How SERVPRO of West Somerset County Handles Your Belongings After Fire Damage

12/6/2023 (Permalink)

Fire damage, encompassing smoke and soot, impacts not just your home's physical framework but also your cherished possessions. At SERVPRO of West Somerset County, we recognize that your family's furniture, clothing, keepsakes, and other items transform your house from a mere structure into a cherished home, which is why we do everything we can to restore not only your home back from fire damage, but your belongings as well.

Contents Restoration Services

At SERVPRO, our specialty lies in restoring items affected by water, fire, or mold damage. Our approach prioritizes restoration over replacement, aiming to not only save you money but also protect irreplaceable keepsakes. Beforehand, we conduct tests on your belongings to identify those we can return to their pre-fire state. Employing various cleaning methods, we handle the restoration of your contents using:

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

Move-Outs/Pack-Outs

In the event that your home needs substantial restoration or cleaning after fire damage, we can facilitate a well-structured and efficient relocation of the impacted space. This move-out process offers numerous advantages, such as:

• A quicker remodeling process
• Protecting items from potential damage
• Protecting contents from further damage

When restoration is completed, we will work with you to coordinate the move-in according to your needs. The services offered upon move-in may depend on your insurance company.

Electronic Cleanup

Electronics affected by fire damage pose a significant risk. Avoid trying to power on or use any electrical device that may have been impacted by fire. Residues from smoke often contain corrosive acids that can damage metal surfaces. If left untreated, this corrosion can lead to electronic malfunctions. We'll manage the restoration of your electronics, overseeing:

• TVs
• DVD players
• Computers
• & more

The key to restoring electronics is taking prompt action to prevent more damage. Electronics will be cleaned and inspected by a qualified electronics technician.

Document/Photograph Drying

In situations where your crucial documents, including photographs, suffer water or fire damage, handling them with utmost care is crucial to prevent further harm. While complete restoration to their pre-fire state might not always be possible, we can salvage a significant portion and mitigate additional damage, preserving as much as possible.

Depending on the type of documents and the level of fire, smoke, or soot damage, they have fire options for the restoration of documents:

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

Contents Claim Inventory Service

In the aftermath of a fire emergency, the extent of damage can be daunting. To alleviate the stress and uncertainty in the recovery phase, we extend our Contents Claim Inventory Service (CCIS). This service meticulously documents your belongings, offering a comprehensive and precise list. We conduct a thorough inventory, capturing each room's contents through digital photos and, in certain cases, employing barcoding techniques.

Our Contents Claim Inventory Service:

• Pre loss list and value of contents
• Detailed and accurate report
• Better information to settle claims quicker
• Assistance with burden of proof for claims

Fire Damage Restoration Process

When it comes to fire damage, SERVPRO of West Somerset County has a specific fire damage restoration process that we follow. This not only restores homes after fire damage, but water damage as well - as after the fire trucks leave, in many cases they leave behind water damage due to firefighting efforts. Let's dive in a little deeper on how our fire damage restoration process works.

Of course every fire damage event is a little different and requires a unique solution, but the general process stays the same. The steps listed below illustrate our process for the "typical" fire damage emergency.

Step 1: Emergency Contact

The restoration process begins when you call us. Our representative will ask questions regarding the fire damage event that will help us respond immediately with the appropriate equipment and resources.

Step 2: Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment

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

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

Fire damage can often compromise windows, walls, and roofs. To maintain security and to protect against further damage, we can board up missing windows and walls and place tarps on damaged roofs.

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

The water removal process begins almost immediately and removes the majority of the water. We then use dehumidifiers and air movers to remove the remaining water and complete the drying process.

Step 5: Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces

We use specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces.

Step 6: Cleaning and Sanitizing

We clean, sanitize, and disinfect all of the restorable items and structures that were damaged by the fire. We use a variety of cleaning techniques to restore your belongings to preloss condition. We're also trained to remove odors using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.

Step 7: Restoration

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

Why Choose Us

Our swift response during crises has aided numerous schools, businesses, and residences across Somerset County for decades. We're dedicated to delivering a personalized approach that suits individual needs and the challenges at hand. This ensures this application of precise methods and products, reducing restoration periods and enhancing customer satisfaction. Our SERVPRO team boasts various accreditations from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC), covering Fire & Smoke Restoration (FSRT) and Odor Control (OCT). Additionally, our air duct cleaning service effectively diminishes smoke odors within structures.

If you're ever in need of fire damage restoration services, you should and can always reach out to SERVPRO of West Somerset County. We're the restoration company that not only handles fire restoration, but water damage restoration, mold remediation, storm damage restoration, and more.

We pride ourselves on how we handle each recovery process, helping our customers feel like they are covered, taken care of, and providing them a peace of mind that their business or home will be back to preloss condition.

When disaster strikes, you know who to call.

About SERVPRO Team Harvey

SERVPRO of West Somerset County is proudly owned by Lance and Jennifer Harvey - a husband and wife duo that owns two other SERVPRO locations, including SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City and SERVPRO of Aberdeen/Holmdel.

We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.”