the laws of your city and county when it comes to the use of fire, and this includes fireworks. Many people ignore these regulations, but keep in mind that one stray spark on a roof can bring down a neighborhood. 

Should the worst happen, SERVPRO of Belle Meade / West Nashville is here to help. We are experts in cleanups after fire or water damage, no matter the size of the issue, and we are also mold remediation specialists. Call us today for assistance. 

KEEPING YOUR TENANTS INFORMED ABOUT FIRE DAMAGE RESTORATION

6/18/2019 (Permalink)

As the owner of a commercial property with tenants to think about, you will want to keep them informed about what to expect if the worst were to happen, such as a fire. It will take time to get everything back to normal, and your tenants will appreciate knowing what to expect. Every fire damage event is a little bit different and will require a unique solution, but the general fire damage restoration process is always pretty much the same.

Today we will list the steps that are usually taken so that you are equipped to share all necessary updates and information with your lessees and tenants.

FIRST STEP: Emergency Contact. The restoration process begins when you call the SERVPRO National Call Center, which is staffed 24 hours a day. Our representative will ask a series of questions regarding the fire damage event that will help us dispatch the nearest SERVPRO Franchise Professional team with the appropriate equipment and resources.

SECOND STEP: Inspection and Assessment. Our Professionals will carefully inspect and test adjoining rooms of your property to determine the extent of the fire, smoke, and soot damage. This step is crucial to developing a plan of action.

THIRD STEP: Board-Up and Tarp: Fire damage can often compromise windows, walls, and roofs. To maintain security and to protect against further damage, SERVPRO will board up missing windows and walls and place tarps on damaged roofs.

FOURTH STEP: Water Removal/Drying: The water removal process begins almost immediately and removes the majority of the water. They will then use dehumidifiers and air movers to remove the remaining water and complete the drying process.

FIFTH STEP. Smoke Removal, Cleaning and Sanitizing. SERVPRO uses specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces. They will clean all of the restorable items and structures that were damaged by the fire. They use a variety of cleaning techniques to restore your belongings to pre-fire condition. They’re also trained to remove odors using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.

FINAL STEP. Restoration is the final step—getting your home or business to its pre-fire condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet; or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.

If your home or business suffers from fire or water damage, SERVPRO of Belle Meade / West Nashville is always here to help. We are also experts at mold remediation, too!

What to Expect From a Fire Damage Restoration Project

5/28/2019 (Permalink)

A fire damage event is difficult for the home or business owner on many levels, and the restoration process that follows can be intimidating. Today we are sharing what you can expect from a fire restoration project. Each fire event is a little different, and each will require a unique solution, although the overall general process stays the same. The steps we are listing below will illustrate the SERVPRO process for the average fire damage emergency.

• Emergency Contact. Your restoration process begins the moment that you contact us. Our representative will ask you questions regarding the fire damage event that will help us to respond with the appropriate equipment and resources for your particular situation.
• Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment. Our team will carefully inspect and test all the adjoining rooms of your home or business to determine the extent of the fire, smoke, and soot damage. This step is vital to us, allowing us to develop the perfect plan of action for your property.
• Immediate Board-Up and Roof-Tarp Service. Fire damage will often compromise the condition of windows, walls, and roofing. To maintain security and to protect against further damage, we will board up missing windows and walls, and place tarps on damaged areas of the roof.
• Water Removal and Drying. If water damage is present, the water removal process will begin almost immediately, with the goal of removing the majority of the water. Our team will then employ dehumidifiers and air movers to remove any remaining water and complete the drying process.
• Removal of Smoke and Soot From All Surfaces. SERVPRO uses specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and all other surfaces.
• Cleaning and Sanitizing. We clean, sanitize, and disinfect all of the restorable items and structures that were damaged by the fire. Our team uses a variety of cleaning techniques to restore your belongings to the condition they were in before the fire. We are also trained to remove lingering odors, using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.
• Restoration. This is the final step - getting your home or business back to its pre-fire condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, installing new carpet, or painting surfaces, or it may entail major repairs, such as the reconstruction of various rooms or areas.

Here at SERVPRO of Belle Meade / West Nashville, we are ready to help if your Nashville home or business suffers from damage due to fire or water. You can also count on us when it comes to mold remediation and prevention.

A fire damage event is difficult for the home or business owner on many levels, and the restoration process that follows can be intimidating. Today we are sharing what you can expect from a fire restoration project. Each fire event is a little different, and each will require a unique solution, although the overall general process stays the same. The steps we are listing below will illustrate the SERVPRO process for the average fire damage emergency.

• Emergency Contact. Your restoration process begins the moment that you contact us. Our representative will ask you questions regarding the fire damage event that will help us to respond with the appropriate equipment and resources for your particular situation.
• Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment. Our team will carefully inspect and test all the adjoining rooms of your home or business to determine the extent of the fire, smoke, and soot damage. This step is vital to us, allowing us to develop the perfect plan of action for your property.
• Immediate Board-Up and Roof-Tarp Service. Fire damage will often compromise the condition of windows, walls, and roofing. To maintain security and to protect against further damage, we will board up missing windows and walls, and place tarps on damaged areas of the roof.
• Water Removal and Drying. If water damage is present, the water removal process will begin almost immediately, with the goal of removing the majority of the water. Our team will then employ dehumidifiers and air movers to remove any remaining water and complete the drying process.
• Removal of Smoke and Soot From All Surfaces. SERVPRO uses specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and all other surfaces.
• Cleaning and Sanitizing. We clean, sanitize, and disinfect all of the restorable items and structures that were damaged by the fire. Our team uses a variety of cleaning techniques to restore your belongings to the condition they were in before the fire. We are also trained to remove lingering odors, using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.
• Restoration. This is the final step - getting your home or business back to its pre-fire condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, installing new carpet, or painting surfaces, or it may entail major repairs, such as the reconstruction of various rooms or areas.

Here at SERVPRO of Belle Meade / West Nashville, we are ready to help if your Nashville home or business suffers from damage due to fire or water. You can also count on us when it comes to mold remediation and prevention.

RECOVERING FROM FIRE DAMAGE TO YOUR HOTEL

5/14/2019 (Permalink)

A fire can cause real damage to your hotel, and whether or not your business survives the disaster is going to be determined by the actions after it’s all over. Today, we share some tips to help you recover from fire damage to your hotel:

Documentation. Avoid costly mistakes by documenting everything; maintain a log of all contacts and phone calls so that you can keep track of everyone you speak with, when you talked with them, and what was discussed. Begin collecting receipts to document any expense that you incur during your business’ recovery period.

Insurance. Reach out to your insurance agent immediately to report your losses. Prompt action may help you avoid delays and missed deadlines, which will keep you from getting your hotel back up and running.

Security. Any unoccupied portions of your hotel can be targets for thieves or vandals. Call your local police department and request extra patrols of the property and the surrounding area. Depending on how much time your police department can commit to your premises, you may find it necessary to arrange for private security to protect the property.

Safety. Keep your guests safe and prevent further damage by having utilities serving the damaged areas turned off. Gas and electricity should be turned off at the meter; water can be turned off at the main valve. Do not resume use of any utility until it has been inspected and cleared by a professional or representative of the utility company.

Caution. While you would like to get your hotel running normally again as quickly as possible, it is vital to proceed with caution in the immediate aftermath of a fire. It can be tempting to rush into remediation and repairs, but acting in haste can be an expensive mistake. Contact experienced professionals like SERVPRO of Belle Meade/ West Nashville; we have the knowledge and resources needed to restore your space properly.

Fire damage is especially devastating for a commercial property or business. Every hour spent restoring your business back to a pre-fire condition is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. Here at SERVPRO of Belle Meade/ West Nashville, we know how to deal with smoke, fire damage, and water damage, and we are available 24 hours a day.

FIRE DAMAGE PREVENTION TIPS FOR YOUR COMMERCIAL KITCHEN

4/23/2019 (Permalink)

As the owner, or manager, of a corner cafe or a quick service restaurant, you know that fire is one of the worst things imaginable. It will endanger the lives of your staff and your guests and destroy your property, shutting you down indefinitely.

It will always be a good idea to take a look at your established policies to ensure that your practices and procedures to prevent fires in your establishment are appropriate and are being followed.

Here are some essential fire damage prevention tips for your commercial kitchen:

EQUIPMENT SAFETY. Cooking equipment is often responsible for restaurant building fires. All your equipment must be maintained in top condition, from ovens to fryers. Following established cleaning practices daily, and to the letter, in addition to regular professional inspections, will ensure that repairs are made before something happens and that your equipment won’t outlive its safe operation. 

GREASE. A buildup of grease in hoods and grease traps can be a dangerous thing. These equipment components operate under high-heat constantly, so they can easily become a fire hazard, as can kitchen ductwork. Contact an experienced cleaning and restoration professional to address these issues and help you to maintain healthy indoor air quality.

SPRINKLERS. A critical component of commercial kitchen fire safety is the fire sprinkler system. Corrosion can weaken their effectiveness, so having them regularly inspected will be a good practice in preventing fire damage.

UL COMPLIANCE. If you don’t know how old your kitchen UL suppression system is, verify that information during your next inspection. You may want to consider an upgrade to UL 300 compliance to ensure your commercial kitchen’s safety.

EMPLOYEES. The very best equipment and the most top quality maintenance can never completely prevent restaurant fires. The most effective weapon in your arsenal is going to be your employees. Train them well to always be ready for restaurant fire emergencies through monthly meetings and drills, and encourage their input when addressing safety issues. Make sure everyone knows how to use fire extinguishers and how to safely evacuate your building.

Getting your doors back open quickly will be easier with the help of a professional restoration company. Call us here at SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville if you experience fire damage, water damage, or mold issues.

CLEANING SMOKE DAMAGE OUT OF YOUR KITCHEN

4/10/2019 (Permalink)

The damages that fire can cause are, of course, significant and devastating. Smoke is a big issue as well, and very hard to get rid of. In the event of an oven or stove fire in your kitchen, you can be left with a mess that requires the help of professionals who know how to deal with the residue left behind, and that smell. It’s not as easy as just opening a window and letting it all air out, unfortunately.

The acidity of smoke and soot can make them difficult to remove, and they contain particles that are harmful to breathe, so it is going to be essential to clean the smoke damage completely out of your kitchen as soon as possible.

There are a few things a homeowner can do themselves to alleviate smoke damage using items found in most homes, such as rubbing alcohol, vinegar, degreaser, and hot water. You will need one item that isn’t normally in your closet, and that is a dry-cleaning sponge.

Open all windows, even if it’s cold outside - ventilation is essential. Use fans, if necessary, to get air moving, and turn off your HVAC system to prevent the spread of the smoke and soot and their harmful particles.

Make sure you wear protection for yourself, such as long pants and long sleeves. Gloves and eye protection are important, as well, since you will be freeing soot as you clean. Lay down floor protection and remove furniture that is not damaged. You may be able to cover items with plastic if the area affected is small, but if it’s the whole kitchen it will be wise to simply remove everything and seal off undamaged areas. If the damage is too severe for you to handle, be sure to contact a licensed professional.

Remove loose soot particles with your vacuum, using attachments. If you have a shop-vac, that is best.

Next, using the dry-cleaning sponge, wipe up soot and smoke stains. These sponges have special chemicals in them to lift stains, so they are best for the job. Never use water or cleaners before you use this sponge, or soot will be spread all over and be impossible to remove. As the sponge gets discolored, you can slice the used parts off with a knife to get a fresh start, but make sure you aren’t using a dirty sponge - that will be counterproductive.

At this point, you can use a clean rag and any cleaning agents you have on hand. Soak your rag in the preferred cleaner and wipe all the walls throughout your kitchen, whether you see soot or smoke damage or not. Wipe down light bulbs, too. After this, soapy water should be used to wipe down everything. Refresh your water throughout the process. Once you’ve finished, you will want to wash everything down with clean water, just to be sure.

After your kitchen is clean, you will want to dry all the surfaces, and run fans, too.

This is such a huge job that you may find it necessary to call a professional for help. Here at SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville we have the expertise necessary to help you recover your kitchen from smoke damages.

THE ADDITIONAL COSTS OF FIRE DAMAGE RESTORATION YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT

3/19/2019 (Permalink)

Fires are devastating and can cause major damage to your home or business, which can often require you to hire licensed professionals to make the repairs. The extent of the damage will all depend on the fire itself, how it started, and how long it burned, and how it was put out. A few determining factors when it comes to fire damage restoration cost will be:

• The number of affected rooms
• The amount of damage
• Repairs needed

It is estimated that fire and smoke restoration will cost approximately $4.50 per square foot, so for a 2,600 square foot home, this adds up to about $12,000. You probably also know that water damages will be extensive, since this is what is often used in the fighting of the fire. Water can damage walls, floors and furniture, and if not handled quickly, the damage can get worse over time. In addition, mold can easily take hold in damp conditions.

There are a few additional costs of fire damage restoration that you might not know about, such as:

• Soot removal and cleanup. Soot can build up on curtains, walls, and carpets, and can cost anywhere from $2,000 - $6,000, depending on the size of the home or business.
• Cleanup of burnt materials. All the materials that have been burned and are no longer usable or are obstructive will need to be removed by professionals, and this additional cost can be $50-$100 per pound.
• Smoke damages. Clothing, carpet, and draperies absorb smoke, and the strong odor left behind will only get worse over time. Cleanup must take place at the source, and only after soot and water damage are removed. Thermal fogging and Ozone treatment are two of the most common methods, and can cost $200-$600.  
• Air ducts. Vent and duct cleaning will prevent lingering odors from spreading.

In the event of a fire at your home or business, call the SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville professionals for help with fire damage restoration, water damage restoration, mold remediation, and so much more. We are here to help.

Caring For Your Belongings Following a Fire

2/26/2019 (Permalink)

Fire damages will affect both the structure of your home and your belongings, as well. Smoke and soot can ruin furniture, clothing, and keepsakes-- the very things that make a house a home.

It may be necessary to contact professional help when it comes to restoring items affected by fire damage, or water damage and mold growth, too. The expertise of such a company can help you save money in the long run, all while preserving those precious, irreplaceable heirlooms. There are several methods that can be used to clean your items:

• Dry Cleaning. For cleaning lighter residues as well as for preparation before wet-cleaning.
• Wet Cleaning. Effective for removing both moderate and heavy residues.
• Spray and Wipe Cleaning. Used for items that cannot be wet-cleaned.
• Foam Cleaning. For upholstery and other fabrics that can shrink or bleed if wet-cleaned.
• Abrasive Cleaning. Uses agitation of any surface being cleaned.
• Immersion Cleaning. A bath of cleaning product is used; items are dipped in and soaked.

Electronics that have been damaged by fire often present serious hazards. No device should be turned on if it could possibly have been damaged by fire. Smoke residues contain acids that corrode metal surfaces, and if they are not removed, that corrosion can cause electronic failure in that device. Taking prompt action will prevent further damages to your devices. Some of the devices you should be careful of include:

• Computers
• Television sets
• DVD players
• Cell phones
• iPads and Tablets

When documents, such as photographs, contracts, wills, etc. are damaged by water or fire, extreme care will need to be taken to ensure the document is not completely lost. Although in some cases it may not be possible to return every document to pre-fire condition, a professional restoration company can certainly save a good deal of them and minimize additional damage. Depending on the type of document and level of damage, there are five professional methods used for document restoration:

• Air Drying.
• Freezer Drying
• Dehumidifying
• Vacuum Freeze/Vacuum Thermal Drying

When you have suffered a fire, handling the damages following that fire can be overwhelming. The SERVPRO of Belle Meade / West Nashville team can help you in caring for your belongings and premises during this process.

Fire Prevention Tips for Your Hotel

1/22/2019 (Permalink)

If you run a hotel business, you will want to do everything you can to protect it from disasters such as water damage and fire damage. Being prepared for any kind of disaster is always a good idea. Today, we’re sharing some tips that can help you prevent fire damages as well as some helpful tips in the event a fire ever does happen:

• Take steps to ensure that the address numbers for your buildings or suites are highly visible, enabling emergency responders to easily find your location quickly in the event of a fire or other emergency. Numbers should contrast with the background used, such as black on white, while the numerals should be no less than six inches in height.
• All fire extinguishers should be no more than 75 feet from all work areas for easy access, and they should be mounted in a highly visible spot. Make sure your extinguishers are inspected and serviced at least once a year by a licensed fire extinguisher company.
• Exits need to be clearly marked with EXIT signage that is illuminated at all times with a battery backup for power outages. Emergency lighting should be kept in working order, and the exit areas and spaces around the building outside kept clear of debris and plant material, reducing the fire risk outdoors as well.
• In order to prevent a fire from ever starting, all stored materials need to be stacked at least two feet below the ceiling in an orderly manner. For buildings with an automatic sprinkler system, 18 inches of clearance is required, allowing smoke to collect up high, which gives people adequate time to exit and the sprinklers a clear area for their spray pattern. Entries, hallways, and storage spaces should be kept clear of clutter or obstructions to allow quick exit and access for fire personnel. These instructions have been put in place by your area fire marshal, and if not followed, can result in fines.
• Electrical outlets should have no more than one item per outlet plugged into them, which may include a power strip with a circuit breaker. All electrical cords should be kept in good repair and replaced when needed.
• Trash receptacles need to be kept at least five feet away from combustible roofs, windows, and entryways and not stored in the path of exits.
• Have your sprinkler system tested and serviced every 12 months or less by a licensed fire sprinkler company. This practice should also be used for your fire alarm system.
• If your hotel has a restaurant kitchen onsite, make sure your stove hood has been cleaned at least once every year to prevent excessive grease buildup. Ceiling exhaust fans and bathroom heater/light/fan combinations can also be a risk due to a buildup of dust and grease, resulting in increased operating temperatures.
• Make sure your local fire department has your valid contact information on file for your business.

The SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville team is experienced in cleanup projects after fires both large and small. We are also mold remediation specialists, and here to help in the event of water damages, fire damages, and storm damages.

Handling Fire Damage to Your Apartment Complex

12/11/2018 (Permalink)

A fire at your apartment complex could be devastating. Your buildings and your tenants, along with their items of value and personal belongings, may have been lost or badly damaged by the flames, heat, smoke, or even received water damage from firefighting efforts. Firefighters may have found it necessary to cut holes in walls to look for hidden flames or in the roof to let out heat and smoke. The clean up after a fire will take a lot of time, patience, and preparation. Below, we are sharing the first steps you will need to take after fire damage to your apartment complex:

• Insurance Company. You will need to contact your insurance agent before any fire damage is repaired or clean-up is begun. Be prepared with information on what is covered, what needs to be repaired or replaced, and how to find reputable companies that can take care of repairs to your property for you during this time.
• Important documents. You will want to take steps to find and retrieve all important documents and replace those that have been lost or irretrievably damaged, such as tenant leasing and financial records, equipment and appliance warranties, mortgage and banking information, and tenants’ personal information.  

• Soot Particles. Try to limit movement in the units to prevent soot particles from becoming embedded in the upholstery of all furniture and carpeting. Direct your tenants to place towels or old linens on rugs, upholstered furniture, and foot traffic areas to help alleviate this type of damage.  
• Equipment and Appliances. Changing the HVAC filters in your apartment complex after a fire is a good idea, and if the power is out, let your tenants know that they will need to empty freezers and fridges and prop the doors open to get rid of the smoke. Check the wiring for ceiling fans before anyone turns them on as the wiring could have been damaged during the fire.
• Fire Damage Specialists. You won’t want walls to be washed or surfaces painted without contacting a fire damage specialist. Walls and other surfaces, as well as carpeting and draperies, will need to be properly cleaned by a professional before any repair is done.

Here at SERVPRO of Belle Meade / West Nashville, we are ready to help you in the event of fire damage to your home or business. We are also experienced in the areas of water damage and mold prevention and remediation.

Winter Fire Hazards to be Aware of For Your Business

12/4/2018 (Permalink)

With the changing of the seasons comes cooler weather, and for most of us, it is a welcome change. Who doesn’t love snuggling up before a warm fire at this time of year? We’ve pulled out the sweaters and fluffy blankets to stay toasty, and most of us will employ a space heater or two before spring comes around again.

In your place of business, you will be taking those extra steps to make sure your staff is comfortable during the colder months, as well. Let’s make sure they stay fire safe! Here are some winter fire hazards to be aware of:

• Most businesses won’t be using a fireplace to warm their interiors, but those who work out of doors may build fires on the job site to keep hands and toes functional. Make sure your crew is careful to use metal receptacles for those bonfires and that they place them far away from flammable materials such as wood and linens. If a wind comes up, things could get dangerous fast.
• In your offices, the use of space heaters will be helpful. Inspect every unit used to make sure that cords and plugs are in good working condition, and enforce a policy that ensures they are never left running when the room is unoccupied or when the workday is over. Designate someone to oversee this; they should be the person who is normally last out the door. As the owner, it may very well be you.
• Employ a landscape company to remove leaves and dead vegetation from your property. In the event of a fire in your building, space that is cleared from the foundation and exterior walls will help firefighters to gain access as well as prevent a fire from spreading further.
• When repairing or renovating your offices or outbuildings, use fire-resistant materials whenever possible. Flooring, furniture, and paint can all be produced or treated after purchase to make them more fire safe.

The team here at SERVPRO of Belle Meade / West Nashville is always available to help you keep your business fire safe. In the event of damages sustained from fire or water, we have the experience and know how to complete a cleanup project quickly and efficiently, getting you back to work as soon as possible.

First Steps in Dealing With a Kitchen Fire in Your Restaurant

11/20/2018 (Permalink)

Kitchen fires can happen fast with very little warning. If one starts in your restaurant, you will need to act fast to keep the fire from getting out of control and causing fire damage and smoke damage to your property. Here are a few tips on the first steps to take in dealing with a restaurant kitchen fire:

• If the fire is in an oven, close the door immediately and turn off the oven, leaving the door closed. Lack of oxygen will suffocate the flames.
• If the oven continues to smoke and you think the fire may still be going, call the fire department right away.
• When it is a fire in a cooking pan or pot, use your oven mitt to put the lid on right away and move it off the burner and away from the source of heat. Turn off the stove and wait for the lack of oxygen to stop the flames inside your pot.
• If you are not able to safely put the lid on the flaming pan, or if there is no lid readily available, use a fire extinguisher. Remember to always aim at the base of the fire, not the flames themselves.
• Never use water to put out a grease fire. Water repels grease and can spread the fire by splattering the grease. Try one of these alternative methods:
• If the fire is small, put on the lid and turn off the burner.
• Throw a healthy amount of baking soda on it. Do not use flour. Flour can explode or make the fire even worse.
• Smother the fire with a wet towel or other large, wet cloth by laying the wet cloth on the fire itself. Swatting the flames with a towel or other material, however, may fan the flames and spread the fire.
• Use a fire extinguisher. Every restaurant kitchen should have several fire extinguishers on hand for quick and easy access in case of fire damage.
• If the fire is spreading and you don’t have control, get every person out of the premises and call 911 immediately.

For cleanup after any type of fire, the team at  SERVPRO of Belle Meade / West Nashville is always ready to help. We are experts in cleanups of all sizes, and mold remediation is our specialty.

Top Fire Hazards Your Business Should Avoid

10/16/2018 (Permalink)

Fire damage in your Nashville business is a serious concern. Even moderate damage can result in your facility being closed for repairs for weeks on end, and this can be financially devastating. The unfortunate reality is that no business is immune to the risk of fire. Some facilities may be more likely to endure damage from a fire, such as a restaurant that uses open flames throughout the day. However, there are many fire hazards that are present in most workplaces on a daily basis regardless of the type of activities that take place in the building. When you know what these hazards are, you can take proper steps to address and mitigate those risks and prevent possible fire damage and smoke damage.

Electrical Concerns

Damage to electrical wiring can result in sparks that quickly lead to damaging fires. Electrical wiring damage may include frayed cords, such as those connecting desktop computers to the wall power outlets. It may also include damage to internal wiring inside the walls, and these may be damaged by pests and other forces. Electrical fires may also start when power sockets are overloaded or when equipment gets too hot. Periodically review your company's wiring to identify areas of concern that need to be addressed.

Poor Equipment Maintenance

Other hazards in Nashville workplaces are related to poor equipment maintenance. For example, failing to service your furnace regularly may result in the accumulation of dust and other flammable debris. A gas leak in the furnace could result in a fire or an explosion. Fire hazards related to poor maintenance may also include dusty, dirty or greasy components, such as air ducts and vents, kitchen exhaust vents and many other features that are used throughout your facility. Scheduling necessary maintenance can decrease fire risk in these areas.

Flammable or Combustible Materials

Flammable and combustible materials are most commonly associated with industrial and warehouse environments, but even restaurants, hotels, dry cleaners and many other types of business may store combustible materials on-site. These materials should remain properly sealed according to the manufacturer’s recommendations at all times.

As you can see, there are numerous fire hazards that could result in serious damage in your business. If your Nashville business has already experienced fire damage, it is essential that repair work is completed as soon as possible. SERVPRO of Belle Meade/ West Nashville is your trusted source for quality repair services. We can quickly restore your building to its previous condition so that operations can resume in your place of business. To request assistance with your damaged building, contact us today. You can reach us at (615) 242-9391

Fire Extinguisher Tips Everyone Should Know

7/24/2018 (Permalink)

Being fireready is just plain smart. Make sure everyone you work with or live with knows how to properly use a fire extinguisher, just in case. Here are some things we all need to know:

• Depending on the size of your home or business, it’s a good idea to have a few fire extinguishers around. The kitchen, garage, main work spaces, and warehouses are all places that could use one, and it wouldn’t hurt to carry them in company cars or trucks. There are different types of extinguishers for different classes of fires; depending on your business, make sure you provide the right kind of fire extinguisher. A common ABC extinguisher will put out just about any kind of fire except hot metal fires, and for those you would need a Class D.
• It’s important that everyone in your home or business, including people who only come in once in a while, such as baby-sitters or cleaning services personnel, know where the fire extinguishers are located. It’s important to ensure that there is a clear and unobstructed path to them.
• Keep your extinguishers up to date, performing a check every year. Make sure the external condition is good and that is still contains extinguishing agent. Check the pressure gauge to ensure that it is still pressurized in an operable range, and that the pin is attached to the extinguisher so that it can’t come loose.
• All fire extinguishers have usage instructions printed right on them. This acronym is all you need to know:
• P: Pull the safety Pin from the handle
• A: Aim at the base of the fire
• S: Squeeze the trigger
• S: Sweep from side to side
• If the fire continues to grow, escape routes can be threatened. If you are no longer able to safely fight the fire, and if the fire extinguisher runs out, leave immediately and call 9-1-1.

SERVPRO of Belle Meade/ West Nashville is proud to serve the Nashville community. We are always ready to help in the event of a fire, and are experienced in fire damage cleanup. We also handle water damage cleanup, and are mold remediation specialists. Visit our website: SERVPRO of Belle Meade/ West Nashville or call us at: (615) 442 7768.

Keeping Your Commercial Property Fire Ready

7/17/2018 (Permalink)

Keeping your commercial property fire ready is vital in order to avoid disaster. Your livelihood and that of your staff depends on your business, and you will want to protect it. Being ready for any kind of disaster is always a good idea. We are sharing some tips here that can help you get your property ready in the event of a fire:

• Ensure that your building or suite is visibly lettered and numbered so that emergency responders can easily find your location in a timely manner. Numbers should contrast with the background used, such as black/white, while the numerals should be no less than six inches in height.
• Fire extinguishers should be no more than 75 feet from work areas for easy access, and they should be mounted in a highly visible spot that is easy to get to. Make sure your extinguishers are serviced at least once a year by a licensed fire extinguisher company.
• Exits need to be clearly marked with EXIT signage and should be illuminated at all times, with a battery backup for power outages. Exits should also be clear of any obstructions so that people can get out safely and quickly. Emergency lighting should be kept in working order, and the area around the building outside clear of debris and plant material, reducing the fire risk outdoors as well.
• Stored materials need to be stacked at least two feet below the ceiling and be orderly. For buildings with an automatic sprinkler system, 18 inches of clearance is required, allowing smoke to collect up high, which gives people adequate time to exit and the sprinklers a clear area for their spray pattern.
• Electrical outlets should have no more than one item per outlet plugged in, which may include a power strip with a circuit breaker. All electrical cords should be kept in good repair and replaced when needed.
• Trash receptacles need to be kept at least five feet away from combustible roofs, windows, and door openings and not stored in the path of exits.
• Have your sprinkler system tested and serviced every 12 months or less by a licensed fire sprinkler company. This practice should also be used for your fire alarm system.
• If your business involves cooking foods, make sure your stove hood has been cleaned at least once every year to prevent excessive grease buildup. Ceiling exhaust fans and bathroom heater/light/fan combinations can also be a risk due to a buildup of dust and grease, resulting in increased operating temperatures.
• Make sure your local fire department has valid contact information on file for your commercial property.

Here at SERVPRO of Belle Meade/ West Nashville, we are experienced cleanup projects after fires both large and small. In the event of water damage we’re ready to help, as well! Call us today at (615) 242-9391.

Chimney Cleaning in the Summer

6/26/2018 (Permalink)

During the summer, most of us aren’t thinking about the cool nights of Fall. We are too busy splashing around in the pool or at the beach and enjoying the sun. But planning ahead is always helpful; summer will be over before you know it, and you can relax just knowing that you are ready!

The warm glow of a fireplace is one of the pleasures of cooler weather. Sitting in front of a fire in your Nashville home on a crisp day is a wonderful way to relax and enjoy time with family, and it’s even better when knowing that your chimney has been cleaned and serviced. The safety of your home and loved ones is high on your list of priorities, so making sure your chimney is in good shape going into Fall and Winter will give you peace of mind. A chimney that has not been properly cared for allows fumes and dangerous toxins to escape into the home when you light that fire, and regular cleaning prevents these issues.

All chimneys should be completely cleaned at least once a year. Homeowners should also inspect this area several times a year to help identify any potential problems. Use a flashlight and take a good look at the floor of the fireplace itself, where ashes accumulate, and note any issues with the brick. These bricks are more heat tolerant than ordinary brick used in other parts of the home, so these will need to be kept in good repair. If even one brick is out of place it can affect the entire fireplace and could possibly mean that it will be non-functional until repairs can be made.

Checking the chimney itself for obstructions due to bird nests or small rodents is also necessary as well as checking for creosote build-up. If this build-up becomes too thick, one spark can cause a chimney fire. The National Fire Prevention Association says that 30 percent of all home fires are caused by fires in the chimney itself. Make sure your home is not part of that statistic by regular inspection and maintenance.

Here at SERVPRO of Belle Meade/ West Nashville, we are experts in cleanups both large and small and can help in the event of fire and water damage. Call us today at (615) 242-9391, or visit our website: SERVPRO of Belle Meade/ West Nashville

Cleaning Up After Smoke Damage

5/2/2018 (Permalink)

Fire, smoke, and soot will affect everything in your home, from the structure to your personal belongings. After a fire, contacting a cleaning professional may be the best decision you can make. A professional cleaning company like SERVPRO of Belle Meade/ West Nashville understands that your furniture, keepsakes, and other precious items are what make your house a home.

SERVPRO of Belle Meade/ West Nashville specializes in restoring the contents of a home or business that have suffered from fire damage or water damage. They will assess all your belongings carefully to determine what items can be restored to their original condition. Professional cleaning companies use several methods to get you back to normal after a fire:

• Foam Cleaning: This method is used for upholstery since upholstery fabrics can shrink or bleed if water is used.
• Dry Cleaning: This method is used to clean light residue.
• Wet Cleaning: This is a very effective cleaning method used to remove moderate to heavy smoke residues.
• Immersion Cleaning: This method is one where items are dipped into a bath of cleaning product.

Keep in mind that electronics that have been damaged by fire present a serious hazard. Never attempt to turn on or operate any electrical device that could possibly have been affected by a fire! Smoke residue contains acids that corrode metal and can cause electronic failure in that device. Items that you should be careful of are:

• Televisions
• Computers and IPads, etc.
• DVD and CD players
• Cell Phones

Documents and photographs can suffer a lot of damage in a fire, and many contain information or records that can be devastating to lose permanently. SERVPRO technicians are experienced in document restoration.

If the damage to your home or business is such that it will need extensive restoration or cleaning. SERVPRO of Belle Meade can organize an efficient move-out process of the affected areas. Removal from the area will result in a quicker remodeling process and will also protect your belongings from any further potential damage during that process. After the restoration is complete, move-in can be coordinated easily.

If your home or business has suffered damage from fire, water, or mold, give SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville a call today at (615) 913 4280,  or visit our website: SERVPRO of Belle Meade/ West Nashville

Dealing with Fire Damage in Your Nashville Home

3/6/2018 (Permalink)

A fire in your home is one of the worst things to go through, ever. Your home and many items of value to you may have been lost or badly damaged by the flames, the heat, smoke or water. Firefighters may have found it necessary to cut holes in walls to look for hidden flames, or in the roof to let out heat and smoke. The clean up after a fire in your Nashville home will take time and patience.

You will need to contact your insurance agent before any fire damage is repaired or clean-up is begun. You will need to be prepared with information on what will be covered, and how to find reputable companies that can take care of your property for you during this time.

You will want to take steps to find and retrieve all important documents, and replace those that have been lost or irretrievably damaged, such as birth and death records, social security cards, mortgage and banking information and records, wills, and stocks and bonds.

Try to limit movement about the home, to prevent soot particles from becoming embedded in your upholstery and carpets. You can place towels or old linens on your rugs, upholstered furniture, and foot traffic areas.

Changing your HVAC filters after a fire is a good idea, and if the power is out, empty your freezer and fridge and prop the doors open to get rid of the smoke.

You don’t want to wash any walls or painted surfaces, or clean carpets, etc. without contacting a fire damage specialist. Any canned or packaged food and beverage items that were stored near the heat or fire will need to be thrown out. If your ceiling is wet, don’t turn on any ceiling fixtures such as fans or lighting; the wiring could be damaged.

Here at SERVPRO of Belle Meade/ West Nashville, we are ready to help you in the event of fire damage to your Nashville home. We are also experienced in the areas of water damage and mold prevention and remediation. Visit our website: SERVPRO of Belle Meade/ West Nashville or contact us by phone at: (615) 358 0603.

Nashville Bonfire Safety Musts

1/19/2018 (Permalink)

Fire safety is of prime importance if you are considering building a bonfire for your family and friends to gather around on a chilly night. It is imperative that you follow the necessary fire safety tips to prevent fire damage.

Some of those tips include:

Whether you prefer a built-in or portable fire pit, choose one that is not too large for the area. The pit should be a minimum of 10 feet away from any structures or combustible materials as well as away from trees, fences, sheds, power lines, and telephone wires.

Make sure that the seating area is large enough and properly placed for comfort and ventilation.

Avoid starting a bonfire if it is windy because a strong breeze could blow sparks onto nearby people or surfaces.

Burn only dry material. Damp material will create excess smoke.

Don’t use lighter fluid or gasoline to get the fire going as it could get out of control. Don't burn tires, aerosols, fireworks, or anything containing paint or foam to avoid toxic fumes which could explode and cause injury.

Use a lighter and crumpled pieces of paper covered with small sticks to start the fire, then add larger sticks and a log or two to keep it burning.

Wear non-flammable clothing and hard-soled shoes when starting, sitting near, or extinguishing the fire.

Never leave the fire unattended, and keep pets and children far away from the fire as they will be attracted to it.

Keep the proper fire extinguishing equipment, or at least a water hose, handy in case there is an emergency. You could also fill a bucket with sand, which can be used instead of water to help extinguish a fire.

As the fire dies down, use a shovel and spread out the ashes to allow them to cool down. Then slowly pour water over those ashes and watch them closely to be sure that no burning embers remain or reignite. Put the cooled ashes in an specially designated ash storage metal can.

We at SERVPRO of Belle Meade / West Nashville are dedicated to having the fastest 24-Hour Emergency Service response to any fire damage that unexpectedly happens in our area. Immediate action is crucial to limiting the damage, and we have the trained and experienced team and specialized equipment that are necessary for the prompt activities and later for restoring a home or business.

Preventing Cooking Fires This Thanksgiving

11/16/2017 (Permalink)

Make sure you and your family are safe this Thanksgiving by avoiding kitchen fires!

Thanksgiving is a time when Nashville families get together. People look forward to cooking a wonderful meal with classic favorites. When in the kitchen, you should know the importance of kitchen safety. You want to make sure that you keep your kitchen safe from hazards like fire. Fire damage can be incredibly costly. A single fire may cause hundreds if not thousands of dollars in fire damage.

Clean the Area

Before you start that big Thanksgiving dinner, clean the entire kitchen. Clear all grime from the oven. Wash the microwave. Make sure the floors are swept. Clean everything else in the room including the fridge, the windows, the doors and the area leading to the kitchen. A clean kitchen is a safe kitchen.

Protect Yourself

When cooking, make to wear the right clothing. Do not wear anything with dangling sleeves that could catch or spread a fire. You can also wear good boots to protect your feet. Oven mitts are a must when you bring things out of the stove. Hot pots, pans, and utensils can catch other items on fire, so prepare a place to put them after you bring them out.

Supervise Children

Thanksgiving is a fun time to bring kids into the kitchen and teach them simple tasks. They can help sort or get things out of the fridge. However, they need to be carefully supervised for their own safety. Keep them away from stoves and anyplace where there might be live flames.

Proper Storage

One of the best ways to help prevent fires when cooking any large meal is to store all chemicals like solvents away from any heat source. Keep cleaning fluids on shelving that is protected far away from the stove and range. Also, make sure that any pots you are using have all handles away from everyone in the kitchen. This way, no one grabs the pots by accident and starts a fire.

Hopefully, your Thanksgiving is filled with great memories of family and food. In the unfortunate event that a fire does cause damage, do not hesitate to give us a call at SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville!

Chimney Cleaning Tips

10/20/2017 (Permalink)

Keep your chimney clean to prevent fire damage in your home!

At SERVPRO of Belle Meade / West Nashville, we know the lovely warm glow a chimney can add to any home. Sitting in front of a fireplace in your Nashville home on a crisp day is a wonderful way to relax and enjoy an evening with family. There is nothing more important than keeping your home and family safe. To help keep those fires going, it's useful to make sure the chimney is periodically cleaned. Chimney cleaning can help a fireplace stay in good shape and reduce the risk of a fire breaking out in your home. Additionally, the chimney allows smoke, fumes and dangerous toxins escape the home through its ventilation. Read on for some helpful tips on having your chimney services.

Inspect the Brick

All chimneys should be completely cleaned at least once a year. Proper cleaning is important to make sure that the chimney is in good working order. Any homeowner should also perform an inspection on their own. This can help identify any potential problems that must be addressed as soon as possible. It's a good idea to bring a flashlight and have a good look at the floor. All the ashes in the chimney accumulate here. The flooring needs to be kept in good shape to make sure the fire can be turned on. Note any problems with the brick surrounding it. The bricks used in a fireplace are more heat tolerant than ordinary bricks. They need to be maintained to prevent any fire in the fireplace from spreading to other areas of the home. If a single brick is out of place, this can make the rest of the chimney far less functional.

Have a Look Up

After having a good look at the area surrounding the fireplace, it's a good idea to have a look at the rest of the chimney. Put on some old clothes and get in the area surrounding the fireplace. Have a look at the chimney area. You should see if there's any obstruction or other issues. Small birds and rodents often find themselves stuck or you could have a thick layer of creosote and soot sticking to the flue and masonry inside the chimney. When this gets too thick, all it takes is a spark and you have a chimney fire on your hands.

According to the National Fire Prevention Association, 30 percent of home fires are caused by chimney fires. Be sure your home is not one of them and have your chimney cleaned regularly. If you do run into trouble with smoke or fire in your home, give us a call. At SERVPRO of Belle Meade / West Nashville, we take pride in making it like it never happened.

Preventing Electrical Fires

10/15/2017 (Permalink)

Electrical fires can get out of control quickly. Prevent them from ever occurring with these tips.

Over 1300 people sustain injuries or death due to electrical fires every year in the United States. And almost every one of those injuries or deaths could have been prevented. The fact is that many fires of this nature happen because of human error. Taking preventative steps now will help you avoid a fire in the future. Here are five ways you can prevent such a fire in your Nashville home or business.

Fix or replace broken plugs and cords

Frayed electrical cords and broken pugs can overheat or throw off sparks. Both of these can cause a fire. It is not difficult to replace most appliance cords or plugs. If you are not able to do the work yourself, an electrician can do the work for you.

Don't overburden electric outlets

Plugging too many appliances or electronics into the same outlet can cause overheating. An overheated plug can spark or blow out completely and cause a fire. If you need to plug more than one thing into an outlet, use a power strip with built-in overload protection.

Have faulty wiring fixed

If you have flickering lights, buzzing outlets, or breakers that constantly trip, you have faulty wiring somewhere. Faulty wiring is often hidden in the walls or ceiling cavities. So, leave faulty wiring to an electrician. He can diagnose and fix the problem quickly and effectively.

Keep flammable materials away from electrical appliances

Your home and business abound with flammable materials, such as paper, rugs, draperies, towels, and blankets. Keep electrical appliances well away from these flammable materials. This includes electric heaters, hair dryers, irons, and lamps. Never hide cords under rugs because they can overheat and cause fires.

Get an electrical inspection done

If your home or business is an older property, consider a thorough inspection performed by a professional electrician. Older homes often contain aluminum wire or even knob and tube wiring, which are both prone to cause fires more than modern copper wiring. It may be time to rewire your century-old building.

Each of these tips will help you prevent an electrical fire from starting in your home or business. Now, if the worst happens, and you do sustain damage from a fire, you need the help of professionals to get your home and business straightened out. Call on the fire damage restoration specialists here at SERVPRO of Belle Meade.

Enjoy Your Summer Fires by Building a Safe Fire Pit

6/23/2017 (Permalink)

Fire pits are great for social gatherings - just be sure to stay safe!

Enjoy Your Summer Fires by Building a Safe Fire Pit

It's finally that time for outdoor BBQs, parties, and camp-outs and it's important to always keep safety at the forefront. Whatever type of pit you have in mind, make sure you follow all the rules from proper ignition, to ensuring every last ember has burned out. This will keep not only your family and friends safe but also those around you, like your neighbors.

Getting Started

Before you start digging to build your summer fire pit, think through the process. Where are you going to build your pit? How deep should you dig? What should you use to create the above ground wall? When selecting your spot, take care not to dig too near other items that would easily flame up. So place your pit at least ten feet from other structures and avoid overhanging branches. It's important that if you are installing a prefabricated pit, you need to ensure your ground is level. Using pavers is a great way to ensure that any burning embers that may escape won't spread to other structures or brush.

When digging your own summer pit, ensure you remove at least one foot of earth. Place large stones or landscaping bricks around the outside edge of your site and cover up at least one foot. Using concrete to secure your bricks will provide a safer, stronger pit. Once you have your pit completed, create a ten-foot circumference around it by clearing any brush, leaving only bare earth, or by using pavers to secure the area and help prevent drifting embers.

Enjoying Your Pit

Light your pit before the light is too dim. Twilight is a bit late, but with some skill, you should be able to get it lit. Make sure you have enough water stored near your pit to quickly douse flames. Finally, keep your wood well away from the pit. And it goes without saying, no horseplay should ever happen near the pit. The professionals at SERVPRO of Belle Meade can help you with any fire disaster--large or small, just as they are there to help you with mold removal. While we would rather you enjoy your summer safely, we are here for you should you experience a fire, or need mold removal after the hoses have completely wet your walls. SERVPRO of Belle Meade is always happy to help you restore your home after accidents happen.

Be Careful with Kitchen Fires, Nashville!

6/17/2017 (Permalink)

Our fire restoration process can have your kitchen back online!

Kitchen flames can occur suddenly and cause lots of damage; even after the flame is tame. The flame burns anything in its path, soot leaves items covered in gray ash, the smoke damages walls, and the burn odor lingers. Sprinklers add water damage to a destroyed flame, and fire extinguishers spread particles on the flame and unharmed items. After the coast is clear, the cleaning process becomes a time-consuming chore.

It's always advisable to hire SERVPRO of Belle Meade in the Nashville area to handle fire damage.

Begin by gathering cleaning materials. Soap, water, sponge, dry cloth, and scrubber are the obvious necessities, but in a kitchen fire, health risks increase. Therefore, prepare to enter the cooking area with goggles, face mask, and gloves.

To clear odorous smells, open a window and/or door and turn on the fan. Turn the fan in the window or door's direction. Avoid turning on the HVAC; those scents don't leave the home. It circulates the odorous scent throughout the home instead of pushing it outdoors.

The cleaning process varies by how extensive the damage is. First, clean the area where the blaze originated. Afterward, soap and water can clean walls and ceilings containing smoke. Soap and water can clean floors, dishes, appliances, and furniture too. It might take multiple cleans for results.

Cabinets, drawers, and pantries require cleaning attention as well. The closed environment does not provide shelter for items inside or the door outside. Flames can destroy that area too. Open cabinet and pantry doors. Open drawers. Take everything out of cabinets, drawers, and pantries. Be sure to clean the cabinets, drawers, and pantries to remove soot and smoke damage. Clean items that were inside. Return items to cabinets, drawers, and pantries when dry.

With water damage, it's best to wipe wet areas with a dry towel. A fan can speed up the drying process. Ensure hard-to-reach areas get adequate fan air so it won't turn into mold and mildew.

Toss out or throw away furniture, cooking items, dishes, and appliances showing no signs of improvement after two or three rounds of cleaning. Toss out food in appliances, pantries, cabinets, and drawers regardless of whether it was harmed to reduce health risk.

Contact SERVPRO of Belle Meade and one of our specialists will tackle kitchen damage. An uncontrollable flame should not take away from the joy of cooking and family/friend togetherness. We'll make your cooking space look like new.

Use Your Space Heater Safely This Winter Nashville

11/18/2016 (Permalink)

Be safe when using space heaters!

As the months roll on and the winter season approaches, it is important to talk about home fire safety - especially with space heaters. SERVPRO of Belle Meade wants you to remain warm and safe Nashville, so here are some tips and stats on space heaters.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, between “2009-2013, heating equipment was involved in an estimated 56,000 reported U.S. home structure fires, with associated losses of 470 civilian deaths, 1,490 civilian injuries, and $1.0 billion in direct property damage. These fires accounted for 16% of all reported home fires”. Those are astonishing numbers.

Also consider:

Based on 2009-2013 annual averages:

• Space heaters, whether portable or stationary, accounted for two of every five (40%) of home heating fires and four out of five (84%) of home heating fire deaths.
• The leading factor contributing to home heating fires (30%) was failure to clean, principally creosote from solid-fueled heating equipment, primarily chimneys.
• Placing things that can burn too close to heating equipment or placing heating equipment too close to things that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattress, or bedding, was the leading factor contributing to ignition in fatal home heating fires and accounted for more than half (56%) of home heating fire deaths.
• Nearly half (49%) of all home heating fires occurred in December, January and February.

Source: NFPA's “Home Fires Involving Heating Equipment" report by Richard Campbell, April 2016.

So how do you stay safe when using a space heater? Consider these as essential elements for buying.

1. Consider the size. If you are only trying to keep a small space warm then one of the smaller spot heating units should do the trick. If you are attempting to heat an entire room then one of the larger units makes more sense.
2. Check for safety measures. Be sure your heater has a temperature sensor that automatically shuts down the unit when it has reached a certain temperature or has been running for a certain amount of time. Just as important is a sensor that detects when it has tipped over.
3. NEVER USE AN EXTENSION CORD. Extension cords will not protect portable space heaters from surges and can heat up rather quickly from electric currents causing the extension cord to melt and create a fire hazard.
4. Handles are especially useful for moving smaller units without risking burning your hands.
5. Thermostats that show room temperature and the temperature of the unit are also useful.
6. Timers are helpful if you just want a quick boost of heat and then the option to shut it off automatically. This can tempt some people to leave the room while it is running but we do not recommend that.
7. Make sure the power cord gives you at least 70 inches of length because you can NEVER USE AN EXTENSION CORD!

So Nashville, prevent a fire in your home this winter by following these guidelines when using your space heater!

Keep Your Dryer Clean of Lint Nashville

11/11/2016 (Permalink)

Regular cleaning can prevent dryer fires

Did you know dryer lint is one of the leading causes of dryer failure and house fires? "How is this possible if you are clearing the lint from the filter between uses," might be a question you're asking. That is a great practice to follow, but by no means the only maintenance you can perform to keep your drying running smoothly. We are in the habit of making sure your home remains a safe haven for you and your family, especially concerning fire, as our recent campaign with the American Red Cross attests. So here are a few tips and reasons to go the extra mile when cleaning your dryer.

Yes, removing the lint from your dryer between uses is a great place to start. But did you know fabric softener can affect the usefulness of your lint filter? The next time you finish a load of laundry, remove the lint filter and clean it as you normally would. Next, run water over the filter and see if the water pools. If it does, your filter runs the risk of still clogging despite your efforts. It is an easy enough fix though so don't fret. Use a brush and warm soapy water and gently clean the filter. Try the water technique again until the water runs unimpeded. You are already much safer when running your dryer so congratulations!

Next, unplug your dryer and disconnect the vent hose / line from the dryer. This is where the majority of fires begin - in the exhaust duct. The buildup is usually higher in flexible hoses because of the potential for excess lint to get caught in the ridges. If you can switch from a flexible duct to rigid, we highly recommend you do. Your dryer and home will thank you! Depending on how often you run the dryer, we recommend cleaning at least once a year, but have clients who clean it every season. You can measure your needs based on how much lint you find when you clean, but back to the cleaning! Take your extendable brush and gently extend it into the vent and brush the lint back towards you - pushing it further just makes it harder to reach!

Ensuring the ducts are clean and clear of obstruction is an important step and checking the dryer drum is as well. This one requires a bit more DIY so if you are not comfortable, please call a licensed handyman. Removing the top or front from the dryer (based on where the lint filter is) requires removing a few screws. Once the panel is removed, you can brush and vacuum the drum, being careful around sensitive electrical parts. Make sure to get the lint under, around and behind the unit after cleaning.

These few steps can ensure you lessen the risk of a dryer fire in your home Nashville!

SERVPRO Supports the Home Fire Awareness Campaign, Nashville!

10/7/2016 (Permalink)

Check your smoke alarms monthly and practice your 2-minute fire drills at home, including an escape plan.

SERVPRO is proud to support the American Red Cross and their month-long Home Fire Awareness Campaign. This month, we recognize the two-year anniversary of an important initiative to reduce deaths and injuries from home fires, which is the disaster Red Cross responds to most frequently every year.  As the American Red Cross Home Fire Campaign reaches this significant milestone, the Red Cross and community partners have already saved at least 111 lives, and have made at-risk communities from coast-to-coast stronger and safer by installing more than 473,000 smoke alarms, replacing more than 32,000 batteries and creating nearly 170,000 escape plans.  

In recognition of Fire Prevention Week (October 9-15) and the campaign anniversary, the Red Cross will focus  efforts on raising awareness about fire safety nationwide, and by canvassing local communities to install smoke alarms in homes that need them. They also spend time teaching people about what they can do now to be prepared should a fire break out in their home. Throughout the month, the Red Cross will be talking about the Home Fire Campaign our social media, through email and digital marketing, and via celebrity ambassadors.

Nashville, we invite you to align with these important and visible messages of fire safety and join us in promoting two important life-saving calls to action: 1) check your smoke alarms monthly, and 2) practice your 2-minute fire drills at home, including an escape plan. We want to ensure all of our neighbors know what to do in the event a fire emergency happens at home. Make sure your family and friends have a plan as well.

Share these videos (courtesy of the Red Cross) and help spread the word through social media. We can prevent home fire disasters Nashville!

Don’t go Undetected in Your Nashville Home!

3/31/2016 (Permalink)

Protecting your Nashville home or business from fire should be a priority.  Smoke and fire damage can be costly and devastating, but there are steps you can take to decrease your risk. Making sure your smoke detectors are in prime working condition is one of those steps that is simple but can have an enormous impact.

Smoke detectors are a key line of defense and in many cases your first warning of danger. First of all, it is important to make sure that everyone is aware of what the alarm system sounds like and knows how to respond appropriately. It is also important to be able to recognize the warning signs of a poorly functioning unit. For example, if a detector begins to “chirp” periodically, the battery is low and needs to be replaced.  It is important to refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for what kind of battery to use for your specific unit. Installing interconnected smoke alarms is one of the best options for protection due to the fact that when one alarm goes off, all of the alarms go off.  

Here are a few more tips to help maintain the smoke detectors in your Nashville residence.

1. Only install smoke detectors that have a label from a recognized testing laboratory

2. Do not place detectors near windows or any area where a draft may prevent the unit from operating properly

3. Make sure you have enough detectors for your space and that they are installed at the proper heights for each room

4. Ensure that they have been installed correctly and that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use

5. Test every detector at least once per month by pressing the “TEST” button on the device

6. Never paint over a smoke detector

Fire and smoke damage can overwhelm your Nashville home or company in very short amount of time.  Taking the appropriate precautions to maintain your detectors is an easy and simple step in protecting yourself and your loved ones from harm.  

For more information on smoke detector maintenance and fire safety and prevention please visit www.nfpa.org

Ways to Clean Up After a Small Kitchen Fire in Your Nashville Home

3/25/2016 (Permalink)

Do you like to cook? If so, you probably know the risks involved when in the kitchen preparing a tasty meal. Sometimes, we can get distracted and leave a hot pot on the stove or item in the oven. These don't typically cause problems unless forgotten about. Especially so, if there is grease involved.

It is recommended to stay alert while cooking. Also, make sure your smoke detector is up to date. Unfortunately, fires still occur and must immediately be put out.

If you live in an apartment, there might be a sprinkler system. If at home, you may have pulled out the fire extinguisher before the fire department arrived. Regardless, there was probably even more damage done when the fire was put out. So, that's why we have put together a check list of what to clean after a small kitchen fire has been put out.

1. Walls and ceilings likely have smoke or water damage. They will need to be wiped/dried thoroughly.

2. Dishes near or involved in the fire may need to be thrown away.

3. Furniture and floors depending on how large the fire was will need a deep scrubbing.

4. If the fire got out of hand, there may be a need for remodeling or replacing of appliances and more.

5. Lastly, there may be hidden places where water is standing. Grab a fan to make sure the area gets completely dry to prevent mold from growing.

While these things may take a few days to clean, they will save you from more damage in the future.

Why It's Important to Get Fire Damage Cleaned Up Immediately

2/26/2016 (Permalink)

It's devastating to experience the chaos of a fire in your Nashville house. Not only is it difficult to deal with the loss, but the clean up too. If it is a small isolated fire, getting the area cleaned and repaired should be a priority.

The first thing to consider is the ash and smoke damage that occurred. These can lead to corrosion, discoloration and unpleasant odor. Getting ash and smoke cleaned up immediately will prevent any of these from leading to an even larger problem.

Take these action steps if you find yourself handling the aftermath of a house fire.

1. Contact your insurance company.

2. Contact your local fire restoration company.

3. Take photographs of the damage.

4. Keep a record of all conversations with your insurance company.

5. Make a list of everything you lost or that was destroyed.

6. Find a place to stay while your restoration company cleans up your property.

While a house fire is a trying experience, it helps to have a game plan in place. So, remember these steps for the next time you or a loved one is handling the aftermath of a house fire.  

Keeping safe from fire damage while staying warm and cozy in your Nashville home

1/22/2016 (Permalink)

As the temperature drops throughout Nashville, we find ourselves staying bundled up and inside where it’s warm. This is the time of year when people start to bring out extra sources of heat to warm their home. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) gives us a list of other heat sources available, as well as how to stay safe this winter while using them.

·      Space heater

o   Keep anything that can burn or catch fire at least three feet away at all times.

o   Buy a space heater that has an automatic power-off, especially for if the heater tips over accidentally.

o   Do not keep the heater on when unattended or while sleeping.

o   Plug the heater directly into an outlet instead of using an extension cord or power strip.

·      Fireplace

o   Do not burn paper in your fireplace. This can cause small, burning particles to fly into the living area.

o   Keep a screen in front of your fireplace to prevent embers from flying out into the living space.

o   Never leave a fire unattended while sleeping or when out of the house.

o   When cleaning out the ashes from the fireplace, make sure to dispose of them in a metal can with a lid that’s at least three feet away from your Nashville home.

·      Wood-burning stove

o   The wood-burning stove is treated much like a fireplace with the same rules that apply, but with a wood-burning stove, there is also the chimney that comes into play.

o   Have your chimney inspected and cleaned at least once a year by a professional.

** Read more about heating fire safety at USFA and remember to only use products that are labeled as being tested in a laboratory.

Keep your Nashville home safe from fire damage this year by following these Christmas tree safety tips

12/4/2015 (Permalink)

The holiday season is upon us and the streets and houses are covered in color. As you drive around the city you can see homes strung with lights, wreathes hanging on doors and trees lit up in windows. If you decide to pick out a real tree this year, remember to keep some safety tips in mind. The National Fire Protection Association gives some tips on how to stay safe while picking out, placing, decorating and disposing your tree.

Picking out a tree  

• Pick out a tree that is fresh and not dead or dying. Look for a tree that displays fresh, green needles that don't fall off easily.

Placing the tree

• Before placing the tree in a stand, cut approximately 2” off of the base of the trunk.
• Take a look around the room and make sure to place the tree at least three feet away from any type of heat source including, but not limited to, fireplaces, candles, radiators, heaters or lamps.
• Make sure that the tree is not blocking an exit.
• Add water to the base daily to keep the tree from drying out and causing a fire hazard.

Decorating the tree

• Check the lights to make sure they’re labeled as tested and that you are using them as stated (indoor or outdoor use).
• Replace strands of lights that are worn, frayed or have loose bulb connections.
• Turn off lights before leaving the home or going to bed.

Disposing of the tree

• Get rid of the tree as soon as possible after Christmas. Having a dried out tree in the home is a fire hazard. Check with your local community to see what your options are for disposing the tree properly and safely. Do not leave the tree in the home, garage, or leaning against the house outside.

Stay safe while decorating and entertaining for the holidays

11/28/2015 (Permalink)

Source - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Candle_light,_pillar_candle.jpg

The holidays are finally here meaning lots of food, family, celebrations and decorations. Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, it’s time to prepare for the next big holiday! This time of year can seem like the busiest, from longer work hours to trying to find the perfect gift for loved ones. Don’t let the running around fog your mind. It’s important to keep safety forefront during this time of year to avoid fire damage incidents. RedCross gives some fire safety tips to keep in mind while decorating and entertaining for the holidays.

1.    Keep children, pets and decorations away from lit candles

This is the perfect time of year to light your Christmas scented candles to fill the home with a welcoming and cozy aroma. As you're placing your candles around the home, make sure that they are set in safe locations out of the reach of children, pets and decorations.

2.    Remain in the home and set a timer while cooking

Cooking is one of the most time consuming tasks around the holidays, so it’s understandable that people try to multitask as much as possible while making meals. It’s easy to forget that something may be in the oven when you have a lot of other things to focus on. Set a timer and make sure to stay in the home when cooking meals.

3.    Choose decorations that are flame resistant

There are plenty of decorations to choose from every year and as the years go by, companies are coming up with safer ways to decorate your home. While searching for new decorations, try to find ones that are fire resistant or retardant. Also keep in mind to place trees away from heat sources, exits and water real trees daily.

4.    Never leave fireplaces or portable heaters unattended

Sometimes having a portable heater running can go unnoticed or forgotten about. Set yourself a reminder or timer to remember to turn off the heater or fireplace, especially before heading off to bed for the night.

5.     Do not light the fireplace where stockings are hung

Many people hang their stockings traditionally over the fireplace every year. As this a great decoration, make sure to not use the fireplace while the stockings are hanging. The smallest ember can fly up and land on a stocking and start a fire.

Fire Prevention Week 2015: October 4th – October 10th

10/9/2015 (Permalink)

Source - http://files.esfi.org/file/Fire-Prevention-Week-2015-0E9E.pdf

Every year, the National Fire Protection Association sponsors fire prevention week where they pick a topic about fire safety to share with communities. This year, the topic chosen was “Hear the Beep Where you Sleep” to show everyone the importance of having smoke alarms installed in every bedroom of the home. According to the NFPA, roughly half of home fire deaths that occur happen from fires that occur between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., when most people are sound asleep.

Smoke alarm safety tips 

·      Choose smoke alarms that have the label showing that they’ve been tested in a testing laboratory.

·      Install smoke alarms in each bedroom, outside of every sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement. Basement smoke alarms should be installed on the ceiling right at the bottom of the stairway.

·      On main levels, (such as where the living room or dining room is) install smoke alarms in the main rooms and right where the entrance of the stairway leads to a different level of the home.

·      Smoke alarms should be installed at least ten feet from a cooking appliance.

·      Mount smoke alarms high on walls or ceilings. If mounted on the wall, they should not be more than 12 inches from the ceiling.

·      Interconnect all smoke alarms, so if one goes off, they all go off in the home. This will ensure that no matter where you are located in the house, you will be aware of the house fire. Make sure that all smoke alarms are from the same manufacturer and compatible.

·      Remember to always test smoke alarms at least once a month, replace batteries when necessary and make sure to replace the smoke alarms when needed or stated by manufacturer.

Source - http://www.nfpa.org/safety-information/for-consumers/fire-and-safety-equipment/smoke-alarms/installing-and-maintaining-smoke-alarms

Avoid fire hazards while trying to stay warm as the Fall weather settles in

9/25/2015 (Permalink)

As we can all tell by the weather, we’re starting to experience the cooler weather now that Fall has approached. This unfortunately means more time inside, as we get further into the year. As we spend more time inside trying to stay warm, it’s important to remember the safety precautions to take in order avoid potential fire hazards and fire damage. The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) put together Fall season safety tips to keep in mind as the weather gets cooler.

Fall Safety Tips:

• Most people enjoy the feeling of being snuggled up in a warm blanket, as the weather turns chilly, but take proper precautions when using electrical blankets. Do not place the electric blanket under a mattress or child and always make sure that it is exposed instead of being covered by other blankets or comforters. Also never let pets sleep on an electric blanket.
• Look for dark, charred or frayed spots on the blanket or near the electrical cord. This could indicate damage and could potentially cause a fire.
• Never fold electrical blankets when in use. This can lead to overheating and fire damage.
• Do not leave blankets unattended or when sleeping.
• Protect outdoor electrical devices from moisture and use only weatherproof electrical devices for your outdoor activities.
• This is the time to start putting away the warm weather tools and swap them out for the tools that are needed for the colder weather. Check your equipment ahead of time to make sure there are no wear and tear in the cords and if there are, make sure to get them replaced to avoid electrical hazard.
• Keep dry leaves away from outdoor lighting, outlets and power cords.

Source - http://www.esfi.org/fall-safety

Don’t let the electrical system in your Nashville home cause fire damage

9/18/2015 (Permalink)

Electrical safety tips

Most of us have grown up using electricity just about every day of our lives. Whether it is plugging in a toaster, watching TV, or even charging a laptop or phone, we’re surrounded by it. Electricity is essential, but can be a huge hazard to us if not used and maintained properly. According to Electrical Safety Foundation International (Esfi.org), home electrical fires account for an estimated 51,000 fires each year, nearly 500 deaths, more than 1,400 injuries and $1.3 billion in property damage. 65% of home fire deaths result from fires in homes with no working smoke detectors. ESFI gave a list of some electrical fire safety tips to keep you and your family informed on the proper electrical safety precautions.

Electrical Fire Safety Tips

• Make sure that there are smoke detectors installed on every floor of the building, inside each room and right outside of every sleeping area to ensure that the alarms can be heard even when sleeping.
• Test smoke detectors monthly to make sure that they’re working properly and have working batteries.
• Have your electrical system inspected by a certified professional to make sure that all of the electrical work meets the National Electric Code safety standards.
• Look and listen for signs of electrical problems such as, flickering or dim lights, buzzing or sizzling sounds from electrical outlets, or insulation and circuit breakers that trip repeatedly. If any of these or any other electrical problems are found, contact a professional as soon as possible for the issue to be inspected.
• Avoid overloading outlets with too many electronics. Consider having more outlets or circuits installed by a professional.
• In homes with children, install tamper resistant devices to keep children from getting electrical shocks or burns.
• Create an evacuation plan that can be used in the event of a fire.

Source - http://www.esfi.org/resource/home-electrical-fires-184

The four main ways to remediate your home after fire damage hits

9/2/2015 (Permalink)

When something drastic happens such as a home fire, our minds aren’t always thinking of the next steps involved to repairing the fire damage. This is when restoration companies come into play to make sure that the fire remediation process is as efficient as possible and the home is brought back to its original state; safe and structurally sound. Fire remediation is the process of cleaning up the debris and damage caused after a fire occurs. According to enlightenme.com, there are four main steps that a restoration company can take to remediate the fire damage in your home.

1.     Drying the home

Water damage is one of the biggest concerns following a fire. As the water sits, it collects bacteria, contaminants and becomes the perfect place for mold to grow. Restoration companies have the proper equipment to help dry out the area such as dehumidifiers, large fans and other machines to quickly circulate the air through the home. 

2.     Cleaning the HVAC system

If an HVAC system is present in your home, it is a strong possibility that the filters or coils in the equipment will get clogged from the soot and debris caused by the fire damage. Depending on the severity of the damage, the restoration company may have to replace the filters or perform extensive repairs.

3.     Rebuilding damaged structure           

The structure of the home is very important to keeping your family safe. If the structure is damaged, it may need replaced. A remediation company will help assist in the steps to making sure your home’s structure is safe and rebuilt correctly.

4.     Removing the last of the debris

Any items that are unable to be salvaged will need removed to make sure that they don’t contaminate the rest of the home and belongings. Some items may be tough to restore back to their original state, but this is also something that the restoration company is able to assist with. Make sure that everything is cleaned properly before putting it back into the home to ensure that there is not debris contaminating the other belongings in the home. 

Source - http://enlightenme.com/fire-damage-remediation/

How to remove that awful smoke smell after your Nashville home has been hit with fire damage

7/31/2015 (Permalink)

Fire damage

When our home and belongings are affected by fire damage, we usually aren’t thinking about the aftermath of the damage right away. Aside from figuring out all of the insurance deductibles and what needs replaced, we also have to worry about the hidden smell that may linger after an incident such as a house fire. According to the Home Guides on SFgate.com, there are steps that can be taken to eliminate the smell of fire damage, bringing your home back to its original scent.

Steps to removing fire damage smell

1.     Blow fresh air into the house to start the process of removing the odor. Close all windows and doors except for one window to work as an exhaust. This will force the pressure of the air blown from the fan to push out any smoke lingering in the home.

2.     Remove any linens, pillows, drapes, or curtains and put them in the wash to completely clean and remove any residue that is left over. Any plastic blinds will need to be wiped down and washed by hand.

3.     Any solid surfaces, such as tables, chairs, baseboards, shelves or tile, will need to be sprayed down and scrubbed to remove the residue and smell from the surface. It is recommended by SFgate to use one gallon of water mixed with a teaspoon of dish soap and a quarter cup of white vinegar.

4.     Vacuum any carpeted area with a vacuum that holds a high-efficiency filter to make sure that particles do not blow back into the air. This will also be a good time to clean the furniture with the vacuum or upholstery cleaner.

5.     Make sure to wash and scrub all windows and screen due to the smoke and residue possibly getting stuck on the screens as the smoke tried to clear the rooms.

6.     Remove and wash all of the light fixtures within the home to make sure that there isn’t residue left untouched at the top of the light fixtures in the hard to see and reach areas.

7.     Scrub or mop any hard surfaced floors where particles may have settled even during the cleaning process. Make sure that if using a mop, there aren’t particles being placed into dirty water and then back onto the floor that was just cleaned.

Source - http://homeguides.sfgate.com/remove-fire-smoke-smell-apartment-8328.html

Cleaning techniques for cleaning soot and smoke residue after fire damage occurs

7/16/2015 (Permalink)

Just as fire moves rapidly through the home, soot and smoke moves quickly through the home once the fire is put out. The aftermath of soot and smoke damage is not a pretty sight and can affect just about everything in the home, but that does not mean that some things cannot be salvaged and cleaned. Depending on the type of fire that occurs and with the proper techniques, there is a possibility for a recovery of some materials. According to publichealth.lacounty.gov, there are different techniques to cleaning depending on the person’s situation.

High- oxygen fires –

            These types of fire usually result in dry, dusty soot. This type of damage would be most effectively cleaned up by using a dry sponge to remove the top layer deposits, then detergent to get the stain out and water to rinse.

Low-oxygen fires –

These fires leave a damage that is more like a greasy deposit coating. Do not start off with a dry sponge for this type of damage. This will most likely cause smearing worsening the damage. Use a high-alkali detergent mixed with warm water to wash down the area and remove the greasy deposits. Make sure to rinse thoroughly afterward to ensure that the area is clear.

Methods to cleaning heavy residue –

·      Low-pressure sandblasting

·      Sodium bicarbonate blasting

·      Dry-ice blasting

·      Power washing with stream

·      Chemical application and agitation

·      Non-destructive rubber blasting

** Safety tips to remember **

·      Do not use electrical appliances that have been near a fire.

·      Do not use ceiling fixtures on wet ceiling.

·      Get drapes and other linens dry-cleaned to eliminate transfer of soot from one area to the next.

·      Do not touch anything during first inspection.

·      Do not hesitate to contact a professional

Source - http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/eh/docs/emergunit/cleanFireDamage.pdf

How to stay safe this summer when joining around the campfire

7/8/2015 (Permalink)

Source - https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b7/Campfire_4213.jpg

Although it’s getting hotter outside, the nights are still keeping cool, making it the perfect weather to sit around a campfire. Whether it be your family’s annual camping trip or just a small fire in your backyard, it’s always important to remember the proper safety precautions to take. The smallest fire can spread and cause fire damage in a matter of moments. It’s good to know the safety precautions to take ahead of time and be prepared.

According to Smokeybear.com, there are steps to take when maintaining and extinguishing a fire.

Maintaining your campfire

1.      Once your fire is already roaring steadily, keep it maintained by adding larger pieces of dry wood.

2.      Make sure the fire is staying at a manageable size and is not in danger of getting out of control.

3.      Never leave the campfire unattended. It can take a matter of moments for the wrong material to catch on fire and spread.

4.      Never cut live trees or branches to use in the fire.

Extinguishing your campfire

1.      Try to allow the campfire to burn completely out to ashes to ensure that it will not start back up.

2.      Pour lots of water on the fire and embers, even the ones that are not glowing red. The embers that look dead are still very hot.

3.      Pour water until the hissing sound stops.

4.      Stir the campfire ashes and embers with a shovel.

5.      Make sure everything is wet and covered in water so that it is cool to the touch.

6.      If water is not available, dirt can also be used to put out a fire. Mix enough dirt or sand with the embers to cool it down.

7.      If it’s too hot to touch, then it’s too hot to leave.

Source - http://www.smokeybear.com/put-out-campfire.asp

Don’t let soot damage settle in your Nashville home

6/29/2015 (Permalink)

Soot damage

The time to act on fire damage restoration is unfortunately right after the disaster happens. At the time of the devastating incident, many people are not in the right state of mind to act quickly and get the area cleaned up and restored. This is where companies, such as SERVPRO, come into play and help take care of the damage that has been done. According to the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, delays in fire damage clean up can have serious consequences. Acidic soot residue can cause permanent damage to areas of the household over time.

·      Within minutes of the fire being extinguished: The residue can cause a discoloration to materials such as, plastic, marble and alabaster.

·      Within hours: The acidic soot residue can cause permanent discoloration or yellowing of furniture in the household, such as bath fixtures, countertops and unpolished metals.

·      Within days: Walls and flooring can start to be affected. The soot will cause discoloration of walls and corrosion of metals throughout the home. Flooring that is made out of vinyl or wood must be replaced or refinished and any clothing or upholstery will most likely be permanently stained.

·      Within weeks: Carpet can become unsalvageable and objects such as silver-plated fixtures, glass, crystal or china will become etched due to the long exposure to the residue.

Although the restoration process can be done with extensive vacuuming and cleanup, it is a process that sometimes requires the proper equipment and time to get the job done. Restoration companies have the equipment to help save you hundreds of dollars in valuables and time to get the job done effectively and efficiently. With the proper tools, there is more chance for the removal of stains, damage and odor removal to take, leaving you with less of a headache and salvaged items.

Source - http://www.iicrc.org/selecting-restoration-firm-preform-fire-damage-clean-a-107.html

Know how to properly use a fire extinguisher to protect your Nashville home or business from fire damage

6/15/2015 (Permalink)

Source - http://3rdsaintsfiresafety.weebly.com/

Everyone knows what a fire extinguisher looks like, but when it comes to operating one, do you know how to use it in case of an emergency? In the moment of a disaster, such as a fire, our ability to stay calm and think rationally isn’t always there. It’s very important to know how to use a fire extinguisher ahead of time so that we know what to do if a fire ever breaks out. There most likely won’t be time to read the label once you realize the fire has started. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, the best way to remember how to use a fire extinguisher is by remembering the word PASS.

How to use a fire extinguisher

Pull the pin. Hold the fire extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you and release the locking mechanism.

Aim low. Point the fire extinguisher at the base of the fire.

Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.

Sweep the nozzle from side to side.

Fire extinguisher maintenance

According to fire-extinguisher101, fire extinguishers should be maintained at least once a year.

Make sure that the extinguisher is always in a convenient location to grab and is not blocked by anything, in case of an emergency.

Check the pressure of the extinguisher by the gauge attached to it to make sure that the pressure is within the recommended level.

Make sure the nozzle or other parts of the extinguisher are not tampered with and the pin is in tact.

Check for dents, leaks, rust or other signs of abuse/wear.

Always make sure to recharge extinguishers after use no matter how much they were used.

Sources -
http://www.nfpa.org/safety-information/for-consumers/fire-and-safety-equipment/fire-extinguishers

http://www.fire-extinguisher101.com/careandmaintenance.html