Fire safety this winter

9/25/2024 (Permalink)

When a fire strikes no one is ready for the emotion and fear they can instill.  In most cases families can be displaced for months on end, contents are destroyed,  and memories are lost.  Recently, SERVPRO® of East Louisville was called to a home that had heavy smoke and soot damaged caused by a small appliance that had shorted out.  A television in the back bedroom of the home had caught fire causing extensive damage to the bedroom and bathroom.  Luckily no one was hurt in the fire, but now the process of cleaning up all the  soot and tearing out damaged materials throughout the home has begun.  SERVPRO of East Louisville understands the process of cleaning a home or business after a fire.  We also have the capabilities to do the reconstruction once the mitigation is complete.  We work hand-in-hand with the home owner making sure that we can transform the residence back into a home they can make new memories in for years to come.

With the Holiday season upon us statistics show that November-January are the months when fires are most prevalent. It's important to make sure that your family has a plan in place in case a fire of a fire.  Here are some tips to keep your family safe during the upcoming Holiday Season.

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.
• Test smoke alarms every month. If they’re not working, change the batteries.
• Talk with all family members about a fire escape plan and practice the plan twice a year.

If a fire occurs in your home, GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL FOR HELP. Never go back inside for anything or anyone.

Fire Safety in East Louisville

10/1/2023 (Permalink)

This month October 2023 SERVPRO® of East Louisville tries to educate how to stay safe in case of a fire. Your local fire station provides lifesaving public education in an effort to drastically decrease casualties caused by fires. See what programs your local fire station offers.

Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware, fire can happen anywhere, anytime.

LOOK - for possible fire starters. Take a good look around your home. Identify potential fire hazards and take care of them.

LISTEN - for the sound of the smoke alarm. You could have only minutes to leave your home safely once the smoke alarm sounds. Go to your outside meeting place, which should be a safe distance from the home and where everyone should know to meet.

LEARN - more than one way out of every room and make sure all doors and windows leading outside open easily and are free of clutter.

Fire Damage Cleanup And Restoration Company For East Louisville

9/26/2022 (Permalink)

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

Smoke and soot facts:

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

Different Types of Smoke

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

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

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

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

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

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

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

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

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

Have Fire or Smoke Damage?
Call Us Today – (502) 897-3608

We are proud to be an active member of this community. SERVPRO of East Louisville is locally owned and operated so we’re already nearby and ready to help East Louisville residents and business owners with any-sized fire and smoke damage emergencies.

Residential Fire Damage

9/26/2022 (Permalink)

When you need a quick fix for Louisville residential fire damage you'll need to hire a locally owned and operated company. If your property has suffered severe damage due to fire and smoke, it’s important to use a team of experienced damage control professionals.

Our certified technicians can quickly diagnose the damage, assess the general situation, and get right to work on containing and correcting the problem. The sooner you contact them, the less chance you have of further damage. With any fire damage, time is of the essence.

Louisville Residential Fire Damage Cleanup Needs

The trouble your property faces isn't over when the actual fire is finally put out. In fact, it may just be beginning. After the fire is extinguished, there is still the damage from smoke, as well as damage to the structure itself, to deal with. There is also plenty of work to be done to get the property properly cleaned up, such as removing debris, neutralizing odors, and ventilating the area.

A Fast Response Means Less Problems

The primary goal of SERVPRO of East Louisville fire damage cleanup service is not only to limit the damage to your property but also to respond quickly enough to salvage as much as possible. A fast response is necessary to limit the damage and the overall cost of the job. After smoke and debris are cleared out, the restoration can begin, getting the property owner back to normal life in their family home.

Restoration Rather Than Replacement Is the Key

When it comes to fixing any fire damage in Louisville, KY, the key to a successful solution is restoration rather than replacement. While it would be easy for a cleanup team to simply recommend that the entire structure be torn down and replaced, the reality is that such a drastic measure may be completely unwarranted. It's usually far easier, more convenient, and more cost-effective to do a complete restoration job on your property rather than tearing it down.

What to Look for in a Fire Damage Service

Most people choose to go with a locally owned and operated business as they can respond to your emergency within a very short period and get immediately to work. A reputable restoration service will give you an overview of what to expect before you begin. They should clear away the debris, do a thorough cleansing of any fire damage to your structure, clean up your upholstery, and purify the air so that you won't fall victim to any noxious and poisonous odors.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – (502) 897-3608

Did you know that SERVPRO of East Louisville has an Esporta Wash System?

5/7/2022 (Permalink)

What does this mean for you?  SERVPRO of East Louisville is capable of decontaminating soft contents from all categories of losses; including sewage, mold and can restore  damage caused by smoke and soot from a fire.  The decontamination efficacy of the Esporta Wash System (this means how well it removes the contaminants) has been validated by numerous third party laboratory tests performed by leading hygienists, universities, and industry consultants. 

Insurance professionals who select soft contents restoration through Esporta Certified Operators benefit from having delighted policyholders, faster and simpler claim settlements, and more accurate claim settlement costs.

This also means that more contents can be restored instead of replaced.  Many items in a home are irreplaceable and SERVPRO of East Louisville has the right tools and staff to make sure as many contents are restored!

Contact us today to learn more about the Esporta Wash System. 502-244-7985

Summer Is Right Around The Corner - Check Out These Grilling Safety Tips!

5/6/2022 (Permalink)

Grill Safety to consider when breaking out your inner backyard culinary skills.

July is a peak month for summer grilling fires.  The Memorial Day weekend is approaching quickly, it’s time to dust off the grills and let the inner backyard culinary skills to work.  As exciting as it is to break out the grill for the official start of the summer season right, we have to always consider the safety that needs to be taken when preparing to light up the grill.

NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency) says that the U.S. fire department responded to an average of 8,900 home fire that involved the use of grills, hibachis, or barbecues per year.  These 8,900 fires caused annual averages of 10 civilian deaths, 160 injuries, and $118 million in direct property damage. Almost all the losses resulted from structure fires. The leading causes of grill fires were a failure to properly cleaning of the grill, placement of the grill because it was placed to close to a structure, and leaving the grill unattended. Five out of six (83%) of grills involved in home fires were fueled by gas while 13% used other sources of fuel.

Precautions to take while grilling

Propane:

• Stay alert when grilling. Avoid grilling when you are tired or have consumed too much alcohol.
• Do Not leave your grill unattended.
• Keep the grill in a place that is free from flammable items and away from porch rails, and low lying branches.
• Keep children and pets as far away from the grill as possible
• Check the gas tank hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year.

NOTE: A light soap and water solution applied to the hose is a great way to check for leaks. You can often smell a propane leak, but propane will also release bubbles when the soap and water solution is applied. If you detect a leak, turn the gas tank and grill off. If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again. If the leak does not stop, call the fire department.

• Always make sure your gas grill lid is open before igniting.
• If you smell gas while cooking, immediately move away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not move the grill.
• If the flames go out for any reason, turn the grill and gas off and wait at least 15 minutes before re-lighting it.
• Keep your grill clean by regularly removing grease or fat buildup from the grates and trays below.

Charcoal grill safety tips to consider:

• If you use a starter fluid, use only charcoal starter fluid. Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquid to the flames.
• Keep charcoal fluid out of the reach of children and away from heat sources.
• Electric charcoal starters do not use fire. Be sure to use an extension cord for outdoor use.
• When you are finished grilling, let the coals completely cool before disposing in a metal container with a lid.

Have Smoke or Fire Damage? Call (502) 897-3608

House Fires Are Almost One Of The Worst Things That Can Occur

4/7/2022 (Permalink)

Having a house fire is almost one of the worst things that can happen. Not only do you lose property and other household items, you also lose personal effects that can never be replaced. Unfortunately, in the midst of all the pain, loss, and frustration, there are steps that need to be taken sooner rather than later to get the recovery ball rolling. One of those steps is to hire a professional fire damage restoration company to assess and repair the damaged areas.

It is very understandable that, after a house fire, many people would think that taking care of something like this themselves would be more financially feasible. After all, you are already going to have to shell out a good amount of money to take care of whatever it is you are going to have to take care of due to the fire. Well this could prove to be a big mistake. And if you look at the big picture, another accident is probably not exactly what the doctor ordered for this situation.

First of all, in nearly every case, your insurance provider will recommend you hire a professional fire and smoke damage restoration company rather than do the work yourself. The cost to hire one of these companies may seem steep at first but the services they provide will definitely end up being well worth the price. The most obvious thing to keep in mind is that these are the professionals. They have all the knowledge and experience required to take care of the restoration in the most effective and efficient manner possible. Restoration companies can provide you with advice and insight into aspects such as what is and isn't salvageable. They can also help with insurance paperwork.

Restoration companies understand that not all fires are the same. Every fire is going to be its own unique entity. There will be differences ranging from house materials and amount of damage to how the fire was put out. Did you know that many times the smoke damage is actually the worse part of a fire? Even with a small fire the smoke can find its way into any porous material such as carpet, wood, and walls, just to name a few. There are also different types of smoke. There's wet, dry, protein, and even oil smoke. These all need to be treated in a different way.

Look, nobody wants to go through a house fire. And hopefully this is a situation none of you will ever have to experience. But if you do, wouldn't it be beneficial to have an expert on hand that can help you begin the recovery process? You will have your plate plenty full dealing with the emotional damage as well as the insurance company. Let the professionals handle the fire and smoke damage restoration for you.

Dryer Fires Costs Millions Each Year

4/6/2022 (Permalink)

Clothes dryer fires cost millions each year. It is estimated that 2,900 home clothes dryer fires are reported each year, also causing 5 deaths, 100 injuries and $35 million in property loss. Failure to clean the dryer (34%) is leading cause of home clothes dryer  fires. In May of 2018 SERVPRO East Louisville was called out to a home that had unfortunately experienced a dryer fire. 

SERVPRO arrived on site and started mitigating the water portion of the home damage, we also removed effected drywall and placed air movers and dehumidifiers where needed.

Once removal of effected areas and the dryout is complete SERVPRO will be starting with the cleaning process. For this particular home we will start with structural cleaning such as removing all carpet, pad from second floor and steps leading up to second floor. Cutting out drywall from living room ceiling which was located directly under laundry room. Once all of ducts, surfaces and contents have been thoroughly cleaned we will begin the process of getting the customer back in their home. SERVPRO's repair division will replaced carpet and pad, replace and repair effected drywall, sealed and painted all areas upstairs, including the living room ceiling downstairs.

The customer will know that our team of certified professionals are HERE TO HELP get them back to normal in their home as quickly and safely as possible.

Ten Fierce Fire Facts Brought To You By SERVPRO

1/31/2022 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of East Louisville 502-897-3608 anytime, 24/7.

Here are 10 important things to know about fires.

1. In a fire, more people die from inhaling smoke than from the flames. Never think that if you avoid the flames you are safe. Always keep away from smoke.

2. Soot is a coating of fine, black dust created when wood, coal, or oil-based substances are burned.  These carbon particles float into the air and settle anywhere.  Inhaling soot can caused severe lung deficiencies or even death. 

3. If soot contaminates items in your home or business, a fire restoration service provider like SERVPRO of Southwest Jefferson County must assess the damage to see if restoration is possible.

Need Fire Restoration Advice Or Services? Call SERVPRO Of East Louisville At (502) 897-3608

4.  The worst possible effect of soot is its tendency to cause cancer and cause serious defects in  newborns. Soot produces polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These hydrocarbons are responsible for gene mutation for particular groups of genes. They can cause birth defects and increase the chances of getting cancer.

Water’s Good And Bad
5. Water’s great at putting out most fires but the water itself can cause great damage. You must make sure, after the fire is out, that your home or business is completely dried. If you don’t, mold, mildew, and other consequences will lead to further damage and loss. This is why SERVPRO provides industrial dehumidifiers and air movers to dry saturated carpets, padding, furniture, and any other wet items.

6. Mold colonies can begin to grow just 48 hours after water damage occurs.  The combination of fire, water, and mold damage to your commercial property or home could result in a complete loss if not handled properly. See our posts about mold,  mold myths, and how to clean up mold.

7. Use caution if you decide to do some of the cleanup after a fire. Never start your cleaning process until you’re properly attired. Wear heavy-duty gloves, safety goggles, and a face mask. Carefully cover your nose and make sure your safety glasses have no place for dust or soot to get into your eyes.

Why Firefighters Break Windows And Cut Holes In Roofs
8. Firefighters are true heroes. However, they often must break windows and cut holes in the roof of buildings on fire. As a fire burns, the fire moves up and down and across, growing very fast. Firefighters break windows and cut holes in roofs to provide ventilation that slows the fire’s growth. Ventilation also helps get rid of dark smoke that makes it hard for firefighters to see where they’re going. The holes and broken windows help firefighters fight the fire more quickly. The bottom line is that breaking windows and cutting holes in roofs help save lives and property. 

9. Firefighters will also cut holes in walls at times. That’s not about ventilation. It’s done so the fire department is sure that the fire is completely out. Fire departments don’t want to risk leaving a fire that’s not visible but is still active inside the walls or in other hidden places.

10. If you have a fire, get a copy of the fire report. In most areas, a fire report is a public document. Ask for it at the fire department or fire marshal’s office. The fire report will help you with information that your insurance company and other official offices may request.

Here To Help 
The team at SERVPRO of Southwest Jefferson County has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services and natural disaster cleanup.

Call SERVPRO of East Louisville 502-897-3608 anytime, 24/7.

Safety First When It Comes To Heating Your Space

1/28/2022 (Permalink)

Space heaters are designed to supplement cold rooms and must be used with extreme caution. According to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), nearly half of all home heating fires occur during the peak months of December, January, and February.

According to NFPA - Space heaters are the type of heating equipment most often involved in home heating fires, figuring in two of every five of these fires and accounting for 86% of associated civilian deaths, 78% of civilian injuries, and 54% of direct property damage.

General Guidelines for Space Heater Safety

There are several ways people can prevent accidental fires in their homes. One of the most important is to select heaters that have been tested and certified by testing laboratories. Also, keep areas around the heat source free of paper and trash.

When choosing the placement of the heater, remember the three feet safety rule by keeping everything that can burn at least three feet away from the heat source. Only use the heaters to heat the small space. 

Place the space heater on a hard level nonflammable surface, never on carpet, blankets, or rugs. Never use a defective heater or one that is missing its heating element guard. Make sure you use the proper size space heater for the room.

When purchasing a new space heater, look for a model with an automatic shut-off in case the heater is left on too long. In addition, a tip-switch will automatically cut off the heat if the unit topples over. Even with the safety features, never leave the heater on when sleeping, out of the room, or away from home.

In The Early Stages Of Fire Damage - SERVPRO Is Here To Help!

11/30/2021 (Permalink)

If you are ever in a situation where you have a big loss in your home just remember that SERVPRO of East Louisville.

SERVPRO of East Louisville heard about a house fire in the local area and showed up on the scene not long after the firefighters had put out the flames. Losing your home can be a very difficult thing to deal with, so SERVPRO wants to do what we can to provide customers with information on the steps to take during the early stages of the fire restoration process.  We are here to help. 

Our team of certified technicians and managers made sure that whenever the homeowners were ready to call their insurance company they would assist them with providing temporary housing situation until their home was inhabitable again. The next step is boarding up the home to ensure that the items remaining inside will not be stolen so the customer does not have to worry about losing the items that weren't damaged in the fire after the fact. Once the customer's insurance company approves our scope of work we will start the clean up and rebuild to get their home back to the way it was. 

Our hope is that you, or a family member, never has to deal with a loss of this magnitude.  However, if you are ever in a situation where you have a big loss in your home whether its with fire, water, or mold, just remember that SERVPRO of East Louisville is here to help. We want to make the whole process as easy and seamless as possible

Winter Will Be Here Soon! Check Out These Safety Tips!

9/29/2021 (Permalink)

Change smoke alarm batteries every year unless it has a long-life battery.

It’s almost time to close up the house and get ready for winter. It’s also a good time to go over some fire safety tips to make sure your family stays safe this upcoming winter. The American Red Cross provides a handy fire safety checklist. Here are some of their tips:

Cooking Safety
“Keep an eye on what you fry.” Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling, or using an open flame

Smoking Safety
Never smoke in bed.

Children Playing
Matches and lighters are locked away.

Fireplaces, Space Heaters, Baseboards, etc.
“3 feet from the heat.” Furniture, curtains, dish towels, and anything that could catch fire are at least 3 feet from any type of heat source.

Electrical and Appliance Safety
Large and small appliances are plugged directly into wall outlets.

Smoke Alarms
Change smoke alarm batteries every year unless it has a long-life battery.
Replace smoke alarms every ten years.
Test your smoke alarms each month. If they’re not working, they can’t get you out the door.

Home Fire Escape Plan
At least twice a year, practice your fire escape plan with all your family members.
Practice makes perfect! After each fire drill, mark down your escape time.

What’s Your Escape Time?
Make sure everyone can escape in two minutes or less.

SERVPRO of East Louisville specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage. We proudly service many communities in the East Louisville. Call (502) 897-3608.

SERVPRO Is The Fire and Water Damage Specialists

9/29/2021 (Permalink)

Learning about the cleanup process will help you understand why calling the experts at SERVPRO of East Louisville is the logical choice.

Recently SERVPRO of East Louisville was called to a furniture store that had experienced smoke and soot damage.  It was affected by another business in the same shopping center that had caught fire.  Our crews had the daunting task of removing all the furniture from the 26,000 sq. ft. showroom.  The furniture removal alone took days.  After the showroom was emptied our crews had a checklist of work to do in order to get the store back in operation.  

Here are some of the things we take into consideration during a smoke/fire mitigation and restoration job:

• It's very important to always clean up soot and smoke damage after a fire as soon as possible. In the combustion process, soot and vapors get carried by the air to different surfaces in a property. It is at this time that they get deposited. This will happen until the process of combustion ends, which is when soot gets piled onto surfaces in layers. When the fire damage technicians come to your property, the residue from the soot becomes difficult to remove.
• Removing odors: Technicians will remove any trash that causes the odor and can recontaminate areas that have been cleaned.
• Cleaning: Surfaces and items will get cleaned at this time.
• Deodorization: A deodorizing gas will combine with chemicals that cause the smoke smell.
• Sealing surfaces: Surfaces will get sealed so that the odor gets trapped and the chances of recontamination remain small. 

When you have home or commercial fire damage it's important to know how the damage from a fire can affect your home,  business, and your possessions.  Learning about the cleanup process will help you understand why calling the experts at SERVPRO of East Louisville is the logical choice.  For more information regarding fire damage please call 502-897-3608 or visit this link. 

Exhaust fan fire

3/30/2021 (Permalink)

In June of 2020 Randy Barnett, SERVPRO of East Louisville Marketing Manager, received a call from a State Farm Agent telling him that his neighbors house was on fire. Randy told him he didn’t live far from there and he was on his way. As Randy approached the scene the family, and the agent, were standing in the driveway while the fire department got the fire under control. When Randy approached the family they were visibly upset and overwhelmed with the disaster situation happening before their eyes.

Randy handed them a fire pack we keep on hand for this very reason containing bottled water, toiletries, and other essentials they would need for the night.

SERVPRO of East Louisville contacted our board up specialist and dispatched him to the scene to be ready when the fire department released the property as safe to enter. Upon entering the home it was discovered that the fire had started from an exhaust fan in the hall bathroom that had overheated. SERVPRO instructed them to remove essential items and clothing in which we bagged and immediately took them to our shop to be cleaned in our Esporta cleaning system.

For the next six months Randy watched the home go through the mitigation and reconstruction all the way through to the final walk through of the property. Unfortunately, Mr. Smith passed away from Covid before he was able to move back in making an already stressful situation even more difficult for Mrs. Smith. That’s when our construction manager showed up on the final day with flowers and presented them to her.

SERVPRO received a call from the daughter telling us how much the flowers meant, but above all else, how much she loved her newly finished home. It didn’t take long to realize how important our job is to other people. SERVPRO of East Louisville will continue to help people like Mrs. Smith for many years to come.

Fire damage can also cause water damage

2/10/2021 (Permalink)

When a Downtown Louisville business suffered a small fire in the server room the sprinkler head did the job of putting out the fire.  However, the water damage caused by the sprinkler to that floor, and the floors below meant a big cleanup job.  

Fires can happen at any time of day and unfortunately for this business the fire occurred in the middle of the night when no one was on property to catch the water damage from the sprinklers quickly.

Once the building was safe to enter SERVPRO of East Louisville was on scene quickly to start mitigating the damage.  Containment was set up in order to keep the smoke damage from the server room from escaping to any other portions of the building.  Carpet, baseboards, and drywall were removed so the drying process could begin.  

SERVPRO of East Louisville has certified professionals in fire and water damage so any client can rest assured we have the manpower, equipment and knowledge to handle any disaster.

Portable Heater Fire Safety

9/29/2020 (Permalink)

Follow these portable heater tips to help prevent winter fires and to stay safe this winter season.  If you find yourself in need of fire damage services don't hesitate to give SERVPRO of East Louisville a call.  We are HERE TO HELP!

Space Heater

• Keep anything that can burn, such as bedding, clothing and curtains, at least 3 feet away from the heater.

• Keep them at least three feet from things that can burn.

• Make sure the heater has an automatic shut-off, so if it tips over, it shuts off.

• Turn heaters off when you go to bed or leave the room.

• Plug portable heaters directly into outlets and never into an extension cord or power strip.

• Check your space heater for cracked or damaged cords and plugs.

• Only use portable heaters from a recognized testing laboratory.

Source: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/

Before and After smoke and soot damage to a family heirloom

9/14/2020 (Permalink)

Before and after smoke/soot damage to family heirloom.

This customer had a fire loss in a downtown victorian home back in July of 2020.  It is unsure how the fire started, but it was likely a cigarette on the very top floor of the home. The fire completely destroyed the upper level of the home and roof.

This quilt was a memento from the homeowners mom who had hand quilted it, and the fire damage caused the quilt to be completely covered in soot and debris.

Our fire cleaning crew has experience when it comes to saving precious items from fire damage when others might think it was too far gone to repair.

The quilt was hung up to dry for extended period of time then HEPA vacuumed, sprayed off with water,  then sprayed with SERVPRO Oxi-zap.

Once the initial cleaning was done then the quilt was soaked in a container over several nights with the same product.  

As you can see from the "after" image the customer was thrilled with the outcome of the cleaning.  We are proud of the work we do and proud to make things a little easier for our customers during such a tragic time.

Tips for Fire Safety

2/12/2020 (Permalink)

When disaster strikes, SERVPRO of East Louisville is here for you. We also know how important it is for you to be as prepared as possible to limit injury and damage to you, your loved ones, and your property. We sincerely hope you find these tips helpful in your home.

Smoke alarms are key to helping you and your family escape a potentially deadly situation, unscathed. Place a smoke alarm on each floor of the home as well as the kitchen and garage.

Test your smoke alarms on the same day each week.

Be sure to clean your smoke alarm weekly with a vacuum cleaner only, it is never recommended to wipe it down or use water.

Replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms twice a year. You could do this when you move your clock forward in the spring and when you move them back in the fall.

Replace your smoke alarm every ten years and replace your carbon monoxide alarm every five years.

As always, if disaster strikes, SERVPRO of Louisville East is always here for you. 

Our process during a fire damage

1/21/2020 (Permalink)

“To develop a team of quality people who focus on excellent service, fairness and mutual respect.”
- SERVPRO® Mission Statement

• Structural Cleaning - After a smoke or fire damage, ceilings, walls, woodwork, carpeting and floors will often need a thorough cleaning. SERVPRO of East Louisville will pretest to determine the extent of damage, and then use the specific equipment and cleaning products required to clean and protect the different types of surfaces found in your structure. Depending on the amount of soot, SERVPRO of East Louisville may even be able to reduce the cost of recovery by cleaning lighter soot deposits found on some surfaces, eliminating the expense incurred with repainting or refinishing. In other cases, SERVPRO will clean to “prepare for painting”. This process deodorizes and ensures the new paint will adhere properly to the surface.

• Contents Cleaning – All of the restorable contents in affected areas will be professionally cleaned and deodorized. This includes area rugs, furniture, draperies and upholstery. SERVPRO of East Louisville begins by carefully inspecting and testing all fabrics in the structure to determine which cleaning methods are most appropriate. SERVPRO can provide wet or dry cleaning services. Additionally, all the other restorable contents will be cleaned and deodorized to preloss condition. This includes electronics, art, wood furniture, kitchen items, clothing, bedding, bric-a-brac and much more. Finally, SERVPRO can provide an inventory list of all “to be claimed” items if requested.

• Deodorization – SERVPRO of East Louisville provides specialized services that rid your home or place of business of offensive odors left by fire or smoke damage. SERVPRO does not merely cover up lingering odors with a fragrance, they seek out the sources of the odor and remove them. Ask your SERVPRO explains the various deodorization methods available and which will work best for you.

Fire Damage to Apartment - Space Heater

1/14/2020 (Permalink)

This past week SERVPRO of East Louisville was called out to an apartment complex that had a fire on the 3rd floor.  The tenant had a space heater in one of the bedrooms and the space heater malfunctioned and burst into flames causing damage to the whole apartment.

Luckily this apartment complex had gotten an Emergency Ready Plan done on the facility so when the crews from SERVPRO of East Louisville showed up to the building they knew where all of the sensitive areas of the building where and what entrances the management wanted us to take to get to the affected apartment. The crews started with the water remediation to prevent any other apartments to get damaged and then started cleaning to entire apartment to get rid of the soot from the walls and placing equipment to get rid of the smoke smell.

An Emergency Ready Plan is a helpful thing to have on your building or place of business it gives valuable information to every employee that you have where the emergency shut offs are throughout the building just in case any catastrophe happens in your place of business.

How to safely use a fire extinguisher

9/25/2019 (Permalink)

P.A.S.S. method

P.A.S.S. Method

Your commercial building in Louisville, KY must be equipped with enough fire extinguishers that anyone who needs to do so can reach one quickly in an emergency. It doesn't do a lot of good to have a fire extinguisher nearby, however, if your employees don't know how to use it properly. Every person in your building needs to understand the four basic steps of the P.A.S.S. method.

1. Pull

Every canister is equipped with a safety feature that keeps it from releasing its contents spontaneously. There is a seal and a pin that holds it in place. Before you can use the extinguisher, you have to pull the pin out and break the seal.

2. Aim

You may notice that your extinguisher comes equipped with a hose. If you aim the hose at the top of the flames, however, you won't get the coverage you need. To prevent extensive fire damage that requires professional restoration services, you have to aim the hose at the base of the fire.

3. Squeeze

The fire extinguisher has a handle that allows you to release the contents of the canister. To do so, you must squeeze the handle so that the extinguishing agent comes out the end of the hose, allowing you to direct it at the base of the fire where it's aimed.

4. Sweep

If you have a small kitchen fire in your break room, you can probably put it out with the contents of the extinguisher. To do so, you need to make sure the entire base of the fire is covered in the agent that is released. Make a sweeping motion back and forth until the fire goes out or you run out of agent.
If the contents of a fire extinguisher do not put the fire out, don't grab another extinguisher. Call the fire department so that the professionals can take over. In many cases, however, using an extinguisher correctly will put out the fire and prevent a larger problem.

Fire Damage at Downtown Louisville Apartment Building

9/18/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Louisville was called to Baptist Towers in Downtown Louisville to cleanup after a fire broke out in a unit on the 17th floor.  Our crews were on site right away to assess the damage and start working on the cleanup and remediation.  

Our Professionals carefully inspected and tested adjoining rooms of the property to determine the extent of the fire, smoke, and soot damage. This step is crucial to developing a plan of action.

The water removal process begins almost immediately and removes the majority of the water. Our crews set up dehumidifiers and air movers to remove the remaining water and complete the drying process.

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

Our team had to carry equipment up 17 flights of stairs because the elevators were compromised from the fire and water.  There were a total of 52 units affected from this loss.

Space Heater Fire Prevention

2/5/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Louisville has been dealing with an abundance of fire jobs during the past couple of months. A majority of the fires we have been responding to have most likely started from space heater malfunctions. There are some things you can do to help with the prevention of a space heater starting a house fire.

• Before using any space heater make sure that you inspect the heater for cracked plugs or loose connections.
• Make sure you NEVER leave a space heater on unattended, turn it off before leaving a room or going to bed and do not let animals or children near the space heater unattended.
• Keep everything that is flammable at least three feet away from the space heater (Curtains, furniture, clothing, and etc.).
• Plug in the space heater directly into the wall, do not plug into an extension cord or surge protector. Plugging it into these devices could cause the surge protector to overheat resulting in a fire.

Apartment Fire in Louisville

1/11/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Louisville was called to the scene of a fire of an apartment building in the South end of Louisville. When arriving on the scene the tenants of the apartment building were gathering their belongings together as best as they could and trying to figure out what their next move was going to be.

Fires can be very traumatic and leave people displaced from there homes for months on end. Fires are traumatic enough when they are accidental. In this case the fire was started purposefully, the arsonist put a mattress in the hallway of the apartment building and poured gasoline on it and lit it on fire causing the whole building to be engulfed in flames. 

Luckily no one was harmed in the fire but all of the tenants were left with smoke filled belongings and no where to go. One of the tenants is a veteran and was homeless two years ago. He feared he was going to be back on the streets again because of this fire. SERVPRO of East Louisville helped this man pack up most of his belongings, and helped him find temporary housing until his caseworker could find him something more permanent.

Our goal is to make it "Like it never even happened."

Apartment Fire Damage

8/21/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Louisville was recently called out to a fire at an apartment community. The leasing office had experienced heavy fire and smoke damage throughout the entire building. These are some of the steps SERVPRO of East Louisville is taking during the cleanup process.

One of the first steps is securing the building. We start by boarding up all of the windows and doors as needed. Next we implement emergency services: cut out any and all drywall affected, remove carpet and pad, extract water, and then start the drying out process. In some cases we are asked to remove and clean all contents.  Crews will work on packing out contents one room at a time. Once all contents have been inventoried and packed properly SERVPRO of East Louisville will bring them back to our warehouse. Once back at the warehouse they will be cleaned, deodorized, and properly stored.

The next step is to start cleaning the structure that was affected by the fire and smoke. When the area has been cleaned thoroughly, we set ozone machines to eliminate any odors as some may linger even after the extensive cleaning and removing of all damaged areas. A SERVPRO Project Manager will oversee that all of the scope sheets of work have been filled out and turned in daily. When the above steps have been completed a supervisor from SERVPRO will do a walk through with the crew to make sure every aspect of the job has been completed.  The last step is to do a final walk thru with the business owner, and sometimes the adjuster, to make sure all the work is up to their standards and expectations.

Call SERVPRO of East Louisville the next time a disaster affects you or your business.

Hotel Fire times TWO

1/12/2018 (Permalink)

Human nature gives us a false sense of protection and let's us think we are prepared for anything until the unexpected happens. No one can predict when a catastrophe will happen, but we can be prepared when it does.

A local hotel in the area was hit with not one, but two electrical fires. These fires happened within days of each other. The first fire was completely mitigated and the rooms were turned back over to the hotel.  Two days after the first fire was completely cleaned up there was a second fire on the floor below in a similar electrical fire.

With multiple floors without electric and heat, the temperatures plummeted down to single digits for several days.  So you guessed it, pipes began to freeze and subsequently began to burst sending water down affecting 5 additional floors. Did they know this was going to happen? No! However, because they had an Emergency Ready Profile in place many more floors otherwise affected were spared. With this plan provided by SERVPRO of East Louisville, and the employees of this hotel, knew where the water and electric shutoffs were, preventing further damage.

Please take the time with your local SERVPRO Business Development Representative in your area and ask for an Emergency Ready Profile.

SERVPRO of East Louisville on the scene of a large church fire

11/13/2017 (Permalink)

Recently SERVPRO of East Louisville was called to a local church with a small fire in the sanctuary. The fire damage was minimal, but the smoke damage was extensive. With the sheer size of the loss our entire staff was called in to help on the job. Our mobile command center, which is usually reserved for major catastrophes, was called in along with dozens of support staff. With the amount of smoke damage we were instructed by the insurance company to discard of everything non-salvageable because of the smoke damage. The remaining salvageable items were all scrubbed down to eliminate the possibility of severe respiratory ailments. SERVPRO of East Louisville has the capability to handle any size loss from a small kitchen fire to a large church job.

At SERVPRO of East Louisville we provide complimentary Emergency Ready Plans for businesses that will put a written plan in place to help minimize the damage. Call SERVPRO of East Louisville at (502) 897-3608 for your businesses complimentary ERP.

Furniture Store Fire Damage

10/4/2017 (Permalink)

This image was taken after the contents and flooring had been removed.

One of the most devastating things a business can experience is a fire. In fact, over 70% of businesses involved in a major fire never reopen. When a fire affects a shopping center or strip mall the impact can be widespread. Obviously, the business where the fire originated will have an uphill battle to climb when it comes to structural recovery.  When the fire department leaves business owners are left with a smokey, soot filled space, with hundreds of thousands of gallons of water covering all the contents that are left behind. Not only is the space where the source of the fire impacted, but the stores around them can have secondary damage as well.  

Recently SERVPRO of East Louisville was called to a furniture store that had experienced smoke and soot damage.  It was affected by another business in the same shopping center that had caught fire.  Our crews had the daunting task of removing all the furniture from the 26,000 sq. ft. showroom.  The furniture removal alone took days.  After the showroom was emptied our crews had a checklist of work to do in order to get the store back in operation.  

Here are some of the things we take into consideration during a smoke/fire mitigation and restoration job:

• Always clean up soot and smoke damage after a fire as soon as possible. In the combustion process, soot and vapors get carried by the air to different surfaces in a property. It is at this time that they get deposited. This will happen until the process of combustion ends, which is when soot gets piled onto surfaces in layers. When the fire damage technicians come to your property, the residue from the soot becomes difficult to remove.
• Removing odors: Technicians will remove any trash that causes the odor and can recontaminate areas that have been cleaned.
• Cleaning: Surfaces and items will get cleaned at this time.
• Deodorization: A deodorizing gas will combine with chemicals that cause the smoke smell.
• Sealing surfaces: Surfaces will get sealed so that the odor gets trapped and the chances of recontamination remain small. 

When you have home or commercial fire damage it's important to know how the damage from a fire can affect your home,  business, and your possessions.  Learning about the cleanup process will help you understand why calling the experts at SERVPRO of East Louisville is the logical choice.  For more information regarding fire damage please call (502) 897-3608 or visit this link.