Fire Restoration

If you have experienced a fire and you are researching to find the right company to provide emergency services for your fire and / or smoke damage, you have come to the right location. We understand that experiencing something like this is difficult. Rest assured ServiceMaster of Seattle is the right company with qualified technicians to restore your property.

This is most likely your first fire-related loss, however, at ServiceMaster of Seattle, we have helped people through this process countless times. Years of experience have led us to advanced scientific methods, techniques and products for restoring buildings and personal property.

We suggest that you do not attempt any “do-it-yourself” cleaning methods without consulting your ServiceMaster of Seattle Restoration Project Manager. This could actually make the damage worse. Touching surfaces covered in soot can permanently set the soot. Please consider there are complex chemical reactions and hidden damage that are best restored with specific products, equipment and expert methods. Returning your property back to pre-loss condition and helping families and individuals like yourself is what we do best.

UNDERSTANDING FIRE AND SMOKE DAMAGE
During a fire, smoke is driven by flames. No matter where the fire originates, smoke may penetrate throughout a building structure. Smoke also combines with humidity and can form corrosive residues that may cause secondary damage.

Long after the fire is put out, the damage can continue, as remaining free-floating smoke settles on horizontal surfaces and contents.

Fire does burn, but residual smoke may burn as well. This is sometimes called etching, pitting or chemical burning. Quick response and action are critical. The more time that elapses before treatment, the greater the damage.

ServiceMaster of Seattle is a highly reputable, licensed, insured and endorsed provider of fire and smoke restoration services. In addition to our years of experience, our uniformed Restoration Technicians have completed advanced training in fire mitigation, restoration systems and corrosion control. We also require continuing education to learn about new techniques and equipment to better serve you in your time of need.

It is our goal to restore your property as quickly and efficiently as possible. Depending on the source, nature and size of the fire, the cleaning and restoration may require several phases before completion.

While each fire or smoke loss is unique, the information is general. However, we hope it will help answer your questions and aid you in understanding the processes and procedures for restoring your property.

We understand that as the property owner, you deserve clear and thorough communication, and we will give our full cooperation to both you and your insurance claims representative.

RESTORE VERSUS REPLACE DECISIONS
We work to restore all property to a pre-loss condition when possible. Some items cannot be restored. Others could cost more to restore than their actual value. We will advise you and your insurance claim representative, and explain the limits of what we as professional restorers can do.

CHECKED ITEMS APPLY
The following information is a checklist of services and items that may need to be addressed in order to restore and protect your property, along with a brief explanation.

Our ServiceMaster of Seattle Restoration Project Manager will walk you through this checklist. While not all of the items will apply, this information will help you understand the procedures involved in restoring your property.

We have identified the type of fire and smoke problem and the scope of the damage. The assessment includes a thorough visual inspection with photo documentation to determine the extent of the damage, enabling us to form the most effective plan for returning your property to pre-loss condition as quickly as possible. To ensure proper claims investigation, the area where the fire started must be secured and undisturbed until released for cleaning by your insurance representative. Your damage has been caused by one or more of the following:    

•    Protein Fire
Food from the oven or stove has burned; strong burnt food odor exists; smoke residue is on contents and surfaces.

•    Complex Fire
Multiple natural and synthetic items inside the structure have burned; black smoke residue is on contents and surfaces; synthetic smoke odor exists; emergency corrosion mitigation is needed to protect at-risks surfaces.

•    Natural Fire
Trees, shrubs and bushes have burned (example: forest fire); smoke has penetrated the structure from outside; smoke residue and odor are present.

•    Furnace Malfunction
Heating appliances such as oil-fired furnaces have malfunctioned and caused smoke to be distributed throughout the property.

EMERGENCY SERVICES
Board up or cover with tarp to secure the property or protect it from the elements.

Inspect furnace or air conditioner unit; replace furnace filter, cover supply and return air vents to prevent cross contamination of smoke and odor into other areas; clean and deodorize duct work.

Turn off electrical power to address safety issues.

Restore electrical power to use lighting and restoration equipment.

Remove debris to clear a way for complete restoration and provide for worker and occupant safety.

Perform emergency water damage mitigation
Extract excess water remaining from fire fighting; check flooring and structural components for remaining moisture; set up drying and dehumidification equipment.

Perform emergency corrosion mitigation
Corrosive by-products from smoke residues can cause irreversible damage in a short period of time; removing smoke residues and treating at-risk surfaces with a corrosion inhibitor will protect these items. Example of at-risk surfaces: marble, stone, grout, aluminum, glass, fixtures, appliances, etc.

Empty refrigerators or freezers to prevent spoiling and associated odors; empty food cabinets; dispose of spoiled food items. Note: We recommend you keep a list of all disposed items.

Begin initial odor control measures such as ventilation to air out the property, application of deodorizers, placement of air filtration units, etc.

Arrange for emergency laundry/dry cleaning for several changes of clothing for immediate use, while the remainder of your clothing is restored.

ODOR CONTROL SERVICES
Removal of severe odors from fire and smoke damage requires a variety of professional products, systems and specialty equipment. Often multiple treatments are necessary during the restoration process. We have the capabilities to remove a wide range of odors.

Air Scrubbers
Smoke and odor particles continue to be airborne many days after the fire has stopped. Air scrubbers use High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtration to remove these particles from the air, enhancing the efficiency of cleaning and clearing the air for safe breathing. Please do not move or turn off this equipment.

Thermal Fogging
This process neutralizes odor, using a strong deodorizer that penetrates everywhere the smoke traveled and will require the removal of pets, plants and human occupants for a short period of time.

Ozone
Ozone is an oxidizing agent produced by a portable ozone generator. This process will require the removal of pets, plants and human occupants for a short period of time.

RESTORATION SERVICES
Restoration laundry/dry cleaning
Because fire damage requires a special form of dry cleaning, this service will be performed by a restoration dry cleaner. (Includes accurate inventory control and documentation of clothing and textiles, including bedding, window coverings, etc.)

Carpet and furniture cleaning
Includes inspection, pre-testing, professional cleaning and deodorization, speed drying and covering to protect during structural restoration. May include re-application of stain protection.

Structural restoration
Structural restoration includes cleaning of ceilings and walls, as well as cleaning, polishing and deodorizing woodwork.

Closets, attics, cabinets and drawers
These areas are sources of trapped smoke odor and require thorough cleaning, deodorization and airing out.

Hard surface floor cleaning
Includes inspection and cleaning of marble, stone, tile, wood, laminate and other flooring. Floors will then be covered for protection during structural restoration.

Separate items
We will work with you and your insurance claim representative in the decision making process on items we cannot clean or restore.

HARD AND SOFT CONTENTS RESTORATION
We have advanced products and systems for restoring different smoke damaged contents, whether furniture and upholstery, knick-knacks or other belongings.

Hand washing and drying
Items are carefully cleaned by hand. Note: Care is taken to use dry methods with water-sensitive items.

Ultrasonic cleaning
Ultrasonic tanks are used to clean certain items. Some examples of  items that might be cleaned ultrasonically are vinyl and aluminum blinds, collectibles and other smaller contents.

Furniture and upholstery cleaning
This requires specialty equipment, products and technicians trained and certified in furniture restoration.

Contents restoration will be performed by:
ServiceMaster of Seattle on-site at our Maltby Packing, Cleaning and Storage facility

Packout services will be performed by:
ServiceMaster of Seattle

Moving services will be handled by:
ServiceMaster of Seattle       

Some items may require a specific, qualified restorer such as: appliances, electronics, HAVC systems, furniture, textiles, antiques, etc. If so, ServiceMaster of Seattle will work with your insurance company to manage this process for you.