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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

Archived Fire Damage Blog Posts

Fire prevention tips.

3/5/2024 (Permalink)

Fire Damage from candle left unattended. Clean up after a fire caused from a candle that tipped over.

As a professional fire restoration and cleanup company, SERVPRO of Spring Valley / Jamul is well-versed in not only responding to home fires but also in preventing them. Here are some tips from us here at SERVPRO on preventing home fires:

  1. Install and Maintain Smoke Alarms: Ensure that smoke alarms are installed on every level of your home and within every bedroom. Regularly test the alarms to ensure they are functioning properly and replace batteries as needed.
  2. Create a Fire Escape Plan: Develop a fire escape plan for your family that includes multiple escape routes from each room. Practice the plan regularly so that everyone knows what to do in the event of a fire.
  3. Keep Flammable Items Away from Heat Sources: Keep flammable items such as curtains, towels, and paper products away from heat sources such as stoves, heaters, and candles.
  4. Practice Safe Cooking Habits: Never leave cooking unattended and keep flammable items away from the stove. Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and know how to use it.
  5. Use Electrical Appliances Safely: Avoid overloading electrical outlets and extension cords. Inspect cords and plugs for damage and replace them if necessary. Turn off and unplug appliances when not in use.
  6. Maintain Heating Equipment: Have your furnace, fireplace, and chimney inspected and cleaned regularly by a professional. Keep flammable materials away from heating sources, and never leave heaters unattended.
  7. Store Flammable Materials Properly: Store flammable liquids such as gasoline, paint, and cleaning products in a well-ventilated area away from heat sources.
  8. Be Cautious with Candles: Keep candles in sturdy holders on a stable surface, away from flammable materials and out of reach of children and pets. Never leave candles burning unattended.
  9. Be Mindful of Smoking Hazards: If you smoke, do so outside and use deep, sturdy ashtrays. Never smoke in bed or when drowsy, as this increases the risk of accidentally starting a fire.
  10. Educate Your Family: Teach your family about fire safety and the importance of taking precautions to prevent fires. Encourage open communication about fire safety practices and address any concerns or questions they may have.

We hope that this information is helpful in preventing a fire loss in your home or business.

Fire Damage and the steps the remediate a property.

2/8/2024 (Permalink)

Fire Damage and Cabinets Fire Damage in a home that we treated

Experiencing a fire in your home can be a devastating event, leaving behind not only physical damage but also emotional distress. In San Diego, where wildfires are a constant threat, knowing how to effectively address fire damage is crucial for homeowners. In this blog post, we'll explore how SERVPRO of Spring Valley/Jamul, a trusted restoration company in San Diego, handles fire damage with compassion, expertise, and efficiency.

Assessment and Planning: The first step in the fire damage restoration process is a comprehensive assessment of the property. Our trained technicians evaluate the extent of the damage, including fire, smoke, and water damage resulting from firefighting efforts. This assessment informs our restoration plan, which is tailored to each unique situation.

Safety Measures: Safety is always a top priority when dealing with fire damage. Our technicians ensure that the property is secure and that any hazards, such as structural instability or electrical issues, are addressed before beginning restoration work. Personal protective equipment is always worn to protect our team members and prevent further contamination.

Smoke and Soot Removal: Smoke and soot can penetrate deep into building materials and furnishings, causing lingering odors and potential health hazards. SERVPRO employs specialized equipment and cleaning techniques to remove smoke residues from surfaces and eliminate odors. This may include air scrubbers, thermal fogging, and ozone treatments to neutralize odors at the molecular level.

Water Damage Mitigation: In many fire damage situations, water damage from firefighting efforts is also a concern. Our technicians utilize advanced drying equipment and techniques to extract excess water and moisture from the property, preventing further damage and mold growth. Our team monitors moisture levels closely to ensure thorough drying.

Structural Restoration: Once the property is dry and clean, our team focuses on restoring structural elements damaged by the fire. This may involve repairs to walls, floors, ceilings, and other affected areas. Our goal is to return the property to its pre-fire condition while ensuring structural integrity and safety.

Contents Cleaning and Restoration: Here at SERVPRO of Spring Valley/Jamul, we understand the sentimental value of personal belongings damaged by fire and smoke. Our team carefully cleans, deodorizes, and restores salvageable contents using industry-leading techniques and equipment. We work closely with homeowners to identify items of importance and prioritize their restoration.

Communication and Support: Throughout the fire damage restoration process, we maintain open communication with homeowners, insurance adjusters, and other stakeholders. Our compassionate team provides support and guidance every step of the way, helping homeowners navigate the challenges of recovery with confidence.

Fire Safety Basics | SERVPRO of Spring Valley/Jamul

1/16/2024 (Permalink)

brick chimney with lit fire logs Fire safety is a top priority for us at SERVPRO of Spring Valley/Jamul this winter. Keep your home safe with these helpful tips!

Cozy season means that we get to enjoy some blankets and sweatshirts on the few occasions that the temperatures dip. Even in our mild climate, there is something so comforting about a fire in the fireplace and a cup of hot chocolate.

House fires spike in the winter, many of them as a result of the misuse of a heating device. The good news is that it only takes a few steps to keep things safe and your home protected.

Addressing Your Fireplace

If you have a fireplace in your home, you know that there isn’t anything that quite compares to the ambiance of a fire in the evening. Fireplaces can be risky in the home, though, especially when they are not properly maintained. A fireplace that uses wood should be cleaned after each use, and your chimney should be cleaned and inspected every year.

Make sure you don’t put anything that could catch fire if a spark accidentally landed on it near your fireplace. You should have a smoke detector and a carbon monoxide detector nearby, as well as a fire extinguisher.

Gas and electric fireplaces are a more common choice with our mild climate, but keep a close eye on them as well. Make sure the connections are tight and everything stays dust free.

Space Heater Safety

Space heaters are a popular choice for warming things up without having to touch your thermostat. Space heaters are responsible for nearly 1,700 fires each year, many of them from simple misuse.

Make sure you always put your unit on solid ground where it is level and free of anything around it. Check the cord to make sure it isn’t frayed or broken. Space heaters should never be plugged into an extension cord or a power strip, but instead they should be plugged directly into the wall.

Teach your kids to stay away from space heaters when they are running, and take steps to protect your pets from getting near them as well. Even when it is really chilly, you should avoid putting the heater too close to the couch, bed or curtains and turn it off before you head to bed.

Suggested Safety Features for Your Space Heater

When you purchase your space heater, there are a few particular things you want to look for to ensure you are keeping your home safe. Do your research to find a reliable and certified manufacturer that requires strict testing on anything they sell.

Space heaters you use in your home should have an automatic shut-off feature that kicks in after the unit has been running for a while. Another shut-off feature should automatically turn off the unit if it is bumped or knocked over. Never leave a space heater unattended.

Your space heater should have at least a six-foot cord so that it can run safely in an open space in your home. Because your unit needs to be plugged directly into the wall, make sure you measure before you buy so that you are getting the cord length you need.

With these simple steps, you can make the most of the rare temperature drops we see and keep things warm and cozy. If something does happen, don’t hesitate to call SERVPRO of Spring Valley/Jamul for fast and thorough cleanup.

A quick fire damage restoration is just a phone call away. Call SERVPRO® for immediate assistance.

Have a Jolly and Safe Holiday | SERVPRO of Spring Valley/Jamul

11/17/2023 (Permalink)

pan on kitchen counter in residence ablaze while unattended Fire damage in your home? Not for long with SERVPRO of Spring Valley/Jamul on the case!

The time of year everyone loves is back! No matter how or when you celebrate during the holidays, there is a good chance many of your celebrations will include some incredible food. If you are cooking or even just watching someone cook, make sure there are some safety steps in place to prevent a potential disaster.

The amount of house fires that occur every year always goes up during the holidays, and a surprising amount of those fires start in the kitchen. You can keep your home safe while you cook, though, and it is as simple as taking a few proactive steps towards safety.

Reducing Flammable Materials in the Kitchen

Cooking comes with a lot of prep work. Washing, slicing, peeling, dicing—as you get your food ready, you should also get your space ready. Clutter is a common cause of kitchen fires that get out of control.

Don’t toss around towels, pot holders or oven mitts, but instead ensure they are kept a safe distance from any source of heat. Pay attention to wooden cooking utensils, too. These might be a popular tool that is in almost every kitchen, but they are still wood and shouldn’t be stored near heat. It only takes one grease bubble or a single spark to send flames all over your kitchen.

Think about what you are wearing when you cook as well. Skip the cute holiday clothes, especially when they have loose strings, flowing fabric or hanging decorations. Loose materials present another fire hazard that could quickly lead to a disaster.

Keep a Close Eye on Food

The best way to prevent a fire disaster in your home is to stay in the kitchen the whole time you are cooking. Whether you are cooking on the stove, baking in the oven or using a grill pan, fires can start in an instant. When you aren’t close by, a single flame can spread through your entire kitchen before you get back into the space.

Are you planning on deep-frying a turkey for some of your celebrations? It is important to add a few extra safety precautions to your day if you are.

Make sure the fryer is on a flat surface away from flammable materials. Don’t overfill the oil, and follow safety guidelines laid out by the maker of your fryer.

Thaw your turkey completely before you drop it into the oil. Even a partially frozen turkey can cause the oil to spatter and pop, and a frozen turkey can cause a full explosion.

Install Protective Measures

Fires will never be completely preventable, but when you prioritize safety steps, you can greatly lower your risks and protect your home. You home should have plenty of protective measures in place as well.

While there should be smoke detectors on every level of your home, don’t skip putting one in or near your kitchen. Check the batteries before you start cooking as well to make sure you are ready.

Keep a fire extinguisher near your kitchen as well, and make sure a few people in your home know how to use it. The faster you can move when something happens, the better the outcome will be. Keep your pan lids at hands reach as well so that you can smother grease fires.

Make your holiday cooking season a safe one. If you do end up with some fire damage, regardless of size, call us. We can respond to your property any time and get things put back together. We will handle your restoration fast so you can get back to celebrating.

House fires can happen in the blink of an eye. Contact us for a quick restoration day or night!

Barbeque Safely This Summer | SERVPRO of Spring Valley/Jamul

9/19/2023 (Permalink)

Man holding tongs above grill preparing food outdoors Have you had a barbeque gone wrong? Call SERVPRO of Spring Valley/Jamul to get your space back in shape.

Summertime really is the sweetest, isn’t it? Warm summer days that blend into warm summer nights are perfect for getting outdoors and throwing some burgers and hot dogs on the grill. But there are some steps you should take to make sure those grilled burgers and your home don’t go up in flames.

Improper use of grills is one of the top causes of summer fires. Both charcoal and propane grills can be equally dangerous, and SERVPRO of Spring Valley/Jamul wants to make sure you can enjoy every moment without concern of disaster.

The Setup

In order to make your backyard as safe as possible, you need to choose the perfect spot for your grill. Grills should never be in an enclosed space, and should be somewhere free of overhangs or low-hanging tree limbs. Communities in Spring Valley and Jamul likely have guidelines for open flames, but a good general rule is to keep your grill 10 feet from structures.

Make sure wherever you place it is in line with defensible zones, and let the kids know they shouldn’t play within that area when you are cooking. Don’t forget your four-legged kids, too—teaching them to stay away will help prevent burns and other accidents.

If you are using a charcoal grill, ash and buildup should be cleaned up before every use. Take a look at the grill itself and watch for signs of wear and tear. For propane or other gas-fed grills, make sure you are performing a thorough inspection before their use as well. Ensure connections are tight and there are no visible signs of holes in the lines.

Manning the Flames

Once you have your setup and cleaning completed, take note of your supplies. Make sure you have a squirt bottle with water nearby to tame any wild flames. Connect your garden hose or keep a fire extinguisher somewhere you can access it in a hurry in case things do get out of control.

After the food is cooked, let someone else handle making the plates so you can shut down the grill. Turn off the gas, and don’t forget to switch off any burners you may have been using. On charcoal grills, there should be vents you can close to stop the flow of oxygen and smother any remaining flames.

When it is safe to do so, remove ashes and remaining charcoal and dispose of them in a metal container. It doesn’t take much to restart a flame, so removing the fuel source from the heat is the best way to keep things safe. Go check your grill before bed and make sure it has cooled down substantially.

Summer in Spring Valley is such a wonderful season, and you deserve to enjoy every moment of it. Grill safely, and call SERVPRO of Spring Valley/Jamul for fast restoration after things do get out of control.

Don’t let fire damage linger in your home. Call us at SERVPRO of Spring Valley/Jamul for a fast restoration.

Outdoor Fire Safety Basics | SERVPRO of Spring Valley/Jamul

9/19/2023 (Permalink)

campfire-style fire pit with flames emerging from the top of the logs on the dark green grass Bonfire season is upon us! SERVPRO of Spring Valley/Jamul has your back with these helpful fire safety tips.

It might be hard to believe with the hot weather we have experienced this summer, but fall is quickly approaching. For us, that means milder temperatures, fall decorations and plenty of pumpkins.

It might also mean spending time around the fire pit for many of us. Cooler nights make for a great time to gather family and friends and share stories and marshmallows while relaxing to the beautiful, crackling glow.

At SERVPRO®, we are always available to help put things back together after a fire has left them damaged, but we also want to help you be able to take every step possible to prevent a disaster from ever happening.

Tips for Starting the Fire

Do find a location that will be the safest spot possible for your fire. Make sure there are no overhangs, debris or structures anywhere in the vicinity.

Do keep water close. A bucket full or a hose you can turn on in a hurry can make the difference between a single rogue flame and an out-of-control blaze. Dirt or sand are good alternatives, and also a great choice for making sure everything is completely out at the end of the night.

Do take a deep dive into the weather. Check the forecast for any kind of wind advisories, and reschedule your fire for another day if the wind is blowing hard. It doesn’t take strong winds to create a big problem. Take a look at local burn bans as well. These can change rapidly depending on the weather situation, so make sure you look at the day of your fire.

Tips for While the Fire Is Hot

Don’t put anything on your fire except for treated, approved wood. Gas and lighter fluid are dangerous on open flames, and tossing in other materials can result in flames you are not prepared for.

Don’t play around the fire. Set up chairs a safe distance, and keep any yard games, children and pets away from the flames to prevent accidents.

Don’t make a big fire. You don’t need a tall bonfire to dance around; instead, create a small, manageable fire that you can easily put out if things go the wrong way. One rogue hot ember can catch just about anything on fire.

Don’t walk away from the fire, even when there are only embers left. Put water on your flames when you are done melting chocolate for the night, and stick around until nothing is glowing red.

Wildfire Prevention

It is an unfortunate fact that most wildfires were started by humans in what should have been preventable situations. If you are going to enjoy your evening with a fire, take every safety step possible. Keep your fire small, don’t add the wrong fuels and always stick around until everything is out.

If you do have property damage after a fire, call SERVPRO. We can respond to your property day or night and start your recovery right away. We will get things put back together so you can get back to enjoying all the pumpkin the season has to offer.

Fire can cause a lot of damage in a short amount of time. Contact us day or night for immediate assistance.

Teaching Fire Safety That Isn’t Scary | SERVPRO® of Spring Valley/Jamul

6/14/2023 (Permalink)

Young boy staring at a lit match being held between his fingers SERVPRO of Spring Valley/Jamul is here for you and your family if you experience a fire in your home or business.

Children bring so much joy into our lives. Watching them experience the world and grow in curiosity and wonder while you teach them how to navigate through their day to day lives can be a lot of fun. But there are some lessons that are harder to teach than others, though.

Fire safety is one of those lessons that is absolutely crucial to teach, but can be very daunting. Fire emergencies are scary any time they happen, regardless of how old you are.

Teach your children how to keep themselves safe in an entertaining and comfortable way and they will be able to respond well should an event happen.

Explain the Dangers of Fire

The best way to teach children is through experience. They are able to absorb lessons better when they can see and feel the cause and effect behind the lesson. Walk your children around your home and explain to them the different ways fires commonly start. Make sure they understand the stove is not a toy, and how to stay safe around a fireplace or fire pit if you have one.

Matches and lighters should be a big part of your lessons on fire safety. While you should store them out of reach, your children should also understand if a match is ever found, they should immediately bring it to an adult. House fires have been started from a single match left smoldering.

Familiarize Them With Authority

Community workers are a common part of early childhood lessons, but when it comes to seeing authority figures in full uniform, it can get a little scary. Talk to your kids about the authorities who would respond to a fire emergency, and show them pictures of what they look like in their gear. Find an opportunity to introduce your kids to these heroes in person.

Create a game with your children so they can understand how to respond to these authority figures during an emergency. Use your smoke detector alarm as a starting bell and have them army-crawl as fast as they can to an end point. Have them call out their name as they cross the finish line. Time them or have them race another sibling to keep things light hearted.

Make a Game Plan Together

If you haven’t already created one on paper, take the time to draw out emergency exits from each area of your home. Let the kids get creative and create maps of your whole home with whatever craft supplies they choose. Set a timer and see who can escape from each room the fastest.

Make sure you talk about windows with your children. These should only be used as a last resort exit, but your kids do need to know how to operate them. Help them understand the danger associated with going out the window and that it should never be somewhere they play.

Make sure your emergency exit plan includes a meeting place a safe distance from your home. Use a place that your children will be comfortable getting to on their own. Make sure they also know how to call 911, and help them learn basic facts to relay to emergency professionals.

Practice your plan and play these games often with the whole family. The more prepared you are, the safer you will stay.

Fires can cause widespread damage. Call us for a thorough and efficient restoration.

Water Damage Can Start From Your Appliances | SERVPRO® of Spring Valley/Jamul

4/11/2023 (Permalink)

Think about the appliances in your home and the conveniences they afford you: cold water filtered straight from the fridge, an endless supply of ice from the ice maker or even clean clothes from the washing machine. These appliances certainly make life easier, but they also put your home at risk for leaks that could lead to pretty extreme damages.

Water damage is one of the more common ways homes are damaged, particularly because there are so many places the water can originate from. When it comes to an appliance leak, it can be particularly challenging to catch before extreme damages set in.

There is hope, though! With some additions to your regular maintenance routine and a better understanding of what to look for, you can protect your home and enjoy the gift that your appliances are.

Regular Maintenance

The best way to protect your home from water damage is to look for it regularly. Something as simple as running your hand around your appliances to feel for excess moisture can help you catch a problem before it becomes extreme.

Leaks from appliances like your refrigerator or dishwasher often start underneath the unit. Always check the source when you find unexplained water drops on the floor. Pull these away from the wall once a year and clean under and behind them. Look for spots of mold or soft places in the floor as additional indicators that there is a problem.

Your HVAC is an appliance that already requires some special care of its own, but you can still keep a close eye on it to catch a problem quickly. Change your filter regularly and have your unit serviced at least once a year, and watch the vents for water droplets or dampness. Look for puddles near the unit—these are all indicators there could be a hidden issue causing damage in your house.

Don’t leave out your water heater when you check your appliances. This is a common source of leaks, so treat it just like the rest of your appliances and watch it often for signs of a problem.

Yearly or Long-Term Maintenance

Weekly or even monthly maintenance that keeps a close eye on your appliances can do a lot in protecting your home, but consider adding some long-term maintenance to your routine as well. Check manufacturer guidelines in order to schedule a professional as needed, and take on some things you can do yourself to prevent a disaster.

Take a visual look at hoses and other plumbing attachments to check for signs of aging. Anything that is peeling, has a hole or is kinked should be replaced with high-quality parts. Every appliance has a different lifespan, but plan to upgrade every 10 to 15 years in order to have the safest products available.

Appliance leaks can start off small but lead to some pretty extreme damages. Find and correct things quickly in order to avoid the need for costly repairs. Enjoy all the luxuries of each of your appliances worry-free knowing your home is safe.

Have water damage in your home from an appliance or another source? Our team is here to help, so call us day or night.

 

Fire Extinguisher Basics You Can Teach Your Team | SERVPRO® of Spring Valley/Jamul

3/31/2023 (Permalink)

Emergencies happen unexpectedly at work, and when you are ill-prepared for them, the outcome can be much worse. If flames burst out in your building, you want the knowledge that your staff was trained to handle the situation appropriately.

Start training your employees with the basics. You might be surprised to find out that there are very few people who know how to use a fire extinguisher, making this a great first step in creating a safer office.

Once you cover the basics with your team, you can take safety another step further and create a comprehensive emergency plan.

Start With the Fundamentals

If you have a commercial building, you should have it stocked with proper emergency equipment, including fire extinguishers. OSHA regulations require any building that has an extinguisher to also have someone trained to use it.

Teach your employees how to handle an extinguisher as well as all the different kinds that may be located around your building.

Start with the basics by showing your staff how to handle and aim the fire extinguisher. Once they have the aim down, then they should pull the pin and squeeze the handle in order to expel the foam. A sweeping motion is the best way to thoroughly saturate flames from six to eight feet away.

Teach the acronym PASS as a simple way to remember the fire extinguisher process. Revisit this training every year, even for employees that have been around a long time.

These foundational steps of safety are crucial for your entire team, but you may also want to consider assigning particular roles for reliable staff members. This can ensure total coverage in your building if an event does take place, and it can allow you to provide more intensive safety training that can go a long way in keeping everyone safe.

There’s a Time and a Place

Your training will need to be specific to your industry and location in order to cover any unique threats you could potentially face.

For example, if you have a warehouse or work with chemicals, your team will need to know how to address flames should they start. If your building has a kitchen, you should ensure everyone knows what to do in the event of a grease fire. Different kinds of fires require different kinds of extinguishers, so it’s crucial to ensure your training covers how to use them.

Make sure your employees also know when to stay and fight flames and when it is time to get out. Fire extinguishers can save lives and prevent total disasters, but fires can spiral out of control quickly.

Cover how to exit and the process to be followed if an evacuation should become necessary. Share communication plans in order to get an emergency response fast and continue to keep everyone safe.

A workplace safety plan can ensure your commercial property and everyone that accesses it stays safe should an emergency occur. Cover the basics with everyone, and build a comprehensive plan that digs deep into your potential threats. When you are prepared, you can rest assured knowing your team responded as effectively as possible.

Dealing with the aftermath of a commercial fire? Our SERVPRO specialists can restore your losses and return your workplace to its pre-fire condition.

 

Reach Out to SERVPRO After a Fire | SERVPRO® of Spring Valley/Jamul

2/8/2023 (Permalink)

Disasters all look different, and so do the damages they leave behind. While there is no such thing as a good disaster, fires are an event that no one wants to live through. They can cut a path of destruction quickly, consuming everything in their path until the flames are finally put out.

Trying to put your life back together after a fire can feel extraordinarily overwhelming. The good news is that you have highly trained neighbors who are ready to walk with you through any disaster. With SERVPRO, you do not have to experience the cleanup after a fire alone.

<h3initial-move">Our Initial Move

As with any disaster, your first priority has to be ensuring the safety of your home and loved ones. Once you and your household are safe and secure, call us to start your recovery.

We can take your call day or night, and we will begin your restoration process by gathering as much information over the phone as possible. As we start to put together a unique plan to meet your specific needs, we will also send a team to your property with the necessary equipment.

Once our team reaches your home or business, we will assess the extent of damages. Smoke and soot can spread well beyond where the flames were, so we will cover everything to ensure a complete restoration.

<h3to-get-to-work">Time to Get to Work

As we complete our inspection, we will also begin securing your home so that it cannot be damaged further. We will board up broken windows, tarp your roof and take any other necessary measures to keep the elements out while the work moves forward.

Our next step will be to remove as much of the smoke and soot residue from surfaces as possible. We will clean the ceilings, walls and floors anywhere throughout your home that was affected. We follow this cleaning with sanitizing and removing odors at their source to ensure your property is completely clean.

<h3most-crucial-step">The Most Crucial Step

The final part of the restoration process is when we actually begin to put your property back together. Whatever it takes to get back to as it was before the fire happened, we can handle it. This might mean hanging drywall, painting a room or even down to laying new carpet.

If part of your home or business was destroyed by the fire and needs to be rebuilt, our team is experienced in construction work and will tackle this as part of the process. At SERVPRO, we have the tools and experience to walk you all the way through your entire recovery process.

For rapid repairs following a fire, get in touch with our team at SERVPRO of Spring Valley/Jamul! We will work as quickly as possible to return you to a safe and fully restored property.

Warm Up Without Fire Risks | SERVPRO® of Spring Valley/Jamul

1/26/2023 (Permalink)

With a moderate climate and only the rare glimpse of freezing temps, this is the time of year that most people wish they lived here. However, when you do live here, any time the temperatures take a slight dive, you are likely to reach for the thermostat to turn the heat on.

If you are not taking care of your heating equipment, you could be creating a fire hazard.

You deserve to be as warm as you want to be. Take action to warm up without fire risks all winter long.

Furnace Basics

Most of our houses likely have HVAC/furnace combos. These highly efficient units tolerate our weather well, but they do require regular maintenance to keep them running well long-term.

Clear out any leaf or limb debris after a storm, and keep your unit dusted to avoid excess buildup. Replace your air filter every 90 days, or more often if you have pets. The air filter not only keeps things running, but it can also help cut down on dust in the air inside your home. Use the changing season as a reminder to change your filter.

Fireplace Safety

Fireplaces may not be a necessity for us and warming our homes, but they are still sought-after as a beautiful centerpiece. They can create the perfect ambiance on even the warmest winter evening, and make you feel even warmer when we do drop below sweating weather. Regardless of how or when you use them, fireplaces should be inspected and cleaned each season.

If you have a wood-burning fireplace, or a converted fireplace with a chimney, it should be cleaned of ashes and soot and checked for blockages. Artificial fireplaces should be dusted often, including the logs and screen or glass covering.

Portable Heaters

Space heaters are a great way to heat a single room and perfect for our chilly mornings. California does have regulations on space heater usage, but electric heaters are pretty widely accepted. Space heaters pose a hefty fire risk when used inappropriately.

Make sure your space heater is not gas or water-heated, and that it has an automatic shut-off feature if it is tipped. Keep it on a flat surface, and always plug it directly into the wall.

Keep a close eye on your kiddos and your pets when you have the space heater or other heating devices on. Most house fires are started due to an avoidable accident. Prevent the chaos of a fire in your home and stay warm and cozy all season long.

If you experience fire damage this season, give us a call at SERVPRO of Spring Valley/Jamul for immediate assistance. We’re here 247 when you need us!

 

Make Lightning Fires a Non-Threat to Your Home | SERVPRO® of Spring Valley/Jamul

10/5/2022 (Permalink)

When you have fire safety equipment in your home, you can feel secure that both your physical property and your family are safe. Most home fires can be prevented; however, some natural causes simply can’t be stopped and could threaten your home.

In 2020, there were 70,000 lightning strike damage claims filed, and lightning is predicted to strike 6,000 times every minute, every day. These numbers are a great indicator that we should all be prepared all the time.

What Is Lightning?

When a current of electrical energy between the clouds and the ground forms, a giant spark is released called lightning. Lightning can be found in thunderstorms, volcanic eruptions, wildfires and heavy snows.

Dry lightning is another form of this giant spark that occurs when there is no rain. This is particularly dangerous in drier areas as it is a frequent wildfire starter.

Threats from this form of severe weather vary seasonally and peak at different times around the nation, but are something we should always be prepared for.

Protecting Your Home From Lightning Fires

Lightning will likely leave behind a lot of damages when it hits your home, including putting you at risk for fire. Fires can start two ways, due to the heat of the strike itself or from a surge of electricity that the strike generates through your wiring.

When a fire starts from the strike, it may not know it right away. These kinds of fires typically start in the attic or inside a wall where a smoke detector may not be able to pick up on it.

You should hear the strike hit your house, though. When lightning strikes, it makes a very loud bang. Once you have recovered from the shock of such a loud noise, check for signs of burning.

If you smell smoke or notice black burn marks, call the fire department right away. And work with an electrician after the all-clear has been given in order to avoid another potential fire from damaged wiring.

Consider a lightning rod for your roof in order to protect your home from lightning. This solid pole will take the electricity of a strike and conduct it into the ground, saving you from enduring the full surge.

A whole-home surge protector is another great preventive choice as well. Talk with a professional about installing this to the main electrical panel of your house to reduce the risk of damaging your wires.

When Lightning Strikes Nearby

Approximately 9,000 wildfires are thought to originate from a lightning strike every year. With our high risks that already exist during fire season, lightning can be particularly dangerous in our area. Lightning generates an overwhelming amount of heat, which means a fire will move quickly and threaten everything near it.

Keep your yard clean regularly and clear out dead vegetation. Make sure your defensible landscaping zones are up to date with current guidelines so that a fire is diverted away from your property.

Add smoke detectors to all the levels of your house and outside every sleeping area so that you can move to safety from wherever you are.

If you do have fire damage on your property, call SERVPRO just as soon as the flames are out. Fire restoration is a complicated process, and we have the 247 availability and training to start and finish quickly. We want to put you on the path to recovery as fast as possible.

Have you experienced smoke or fire damage in your home? Call us today to get the restoration finished fast.

Steps to Protect Your Home From Fire | SERVPRO® of Spring Valley/Jamul

7/13/2022 (Permalink)

In 2022, the American Red Cross has responded to more than 20,000 house fires, which is only a portion of the total number of fires so far this year in the United States.

Smoke detectors will always be the No. 1 way to protect your home from loss, but there are several other things you can do to prevent a disaster—and most of them are as easy as giving your home a good cleaning!

Clear the Clutter

Clutter may already be a term you hate hearing in your home, so let this be a motivator to clean it up: It can also be a fire hazard. Allowing your hallways, stairwells or utility spaces to overfill can fuel a fire once it has started, as well as block emergency exits.

Leaving loose clothing near a water heater can actually start a fire. Keeping your space clear not only means quick access to escape routes in the event of an emergency, but it can also slow down the progression of flames.

Another common source of fire in the home is overloaded extension cords. Unused electrical appliances should be stored away while anything you don’t use frequently should be unplugged as often as possible.

Take a look around your home and make sure there is plenty of space between your furniture and wall outlets to ensure proper air flow and prevent overheating.

Create a Defensible Space in Your Yard

You can’t live in California without being aware of the risk of wildfires. Your yard can play a key role in defending your home from a fire that starts outside. Landscaping laid out intentionally can both slow a fire before it reaches your doorstep and allows room for firefighters to work.

This spring brought extremely dry weather for our county, which only increased the wildfire risk in our area. If you have not already, consider creating defensible zones in your yard. While California does have specific regulations for different areas, any zone-specific yard work you do can help in the fight against wildfires.

Keeping your yard clear of dead plants and other debris is also helpful in slowing down flames. According to typical zone regulations, you should only store cut wood in zone 2, or at least 30 to 100 feet away from your home.

This specific landscaping doesn’t mean you can’t plant your favorite items; it simply requires the proper layout and strategic planning of plants that can help to slow the spread. Considering our extreme risks, it is well worth it.

Keep It Clean & Keep It Safe

Cleaning the clutter from your home and yard are only part of how you can protect your house. Have your chimney inspected yearly, and clean your stove regularly to eliminate two high fire-risk areas.

It isn’t only deep cleaning that lowers your risk, though; even dusting can increase your overall safety. Pay special attention to those dust bunnies around your electronics and outlets.

Our homes are no longer simply a place of rest—these days we work, play and learn in them. Keeping your home clean is the easiest way to prevent a disaster from fire.

If you have experienced fire damage or want to learn more about our fire damage restoration services, contact us today. We’re here to act fast, 247.

 

SERVPRO: The Restoration Experts | SERVPRO® of Spring Valley/Jamul

4/19/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO may be known for general services including cleaning and construction, but there is so much more to who we are. We’re ready to take care of you through even the worst natural or manmade disaster.

Our services cover all your restoration needs, including water, fire and storm damages. Here in California, we know in particular how important it is to have a trusted fire recovery service in our own backyard.

Water Damage

We have regularly experienced heavy rain in our neighborhoods that has led to destructive flooding. We know well in Spring Valley that whether they bring water of an inch or a foot, floods can cause serious damage. Every year, more than $10 billion in damages is caused by flooding around the nation.

Flooding is something all homeowners and business owners will face, but SERVPRO can help. We will first survey the severity of your damage and then prepare a plan for restoration so that you can make informed decisions.

Our team has the tools to detect hidden moisture and eliminate standing water in order to bring you back to preloss condition. We want to ensure your home is completely dry.

Fire Damage

A fire department responds to a fire every 23 seconds, and there was close to $8.1 billion in damage and losses nationwide in 2020. If you have endured fire damage at your home or business, we’ll jump start your recovery with our seven-step restoration process.

Your recovery begins with a damage assessment and inspection, and progresses through all the in-between steps before starting repairs and construction.

Storm Damage

Our mild temperatures and sunny days are quite the draw for those visiting our area, but we have seen our share of extreme weather as well. Flooding has led to streets washing out, and we have seen our coastal neighbors deal with hurricanes and coastal flooding from rising tides.

SERVPRO has been there through all of these disasters with the primary goal of getting you back into your fully restored home.

Storms do not just damage the structure or exterior of your home, but the interior and your belongings as well. We specialize in content restoration, and want to restore your items rather than replace them.

We offer services including dry cleaning, wet cleaning, foam cleansing and abrasive cleaning. When you require a more extensive clean in your home or business, we also offer move-out services, so we can bring your home back to preloss condition as soon as possible.

What Sets SERVPRO Apart?

We are locally owned and operated, and here when you need us. You can reach out to a SERVPRO expert via our 247 Emergency Line day or night and receive immediate assistance.

Our staff members are part of the No. 1 cleanup and restoration team in the nation with more than 50 years experience. We’re your neighbors, but we’re also backed by a network of more than 1,900 locations around the United States, so you can feel comfortable that we’ll have your home or business back to “Like it never even happened” status as quickly as possible.

Regardless of the type of damage sustained, SERVPRO has the tools and teams to help your home or business recover from its disastrous effects. Contact us anytime when you need a dependable team to help you rebuild your life.

Smoke Alarm Safety Tips for Spring Valley?

3/1/2022 (Permalink)

Smoke is rising towards a smoke alarm. We restore fire damage 24-hours a day in San Diego County.

Can you recall the last time you changed the batteries in your smoke alarm system? SERVPRO® of Spring Valley/Jamul responds to fire damage emergencies throughout the year in Spring Valley. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), smoke alarms should be tested at least once a month. Here are some tips from the NFPA regarding smoke alarm safety:

Smoke Alarms Safety Tips

  • A closed-door may slow the spread of smoke, heat, and fire
  • Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area
  • Install alarms on every level of the home 
  • Smoke alarms should be interconnected so when one sounds, they all sound 
  • Large homes may need extra smoke alarms
  • Test your smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.
  • When a smoke alarm sounds, get outside and stay outside
  • Replace all smoke alarms in your home every ten years

Call Us!

You never know if you may experience fire damage in your Spring Valley home or business, but if you do, SERVPRO® of Spring Valley/Jamul is Here to Help. ® Our technicians have the training, equipment, and experience to restore your fire damage, “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 619-600-5305.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

Top Fire Safety Tips for Spring Valley?

2/8/2022 (Permalink)

Matches and lighters sit on a table. We restore fire damage 24-hours a day in San Diego County.

Most fires are accidental and occur during the winter months. SERVPRO® of Spring Valley/Jamul shares these top 8 fire safety tips from the National Fire Protection Association:

  • Watch your cooking
    Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food
  • Give space heaters space
    Keep fixed and portable space heaters at least three feet from anything that can burn. Turn off heaters when you leave the room or go to sleep.
  • Keep matches and lighters out of reach
  • Inspect electrical cords
    Replace cords that are cracked, damaged, have broken plugs, or have loose connections
  • Be careful when using candles
    Keep candles at least one foot from anything that can burn. Blow out candles when you leave the room or go to sleep.
  • Have a home fire escape plan
    Make a home fire escape plan and practice it at least twice a year.
  • Install smoke alarms
    Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms, and outside sleeping areas. Interconnect smoke alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.
  • Test smoke alarms
    Test smoke alarms at least once a month and replace batteries once a year or when the alarm “chirps” to tell you the battery is low. Replace any smoke alarm that is more than ten years old.

Call Us Today!

When you have fire damage in your Spring Valley home or commercial business, SERVPRO® of Spring Valley/Jamul has a team of technicians ready to assist you 24-hours a day. Call us today at 619-600-5305.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

Wood-Burning Stove Safety Tips for Jamul?

1/5/2022 (Permalink)

A wood-burning stove is heating a home. We restore fire damage in San Diego County.

The pipe connected to my wood-burning stove was not installed properly, and it would have started a fire in my Jamul home if the home inspector hadn’t identified the problem. SERVPRO® of Spring Valley/Jamul responds to fire damage emergencies often during the winter months and offer these winter fire safety tips from the United States Fire Marshalls:

If you are using a wood stove:

  • Have your chimney inspected and cleaned each year by a professional
  • Keep anything that can burn at least three feet from the stove
  • Do not burn paper in your wood stove
  • Before you go to sleep or leave your home, put the fire out completely

If you are using a fireplace:

  • Keep a glass or metal screen in front of the fireplace to prevent embers or sparks from jumping out and starting a fire
  • Do not burn paper in your fireplace
  • Before you go to sleep or leave your home, put the fire out completely
  • Put ashes in a metal container with a lid. Store the container outside at least 3 feet from your home.

Call Us Today!

When your Jamul home or business needs fire restoration services, SERVPRO® of Spring Valley/Jamul is Here to Help. ® Our technicians clean and restore your fire damage, “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 619-600-5305.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

Holiday Fire Safety Tips for Spring Valley?

12/14/2021 (Permalink)

Christmas candles and decorations are shown. We restore fire damage 24-hours a day in San Diego County.

SERVPRO® of Spring Valley/Jamul has the equipment, advanced training, and experience to mitigate and restore fire damage in Spring Valley. We want everyone to have a safe and fire damage-free holiday season this year and offer these holiday decorating safety tips from the National Fire Protection Association:

Holiday Decorating Safety Tips

  • Be careful with holiday decorations. Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant.
  • Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn
  • Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both
  • Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read manufacturer’s instructions for the number of light strands to connect.
  • Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged
  • Keep decorations away from windows and doors
  • Blow out lit candles when you leave the room or go to bed
  • Turn off all light strings and decorations before leaving home or going to bed

Call Us Today!

When you need fire damage restoration services for your Spring Valley home or commercial business, SERVPRO® of Spring Valley/Jamul is Here to Help. ® Our technicians will clean and restore your fire damage, “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 619-600-5305.

Franchises are independently owned and operated.

Arson in Spring Valley?

11/10/2021 (Permalink)

A hand is holding a lit match. We restore fire damage 24-hours a day in San Diego County.

My neighbor’s garage caught on fire while they were out. Fortunately, we were home and saw the smoke and called the fire department. Another neighbor’s camera system captured a person on a bike riding off of the property a few moments before the fire broke out. The fire department determined the cause of the fire as arson. SERVPRO® of Spring Valley/Jamul responds to fire damage emergencies throughout the year in Spring Valley. Unfortunately, some of these fires were started intentionally. In a report published by the National Fire Protection Association:

  • Between 2010 and 2014, United States municipal fire departments responded to an average of 261,330 fires that were intentionally set
  • These fires included 196,480 outside or unclassified fires, 49,690 structure fires, and 13,160 vehicle fires
  • Losses resulting from these fires included 440 civilian deaths, 1,310 civilian injuries, and $1 billion in direct property damage
  • Despite representing 19 percent of all intentional fires, structure fires accounted for 87 percent of civilian deaths, 84 percent of civilian injuries, and 86 percent of direct property damage caused by deliberate fires 

Call Us!

When you need fire damage restoration services for your Spring Valley home or commercial business, SERVPRO® of Spring Valley/Jamul is Here to Help. ® Our technicians will restore your fire damage, “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 619-600-5305.

Franchises are Independently Owned and Operated.

Halloween Safety Tips for Bonita?

10/11/2021 (Permalink)

A Halloween party is shown with candles inside Jacko Lanterns. We restore fire damage in San Diego County.

SERVPRO® of Spring Valley/Jamul wishes everyone in Bonita a safe and fun Halloween celebration this year. Here are some Halloween party and trick-or-treating safety tips from the National Fire Protection Association:

  • Use a battery-operated candle or glow stick in jack-o-lanterns
  • Dried flowers, cornstalks, and crepe paper catch fire easily. Keep all decorations away from open flames and other heat sources like light bulbs and heaters.
  • When using electrical lighting to decorate your home, make sure it is used following the manufacturer’s instructions. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both.
  • Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged
  • Remember to keep exits clear of decorations, so nothing blocks escape routes. Make sure all smoke alarms are working. 
  • When choosing costumes, stay away from long trailing fabric that could come in contact with open flames or other heat sources
  • Teach children to stay away from open flames, including jack-o-lanterns with candles in them
  • Provide children with flashlights to carry for lighting or glow sticks as part of their costumes

Call Us Today!

SERVPRO® of Spring Valley/Jamul wants everyone in Bonita to be safe during Halloween. If you need emergency fire restoration services for your home or commercial business, call us today at 619-600-5305. We’ll restore your fire damage, “Like it never even happened.”

Franchises are Independently Owned and Operated.

Fire Sprinklers for Jamul Homes?

9/13/2021 (Permalink)

A fire sprinkler is shown mounted to a ceiling. We respond to fire damage emergencies 24-hours a day in San Diego County.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, home fire sprinkler systems save lives and property. Homes with home fire sprinklers have a better chance of surviving fires, and in many cases, these families go on living their lives as they did before. SERVPRO® of Spring Valley/Jamul has been restoring fire damage for Jamul residents and businesses for years. Here are some home fire sprinkler safety tips from the NFPA:

  • A home fire sprinkler system can reduce the homeowner’s insurance premium
  • Fire departments typically use roughly 10 times as much water as a fire sprinkler would use to contain a fire
  • Fire sprinklers are environmentally friendly. They can reduce the amount of water run-off and pollution, fire damage by up to 71 percent, and water usage to fight a home fire by as much as 91 percent.
  • Cigar smoke or burnt toast will not activate a fire sprinkler.
  • A home fire sprinkler system is easy to maintain. Just inspect your home to make sure the sprinklers are not blocked by something that would prevent the water from coming out, such as paint, and be sure the main control valve is never turned off.

Call Us!

When you need emergency fire restoration services for your home or business. SERVPRO® of Spring Valley/Jamul has a team of highly trained technicians on-call and ready to assist you 24-hours a day. Call us today at 619-600-5305.

Franchises are Independently Owned and Operated.

Wildfire Season in Spring Valley?

7/5/2021 (Permalink)

A California wildfire is shown sending up huge plumes of smoke. We are trusted leaders fire damage restoration services in San Diego County.

In San Diego County wildfires is a major hazard. SERVPRO® of Spring Valley/Jamul offers these tips for creating defensible space around your home from the County of San Diego and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to help Spring Valley residents prepare for wildfire:

100 Feet of Defensible Space is the Law

California state law requires that residents treat 100 feet of defensible space around their homes. This includes such steps as mowing and properly maintaining lawn and weeds, pruning or removing ignitable trees and shrubs, stacking firewood away from the home, and making sure the home's address is visible to emergency vehicles.

Tips for Landscaping Around Your Home:

  • REMOVE dead vegetation and other flammable materials, especially within the first five feet of the home
  • KEEP your lawn hydrated and maintained. If it is brown, cut it down to help reduce fire intensity.
  • PRUNE tree limbs so the lowest branches are six to ten feet above the ground to help reduce the chance of fire getting into the crowns of the trees
  • MOVE construction material, trash, and woodpiles at least thirty feet away from the home and other outbuildings
  • DISPOSE of branches, weeds, leaves, pine needles, and grass clippings that you have cut to reduce fuel for the fire

Call Us!

When you have a fire damage emergency in Spring Valley, SERVPRO® of Spring Valley/Jamul is on-call and ready to respond 24-hours a day. Call us today at 619-600-5305.

Franchises are Independently Owned and Operated.

More Happy Customers in Spring Valley?

5/17/2021 (Permalink)

A person is writing a five star review. Customer satisfaction means everything to us at SERVPRO® of Spring Valley/Jamul!

At SERVPRO® of Spring Valley/Jamul, we value our customers and always aim to provide the highest level of service and support. Here are some recent Google Reviews from our customers:

“Jason is the best contractor I have dealt with in my entire life. I have used his services multiple times. He really cares about his customers, very reasonable pricing. Uses subcontractors like everyone else, but demands perfection even touches up the work of others if you are not satisfied with the job. Very nice and friendly as well. Highly recommend him.” Velina Westbrook

“Jason and his team did a complete bathroom/laundry room remodel for us. We could not have asked for better customer service and professionalism. Once we approved the quote, work started right away. The crew was very accommodating and always kept us up to date on the progress and scheduling. Jason was very attentive and answered all of our questions and concerns promptly and with great knowledge. The project was completed within the estimated timeframe and within the original quoted budget. The end result was better than we could have imagined! We highly recommend Jason and his team for any work that you may need.” Kaitlin Matthys

Call Us Today!

When your Spring Valley home experiences a property damage emergency, SERVPRO® of Spring Valley/Jamul is Here to Help. ® Call us today at 619-600-5305. We’ll restore your property damage, “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO of Spring Valley/Jamul is Independently Owned and Operated.

Grease Fire in Spring Valley Home?

5/11/2021 (Permalink)

A deep fryer is shown frying French fries. We are trusted leaders in fire damage mitigation in San Diego County.

Cooking Fire Statistics for Spring Valley

SERVPRO® of Spring Valley/Jamul responds to fire damage emergencies in the Spring Valley area throughout the year, and we know that even a small kitchen fire can cause smoke and soot damage. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) home cooking fires:

  • Ranges or cooktops were involved in the 61 percent of reported home cooking fires, 87 percent of cooking fire deaths and 78 percent of cooking fire injuries
  • Households that use electric ranges have a higher risk of cooking fires and associated losses than those using gas ranges
  • Unattended cooking was the leading cause of cooking fires and casualties. Clothing was the item first ignited in less than 1 percent of these fires, but clothing ignitions led to 8 percent of the home cooking fire deaths

Here are some tips from the NFPA for small grease cooking fires if you decide to fight the fire:

  • On the stovetop, smother the flames by sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the burner
  • Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled
  • For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed

Call Us Today!

When your Spring Valley home experiences cooking or other fire damage emergency SERVPRO® of Spring Valley/Jamul has the advanced training, specialized equipment, and experience to quickly and efficiently mitigate your damage. Call us today at 619-600-5305. We’ll restore your fire damage, “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO of Spring Valley/Jamul is Independently Owned and Operated.

Furniture Fire in Spring Valley?

4/14/2021 (Permalink)

An upholstered chair sits next to a window that is casting sunlight and shadow patterns on the chair through the window blind We respond to fire damage emergencies in the Spring Valley area 24-hours a day.

Upholstered Furniture Fire Statistics

At SERVPRO® of Spring Valley/Jamul, we respond to fire damage emergencies 24-hours a day, every day in the Spring Valley area. Between 2010 and 2014, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reported smoking materials as the leading cause of upholstered furniture fires and losses in the United States. Other causes of upholstered fires in homes were:

  • Portable and fixed space heaters were involved in 11 percent of the upholstered furniture fires and associated deaths
  • Together, candles, matches, and lighters were involved in 20 percent of the fires and 12 percent of the deaths.
  • Electrical failures or malfunctions were factors in 14 percent of the home upholstered furniture fires and 12 percent of the deaths. These failures were in all types of electrical appliances, not just electrical distribution or lighting equipment.

The NFPA report states that United States Fire Departments responded to an average of 5630 structure fires per year where upholstered furniture was the first item ignited.

Call Us Today!

When your home experiences a fire damage emergency, SERVPRO® of Spring Valley/Jamul has a team of highly trained technicians on-call to respond 24-hours a day. Call us today at 619-600-5305. We’ll restore your fire damage in Spring Valley, “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO of Spring Valley/Jamul is Independently Owned and Operated.

Children and Portable Fire Extinguishers in Bonita?

3/10/2021 (Permalink)

A man is demonstrating how to use a portable fire extinguisher to put out a small fire. We respond to fire damage emergencies in Spring Valley 24-hours a day

SERVPRO® of Spring Valley/Jamul has been mitigating fire damage losses for years in the Bonita area and knows that many of these fires may have been prevented. Installing a portable fire extinguisher in the home is an element to have in your fire response plan, but safe escape should be the primary goal.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), children should not be trained on the use of portable fire extinguishers because:

  • Teaching children to use portable fire extinguishers runs counter to NFPA messaging to get out and stay out if there is a fire.
  • Children may not have the maturity to operate a portable fire extinguisher properly or decide whether or not a fire is small enough to be put out by the extinguisher.
  • They may not have the physical ability to handle the extinguisher or dexterity to perform the complex actions required to put out a fire. In the process of extinguishing flames, children may not know how to respond if the fire spreads

Call Us Today!

SERVPRO® of Spring Valley/Jamul has a team of highly trained technicians on-call 24-hours a day to respond to fire damage emergencies. Call us today at 619-600-5305. We’ll mitigate your fire damage in Bonita, “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO of Spring Valley/Jamul is Independently Owned and Operated.

Home Fire Causes for Spring Valley?

2/10/2021 (Permalink)

A home is shown damaged by a recent fire. We are fire damage restoration specialists serving Spring Valley, Bonita and Jamul!

The Five Causes of Home Fires in the U.S.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) between 2014 and 2018, firefighters in the United States responded to over 353,100 home structure fires per year and reports that most home fires and fire casualties result from five causes: cooking, heating, electrical distribution, and lighting equipment, intentional fire setting, and smoking materials.

SERVPRO® of Spring Valley/Jamul responds to fire damage emergencies in Bonita, Jamul, and the Spring Valley areas throughout the year, and we have the experience and equipment necessary to mitigate fire damage quickly and efficiently.

Here are more report highlights from the NFPA:

  • More than one-quarter of reported fires in 2014-2018 occurred in homes. Even worse, more than three-quarters of civilian fire deaths and almost three-quarters of all reported injuries were caused by home fires.
  • During this five-year period, US fire departments responded to an estimated average of 353,100 home structure fires per year. These fires caused an annual average of 2,620 civilian deaths; 11,030 civilian fire injuries; and $7.2 billion in direct property damage.
  • Over the five-year period of 2014–2018 as a whole, cooking was the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries, while smoking was the leading cause of home fire deaths.

Call Us Today!

When you have a fire damage emergency in Spring Valley, SERVPRO® of Spring Valley/Jamul has a team of highly trained technicians ready to respond 24 hours a day. Call us today at 619-600-5305.

SERVPRO of Spring Valley/Jamul is Independently Owned and Operated.

Cleaning Smoke and Soot Damage in Spring Valley /Jamul

1/12/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Spring Valley /Jamul can clean up damage from smoke and soot in your City or County home.  

Smoke is a mixture of gases and small particles. The small particles are also called ash, and they include soot. Soot is the collection of particles left from incomplete burning of products that contain carbon. These products include wood and coal. Smoke and soot do not destroy materials the way fire does. They leave behind greasy films and have an unpleasant odor.

Smoke moves from warmer areas to cooler areas. You will find smoke and soot damage on the ceiling above where the fire started, but you will find the damage in other places. SERVPRO of Spring Valley /Jamul looks for damage in/on:

  • Outside walls and windows: Even if the fire was in the center of the room, smoke travels to the cooler areas
  • Closed-off spaces: Smoke and soot settle in cooler areas, including dresser drawers, closed closets, and wall cavities
  • Air ducts: smoke and soot travel throughout the house
  • Drapes and blinds. The drapes and blinds are cooler than other parts of the house. During a fire, the areas behind the drapes and blinds are cooler than the rest of the room. Remember that smoke travels to the cooler areas, leaving behind smoke and soot.

SERVPRO of Spring Valley /Jamul investigates these areas to get a good idea of what kind of damage is in the Spring Valley /Jamul building.  


SERVPRO of Spring Valley /Jamul is independently owned and operated.

Jamul Trash Fire?

1/11/2021 (Permalink)

A green dumpster is on fire. We are fire damage restoration specialists serving Spring Valley, Bonita and Jamul!

Santa Ana winds happen

It didn’t take long for the fire to spread from this dumpster to the palm trees and nearby homes before Jamul’s San Diego County Fire Station 36 firefighters arrived and put out the fire. The Santa Ana winds were blowing that day, and the fire could have done a lot more damage had it not been for the fast response time from the first responders.

SERVPRO® of Spring Valley/Jamul responds to fire damage emergencies in Bonita, Jamul, and the Spring Valley areas day and night. Our team of highly trained fire restoration technicians has the equipment, advanced training, and experience to mitigate fire damage, no matter how big the job is. When we arrive, we will immediately begin the cleanup and restoration process and work to minimize the disruption to your family during the restoration process.

Here is the process we follow when restoring fire damage:

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

Call Us!

When you have a fire damage emergency, SERVPRO® of Spring Valley/Jamul is Here to Help. Our team of highly trained technicians ready to respond to any fire or water damage emergency in Jamul 24 hours a day. Call us today at 619-600-5305.

SERVPRO of Spring Valley/Jamul is Independently Owned and Operated.

Fire, Soot, and Smoke Damage in Spring Valley?

12/7/2020 (Permalink)

A room is completely filled with smoke from a fire. We restore damage caused by smoke, soot, and fire in Jamul.

Smokey Home Blues

My roommate forgot to blow out a candle on a wooden shelf in her bathroom one night and I awoke to the sound of the smoke detectors going off all through my Spring Valley home. The Spring Valley Volunteer Fire Department firefighters came out and were able to extinguish the fire quickly, and although the fire damage was contained to the bathroom, the smell of smoke soaked into the carpets, drapes, and furniture in the entire house! Everything smelled like smoke. Yuck!

I called SERVPRO® of Spring Valley/Jamul, and they sent over a team of fire restoration technicians to mitigate the damage caused by the fire and firefighting efforts. In no time, they removed all the fire-damaged debris and pulled off the damaged drywall where the fire had ignited and burned. They cleaned the area, and because they have a General Contractor License, they also took care of the structural repairs, restoring my home to preloss condition in no time. They were even able to remove the smoke smell in the rest of the house!

Call Us!

No matter how big or small the fire damage is, SERVPRO® of Spring Valley/Jamul has the training, experience, and equipment to restore your home or commercial business to preloss condition quickly and efficiently. Call us today at 619-600-5305.

SERVPRO of Spring Valley/Jamul is Independently Owned and Operated.

Commercial lighting equipment safety information for Spring Valley

12/7/2020 (Permalink)

According to the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association), one of the most common causes of commercial fires is electrical and lighting equipment. This type of fire is not easily predicted, as the lighting equipment can look totally fine on the outside in your Spring Valley business. SERVPRO® of Spring Valley/Jamul wants to share the following information about commercial fires and how safety equipment helps to lessen the damage and can assist in preventing any bodily injury:

  • Wet pipe sprinklers installed in the ceilings of commercial buildings are very effective in helping to fight the fire(s)
  • Building sprinklers should be examined and tested every 5 years 
  • There should always be a fire extinguisher in reach inside of a commercial building and they must be checked annually to ensure they are in working order
  •  If an office building is on fire, exit the building immediately and do not try to fight the fire yourself 
  • If there is a lot of smoke inside the building, cover your mouth and nose and do your best to not inhale any of it

In the unfortunate event that a commercial building does catch fire, rest assured that SERVPRO of Spring Valley/Jamul is prepared to help clean up any fire damage the building/area has sustained. 

SERVPRO of Spring Valley/Jamul is independently owned and operated.


Link: https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Data-research-and-tools/Building-and-Life-Safety/US-Structure-in-Office-Properties

Fire Damage Restoration in Jamul

9/28/2020 (Permalink)


When fire strikes your home or business in Jamul, CA, you can never truly be ready. The best you can do is be educated about your options and get the best help to repair the damages and get your life back to normal. Fire cleanup is no easy task. Fire damagewater damage from fire, smoke damage and soot damage need be addressed by seasoned professionals.

The primary consideration when a fire has been put out and damage can be assessed is whether the home or business is safe for habitation. If the damage is minor, staying in your home or returning to work is a possibility. If there is any structural damage it is best to find other accommodations until it can be repaired. Other concerns are electrical issues and slip and fall hazards. If these dangers are minor and you are equipped to deal with them, you can consider staying in your home or working in your office. Remember that wet materials are very heavy and it may take strength to move and deal with these objects.

After a Fire

The aftermath of fire damage and water damage from a fire in Jamul, California should include the following precautions:

• Keep soot damage to a minimum by limiting movement in the home. This will prevent particles from becoming embedded into carpets and upholstery.
• Wash hands often to prevent the transfer of soot to furniture and walls.
• In high traffic areas, place towels and old linens on the rugs and upholstery to minimize additional damage.
• Empty your refrigerator and freezer and prop the doors open if there is no electricity.
• A light coat of petroleum jelly or oil will help clean and protect chrome surfaces.
• Revive your houseplants by washing on both sides of the leaves.
• Put double layers of cheesecloth over air registers and change the HVAC filters.

Things Not to Do After a Fire

After a fire, residents of California should take precautions during the fire cleanup process. Contacting an experienced fire damage professional in Jamul, CA will assist you in ensuring the process goes smoothly and prevents further damage to your property. Here are a few precautions you can take:

• Do to smoke and soot damage, don’t attempt to wash painted surfaces such as walls or shampoo carpet and upholstery. Contact your fire clean-up professional first.
• Never attempt to eat food or beverages that were in close proximity to the fire, water or heat.
• Don’t use any fixtures attached to a wet ceiling. The wiring may have been damaged.
• Do not send clothing to a regular dry cleaner. Soot and smoke odor may be set permanently if the proper cleaning procedures are not followed.

Hire a Professional Fire Clean-Up Service

Residents in Jamal will benefit from a professional service assessing and addressing issues following a fire. A professional will provide structural cleaning. After determining the extent of the damage, experienced pros will thoroughly clean walls, ceilings, furniture, carpet, and flooring. A good service uses specific equipment and products to clean light soot deposits, preventing the cost of repainting or refinishing those surfaces. If significant damage has been done, the experienced pros will be able to prepare surfaces and properly deodorize the smoke damage so that new paint and finish will properly adhere.

Content cleaning involves all the items able to be restored. Contents will need to be properly cleaned and deodorize including furniture, drapes, rugs, and upholstery. Testing of fabrics should be conducted to determine which products and cleaning methods will be the most effective. All contents should be restored to their condition before the fire including art, electronics, furniture, clothing, and bedding.

Air quality after a fire is a consideration. Find a service that will eliminate offensive odor caused by fire and smoke and return your building to the pre-fire air quality. Don’t use a company that covers odors with a fragrance, find a service that determines the source of odors and removes them. Make sure your professional is able to explain the deodorization methods and determine which one will work best for you and your home or business.

Overview of Procedures Following a Fire

Your professional clean-up specialists should contact you within an hour of notice after a fire. You need to know that help is on the way. The company should be on site within four hours of notification to begin the mitigation service which is key to reducing costs. The experienced professional will walk you through the entire clean-up process and explain what to expect and possible outcomes. In eight hours, a good company will be able to provide a briefing with the scope of the clean-up project to the insurance adjustor or property manager.

The next step in the process is pretesting for what can be restored, beginning with the source of the damage and working outward before cleaning, restoring and deodorizing. The company should have the latest knowledge, products, and equipment to ensure the job is done correctly.

Specialized cleaning will be needed for some items such as electronics. The experienced professional will know how to properly clean the metal casing to prevent moisture and residue from causing corrosion. Artwork may require an art restorer. The seasoned professional will subcontract fine art if it is damaged. In any case, a detailed list of the items that are restorable and those that are not should be presented and explained. A summary of the findings along with the steps that will be taken for cleaning and restoration should be presented.

Finally, after the completion of the job, a walk-through should be completed. The customer should be completely satisfied with the job. If there are questions or concerns, they should be addressed immediately by the clean-up supervisor. Following these steps will help reduce the expenses from an unexpected fire in your home or business and quickly restore property back to its pre-fire state. After a fire has occurred in your home or business, locating an experienced fire clean-up specialist is the quickest and most guaranteed way to restore your home back to normal. Visit http://www.SERVPROspringvalleyjamul.com for more information on fire damage and cleanup services.

What to do if you have a fire loss

9/28/2020 (Permalink)

Fire loss is devastating. A fire loss not only affects you but all of those in the household. Sometimes it also affects those around you if the fire resulted in commercial fire damage. A fire in the home will will displace your entire family. The fire loss will have taken all the memories that you have accumulated over the years that you have lived in your residence. Fire damage is not just limited to the flames. Soot damage can affect the portions of the house that may not have been touched by the fire damage. Then there is the smoke damage. Smoke damage is almost impossible to remove from the remainder of the house that may not have been affected by the fire damage. Soot damage will leave a black film across all portions of the house not burned with the fire damage. While soot damage can be cleaned up it is a very large undertaking and sometimes cannot be cleaned off the surface. You may have to remove any soot damage articles and replace them. Maybe the soot damage did not reach all the areas of your home, but the smoke damage did. Smoke damage is much like that of soot damage. Smoke damage leaves a film on your belongings and is so very difficult to get the smell out of them. You do need to be aware of any type of air quality issue as well. Even a small fire in the home can result in the entire home being deemed a loss. A fire in the home can be a daunting task to when it comes time to start the fire cleanup. Fire cleanup is the most difficult task to undertake. During the fire cleanup you are sifting through what is left of the fire damage and this can spark the emotions of loss.

Commercial fire damage, unlike fire in the home, can affect more than just your home. Commercial fire damage is a fire in a business. These commercial fires damage can affect the air quality, depending on what the contents of the building was that caught fire. If it any type of caustic material you will need to follow proper protocol to eliminate any air quality issues. Air quality issues will affect the air that others breathe. If this is bad the EPA will need to know what to do to fix the air quality around the fire damage. Fire loss for the business can be detrimental. Fire loss means that they are not able to operate and they will lose the business from that particular business. Commercial fire damage worse than a fire fire in the home due to it being a fire in a business. It not only is a loss for them, it is a loss for their income. Fire in a business means no income until the fire cleanup is completed. A fire in a business is the same loss as a residential home but the fire cleanup may be a little different as the insurance for the fire in a business is a little different due to insurance company requirements. Visit http://www.SERVPROspringvalleyjamul.com for more information on fire loss.

Why Electronics Require Professional Damage After a Fire

8/10/2018 (Permalink)

Countertop damaged after fire in Bonita, CA home

When your company is affected by a fire, the damage extends to more than just the structure of the building. Smoke and soot and the water from the firefighters' hoses could also cause damage to furnishings and equipment. Electronics are particularly sensitive to damages. After an electrical fire or any time your electronics have been exposed to smoke and soot, that equipment will need special attention.

1. What Happens When Electronics Are Exposed to Smoke

Even if there wasn't any fire in your building, the smoke that covers your electronics could cause the devices to overheat and premature failure. The inside components of the electronics often become coated with a black film that prevents heat-producing parts from getting adequate ventilation. Finally, smoke may be magnetically charged, leading to shorted circuits and adding to the risk of over-heating.

2. Soot Damages Electrical Components

Wherever smoke travels, soot is likely to settle. The acidity in the soot actually causes more damage than smoke. This acidity is often responsible for the disintegration of internal elements and the destruction of metal components.

3. Turning Devices On Could Destroy the Equipment

After the fire, you can be hurt when handling damaged electronics. Additionally, the wrong touch of a button could cause the loss of vital information. For these reasons, computer cleanup should be handled by experienced restoration professionals. Do not turn any of the electronics on to prevent hazardous exposure and further damages. If you do turn them on, the corrosive acids left by soot could lead to another electrical fire or immediately cause the device to fail.

An Immediate Response Is Vital

The best way to prevent the loss of computer data is to always have your information backed up to a storage device located somewhere else or stored to the cloud. The next best step is to get your equipment to a professional as quickly as possible. These technicians have the training and equipment necessary to prevent further losses of information. Prevent further electrical fire outbreaks by turning electronics over to professionals in Bonita, CA.

Dos and Don’ts for Putting Out Grease Fires

7/24/2018 (Permalink)

Remember these dos and don’ts to keep your home safe when you cook.

Cooking with grease is one of the leading causes of kitchen fires in homes. Hopefully, you’ll never experience the damage that one can cause in your Spring Valley, CA, home, but if you encounter a grease fire while cooking, there are a few things you can do to put it out.

• DO: Turn Off the Heat

The first thing to do is turn off the heat source. Fires need heat to thrive.

• DO: Cover the Fire

Smothering the fire prevents oxygen from fueling the flames. Use a cookie sheet or a metal lid to cover the fire. Glass and ceramic can explode from heat, making them dangerous to use as a cover.

• DO: Pour on Some Baking Soda

If you’re up against a small fire, pouring baking soda onto the flames will put it out. This only works for small fires because it requires a lot of baking soda to do the job.

• DO: Use a Fire Extinguisher (If You Must)

For worst case scenarios, Class K or B fire extinguishers will put out grease flames. This will make a mess and contaminate your kitchen, however. After using an extinguisher, experts can assist with fire cleanup.

• DON’T: Pour on Water

Pouring water onto grease can actually make the fire worse. Remember that water and oil do not mix!

• DON’T: Use Other Baking Products

Baking soda is the only baking product that can put out a grease fire. Baking powder and flour look similar but have different reactions with flames.

• DON’T: Use Fabric to Swat at the Fire

Using a kitchen rag, blanket or other fabric to swat at a fire only fans the flames. Even worse, the fabric is flammable and can catch fire, too.


A grease fire is preventable if you stay close to food while it cooks and use safety precautions, but accidents do happen. Remember these dos and don’ts to keep your home safe when you cook. For more information, visit http://www.SERVPROspringvalleyjamul.com//

3 Tips for Smoke Alarm Shopping

5/10/2018 (Permalink)

Assess the size of your home and pay attention to the details and fine print of alarms to make sure the one you select is reliable.

3 Tips for Smoke Alarm Shopping

A key component in maintaining your Spring Valley, CA, home involves updating safety equipment on a regular basis. After installation, it is easy to forget about that smoke alarm in the kitchen or bedroom. However, keep in mind these devices may no longer work effectively. The following pointers outline how to prepare for and choose new smoke detectors.

1. Scope Out Your Space

When it's time for those old alarms to retire, make sure you've revisited the rooms in your home to best assess where new alarms should go. Today's many flammable household materials make the average home susceptible to fires, so add a smoke detector to your shopping list for the kitchen, bedrooms, and every level of the house. Also, be sure to estimate the size of each room as you may need multiple detectors on each floor.

2. Know the Ropes

Since fires can spread in a matter of seconds, you'll want to consider which alarms have the most reliable detection. There are three general types of smoke detectors: ionization alarms, photoelectric alarms, and dual-sensor alarms. Ionization detectors are usually best for detecting smaller smoke particles that can lead to quick fires. Photoelectric alarms are better at identifying electrical fires or fires spreading from bedding or drapes. Dual-sensor detectors might be more costly than other options, but some fire safety professionals claim these alarms work best as a whole.

3. Read the Labels

You may have crossed off all the above steps on your checklist while shopping for the right smoke alarm for your home, but have you checked the product labels? One way you can ensure you've chosen a reliable device is by looking for a "UL" logo on the packaging, manual, or detector itself. An Underwriters Laboratories label confirms that your device has been through proper testing and received appropriate safety certifications.

Following these tips can help you leave the stress behind when choosing a smoke alarm. Assess the size of your home and pay attention to the details and fine print of alarms to make sure the one you select is reliable. For more information, visit http://www.SERVPROspringvalleyjamul.com/.

How Do I Maintain a Fire Sprinkler System?

2/14/2018 (Permalink)

As a business owner and manager, you can carry many responsibilities. Two of those are likely safeguarding company property and inventory and keeping employees and customers safe. Installing a fire sprinkler system can be a great way to accomplish both goals. In fact, a national standard called NFPA 13 has been established to set down procedures and conditions for installing fire suppression measures such as sprinkler systems in commercial buildings.

You probably never want to need such measures, but fires can happen due to many causes. Should a suppression system be activated to quench a blaze within your facility, the aftermath may involve fire sprinkler cleanup. If a fire threatens your Spring Valley, CA commercial building, you should know the sprinklers are well-maintained and there is a plan for cleaning up the mess. Here are three considerations for maintaining commercial emergency sprinklers and planning for cleanup.

1. Inspect sprinklers regularly and do not ignore repairs. Carefully check and test your structure’s emergency fire sprinkler system regularly. Local laws and insurance considerations may dictate the inspection schedule. If any problems are found, fix them immediately. In addition to being a safety issue, sprinkler problems may violate insurance and legal regulations.

2. Clearly delegate responsibilities. You should be clear about who is responsible for fire suppression maintenance. For example, should business owners or building owners schedule regular inspections and tests? Those who arrange for regular checks also should know they must inform the fire inspector.

3. Have a plan for after the blaze is out. Who wants to think about a building fire? However, every business facility should have a professional fire restoration team they can call on to repair and clean up the damage.

Should a blaze flare up in your San Diego, CA commercial property, you should make sure everyone is safe. A fire sprinkler system can be an effective fire suppression tool that can hopefully quench the flames before they destroy significant property and equipment. Once a blaze is out, though, you should deal with fire sprinkler cleanup. An experienced fire restorer can work to restore your business to its pre-fire condition. Visit http://www.SERVPROspringvalleyjamul.com for more information on commercial fire damage.

How to Deodorize After a Fire

2/7/2018 (Permalink)

Smoke particles do not just disappear after a fire. Instead, they can infiltrate everything you own. Your carpet, furniture, clothing and even walls may smell like smoke for months after the fire. Without a professional restoration firm, it may be difficult to fully remove the noxious odor of smoke from your home. Keep in mind that deodorizers, incense and the like are only temporary fixes.

Clean the Air

Primarily, your restoration professional may use the following equipment to clean the air:

• Air filters
• Thermal foggers
• Ozone machines

This equipment will not only fight the odor, but remove the source of the odor as well. They can rid your home of the smoke particles responsible for the smell. In addition, these machines will usually help your property receive optimal airflow during and after restoration.

Clean the Source

If you do not get rid of the source of the problem, you will not get rid of the odor. The first thing you should do during a smoke cleaning is to see which of your belongings are scorched. The best course of action is to remove anything that is unsalvageable. As long as there is visible fire damage in the home, you may not be able to get rid of the smell entirely.

Clean the Surface

Next, it is time to look at all the exposed surfaces in your home. A thorough smoke cleaning involves cleaning walls, ceilings, floors, countertops and any appliances left in the home. This will help restorers take care of all the remaining smoke damage. Keep in mind that it does not matter if a room was untouched by a fire, smoke and other particles can still stick to surfaces.

If you want to get rid of smoke odor, you do not have to do it alone. Professional services that specialize in smoke cleaning in Spring Valley, CA can remedy damage caused by fire and smoke. Visit http://www.SERVPROspringvalleyjamul.com for more information on fire damage.

Fire Extinguisher Basics: What to Get, Where to Place It and How to Use It

12/15/2017 (Permalink)

Fire Extinguisher Basics: What to Get, Where to Place It and How to Use It

A fire extinguisher is an essential and potentially lifesaving tool every home in Spring Valley, California should have. Owning the right extinguisher, placing it correctly in the home and knowing how to use it ensure you are ready to use the extinguisher if needed.

1. Choose the Right Extinguisher Class

When purchasing a fire extinguisher, consider a Class ABC extinguisher. These are perfect for wood, paper, electrical and liquid fires, like grease, a common kitchen fire cause. You can purchase these at most hardware and big box stores. Select the biggest extinguisher you can comfortably carry. This will provide you with a longer discharge time, pressure and range.

One thing to remember, if you can, is the suppressant in a class ABC extinguisher will damage your oven. If your kitchen fire is small, confined to a saucepan, for example, try to smother it first.

2. Have an Extinguisher for Each Floor

Consider purchasing a fire extinguisher for each level of your home, including the attic if you use it as living space. Equip your garage with an extinguisher as well. Place extinguishers near rooms where fires are common, such as the kitchen.

Make sure you can access an extinguisher easily and quickly, but also do your best to keep them out of the reach of children. Also, keep them away from heating appliances and household items that could easily catch fire.

3. Know How to Use the Extinguisher

There may come a time when you need to use the extinguisher. If you remember the acronym P.A.S.S., you can quickly recall the steps necessary to use the extinguisher:

P: Pull the pin
A: Aim the extinguisher at the base of the fire
S: Squeeze the trigger
S: Sweep side to side

Following these steps is sure to help you remember how to properly use an extinguisher. Proper use can expel a kitchen fire, reduce fire damage and save your home.
Visit http://www.SERVPROspringvalleyjamul.com for more information on fire damage.

Information About the Fire Cleanup Process

12/15/2017 (Permalink)

Information About the Fire Cleanup Process

After a house fire in Spring Valley, California once the structure is deemed safe, the next step is cleaning up all of the smoke damage and soot damage. Smoke cleaning requires a number of different steps to ensure that it is done properly. Keep in mind that it can take time and that the proper products and methods are important to ensure everything is done correctly.

Cleaning Up Soot

Following a fire, it is common for deposits of soot to be on walls, floors and other elements of your home. A mild detergent or soap or a mixture of chlorine bleach and trisodium phosphate is generally effective to get rid of soot. Either of these should be combined with warm water. Once you clean an area, go back over it with plain warm water to rinse away any residue, and then use a clean cloth to dry the area thoroughly. Make sure to protect your hands and arms with thick rubber gloves as you clean.

Cleaning Your Home Structure

Restoring the structure of your home might require replacing certain items, such as wood, walls or flooring that was too damaged to be cleaned. Use the information above about cleaning soot to restore any areas that do not require replacement.

Eliminating Smoke Smell

Taking care of smoke damage and the smell of smoke can be the most difficult part of the process. Trisodium phosphate is one of the best ingredients for getting rid of this smell. Just make sure to protect your skin while using it, since it can be caustic. Follow all instructions on the cleaning product, and ensure that it is properly diluted with water. Chlorine bleach can also be effective for getting rid of any smoke smell.

Make note of this information and use it to help alleviate the smoke damage and other soiling that happens following a house fire in Spring Valley, California. The cleanup process can be tedious, but with the right information, you can get it completed effectively. Visit http://www.SERVPROspringvalleyjamul.com for more information on fire damage.

The Importance of Acting Quick After a Fire

10/25/2017 (Permalink)


The Importance of Acting Quick After a Fire


A fire in home or fire in business can disturb your daily life for weeks or longer. Not only is it extremely important act fast and clean up the soot damage, smoke damage, smoke smell and provide board up, but it is absolutely crucial to deal with all the damage. And that means spending money and time on numerous services.

The costs of fire damage restoration and fire cleanup are quite unavoidable. But, you can save a huge amount of money and avoid hassles by turning to a professional, full-service residential or commercial fire damage company. Professionals already have all the equipment and skills needed to do the fire cleanup properly and restore your property to good condition. More importantly, trained technicians know exactly what needs to be done and how to get the job done correctly.

Recognizing that fire damage causes a tremendous setback to families or commercial establishments, professionals do whatever it takes to minimize the impact and restore things back to normal. Reliable recovery and restoration process is aimed at restoring property and getting people back to their normal routines. A reputable water restoration company help to minimize the impact of fire damage and fire in home or fire in business.

Benefits of hiring residential or commercial fire damage service include:

Inspection

When certified technicians from a restoration company arrive at your home or business to handle the fire cleanup, they will conduct a thorough assessment of the site and inspection all the damage. They will determine how much damage the property has suffered as a result of fire in home or fire in business, as well as soot damage, smoke damage or smoke smell, before doing board up. As a result of the assessment and inspection, water cleanup technicians can develop a fire damage restoration plan to clean fire damage, including smoke damage, soot damage and smoke smell.

Contact Your Insurance Company

Once your insurance company approves the fire cleanup plan, the residential or commercial fire restoration company begins the board up and the work to restore your property. It is very important to begin fire cleanup and restoration as soon as possible after a fire damage, because the longer you delay, the worse the soot damage, smoke damage and smoke smell will be.

Tarp and Sealing

Once the technicians from a restoration company start the fire cleanup and restoration, they take precautions to prevent additional damage to the property. For instance, the technicians can identify leaks in the roof or wall and start by fixing it.

If the fire damage has caused a water tank or pipe to burst, professionals will take appropriate steps to fix the equipment right away before the situation gets worse and affects other areas of the property.

Clean Up Process

After a fire in business or fire in home incident, the building often looks stained, dark and charred. Residential and commercial fire damage technicians begin by cleaning away dust, smoke, soot and getting rid of smoke smell. They will take immediate action and ensure that all the soot damage, smoke damage and smoke smell are properly cleaned and the property restored back as normal as possible. By acting quickly and providing fire damage restoration in a professionals manner many of your valuable items can be saved.

Considerations

Afire in home or fire in business damage is an unfortunate incident that can happen at any time. Knowing the proper steps in a fire damage situation can help prevent further damage to your property or belongings, and avoid inconveniences. Whether it be a commercial fire damage or a residential fire, you must take action immediately to get the mess cleaned up, including smoke damage, soot damage, and ensure the board up is done correctly before fire damage restoration begins.

Trained flood mitigation professionals from a reputable company can take proper steps in getting your home or business back to its original condition.
Visit http://www.SERVPROspringvalleyjamul.com for more information on fire damage.

Stages of Professional Fire Damage Restoration

7/25/2017 (Permalink)


Stages of Professional Fire Damage Restoration

A fire in a property, residential or commercial, can leave the owner feeling overwhelmed, wondering how to recover from the ensuing destruction. Fire damage professionals become the most valuable investments at this time. Losses from an accidental fire can reach astronomical costs, but a fire damage restoration company can help mitigate them. With the right techniques and products, a fire cleanup process can ensure that the premises are ready for use and that the destruction doesn’t spread any further. Although no one formula exists for restoring a building after soot damage and smoke damage, experts use a standard guideline when addressing the cleanup and restoration process.

Initial Contact

Fire damage restoration companies offer emergency services, and a client should make certain of this when hiring professionals to deal with residential or commercial fire damage. After the first responders have left the scene, the restoration experts have to be there as soon as possible, particularly when there is a risk of extensive destruction. With the availability of emergency services, a homeowner can make an immediate service call after a fire in home.

Inspection

When a restoration company responds to that initial call, it will start by evaluating the degree of the fire damage. How strong is the smoke smell? How far does the soot damage go? Are there leaks causing water damage? Fire damage restoration experts will consider these aspects and more. It is only with a proper assessment of the extent of commercial fire damage that technicians are able to formulate a plan of action. After inspecting how much damage a fire in business has caused, the fire cleanup service can present a quote. A property owner should never work with a restoration company that estimates costs without seeing every inch of the fire damage.

Board Up and Roof Tarp

The first stage of cleaning up after a fire in home or fire in business is to moderate the damage. If a fire has left holes in the roof or walls, a board up procedure will be necessary to prevent further complications. Leaky roofs and walls may allow water to enter the property, leading to a whole new problem of water damage. Professionals put up tarps and board up compromised windows and doors will provide protection as well.

Water Removal

In instances where the fire damage includes burst plumbing pipes and blocked drainage systems, the restoration company will have to dry the area after the board up. Water damage after a fire in business or a fire in home can lead to the destruction of expensive furnishings and office equipment. The drying part of the fire cleanup process ensures that valuable items don’t spoil more than they already are. Removing water will also make it less challenging to fix the soot damage and the smoke smell.

The Cleaning

Fire damage restoration professionals use specialized tools and products to remove smoke damage and soot damage. Smoke and soot can leave the surfaces looking charred and stained, which is why the fire cleanup crew will scour and pressure clean the walls and ceilings. The soot damage and smoke damage may have extended to the carpets, draperies, or even hardwood floors. A fire restoration company will provide the necessary services to deal with this type of problem.

The smoke smell that lingers after a fire can make it difficult to reoccupy a property. It is why fire damage experts use sanitizers and fogging equipment to remove the smoke smell and make a building inhabitable after residential or commercial fire damage.

Repair and Renovation

After cleaning up fire damage, the restoration experts have to embark on a process of renovating the property. Even if the flames did not consume valuables, the smoke damage might have degraded them significantly. Professionals in fire damage restoration know the appropriate repairs after a fire in home or fire in business. Technicians will get rid of the board up and tarp materials and fit in proper installations. Whether it’s residential or commercial fire damage, restoration experts will clean up the property and return it to its pre-fire damage days.
Visit http://www.SERVPROspringvalleyjamul.com for more information on fire damage.

The Recovery Process After a Fire

6/26/2017 (Permalink)

The Recovery Process After a Fire

Fire needs oxygen to burn. Fire simply is the chemical oxidation of materials through combustion, which then releases heat and light. It is hot because of the conversion of the weak bonds of oxygen to molecular bond. Depending on the burning substance the intensity and color of the flame vary. Conflagration occurs and can cause physical damage to properties and even harm the body.

Fire most of the time has its positive if well maintained otherwise it may cause severe damage. A well-managed fire in home and fire in business can be used to cook, light up the home, as a source of heat. Fire in business or fire in home affects it negatively; it may lead to severe losses which can be a lifetime damage. In a case of fire in home or fire in business, you can first take precautions before calling professionals to do the fire cleanup and fire restoration process to prevent commercial fire damage.

When waiting for the fire cleanup team, you can:

• Consider your family safety first. Maintain a safe distance from the fire.
• Place old linen and rugs on carpet surfaces.
• Reduce movement to prevent soot damage on carpets.
• Wash any plant leaves both sides.
• Use petroleum jelly and coat chrome
• Change HVAC filters

What NOT to do after a fire:

• Don’t use any canned food that might have been close to the fire.
• Don’t use electrical appliances, circuits, and outlets that may have been damaged by fire.
• Don’t dry clean clothes for wrong technique will make the smoke smell permanent.

After a fire in home or fire in business incident most probably the next step is the fire restoration and fire cleanup the process. After the fire, you may likely experience smoke damage and soot damage.

Fire damage restoration process

After the firefighting team leaves, you may require a fire damage restoration team to come through and clean up the messes. Most fire damage occurs when putting out the fire in home or fire in business. You will find that the roofs, walls, windows have holes this is because firefighter cut holes to allow ventilations. The following steps illustrate the fire damage restoration process:

Emergency contact

Restoration begins when you call in a recovery company to handle the fire damage. Most companies will do the following:

• Secure home from more damage
• Estimate the fire damage
• Repair the asset in the fire damage
• Storing fixed item until you need it.
• Determine the cost of restoration.

Inspection and fire damage assessment

This is the second step in the fire damage restoration process. This step is important as it is where you get the plan of action. The extent of the soot damage, smoke damage is carried out.

Board-up and Tarp service

In this step, the walls and windows are boarded up, and the roof is tarped. This process is done to maintain security and reduce further damage to it during the fire cleanup process.

Water removal and drying

Here machines such as dehumidifiers and air movers are used. For proper restoration, all the wetness should be taken care off to reduce accidents. The water is mainly from the firefighters.

Smoke damage and soot damage removal.

In this stage smoke damage and soot is cleaned up using a special vacuum cleaner and wipe downs.For commercial fire damage, this step is the most important.

Cleaning and sanitizing

In this step is the most important in the fire cleanup process. Although your items and surfaces may look good, there is much work to ensure perfect home or business.Here the removal of smoke smell is done after the fire in business.The smoke smell can be irritating to the body. Most smoke smell is removed using air scrubbers and fogging equipment. The quality of air after a commercial fire damage should be checked to ensure stable business. Also, removal of smoke smell is done by carbon purifiers.

Restorations

After a commercial fire damage has occurred most assets are destroyed, restoration may be through painting on the wall or minor repairs. It may also require fixing of the whole room as the commercial fire damage restoration need to be perfect.To conclude, all the commercial fire damage restoration process should be done by professionals because they may be dangerous and require expertise.
Visit http://www.SERVPROspringvalleyjamul.com for more information on fire damage.

Surviving the Devastating Effects of Fire Damage

5/16/2017 (Permalink)

Surviving the Devastating Effects of Fire Damage

A fire can strike a home or business at any time leaving the owner to deal with its devastating consequences. Anyone who has suffered such a loss realizes the massive effort that is required to clean up after a fire of any magnitude and to attempt to restore the structure to its original condition. It requires the expertise of experts who specialize in fire damage restoration. Most insurance companies recommend that home or business owners enlist the services of professionals who are trained in fire cleanup. Fire damage restoration services work with insurance companies to help eliminate as much stress as possible for the owners.

Residential Fire Damage

The fire damage cleanup process in a home requires the profession cleanup team to first determine the items that are salvageable. They then decide on which cleaning method or restoration process they will use. Because these professional fire damage-restoring experts are trained in cleanup techniques, they know how to treat problems caused by fire and smoke. When personal items are considered cleanable, they will be sent out to another location where they can be cleaned more effectively and restored to their original condition without that smoke smell. Soot damage and smoke damage affect furniture, draperies, and other household items from a fire in the home. Reputable fire damage restoration services understand that fire and water can cause extensive structural damage. Roofs, walls, ceilings, and floors can become a safety hazard after a fire in the home. It is important to have a fire damage restoration service assess the property before reentering it.

Commercial Fire Damage

A fire in a home can be devastating, but a fire in a business can cause additional problems. The process of recovering from a fire in a business, even a small one is complicated. Businesses are left to file complicated claim forms that may take a long time to complete and process. Soot, water, and smoke damage add to the frustration of filing a claim for any business. Not only do the owners suffer the psychological effects of going through a fire, but also the financial problems which can be even worse. Suffering through a fire in a business is damaging on many different fronts. Productivity and revenue that are lost as a result of a fire cleanup can be catastrophic especially for a small business. Smoke damage that occurs because of commercial fire damage requires professional expertise to eliminate the smoke smell that remains after the fire cleanup.

Reasons for Using Professionals for Fire Cleanup

Homeowners and business owners are anxious to clean up the fire damage in their homes and businesses, but it pays to wait until a professional service can be found. They are the experts and they understand the tedious process that is involved in recovering from a fire in the home or even a small fire in a business. Attempting to clean up after a fire can not only cause frustration and involve a lot of effort, but it can even lead to more damage. It is much better to hire a professional service that is trained to do the cleanup than to risk further damaging the structure. Soot damage and smoke damage are not easily resolved. A major problem that remains from any fire is a smoke smell resulting from fire damage. Professionals can thoroughly clean items that have received soot damage which can cause extensive corrosion and discoloration on surfaces if not properly removed. Soot damage can become a major problem if left unresolved as a result of commercial fire damage. The smoke smell that lingers from commercial fire damage is difficult, but not impossible to remove. Much of the smell results from not removing and cleaning upholstery and draperies that were close to the fire area immediately after the fire. Cleanup should begin as soon as feasibly possible to ensure structural integrity of a home or business. Visit http://www.SERVPROspringvalleyjamul.com for more information on fire damage.

What to do in Case of Fire Loss

4/25/2017 (Permalink)

What to do in Case of Fire Loss

Fire loss is devastating. A fire loss not only affects you but all of those in the household. Sometimes it also affects those around you if the fire resulted in commercial fire damage. A fire in the home will will displace your entire family. The fire loss will have taken all the memories that you have accumulated over the years that you have lived in your residence. Fire damage is not just limited to the flames. Soot damage can affect the portions of the house that may not have been touched by the fire damage. Then there is the smoke damage. Smoke damage is almost impossible to remove from the remainder of the house that may not have been affected by the fire damage. Soot damage will leave a black film across all portions of the house not burned with the fire damage. While soot damage can be cleaned up it is a very large undertaking and sometimes cannot be cleaned off the surface. You may have to remove any soot damage articles and replace them. Maybe the soot damage did not reach all the areas of your home, but the smoke damage did. Smoke damage is much like that of soot damage. Smoke damage leaves a film on your belongings and is so very difficult to get the smell out of them. You do need to be aware of any type of air quality issue as well. Even a small fire in the home can result in the entire home being deemed a loss. A fire in the home can be a daunting task to when it comes time to start the fire cleanup. Fire cleanup is the most difficult task to undertake. During the fire cleanup you are sifting through what is left of the fire damage and this can spark the emotions of loss.

Commercial fire damage, unlike fire in the home, can affect more than just your home. Commercial fire damage is a fire in a business. These commercial fires damage can affect the air quality, depending on what the contents of the building was that caught fire. If it any type of caustic material you will need to follow proper protocol to eliminate any air quality issues. Air quality issues will affect the air that others breathe. If this is bad the EPA will need to know what to do to fix the air quality around the fire damage. Fire loss for the business can be detrimental. Fire loss means that they are not able to operate and they will lose the business from that particular business. Commercial fire damage worse than a fire fire in the home due to it being a fire in a business. It not only is a loss for them, it is a loss for their income. Fire in a business means no income until the fire cleanup is completed. A fire in a business is the same loss as a residential home but the fire cleanup may be a little different as the insurance for the fire in a business is a little different due to insurance company requirements. Visit http://www.SERVPROspringvalleyjamul.com for more information on fire loss.

Handling A Fire Loss In Spring Valley, CA

2/20/2017 (Permalink)

Fire Damage in Jamul, CA

Handling A Fire Loss In Spring Valley, CA

In CA, fires happen frequently because of the dry droughts that happen there. It is a frightening time for both homeowners and apartment dwellers who are forced from their units in order to save their lives. They must watch as a lot of their belongings go up with the fire, but they need to remember that in Jamul, California, especially in Spring Valley, they will receive the assistance that they need in order to stay safe and get back on their feet. Fires can destroy a lot of things, but the spirits of the people usually stay strong during this type of terrible ordeal.

Fire Damage Can Be Costly

Depending on how bad the fire was, the fire damage can be extensive and cost a lot money for the homeowner or apartment dweller. Once a person is safe from the flames, they will want to make sure that they contact their insurance company because this can help with the financing after a fire. They will want to report it as soon as possible, and get the insurance money as quickly as they can. The insurance money is meant to help people to move on passed disasters without having to spend all their own money. It helps in many ways.

Water Damage From Fire Is Awful

Water damage from fire is very dangerous. It can cause electrical fires, and people need to be aware of this. The water may be turned off in a home or apartment that has had a fire, and they will need to buy bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth. Here are tips for water damage during a fire:

·        If there is water on the floors, do not cross into these areas. There may be a chance of an electrical fire that can cause problems to one’s safety.

·        Water supply may be scarce. Visit a store in order to purchase bottle water for drinking and brushing of the teeth.

·        When returning to the unit, be sure to listen to the authorities about what to do about water consumption. They will give their ok, if it is safe to drink again.

Smoke Damage Creates Havoc

For many people the smell of smoke makes them ill. After a fire, the smoke damage will be in all the clothing, furniture and other items in the home or apartment. It is important to have professionals clean these items. The smoke may cause other problems too. Smoke damage can be costly, but here is what to do:

·        Touch base with the insurance company. They most likely will pay for a lot of the damage that has occurred from the fire.

·        Clothing, furniture and other items will need to be professionally cleaned. This is usually covered under the insurance policy too.

·        If paperwork has been ruined in the fire, it is important to call these people to let them know. Paperwork can be reordered when there has been a disaster like a fire, so it is important a person tell them what has happened so that they understand.

·        Air freshener should be used after the threat to health is gone after a fire. Spray the entire house or apartment with something that smells pleasant.

Soot Damage Is Sticky

Soot gets sticky, and it is ugly too. Soot damage can happen on floors, walls and counters, as well as other items in the home or apartment. Soot can’t be wiped up correctly with just soap and water, so it is best to get a professional to assist with it. Here are some tips:

·        Soot is sticky to the feel. If you are through with an item, throw it away rather than have to face cleaning it.

·        See if you can get a professional to paint the walls, treat the floors and counters. Many insurance policies will cover this in the case of a fire.

·        Check windowsills for a large amount of damage that will need to be cleaned. Once again, the professionals have the right type of cleaning fluid that will strip away the grime.

Is The Air Quality Affected After A Fire?

Yes, the air quality is always affected after a fire. A person needs to listen to the authorities and what they suggest. They may want the family to go to a friend or family members for the time being, or in other cases, they may want them to go to a hotel so that they don’t have to breathe in the air after a fire. Here are some things to remember:

 

·        The authorities do this for a living. They have meters that can read the air quality, so do what they suggest.

·        Touch base with family and friends. In some cases, they might be able to take some people in for a short period of time.

·        Check with the insurance company. They might cover the cost of a hotel room during the time that a person is not allowed to return to the affected area.

·        Only return to the affected area when given the go ahead by the authorities. They will know when the air is safe to breathe again, and they will notify the people when they can return to the home or apartment.

What About Fire Cleanup?

Fire cleanup can be time consuming. Sometimes it can take days, months or years to get the place back in order. A person should always ask for assistance. Here are some tips to remember:

·        They should find out if there are any free services that will assist them with the cleaning. The authorities may have a listing of the, or they can look them up on the Internet themselves.

·        Call upon friends, family, neighbors and coworkers to help with cleaning up after a fire. They may volunteer their time to help.

In Jamul, California many people survive fires all the time. Especially in Spring Valley, which is in a part of CA, they come through the devastation of the fire, and they rebuild and go on with the help of a lot of wonderful people. For more information on handling a fire loss, visit http://www.SERVPROspringvalleyjamul.com/

End of Fire Prevention Month?

11/1/2016 (Permalink)

Fire prevention month may be over, but fire prevention never is so don't forget that we at SERVPRO are here to help and, teaming with the American Red Cross, we are striving to reduce deaths and injuries due to home fires by 25%. Help us help you. Make sure you know all the proper ways to prevent and prepare for home fires. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org/homefires. And let this short video be a good reminder about the importance of fire safety and prevention. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-UmLfqlGk0

Help home fire victims by donating today

10/27/2016 (Permalink)

Over $7 billion in property damage occurs every year due to home fires. Your help is needed in every form. You can help home fire victims by donating at http://redcross.org/cm/SERVPROindustries-pub. Or, if you can give your time or effort, please become an American Red Cross volunteer at www.redcross.org to help others recover from home fires.

SERVPRO and the American Red Cross

10/25/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO supports the American Red Cross by asking every household in America to join us in taking two simple steps that can save the lives of you and your family; checking or installing smoke alarms and practicing fire drills at home. Do you know how often you are supposed to replace your smoke detectors in your house? The American Red Cross does, and to find out the answer, please visit www.redcross.org. It is very important to have updated smoke detectors for your family’s safety. In addition, according to the American Red Cross, 82% of families have not practiced fire drills at home. Don’t be a part of that statistic. Practice home fire drills to save your children’s lives. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org

Are you home fire safety savvy?

10/19/2016 (Permalink)

Are you home fire safety savvy?

On average, 36 people suffer injuries as a result of home fires every day. This statistic means that there are a lot more fires than actual injuries from a fire. The damage to a home after a fire is the only cleanup that we want to have to deal with when we are called by an insurance company.

SERVPRO of Spring Valley wants to know if your home fire safety savvy? You can challenge friends, family members, and yourself by taking the quiz at www.redcross.org/homefires (under Free Tools & Resources). It is a fun way to get prepared for a fire damage or injury.

A home is more than a supportive structure

10/17/2016 (Permalink)

Don’t let a home fire happen to you and your family. A home is more than a supportive structure. It shelters you, your family, and all of your treasured keepsakes. What if you had the power to prevent the loss of your home? The American Red Cross can help you learn tips like how to make sure your family can safely escape your home in less than 2 minutes and how to test your smoke alarms. To learn more please visit www.redcross.org/homefires for home fire prevention information.

October is Fire Prevention Month

10/12/2016 (Permalink)

October is Fire Prevention Month and we are here to help you learn more on how to prevent and prepare for home fires with the American Red Cross.

Did you know that home fires are actually the majority of the disasters that occur? You can easily prevent a home fire if you know the right protocol. The American Red Cross has many great tips for you.

For more information, please visit www.redcross.org/get-help/prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire

Holiday Fire Caution

12/22/2015 (Permalink)

As we get closer to Christmas, it's important to remember that the holiday season does come with a few potential fire dangers, mainly your Christmas tree and home candles. December is the peak time of year for home candle fires and although Christmas tree fires are not common, when they do occur, they are more likley to be serious. The link below has some simple tips to avoid Christmas tree fires:

http://www.today.com/news/christmas-tree-fires-simple-tips-avoid-potentially-deadly-danger-t61861

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