Recent Fire Damage Posts

Upper West Side Properties and Hidden Fire Damage

1/10/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO tech wearing a gas mask while repairing fire damage in a home with the caption:FIRE DAMAGE RESTORATION EXPERTS If your Upper West Side property experiences fire damage, call SERVPRO. We're Faster to any size disaster™.

SERVPRO® is Here to Help Fire Damaged Homes

Fire damage is a menace that often extends beyond the visible charred remnants. In the heart of the Upper West Side, properties may harbor hidden fire damage that, if left unaddressed, can lead to severe consequences. At SERVPRO, we understand the inner workings of fire restoration and specialize in uncovering and mitigating concealed damages.

Structural Compromise

  • Fires have the potential to weaken the structural strength of a building, making it more vulnerable and prone to collapse, weakening its foundation.
  • Hidden structural damage may include weakened support beams and compromised load-bearing walls.

Electrical Systems

  • Fire can damage electrical wiring, posing a hidden risk of electrical malfunctions.
  • Faulty wiring, if undetected, may lead to electrical fires even after the visible flames have been extinguished.

Water Damage

  • Firefighting efforts often involve significant water usage, leading to water damage.
  • Hidden moisture in walls and ceilings can result in mold growth, creating a secondary issue.

Smoke Residue

  • Smoke can infiltrate hidden spaces, leaving behind residue that can corrode surfaces.
  • Over time, hidden smoke damage may compromise air quality and pose health risks.

Why Choose SERVPRO of Upper West Side for Restoration?

Expertise in Hidden Damage

  • Our team is able to identify and address both visible and concealed fire damage.
  • Thorough assessments ensure that no aspect of damage goes unnoticed.

Comprehensive Restoration

  • We go beyond surface cleanup, addressing structural, electrical, and hidden issues.
  • Our restoration process aims at restoring your property to its pre-fire condition.

Efficient and Timely Service

  • Time is vital in mitigating hidden fire damage. Our rapid response minimizes further complications.
  • Our skilled technicians work tirelessly to restore your property promptly.

Advanced Technology

  • SERVPRO of Upper West Side employs cutting-edge technology for detection and restoration.
  • Our tools and equipment ensure a thorough and effective restoration process.

Don't let hidden fire damage jeopardize the safety and integrity of your property. Choose SERVPRO of Upper West Side for skilled restoration that leaves no damage concealed. Call us at (917) 498-1362. Faster to any size disaster™.

Residential and Commercial Upper West Side Fire Damage Restoration Needed?

4/3/2023 (Permalink)

ERP on smart phone Rely on SERVPRO's ERP Emergency READY Profile Plan to prevent or mitigate fire damage in Upper West Side Properties

SERVPRO Offers Options for Dealing with Smoke and Fire Damage in the Upper West Side

When Upper West Side property owners face the consequences of a fire damaged home or business, a disaster restoration firm trained and experienced in both water and fire damage restorations is critical. The effects of professional firefighting efforts are at once humbling and dismaying. Fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems, and the New York Fire Department thankfully stop the heat and flames. Unfortunately, quelling the fire in an apartment, townhome, restaurant, or retail space also unleashes the destructive power of chemical de-accelerants and water on building materials and contents, exacerbating the harm done to the property.

Why Choose SERVPRO from Among Disaster Recovery Companies Serving the Upper West Side for Smoke and Fire Damage Remediation?

Seamless movement through all phases necessary to recover from a fire crisis is vital to restore the safety and comfort of your home's environment or the unimpeded operation of your business. SERVPRO invests in worker training to ensure our team of Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) Fire and Smoke Restoration Technicians (FSRT) also hold certification as Water Damage Restoration Technicians (WRT). S500 explains details and guidelines for fire damage mitigation.

The ease with which crews can respond to every eventuality, including preliminary water removal followed by the fire damage mitigation and remediation required, sets SERVPRO apart. Upper West Side property owners need not find, interview, and hire a series of contractors as SERVPRO is a proven and well-equipped industry leader in all restoration disciplines.

Should Upper West Side Property Owners and Building Managers Consider Collaboration on a SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile (ERP)?

Our proactive Emergency READY Profile (ERP) is unique to SERVPRO's smoke and fire damage response.  Long before a fire breaks out, invite an experienced SERVPRO project manager to assess commercial or residential properties. An ERP consolidates into a concise digital document the information needed for professional water and fire damage restoration crews to respond to a disaster efficiently and mindfully. A mobile app allows customers to add details and clarify priorities. The ERP delineates:

  • Residential or commercial property space layouts, including locations of utility shut-offs
  • A robust fire damage restoration agenda, limiting the need for intensive assessment before implementation of emergency services for water damage and smoke remediation
  • Appointment of trusted individuals to request help and direct fire damage recovery if owners or managers are unavailable at the time of the first disaster call

Many owners of residential units depend on building management to respond to fire damage and water restoration. SERVPRO's ERP is an excellent way to get all responsible parties informed and in agreement before a catastrophic event occurs. Let’s prevent that fire damage from even happening.

Residential and commercial property owners rely with confidence on SERVPRO of Upper West Side for smoke and fire damage restoration and cleanup. Call (347) 252-9440 for immediate assistance or explore preplanning for a fire or other disaster.

In Need of Fire Restoration Services in the Upper West Side?

4/2/2023 (Permalink)

a soot covered ceiling and room Affected by a fire recently? Team SERVPRO technicians are standing by 24/7 to help remediate the damage. Call us right away for best results.

For Fire Restoration Services in Upper West Side, Call SERVPRO

Fire is a devastating force, both to homeowners and occupants of a house. The fire restoration process will likely  take longer than other disaster restorations, sometimes taking weeks or even months to complete. This is because it involves way more steps than you would find in such processes as water damage restoration.

At SERVPRO, we are dedicated to making sure that the homeowner does not incur the full wrath of the damage. We carry out a fast and efficient fire restoration process in Upper West Side homes that can see your house back on its feet in the shortest time possible and in a state that is the same or better than before the damage.

The most labor-intensive step in fire restoration is cleaning up and removing smoke. In this step, SERVPRO technicians use state-of-the-art equipment to clean up the fire’s remnants, including smoke and soot stains on the walls, floors, ceilings, and any other surface. Our team can cover every inch of the areas affected and contaminated during this phase.

After this, SERVPRO applies deodorizers to remove any smells of fire or smoke that could still be present in the house. If there is water damage due to the working of fire extinguishers, we also apply disinfecting agents and antimicrobials that prevent the growth of bacteria and mold.

At SERVPRO, we are known for working closely with insurance providers to make the process of making claims easier for our customers. The total cost that you may incur due to the damage varies, but it is influenced by such factors as:

  • The damage caused by the fire and fire extinguishing efforts.
  • The number of affected rooms in your house.
  • And the extent of the building materials that need repair.

With these, we can make fairly accurate cost calculations that you can forward to your insurance provider.

Instead of watching as the damage takes root in your Upper West Side home, contact SERVPRO of Upper West Side at (917) 498-1362 for repairs. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Why Professional Fire Damage Restoration is Best in Upper West Side

9/27/2022 (Permalink)

Robeson Apartments SERVPRO provides quality fire damage restoration services. We are ready at a moment's notice.

Call SERVPRO to Your Upper West Side Property for Fire Damage Restoration

Once a disaster like a fire occurs on your Upper West Side property, you might not have planned how the upset and stress will impact you. Seeing your home with fire damage is scary and stressful, and you may be overloaded with emotions and worry about what to do next. Why compound the stress by trying to attempt DIY house fire cleanup? Calling in professionals is the way to go, which is why SERVPRO’s Green Fleet is ready to go whenever our area customers need us.

There are many areas where SERVPRO shines regarding fire damage restoration in Upper West Side. Why call us for fire and smoke remediation? Let’s take a look:

  • Clear Communication – The fire cleanup process is complex, especially if the damage is extensive. Our professional team keeps you informed of the plan and each phase as we move through it so that you know precisely what is happening.
  • HVAC Damage – Whenever there is fire damage and smoke infiltration, special attention must get paid to your ductwork and indoor air quality (IAQ). We formulate a focused approach to address air and filtration systems, including your HVAC. 
  • Paperwork and Other Details – If you had items lost to fire damage, SERVPRO makes a detailed list that can get submitted to your insurance company to help facilitate your claim. 

SERVPRO has seen it all

We are trained to inspect and assess, giving us details to select the best methods to handle your fire damage. We need to understand exactly what we are dealing with, which includes asking questions like:

  • What type of cleanup is required? We assess soot residues, charring, and materials burned to pick out the proper cleaning measures and deodorization tools.
  • How severe is the damage? Restoration and repair will be less expensive and time-consuming when you have primarily cosmetic damage. More involved projects will require focused manpower and specialized techniques.

Why choose us? Because we are the best in the area when you require professional fire damage restoration. Call SERVPRO of Upper West Side at (917) 498-1362 to mobilize a crew!

Helping Upper West Side Fire Restoration with Surface Cleaning

7/27/2022 (Permalink)

Smoke Cloud Don’t let your property be a victim of fire damage.

The Elements of Fast Fire Restoration

Fire restoration often focuses on the measures of our SERVPRO team to eliminate soil deposits and soot particles from the impacted environment. Both air quality improvement and surface cleaning are necessary, and with multiple building materials and contents coated with smoke solids, we have many products and techniques to help.  

The Best Surface Cleaning Agent

Choosing the right cleaning product is a matter of considering multiple variables for the most efficient fire restoration in Upper West Side properties. Often the age and type of material hosting the residue can be a significant contributor to the cleaning agent necessary. Environmental conditions also play a part in the productivity and success of applied restoration products. 

Agitation of Surface Cleaners

Either through pre-cleaning to remove loose soils or in the sense of required agitation and mechanical action to improve the effectiveness of used surface cleaners, physical action is a beneficial element to the cleaning we provide. Scrubbing with steel wool and hard-bristled brushes can allow solvents and detergents to reach more soot particles and require less abrasive methods. Efforts might include:

  • Feather Dusting
  • Steel Wool
  • Brushing
  • Dry Vacuuming

Modifying the Temperature

When the environment is cooler, chemical processes, including the evaporation of surface moisture, can happen at a slower rate. Clearing soot deposits cannot occur as efficiently as possible without increasing the temperature of the surfaces impacted to boost molecular movement and the needed time for restoration processes to complete. 

Cleaning Agent Contact Time

The final consideration and factor in the cleaning and restoring soot-covered surfaces and contents in your home is the contact time needed for cleaning agents on these materials. The required exposure time changes with each application and area of the house to achieve emulsification or bonding with soils to trap them.

SERVPRO of Upper West Side can help with fire damage. Give us a call when disasters strike at (917) 498-1362. 

Cleaning Soot from the Belongings of Your Manhattan Apartment

5/26/2022 (Permalink)

Tarp on Side Of Building Fire damage will take over your Manhattan apartment home, let us help you.

Let SERVPRO clean soot from your Manhattan Items

We have multiple strategies that exist to reduce the presence of soot and smoke residues on surfaces and the contents of your Manhattan apartment. With a confined space that many property owners must contend with, nearly all of your belongings can become affected by even a smaller-scale fire loss incident within the apartment. While many residents lack the training and skill to address these concerns on their own, more and more have trusted in the experience and equipment of our SERVPRO brand to help during the crisis. 

Content management is a vital component of our recovery from fire damage in Manhattan apartments like yours. We understand how concentrated effects can become, especially in units that do not have an open floor plan. We must work quickly to face these immediate effects to safely remove affected and damaged possessions. We can move these items to our nearby facility for focused cleaning and deodorization, which is necessary when contending with soot and smoke residues. 

Not all cleaning practices work the same for every item damaged by the recent fire loss in your apartment. For hard materials that are not compromised by submersion in a solution, the ideal practice for addressing soot buildup is an immersion practice. Most often, this involves using our ultrasonic tank, which is full of a powerful cleaning product. Items get entirely submerged in this solution, and vibration from sound waves generates microscopic bubbles that burst to create an action that breaks up the soiling and leaves the surface of the material clean and vibrant. 

This equipment in our SERVPRO facility is often the only cleaning that many of the damaged items removed from your apartment require before they get safely stored until they get returned to your residence. Ultrasonic tanks are ideal for ceramics, silverware, glass, and other hard items that can be costly to replace or resurface. 

Removing soot and smoke residues can be a challenge for even our experienced SERVPRO of Upper West Side professionals at times. With our advanced equipment and our line of powerful cleaning and deodorization products, we can make all fire loss incidents “Like it never even happened.” Give us a call anytime that disaster strikes at (917) 498-1362.

Manhattan Multi-Tenant Building Management Should Consider SERVPRO for Fire Loss Mitigation

3/22/2022 (Permalink)

Door Covered In Plastics Fire, Smoke, and Odor Containment in a Manhattan Apartment Is a Job for SERVPRO

Prevent Fire Odors from Spreading Through a Manhattan Apartment

Many consequences from fire loss incidents require an immediate management plan within Manhattan apartments. Effects from these disasters can not only spread quickly through the affected source unit, but any neighboring properties sharing common walls, floors, ceilings, and hallways, as well. While installed suppression systems can often make short work of the combustion and flames, lingering consequences like soot and smoke odor can present hurdles property owners must overcome to return their residence to pre-damaged condition.

While containment strategies are one of the specialties that you can expect from our SERVPRO professionals overcoming fire damage in Manhattan apartments, there are ways that you can limit this spread on your own. One of the first steps you can take once the fire has gotten suppressed in your unit is to gear up with personal protective equipment, including respirators, gloves, and other safety gear, and work to begin cleanup and recovery of the apartment.

Our SERVPRO team would encourage homeowners and apartment owners to proceed with caution when attempting to remove substances like soot and smoke residue from surfaces, contents, and construction materials. Though cleanup of these damaged areas can help reduce lingering odors in the apartment, specific approaches are necessary to prevent smearing and staining.

Another approach that property owners can consider to help contain the spread of odors after a fire has gotten extinguished is to rent air purification machines with a HEPA filter. These units can help to reduce the concentration of particulates circulating through the air and can work to provide a barrier that prevents much of the damaging effects from the fire from spreading elsewhere in the apartment or neighboring units.

With how standard apartments are to our borough, owners have to not only care for their own living space but also those of the neighbors sharing walls and floors. If a situation gets too widespread or overwhelming, you can always count on the expertise and industry-leading equipment of our SERVPRO of Upper West Side team. We can arrive quickly to make fire losses “Like it never even happened” when you call (917) 498-1362.

How to Deal With Fire Damage Remediation in Your Manhattan Apartment

2/21/2022 (Permalink)

power Plug On Fire SERVPRO is prepared with restoration equipment and experienced technicians. Call today at (917) 498-1362.

A Small Space Heater Can Be A Real Threat to Your Manhattan Apartment

You are subject to unexpected temperature drops even though summer is right around the corner when you live in Manhattan. To warm up just a bit, you may plug in an old space heater in your living room without realizing that its wiring can pose a threat to your apartment. Once it causes a fire, you realize just how vulnerable we are to accidents, even if they seem minor.

Despite your quick response in using a fire extinguisher, there still is fire damage to your Manhattan apartment, and you want to make sure to address any potential trouble this may cause. Our SERVPRO crew is at your service to assess the extent of the damage and help you restore your home. All you need is to call us as soon as disaster strikes. Our team is available 24/7 and ready to mitigate your damages by acting quickly and effectively.

Aside from the smoke and soot residue left by the fire, you may wonder whether your belongings can be salvaged. Our SERVPRO team analyzes the flames' path and considers the nature of each element that suffered. Synthetic materials such as plastics do not burn in the same manner as natural materials do, such as wood. Understanding the difference is crucial in applying proper cleaning and disinfecting agents to each affected surface of your home.

Ridding your home of the foul smoke odor is also essential. Our SERVPRO staff understands the buildings in New York City and applies deodorizing agents in a way that is specific to the materials used in your home. We have many options for eradicating the smell at our disposal, including odor pellets, charcoal-activated filters, and even thermal fogging. Whether the fire was big or small, we want to eliminate all its traces.

New York City living is fast-paced and vibrant, and SERVPRO of Upper West Side wants to ensure you will not miss a beat. Call us at (917) 498-1362 and let us leave your home "Like it never even happened."

What Are the Benefits of Calling Fire Damage Restoration Professionals?

12/3/2021 (Permalink)

fire escape on brick many stories building SERVPRO says: Always have a fire escape plan for your Manhattan property--Then leave the cleanup to us!

SERVPRO Helps Manhattan Property Owners Save Time and Money with Premier Fire Cleanup and Restoration

Property owners in Manhattan know they can rely on SERVPRO technicians when their property is damaged by fire. Our restoration professionals work hard to stop further harm and begin the restoration process quickly. By working to restore rather than replace whenever possible, our team can help customers save time and money.

What Should You Expect When You Call SERVPRO?

SERVPRO technicians are trained to respond swiftly to Manhattan fire damage emergencies. We know that fast action is the key to mitigating fire damage. Here are some of the first steps we take when called to a property requiring cleanup and restoration.

  • Respond to your questions and concerns
  • Determine the extent of the fire damage
  • Test materials to determine what can be restored to pre-fire conditions
  • Discuss the results with you and your insurance adjuster
  • Obtain signed permission to begin the restoration process

We understand the stress that a flare-up causes. With many years of experience, we treat you with empathy even as we work to simplify the claims process. We are not an insurance company but expedite the process as much as possible. Communication is key. Let's get you back to your daily routine as quickly as possible.

What if Your Property Incurred Secondary Water Damage?

Because NYC firefighters respond to around 2,000 fires per month. Our Fire and Smoke Restoration Technicians (FSRT) can deal with water damage resulting from the extinguishing efforts. Our crew receives cross-trading in many aspects of restoration services.

SERVPRO technicians use advanced equipment to extract water and dry all wet materials and contents. All mitigation efforts can work simultaneously.

We provide restoration efforts from the first visit to the final walkthrough to ensure total customer satisfaction. Our goal is to make you feel "Like it never even happened."

When you have a fire at your property, trust the fire cleanup and restoration to us. Contact SERVPRO of Upper West Side at (917) 498-1362.

Do I Call a Water Damage Company First Before I Focus on Fire Restoration in My Manhattan Brownstone?

10/17/2021 (Permalink)

fire extinguisher in front of fire background Fire damage restoration for your home needs to be handled by an IICRC certified accredited team. SERVPRO fire damage specialists are here to help.

Hiring a Full-Service Restoration Company Like SERVPRO Covers All Aspects of Fire Damage Recovery in Your Manhattan Home

One of the first issues that will grab your attention after a successfully extinguished fire in your Manhattan apartment is water. Vast quantities and significant contamination of the firefighting water by chemical extinguishing agents and fire residues are the challenges restoration companies face first.

Why Is Water Damage Treated First?

Fire restoration within your Manhattan living space nearly always includes water removal and structural drying. Water mitigation and remediation must occur before smoke and soot cleanup because:

Water Incursion Presents Substantial Safety Issues.

  • Slip, trip, and fall
  • Electrocution risk
  • Hazardous substances contaminating the water, including toxins created during the combustion
  • Potential structural collapse when ceilings and walls collect fluids in cavities

Lingering standing water and moisture expose structure and contents to progressive destruction.

Weakening of structural supports, including subfloors when the wood swells and metal rusts. Deterioration of permeable materials like drywall, insulation, textiles, laminates, and more. Warping of wood flooring and trim. Growth of molds and mildews.

Can One Restoration Company Have Expertise in Both Water and Fire Damage?

SERVPRO considers water and fire disasters to be the core focuses of our restoration business. We invest in our response team's rigorous training through coursework developed by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). We follow both the water and fire restoration protocols taught by this international standards establishment organization based on scientific principles.

The multiple certifications earned by our managers and technicians from the IICRC prepare SERVPRO of Upper West Side for every phase of fire restoration, from water management to residue cleanup to deodorization, and beyond. Call us at (917) 498-1362 to get a comprehensive fire damage recovery project on track for your home.

Where to Begin with Cleaning Your Fire Damaged Manhattan Condo

8/13/2021 (Permalink)

fire extinguisher Do you know how to clean fire suppression residues? SERVPRO does! We have the equipment and cleaners to restore your home.

Cleanup after Fire Suppression in Your Manhattan Condo

Fires that occur in your Manhattan condo can often get quickly extinguished with fire suppression systems installed in the property. While this can often prevent catastrophic damage to your residence, these same suppression systems can often create widespread damaging effects of their own if not cleaned quickly and adequately. Our professionals have a prompt response to fire emergencies. We have training in recovering properties contending with residues from suppression systems to get you back to your everyday life quickly.

Cleaning up the residues of fire suppression products and recovery of fire damage in your Manhattan condo should begin as quickly as possible. Our SERVPRO professionals have a 24/7 response to fire emergencies to ensure that no customer waits for the mitigation and cleanup solutions that their property needs. This approach also includes protecting and cleaning the contents of your condo affected by this residue or effects from the fire itself.

Fire Damage Restorations

When our SERVPRO team arrives at your condo, we can get to work on establishing the full spread of the fire damage to set up containment and begin mitigation. Our contents department can earmark damaged or at-risk items for removal to our nearby facility. These same professionals can provide focused cleaning and deodorization for affected items and safely store these items until restoration completes. While these items are getting packed up for their transport, our IICRC-certified cleaning specialists can begin work on removing the fire suppressant residue from the walls and surfaces throughout your condo.

Dry chemical fire extinguisher residue is among the most common to clean up after suppressing a smaller fire. Whether this is installed above your stove or has come from canisters installed strategically around the condo, removing this residue requires a specific approach. With sodium bicarbonate and potassium bicarbonates, cleanup involves a mixture of cleaning solutions to neutralize these chemical compounds.

While suppression systems and fire extinguishers can keep a fire from getting out of control in your condo, the cleanup of the lingering residue requires skill and knowledge. Our SERVPRO of Upper West Side rapid response team can make all aspects of fire damage “Like it never even happened.” Give us a call anytime at (917) 498-1362.

How Professionals Clean Fire Extinguisher Residue From Your Manhattan Apartment

7/5/2021 (Permalink)

a fire damaged kitchen with soot covering the cabinets Kitchen fires can happen quickly and the fire damage needs to be remediated right away. Contact our certified SERVPRO team 24/7 for services.

Restoring Fire Suppression Damages in Your Manhattan Apartment

Over-range fire suppression systems are becoming more and more common throughout Manhattan homes and properties to reduce the fast-spreading nature of kitchen flare-ups. While these might quickly put out a potential fire, it does not happen without damages and a mess of its own to face. Powder suppression can spread the extinguishing material throughout the affected area. When coupled with smoke and soot damage from the small fire, it can become problematic to overcome without the proper training and equipment.

After a minor kitchen fire that engaged the suppression system, you get your first look at the fire damage in your Manhattan property. Residues from powder, smoke, and soot affect many of the surfaces in the immediate area, and cleaning these as promptly as possible can reduce the possibility of staining. If the damage stays primarily contained within the kitchen, our SERVPRO team can isolate this area using thick plastic sheeting and other containment strategies.

The wipe-down process can reduce and eliminate a large portion of this residue from surfaces within the affected areas. Quickly cleaning these damaged surfaces can help to reduce the possibility of requiring the replacement of certain materials by protecting and preserving cabinets, appliances, flooring, ceilings, and even the HVAC system if soot, smoke, and residual powder get pulled into the ductwork.

Odors After Fire Damage

Lingering odors are another problem that property owners face after a kitchen fire. Our SERVPRO professionals have advanced equipment like our hydroxyl generators that can help to significantly reduce or permanently eliminate noxious odors throughout this kitchen area. The containment that isolated this affected region of your home can help ensure the deodorizing equipment's effectiveness.

Powder suppression systems can sometimes cause more of a mess than smaller fires that they work to prevent. Whether you need clean up or a complete restoration to your fire-damaged structure, our SERVPRO of Upper West Side restoration technicians can help. Our rapid response team is available 24/7 by calling (917) 498-1362.

How Can Soils and Soot Get Removed After Manhattan House Fires?

5/25/2021 (Permalink)

fire damaged home SERVPRO has its own controlled demolition team for fire damage restoration services build back.

Manhattan house fire cleanup requires many steps and stages completed by our SERVPRO professionals.

The ways that fire damage can impact area homes are plentiful and require several immediate emergency services and mitigation strategies to begin cleaning and restoring. Our experienced professionals can respond fast to get these started in fire-damaged homes.

How Can Soot Get Removed from Surfaces? 

Soot can be one of the most challenging smoke damage effects after fire damage in Manhattan residences. Oily soils and particles coming to rest on contents and building materials can form a thick residue that is difficult to remove. Addressing these concerns is not universal and depends on the condition of underlying materials. Some cleanup solutions include:

Because of how widespread fire damage can become in the borough’s homes and apartments, you need a team of professionals capable of responding fast to get mitigation and cleanup started. Our experienced SERVPRO of Upper West Side technicians can help 24/7 when you call (917) 498-1362. 

Fire Damage Restoration Services Upper West Side

3/26/2021 (Permalink)

smoke from a fire Fire and smoke remediation by SERVPRO is top notch. Our techs are IICRC certified for any size fire restoration job.

Smoke remediation can save your most valuable heirlooms in your Upper West Side home.

The Upper West Side is part of the borough of Manhattan in New York City. The neighborhood's boundaries are the Hudson River, Central Park, West 59th street, and West 110th Street. While it is mainly a residential area, it is known for being one of Manhattan's intellectual and cultural hubs. The Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Barnard College, Columbia University, and Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School is located in this part of Manhattan.

There are numerous additional cultural institutions, historical sites, opulent apartments facing Central Park, and many restaurants and gourmet grocery shopping areas. Several notable institutions and locations include:

  • Lincoln Center
  • Museums
  • Columbus Circle
  • The Dakota
  • Residences Along Central Park West
  • Restaurants and Grocery Stores

Lincoln Center

The Lincoln center covers over 16 acres and is home to 12 performing arts companies. There are thirty outdoor and indoor facilities. Over 5 million people every year are entertained. Visitors and residents enjoy many artistic events, including opera, ballet, film festivals, and educational opportunities in the performing arts.

Museums

There are also many museums in the Upper West Side section of the borough. Among the notable museums are the American Folk Art Museum, American Museum of Natural History, Children's Museum of Manhattan, Museum of Biblical Art, and the Nicholas Roerich Museum.

There are many historical locations to enjoy in the borough. Several of these include the American Youth Hostel, Apple Bank, Columbus Circle, the Dakota, Grant's Tomb, and the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. 

Visitors and residents can enjoy a stay vacation visiting many of these museums and historical locations in the city.

Columbus Circle

Named for Christopher Columbus, the location is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The circle is also the location of a heavily trafficked roundabout in Manhattan. The center of the circle is also where all official distances from New York City are measured. The monument, built-in 1892, which celebrates Christopher Columbus, stands 76 feet tall. An Italian sculptor, Gaetano Russo, designed it.

The Dakota

The Dakota is famous for being the location where Beatles John Lennon was murdered in 1980. The building was constructed in 1880 and is home to artists, musicians, and actors. It is considered an official city landmark. The Dakota was included on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 and is at the intersection of Central Park West and 72nd Street.

Smoke Remediation Techniques Save Contents and Heirlooms from Smoke Damage

Kitchen fires often produce a great deal of smoke residue that seems to penetrate every room in the home. It can leave an oily residue, especially if grease ignites and air currents carry it to other rooms.

SERVPRO fire and smoke technicians respond to these types of fire damage conditions on the Upper West Side often, unfortunately. While there may be some scorching from the immediate fire, and the chemicals used to quell the fire, most of the fire damage restoration is to remove odors and oily residues.

After mapping where the residue traveled through the structure and the type of residue, SERVPRO technicians implement smoke remediation action:

  • Remove all fire and smoke damage odor-producing materials
  • Dissolving residues to remove them from surfaces
  • Vacuuming from surfaces
  • Washing, rinsing, and drying

Contact SERVPRO of Upper West Side for fire damage restoration services on the Upper West Side and surrounding areas. We can help 24/7. Call (917) 498-1362.

What do Fire Restoration Companies do to Restore a Manhattan Home?

2/4/2021 (Permalink)

"Fire line do not cross" A fire can happen without warning and you are going to need a company to come in and take care of the damage. Call SERVPRO for fire damage remediation

SERVPRO follows industry best practices to restore Manhattan properties with fire damage

Fires erupt suddenly, leaving homeowners in need of repairs and guidance as to the restoration process. Ashes and soot travel quickly to settle on your belongings, regardless of the distance to the fire's origin. Acting swiftly to clean each surface and eliminate the smell of smoke can make a big difference in mitigating your loss.

Fire damage to Manhattan residences can affect your property as well as neighboring units. Smoke and soot can cling to walls and ceilings, rendering your cleaning efforts ineffective. Before you waste precious time, call our trained technicians at SERVPRO and let them apply their expertise for your benefit. We train to understand the principles behind each fire and develop an action plan accordingly. Once you invite us into your home, you may see us doing the following-

  • Apply chemicals to clean your surfaces
  • Use agitation techniques to accelerate the clean-up process
  • Deodorize your home by using air scrubbers, ozone generators, and thermal foggers

SERVPRO of Upper West Side works efficiently to protect your home and adjacent structures. You can reach us at (917) 498-1362 and let us leave your home “Like it never even happened.”

Upper West Side Kids Can Take Part in Story Pirates Sleep Squad

12/7/2020 (Permalink)

toddler sleeping with teddy bear Sweet dreams for your family in the Upper West Side as SERVPRO attends to fire cleanup

It’s a Virtual Story World That Comes with a Dreamtime Travel Kit for Upper West Side Families

Lilli Cooper is a Tony Award Nominee and the star of the Sleep Squad. It is an enchanting audio experience that invites children to take part in one of three adventures:

  • Stuck Island (desert island)
  • Spinosaurus Birthday (dinosaurs)
  • 20 Moons (intergalactic adventure)

The on-screen performance also comes with a Dreamtime Travel Kit. The kit includes:

  • Dream journal
  • Sleep google mask
  • Star machine

The kit is optional and will be delivered to the home before the event. Designed for ages 4 – 12, the family pass is $35. The Dreamtime Kit is an additional $15. You choose your date for this delightfully imaginative bedtime experience. This one happens on December 15th at 7 PM, but there are other times available too.

SERVPRO of Upper West Side has been providing fire damage restoration to Upper West Side residents and businesses for many years. We are experts at fire damage mitigation. Contact us at (917) 498-1362 for more information.

How Can I Remove Odors from My Manhattan Apartment After a Fire?

9/10/2020 (Permalink)

"We can help" We understand the need for rapid response to minimize the loss of your property after a fire occurs. Call us right away we are available 24/7.

With professional equipment and products, our SERVPRO team can manage odor issues in smaller apartment units. 



The confined spaces of even the larger Manhattan apartments that many of us own can amplify fire loss effects. Depending on the type of fire, soot and smoke residues can coat surfaces throughout the open floor plan, but the most challenging obstacles are the complete removal of odors. Not only does burning and combustion generate harsh scents in the environment, but it can impact porous surfaces and contents throughout your unit as well. 

There are multiple layers of fire restoration for Manhattan residences, and each of these actions can work towards the ultimate goals of preloss condition. While deodorization might not occur until the final stages of restoration and recovery, there are still methods of reducing these threats' severity and presence during mitigation. Between products and approaches, we can noticeably lessen the noxious scents lingering in the apartment and ideally prevent these odors from penetrating shared walls and affecting neighboring properties. Some of the ways to accomplish this include:

  • Counteracting Beads
  • Deodorant Granules
  • Water-Based Odor Counteractants
  • Surface Cleaning
  • Hydroxyl generators during the cleanup stage

What Tools Are Best for Deodorization? 

While deodorization might be among the final restoration tasks that we complete, the sciences behind the elimination or neutralization of odor molecules are advanced. The process itself often requires multiple types of deodorizing tools, especially when varying materials are involved. Most often, thermal and ULV fogging with a potent counteractant can eliminate environmental scents and those trapped in porous materials like drywall, cabinets, carpets, and subflooring. Also, our SERVPRO team can use more advanced techniques, including ozone generation and hydroxyl radicals, to address odor and contaminant concerns as well. 

As intrusive as odors can be after a fire, you can count on our SERVPRO of Upper West Side team to help. We have advanced technologies and tools to make it "Like it never even happened." Give us a call today at (917) 498-1362.

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Can Soot-Covered Appliances in My Upper West Side Kitchen Survive a Remodeling Fire?

5/27/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Has the Skills, Products, and Equipment to Restore High-End Appliances After Upper West Side Fire Damage

The irony is not lost when your brand-new artisan-grade appliances are coated in smelly, sticky residues after an electrical short in your rehabbing contractor’s equipment sets your Upper West Side apartment on fire. You finally proceeded with a long-needed kitchen remodel, only to have the bright, clean appliances purchased in anticipation of a redone and enhanced food preparation area reduced to a condition even worse than the grease encased decades-old kitchen suite it replaced.

Why Are Restorers Wrapping My Kitchen in Plastic?

Any blaze creates dangerous fumes and potentially hazardous fire damage to your Upper West Side home. residues. Upper West Side residents in elegant older apartment buildings can risk exposure to a wide range of toxic airborne and settled debris that could cause illness or injury. Our project manager recommends containment with 1.6 mil polyethylene and employment of air-scrubbing equipment to minimize debris spread. Our technicians wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to limit skin and respiratory contact.

What Hazardous Substances Concern Professionals?

Older buildings can contain lead-based paint, asbestos, and many different chemicals unleashed by the fire. When electrified circuits contribute to the fire, a term rarely heard today--polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs--can add an extremely worrisome substance to the mix if part of your building’s electrical system still utilizes applications using these materials. If SERVPRO suspects the involvement of these hazards, we arrange for certified technicians to abate the toxins.

How Will Fire and Smoke Restoration Technicians (FSRT) Clean My Appliances?

Once we have the specified hazards remediated, our Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)-trained crew assess the various fire residue-damaged appliances. We consider two major, intersecting aspects of the damage:

The characteristics of the surfaces affected:

Are they solid or porous?

What are the materials used?
- Glass
- Plastic
- Composite
- Metal
- Wood-faced (build-in units)
- Laminate
- Veneer
- Hardwood

What kind of a finish do they have?

- Matte
- Glossy
- Brushed
- Stained or painted

The characteristics of the soot deposited on said surfaces:

Usually, an electrical fire produces thick, sticky soot. Protein-based residues can also form if food or grease in the kitchen heats up during the blaze. The protein-based residue is highly malodorous and attaches to the appliances like a lacquer or varnish, yellowing, or otherwise discoloring them. Although the combination of the two types of soot presents a cleanup challenge, it is one we see frequently and resolve successfully.

How Do We Use the Data About the Appliance Surface and the Soot?

When we match cleaning products to soot, we always keep in mind that we want the residue to loosen, become suspended in solution, and rinse away. With large and stationary objects such as appliances, we use a spray and wipe technique to apply the product, agitate, and remove the cleaner and the dissolved or suspended residue.

What kind of product should we use?

We always keep in mind that “like dissolves like.” If the soot is determined to be water-based, we use a water-based cleaner. Protein-based and some synthetic-based soots need a solvent or oil-based cleaner. In multi-soot circumstances, detergent bridges the difference.

What kind of agitation should we use?

The durability of the surface helps us judge what kind of scrubbing or addition of abrasives an appliance cabinet can endure. We want to make sure a little “elbow grease” does not remove or dull a finish. Adding a lubricant can protect the surface while allowing a gritty compound or tool to exert gentle abrasion to remove residues that cling persistently.

How long should the cleaner be in contact with the surface?

Adjusting the pH of a cleaner can help break the bond between the residue and the surface. Permitting dwell time of a cleaner to exceed suggested limits can corrode, tarnish, pit, or etch some appliance finishes. If laminate applied over another material makes the appliances look like built-ins, we are careful not to soak the surfaces as delamination might occur.

What extremes of temperature can the surface handle?

Raising the temperature of a cleaning product urges the molecules to move faster during a chemical reaction. Appliances featuring plastics might experience warping if the temperature rises too high.

What can professionals do about discoloring?

Bleaching either adds oxygen or removes oxygen from the chemical structure of residues. Enzymes break up organic residues, permitting our technicians to wipe them and their staining away.

Have confidence that the professionals from SERVPRO of Upper West Side can assess your kitchen’s fire damage and plot a course to make the soot and smells “Like it never even happened.” We await your call 24/7 at (917) 498-1362.

Unusual Reasons Upper West Side Homes Experienced Fire Damage

4/12/2020 (Permalink)

flame and candle in a glass container SERVPRO Says Diligence and Safe Practices Can Help Prevent House Fires in the Upper West Side

Fire Damage Happens! Be Prepared and Call SERVPRO for Swift Cleanup and Restoration

While an average of 1.3 million fires occurs each year in the United States, the majority of them have their ground zero in the kitchen. There are some not-so-common reasons fires started, many of which were preventable such as improper storage of flammable chemicals or loose electrical outlets in your Upper West Side Unit.

Before a fire damage event occurs in an Upper West Side home, it is a good idea to establish a disaster-ready plan. If a fire happened, who would you call? What items are most important to save? It is a good practice to inspect your property monthly for things that could be fire hazards and correct them. Test your smoke detectors to make sure they are in working order. And then, learn from the following out-of-the-ordinary reasons a fire loss happened.

Glass Bottles and Jars Have Started Fires
When sunlight shines through a glass jar or bottle, the light has the potential for refraction. This action results in heat, and it can be intense enough to start a fire. One homeowner had a fire start from a jar in the window that directed a beam of sunlight onto the kitchen curtains, which ignited.

Animals and Fire Loss
From damaged electrical wiring from mice to a cat knocking an unattended candle onto the floor, both can result in fires. A home security system with video monitoring can help, and if signs of a rodent infestation get noticed-handle it as fast as possible to lessen the possibility of a loss.

Malfunctioning Appliances
Most people know that dryers and ovens cause fires in the home on occasion. Another culprit is the humble dishwasher. Filling an electrical appliance with water, what could go wrong? Due to the presence of the heating element, if water leaks around it, the outcome can be a fire. If you detect any signs of leakage around your dishwasher, do not use it until it gets repaired.

What to Do When a Fire Loss Does Occur
One of the best things to do is bring in professional help for the cleanup and restoration. SERVPRO technicians have the equipment and advanced methods to bring your home back to its preloss condition.

What About Other Fire Hazards?
After the restoration efforts complete, SERVPRO techs are happy to assist homeowners in an inspection of their home and show them elements to look for to lower the risk of another fire or a water leak.

SERVPRO of Upper West Side, when called at (917) 498-1362, restores properties affected by fire damage. The technicians bring their knowledge, skills, and equipment to make the fire loss to your property, "Like it never even happened."

Manhattan Dwellers Deal Best with a Fire and Smoke Loss with SERVPRO's Assistance

2/2/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO tech wiping down stairwell walls and ceiling from soot SERVPRO Professional Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration Tech Cleans Soot from Outside a Manhattan Residential Building

Unraveling Puzzles Left by Fire Damage in Manhattan

When a fire burns your Manhattan condo, it is likely to leave damages at the source and other sections of the property even if the flames are doused early. Although most of the damages, such as charred materials or surfaces are easy to locate and understand, some outcomes of fire incidents leave homeowners puzzled. Hiring a professional restoration team can help you understand the damage and find the right solutions.    

The deposits left after fire damage in Manhattan units can form unusual patterns. For example, the homeowner may notice blacked dots where nails lay hidden beneath the drywall. It might appear as if the fire pulled out the nails. The popular name for this phenomenon is nail pops, and it forms due to magnetism in smoke residues. The residues drift towards the metallic nails resulting in the nail pops even though the nails are still in place. Our SERVPRO technicians inspect the surrounding drywall, and if there are no other signs of severe damages, we can clean the area to remove the residues.

Smoke residues may also collect in areas you would not expect them to. For example, rooms that were closed off from the main areas affected by the fire may have high concentrations of smoke residue. Such outcomes occur because closed windows and doors cannot hinder smoke movements. Areas isolated from the fire also tend to be colder, so smoke tends to concentrate there because it moves through convectional currents, hot air circulates toward cooler air.  Our SERVPRO technicians check all concealed areas, including cabinets, to eliminate all smoke residues.

It is common for fires to leave a stench in the affected areas. In most cases, the smell goes away after removing charred debris and cleaning the area. It can, therefore, be puzzling for the smell to linger after doing a thorough cleaning. The odor particles can penetrate deep into materials, especially since the heat from the fire opens up pores in materials. Neutralizing the odor particles is the only solution to a stubborn odor problem. Our SERVPRO technicians can use ULV foggers or Ozone generators in extreme cases, which produce different agents that combine with odor particles, neutralizing them.
 
It is easier to deal with fire-damaged property with help from a professional team. Call SERVPRO of Upper West Side to help. You can reach us at (917) 498-1362 at any time. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

We Can Help You Restore Your Manhattan Apartment After A Fire

12/12/2019 (Permalink)

A room in this property covered in soot and smoke damage after a fire We have the certified personnel, expertise, advanced training, and state-of-the-art equipment to restore your property to pre-damage condition.

Manhattan's Fire Damage Restoration Technicians Point Out Various Types Of Deodorants

The odds show that if you live in an apartment in Manhattan for long enough, then there is a decent chance that something will burn inside your complex. Even if your unit does not initially become the victim of fire damage, the smoke coming from the blaze inside another group can still negatively affect your dwelling. Depending on the characteristics of the burn, partially burned particles or smoke can travel throughout your building.

The smoke itself can cause problems with your building materials and contents. During many fire damage projects in Manhattan, smoke can leave behind pungent aromas and soils or soot residues. During some situations, our SERVPRO crew notices that most foul smells go away once all burnt materials and soot residues get removed from the negatively affected structure. In other cases, where the smoke has penetrated your contents and building materials deeply, unpleasant odors can still exist even after all soils and soot residues have been cleaned.

When smoke-like smells tend to stick around, our SERVPRO technicians can use other deodorization methods. Most deodorization techniques are found to be effective by using one or a combination of a large number of chemical agents. Each type of deodorant that can be useful during smoke mitigation works to eliminate odors differently after fire damage.

One common type of deodorizing agent works by masking. These masking agents use more pleasant aromas to cover up pungent ones. A different kind of chemical called a pairing agent works differently by causing a chemical reaction. Pairing agents have molecules that chemically bond with malodor particles and neutralize them.

Filtration agents are other types of products that can be used during deodorization. Some chemicals, like baking soda, work through absorption or by absorbing moisture into the substance. Different products work by adsorbing malodor particles or capturing gases and holding them on the surface of the gent.

Utilizing a variety of deodorization methods can prove to be useful when eliminating aromas caused by different types of smoke. If you ever notice smoke damage inside your apartment unit, call SERVPRO of Upper West Side at (917) 498-1362 24/7. We can help you restore your home to its original condition, "Like it never even happened."

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DIY Manhattan Fire Damage Restoration Can Lead to Further Complications

11/4/2019 (Permalink)

Cord plugged into outlet burning A fire in a neighboring apartment can damage yours. Don't DIY the restoration. SERVPRO is available 24/7 to take your call.

Limitations of DIY Fire Restoration in Manhattan Apartments 

Fires can become a substantial challenge to face, especially in confined Manhattan studio apartments. With several units on each floor, a fire anywhere near your residence could leave you contending with any number of concerns, including harsh odors, soot particulates, debris, and structural compromise. As tempting as it might seem to clean and restore these occurrences on your own, inadequate cleaning and recovery can lead to further complications. 

Because of the open area in studio apartments, fire damage in Manhattan properties can affect nearly every personal belonging, piece of furniture, and structural element in the unit. Even if your neighbor’s apartment is where the fire originated, shared walls can allow for the penetration of microscopic soot, smoke odors, and other threats into your apartment. Quickly overcoming these concerns requires trusting in the experienced hands of our SERVPRO professionals to help, as there are limitations to DIY restoration. 

Inadequate Inspection 

Our project manager and crew chief can work alongside our customers to determine the full scope of the fire damage. We can document loss, damage to contents, manage the pack-out of compromised belongings for focused cleaning and attention, and work with your insurance provider to afford the work. DIY assessment can often leave damage undiscovered, allowing it to worsen over time or remain a threat.

Deodorization 

The infiltration of odors from even neighboring units can be impossible for ill-equipped apartment owners to face on their own. With the open floor plan of your studio apartment, we must deploy effective deodorization strategies like our thermal fogger or hydroxyl generator to neutralize harsh scents on contact.

Soot Removal 

Soot is a hazardous situation, precisely because of its microscopic size and ability to generate health concerns for those directly exposed. DIY restorers should be mindful of these threats, and trust in the safety-focused SERVPRO team arriving to help. 

There are definite limitations to DIY fire restoration, but our SERVPRO of Upper West Side team can work to get you back to preloss condition quickly. With our experience and premier equipment, we can make these loss incidents “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at (917) 498-1362. 

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