Super Restoration Blog » soot removal miami

The Insured’s Responsibility to Mitigate Immediately

admin — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 18:49:00 +0000

If you have homeowner’s or flood insurance, are you aware of your responsibility to mitigate the loss? You need to take action to keep a problem from getting worse after making a claim or observing a problem. Failure to do so may affect the amount that your insurance will pay.

~What Does Mitigation Mean?

Imagine that a pipe breaks, causing a flood in your home. You have a responsibility as the insured party to make arrangements to stop the leak and clean up the water to prevent further damages. If you do not take these steps, the damage will get worse and more expensive. In this case, mold may begin to grow or water damage will increase.

~What are the Consequences of Not Mitigating Loss?

One legal case, Higginbotham v. New Hampshire Indem. Co., found that homeowners whose roof was damaged could receive payment for the damaged roof, but not for the water damage that occurred over several months before the roof was repaired. The judge determined that the homeowner could and should have taken action to prevent water from leaking through the damaged roof.

~How to Mitigate Against Further Damage

Be sure to contact your insurance company immediately and to take pictures of the damage that has already occurred. Then, take steps to prevent the problem from getting worse. This may include making temporary repairs, such as boarding up a broken window, or shutting off utilities, such as water to a damaged pipe. If a flood occurred, be sure to allow the area to completely dry to prevent the growth of mold or rust. You may also need to contact an expert to assist in repairs or flood cleanup. Save all of your receipts from supplies and repairs. Your insurance company may be able to provide emergency cash for these costs or may reimburse you after the fact.

By taking steps to reduce the chance of further damage, you are protecting your investment and avoiding unpleasant surprises down the road. If you have any questions about your responsibility in an insurance claim, ask your insurance company or a trusted expert for the type of damage that occurred.

Call us today for a free consultation 800-516-8059 or by email at: info@superrestoration.com

In your service,

Rene Vargas
Super Restoration
1 800 516 8059

Cleaning Soot from Porous and Non-Porous Items

admin — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 16:32:13 +0000

Cleaning soot from porous and non-porous items is a major task. Soot is a result of the incomplete combustion of wood, coal, diesel oil or other materials. Soot is normally found in the form of a black powdery substance consisting mainly of carbon. Soot will absorb energy from sunlight rather than reflect it thus it is seen as one of the main sources of global warming. This is particularly true if soot happens to settle on snow or ice. Soot particles in the air are a contributing cause for many respiratory illnesses. A common cause of soot is burning wood in a fireplace. Fire damage to residential and commercial properties will require the careful removal of soot during the clean-up process. Fire restoration services will often, due to the nature of the damage, necessitate the need for water and mold restoration in a simultaneous fashion.

Professional fire restoration services will be able to properly and completely clean and remove all soot from the premises. Removing soot from porous items is difficult but possible. Soot can penetrate into porous items due to the unique physical qualities of the surface of the item. Leaving the soot on these items can have drastic negative consequences. Chemical deposits can be left behind which can later be transferred into the air by heating and air conditioning systems and cause respiratory issues. Items that cannot be cleaned of soot completely should be discarded for this reason.

Non-porous items are generally easier to clean. Glass and other non-porous surfaces can normally be restored with appropriate cleaning equipment and supplies. The equipment utilized to clean up after a fire includes high tech Industrial ultrasonic equipment used to clean computers completely. High pressure water is another technique used on appropriate surfaces. The equipment and supplies utilized by professional restoration companies is intended to restore the residential or commercial property to living or working quality with no presence of soot.

Fire restoration services must be sought from a fully trained professional. Cleaning up after a fire is not the same thing as removing excess soot from a fireplace area.

Call us today for a free consultation 800-516-8059 or by email at: info@superrestoration.com

In your service,

Rene Vargas
Super Restoration
1 800 516 8059

Why Soot Damage Needs to Be Removed

admin — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 07:00:01 +0000

When your home has been damaged by fire the destruction does not end once the flames have been squelched. Smoke, soot and water can continue to deteriorate your walls, cabinets, roof and carpets. As a fire burns inside a house, toxic chemical compounds are often created. Dangerous gases can be produced by the reaction between fire and a host of construction components used in building the home; solvents, glues, rubber, wood or paint. Smoke and soot from a fire can leave behind destructive chemical deposits, which is why soot damage needs to be removed.

Soot Damage
Soot is a fine black carbon powder that results from the incomplete combustion between a fuel source, such as wood or coal and the air. Soot is actually an oily substance that continues to cause damage long after putting out the fire if not handled properly.

Smoke and soot travels into the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system duct work and into pipe work as well. The residue left behind not only clogs air ducts and pipes, but also releases tiny toxic particles (carcinogens) into the air you breathe.

Besides soot, secondary damage can be imposed from water in the form of mold and rust corrosion; thus it is advisable to have structural components of the home replaced. A pungent odor is often left behind even after visible signs of soot damage are gone. Roofing materials frequently sustain damage in the course of putting out the fire. Walls, cabinets, carpets and roofing materials should be replaced to ensure the health and safety of the inhabitants and to make certain the house can be adequately insured again after restoration.

Health and Safety Codes
Many cities and counties have municipal codes regarding the disposal of infected, contaminated or chemically hazardous materials. After a fire, it is best to replace structural components of a house that may contain hazardous chemical deposits from soot damage and deeply embedded smoke odor. Insurance companies may hesitate to insure the home again if structural elements damaged by soot are only cleaned rather than replaced.

Call us today for a free consultation 800-516-8059 or by email at: info@superrestoration.com

In your service,

Rene Vargas
Super Restoration
1 800 516 8059

Fire Damage!

admin — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 20:50:13 +0000

A fire can be frightening and downright devastating. The destruction caused by a fire can happen in a matter of minutes, leaving the home or business owner is a state of overwhelming shock. It’s important to note, however, that just because the fire is extinguished, that doesn’t mean that the structure is safe. Only restorative professionals such as Super Restoration can properly evaluate the damage caused by a blaze. Quick action will prevent further structural damage and protect the health and safety of those who occupy the home or business.

Not only is the overpowering odor displeasing to the nose, the smoke that caused the smell continues to do damage even after the fire is extinguished. If not immediately treated, permanent damage and discoloration could affect most of the items within the building.

Untreated smoke and fire damage to a building’s structure may not be noticed right away by the average person. Utility lines and wiring within the walls need to be checked for damage, evaluated for safety and immediately repaired. The roof of the structure can host embers and sparks that need to be identified right away. It is vital to allow a professional check all areas of the property.

Health dangers that follow a building fire include carcinogens and other hazardous materials that a fire can leave behind. Cleaning products, batteries, painting materials and other household products can become volatile when exposed to extreme heat and fire. The toxins left behind can cause serious health problems.

Proper treatment by a fire damage restoration professional should be sought out immediately. Waiting days or weeks can not only limit the salvation of the property, it can be downright dangerous. Fire damage restoration and neutralization is typically done in multiple phases. Ideally, treatment should begin within a few hours.

In South Florida, the potential for the home or business structure to develop mold and mildew after a fire is even greater than other areas of the country, thanks to the hot and humid climates we face daily. Microorganisms, fungi and bacteria can grow and spread very quickly in moist environments, particularly after a fire disaster.

Hiring Super Restoration for your fire damage immediately after a fire not only ensures the safety of the structure, but also the health of loved ones or business associates. Fighting fire damage doesn’t have to be a solitary feat. Let us, the professionals help pick up the pieces – and then start anew.

Call us today for a free consultation 800-516-8059 or by email at: info@superrestoration.com

In your service,

Rene Vargas
Super Restoration
1 800 516 8059